U.S. patent application number 14/094643 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-19 for printing system, control method, and storage medium storing program.
This patent application is currently assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. The applicant listed for this patent is CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Yuuki Maeda.
Application Number | 20140167345 14/094643 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50911826 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140167345 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maeda; Yuuki |
June 19, 2014 |
PRINTING SYSTEM, CONTROL METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM STORING
PROGRAM
Abstract
When a printing apparatus receives error information from a
sheet processing apparatus while executing a print job, execution
of the print job is stopped. After the execution of the print job
is stopped, it is determined in accordance with the type of sheet
processing apparatus whether to discharge a printing sheet on a
conveyance path in the printing system.
Inventors: |
Maeda; Yuuki; (Yokohama-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
50911826 |
Appl. No.: |
14/094643 |
Filed: |
December 2, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
271/3.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2511/528 20130101;
B65H 2511/528 20130101; B65H 2511/40 20130101; B65H 2511/40
20130101; B65H 2513/42 20130101; B65H 2601/11 20130101; G03G
15/5079 20130101; B65H 43/00 20130101; B65H 2513/42 20130101; G03G
15/55 20130101; B65H 2220/01 20130101; B65H 2220/02 20130101; B65H
2220/11 20130101; B65H 2220/03 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
271/3.14 |
International
Class: |
B65H 29/00 20060101
B65H029/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 17, 2012 |
JP |
2012-275102 |
Claims
1. A printing system comprising: a stop unit configured to, in a
case where a printing apparatus receives error information from a
sheet processing apparatus while executing a print job, stop
execution of the print job; a determination unit configured to
determine, in accordance with a type of the sheet processing
apparatus, whether to discharge a printing sheet on a conveyance
path in the printing system after said stop unit stops the
execution of the print job; and a discharge unit configured to, in
a case where said determination unit determines to discharge the
printing sheet, discharge the printing sheet on the conveyance path
in the printing system while the execution of the print job is
stopped.
2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an
acceptance unit configured to accept a selection representing
whether to discharge the printing sheet on the conveyance path
while said stop unit stops the execution of the print job, wherein
in a case where the sheet processing apparatus is of a
predetermined type and said acceptance unit accepts a selection
representing discharge of the printing sheet, said determination
unit determines to discharge the printing sheet on the conveyance
path in the printing system while the execution of the print job is
stopped.
3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said acceptance unit
includes a selection screen for accepting the selection.
4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the selection screen is
displayed on a display unit in a case where the error information
is received from the sheet processing apparatus.
5. The system according to claim 3, wherein said acceptance unit
accepts the selection before executing the print job.
6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the error information
includes information representing that an error has occurred in the
sheet processing apparatus.
7. A printing system control method comprising: a stop step of, in
a case where a printing apparatus receives error information from a
sheet processing apparatus while executing a print job, stopping
execution of the print job; a determination step of determining, in
accordance with a type of the sheet processing apparatus, whether
to discharge a printing sheet on a conveyance path in the printing
system after the execution of the print job is stopped in the stop
step; and a discharge step of, in a case where the printing sheet
is determined in the determination step to be discharged,
discharging the printing sheet on the conveyance path in the
printing system while the execution of the print job is
stopped.
8. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing
a computer to execute a printing system control method, the program
including: a stop step of, in a case where a printing apparatus
receives error information from a sheet processing apparatus while
executing a print job, stopping execution of the print job; a
determination step of determining, in accordance with a type of the
sheet processing apparatus, whether to discharge a printing sheet
on a conveyance path in the printing system after the execution of
the print job is stopped in the stop step; and a discharge step of,
in a case where the printing sheet is determined in the
determination step to be discharged, discharging the printing sheet
on the conveyance path in the printing system while the execution
of the print job is stopped.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a printing system, a
control method, and a storage medium storing a program.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A printing system which performs high-productivity,
high-efficiency printing, like POD (Print On Demand), includes a
large-scale printing apparatus, and various sheet processing
apparatuses (finishing apparatuses) are connected at the subsequent
stage of the printing apparatus. In the printing system in which
sheet processing apparatuses are connected, when an error occurs,
the working efficiency of the operator needs to be increased in
recovery from the error. In particular, there is known a technique
in which, when a sheet jam is detected in a printing apparatus, the
detected position is compared with the positions of sheets
remaining in all conveyance paths upon jam detection, and the
remaining sheets are automatically discharged (Japanese Patent
Laid-Open Nos. 9-011559 and 2008-162745). There is also known a
technique in which, when a printing apparatus shifts to the
printing stop state, the presence/absence of remaining sheets in
the printing apparatus is determined, and when there are remaining
sheets, an instruction to automatically discharge them from the
apparatus can be accepted from an external apparatus or operator
(Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-104141).
[0005] In the printing system as handled in POD, various sheet
processing apparatuses are used and provided by various vendors
different from that of the printing apparatus. Hence, the printing
apparatus needs to be configured to easily connect sheet processing
apparatuses which can be provided by various vendors. To meet this
demand, for example, the communication interface between the sheet
processing apparatus and the printing apparatus is simplified. With
this arrangement, the printing apparatus need not be aware of the
capability of the sheet processing apparatus, and suffices to
assign a specific output destination of the printing apparatus to
the sheet feed port of the sheet processing apparatus. The sheet
processing apparatus executes sheet processing for a sheet accepted
from the sheet feed port in accordance with an instruction set in
the sheet processing apparatus. After conveying a sheet to the
output destination connected to the sheet processing apparatus, the
printing apparatus need not perform control for the sheet
basically.
