JP2005067114A - Image forming device and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform the posttreatment of a medium after discharge. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device forms an image on a medium and discharges the medium subject to prescribed medium discharge conditions. and comprises a medium mounting section on which a medium on which an image is formed can be mounted, a transfer section to transfer the medium from the medium mounting section, an image forming section to form an image on a medium, a specification section to specify the action of not forming an image on the medium to the image forming section, and a medium discharge section to discharge a medium subject to the medium discharge conditions. Since the action of not forming an image is specified to the image forming section and the medium is discharged subject to the prescribed medium discharge conditions, posttreatment can be performed for the medium on which an image is formed and that is discharged. The image forming device alone can perform posttreatment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus, for example, a printing apparatus, image data is developed in an image data developing unit of a print control unit, the developed image data is sent to the image forming unit, and image forming processing is performed in the image forming unit. As a result, an image is formed on a sheet as a medium. In a printing apparatus having a stapling function for binding a plurality of sheets by staples, a punching function for punching holes in a sheet, a post-processing determination unit is provided, and the sheet on which an image is formed in the image forming unit is provided. On the other hand, post-processing such as stapling and punching is performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-192164 A

  However, in the conventional printing apparatus, post-processing cannot be performed on a sheet after an image is formed and discharged by the discharge unit, that is, a printed sheet. For example, if the operator forgets to specify that post-processing such as stapling and punching is to be performed and printing is started, post-processing cannot be performed.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of solving the problems of the conventional printing apparatus and performing post-processing on the discharged medium.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, an image is formed on a medium, and the medium is discharged under a predetermined medium discharge condition.

  A medium mounting unit capable of mounting a medium on which an image has been formed, a transport unit that transports the medium from the medium mounting unit, an image forming unit that forms an image on the medium, and the image forming unit. A designation unit for designating a non-image forming operation on the medium, and a medium discharge processing unit for discharging the medium under the medium discharge condition.

  According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, an image is formed on a medium, and the medium is discharged under a predetermined medium discharge condition.

  A medium mounting unit capable of mounting a medium on which an image has been formed, a transport unit that transports the medium from the medium mounting unit, an image forming unit that forms an image on the medium, and the image forming unit. A designation unit for designating a non-image forming operation on the medium, and a medium discharge processing unit for discharging the medium under the medium discharge condition.

  In this case, a non-image forming operation on the medium is designated for the image forming unit, and the medium is discharged under a predetermined medium discharge condition. Therefore, post-processing can be performed on the discharged medium.

  Further, since post-processing can be performed by the image forming apparatus alone, it is not necessary to connect the host computer to the image forming apparatus, and it is not necessary to connect the image forming apparatus to the network.

  Furthermore, since the discharged medium is simply conveyed in the image forming apparatus, post-processing can be performed without consuming any consumables, thereby reducing the cost of the image forming apparatus. Can do.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this case, a printing apparatus that performs printing will be described as an image forming apparatus that forms an image. Further, although a case where a sheet is used as a medium will be described, an OHP sheet or the like can be used in addition to the sheet.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, 11 is a print control unit for controlling the entire printing apparatus, 12 is an operation panel 12 as an operation device and a designation unit, and the operation panel 12 is an operation unit composed of a plurality of keys (not shown). A display unit such as an LCD for transmitting a message and a display lamp such as an LED for transmitting an alarm to an operator are provided.

  When an operator operates the operation unit to designate predetermined parameters, the print control unit 11 analyzes print data received via a host computer, a network, or the like as a host device (not shown), or as necessary. After performing data conversion processing, image data is expanded in an image data expansion unit (not shown), and the image data is sent to the print engine unit 13 in units of pages. In addition, the operator operates the operation unit and uses the menu function to specify a tray, a medium supply condition such as a paper size indicating a medium size, a medium discharge destination, a paper discharge destination, Specification of change in discharge direction, specification of paper rearrangement, specification of single-sided / double-sided printing to indicate single-sided / double-sided image formation, job offset for sorting paper (shifting the discharge position in multiple stages when discharging paper) Thus, when at least one of the designations such as a function for sorting jobs is set as the medium discharge condition, the print control unit 11 sends a signal, page information, etc. accompanying the designation to the print engine unit 13.

