JP4883687B2 - Printed material processing apparatus and printed material processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printed material processing apparatus and a printed material processing method, and more particularly, to an improvement in a printed material processing apparatus and a printed material processing method used in, for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a multi-function peripheral (MFP).

  In recent years, there are many cases where a printed matter post-processing device for performing post-processing such as punching or stapling is attached to a paper discharge position of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile machine.

  To perform these post-processing, post-processing is set from the operation panel of the image forming apparatus or a print job is set from the printer driver, and post-processing is performed based on this.

  That is, in the image forming apparatus, an image is transferred to a printing sheet fed from a sheet feeding cassette, fixed, conveyed and discharged, and the discharged printing sheet is temporarily stored in an intermediate stack unit in a printed material post-processing apparatus. When a predetermined number of sheets are stacked, the paper is discharged after being subjected to post-processing such as stapling or punching.

For example, a printed matter processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-95526 (Patent Document 1) is of this type, and a standby stack unit is provided in addition to an intermediate stack for post-processing, so that the post-processing is executed. Post-processing is also possible for interrupted printing paper.
JP 2003-95526 A (Patent Document 1)

  However, since the above-described post-printing processing apparatus performs post-processing upon receiving the transfer of the printing paper on which the image has been transferred and fixed from the image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, if it is desired to execute interrupt printing during post-processing, The interrupt printing operation is not accepted until the processing is completed, and the user is kept waiting.

  In particular, in recent years, the number of post-processing, such as the number of staples, tends to increase from the conventional maximum of about 50 sheets to 100 sheets or more, and accordingly, the time until an interrupt operation can be accepted tends to increase. Therefore, improvement is required from the viewpoint of improving paperwork efficiency.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and a printed matter processing apparatus capable of accepting an interrupt during post-processing and improving user convenience regardless of the length of post-processing operation. And to provide a printed matter processing method.

In order to solve such problems, a printed matter processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a post-processing unit that post-processes a plurality of print media that are printed and discharged by the image forming apparatus, and an individual that is printed and discharged by the image forming apparatus A paper discharge unit for discharging the print medium as it is, an input unit for inputting an interrupt instruction for executing interrupt printing during the post-processing operation of the post- processing unit, and a post- processing when the interrupt instruction is input A display unit that displays selection items as to whether or not to interrupt the operation of the printing unit, and a discharge control unit that controls discharge of the print medium that is interrupted and discharged from the discharge unit when the selection instruction is given. And the input unit is configured to allow selection input of the selection item displayed on the display unit.

In the printed material processing apparatus of the present invention, the selection item to interrupt and interrupt the operation of the processing unit immediately thereafter, and the selection item to interrupt at the end of each copy processing in the post- processing of a plurality of copies in the processing unit thereafter The display unit is formed so as to display, and the input unit is formed so that any of the selection items can be input.

The printed matter processing apparatus of the present invention is configured to form the paper discharge control unit so that the operation of the processing unit is immediately interrupted when the selection item to interrupt and interrupt the operation of the processing unit is selected. It is .

  In the printed material processing apparatus of the present invention, the input unit and the display unit may be configured as an operation panel of the image forming apparatus.

The printed matter processing method according to the present invention includes post-processing for post-processing a plurality of print media printed and discharged from the image forming apparatus, and discharging individual print media printed and discharged from the image forming apparatus as they are. An input process for inputting an interrupt instruction for executing interrupt printing during the paper discharge process and the subsequent process operation, and a selection item for whether to interrupt the post-processing operation when the interrupt instruction is input. A display process for displaying, a paper discharge control process for controlling paper discharge for a print medium to be interrupted and discharged when the selection instruction is given, and a selection input process for selecting and inputting the selection item that has been displayed. ing.

The printed material processing method of the present invention, the display processing, then the processing operation interrupts and select items immediately interrupted, selections interrupt at the end of each section processing In the post-processing of a plurality of copies in a subsequent process And the input process is configured to input any of the selection items.