[0006] If an error occurs in the sheet processing apparatus, the
sheet processing apparatus does not notify the printing apparatus
of details of the error, and the printing apparatus does not
perform detailed processing such as a recovery operation against
the error. Therefore, when an error occurs in the sheet processing
apparatus, details are displayed on only the display unit of the
sheet processing apparatus, and the printing apparatus only prompts
the user to see the display unit of the sheet processing
apparatus.
[0007] With this arrangement, the sheet processing apparatus can be
easily connected to the printing apparatus. While the communication
interface between the sheet processing apparatus and the printing
apparatus is simplified, control of the sheet processing apparatus
by the printing apparatus is omitted. This arrangement can
implement high productivity while various sheet processes can be
easily connected in line.
[0008] However, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-011559 does not
mention error recovery in response to an error notification from a
sheet processing apparatus developed by a vendor different from
that of the printing apparatus during execution of a job. For
example, assume that the sheet processing apparatus is a saddle
stitching apparatus. In this arrangement, when a jam occurs during
execution of a job in the saddle stitching apparatus available from
a vendor different from that of the printing apparatus, or when the
saddle stitching apparatus runs out of staples for saddle
stitching, the printing apparatus is notified only that the error
has occurred in the sheet processing apparatus. However, the
printing apparatus cannot discriminate, from only the error
notification, between an abnormal state in which, for example, a
sheet is jammed in the saddle stitching apparatus available from
the vendor different from that of the printing apparatus, and a
standby state in wait for replenishment with staples.
[0009] A case in which, when an error is notified from a sheet
processing apparatus, it is regarded not as the abnormal state but
as the standby state will be examined. In this case, even if a jam
has occurred in the sheet processing apparatus, the printing
apparatus keeps remaining sheets staying in it. Since the error for
which remaining sheets need to be removed has occurred in the sheet
processing apparatus, the operator needs to manually remove all the
remaining sheets in the printing apparatus in order to restart
printing. To the contrary, a case in which, when an error is
notified from a sheet processing apparatus, it is regarded as the
abnormal state will be examined. In this case, even if a wait for
replenishment with staples occurs in the sheet processing
apparatus, the printing apparatus regards this as the abnormal
state and discharges outside all remaining sheets in the printing
apparatus. To restart printing, printing is performed again from
the first sheet, wastefully consuming consumables.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An aspect of the present invention is to eliminate the
above-mentioned problems with the conventional technology. The
present invention provides a printing apparatus which appropriately
performs recovery in response to an error notification from a
finishing apparatus, a printing apparatus control method, and a
storage medium storing a program.
[0011] The present invention in one aspect provides a printing
system comprising: a stop unit configured to, in a case where a
printing apparatus receives error information from a sheet
processing apparatus while executing a print job, stop execution of
the print job; a determination unit configured to determine, in
accordance with a type of the sheet processing apparatus, whether
to discharge a printing sheet on a conveyance path in the printing
system after the stop unit stops the execution of the print job;
and a discharge unit configured to, in a case where the
determination unit determines to discharge the printing sheet,
discharge the printing sheet on the conveyance path in the printing
system while the execution of the print job is stopped.
[0012] According to the present invention, recovery can be
appropriately performed in response to an error notification from a
finishing apparatus.
[0013] Further features of the present invention will become
apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments
with reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a view exemplifying the arrangement of a printing
environment system;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a
printing system;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a view showing an arrangement near a conveyance
path in the printing system;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a view exemplifying an operation unit;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing procedures when an
error occurs in the first embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a view exemplifying a warning screen;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a view exemplifying an escape selection
screen;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a view exemplifying a jam display screen;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing procedures when the
user mode setting is changed in the second embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing procedures when an
error occurs in the second embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a view exemplifying a user mode setting
acceptance screen; and
[0025] FIG. 12 is a view exemplifying an error operation setting
selection screen.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
described hereinafter in detail, with reference to the accompanying
drawings. It is to be understood that the following embodiments are
not intended to limit the claims of the present invention, and that
not all of the combinations of the aspects that are described
according to the following embodiments are necessarily required
with respect to the means to solve the problems according to the
present invention. Note that the same reference numerals denote the
same parts, and a repetitive description thereof will be
omitted.
First Embodiment
Arrangement of Printing Environment System
[0027] FIG. 1 is a view exemplifying the arrangement of a printing
environment system according to the first embodiment of the present
invention. A printing environment system 1 is also usable as a POD
(Print On Demand) environment and will also be referred to as a POD
system 1. The POD system 1 includes a printing system 10, server
103, and client 104. The server 103 and client 104 are
general-purpose information processing apparatuses such as PCs. The
POD system 1 includes apparatuses used for respective finishing
processes. For example, the POD system 1 includes a sheet folding
apparatus 107, sheet cutting apparatus 109, saddle stitching
apparatus 110, case binding apparatus 108, and scanner 102. The
printing system 10 includes a printing apparatus 100 and sheet
processing apparatus 200. In the embodiment, the printing apparatus
100 is, for example, an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) in which a
plurality of functions such as the copy function and print function
are integrated. However, the printing apparatus 100 may be a
single-function printing apparatus having only the copy function or
print function.
