JP6540475B2 - Image forming apparatus, control method of image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a control method of the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus may include a main body including the image forming unit, and a post-processing device connected to the main body. The post-processing apparatus includes a post-processing unit that collectively processes a plurality of overlapped sheets. For example, the post-processing unit may be a staple unit that performs sheet binding processing for binding a plurality of sheets, or a sheet folding unit that performs sheet folding processing for bending a plurality of sheets.

  When the processing of the post-processing unit is performed, the image forming unit and a sheet conveyance unit that conveys the sheet execute continuous printing processing of forming images for a plurality of pages on a plurality of the sheets. Then, the plurality of sheets after image formation temporarily stay in the intermediate tray in the overlapping state. The post-processing unit subjects the plurality of sheets accumulated in the intermediate tray to the post-processing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-75569

  By the way, when the jam of the sheet is detected in the middle of the continuous printing process, the continuous printing process is interrupted. Then, after all the sheets in the apparatus are removed by the user and the jam is eliminated, the continuous printing process is restarted from the beginning.

  However, the sheet after image formation may already exist in the intermediate tray before the continuous printing process is interrupted. In this case, if the sheet present in the intermediate tray is also discarded in addition to the sheet having the jam, the sheet, the developer and time are wasted in the process to be resumed after the jam is eliminated. Be done.

  An object of the present invention is to perform continuous printing and post-processing on a plurality of sheets accumulated in an intermediate tray due to the continuous printing, in a process to be resumed after the jam is eliminated, when interrupted due to the occurrence of jam. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and a control method of the image forming apparatus which can save the waste of the agent and time.

  An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a sheet supply unit, a pre-processing unit, an intermediate tray, a discharge tray, a post-processing unit, a jam detection unit, an interruption control unit, and a remaining number counting unit. , A supplemental printing control unit, and a supplemental post-processing control unit. The pre-processing unit includes a sheet conveying unit that conveys the sheet and an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet. The pre-processing unit can execute continuous printing processing for forming a plurality of pages of images on a plurality of the conveyed sheets while sequentially conveying the sheets from the sheet supply unit along a predetermined conveyance path. It is. The intermediate tray is a portion that temporarily accumulates the plurality of sheets after image formation, at a stage subsequent to the conveyance path. The discharge tray is provided downstream of the intermediate tray to receive the sheet. The post-processing unit collectively performs a predetermined process on the plurality of sheets accumulated in the intermediate tray, and transfers the bundle of sheets subjected to the process from the intermediate tray to the discharge tray. It is the part that performs post-processing to discharge. The jam detection unit detects a jam of the sheet in the conveyance path. The interruption control unit interrupts the continuous printing process by the preprocessing unit until the jam is cleared when the jam is detected during the continuous printing process. The supplementary printing control unit is configured to take one or an image of remaining pages excluding pages corresponding to the number of sheets conveyed to the intermediate tray by the interruption in the interrupted continuous printing process after the jam is eliminated. A supplementary printing process to be formed on a plurality of the sheets is executed. The supplementary post-processing control unit causes the post-processing unit to execute the post-processing after the supplementary printing process.

  In a control method of an image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention, the sheet supply unit, the pre-processing unit, the intermediate tray, the discharge tray, the post-processing unit, and the jam detection unit are provided. It is a control method of an image forming apparatus provided. The control method includes the following steps. One of the plurality of steps is a step of interrupting the continuous printing process by the preprocessing unit until the jam is cleared when the jam is detected in the middle of the continuous printing process. Another one of the plurality of steps is the remaining pages excluding the pages corresponding to the number of sheets conveyed to the intermediate tray by the interruption in the interrupted continuous printing process after the jam is eliminated. This is a step of executing a supplementary printing process of forming an image on one or more of the sheets. Another one of the plurality of steps is a step of causing the post-processing unit to execute the post-processing after the supplementary printing process.

  According to the present invention, when the post-processing for the plurality of sheets accumulated in the intermediate tray by the continuous printing process and the continuous printing process is interrupted due to the occurrence of the jam, the sheet is developed in the process resumed after the jam is eliminated. It becomes possible to provide an image forming apparatus and a control method of the image forming apparatus which can save the waste of the agent and time.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an image reading unit and an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the post-processing unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of control related equipment in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of copy control in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a jamming control procedure in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of post-jamming elimination control in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and does not have the property of limiting the technical scope of the present invention.

