JP4586901B2 - Punch device setting device and punch device setting program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a setting device for setting the operation of a punching device for forming a plurality of punch holes in a recording sheet output from an image forming apparatus, a setting program, and a plurality of recording sheets output from the image forming apparatus. The present invention relates to a punch device for forming a punch hole.

  Conventionally, as a method for binding a printed material consisting of a plurality of pages, a plurality of punch holes are formed over substantially the entire area of the one side along one side of the printed material, and a ring or coil shape made of a material such as resin or metal A method of binding a plurality of pages by passing the binder is used.

  For this reason, in recent years, many image forming apparatuses such as MFPs (Multi Function Peripheral Peripherals) and printers have drawn punched holes by sequentially drawing printed recording paper and pressing a plurality of punch blades along one side. Is provided with a finisher (post-processing device) capable of performing punching processing. (For example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2 below).

Here, normally, the size of the recording paper handled by the image forming apparatus varies widely, such as A4, B5, and Letter, while the arrangement of punch blades provided in the finisher is generally fixed for each device. It is. For this reason, it has been pointed out that depending on the size of the recording paper, punch holes arranged in the vicinity of both end edges thereof do not completely fit on the paper surface, resulting in a defective appearance on the recording paper.
JP 2001-130827 A JP 2003-231092 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to form a punch portion that does not completely fit on a recording sheet by punching, and has a defective appearance on the recording sheet. It is an object to provide a punching device setting device, a setting program, and a punching device that operates in accordance with them.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

(1) A setting device for setting the operation of a punch device capable of forming a plurality of punch holes along one side of a recording sheet by a plurality of punch members arranged in a one-dimensional manner and independently controllable, A determination unit that determines whether or not each of the plurality of punch holes that can be formed by the punching device completely fits on the recording paper, and a punch hole that is determined to fit completely on the recording paper by the determination unit. A specifying unit for specifying the punch hole to be formed on the recording paper; and a setting unit for generating setting information for controlling the punch device so that only the punch hole specified by the specifying unit is formed; And a transmission unit that transmits the setting information generated by the setting unit to the punching device.

(2) A display unit that displays a preview image in which a second image that represents a plurality of punch holes that can be formed by the punching device is superimposed on a first image that represents the recording paper, and the display unit that displays the preview image. Of the plurality of punch holes represented by the second image included in the preview image, the user gives an instruction as to whether or not to form each punch hole that is determined not to be completely fit on the recording paper by the determination unit. further comprising an acquisition unit for acquiring, from said identifying unit, more particularly a punched hole which is as to be more formed by said instruction acquired by the acquiring unit, as punched holes to be formed on the recording sheet The setting device according to (1), characterized in that:

( 3 ) The above ( 1 ) or (2 ), further comprising a notifying unit for notifying the user when there is a punch hole that is determined not to fit completely on the recording paper by the determining unit. ) Setting device.

( 4 ) The setting device according to any one of (1) to ( 3 ), wherein each of the punch members is operated by a solenoid actuator.

( 5 ) A setting program for setting an operation of a punching device capable of forming a plurality of punch holes along one side of a recording sheet by a plurality of punch members arranged in a one-dimensional manner and independently controllable, The procedure (A) for determining whether or not each of the plurality of punch holes that can be formed by the punching device completely fits on the recording paper, and the procedure (A) determines that the punching holes completely fit on the recording paper. set the punch hole, the a procedure for identifying a punch hole to be formed on the recording paper (B), the procedure for controlling the punch device so that only the punch hole that has been identified is formed by (B) was and Step (C) for generating information, setting program, characterized in that to execute the setting information generated by the procedure (C) and Step (D) to be transmitted to the punch device, to the computer .

( 6 ) A procedure (a) for displaying a preview image in which a second image representing a plurality of punch holes that can be formed by the punching device is superimposed on a first image representing the recording paper, and the procedure (a). Whether to form each of the punch holes represented by the second image included in the displayed preview image and determined to not fit completely on the recording paper in the procedure (A) A step (b) of obtaining an instruction as to whether or not from a user, and further causing the computer to execute, and in the step ( B ), the punch hole that is to be formed by the instruction obtained in the step (b) but above (5), characterized in that it is further identified as a punch hole to be formed on the recording paper described configuration program.