[0028] In the first embodiment, the sheet folding apparatus 107,
case binding apparatus 108, sheet cutting apparatus 109, and saddle
stitching apparatus 110 shown in FIG. 1 will be called sheet
processing apparatuses, similar to the sheet processing apparatus
200 of the printing system 10. These apparatuses are defined as
apparatuses capable of executing various sheet processes as
finishing processes for sheets (printed sheets) printed by the
printing apparatus 100. For example, the sheet folding apparatus
107 is an apparatus capable of executing folding processing for
sheets printed by the printing apparatus 100. The sheet cutting
apparatus 109 is an apparatus capable of executing cutting
processing for sheets printed by the printing apparatus 100 for
each sheet bundle of a plurality of sheets. The saddle stitching
apparatus 110 is an apparatus capable of executing saddle stitching
processing for sheets printed by the printing apparatus 100. The
case binding apparatus 108 is an apparatus capable of executing
case binding processing for sheets printed by the printing
apparatus 100.
[0029] To execute various sheet processes by these sheet processing
apparatuses, the operator needs to take out a material printed by
the printing apparatus 100 from the discharge unit of the printing
apparatus 100, and set the printed material in a target sheet
processing apparatus. When a sheet processing apparatus other than
the sheet processing apparatus 200 of the printing system 10 is
used, intervention work by the operator is necessary after printing
by the printing apparatus 100. In other words, when sheet
processing is executed using the sheet processing apparatus 200 of
the printing system 10, intervention work by the operator is
unnecessary after printing by the printing apparatus 100. This is
because the printing system 10 is configured to be able to directly
supply a sheet printed by the printing apparatus 100 from the
printing apparatus 100 to the sheet processing apparatus 200. More
specifically, a sheet conveyance path in the printing apparatus 100
is configured to be connectable to a sheet conveyance path in the
sheet processing apparatus 200. In this manner, the sheet
processing apparatus 200 and printing apparatus 100 in the printing
system 10 are physically connected to each other. The printing
apparatus 100 and sheet processing apparatus 200 include CPUs and
are capable of data communication between them. That is, the
printing apparatus 100 and sheet processing apparatus 200 are also
electrically connected to each other.
[0030] In the embodiment, a controller unit 205 (to be described
later) of the printing apparatus 100 systematically controls the
printing apparatus 100 and sheet processing apparatus 200. When
processing is basically completed in the sheet processing apparatus
200, like state management or control of the sheet processing
apparatus 200, the controller unit 205 only conveys a sheet to the
sheet processing apparatus 200. That is, the controller unit 205
neither issues a detailed instruction nor performs control for
processing in the sheet processing apparatus 200. The controller
unit 205 of the printing apparatus 100 only issues a sheet
conveyance instruction to the sheet processing apparatus 200 and
receives the state signal of the sheet processing apparatus 200
from the sheet processing apparatus 200, and does not perform an
instruction and control synchronized with the sheet processing
apparatus 200 as much as possible. In this case, the controller
unit 205 executes sheet conveyance to the sheet processing
apparatus 200 and minimum processing complying with the state of
the sheet processing apparatus 200 in accordance with initial
settings made upon connecting the sheet processing apparatus 200.
The initial settings are, for example, the sheet interval in sheet
conveyance, and whether sheet conveyance is performed in a
direction parallel to the longitudinal or widthwise direction of
the sheet. The printing apparatus 100 performs print processing for
print data in accordance with a print job transmitted from the
server 103, client 104, or the like via a network 101.
[0031] [Arrangement of Printing System 10]
[0032] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the
printing system 10. In the embodiment, the printing apparatus 100
incorporates all the units shown in FIG. 2 other than the sheet
processing apparatus 200. The sheet processing apparatus 200 shown
in FIG. 2 is not limited to a stand-alone sheet processing
apparatus 200, but represents a series of in-line sheet processing
apparatuses. The sheet processing apparatus 200 is detachable from
the printing apparatus 100 and can be provided as an optional
apparatus for the printing apparatus 100. With this arrangement, a
necessary number of in-line finishers (finishing apparatuses) can
be configured in the POD environment.
[0033] The copy function of the printing apparatus 100 is a
function of storing data accepted from a scanner unit 201 in a hard
disk (HDD) 209, and causing a printer unit 203 to print based on
the data. The print function of the printing apparatus 100 is a
function of storing, in the HDD 209, a print job and printing
target data accepted from an external apparatus such as the server
103 or client 104 via an external I/F 202, and causing the printer
unit 203 to print based on the data. The print function is capable
of both color printing and monochrome printing.