The printed material processing method of the present invention, the sheet discharge control processing, the selection item to interrupt and subsequently process operation immediately interrupted when selected, is configured to immediately interrupt controls subsequent processing operations.

  In the printed matter processing method of the present invention, a configuration in which the input processing and display processing are performed from the operation panel of the image forming apparatus is also possible.

In such a printed matter processing apparatus and printed matter processing method according to the present invention, a plurality of print media printed and discharged by the image forming apparatus are post-processed, while interrupt printing is performed during the subsequent processing operation. When an interrupt instruction is input, a screen for selecting whether or not to interrupt the subsequent processing operation is displayed. If the displayed selection item is selected and input, the subsequent processing operation is controlled and the print medium to be printed out. Therefore, the user is given the option of whether or not to interrupt, and can accept interrupts during post-processing regardless of the length of the post-processing operation. It is possible to improve.

In the present invention, then the processing operation interrupts and select items immediately interrupted, in the post-processing of a plurality of copies in subsequent processing to display a selection item to interrupt at the end of the individual parts processing, its either Since the selection item is input, it is possible to select whether to interrupt the post-processing operation immediately after interruption, or whether to interrupt at the end of each part processing in the post-processing of multiple copies in post-processing. and is a can be prevented even erroneous input upon selection operation is certain.

In the present invention, when subsequently processing operation immediately interrupted by interrupting the selection choice, and thereafter from the processing operation for discharging controlled to immediately interrupt control, interrupt selection then the process operation is immediately interrupted Except when it is selected, the post-processing operation is not immediately interrupted, and the post-processing can be smoothly performed without inadvertently delaying.

  In the present invention, in the configuration in which the input and display are performed from the operation panel of the image forming apparatus, the configuration is not complicated and the operability is improved.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of a printed material processing apparatus according to the present invention. The printed matter processing method according to the present invention will be described in the course of explaining the printed matter processing apparatus.

  In FIG. 1, the printed matter processing apparatus according to the present invention is connected to a paper discharge unit 3, a post-processing unit 5, a display / input unit 7, and a paper discharge control unit 9 connected via a connection line (cable) 1. Yes.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the paper discharge unit 3 forms a part of the post-processing device 11 and is controlled by the paper discharge control unit 9, and each print printed and discharged from an image forming device 13 described later. The paper (printing medium) is discharged from the paper discharge tray 15 one sheet at a time.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 2, the post-processing unit 5 forms a part of the post-processing device 11 similarly to the paper discharge unit 3, and is controlled by the paper discharge control unit 9. It has an intermediate stack unit 17 that stores a plurality of discharged printing sheets and performs stapling processing, and a bending unit 19 that folds the stored printing sheets. Reference numerals 21 and 23 denote discharge trays for the printing paper that has been stapled or bent.

  Since the mechanical configuration of the paper discharge unit 3 and the post-processing unit 5 itself is conventionally known, detailed description and illustration thereof are omitted.

  The individual printed sheets that have been printed and discharged are arranged in front of the paper discharge unit 3 and the post-processing unit 5 in the post-processing device 11, and are fed to the paper discharge unit 3 or the rear by a branch lever 25 controlled by the paper discharge control unit 9. Sorted to any of the processing units 5.

  The display / input unit 7 shown in FIG. 1 is, together with the paper discharge control unit 9, for example, from the liquid crystal operation panel that also serves as the liquid crystal display means and touch switch input means arranged in the main body case 27 in the image forming apparatus 13 of FIG. It has become.

  The display / input unit 7 has a conventionally known display input function such as selection of printing paper to be printed, execution of printing, cancellation, and the like, and is controlled by the paper discharge control unit 9.

In addition to displaying an interrupt key (not shown) that receives an interrupt instruction for post-processing, the display / input unit 7 displays “interrupt” as shown in FIG. 3 when the interrupt instruction is input. A function that displays a selection item for determining whether or not to interrupt the operation of the post-processing section, such as “Is the key selected?” Or “Do you want to interrupt the post-processing operation and make an interrupt copy?” And an input function for receiving an input for selecting and specifying one of selection items such as “No” and “No”.
That is, the display / input unit 7 functions as a display unit and an input unit.