( 7 ) When there is a punch hole that is determined not to completely fit on the recording paper in the step ( A ), the computer is further caused to execute a step ( c ) for notifying the user of the punch hole. The setting program according to ( 5 ) or (6) above.

( 8 ) A computer-readable recording medium on which the setting program according to any one of ( 5 ) to ( 7 ) is recorded.

  According to the present invention, among a plurality of punch holes that can be formed by a punching device, it is possible to individually designate what should actually be formed on a recording sheet. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent punch holes that do not completely fit on the recording paper due to the punching process, and a defective portion having a poor appearance appears on the recording paper.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

-Overall system configuration (Figure 1)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system according to the present embodiment includes a PC 1 as a setting device for setting the operation of the punch device, and an MFP 2 as an image forming device including the punch device. The communication network 3 is connected to be communicable with each other. Note that the types and number of devices connected to the communication network 3 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. Further, the PC 1 may be directly connected (locally connected) between the MFP 2 and the device without going through the network 3.

  Subsequently, the configuration of each device will be described. However, each device may include a component other than the components described later, or may not include some of the components described later. Good. In addition, portions having similar functions in each device are described only for the first time in order to avoid duplication of description, and descriptions thereof are omitted for the second and subsequent times.

-PC configuration (Fig. 2)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the PC 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the PC 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a display unit 13, an operation unit 14, and a communication interface 15, which are connected to each other via a bus 16 for exchanging signals. Has been.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU, and controls the above-described units and performs various calculations according to a program. The storage unit 12 includes a ROM that stores various programs and parameters for controlling basic operations of the PC 1, a RAM that temporarily stores programs and data as a work area, and an OS (operating system, basic software) and a PC 1 described later. A hard disk is provided for storing programs, parameters, and the like for controlling predetermined operations.

  The display unit 13 includes a liquid crystal display or the like and displays various information to the user. The operation unit 14 is a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, and acquires various instructions from the user. The communication interface 15 is an interface for connecting the PC 1 to the network 3 and communicating with other devices on the network 3. In the PC 1 of the present embodiment, in particular, the display unit 13 displays a punch setting UI screen for setting punch processing by the MFP 2 to the user, and the operation unit 14 is for the user operating the punch setting UI screen. Get instructions. This point will be further described later.

-Configuration of MFP (FIGS. 3 and 4)
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the MFP 2 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the MFP 2. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the MFP 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, an operation unit 23, an image reading unit 24, a printing unit 25, a post-processing unit 26, a paper feeding unit 27, and a communication interface 28. These are connected to each other via a bus 29 for exchanging signals. Hereinafter, these components will be described in order.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU, and controls the above-described units and performs various arithmetic processes according to a program. The storage unit 22 stores various programs and parameters in advance, a RAM that temporarily stores programs and data as a work area, stores various programs and parameters, or image data obtained by image processing, and the like. Consists of a hard disk or the like used for temporary storage.

  The operation unit 23 displays various information or a touch panel for inputting various settings, a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies, a start key for instructing start of operation, a stop key for instructing stop of operation, and various setting conditions at the initial stage. It consists of various fixed keys such as reset keys, display lamps and the like.

  The image reading unit 24 emits light from a light source such as a fluorescent lamp to a document set at a predetermined reading position on a document table or a document conveyed to a predetermined reading position by an ADF (Auto Document Feeder). Then, a scan operation is performed to generate image data (bitmap data) from an electrical signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the reflected light with a light receiving element such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor.

  The printing unit 25 prints the image data on a sheet supplied from the sheet feeding unit 16 and discharges the image data through the steps of charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing by electrophotography. However, the printing method employed by the printing unit 25 in the present invention is not limited to this, and any known printing method such as an impact method, a thermal transfer method, and an ink jet method may be used.

  The post-processing unit 26 performs post-processing such as collation processing, stapling processing, punching processing, and paper folding processing on the recording paper on which an image is printed by the printing unit 25. In particular, the post-processing unit 26 of the present embodiment includes a punch unit 261 as a punching device that performs a punching process on the recording paper. Here, the punching process is a process for forming a plurality of punch holes such as 26 holes and 30 holes along one side of the recording paper using a punch blade or the like. A specific configuration of the punch unit 261 of the present embodiment will be described later.