[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 10]
First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a multifunction peripheral having an image reading function, an image forming function, and a post-processing function.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reading unit 1, a main unit 2, and a post-processing unit 5. The main unit 2 includes a sheet supply unit 30, a sheet conveyance unit 3, and an image forming unit 40. The image forming apparatus 10 also includes a control unit 8, an operation display unit 80, a plurality of sheet sensors 800, and the like (see FIG. 2). It is also conceivable that the image forming apparatus 10 does not include the image reading unit 1.

[Image reading unit 1 and main unit 2]
The image reading unit 1 is a device that reads an image from a document. When the image forming apparatus 10 executes a copy job, the image forming unit 40 forms an image based on the image data of the document output from the image reading unit 1 on the sheet 9. When the image forming unit 40 executes a print job received from a terminal (not shown), the image forming unit 40 forms an image based on the print job on the sheet 9.

  The sheet supply unit 30 is a cassette or tray in which a plurality of sheets 9 can be set. In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a plurality of sheet supply units 30, and the plurality of sheet supply units 30 include a sheet cassette 30a and a manual feed tray 30b. The sheet 9 is a sheet or other sheet-like image forming medium.

  The sheet conveyance unit 3 is a mechanism for conveying the sheet 9 set in the sheet supply unit 30 along the conveyance paths 300 to 305 in the apparatus. The sheet conveying unit 3 is provided in the main unit 2 and the post-processing unit 5.

  The sheet conveyance unit 3 includes a plurality of pairs of conveyance roller pairs 32 that convey the sheet 9, and a plurality of path switching units 33 that switch the conveyance path of the sheet 9. The path switching unit 33 is a movable sheet guide or the like that changes the guiding direction of the sheet 9 by rotating.

  For example, the sheet conveyance unit 3 can convey the sheet 9 from the sheet supply unit 30 along the main conveyance path 300 and the first conveyance path 301, and can discharge the sheet 9 to the first discharge tray 311 (see FIG. 2).

  Further, the sheet conveyance unit 3 can convey the sheet 9 from the sheet supply unit 30 to the intermediate tray 60 in the post-processing unit 5 via the main conveyance path 300, the second conveyance path 302, and the third conveyance path 303. (See Figures 2 and 3). A portion of the second conveyance path 302 and the third conveyance path 303 are formed in the post-processing unit 5.

  In addition, the sheet conveyance unit 3 may further convey the sheet 9 from the sheet supply unit 30 to the fourth conveyance path 304 or the fifth conveyance path 305 via the main conveyance path 300 and the second conveyance path 302. Yes (see Figures 2 and 3).

  The image forming unit 40 shown in FIG. 2 executes an electrophotographic image forming process. In this case, the image forming unit 40 includes a drum-shaped photosensitive member 41, a charging unit 42, a laser scan unit 43, a developing unit 44, a transfer unit 45, and a fixing unit 46. It is also conceivable that the image forming unit 40 performs the image forming process by another method such as an inkjet method.

  The image forming unit 40 forms an image on the surface of the sheet 9 moving on the main conveyance path 300. In the following description, the sheet conveying unit 3 and the image forming unit 40 will be referred to as a preprocessing unit 4.

[Post-processing unit 5]
The post-processing unit 5 is an apparatus capable of processing the sheet 9 after image formation conveyed from the main unit 2. The post-processing unit 5 includes an intermediate tray 60 that temporarily holds the plurality of sheets 9 after the image formation on the rear side of the third conveyance path 303. The intermediate tray 60 is formed to be inclined with respect to the horizontal. At the rear stage of the intermediate tray 60, a second discharge tray 312 is provided.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the post-processing unit 5 includes a sheet binding unit 6. The sheet binding unit 6 includes a staple unit 61, a sheet aligning unit 62, and a discharge roller pair 63.

  The sheet binding unit 6 performs sheet binding processing for binding the plurality of sheets 9 collected in the intermediate tray 60. For example, the sheet binding unit 6 is a stapler that binds a plurality of sheets 9 with a metal needle or the like.

