Image forming system that outputs sheet bundle, method for controlling operation of image forming apparatus

An image forming system includes a conveyance processing portion, a setting processing portion, an insertion processing portion, and an operation control portion. The conveyance processing portion executes a conveyance process to convey a plurality of sheets placed on a sheet placing portion, sequentially to a sheet stack portion. When the insertion timing to insert the insertion sheet comes during an execution of the conveyance process, the insertion processing portion executes an insertion process to convey a sheet from the sheet supply source of the insertion sheet to the sheet stack portion. The operation control portion is configured to control operations of an image forming apparatus during execution of a sheet bundle output process based on the sheet type of the insertion sheet conveyed in the insertion process that is included in the sheet bundle output process, the sheet bundle output process including the conveyance process and the insertion process.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-099367 filed on May 28, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an image forming system and a method for controlling operation of an image forming apparatus.

In an image forming apparatus, such as a printer, a conveyance process may be executed to convey a plurality of sheets placed on sheet placing portions such as sheet supply cassettes, sequentially to a sheet stack portion such as a stack tray. In addition, there is known, as a related technology, an image forming apparatus configured to set an insertion timing and a sheet supply source for each of insertion sheets to be inserted in a sheet bundle that is stacked on the sheet stack portion by the conveyance process.

SUMMARY

An image forming system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a conveyance processing portion, a setting processing portion, an insertion processing portion, and an operation control portion. The conveyance processing portion executes a conveyance process to convey a plurality of sheets placed on a sheet placing portion, sequentially to a sheet stack portion. The setting processing portion is configured to set, based on user operations, an insertion timing, a sheet supply source, and a sheet type of an insertion sheet that is to be inserted in a sheet bundle that is stacked on the sheet stack portion during the conveyance process. When the insertion timing to insert the insertion sheet comes during an execution of the conveyance process, the insertion processing portion executes an insertion process to convey a sheet from the sheet supply source of the insertion sheet to the sheet stack portion. The operation control portion is configured to control operations of an image forming apparatus during execution of a sheet bundle output process based on the sheet type of the insertion sheet conveyed in the insertion process that is included in the sheet bundle output process, the sheet bundle output process including the conveyance process and the insertion process.

A method for controlling operation of an image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes: executing a conveyance process to convey a plurality of sheets placed on a sheet placing portion, sequentially to a sheet stack portion; setting, based on user operations, an insertion timing, a sheet supply source, and a sheet type of an insertion sheet that is to be inserted in a sheet bundle that is stacked on the sheet stack portion during the conveyance process; when the insertion timing to insert the insertion sheet comes during an execution of the conveyance process, executing an insertion process to convey a sheet from the sheet supply source of the insertion sheet to the sheet stack portion; and controlling operations of an image forming apparatus during execution of a sheet bundle output process based on the sheet type of the insertion sheet conveyed in the insertion process that is included in the sheet bundle output process, the sheet bundle output process including the conveyance process and the insertion process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following describes an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiment is an example of a specific embodiment of the present disclosure and should not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus10]

First, a configuration of an image forming apparatus10according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference toFIG.1toFIG.4. Here,FIG.3is a schematic cross-sectional diagram showing a configuration of an image forming portion3and a sheet conveying portion4. In addition,FIG.4is a schematic cross-sectional diagram showing a configuration of a post-processing device5.

The image forming apparatus10is a multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions such as a scan function for reading image data from a document sheet, a print function for forming an image based on image data, a facsimile function, and a copy function. It is noted that the image forming apparatus10may be a printer device, a facsimile device, a copier or the like.

As shown inFIG.1andFIG.2, the image forming apparatus10includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder)1, an image reading portion2, the image forming portion3, the sheet conveying portion4, the post-processing device5, an operation/display portion7, a storage portion8, and a control portion9. Here, the image forming apparatus10is an example of an image forming system of the present disclosure.

The ADF1includes a document sheet setting portion, a plurality of conveyance rollers, a document sheet pressing, and a sheet discharge portion that are not shown, and conveys a document sheet so that it is read by the image reading portion2. The image reading portion2includes a document sheet table, a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an optical lens, and a CCD that are not shown, and reads image data from a document sheet.