  The paper feeding unit 27 stores a plurality of types of recording paper (A4, B5, A3, Letter, etc.) for each size, and the recording paper in each paper feeding tray in response to a command from the control unit 21. A transport mechanism for transporting to the printing unit 25 is provided.

  The communication interface 28 is an interface for performing communication between the MFP 1 and an external device, such as a network interface based on a standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, or FDDI, a serial interface such as USB or IEEE1394, a SCSI, A parallel interface such as IEEE1284, various local connection interfaces such as wireless communication interfaces such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE802.11, HomeRF, and IrDA, a telephone line interface for connecting to a telephone line, and the like are used.

  With the above configuration, the MFP 2 executes printing on the recording paper based on the print job received from the external device through the communication interface or the original image read by the image reading unit 24, and further, on the recording paper on which printing has been executed. It is possible to discharge after post-processing such as punching.

-Structure of punch unit (FIGS. 5 to 8)
Next, a punch unit 261 as a punch device according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a top view of the punch unit 261. As shown in FIG. 5, the punch unit 261 includes a plurality of solenoid punch mechanisms 261 a (see FIG. 6) arranged one-dimensionally at equal intervals. Each punch mechanism 261a has the same configuration. For convenience, the arrangement direction of the punch mechanisms 261a is taken as the X direction (see the X axis in the figure).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the recording sheet S to be punched is transported below the punch unit 261 by a transport means (not shown). Then, the recording paper S is set so that the punch hole forming portion is positioned directly below the punch mechanism 261a. At this time, it is assumed that the recording paper S and the punch unit 261 are centered (centered) in the X direction.

  Next, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the II direction in FIG. 5 and shows the configuration of each of the solenoid punch mechanisms 261a. In the figure, (A) shows a state during standby (when the solenoid is demagnetized), and (B) shows a state during execution of the punching process (when the solenoid is excited).

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the punch mechanism 261a includes a movable iron core 261a1 slidable in the direction toward the recording paper S, a circular punch blade 261a2 fixed to the movable iron core 261a1, and a recording paper when the punching process is performed. The fixed iron core 261a3 that guides the punch blade 261a2 that slides toward the recording sheet S at the same time as pressing the surface of S, the solenoid coil 261a4 disposed so as to surround the fixed iron core 261a3, and the movable iron core 261a1 are fixed iron. A return spring 261a5 is provided that urges the lead 261a3 away from the core 261a3.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, when a current is passed through the solenoid coil 261a4 via the lead wire L, the fixed iron core 261a4 is magnetized by the magnetic flux generated from the solenoid coil 261a4 and draws the movable iron core 261a1. At this time, the punch blade 261a2 fixed to the movable iron core 261a1 penetrates the recording paper S to form a punch hole. Each punch mechanism 261a can be controlled independently of each other. Therefore, the punch unit 261 of this embodiment can selectively operate only one or a plurality of specific punch mechanisms 261a.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of punch holes that can be formed by the punch unit 261 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the diameter of each punch hole is 10 mm, and the interval between adjacent punch holes is 20 mm.

  Information regarding punch holes that can be formed by the punch unit 261 as described above is stored as punch unit information I in the hard disk of the recording unit 22 or the like. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of punch unit information I corresponding to the punch holes exemplified in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, in the punch unit information I, in addition to the diameter of each punch hole (10 mm) and the interval between adjacent punch holes (20 mm), the position information of each punch hole (X of the center of each punch hole) Information such as coordinates is stored. 7 and 8, the punch hole formed by the punch mechanism 261a located at the center of the plurality of punch mechanisms 261a constituting the punch unit 261 is defined as the zeroth punch hole, and the center of the punch hole is defined as the punch hole. The origin (X = 0) is set. The punch holes arranged on both sides of the 0th punch hole are the 1, 2, 3, 4... Punch holes in order from the inside. In FIG. 8, such punch unit information I is used to determine the position of each punch hole on the recording paper S in the punch setting process described later.

-PC operation (Fig. 9)
Next, an outline of the operation of the PC 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is an example of a flowchart showing a processing procedure by the PC 1 according to the present embodiment. The algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9 is stored as a control program in the storage unit 12, and is read out and executed by the control unit 11 when the operation starts.

  First, the PC 1 waits until receiving a print setting start instruction from the user (NO in S101). The print setting start instruction is accepted when the user performs a predetermined operation on the application installed in the PC 1.