  The discharge roller pair 63 discharges the bundle of sheets 9 subjected to the sheet binding process from the intermediate tray 60 to the second discharge tray 312. The discharge roller pair 63 is switched between a closed state in which the two rollers are close and an open state in which the two rollers are separated by displacement of one roller.

  In the present embodiment, the post-processing unit 5 is provided with a plurality of second discharge trays 312 downstream of the intermediate tray 60. The plurality of second discharge trays 312 are supported so as to be able to move up and down by the elevating mechanism 312a.

  The elevating mechanism 312 a raises and lowers all the plurality of second discharge trays 312 and positions any one second discharge tray 312 at the discharge position of the sheet 9 by the discharge roller pair 63. Thus, it is possible to select the discharge destination of the sheet 9 from the intermediate tray 60 from among the plurality of second discharge trays 312.

  The sheet 9 conveyed from the third conveyance path 303 to the intermediate tray 60 falls on the intermediate tray 60 while a part of the leading side thereof advances between the open discharge roller pair 63.

  The sheet aligning unit 62 aligns the lower end of the sheet 9 with the lower end of the intermediate tray 60 by rotating while being in contact with the sheet 9 dropped onto the intermediate tray 60. The sheet aligning unit 62 is an elastic member such as a plate-like rubber member that rotates at a position facing the intermediate tray 60.

  In the state where one or more sheets 9 are present on the intermediate tray 60, the discharge roller pair 63 is shifted from the open state to the closed state, and the sheet 9 is further transferred to the intermediate tray by rotation of the discharge roller pair 63. 60 are discharged onto the second discharge tray 312.

  In the following description, the sheet binding processing is collectively performed on the plurality of sheets 9 accumulated in the intermediate tray 60 by the sheet binding unit 6, and the discharge roller pair 63 is the sheet 9 subjected to the sheet binding processing. The process of discharging the bundle of sheets from the intermediate tray 60 to the second discharge tray 312 is referred to as a sheet binding process. The sheet binding process is an example of post-processing, and the sheet binding unit 6 is an example of a post-processing unit.

  When the sheet binding unit 6 executes the sheet binding process, the pre-processing unit 4 executes the continuous printing process. The continuous printing process sequentially conveys the sheet 9 from the sheet supply unit 30 along the main conveyance path 300, the second conveyance path 302, and the third conveyance path 303, and transfers a plurality of pages to the plurality of sheets 9 conveyed. It is a process of forming an image.

  In the following description, the number of sheets 9 processed in one continuous printing process will be referred to as a unit number. The sheet binding unit 6 performs the sheet binding process when the unit number of sheets 9 is accumulated in the intermediate tray 60.

  Further, there is also a case where the pre-processing unit 4 executes the copy printing process in which the continuous printing process is repeated by the number of times corresponding to the preset designated number of copies. In this case, the sheet binding unit 6 executes a collated sheet binding process. In the per-unit sheet binding process, the per-sheet printing process is performed each time the unit sheet number 9 is accumulated in the intermediate tray 60. The collated sheet binding process is an example of collated post processing.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the post-processing unit 5 also includes a punching unit 5 x, a sheet folding unit 7 and the like. The punching unit 5x performs punching to form a punched hole on the sheet 9 being conveyed on the second conveyance path 302. Another intermediate tray 70 is provided downstream of the fifth conveyance path 305, and a third discharge tray 313 is provided downstream of the intermediate tray 70.

  The sheet folding unit 7 folds the plurality of sheets 9 accumulated in the intermediate tray 70 into sheet folding processing, and discharges the bundle of sheets 9 subjected to the sheet folding processing to the third discharge tray 313. The sheet folding unit 7 includes a blade 71, a sheet folding roller pair 72, and a discharge roller pair 73. The blade 71 pushes the overlapped plurality of sheets 9 into the nip portion of the sheet folding roller pair 72, and the sheet folding roller pair 72 creases the sheet 9. The discharge roller pair 73 discharges the bundle of sheets 9 passed through the sheet folding roller pair 72 onto the third discharge tray 313.

  The plurality of sheet sensors 800 are sensors that detect the sheet 9 conveyed along the conveyance path. For example, it is conceivable that the sheet sensor 800 is a reflective photosensor or a transmissive photosensor.

