U.S. patent application number 12/550506 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-29 for image forming apparatus and control method of stapling unit thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Invention is credited to Dong-yul Lee, Myung-han Yoo.
Application Number | 20100102497 12/550506 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42116701 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100102497 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Dong-yul ; et
al. |
April 29, 2010 |
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD OF STAPLING UNIT
THEREOF
Abstract
An image forming apparatus and a control method of a stapling
unit thereof, the method including selecting a first mode to apply
stapling to previously output media, setting options about the
first mode, stacking the previously output media on a feeding tray,
transporting the stacked previously output media via a transporting
path of the image forming apparatus, and applying the stapling to
the previously output media according to the options of the first
mode. Also provided is an image forming apparatus capable of
stapling and discharging a previously output medium without a
process of forming an image when a user selects a menu for stapling
the previously output medium, thereby avoiding waste of paper and
improving convenience for a user.
Inventors: |
Lee; Dong-yul; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; Yoo; Myung-han; (Seoul, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STANZIONE & KIM, LLP
919 18TH STREET, N.W., SUITE 440
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
42116701 |
Appl. No.: |
12/550506 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
270/58.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2301/1635 20130101;
B65H 2511/414 20130101; B65H 2407/21 20130101; B42C 1/12 20130101;
B65H 5/26 20130101; B65H 2801/06 20130101; B65H 37/04 20130101;
B42B 4/00 20130101; B65H 2511/414 20130101; B65H 2220/01
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
270/58.08 |
International
Class: |
B65H 39/00 20060101
B65H039/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 27, 2008 |
KR |
2008-105521 |
Claims
1. A method of controlling a stapling unit mounted to an image
forming apparatus, the method comprising: selecting a first mode to
apply stapling to previously output media; setting options about
the first mode; stacking the previously output media on a feeding
tray; transporting the stacked previously output media via a
transporting path of the image forming apparatus; and applying the
stapling to the previously output media according to the options of
the first mode.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the setting the options
about the first mode comprises: selecting a feeding tray on which
the previously output media to undergo the stapling are stacked;
and setting a stapling direction and a stapling position of at
least one of the previously output media, whether or not the
previously output media are sorted.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transporting the
previously output media via a transporting path of the image
forming apparatus comprises transporting the previously output
media via a transporting path of the image forming apparatus
without a process of forming an image.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the feeding tray
comprises at least one of a feeding cassette, a manual feeding
tray, and an option cassette.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transporting path
comprises at least one of a transporting path to form an image and
a transporting path of an automatic document feeder (ADF).
6. A method of controlling a stapling unit of an image forming
apparatus, the method comprising: selecting a first mode to apply
stapling to previously output media; sensing whether the previously
output media are inserted in a medium discharging unit; aligning
the previously output media inserted in the medium discharging unit
and applying the stapling to the sensed previously output
media.
7. An image forming apparatus comprising: a user interface to
select a first mode to apply stapling to previously output media is
selected, and to set options about the first mode; a feeding tray
on which the previously output media are stacked; a transporting
unit to transport the stacked previously output media; a stapling
unit to apply the stapling to the previously output media; and a
controller to control the transporting unit to transport the
previously output media stacked on the feeding tray to a
transporting path of the image forming apparatus depending on the
selected first mode, and to control the stapling unit to apply the
stapling to the transported previously output media according to
the options of the first mode.
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
options set about the first mode comprise a selection of a feeding
tray on which the previously output media to undergo the stapling
are stacked, and setting a stapling direction and a stapling
position of at least one of the previously output media, whether or
not the previously output media are sorted.
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
controller controls the transporting unit to transport the
previously output media via a transporting path of the image
forming apparatus without a process of forming an image.
10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
feeding tray comprises at least one of a feeding cassette, a manual
feeding tray, and an option cassette.
11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
transporting path comprises at least one of a transporting path to
form an image and a transporting path of an automatic document
feeder (ADF).
12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
controller controls rollers relevant to the transport of the
previously output media on the basis of the selected first
mode.
13. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a user interface to
select a first mode to apply stapling to previously output media; a
medium discharging unit comprising a medium sensing unit to sense
the previously output media and a stapling unit to apply the
stapling to the sensed previously output media; and a controller to
control the stapling unit to apply the stapling the sensed
previously output media if it is determined that the previously
output media is inserted in the medium discharging unit.