  Subsequently, when receiving an instruction to start print setting (YES in S101), the PC 1 displays a print setting UI (user interface) screen u1 on the display unit 13. Hereinafter, the print setting UI screen u1 of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the print setting UI screen u1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the print setting UI screen u <b> 1 is a preview display that displays to the user a print setting area A <b> 1 that obtains instructions regarding various print settings from the user, and a preview image that indicates the finish state of punch processing by the MFP 2. It has area A2.

  In the present embodiment, the user operates the “paper size”, “paper feed tray”, “paper type”, and “collate” pull-down menus M1 to M4 arranged in the print setting area A1 to perform printing. Recording paper sizes (“A4”, “B4”, “A3”, “Letter”, etc.), and paper feed trays for supplying printing recording paper (“Auto”, “Tray 1”, “Tray 2”) ”,“ Manual feed ”, etc.), the type of recording paper for printing (“ plain paper ”,“ thick paper ”,“ OHP ”,“ envelope ”, etc.), and the collation method of the printed recording paper (“ sort ”,“ Sorting "etc.) can be specified.

  Further, the user operates the pull-down menus M5 to M9 of “double-sided”, “staple”, “fold”, “punch”, and “punch type” arranged in the print setting area A1, thereby performing single-sided / double-sided printing. Settings (“single side”, “double side”, etc.), staple binding processing settings (“1 location”, “2 locations”, “off”, etc.), paper folding processing settings (“center folding”, “Z folding”, “Off” etc.), punch processing setting (“left”, “right”, “off” etc.), setting of the number of punch holes formed by punch processing (“multi-hole”, “two holes”, “3”) Hole "," 4 holes ", etc.). When it is set that punching should be performed (that is, when “right”, “left”, etc. in the “punch” pull-down menu M8 in the above example are selected), the preview display area A preview image showing the finished state of the punching process by the MFP 2 is displayed in A2. This point will be further described later.

  Referring to FIG. 9 again, the PC 1 determines the size of the recording paper designated on the UI screen u1 (that is, the selection result of the “paper size” pull-down menu M1), and a preview representing the outline of the recording paper. An image (hereinafter also referred to as “paper image”) is displayed in the preview display area A2 (S103).

  Subsequently, whether or not the PC 1 is set to execute punching on the UI screen u1 (that is, “right”, “left”, etc. in the “punch” pull-down menu M8 is selected. (S104), and the process branches according to the determination result.

  If it is determined that the punch process should be executed (YES in S104), the PC 1 proceeds to S105 to further display a preview image indicating the finished state after the punch process in the preview display area A2. . For convenience, in the following description, in the print setting area A1, “Left” in the “Punch” pull-down menu M8 is selected, and “Multi-hole” in the “Punch type” pull-down menu M9 is selected. Shall.

  On the other hand, if it is not set that the punching process should be executed (NO in S104), the PC 1 returns to S104 and performs the punching process again unless receiving an instruction to execute printing (NO in S113). The presence or absence of the setting is determined. When an instruction to execute printing is received (YES in S113), the process proceeds to S114 described below, and a print job is transmitted to the MFP 2. Note that an instruction to execute printing is accepted when the user presses the “print execution” button B on the UI screen u1.

  In step S105, the PC 1 refers to the punch unit information I described above, and determines the position of each punch hole that can be formed by the punch unit 261 with respect to the recording paper S. More specifically, the PC 1 determines whether each punch hole completely fits on the surface of the recording paper S, overlaps the edge of the recording paper S, or is disposed outside the recording paper S. Here, the punch unit information I may be stored in the recording unit 12 of the PC 1 in advance, or may be acquired from the MFP 2 side via the network 3 during the print setting process. The determination in S105 is made based on the position information of each punch hole included in the punch unit information I. Hereinafter, a determination method based on the punch unit information of FIG. 7 will be described.

  For example, when an A4 sheet (total length: 297 mm) is designated as the recording sheet on the UI screen u1, the X coordinates of both edges in the X direction of the recording sheet S set in the punch unit 261 are +/− 148.5 mm. . Then, referring to the position information of each punch hole included in the punch unit information I in FIG. 7, although the 0th to 7th punch holes completely fit on the surface of the recording paper S, the 8th punch hole is the recording paper S. It will be arranged on the outside of the paper.