  The plurality of sheet sensors 800 are provided at a plurality of locations in the path from at least the sheet supply unit 30 to the intermediate tray 60 through the main conveyance path 300, the second conveyance path 302, and the third conveyance path 303. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sheet sensor 800 is also provided in the first conveyance path 301, the fourth conveyance path 304, and the fifth conveyance path 305.

  The sheet sensor 800 is a sensor capable of detecting a jam of the sheet 9. In addition, at least one sheet sensor 800 is provided in the third conveyance path 303. The third conveyance path 303 is a conveyance path through which the sheet 9 approaching above the intermediate tray 60 passes. The sheet sensor 800 in the third conveyance path 303 is also a sensor capable of detecting the number of sheets 9 accumulated in the intermediate tray 60.

  The operation display unit 80 includes an operation unit that receives an operation to input information and a display unit that displays information. For example, it is conceivable that the operation unit and the display unit are a touch panel and a touch panel unit including a display panel on which the touch panel is formed.

  The control unit 8 controls the image reading unit 1, the preprocessing unit 4, the post-processing unit 5, and the operation display unit 80. Furthermore, the control unit 8 also executes various determination processing and calculation processing based on the detection result of the sheet sensor 800.

  For example, it is conceivable that the control unit 8 includes an MPU (Micro Processor Unit) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that execute programs stored in a non-volatile, computer-readable storage unit (not shown). In addition, it is also conceivable that the control unit 8 is configured by one or more of the MPU, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a digital signal processor (DSP).

  In the control unit 8, the UI control unit 81 controls the operation display unit 80. Further, the jam determining unit 82 of the control unit 8 determines the presence or absence of the occurrence of the jam and the occurrence position of the jam based on the continuation detection time of the sheet 9 by each of the sheet sensors 800.

  That is, when a certain sheet sensor 800 continues to detect the sheet 9 beyond a predetermined upper limit time, the jam determination unit 82 determines that the jam occurs at the position where the sheet sensor 800 exists. Do.

  The plurality of sheet sensors 800 and the jam determination unit 82 are an example of a jam detection unit that detects the jam of the sheet 9 in the conveyance paths 300 to 305.

  Further, in the control unit 8, the progress determination unit 83 determines the progress status of the continuous printing process and the set printing process. For example, the progress determination unit 83 counts the number of times that the sheet sensor 800 in the third conveyance path 303 detects the passage of the sheet 9 since the discharge roller pair 63 finally executes the operation of discharging the sheet 9. The number of sheets 9 accumulated in the intermediate tray 60 is determined.

  The count value of the number of times the sheet sensor 800 of the third conveyance path 303 detects the passage of the sheet 9 is initialized every time the number of unit sheets is reached. The progress determination unit 83 outputs an operation event of the discharge roller pair 63 each time the count value reaches the unit number.

  Furthermore, the progress determination unit 83 counts up the number of copies for which the sheet binding process is completed each time the count value reaches the unit number when the copy process and the copy sheet binding process are performed. Do. Thus, the progress determination unit 83 calculates the number of copies for the sheet binding process.

  Further, in the control unit 8, the pre-processing control unit 84 controls the pre-processing unit 4 including the sheet conveying unit 3 and the image forming unit 40, and the post-processing control unit 85 controls the sheet binding unit 6, the punching unit 5 x and the sheet. The folding unit 7 is controlled.

  Generally, when the jam of the sheet 9 is detected in the middle of the continuous printing process, the continuous printing process is interrupted. In the conventional image forming apparatus, all sheets 9 in the apparatus are removed by the user, and after the jam is eliminated, the continuous printing process is restarted from the beginning.

  However, the sheet 9 after image formation may already exist in the intermediate tray 60 before the continuous printing process is interrupted. In this case, if the sheet 9 present in the intermediate tray 60 is also discarded in addition to the sheet 9 having the jam, the sheet 9, the developer and time are wasted in the process to be resumed after the jam is eliminated. Be done.

  Also in the image forming apparatus 10, post-processing on the plurality of sheets 9 accumulated in the intermediate tray 60 by the continuous printing process and the continuous printing process is interrupted due to the occurrence of the jam. However, if the image forming apparatus 10 is adopted, by executing the control described later, waste of the sheet 9, the developer and time can be eliminated in the process to be resumed after the jam is eliminated.