14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the
medium discharging unit further comprises a medium aligning unit to
align the inserted previously output media.
15. A stapling unit of an image forming apparatus, the stapling
unit comprising: a user interface to select a stapling operation
after the image forming apparatus outputs a printed media; and a
controller to control the stapling unit to apply a stapling
operation to the previously outputted printed media according to
the selection.
16. The stapling unit of claim 15, wherein additional previously
outputted printed media are added to the previously outputted
printed media, and the controller controls the stapling unit to
apply the stapling operation to the additional previously outputted
printed media and the previously outputted printed media.
17. A method of controlling a stapling unit of an image forming
apparatus, the method comprising: selecting a stapling operation
after the image forming apparatus outputs a printed media; and
controlling the stapling unit to apply a stapling operation to the
previously outputted printed media according to the selecting,
wherein additional previously outputted printed media are added to
the previously outputted printed media, and wherein the controlling
the stapling unit comprises controlling the stapling unit to apply
the stapling operation to the additional previously outputted
printed media and the previously outputted printed media.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2008-0105521, filed on Oct. 27, 2008 in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present general
inventive concept relate to an image forming apparatus and a
control method of a stapling unit thereof, and more particularly,
to an image forming apparatus capable of stapling a previously
output medium on which an image is formed and a control method of a
stapling unit thereof.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] An image forming apparatus forms an image to be printed on a
print medium. The image forming apparatus may include a printer, a
copying machine, a facsimile, a multi-function peripheral having
two or more functions, etc.
[0006] Recently, a demand for an office automation system in which
the image forming apparatus performs the functions of the scanner,
the facsimile, etc. as well as a function of printing a document
like a multi-function peripheral has been on the rise. Accordingly,
the image forming apparatus has been gradually developed to have
higher performance, thereby extending its effective functions.
[0007] For example, the image forming apparatus may be provided
with an electric stapler to perform a function of stapling printed
or copied output materials.
[0008] To use the function of stapling such an output material, a
user selects a printing or copying menu and then selects a stapling
option in the selected menu. Then, the image forming apparatus
forms images on recording media supplied from a feeding tray and
carries out the stapling function after a process of forming an
image on the last recording medium is completed, thereby
discharging the stapled recording media.
[0009] However, if a user is not familiar with using the menu of
the image forming apparatus, he/she may finish the printing without
selecting the stapling option.
[0010] In this case, if a user wants to staple the previously
output media previously discharged with images formed thereon, a
user has to count documents one by one and manually staples them,
or go back over all printing processes including the process of
forming the images.
[0011] Thus, when a user does not select the stapling option by
mistake during the printing setting or when it needs to only staple
the previously output materials, going back over all the printing
processes may waste paper and it is inconvenient for a user to
carry out the manual stapling.
SUMMARY
[0012] Accordingly, example embodiments of the present general
inventive concept provide an image forming apparatus capable of
stapling and discharging a previously output medium without a
process of forming an image when a user selects a menu for only
stapling the previously output medium, and a control method of a
stapling unit thereof, thereby avoiding waste of paper and
improving convenience for a user.
[0013] Additional embodiments of the present general inventive
concept will be set forth in part in the description which follows
and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be
learned by practice of the general inventive concept.
[0014] Example embodiments of the present general inventive concept
can be achieved by providing a method of controlling a stapling
unit mounted to an image forming apparatus, the method comprising
selecting a first mode to apply stapling to previously output
media, setting options about the first mode, stacking the
previously output media on a feeding tray, transporting the stacked
previously output media via a transporting path of the image
forming apparatus, and applying the stapling to the previously
output media according to the options of the first mode.
[0015] The setting the options about the first mode may comprise
selecting a feeding tray on which the previously output media to
undergo the stapling are stacked, and setting a stapling direction
and a stapling position of at least one of the previously output
media, whether or not the previously output media are sorted.
[0016] The transporting the previously output media via a
transporting path of the image forming apparatus may comprise
transporting the previously output media via a transporting path of
the image forming apparatus without a process of forming an
image.
[0017] The feeding tray may comprise at least one of a feeding
cassette, a manual feeding tray, and an option cassette.