  In addition, when a Letter (LEF) sheet (279.4 mm in total length) is designated as the recording sheet, the X coordinates of both end edges in the X direction of the recording sheet S set in the punch unit 261 become +/- 139.7 mm. . In this case, although the 0th to 6th punch holes completely fit on the paper surface of the recording paper S, the 7th punch hole overlaps the edge of the recording paper S, and the 8th punch hole is outside the paper surface of the recording paper S. Will be placed.

  As described above, the recording paper S and the punch unit 261 are centered (centered) in the X direction. However, the present embodiment is not necessarily limited to this, and the recording paper S and the punch unit 261 are in the X direction. It may be aligned top or bottom. In this case, the same determination as described above may be performed with the upper end or lower end of the recording paper S and punch unit 261 as the origin (X = 0).

  Subsequently, the PC 1 records the determination result in S105 on the punch hole table T (S106). Here, the punch hole table T is a table for specifying punch holes to be actually formed on the recording paper S (hereinafter also referred to as “effective punch holes”) among punch holes that can be formed by the MFP 2. . For comparison with the above “effective punch hole”, a punch hole that should not actually be formed on the recording paper S is referred to as an “invalid punch hole”.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the determination result in S105, and FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the punch hole table T in which the determination result of FIG. 11 is recorded. In FIG. 11, it is determined that the 0th to 3rd punch holes completely fit on the surface of the recording paper S, and the 4th punch hole is determined to overlap the edge of the recording paper S. It is determined that the second punch hole is arranged outside the paper surface of the recording paper S.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the punch hole table T is composed of columns corresponding to the punch holes (0 to 8th punch holes) that can be formed by the punch unit 261, and the determination result in S105 is included in each column. In response, a flag of “effective punch hole” or “invalid punch hole” is set (S106). More specifically, the punch holes (0th to 3rd punch holes) determined to completely fit on the surface of the recording paper S in S105 are regarded as effective punch holes, and an effective punch hole flag is displayed in the corresponding column. Is established. Then, a punch hole determined to overlap the edge of the recording paper S (fourth punch hole) and a punch hole determined to be disposed outside the paper surface of the recording paper S (fifth to eighth punch holes). Are considered invalid punch holes and the corresponding columns are flagged as invalid punch holes.

  Referring to FIG. 9 again, the PC 1 refers to the punch hole table T in which the determination result in S105 is recorded, and shows an image (hereinafter referred to as “punch hole image”) that distinguishes the effective punch hole from the invalid punch hole. Is also superimposed on the paper image displayed in the preview image area A2 and displayed. In such a punch hole image, for example, effective punch holes are represented by black circles, and invalid punch holes are represented by white circles.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a punch setting UI screen u1 displayed on the display unit 13 at the end of S106. As shown in FIG. 13, in the preview display area A2, a preview image in which a punch hole image is superimposed on a paper image is displayed, and the user can check the finished state of the MFP 2 by punch processing.

  Furthermore, the UI screen u1 displaying the preview image as shown in FIG. 13 can invert the valid / invalid punch holes by receiving a user instruction in the preview display area A2. More specifically, when the user clicks the mouse with the cursor positioned on the effective punch hole in the preview image, the punch hole flag on which the cursor is positioned is toggled from the effective punch hole flag to the invalid punch hole flag. At the same time, the effective punch hole in the preview image is switched to the invalid punch hole. That is, in the example of FIG. 13, the black circle is switched to the white circle. The same applies when an invalid punch hole is clicked in the preview image.

  Referring to FIG. 9 again, the PC 1 branches the process depending on whether or not the mouse is clicked in a state where the cursor is positioned on a punch hole (that is, a black circle or white circle) in the preview image (S108). ). If the mouse is clicked in the above state (YES in S108), the punch hole table T is updated by toggling the flag corresponding to the punch hole to which the cursor is placed (S109). Then, after changing the punch hole image in the preview image based on the updated punch hole table T, the process proceeds to S111 described later. On the other hand, when the instruction is not acquired (NO in S108), the process proceeds to S111 as it is.

  In S111, the PC 1 adds setting information for punch processing based on the punch hole table T at that time to the print job. More specifically, the PC 1 adds setting information for operating only the punch mechanism 261a1 corresponding to the punch hole for which the effective punch hole flag is set in the punch hole table T to the print job.