[Collated control]
Next, referring to a flowchart shown in FIG. 5, an example of a procedure of unit control performed by the control unit 8 will be described. In the following description, S101, S102,... Represent identification codes of steps performed by the control unit 8.

<Step S101>
When the start event of the copy unit print process and the copy unit sheet binding process occurs, the control unit 8 starts the copy unit control. The start event is, for example, that a predetermined start operation has been performed on the operation unit of the operation display unit 80 or that a job has been received from an external apparatus through a communication interface (not shown).

  In the copy unit control, the pre-processing control unit 84 causes the pre-processing unit 4 to execute the copy unit printing process, and the post-processing control unit 85 performs the copy unit sheet binding to the sheet binding unit 6. It is control to execute processing. The pre-processing control unit 84 and the post-processing control unit 85 that execute the copy unit control are examples of the copy unit control unit.

<Step S102>
When the copy control is performed, the progress determination unit 83 determines the progress status of the continuous printing process and the copy printing process, as described above.

<Step S103>
Furthermore, when the copy unit control is being performed, the jam determination unit 82 determines whether the jam has occurred.

<Step S104>
Then, when the progress determination unit 83 determines that the copy unit printing process and the copy unit sheet binding process are completed while the jam does not occur, the preprocess control unit 84 and the postprocess control unit 85 perform the process. End unit control.

<Step S105>
On the other hand, when the jam is detected in the middle of the continuous printing process in the collated printing process, the control unit 8 executes an in-jamming control described later. Thereafter, the control unit 8 ends the unit control.

[Jam control]
Next, referring to a flowchart shown in FIG. 6, an example of the procedure of the during-jam control executed by the control unit 8 will be described. In the following description, S201, S202,... Indicate identification codes of steps performed by the control unit 8.

<Step S201>
If the jam is detected in the middle of the continuous printing process, the preprocessing control unit 84 interrupts the continuous printing process by the preprocessing unit 4 until the jam is cleared. The preprocessing control unit 84 that executes the process of step S201 is an example of the interruption control unit.

  When the sheets 9 corresponding to the unit number of sheets are already accumulated in the intermediate tray 60 at the time when the jam is detected, the post-processing control unit 85 starts the sheet binding process which has already started or is scheduled to start from now. To complete.

<Step S202>
Furthermore, the UI control unit 81 outputs an error notification indicating the jam occurrence status to the display unit of the operation display unit 80.

<Step S203>
Furthermore, the progress determination unit 83 determines the number of remaining sheets, which is the number of sheets 9 conveyed to the intermediate tray 60 by the interruption in the interrupted continuous printing process.

  For example, after the second sheet 9 in the continuous printing process is conveyed to the intermediate tray 60 and before the third sheet 9 is conveyed to the intermediate tray 60, the jam may occur. The number of remaining sheets is 2.

  The sheet 9 remaining on the intermediate tray 60 in step S203 is the sheet 9 on which an image of a part of pages from the first page among the first pages of all pages to be subjected to the continuous printing process is formed. The sheets 9 remaining in the intermediate tray 60 are not effectively removed from the intermediate tray 60 and are effectively used later. The usage form will be described later.

<Step S204>
Further, the progress determination unit 83 calculates the number of subsequent copies. The number of subsequent copies is the number of copies obtained by subtracting the number of copies obtained by adding 1 copy to the number of copies for which the sheet binding process has been completed before the interruption of the continuous printing process in the set printing process.

  The number of subsequent copies is the number referred to in step S304 of FIG. 7 described later. The progress determination unit 83 that executes the process of step S204 is an example of the number of subsequent copies calculation unit.

  For example, when the designated number of copies is four, the number of sheets 9 per unit number of sheets is accumulated in the intermediate tray 60 after completion of the sheet binding process for the second set in the unit-by-sheet sheet binding process. Suppose that the jam occurs. In this case, the number of subsequent parts is one by calculation of (4- (2 + 1)).

<Step S205>
Then, the jam determining unit 82 determines whether the jam has been eliminated. The interruption of the continuous printing process is continued until the jam determining unit 82 determines that the jam has been eliminated.