[0018] The transporting path may comprise at least one of a
transporting path to form an image and a transporting path of an
automatic document feeder (ADF).
[0019] Another embodiment of the present general inventive concept
can be achieved by providing a method of controlling a stapling
unit of an image forming apparatus, the method comprising selecting
a first mode to apply stapling to previously output media, sensing
whether the previously output media are inserted in a medium
discharging unit, and applying the stapling to the sensed
previously output media. Here, the method may further comprise
aligning the previously output media inserted in the medium
discharging unit.
[0020] Still another embodiment of the present general inventive
concept can be achieved by providing an image forming apparatus
comprising a user interface to select a first mode to apply
stapling to previously output media, and to set options about the
first mode, a feeding tray on which the previously output media are
stacked, a transporting unit to transport the stacked previously
output media, a stapling unit to apply the stapling to the
previously output media, and a controller to control the
transporting unit to transport the previously output media stacked
on the feeding tray to a transporting path of the image forming
apparatus depending on the selected first mode, and to control the
stapling unit to apply the stapling the transported previously
output media according to the options of the first mode.
[0021] The options set about the first mode may comprise a
selection of a feeding tray on which the previously output media to
undergo the stapling are stacked, and a setting of a stapling
direction and a stapling position of at least one of the previously
output media, whether or not the previously output media are
sorted.
[0022] The controller may control the transporting unit to
transport the previously output media via a transporting path of
the image forming apparatus without a process of forming an
image.
[0023] The feeding tray may comprise at least one of a feeding
cassette, a manual feeding tray, and an option cassette.
[0024] The transporting path may comprise at least one of a
transporting path to form an image and a transporting path of an
automatic document feeder (ADF).
[0025] The controller may control rollers relevant to the transport
of the previously output media on the basis of the selected first
mode.
[0026] Still another embodiment of the present general inventive
concept can be achieved by providing an image forming apparatus
comprising a user interface to select a first mode to apply
stapling to previously output media, a medium discharging unit
comprising a medium sensing unit to sense the previously output
media and a stapling unit to apply the stapling to the sensed
previously output media, and a controller to control the stapling
unit to apply the stapling the sensed previously output media if it
is determined that the previously output media is inserted in the
medium discharging unit. Here, the medium discharging unit may
further comprise a medium aligning unit to align the inserted
previously output media.
[0027] Yet another embodiment of the present general inventive
concept can be achieved by providing a stapling unit of an image
forming apparatus, the stapling unit comprising a user interface to
select a stapling operation after the image forming apparatus
outputs a printed media, and a controller to control the stapling
unit to apply a stapling operation to the previously outputted
printed media according to the selection.
[0028] Additional previously outputted printed media can be added
to the previously outputted printed media, and the controller can
control the stapling unit to apply the stapling operation to the
additional previously outputted printed media and the previously
outputted printed media.
[0029] The user interface can be connected to the image forming
apparatus via a wired or wireless network.
[0030] Yet another embodiment of the present general inventive
concept can be achieved by providing a method of controlling a
stapling unit of an image forming apparatus, the method comprising
selecting a stapling operation after the image forming apparatus
outputs a printed media, and controlling the stapling unit to apply
a stapling operation to the previously outputted printed media
according to the selecting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The above and/or other embodiments of the present general
inventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated
from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general
inventive concept;
[0033] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an image forming apparatus
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general
inventive concept;
[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a selection screen in a first mode
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general
inventive concept; and
[0035] FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts of controlling a stapling unit
of an image forming apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of
the present general inventive concept.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0036] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present general inventive concept, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference
numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are
described below in order to explain the present general inventive
concept by referring to the figures.
[0037] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus 100
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general
inventive concept, and FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the image forming
apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
general inventive concept. The image forming apparatus 100 may
include a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, a multi-function
peripheral having two or more functions, etc.
[0038] Meanwhile, the image forming apparatus 100 according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept can
be connectable with an external apparatus such as a host apparatus
200. A user may have access to the image forming apparatus 100
through log-in to the host apparatus 200, and can give a print
command with a stapling option and print data to the image forming
apparatus 100.
[0039] The image forming apparatus 100 according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present general inventive concept can print out
the print data onto at least one sheet of paper.