[0034] The scanner unit 201 performs image processing for image
data generated by optically reading the image of a document set on
a document table. The external I/F 202 transmits/receives various
data, commands, and the like to/from an external apparatus such as
a facsimile apparatus, network connection device, or external
dedicated apparatus. The printer unit 203 performs print processing
for printing target data stored in the HDD 209, and prints on a
sheet. An operation unit 204 includes a display unit such as a
display, and displays a user interface screen for, for example,
setting each function. Also, the operation unit 204 accepts an
instruction from the user via buttons, a keyboard, a pointing
device, or a touch panel operation on the display. FIG. 4 is a view
exemplifying the operation unit 204. The operation unit 204
includes a key input portion 402 capable of accepting a user
operation with a hard key, and a touch panel portion 401 capable of
accepting a user operation with a soft key (display key).
[0035] The controller unit 205 is, for example, a CPU and
systematically controls the printing apparatus 100. A ROM (Read
Only Memory) 207 stores programs such as a boot program and font
information. In addition, the ROM 207 stores control programs for
executing the processes of flowcharts to be described later, and a
display control program for displaying a user interface (UI) screen
on the display unit of the operation unit 204. The controller unit
205 executes these programs stored in the ROM 207 by reading them
out to a readable/writable RAM 208. The ROM 207 also stores a
program for executing an operation to interpret PDL (Page
Description Language) data received from the server 103 or client
104 via the external I/F 202, and rasterize it into raster image
data (bitmap image data).
[0036] The HDD 209 stores various jobs such as a print job, data to
be processed by various jobs, and the like. The HDD 209 stores, for
example, image data compressed by a compression/decompression unit
210. The controller unit 205 processes, for example, a print job
stored in the HDD 209 via the scanner unit 201 or external I/F 202.
The controller unit 205 processes image data sequentially in the
print page order, and when it detects that a page has been
discharged from the apparatus, deletes the image data from the HDD
209. When the controller unit 205 detects that all image data of
all print pages have been deleted, it deletes the print job from
the HDD 209. The controller unit 205 can also control to transmit
these image data to an external apparatus via the external I/F 202.
The compression/decompression unit 210 performs
compression/decompression processing for image data stored in the
RAM 208 and HDD 209 by various compression methods such as JBIG and
JPEG.
[0037] FIG. 3 is a view showing an arrangement near a conveyance
path in the printing system 10. A case in which a copy job is
executed will be explained with reference to FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, a
glue binding apparatus 200a, large-volume stacker 200b, and saddle
stitching apparatus 200c are connected as the sheet processing
apparatus 200 at the subsequent stage of the printing apparatus
100. Assume that the saddle stitching apparatus 200c is a DFD
(Document Finishing Device) finisher. The DFD finisher is a
finisher available from a vendor (3rd-party) different from that of
the printing apparatus 100.
[0038] An auto document feeder (ADF) 301 arranged in the scanner
unit 201 separates a plurality of document sheets set on the
document tray by the user in order from the first sheet, and
conveys them onto the glass document table. A reading unit 302
reads the image of the document conveyed onto the glass document
table by using a CCD, generating image data. The controller unit
205 stores the generated image data in a storage area such as the
RAM 208 or HDD 209.
[0039] The printing apparatus 100 is, for example, a tandem color
printer including a plurality of photosensitive members (drums).
The printing apparatus 100 includes sheet feed units such as sheet
feed cassettes 317 and 318 and a manual feed tray 320, and feeds a
sheet from one of the sheet feed units. A sheet feed deck 319
capable of storing a large volume of sheets is also connected as a
sheet feed unit to the printing apparatus 100, and a sheet can be
fed from the sheet feed deck 319. The printing apparatus 100
conveys a sheet fed from one of these sheet feed units to
registration rollers 306, and temporarily stops the sheet in order
to synchronize with an intermediate transfer belt 305. When a sheet
waiting for transfer exists at the position of the registration
rollers 306, the controller unit 205 controls to feed, from one of
the sheet feed cassettes 317 and 318, sheet feed deck 319, and
manual feed tray 320, a sheet for printing the next page. By
feeding a sheet in this way, the conveyance interval between sheets
can be shortened, increasing the printing productivity.
[0040] Printing target image data temporarily stored in the RAM 208
or HDD 209 is transferred to the printer unit 203, and is converted
by a laser printing unit (not shown) into printing laser beams of
four, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The laser
beams irradiate photosensitive members corresponding to the
respective colors, forming electrostatic latent images
corresponding to the respective colors. Toner development is
performed with toners of the four colors supplied from toner
cartridges, and the visualized toner images are temporarily
transferred from the photosensitive members to the intermediate
transfer belt 305.
[0041] The intermediate transfer belt 305 circulates clockwise in
FIG. 3 at a predetermined speed. When the intermediate transfer
belt 305 circulates to a predetermined position, conveyance of the
sheet on standby starts at the position of the registration rollers
306. The predetermined position is a position where almost the
leading end of a sheet is conveyed to a secondary transfer position
316 when the leading end of an image transferred onto the
intermediate transfer belt 305 reaches the secondary transfer
position. At the secondary transfer position 316, the toner image
on the intermediate transfer belt 305 is transferred to the sheet.
The printed sheet bearing the toner image is further conveyed by a
belt 307, and the toner is fixed by pressure and heat from a fixing
unit 308. After the sheet is conveyed through the sheet conveyance
path, it is discharged from the apparatus.