  The print engine unit 13 supplies paper, that is, feeds paper based on a signal sent from the print control unit 11 or based on page information sent, and prints on the paper. The paper after printing is discharged. Therefore, the print engine unit 13 includes an image drum unit including yellow (Y) drum, magenta (M) drum, cyan (C) drum, and black (Bk) drum as image carriers. 13b, an image drum control unit 13a, a heater 13d, and a heater 13d that are individually moved in the vertical direction and placed at the lower image forming position and the upper retracted position to turn on and off the fixing device as a fixing unit. A heater control unit 13c for controlling temperature, a double-sided printing mechanism unit 13e as a reversing mechanism unit that reverses and conveys a sheet printed on one side when performing double-sided printing, and the like.

  A paper discharge unit 14 serving as a medium discharge unit is for discharging paper. When the paper is discharged to the face down stacker 14a, a face down stacker 14a for discharging the paper with the printed side down. In addition, a job offset processing unit 14b for performing job offset processing, a face-up stacker 14c for discharging a sheet with the printed side up, and the like are provided.

  The paper supply unit 15 as a medium supply unit includes a plurality of trays 15a, 15b,..., 15n as medium mounting units, and each tray 15a, 15b,. In addition, it is possible to load and store printed paper.

  Accordingly, when image data is sent from the print control unit 11 in the print engine unit 13, the image drum control unit 13a places each drum at an image forming position, and an exposure device (not shown) electrostatically applies to each drum based on the image data. A latent image is formed. Subsequently, a developing device (not shown) attaches each color toner to each electrostatic latent image to form a toner image of each color, and a transfer device (not shown) sequentially applies the toner images of each color onto the paper supplied from the paper supply unit 15. Transfer and form a color toner image on the paper.

  The paper is sent to the fixing device, and the fixing device fixes the color toner image on the paper to form a color image. The drums, the exposure device, the transfer device, the fixing device, and the like constitute an image forming unit that forms an image.

  In this way, a color image is formed on the paper and printing is performed. However, when single-sided printing is performed, the paper is sent to the paper discharge unit 14, and the paper discharge unit 14 transfers the paper to the face-down stacker. 14a or the face-up stacker 14c. In addition, when duplex printing is performed, the duplex printing mechanism unit 13e reverses and conveys a sheet having a color image formed on the front side, forms a color image on the back side, and then sends it to the paper discharge unit 14. The paper discharge unit 14 discharges the paper to the face down stacker 14a or the face up stacker 14c. In this way, printing is performed on the paper.

  A transport unit (not shown) is provided for transporting paper from the paper supply unit 15 to the image drum unit 13 a and transporting paper from the image drum unit 13 a to the paper discharge unit 14. The transport unit includes rollers such as a hopping roller and a transport roller, a motor for rotating the rollers, a switching mechanism for switching a transport path, and the like.

  Next, the operation of the printing apparatus when post-processing such as job offset processing is performed on printed sheets discharged to the face-down stacker 14a or the face-up stacker 14c will be described. In this case, assuming that one job is 10 sheets, 20 printed sheets after the two copies have been printed are set in the printing apparatus, and the sheets are arranged in reverse order (with the last sheet at the top). In other words, a case will be described in which job offset processing is performed in copy units in reverse order.

  FIG. 2 is a main flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a subroutine of image data creation processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a second diagram showing a display example of the operation panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a diagram of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a display example of the operation panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 shows a fourth view of the display example of the operation panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 shows the present invention. FIG. 9 is a fifth diagram showing a display example of the operation panel in the first embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a sixth diagram showing a display example of the operation panel in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, 12 is an operation panel, 31 is an operation unit, 32 is a display unit, and 33 is a display lamp.

  First, when the operator sets 20 printed sheets on, for example, the tray 15a (FIG. 1) and operates the operation unit 31 to designate the tray 15a as a medium supply condition, the print control unit 11 performs the tray 15a. The display processing means (not shown) of the print control unit 11 performs display processing, and “PAPER FEED” indicating that paper feeding is performed and the tray 15a as shown in FIG. “RAY1” indicating that it has been designated is displayed.