[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100
can include a medium feeding unit 110, an image forming unit 120, a
fusing unit 130, a transporting unit 140, a medium discharging unit
150, a user interface 160, a display unit 170, a communication unit
180, and a controller 190. The medium discharging unit 150 may
include a stapling unit 151, a medium sensing unit 152, and a
medium aligning unit 153.
[0041] The medium feeding unit 110 can provide a recording medium
(paper), on which an image will be printed, supplied from at least
one feeding tray 111. The medium feeding unit 110 can include the
feeding tray 111, an automatic document feeder (ADF, not
illustrated), a duplex automatic document feeder (DADF, not
illustrated), and a pickup roller 112 to pick up the recording
medium. The feeing tray 111 can include at least one of a feeding
cassette, a manual feeding tray, and an optional tray.
[0042] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present
general inventive concept, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the image
forming apparatus 100 may further include an exclusive stapling
tray 113, on which the recording medium is stacked, as the optional
tray provided at one side of the image forming apparatus 100.
[0043] In this embodiment, a previously output medium P1, P2 can be
stacked on at least one of the feeing tray 111 and the exclusive
stapling tray 113 of the image forming apparatus 100. The
previously output medium P1, P2 can be a document on which an image
has previously been formed, and does not need a separate process of
forming an image.
[0044] The image forming unit 120 can print out an image based on
print data to at least one medium in response to a print command.
Here, the print can include print for a copy after scanning a
document, print for received fax data, and print for print data
received from an external host apparatus 200 such as a server or
stored in an interior (hard disk drive (HDD) or exterior (universal
serial bus (USB) memory) of the image forming apparatus 100.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the image forming unit 120 can
include an exposure unit 121, a developing unit 122, and a
transferring unit 123.
[0046] The exposure unit 121 can emit light to form a latent image
based on print data. The developing unit 122 can provide a toner to
form a visual image. Then, the visual image can be transferred to
the recording medium while the recording medium supplied from the
medium feeding unit 110 passes between the developing unit 122 and
the transferring unit 123.
[0047] The fusing unit 130 can fix the image, formed by the image
forming unit 110 and transferred to the recording medium, to the
recording medium by thermo-compression. The fusing unit 130 may
include a heat roller internally provided with a heating means
(e.g., heater, not illustrated) to generate heat, and a compression
roller being in close contact with the heat roller to form a fixing
nip. The heat roller and the compression roller can apply heat and
pressure to an image formed by the image forming unit 120 while
rotated and engaged by a predetermined pressure, thereby fixing the
image on the recording medium. The heating means (heater) provided
in the heat roller may be achieved by a halogen lamp, a heat wire,
an induction heater, etc. According to an exemplary embodiment of
the present general inventive concept, the process of forming an
image may include a fixing process.
[0048] The transporting unit 140 can transport the previously
output medium supplied from the medium feeding unit 110 to pass
through the image forming unit 120 and the fusing unit 130, which
may be achieved by a transporter belt. In this embodiment as
illustrated in FIG. 3, the previously output medium fed from the
exclusive stapling tray 113 may be transported without passing
through the image forming unit 120 and the fusing unit 130.
[0049] The medium discharging unit 150 can include a discharging
roller to discharge the previously output medium on which an image
is printed to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100. The
medium discharging unit 150 may include the stapling unit 151 to
apply a post-processing function to the discharged paper. In
addition, the medium discharging unit 150 may include at least one
of a stacker, a finisher, sorter and a puncher to stack or sort the
discharged paper or apply post-processing functions to the sorted
paper.
[0050] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present general
inventive concept, the medium discharging unit 150 may further
include the medium sensing unit 152 and the medium aligning unit
153. The medium aligning unit 153 may be achieved by a paper guide
placed in parallel with or perpendicularly to a discharging
direction of the paper so as to align the paper.
[0051] The user interface 160 can receive a command from a user.
The user interface 160 may include a key button (hereinafter,
referred to as "hard key" or a "key pad") provided in the image
forming apparatus 100, or a graphic user interface (GUI) produced
by execution of a printer driver or a separate application and
displayed on the display unit 170 to thereby allow a user to input
a command through the GUI.