  Subsequently, the PC 1 branches the process depending on whether a print execution instruction is issued from the user (S112). If a print execution instruction is issued from the user (YES in S112), the print job is transmitted to the MFP 2 to end the process. If no print execution instruction is issued from the user (NO in S112), the process returns to S109 and again. Get user instructions.

  As described above, when receiving the print setting start instruction from the user (YES in S101), the PC 1 according to the present embodiment distinguishes the effective punch hole and the invalid punch hole from each other in the preview image indicating the finished state of the punch process. Display (S107). At this time, the PC 1 can obtain an instruction to reverse the validity / invalidity of punch holes in the displayed preview image from the user (S108). When the PC 1 receives a print execution instruction from the user (YES in S112), the PC 1 transmits to the MFP 2 a print job to which setting information for forming only the displayed effective punch hole is added (S114).

-Operation of MFP (FIG. 14)
Next, an outline of the operation of the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure performed by the MFP 2 according to the present embodiment. The algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14 is stored as a control program in the storage unit 22, and is read out and executed by the control unit 11 when the operation is started. In this example, it is assumed that the MFP 2 performs print processing based on a print job received from the PC 1 via the network interface 28.

  First, the MFP 2 stands by until a print job is received from the PC 1 via the network interface 28 (NO in S201).

  Here, a print job that the MFP 2 receives from the PC 1 in this example will be described. The print job according to the present embodiment includes print job information for storing various types of information related to print settings and the like, and image data (bitmap data) composed of four colors CYMK. The print job received by the MFP 2 is temporarily stored in the storage unit 22 and converted into print image data that can be processed by the printing unit 25. A program for converting a print job into printable print image data is stored in the hard disk of the recording unit 22 or the like. Instead of executing conversion to print image data by software processing using a program, conversion to print image data may be performed using an image processing unit as a dedicated hardware circuit.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of print job information J included in a print job according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the print job information J includes job information J1 for storing information related to the entire print job such as the number of pages and the number of prints, and settings for each page constituting the print job such as a paper size and a color mode. It includes page information J2 for storing information. In particular, in the present embodiment, the page information J2 includes information indicating whether each punch hole that can be formed by the punch unit 261 is an effective punch hole or an invalid punch hole ("Punch" in FIG. 15). Column).

  Referring to FIG. 14 again, when the MFP 2 receives the print job (YES in S201), the page information J2 included in the print job is analyzed (S202), and it is specified that the punch process should be executed. It is determined whether or not (S203). More specifically, the MFP 2 determines whether or not the “Punch” column is included in the page information J2. Since punch processing is generally performed for all pages included in one print job, the “punch” column is not page information J2 that exists for each page, but job information J1 that exists for each job. It may be provided on the side.

  Subsequently, when it is not specified that the punch process should be executed (NO in S203), the MFP 1 executes the print process by the printing unit 25 on the recording paper S (S205a), and the punch unit 261 performs the punch process. The recording paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray or the like without executing the processing (S207), and the processing is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is specified that punching should be performed (YES in S203), the MFP 2 identifies valid / invalid punch holes with reference to the page information J2 (S204), and then the recording paper S Then, the printing process is executed (S205). Then, the MFP 2 sets the recording sheet S on which the printing process has been performed in the punch unit 261, and operates only the punch mechanism 261a corresponding to the effective punch hole identified in S204 to execute the punch process (S206).

  Finally, the MFP 2 discharges the recording paper S to a paper discharge tray or the like and ends the process. The punching process (S206) described above may be executed for each page constituting the print job, or may be executed for each print job.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, among the plurality of punch holes that can be formed by the MFP 2, it is possible to individually specify the punch holes to be actually formed on the recording paper S on the print setting UI screen u1. Become. As a result, punch holes that do not completely fit on the recording paper S due to the punching process are formed, and it is possible to effectively prevent occurrence of defective portions on the recording paper S.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, in the above embodiment, the punch hole determined to overlap the edge of the recording paper S in S105 is displayed as an invalid punch hole, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. That is, it is possible to perform processing for displaying the punch hole as an effective punch hole and displaying a message for notifying the user that there is a punch hole overlapping the edge of the recording paper S. is there.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the PC 1 is used as the setting device for setting the operation of the punch device according to the present invention (punch unit 261 of the MFP 2) has been described. However, the setting device is built in the MFP 2 side. A configuration is also feasible. In this case, a UI screen for setting the operation of the punching device is displayed on the operation unit 23 of the MFP 2.