  Next, when the operator designates reverse order paper ejection and job offset processing for each unit as the medium ejection condition, the print control unit 11 receives the designation of the medium ejection condition, and the display processing means is displayed on the display unit 32 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, “REVERSE OUTPUT ON” to perform reverse order paper discharge is displayed, and “JOB OFFSET ON” to enable job offset as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, “1 JOB PAPER RAY 1 10” is displayed indicating that the paper is fed from the tray 15a and the number Mj of one job is 10 prints. “JOB VOLUME 2” indicating that Kj is 2 is displayed.

  Subsequently, when the operator designates white printing as a non-image forming operation in which actual printing is not performed by operating the operation unit 31 and only paper feeding by the paper feeding unit 15 and paper ejection by the paper ejection unit 14 are performed. In response to the designation of white printing, an image data creation processing unit (not shown) of the print control unit 11 performs image data creation processing to create white data for white printing.

For this purpose, the image data creation processing means first determines the number N of pages to be printed in white.
N = Mj ・ Kj
Is calculated. In this case, the number Mj of one job is 10, and the number of job copies Kj is 2,
N = 10 × 2
= 20
become.

  Next, a medium discharge processing unit as a medium discharge processing unit of the image data creation processing unit performs a medium discharge process, and discharges the sheet under the medium discharge condition. Therefore, the medium discharge processing unit determines whether or not reverse-order discharge is specified. If reverse-order discharge is specified, the medium discharge processing unit determines whether or not a job offset is specified and specifies a job offset. In this case, the paper discharge destination is set in the face-down stacker 14a, and duplex printing is designated. In the present embodiment, when the face-up stacker 14c is used, the job offset is set to be invalid. Therefore, when the job offset is specified, the discharge destination is the face-down stacker 14a. There is a need. Further, in order to discharge the paper to the face down stacker 14a in the reverse order, it is necessary to run the inside of the double-sided printing mechanism 13e to reverse the front and back of the paper.

  Subsequently, the image data creation processing means doubles the page number N to 40 pages. This is because duplex printing is designated. Subsequently, the image data creation processing unit creates 40-page white data.

  In this way, when the image data creation process is performed, the image drum control unit 13a places the drums in the retracted positions. This prevents each drum from contacting the paper and prevents the drum from rotating. In accordance with the designation of the non-image forming operation, the heater control unit 13c turns off the heater 13d to limit heating of the fixing device. In this case, all the drums are placed at the retracted position, and the toner image is not transferred onto the paper. Therefore, it is not necessary to fix the toner image by the heater 13d.

  A white print processing unit (not shown) of the print control unit 11 performs white print processing, feeds paper from the tray 15a, and performs white printing of 20 pages for two jobs by double-sided printing according to white data. The job offset processing unit 14b as the job offset processing unit of the white color printing processing unit performs job offset processing and discharges the paper to the face-down stacker 14a with the job offset. In this way, the sheets sorted in units of jobs are discharged in the reverse order.

  Thus, in this embodiment, job offset processing can be performed on printed paper.

  Further, since job offset processing can be performed by the printing apparatus alone, it is not necessary to connect the host computer to the printing apparatus, and it is not necessary to connect the printing apparatus to the network.

  Further, since the printed paper is merely conveyed in the printing apparatus, each drum does not rotate and no toner is consumed. Since the heater 13d is turned off, the heater 13d is not heated unnecessarily. Therefore, post-processing can be performed without consuming any consumables, and the cost of the printing apparatus can be reduced.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 2 will be described.
Step S1: The printed paper is set on the tray 15a.
Step S2: Designation of medium supply conditions is received.
Step S3: The medium discharge condition is designated.
Step S4: White printing is designated.
Step S5: Image data creation processing is performed.
Step S6 Place each drum in the retracted position.
Step S7 Turn off the heater 13d.
Step S8: A white printing process is performed and the process is terminated.