  The user removes the jammed sheet 9 from the conveyance paths 300 to 305, whereby the jam is eliminated.

<Step S206>
Then, when the jam determination unit 82 determines that the jam has been eliminated, the control unit 8 executes post jam elimination control. Thus, the in-jam control ends.

[Control after jam elimination]
Next, referring to a flowchart shown in FIG. 7, an example of a procedure for post-jamming elimination control executed by the control unit 8 will be described. In the following description, S301, S302,... Indicate identification codes of steps performed by the control unit 8.

<Step S301>
After the jam is eliminated, the progress determination unit 83 shifts the process to the next steps S302 and S303 when the remaining number is larger than zero. On the other hand, when the remaining number is zero, the progress determination unit 83 skips steps S302 and S303 and shifts the process to step S304.

<Step S302>
If the remaining number is larger than zero after the jam is eliminated, the preprocessing control unit 84 causes the preprocessing unit 4 to execute the supplementary printing process.

  In the supplementary printing process, the image of the remaining pages excluding the page corresponding to the remaining number of sheets 9 from the first sheet among the images of all pages to be subjected to the continuous printing process is It is a process formed on one or more sheets 9 to be conveyed. The pre-processing control unit 84 that executes the process of step S302 is an example of a supplementary printing control unit.

  For example, it is assumed that the unit number is five and the remaining number is two. In this case, in the supplementary printing process, among the images of all pages of the unit number, the images of the remaining pages excluding the pages corresponding to the first to second sheets 9 are conveyed from the sheet cassette 30a. Formed into three sheets 9.

  The sheets 9 of the unit number of sheets are accumulated in the intermediate tray 60 by the process of step S302. More specifically, when the process of step S302 is started, the number of remaining pages on which an image of a part of pages from the top page accumulated in the intermediate tray 60 is formed when the continuous printing process is interrupted A minute sheet 9 is accumulated in the intermediate tray 60. In addition, one or more sheets 9 on which an image of a subsequent page is formed by the supplementary printing process (S302) are accumulated in the intermediate tray 60.

<Step S303>
Further, after the supplementary printing process, the post-processing control unit 85 causes the sheet binding unit 6 to execute the sheet binding process. Thus, the bundle of sheets 9 subjected to the sheet binding process is discharged to the second discharge tray 312. The post-processing control unit 85 that executes the process of step S303 is an example of a supplementary post-processing control unit.

<Step S304>
Then, when the number of subsequent copies is larger than zero, the progress determination unit 83 shifts the process to the next step S305. On the other hand, when the number of subsequent copies is zero, the progress determination unit 83 ends the post-jam cancellation control.

<Step S305>
If the number of subsequent copies is greater than zero, the control unit 8 starts subsequent control after the supplementary printing process. In the subsequent control, the pre-processing control unit 84 causes the pre-processing unit 4 to execute the copy printing process of the number of subsequent copies after the supplementary printing process (S302). Furthermore, in the subsequent control, the post-processing control unit 85 causes the sheet binding unit 6 to execute the copy-unit sheet binding process of the number of subsequent copies after the post-processing (S303) subsequent to the supplementary printing process.

  In other words, in step S305, the pre-processing control unit 84 and the post-processing control unit 85 cause the pre-processing unit 4 and the sheet binding unit 6 to perform the unit printing in which the specified number of copies is regarded as the subsequent number The process and the copy unit binding process are executed.

  In the subsequent control, it is conceivable that the copy printing process of the number of subsequent copies is started after the supplementary printing process of step S302 and before the end of the sheet binding process of step S303. In this case, the supplementary printing process is started at the timing when the first sheet 9 conveyed in the supplementary printing process reaches the intermediate tray 60 after the sheet binding process of step S303 is completed.

  In the subsequent control, it is also conceivable that the copy printing process of the number of subsequent copies is started after the end of the sheet binding process of step S303.

  Note that the subsequent control ends when the set printing process of the number of subsequent copies and the set sheet binding process are completed. The preprocessing control unit 84 and the post-processing control unit 85 that execute the process of step S305 are an example of a subsequent control unit.