[0042] A discharge flapper 309 is configured to be swingable about
a swing shaft and specifies a sheet conveyance direction. When the
discharge flapper 309 swings clockwise in FIG. 3 and is fixed at
this position, a sheet discharged from the fixing unit 308 keeps
conveyed in the lateral direction, and is conveyed by discharge
rollers 310 to the glue binding apparatus 200a serving as one sheet
processing apparatus 200. In this fashion, single-sided printing is
executed.
[0043] When printing images on the two surfaces of a sheet, the
discharge flapper 309 swings counterclockwise in FIG. 3 and is
fixed at this position. The course of the sheet discharged from the
fixing unit 308 is changed downward, and the sheet is fed into a
double-sided conveyance unit. The double-sided conveyance unit
includes a reversing flapper 311, reversing rollers 312, a
reversing guide 313, and a double-sided tray 314. The reversing
flapper 311 swings about a swing shaft and specifies a sheet
conveyance direction. When performing double-sided printing, the
controller unit 205 controls to swing the reversing flapper 311
counterclockwise in FIG. 3, and feed, to the reversing guide 313
via the reversing rollers 312, a sheet having the first surface
(obverse surface) on which an image has been printed. Then, the
reversing rollers are temporarily stopped in a state in which the
trailing end of the sheet is clamped by the reversing rollers
arranged at the entrance of the reversing guide. Subsequently, the
reversing flapper 311 swings clockwise in FIG. 3, and the reversing
rollers are rotated backward. The sheet can therefore be conveyed
to the double-sided tray 314 after it is switched back and conveyed
to swap over the trailing and leading ends of the sheet. The sheet
is temporarily held on the double-sided tray 314 and is fed again
to the registration rollers 306 by a refeed roller 315. At this
time, the sheet is conveyed in a state in which the second surface
(reverse surface) opposite to the surface bearing the toner
transferred by the transfer process for the first surface faces the
intermediate transfer belt 305. Similar to the transfer process for
the first surface, an image is formed on the second surface of the
sheet. After the fixing unit 308 fixes the image formed on the
second surface of the sheet, the sheet bearing the image is
conveyed by the discharge rollers 310 to the glue binding apparatus
200a serving as one sheet processing apparatus 200. In this manner,
double-sided printing is executed.
[0044] The sheet having one or two surfaces on which images have
been printed by the printing apparatus 100 is selectively conveyed
to the glue binding apparatus 200a, large-volume stacker 200b, or
saddle stitching apparatus 200c in accordance with print settings
accepted via the operation unit 204. For example, when it is set to
execute glue binding, the sheet is conveyed to the glue binding
apparatus 200a, undergoes bookbinding processing, and is discharged
to a bound product discharge unit 331. In bookbinding processing, a
plurality of sheets on which images have been printed by the
printing apparatus 100 are wrapped with a sheet fed from an
inserter 332 and bound, as needed. The bound printed material is
accumulated on the bound product discharge unit 331. When it is set
to execute large-volume stacking processing, a sheet on which an
image has been printed by the printing apparatus 100 is conveyed to
the large-volume stacker 200b through a sheet conveyance path 330
of the glue binding apparatus 200a. The large-volume stacker 200b
discharges the received sheet to an escape tray 335 or stacking
unit 334.
[0045] When it is set to execute sheet processing in the saddle
stitching apparatus 200c, a sheet printed by the printing apparatus
100 is conveyed to the saddle stitching apparatus 200c through the
sheet conveyance path 330 and a sheet conveyance path 333 of the
respective apparatuses. Processing to be executed by the saddle
stitching apparatus 200c for the received sheet, or the discharge
destination of the sheet is decided in accordance with a setting
accepted via an operation unit 336 of the saddle stitching
apparatus 200c.
[0046] For example, when it is set on the operation unit 336 to
execute staple processing, the saddle stitching apparatus 200c
accumulates received sheets on an intermediate tray. When a bundle
of sheets to be stapled is prepared on the intermediate tray, the
saddle stitching apparatus 200c staples the bundle of sheets and
discharges it to a discharge unit 338. When it is set on the
operation unit 336 to execute saddle stitching processing, the
saddle stitching apparatus 200c executes saddle stitching
processing for received sheets and discharges them to a discharge
unit 339. When no sheet processing is selected on the operation
unit 336, the saddle stitching apparatus 200c discharges received
sheets to a discharge unit 337 without executing any processing for
them.
[0047] As described above, the printing system 10 executes
processes such as sheet feeding, printing, respective
post-processes, and discharge. Note that the printing system 10
includes sheet detection sensors on the sheet conveyance paths of
the printing apparatus 100, glue binding apparatus 200a,
large-volume stacker 200b, and saddle stitching apparatus 200c. For
example, the sheet detection sensors are arranged at the entrance
and exit of each apparatus, and the branch point and confluence
between sheet conveyance paths. In FIG. 3, triangular marks
indicate examples of positions where the sheet detection sensors
are arranged, and A to Q represent the sheet detection sensors. By
detecting signals from the sheet detection sensors A to L, the
controller unit 205 detects the presence/absence of sheets conveyed
through the sheet conveyance paths and the positions of the
sheets.