[0052] The image forming apparatus 100 may have a first mode and a
second mode as operation modes according to whether or not an image
is formed on the paper. In the first mode, the previously output
media P1 can be stacked on the feeding tray 111 and can be then
transported to a transporting path of the image forming apparatus
100 without the process of forming an image, thereby being stapled
and discharged to the outside. In the second mode, the recording
media stacked on the feeding tray 111 can be fed and undergo the
process of forming an image, thereby being discharged after
post-processes corresponding to a setting option.
[0053] Through the user interface 160 of the image forming
apparatus 100, the first mode (e.g., a stapling only mode) in which
the previously output media P1 stacked on the feeding tray 111 can
be stapled can be selected, and options about the first mode can be
set. Here, the options may include a choice of a feeding tray on
which the previously output media to undergo stapling are stacked,
and setting of at least one of the number of previously output
media, whether or not the previously output media are sorted, and a
stapling direction and a stapling position.
[0054] As necessary, without setting the options about the first
mode, the image forming apparatus 100 may apply stapling to all the
previously output media stacked on a predetermined feeding
tray.
[0055] Meanwhile, the first mode of the image forming apparatus 100
in this embodiment may include an execute-now mode and a tray
stapling mode.
[0056] In the execute now mode, the previously output media P3
inserted by a user in the medium discharging unit 150 in a
direction reverse to a medium discharging direction can be sensed
and undergo the stapling (refer to FIG. 2).
[0057] In the tray stapling mode, the previously output media
stacked on the feeding tray 111, the ADF, etc. can be transported
to pass through the transporting path without the processes of
forming and fixing an image, and then undergo the stapling. If the
tray stapling mode is selected, at least one feeding tray on which
the previously output media to undergo the stapling are stacked may
be selected through the user interface 160. Also, in the tray
stapling mode, the previously output media stacked on the exclusive
stapling tray 113 may be directly transported to the medium
discharging unit 150 and undergo the stapling (refer to FIG.
3).
[0058] A user may perform log-in, i.e., input identification (ID)
code assigned to his/her account and password through the user
interface 160. Here, the log-in may include administrator mode
log-in allowed to set and modify all environments without any
separate limitation on access. If the log-in is performed as
general users or an administrator, the image forming apparatus 100
can implement authentication and permission with regard to the
log-in.
[0059] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present general
inventive concept, the user interface 120 may be achieved by a
remote user interface (RUI) displayed in the host apparatus 200
such as a personal computer (PC) or the like remotely connectable
to the image forming apparatus 100 through the communication unit
180. If the RUI is employed as the user interface 120, a user may
log in the host apparatus 200 connected to the image forming
apparatus 100 and can select the first mode and the options of the
image forming apparatus 100.
[0060] The display unit 170 may illustrate a user setting and
operating states of the image forming apparatus 100, and may
display a GUI screen to receive various commands from a user. The
display unit 170 may include a thin film transistor-liquid crystal
display (TFT-LCD) and a driver (not illustrated) to drive the
TFT-LCD.
[0061] The display unit 170 can display either of the execute-now
mode or the tray stapling mode to be selectable if a user selects
the first mode, and can illustrate an assigned screen of a stapling
option corresponding to the selected mode. Thus, the image forming
apparatus 100 can apply the stapling to the previously output media
according to the stapling option set by a user.
[0062] FIG. 4 illustrates a selection screen in a first mode
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general
inventive concept. As illustrated in FIG. 4, if a user selects a
first mode icon 10 involving a stapling direction, the image
forming apparatus 100 can display various stapling options so that
the stapling options can be set corresponding to the selected first
mode, and can apply the stapling to the previously output media
stacked on the feeding tray concerned according to the set stapling
option.
[0063] The communication unit 180 can perform data communication
with an external apparatus including the host apparatus 200, a
server, etc. The communication unit 180 may include a wire/wireless
communication module connectable with the external apparatus such
as the host apparatus 200 locally or through a network based on a
predetermined protocol, a universal serial bus (USB) port
connectable with a portable storage medium such as a USB memory,
etc. Also, the communication unit 180 may include a fax
communication module that converts data read by a scanning unit
(not illustrated) into a fax signal and transmits it or receives a
fax signal. Further, the communication unit 180 can perform a
scan-to-host or scan-to-server function to transmit the scan data
to the external apparatus such as the host apparatus 200 or the
server, or to perform a scan-to-email function or the like function
to transmit the scan data to the exterior.