  For example, in the case where the designated number of copies is four, the number of sheets 9 for the unit number of sheets is accumulated in the intermediate tray 60 after the second sheet binding process is completed in the unit-by-sheet sheet binding process. When a jam occurs, the number of subsequent parts is one. In this case, the collated printing process and the collated sheet binding process are performed, assuming that the designated number of copies is one.

<Step S306>
When the subsequent control is performed, the progress determination unit 83 determines the progress status of the continuous printing process and the collated printing process, as described above.

<Step S307>
Furthermore, when the subsequent control is being performed, the jam determining unit 82 determines whether the jam occurs.

<Step S308>
Then, if the progress determination unit 83 determines that the subsequent control has ended while the jam does not occur, the progress determination unit 83 ends the post-jam cancellation control.

  Between the start of the copy unit control (S101) and the end of the subsequent control (S305), the bundle of sheets 9 subjected to the sheet binding process is discharged to the second discharge tray 312 by the designated number of copies. Be done.

<Step S309>
On the other hand, when the jam is detected in the middle of the continuous printing process in the collated printing process, the control unit 8 executes the in-jamming control (see FIG. 6). As a result, the subsequent control is interrupted (step S201 in FIG. 6). After the in-jamming control, the control unit 8 ends the post-jamming cancellation control.

  Note that after the in-jamming control ends, the process from step S301 is executed again.

  If the image forming apparatus 10 is adopted, if the continuous printing process is interrupted due to the occurrence of the jam, the sheet 9 after image formation accumulated on the intermediate tray 60 is resumed after the jam is eliminated. (S302, S303). As a result, compared with the case where the sheet 9 accumulated in the intermediate tray 60 is discarded, waste of the sheet 9, the developer and time can be eliminated.

[Application example]
In the image forming apparatus 10, when the sheet folding process is performed on the plurality of sheets 9 accumulated in the intermediate tray 70 by the continuous printing process, the control illustrated in FIGS. It is also conceivable to apply. In this case, the sheet folding process is an example of the post-processing, and the sheet folding unit 7 is an example of the post-processing section.

  In the control shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, when the process of the sheet folding unit 7 is employed instead of the process of the sheet binding unit 6, the post-processing is performed on the plurality of sheets 9 accumulated in the intermediate tray 70. It is a process of folding the sheet 9 and discharging the bundle of sheets 9 subjected to the sheet folding process to the third discharge tray 313.

  In the image forming apparatus and the control method of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the embodiment and the application example described above are freely combined within the scope of the invention described in each claim, or the embodiment and the embodiment It is also possible to configure the application by appropriately modifying or omitting some of the applications.

1: image reading unit 2: main unit 3: sheet conveying unit 4: pre-processing unit 5: post-processing unit 5 x: punching unit 6: sheet binding unit 7: sheet folding unit 8: control unit 9: sheet 10: image forming apparatus 30: sheet supply unit 30a: sheet cassette (sheet supply unit)
30b: manual feed tray (sheet feeding unit)
32: transport roller pair 33: path switching unit 40: image forming unit 41: photoreceptor 42: charging unit 43: laser scan unit 44: developing unit 45: transfer unit 46: fixing unit 60: intermediate tray 61: staple unit 62: Sheet alignment unit 63: discharge roller pair 71: blade 72: sheet folding roller pair 73: discharge roller pair 80: operation display unit 81: UI control unit 82: jam determination unit 83: progress determination unit 84: pre-processing control unit 85: Post-processing control unit 300: main conveyance path 301: first conveyance path 302: second conveyance path 303: third conveyance path 304: fourth conveyance path 305: fifth conveyance path 311: first discharge tray 312: second discharge Tray 312a: Lifting mechanism 313: Third discharge tray 800: Sheet sensor

Claims (3)