Next, the flowchart of FIG. 3 will be described.
Step S5-1: The page number N is calculated.
Step S5-2: It is determined whether or not reverse-order discharge is specified. If reverse sheet discharge is specified, the process proceeds to step S5-4, and if not, the process proceeds to step S5-3.
Step S5-3: The discharge destination is set to the face down stacker 14a.
Step S5-4: It is determined whether or not a job offset is designated. If the job offset is designated, the process proceeds to step S5-6, and if not, the process proceeds to step S5-5.
Step S5-5: The discharge destination is set to the face-up stacker 14c.
Step S5-6: The discharge destination is set to the face down stacker 14a.
Step S5-7: Specify double-sided printing.
Step S5-8: The page number N is doubled.
Step S5-9: N page white data is created and the process ends.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol, and the effect of the same embodiment is used about the effect of the invention by having the same structure. .

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In this case, in addition to the face-down stacker 14a, the job offset processing unit 14b, and the face-up stacker 14c, the paper discharge unit 24 serving as a medium discharge unit includes a staple processing unit 24a that performs staple processing on two or more sheets. And a punch processing unit 24b that performs punch processing on a sheet for each sheet.

  Next, the operation of the printing apparatus when post-processing such as stapling and punching is performed on printed paper will be described. In this case, one job is set to 10 sheets, 20 printed sheets after 2 copies are printed are set in the printing apparatus, punch processing is performed, stapling processing is performed for each copy, and face down is performed. The case of discharging to the stacker 14a will be described. Since the main flowchart is the same as that of the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is used.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a white print processing subroutine according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 12 is a first diagram illustrating a display example of the operation panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 14 is a second diagram illustrating a display example of the operation panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a third diagram illustrating a display example of the operation panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the operator sets 20 printed sheets on, for example, a tray 15a (FIG. 10) as a medium loading unit, and operates the operation unit 31 of the operation panel 12 as a designation unit to set the tray 15a as a medium supply condition. Is designated, the print control unit 11 receives the designation of the tray 15a, and a display processing unit (not shown) of the print control unit 11 performs display processing, and feeds paper to the display unit 32 as shown in FIG. "PAPER FEED" indicating that the tray 15a is designated, and "PLAY1" indicating that the tray 15a is designated.

  Next, when the operator specifies staple processing and punching processing as the medium discharge conditions, the print control unit 11 receives the specification of the medium discharge conditions, and the display processing unit performs display processing, and displays the display unit 32 in FIG. “STAPLE ON” indicating that the stapling process is performed is displayed, “PANCH ON” indicating that the punching process is performed as illustrated in FIG. 13, and discharging is performed as illustrated in FIG. 14. “OUTPUT BIN FACE DOWN” indicating that the face-down stacker 14a has been designated is displayed.

  Subsequently, when the operator operates the operation unit 31 and designates white printing as a non-image forming operation, the image data creation processing unit (not shown) of the print control unit 11 receives the designation of the white printing and performs the first implementation. The same image data creation processing as that in the above is performed, and white data for white printing is created.

  Next, the image drum control unit 13a places each drum in the retracted position, and the heater control unit 13c turns off the heater 13d.

  Subsequently, a white print processing unit (not shown) of the print control unit 11 performs white print processing and feeds paper from the tray 15a. Then, the white print processing means determines whether or not there is a punch processing designation, and if there is a punch processing designation, the punch processing unit 24b as the punch processing means of the white print processing means performs the punch processing, Make punch holes in the paper one by one.

  Next, the white print processing means performs white printing by single-sided printing according to white data, determines whether or not it is the final page of the job, and if not the final page, performs the punch processing and white printing on the final page ( Repeat until the 10th sheet. If it is the last page, the white print processing unit determines whether or not stapling processing is specified. If stapling processing is specified, the stapling processing unit 24a serving as the stapling processing unit of the white printing processing unit , Stapling is performed, and 10 sheets are stapled.

  The white print processing unit repeats the punching process, the white printing and the stapling process until all the processes are completed, and discharges two copies of the stapled paper to the face-down stacker 14a. In this way, the paper is sorted by job, punched, and stapled.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, punch processing, stapling processing, and the like can be performed on printed paper.