  The display / input unit 7 also has an input receiving function for receiving inputs based on these displays and outputting them to the paper discharge control unit 9.

  When a selection instruction in the selection item is given, the paper discharge control unit 9 controls the stop of the operation of the post-processing unit 5 and drives and controls the branch lever 25 so that the print paper to be printed is discharged to the post-processing unit 5 side. To the paper discharge unit 3 side.

  In addition to having the above-described configuration, the image forming apparatus 13 transfers and fixes an image while feeding a plurality of paper feed cassettes 29 and 31 and printing paper that is primarily fed from these paper feed cassettes 29 and 31 to a secondary feed. The image forming apparatus includes a known monochrome or color printing engine 35 including a transfer fixing unit 33.

  Reference numeral 37 in FIG. 2 denotes a reversing conveyance unit that reverses the front and back of the printing paper having an image transferred and fixed on one side thereof and returns it to the transfer fixing unit 33.

  The paper discharge control unit 9 is a part of a control unit (not shown) that performs primary paper feed and secondary paper feed conveyance control in the image forming apparatus 13, transfer fixing control of the transfer fixing unit 33, and the like. However, it is formed having a CPU, a memory unit storing an operation program of the CPU, and an input / output interface (none of which are shown).

  Next, the operation of the printed material processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the post-processing operation is started, it is determined in step S1 whether or not the interrupt key has been pressed. If step S1 is not pressed and step S1 is NO, step S1 is repeated until step S1 becomes YES.

  If the interrupt key is pressed and step S1 is YES, an interrupt selection screen display process as shown in FIG. 3 is performed in step S2, and whether or not immediate stop is selected is determined in subsequent step S3.

  When “Yes” in FIG. 2 is pressed and immediate stop is selected, step S3 becomes YES, the post-processing operation being executed in step S4 is immediately stopped, and the branch lever 25 is moved to the post-processing unit 5 side. To the paper discharge unit 3 side.

  If “NO” in FIG. 2 is pressed and the immediate stop is not selected and step S3 is NO, the post-processing operation being executed in step S5 is continued and a post-processing break, for example, multiple copies The operation is stopped after waiting for the end time of each individual part process in the post-processing, and the branch lever 25 is switched from the post-processing part 5 side to the paper discharge part 3 side.

  Thereafter, an interrupt print job acceptance process is performed in step S6, and the print paper printed by the interrupted print job is directly discharged from the discharge tray 15. When the interrupt printing is completed, the branch lever 25 is moved to the discharge section. After switching from the 3 side to the post-processing unit 5 side and continuing the post-processing, the process ends.

  Such a processing procedure is the printed matter processing method according to the present invention.

As described above, in the printed material processing apparatus according to the present invention, the post-processing unit 5 that post-processes a plurality of print sheets printed and discharged by the image forming apparatus 13 and the discharge that discharges the printed and discharged individual prints as they are. Selection unit for interrupting the operation of the post-processing unit 5 when the paper unit 3 and the display / input unit (input unit) 7 for inputting an interrupt command for the subsequent processing are input. And a display / input unit (display unit) 7 for displaying a selection item to be interrupted at the time when the processing unit 5 is separated from the operation, and when the selection instruction is given, the operation of the post-processing unit 5 is interrupted and controlled. A paper discharge control section 9 for switching and controlling the printing paper to be printed out from the post-processing section 5 side to the paper discharge section 3 side, and the display / input section (input section) 7 selects and inputs these selection items. It is formed so that it can be accepted.

  Therefore, when there is an interrupt instruction during post-processing, the user is given the option of whether or not to interrupt, and it is possible to check whether or not the interrupt can be executed. Since it is possible to accept an interrupt during post-processing after confirming an interrupt operation without post-processing, user convenience can be improved regardless of the length of the post-processing operation.