[0048] However, the controller unit 205 need not directly detect
signals from the sheet detection sensors M to Q, and the control
unit (for example, CPU) of the saddle stitching apparatus 200c
detects these signals. In accordance with the detected signals, the
control unit of the saddle stitching apparatus 200c notifies the
controller unit 205 of the printing apparatus 100 of state
information of the saddle stitching apparatus 200c.
[0049] For example, when a signal from a given sheet detection
sensor is kept detected for a predetermined time or more, the
controller unit 205 or the control unit of the saddle stitching
apparatus 200c determines that a sheet stay jam has occurred at a
position corresponding to the sensor which keeps transmitting the
signal. Alternatively, when a sheet having passed through a given
sheet detection sensor does not pass through the next sheet
detection sensor even after a predetermined time or more, the
controller unit 205 or the control unit of the saddle stitching
apparatus 200c determines that a sheet delay jam has occurred
between these sheet detection sensors.
[0050] When the controller unit 205 detects that a sheet stay jam
has occurred on the sheet conveyance path in the printing
apparatus, it interrupts printing, and displays the position of the
sheet to be removed and the removal procedure as guidance in
accordance with the signal from the sheet detection sensor.
Alternatively, when the control unit of the saddle stitching
apparatus 200c detects that a sheet stay jam has occurred on the
sheet conveyance path in the saddle stitching apparatus 200c, it
displays the position of the sheet to be removed and the removal
procedure as guidance on the operation unit 336. Further, the
control unit of the saddle stitching apparatus 200c notifies the
controller unit 205 of the printing apparatus of the abnormal state
information. The abnormal state information notified at this time
merely represents that an error has occurred, and does not
represent detailed information of the error about the location
where the stay jam has occurred in the saddle stitching apparatus
200c. Upon receiving the abnormal state information from the saddle
stitching apparatus 200c, the controller unit 205 displays a
message on the display unit of the operation unit 204 to refer to
the operation unit 336 of the saddle stitching apparatus 200c. The
operation unit 336 of the saddle stitching apparatus 200c displays
detailed error information of the stay jam.
[0051] From the display on the operation unit 204 or operation unit
336, the user can grasp locations of the printing system 10 where
sheets to be removed exist. In accordance with the displayed
guidance, the user opens the doors of respective units and removes
the sheets from the sheet conveyance paths. After the user removes
all the sheets, he issues a printing restart instruction via the
operation unit 204. Upon accepting the printing restart
instruction, the controller unit 205 restarts printing.
[0052] Sheet detection sensors A-1, A-2, A-3, and A-4 are arranged
at the sheet feed ports of the respective sheet feed units, that
is, sheet feed cassettes 317 and 318, sheet feed deck 319, and
manual feed tray 320, as sheet feed sensors corresponding to the
respective sheet feed ports. These sheet feed sensors detect fed
sheets, and transmit sheet detection signals to the controller unit
205. The controller unit 205 counts the numbers of sheets fed from
the respective sheet feed units in accordance with the sheet
detection signals received from the sheet feed sensors. The
controller unit 205 holds the count values in the RAM 208. Hence,
the controller unit 205 can grasp the numbers of sheets fed from
the respective sheet feed units in a job during execution.
[0053] The embodiment has explained a 4D (Drum) color MFP as the
printing apparatus 100. However, the printing apparatus 100 is not
limited to this arrangement, and may be a monochrome MFP or a 1D
(Drum) color MFP. As for a print job, print data received via the
external I/F 202 is used, instead of image data from the scanner
unit 201. The remaining points are the same as those for a copy
job.
[0054] Processing when an error such as a stay jam occurs in a
saddle stitching apparatus 200c will be described. FIG. 5 is a
flowchart showing processing procedures when an error occurs in the
saddle stitching apparatus 200c. Respective processes shown in FIG.
5 are implemented by reading out a control program from a ROM 207
and executing it by a controller unit 205 of a printing apparatus
100.
[0055] First, in step S501, the controller unit 205 determines
whether it has received an error notification from the printing
apparatus 100 or a sheet processing apparatus 200 in a printing
system 10. If the controller unit 205 determines that it has
received an error notification, the process advances to step S502.
The processing in step S501 is repeated until it is determined that
an error notification has been received. Then, in step S502, the
controller unit 205 determines whether print processing is being
executed upon receiving the error notification. If the controller
unit 205 determines that printing is not being executed, the
process advances to step S511; if it determines that printing is
being executed, to step S503.
[0056] Processes in step S511 and subsequent steps will be
explained. In step S511, the controller unit 205 determines whether
all the factors of the received error notification have been
canceled. If the controller unit 205 determines that all the
factors of the error notification have been canceled, the process
advances to step S513. If at least one factor of the error
notification has been detected, the process advances to step S512.
In step S512, the controller unit 205 acquires the detected error
notification information and displays the error notification
information on the display unit of an operation unit 204. After
that, the process returns to step S511. If the detected error
notification information represents an error in the saddle
stitching apparatus 200c, a warning screen 601 as shown in FIG. 6
pops up to call attention of the user. More specifically, as shown
in FIG. 6, a message that an error has occurred in the saddle
stitching apparatus 200c is displayed to prompt the user to see an
operation unit 336 of the saddle stitching apparatus 200c for
details. In step S513, the controller unit 205 ends the display of
the error notification information and the information about the
recovery procedure displayed on the display of the operation unit
204, returns the state to a printable state, and ends the
processing of FIG. 5.