  Each means and method in the image forming system according to the present invention can be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit or a dedicated program executed by the CPU. When the present invention is realized by the latter, the program may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a CD-ROM, or provided online via a network such as the Internet. May be. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred and stored in a ROM, a hard disk or the like. Further, this program may be provided as, for example, a single application software, or may be incorporated into the software of the apparatus as one function of the image forming apparatus or the like.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of PC concerning one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows an example of the punch unit which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along II in FIG. 5. It is a figure which shows an example of the punch hole which can be formed with the punch unit which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the punch unit information which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the process of PC concerning one Embodiment of this invention. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting UI screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the determination result of S105 in the flowchart of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the punch hole table which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting UI screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the print job information which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 PC,
11 Control unit,
12 storage unit,
13 Display section,
14 operation unit,
15 communication interface,
16 buses,
2 MFP,
21 control unit,
22 storage unit,
23 Operation part,
24 image reading unit,
25 printing section,
26 Post-processing section,
261 punch unit,
261a punch mechanism,
261a1 movable iron core,
261a2 punch blade,
261a3 fixed iron core,
261a4 solenoid coil,
261a5 return spring,
A1 print setting area,
A2 Preview display area,
B Print execution button,
I punch unit information,
J Print job information,
J1 job information,
J2 page information,
M1-M9 pull-down menu,
S recording paper,
T Punch hole information,
u1 UI screen for print settings.

Claims (8)

A setting device for setting the operation of a punch device capable of forming a plurality of punch holes along one side of a recording sheet by a plurality of punch members arranged in a one-dimensional shape and independently controllable,
A determination unit that determines whether or not each of the plurality of punch holes that can be formed by the punching device is completely contained in the recording paper;
The punch holes that are determined to fit perfectly on the recording sheet by judging unit, a specifying unit for specifying a punch hole to be formed on the recording sheet,
A setting unit for generating setting information for controlling the punching device so that only the punch hole specified by the specifying unit is formed;
And a transmission unit that transmits the setting information generated by the setting unit to the punching device. A display unit for displaying a preview image in which a second image representing a plurality of punch holes that can be formed by the punch device is superimposed on a first image representing the recording paper;
Of the plurality of punch holes represented by the second image included in the preview image displayed by the display unit, each of the punch holes determined by the determination unit to be completely not fit on the recording paper is formed. An acquisition unit that acquires an instruction as to whether or not to perform from the user,
The identification unit of claim 1, a punch hole is the to be more formed by said instruction acquired by the acquisition unit, characterized by further identified as punch hole to be formed on the recording sheet Setting device. 3. The setting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification unit that notifies the user when there is a punch hole that is determined not to completely fit on the recording sheet by the determination unit. . Each of said punch members, setting device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that to operate the solenoid actuator. A setting program for setting an operation of a punching apparatus capable of forming a plurality of punch holes along one side of a recording sheet by a plurality of punch members arranged in a one-dimensional shape and independently controllable,
A procedure (A) for determining whether or not each of the plurality of punch holes that can be formed by the punching device is completely contained in the recording paper;
Punch holes is determined to fit completely into the recording paper by the procedure (A), and the procedure (B) identifying a punch hole to be formed on the recording sheet,
A procedure ( C ) for generating setting information for controlling the punching device so that only the punch holes specified in the procedure ( B ) are formed;
A setting program for causing a computer to execute the procedure ( D ) for transmitting the setting information generated in the procedure ( C ) to the punching device. A procedure (a) of displaying a preview image in which a second image representing a plurality of punch holes that can be formed by the punch device is superimposed on a first image representing the recording paper;
Among the plurality of punch holes represented by the second image included in the preview image displayed in the procedure (a), the punch holes determined not to completely fit on the recording paper in the procedure (A) And (b) obtaining from the user an instruction as to whether or not each of the above should be formed,
In the step ( B ), a punch hole that should be formed by the instruction acquired in the step (b) is further specified as a punch hole to be formed in the recording paper. 5. The setting program according to 5 . A step ( c ) for notifying the user of a punch hole that is determined not to completely fit on the recording paper in the step ( A ) is further executed by the computer. Item 7. The setting program according to item 5 or 6 . A computer-readable recording medium setting program according to any one of claims 5-7.

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