A sheet feeding unit that can set multiple sheets,
A plurality of the sheets are conveyed while sequentially conveying the sheet from the sheet supply unit along a predetermined conveyance path, including a sheet conveyance unit that conveys the sheet and an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet. A pre-processing unit capable of executing continuous print processing for forming an image of a plurality of pages on a sheet;
An intermediate tray that temporarily holds a plurality of the sheets after image formation in a stage subsequent to the conveyance path;
A discharge tray provided downstream of the intermediate tray for receiving the sheet;
The plurality of sheets accumulated in the intermediate tray are collectively subjected to predetermined processing, and a post-processing is performed to discharge the bundle of sheets subjected to the processing from the intermediate tray to the discharge tray A post-processing unit that
A jam detection unit that detects a jam of the sheet in the conveyance path;
The pre-processing unit is made to execute a copy printing process in which the continuous printing process is repeated by the number of times corresponding to a preset designated number of copies, and the post-processing unit is subjected to one continuous printing process. A copy unit control unit that executes a copy unit post-processing that performs the post-processing whenever the unit number of sheets, which is the number of sheets to be processed, accumulates in the intermediate tray;
An interruption control unit that interrupts the continuous printing process by the preprocessing unit until the jam is cleared when the jam is detected during the continuous printing process;
A subsequent copy number calculating unit that calculates the number of subsequent copies obtained by subtracting the number of copies obtained by adding 1 copy to the number of copies for which the post-processing has ended before the interruption of the continuous printing process in the copy printing process;
After the jam is eliminated, the image of the remaining pages excluding the page corresponding to the number of sheets conveyed to the intermediate tray before the interruption in the continuous printing process which is interrupted is formed on one or more of the sheets. A supplemental printing control unit that executes supplemental printing processing;
When the number of sheets accumulated in the intermediate tray reaches the unit number when the jam is detected, the post-processing on the sheets of the unit number accumulated in the intermediate tray is the process A post-processing control unit that causes the post-processing unit to execute the post-processing without waiting for jam clearance and causes the post-processing unit to execute the post-processing after the supplementary printing process;
After the supplementary printing process, the pre-processing unit executes the copy printing process of the number of subsequent copies, and after the post-processing subsequent to the supplementary printing process, the post-processing unit executes the number of copies of the subsequent copies And a subsequent control unit that executes processing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing is sheet binding processing for binding a plurality of the sheets, or sheet folding processing for bending a plurality of the sheets. A sheet feeding unit that can set multiple sheets,
A plurality of the sheets are conveyed while sequentially conveying the sheet from the sheet supply unit along a predetermined conveyance path, including a sheet conveyance unit that conveys the sheet and an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet. A pre-processing unit capable of executing continuous print processing for forming an image of a plurality of pages on a sheet;
An intermediate tray that temporarily holds a plurality of the sheets after image formation in a stage subsequent to the conveyance path;
A discharge tray provided downstream of the intermediate tray for receiving the sheet;
The plurality of sheets accumulated in the intermediate tray are collectively subjected to predetermined processing, and a post-processing is performed to discharge the bundle of sheets subjected to the processing from the intermediate tray to the discharge tray A post-processing unit that
And a jam detection unit that detects a jam of the sheet in the conveyance path.
The pre-processing unit is made to execute a copy printing process in which the continuous printing process is repeated by the number of times corresponding to a preset designated number of copies, and the post-processing unit is subjected to one continuous printing process. Performing a post-unit post-processing to perform the post-processing whenever the unit number of sheets, which is the number of sheets to be processed, accumulates in the intermediate tray;
When the jam is detected in the middle of the continuous printing process, the continuous printing process by the pre-processing unit is interrupted until the jam is cleared, and the intermediate tray is detected when the jam is detected. When the number of sheets accumulated in the sheet reaches the unit sheet number, the post-processing on the sheets of the unit sheet number accumulated in the intermediate tray is performed to the post-processing unit without waiting for the elimination of the jam. A process to be performed,
Calculating the number of subsequent copies obtained by subtracting the number of copies obtained by adding one copy to the number of copies for which the post-processing has ended before the interruption of the continuous printing processing in the unit-of-collar printing processing;
After the jam is eliminated, the image of the remaining pages excluding the page corresponding to the number of sheets conveyed to the intermediate tray before the interruption in the continuous printing process which is interrupted is formed on one or more of the sheets. A step of executing a supplementary printing process;
Causing the post-processing unit to execute the post-processing after the supplementary printing process;
After the supplementary printing process, the pre-processing unit executes the copy printing process of the number of subsequent copies, and after the post-processing subsequent to the supplementary printing process, the post-processing unit executes the number of copies of the subsequent copies And controlling the image forming apparatus.