[0057] Referring again to step S502, processes in step S503 and
subsequent steps when it is determined in step S502 that print
processing is being executed will be explained. In step S503, the
controller unit 205 executes stop processing for all print jobs. At
this time, stop processing for sheets being conveyed in the
printing apparatus is also executed, and the process advances to
step S504. The stop processing also includes control of conveying a
sheet near the fixing unit to a position different from the fixing
unit, and then stopping the sheet.
[0058] In step S504, the controller unit 205 determines, based on
information from the sheet detection sensors in the printing system
10, the presence/absence of sheets (remaining sheets) remaining in
the printing apparatus 100. If the controller unit 205 determines
that there is no remaining sheet, the process advances to step
S511. If the controller unit 205 determines that there are
remaining sheets, the process advances to step S505.
[0059] In step S505, the controller unit 205 determines whether the
error notification information received from step S501 includes
error notification information from the saddle stitching apparatus
200c. If the controller unit 205 determines that the error
notification information received from step S501 includes error
notification information from the saddle stitching apparatus 200c,
the process advances to step S506. If the controller unit 205
determines that the error notification information received from
step S501 does not include error notification information from the
saddle stitching apparatus 200c, the process advances to step
S508.
[0060] In step S506, the controller unit 205 displays, on the
operation unit 204, an escape selection screen 701 for selecting
whether to automatically escape a remaining sheet in the printing
apparatus 100. The process then advances to step S507. The escape
is to forcibly discharge a printed remaining sheet in the printing
apparatus 100 from a nearby discharge portion even if the remaining
sheet requires post-processing. FIG. 7 is a view exemplifying the
escape selection screen 701. As shown in FIG. 7, the escape
selection screen 701 displays a message that an unspecified error
has occurred in the saddle stitching apparatus 200c. The user can
select whether to execute escape processing of discharging a sheet
remaining in the printing apparatus 100 from a nearby discharge
portion.
[0061] In step S507, the controller unit 205 determines which of
buttons 702 and 703 has been pressed on the escape selection screen
701. If the controller unit 205 determines that the button 702 has
been pressed, the process advances to step S508; if it determines
that the button 703 has been pressed, to step S509. In step S508,
the controller unit 205 detects the positions of sheets remaining
in the printing apparatus 100 and the states of the conveyance
paths from detection signals from the sheet detection sensors in
the printing apparatus 100, specifies escapable discharge
destinations for the respective sheets, and executes escape
processing. In step S509, the controller unit 205 determines again
the presence/absence of sheets remaining in the printing apparatus
100. If the controller unit 205 determines that there is no
remaining sheet, the process advances to step S511; if it
determines that there are remaining sheets, to step S510. In step
S510, the controller unit 205 displays a jam display screen as
shown in FIG. 8 about position information of the remaining sheets
on the display unit of the operation unit 204 based on detection
signals from the sheet detection sensors, and prompts the user to
perform recovery processing. The jam display continues until
recovery processing by the user is completed.
[0062] In steps S506 and S507 of FIG. 5, the controller unit 205
displays the escape selection screen 701. However, when the user
removes remaining sheets and the presence of a remaining sheet is
not detected during display of the escape selection screen 701, the
process may advance to step S511.
[0063] As described above, even when error information is received
from the saddle stitching apparatus 200c which is a sheet
processing apparatus available from a vendor different from that of
the printing apparatus 100, the user can select processing
complying with the error information. The user sees the display on
the operation unit 336 of the saddle stitching apparatus 200c, and
if automatic escape in the printing apparatus 100 is necessary,
presses the button 702 in accordance with an instruction displayed
on the operation unit 204 of the printing apparatus 100. The user
can efficiently perform recovery processing by a minimum operation.
Also, the user sees the display on the operation unit 336 of the
saddle stitching apparatus 200c, and if automatic escape in the
printing apparatus is unnecessary, presses the button 703 in
accordance with an instruction displayed on the operation unit 204
of the printing apparatus 100. Wasteful discharge of printed
materials can therefore be prevented. This can increase the
efficiency of the printing system. The embodiment has explained the
saddle stitching apparatus 200c available from a vendor different
from that of the printing apparatus 100. However, the embodiment is
applicable to even a sheet processing apparatus other than one
available from a vendor different from that of the printing
apparatus 100 when the sheet processing apparatus connected at the
subsequent stage of the printing apparatus 100 independently
controls the apparatus itself and the printing apparatus 100 cannot
acquire details of error information in the sheet processing
apparatus.
Second Embodiment
[0064] FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing processing procedures
when an error occurs in a saddle stitching apparatus 200c in the
second embodiment. Respective processes shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are
implemented by reading out a control program from a ROM 207 and
executing it by a controller unit 205 of a printing apparatus
100.
[0065] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing procedures when a
change of the user mode setting is accepted on an operation unit
204 of the printing apparatus 100. The processing shown in FIG. 9
is performed before execution of a print job, and may be executed
at the time of, for example, installing the printing apparatus 100.