  Further, since the punching process, the stapling process, etc. can be performed by the printing apparatus alone, it is not necessary to connect the host computer to the printing apparatus, and it is not necessary to connect the printing apparatus to the network.

  Further, since the printed paper is merely conveyed in the printing apparatus, each drum does not rotate and no toner is consumed. Since the heater 13d is turned off, the fixing device is not heated unnecessarily. Therefore, post-processing can be performed without consuming any consumables, and the cost of the printing apparatus can be reduced.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S8-1: It is determined whether all jobs have been completed. If all jobs have been completed, the process returns. If not, the process proceeds to step S8-2.
Step S8-2: It is determined whether or not punching processing is designated. If punching is designated, the process proceeds to step S8-3, and if not, the process proceeds to step S8-4.
Step S8-3 Punch processing is performed.
Step S8-4 White printing is performed.
Step S8-5: It is determined whether it is the last page of the job. If it is the last page of the job, the process proceeds to step S8-6. If it is not the last page of the job, the process returns to step S8-2.
Step S8-6: It is determined whether or not staple processing is designated. If stapling is designated, the process proceeds to step S8-7, and if not, the process returns. Step S8-7 Perform stapling and return.

  In addition, when performing subtractive color mixing printing using yellow, magenta, and cyan color materials as in each of the above embodiments, a toner image is not formed on the paper during white printing, but red, green, and blue color materials are used. When additive color printing is used, a toner image is not formed on the paper during black printing. Accordingly, when performing additive color printing, black printing is designated as the non-image forming operation, and a black printing processing unit (not shown) of the print control unit 11 performs black printing processing and performs black printing according to black data.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the face-down stacker 14a and the face-up stacker 14c are arranged as stackers, but other stackers can be arranged.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where post-processing is performed on a printed sheet has been described. However, various types of post-processing are performed on the sheet before being discharged by the sheet discharge units 14 and 24. It can be carried out.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a main flowchart which shows operation | movement of the printing apparatus in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the subroutine of the image data creation process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st figure which shows the example of a display of the operation panel in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows the example of a display of the operation panel in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 3rd figure which shows the example of a display of the operation panel in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 4th figure which shows the example of a display of the operation panel in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 5th figure which shows the example of a display of the operation panel in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a 6th figure which shows the example of a display of the operation panel in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the printing apparatus in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the subroutine of the white printing process in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st figure which shows the example of a display of the operation panel in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows the example of a display of the operation panel in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a 3rd figure which shows the example of a display of the operation panel in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

11 Print Control Unit 12 Operation Panels 15a, 15b, 15n Tray

Claims (12)

In an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a medium and discharges the medium under predetermined medium discharge conditions.
(A) a medium mounting unit capable of mounting an image-formed medium;
(B) a transport unit that transports a medium from the medium mounting unit;
(C) an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium;
(D) a designating unit for designating a non-image forming operation on the medium to the image forming unit;
(E) An image forming apparatus comprising: a medium discharge processing unit that discharges a medium under the medium discharge condition. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein heating of the fixing unit is limited by designation of the non-image forming operation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein white printing in subtractive color mixing printing is performed by designating the non-image forming operation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein black printing in additive color mixing printing is performed by designating the non-image forming operation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit is placed in a retracted position by designation of the non-image forming operation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medium discharge processing unit performs at least one of change in discharge direction, stapling, sorting, and sorting. (A) Designate a non-image forming operation on the medium to the image forming unit,
(B) An image forming method, wherein the medium is discharged under a predetermined medium discharge condition. The image forming method according to claim 7, wherein heating of the fixing unit is limited by designation of the non-image forming operation. The image forming method according to claim 7, wherein white printing in subtractive color mixing printing is designated by designation of the non-image forming operation. The image forming method according to claim 7, wherein black printing in additive color mixture printing is designated by designation of the non-image forming operation. The image forming method according to claim 7, wherein the image forming unit is placed in a retracted position by designation of the non-image forming operation. The image forming method according to claim 7, wherein at least one of change in discharge direction, stapling, rearrangement, and sorting is performed according to the medium discharge condition.

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