[0064] Meanwhile, the image forming apparatus 100 may further
include a storage (not illustrated) to store setting information
about the first mode, print data received from the outside, a scan
image produced by the scanning unit, and/or various information
such as user authorization information, user authentication
information, and user registration information set according to
user's account. The storage may include an internal storage medium
such as an HDD, or an external or portable storage medium such as a
USB memory, a memory card (memory stick, compact flash (CF) card, a
multi-media card (MMC)).
[0065] The controller 190 can perform general control for the image
forming apparatus 100. Specifically, if the first mode in which the
stapling is applied to the previously output media is selected
through the user interface 170, the controller 190 can receive the
setting options about the first mode selected through the user
interface 170, can control the transporting unit 140 to transport
the previously output media so that the previously output media
stacked on the feeding tray 111 pass through the transporting path
of the image forming apparatus, and can control the transported
previously output media to undergo the stapling according to the
setting options of the first mode. Then, the controller 190 can
control the medium discharging unit 150 to discharge the stapled
previously output media.
[0066] Here, when the first mode is selected, the controller 190
can control the image forming unit 120 and the fusing unit 130 not
to apply the processes of forming and fixing an image to the
previously output media passing through the transporting path,
respectively. That is, in response to the selected first mode, the
controller 190 can control the rollers relevant to only the
transport of the previously output medium, excluding an organic
photo conductor (OPC) drum, a developing drum, a charging roller
(e.g., corona charging), a toner supplying roller, a laser scanning
unit (LSU), a cleaning roller (e.g., blade), a fixer, etc. Also,
the transporting path may include at least one of a transporting
path to form an image and a transporting path for an automatic
document feeder (ADF).
[0067] The controller 190 can control the stapling unit 151 to
carry out the stapling according to the selected first mode and
options. Here, the controller 190 can control the medium aligning
unit 153 to align the previously output media transported to the
discharging unit 150 through the medium sensing unit 152, and then
can staple the aligned previously output media.
[0068] For example, if the tray stapling mode in the first mode is
selected, a user can set the options such as a choice of a feeding
tray on which the previously output media to undergo the stapling
are stacked, the number of previously output media to be stapled,
whether or not the previously output media are sorted, a stapling
direction, a stapling position, etc.
[0069] The image forming apparatus 100 can discharge the previously
output media P1 from the relevant feeding tray 111 according to the
set stapling options, to thereby transport, staple and discharge
the previously output media P1 without forming and fixing an image
(refer to FIG. 2).
[0070] Here, if the selected feeding tray is the exclusive stapling
tray 113 as illustrated in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 100
can discharge and transport the previously output media P2 from the
exclusive stapling tray 113, to thereby apply the stapling to the
previously output media P2 and discharge them to the outside.
[0071] On the other hand, if the execute now mode is selected while
selecting the first mode, for example, if a user selects the
execute now mode and inserts the previously output media P3 in the
medium discharging unit 150 in the direction reverse to the medium
discharging direction, the controller 190 can control the medium
sensing unit 152 to sense whether or not the previously output
media P3 are inserted, and can control the stapling unit 151 to
apply the stapling to the sensed previously-output medium P3. Here,
the controller 190 may control the medium aligning unit 153 to
align the previously output medium P3 inserted according to a
user's selections.
[0072] In the meantime, when the transport of the previously output
media stacked on the selected feeding tray 111 is completed, the
image forming apparatus 100 may allow a user to select whether to
additionally stack the previously output media on the relevant
feeding tray 111 and carry out the stapling. Here, if a user
selects the stack of the previously output media through the user
interface 160 and additionally stacks the previously output media
on the relevant feeding tray 111, the controller 190 can control
the transporting unit 140 to transport the added previously output
media and to apply the stapling once to all the transported
previously output media when the added previously output media can
be completely transported, thereby discharging the previously
output media.
[0073] Also, if the number of transported previously output media
reaches a stapling limit number of the image forming apparatus 100,
it can be possible to select whether to divisionally apply the
stapling to the transported previously output media and perform the
stapling two or more times according to the selected result.