Upon accepting a change of the user mode setting, the controller
unit 205 displays a user mode setting acceptance screen 1101 as
shown in FIG. 11. In step S901, the controller unit 205 determines
whether an error operation setting selection button 1102 has been
pressed. If the controller unit 205 determines that the error
operation setting selection button 1102 has been pressed, the
process advances to step S902. In step S902, the controller unit
205 displays the error operation setting screen 1201 shown in FIG.
12 on the operation unit 204, and the process advances to step
S903.
[0066] In step S903, the controller unit 205 determines whether a
button in an error operation setting screen 1201 has been pressed.
If the controller unit 205 determines that the button has been
pressed, the process advances to step S904. In step S904, the
controller unit 205 determines which of mode setting buttons 1202
and 1203 and another button has been pressed. If the controller
unit 205 determines that a button other than the buttons 1202 and
1203, for example, an OK button 1204 or cancel button 1205 has been
pressed, it ends the processing of FIG. 9. If the controller unit
205 determines that the button 1202 or 1203 has been pressed, the
process advances to step S905. In step S905, the controller unit
205 saves a setting corresponding to the pressed button in an HDD
209, and ends the processing of FIG. 9. For example, if the
controller unit 205 determines that the button 1203 has been
pressed, and the printing apparatus 100 receives unspecified error
notification information from the saddle stitching apparatus 200c,
escape of remaining sheets is automatically executed. If the
controller unit 205 determines that the button 1202 has been
pressed, and the printing apparatus 100 receives unspecified error
notification information from the saddle stitching apparatus 200c,
escape of remaining sheets is not automatically executed.
[0067] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing procedures when an
error occurs in the saddle stitching apparatus 200c. Processes in
steps S1001 to S1005 and S1008 to S1013 of FIG. 10 are the same as
those in steps S501 to S505 and S508 to S513 of FIG. 5. The second
embodiment is different from the first embodiment in steps S1006
and S1007.
[0068] If the controller unit 205 receives error notification
information from the saddle stitching apparatus 200c in step S1006,
it acquires, from the HDD 209, the setting representing whether to
automatically escape remaining sheets in the printing apparatus
100, and the process advances to step S1007. In step S1007, the
controller unit 205 determines whether the content of the acquired
setting is a setting of performing automatic escape. If the
controller unit 205 determines that the content of the acquired
setting is a setting of performing automatic escape, the process
advances to step S1008; if it determines that the content is a
setting of performing no automatic escape, to step S1009.
[0069] In the above description, two choices representing whether
to perform automatic escape are provided as choices on the error
operation setting screen 1201. However, the error operation setting
screen 1201 may display a mode choice capable of selecting whether
to perform escape processing every time error information is
received from the saddle stitching apparatus 200c. If the user
selects this choice, the same operation as that in the first
embodiment is performed. Also, when it is determined in step S1007
that the content of the acquired setting is a setting of performing
no automatic escape, the operation unit 204 may display the
selection screen in FIG. 7 to prompt the user to select whether to
execute escape every time error information is received from the
saddle stitching apparatus 200c.
[0070] The setting representing whether to perform automatic escape
may be made by a serviceman at the time of installing the saddle
stitching apparatus 200c. In this case, for example, when
connecting the saddle stitching apparatus 200c, the serviceman sets
capability information representing whether the saddle stitching
apparatus 200c can notify the printing apparatus 100 of detailed
information of an error in the saddle stitching apparatus 200c. In
this arrangement, the controller unit 205 of the printing apparatus
100 may set to perform automatic escape processing in accordance
with the capability information, for example, when no detailed
information can be notified.
[0071] In the embodiment, when a sheet processing apparatus
incapable of notifying the printing apparatus 100 of detailed
information of an error is connected, it is set to automatically
perform escape processing by the printing apparatus 100. The user
need not check the operation unit 336 of the saddle stitching
apparatus 200c, improving user friendliness. This is because, for
example, when a sheet processing apparatus in which only a specific
error such as a stay jam readily occurs as an error during printing
is connected, even if error information is received from the sheet
processing apparatus, detailed information of an error can be
predicted.
[0072] As described above, while the mechanism of communication and
exchange of information with a sheet processing apparatus available
from a vendor different from that of the printing apparatus 100 is
simplified to facilitate development on the vendor side different
from that of the printing apparatus 100, recovery processing
complying with the situation upon generation of an error can be
executed in the printing apparatus. Even when an error occurs in
the printing system, efficient error processing without a waste can
be executed by a minimum operation.
OTHER EMBODIMENTS
[0073] Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a
computer of a system or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU)
that reads out and executes a program recorded on a memory device
to perform the functions of the above-described embodiment(s), and
by a method, the steps of which are performed by a computer of a
system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing a
program recorded on a memory device to perform the functions of the
above-described embodiment(s). For this purpose, the program is
provided to the computer for example via a network or from a
recording medium of various types serving as the memory device (for
example, computer-readable medium).
[0074] While the present invention has been described with
reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.
The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent structures and functions.
[0075] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent
Application No. 2012-275102, filed Dec. 17, 2012, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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