  Moreover, since it is possible to select on the screen whether to interrupt and interrupt the operation of the post-processing unit 5 or to interrupt the operation of the post-processing unit 5, the selection operation is reliable and erroneous input is possible. It is possible to prevent.

  Furthermore, the operation of the post-processing unit 5 is not interrupted except when the selection item to be interrupted by interrupting the operation of the processing unit 5 is selected, and the post-processing can be smoothly performed without inadvertently delaying. is there.

  Further, in the present invention, the display / input unit 7 and the paper discharge control unit 9 described above are not limited to the configuration arranged in the image forming apparatus 13, the configuration arranged in the post-processing apparatus 11, and the image forming apparatus 13 and A configuration in which the post-processing device 11 is arranged separately is also possible.

  However, if the display / input unit 7 is an operation panel of the image forming apparatus 13, the configuration is not complicated and the operability is improved.

  In addition, the printing paper used for implementation of this invention can be implemented not only with a paper medium but with a synthetic resin sheet and other printing media.

  By the way, even with the printed matter processing method according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the printed matter processing apparatus.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the printed matter processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the printed matter processing apparatus of FIG. 1 including an image forming apparatus and a post-processing apparatus. It is a figure explaining the example of a display content in the printed matter processing apparatus of FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printed material processing apparatus of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connection line 3 Paper discharge part 5 Post-processing part 7 Display / input part (display part, input part)
9 Paper discharge control unit 11 Post-processing device 13 Image forming devices 15, 21, 23 Paper discharge tray 17 Intermediate stack unit 19 Bending unit 25 Branch lever 27 Body case 29, 31 Paper feed cassette 33 Transfer fixing unit 35 Print engine 37 Reverse Transport unit

Claims (4)

A post-processing unit for post-processing a plurality of print media to be printed and discharged by the image forming apparatus;
A paper discharge unit for discharging each print medium printed and discharged by the image forming apparatus as it is;
An input unit for inputting an interrupt instruction for executing interrupt printing during post-processing operation in the post- processing unit ;
A display unit for displaying a selection item as to whether or not to interrupt the operation of the post-processing unit when the interrupt instruction is input;
A paper discharge control unit that controls discharge of the print medium to be interrupted and discharged from the paper discharge unit when the selection instruction is made;
Comprising
The display unit includes the selection item to interrupt and interrupt the operation of the post-processing unit, and the selection item to interrupt at the end of each unit processing in a plurality of copies of the post-processing unit in the post-processing. Is displayed,
The input unit is for selectively inputting any of the selection items displayed on the display unit,
The printed matter processing apparatus , wherein when the selection item to interrupt and interrupt the operation of the post-processing unit is selected, the paper discharge control unit controls the operation of the post-processing unit immediately . The printed material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit and the display unit are operation panels of the image forming apparatus. Post-processing for post-processing a plurality of print media printed and discharged from the image forming apparatus;
A paper discharge process for discharging individual print media printed and discharged from the image forming apparatus as they are;
An input process for inputting an interrupt instruction for executing interrupt printing during the post-processing operation;
A display process for displaying a selection item as to whether or not to interrupt the post-processing operation when the interrupt instruction is input;
A discharge control process for controlling the discharge of the print medium to be interrupted and discharged when the selection instruction is made; and
A selection input process for selecting and inputting the selection item subjected to the display process;
Comprising
The display processing displays the selection items to be interrupted by interrupting the post-processing operation and the selection items to be interrupted at the end of individual processing in a plurality of copies in the post-processing. ,
The input process is to input any of the selection items displayed in the display process,
The printed matter processing method, wherein in the paper discharge control process, when a selection item for interrupting and interrupting the post-processing operation is selected, the post-processing operation is controlled to be interrupted immediately. The printed matter processing method according to claim 3, wherein the input processing and display processing are performed from an operation panel of the image forming apparatus.

Images