[0074] In the image forming apparatus with the foregoing
configuration, the stapling control will be described below with
reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0075] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of controlling a stapling unit of the
image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present general inventive concept.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 5, at operation S110 a user may select the
first mode, in which the stapling is applied to the previously
output media, through the user interface 160. Here, the selected
first mode may be the tray stapling mode. If the first mode is
selected at the operation S110, the options may be set with regard
to the first mode at operation S120.
[0077] That is, a user may select the feeding tray 111 or 113, on
which the previously output media to be stapled are stacked,
through the user interface 160. Here, the selected feeding tray may
include at least one of a feeding cassette, a manual feeding tray
and an option cassette. Further, the feeding tray may further
include at least one of the exclusive stapling tray 113 and the
automatic document feeder (ADF).
[0078] Also, a user may set at least one of the number of
previously output media, whether or not the previously output media
are sorted, the stapling direction and the stapling position.
Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 100 may apply the
stapling to all the previously output media stacked on the selected
feeding tray without the processes of setting the number of
previously output media, whether or not the previously output media
are sorted, the stapling direction and the stapling position in the
operation S120.
[0079] At operation S130, a user can stack the previously output
media P1 or P2 on the feeding tray selected in the operation
S120.
[0080] At operation S140, the controller 190 can transport the
previously output media stacked in the operation S130 to the
transporting path of the image forming apparatus 100 in response to
the first mode set in the operations S110 and S120 without the
process of forming an image. Here, the transporting path may
include at least one of a transporting path to form an image and a
transporting path of the automatic document feeder (ADF).
[0081] If the transport of the operation S140 is completed with
regard to the previously output media stacked on the feeding tray
selected through the user interface 160 in the operation S120, at
operation S150 the image forming apparatus 100 may allow a user to
select whether to additionally stack the previously output media
and implement the stapling.
[0082] At operation S160, according to the selection in the
operation S150 the controller 190 can apply the stapling to the
previously output media transported in the operation S140 on the
basis of the options set in the operation S120 and can discharge
the media. Here, the controller 190 may align the previously output
media transported in the operation S140 and then apply the stapling
to the aligned previously output media.
[0083] If it is selected that the previously output media are
additionally stacked to be stapled and a user adds the previously
output media to the relevant feeding tray, at operation S170 the
controller 190 can transport the added previously output media
without the process of forming an image.
[0084] At operation S160, the controller 190 can apply the stapling
to the previously output media transported in the operation S140
and S160 on the basis of the options set in the operation S120 and
can discharge the media.
[0085] Meanwhile, the image forming apparatus 100 may apply the
stapling to the previously output media inserted in the medium
discharging unit 150 without the process of transporting the
previously output media.
[0086] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a stapling
unit of the image forming apparatus 100 according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.
[0087] Referring to FIG. 6, at operation S210 a user may select the
first mode, in which the stapling can be applied to the previously
output media, through the user interface 160. Here, the selected
first mode can include the execute now mode.
[0088] At operation S220, the medium sensing unit 152 can sense
whether the previously output media P3 are inserted in the medium
discharging unit 150 in response to the selection of the operation
S210.
[0089] At operation S230, the medium aligning unit 153 can align
the sensed previously output media if it is sensed in the operation
S220 that the previously output media P3 are inserted in the medium
discharging unit 150.
[0090] At operation S240, the controller 190 can perform the
stapling with regard to the previously output media inserted in the
operation S220 and can discharge the stapled previously output
media.
[0091] Accordingly, even though a user does not select the stapling
option by mistake during the printing setting or it needs to only
staple the previously output materials, the image forming apparatus
100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general
inventive concept can use the first mode to perform the stapling
via the existing transporting path with regard to the previously
output materials, thereby reducing wasteful printing and providing
convenience to a user.
[0092] As described above, the present general inventive concept
provides an image forming apparatus capable of stapling and
discharging a previously output medium without a process of forming
an image when a user selects a menu for only stapling the
previously output medium, and a control method of a stapling unit
thereof, thereby avoiding waste of paper and improving convenience
for a user.
[0093] Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present general
inventive concept have been illustrated and described, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in
these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit
of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in
the appended claims and their equivalents.
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