The image forming portion3is configured to execute an image forming process (print process) to form an image by an electrophotographic method based on image data that was read by the image reading portion2. In addition, the image forming portion3is configured to execute the image forming process based on image data input from an external information processing apparatus such as a personal computer. As shown inFIG.3, the image forming portion3includes a photoconductor drum31, a charging device32, a laser scanning unit33, a developing device34, a transfer roller35, a cleaning device36, and a fixing device37.

The sheet conveying portion4conveys a sheet to the post-processing device5via an image forming position where an image is formed by the image forming portion3. As shown inFIG.3, the sheet conveying portion4includes four sheet supply units41, a first conveyance path42, a plurality of conveyance rollers43, and a resist roller44.

Each of the four sheet supply units41includes a sheet supply cassette411(an example of a sheet placing portion of the present disclosure), a pickup roller412, and a sheet supply roller413. Sheets on which images are to be formed are placed on the sheet supply cassettes411. For example, the sheets that may be placed on the sheet supply cassettes411include sheets of paper, sheets of coated paper, postcards, envelopes, and OHP sheets. The pickup roller412feeds a top sheet among a plurality of sheets placed on the sheet supply cassette411, to the sheet supply roller413. The sheet supply roller413conveys the sheet fed by the pickup roller412to the first conveyance path42.

The first conveyance path42, connecting each of the sheet supply cassettes411with the post-processing device5, is a path in which a sheet is moved. For example, the first conveyance path42is formed by a pair of guide members provided in a housing of the image forming apparatus10. The first conveyance path42includes the plurality of conveyance rollers43and the resist roller44that are used for conveying sheets one by one. In the sheet conveying portion4, a sheet is conveyed by the plurality of conveyance rollers43and the resist roller44in a conveyance direction D1shown inFIG.3.

In the image forming portion3, an image is formed on a sheet that is conveyed from the sheet conveying portion4, in the following procedure.

First, the surface of the photoconductor drum31is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential by the charging device32. Next, the laser scanning unit33irradiates light based on image data on the surface of the photoconductor drum31. This allows an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data to be formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum31.

The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum31is developed (visualized) as a toner image by the developing device34. As the photoconductor drum31rotates in a direction indicated by an arrow inFIG.3, the toner image developed by the developing device34is conveyed to a transfer position (image formation position) where the toner image is transferred by the transfer roller35. It is noted that toner is supplied to the developing device34from a toner container (not shown) that is attached to the image forming portion3in a detachable manner.

On the other hand, in parallel to the image formation operation of the image forming portion3, the sheet conveying portion4conveys a sheet to the image formation position. For example, in a case where the sheet supply cassette411of a sheet supply unit41A (seeFIG.3), among the four sheet supply units41, is set as a sheet supply source, a plurality of sheets placed on the sheet supply cassette411are lifted by a lift plate (not shown) provided in a bottom portion of the sheet supply cassette411, to a contact position where the sheets are contacted by the pickup roller412. The pickup roller412picks up the top sheet of the plurality of sheets lifted by the lift plate. The sheet picked up by the pickup roller412is conveyed by the sheet feed roller413to the first conveyance path42. The sheet conveyed by the sheet feed roller413to the first conveyance path42is conveyed by the conveyance rollers43to the resist roller44.

The resist roller44feeds a sheet to the image formation position in correspondence with the timing when the photoconductor drum31carries the toner image to the image formation position. For example, a sensor (not shown) for detecting the passing of the sheet is provided upstream of the resist roller44in the conveyance direction D1in the first conveyance path42. The control portion9sets a timing at which the resist roller44feeds the sheet, based on the timing at which the sensor detects the passing of the sheet such that the sheet and the toner image reach the image formation position at the same timing. The resist roller44feeds the sheet to the image formation position based on the timing set by the control portion9. This allows the toner image to be transferred by the transfer roller35to the surface of the sheet that has been fed to the image formation position at the timing set by the control portion9.

It is noted that the toner that has remained on the surface of the photoconductor drum31after the transfer of the toner image by the transfer roller35, is removed by the cleaning device36. For example, in the cleaning device36, the toner that has remained on the surface of the photoconductor drum31is removed by a blade-like cleaning member. The toner removed by the cleaning member is conveyed to a toner storage container (not shown) by a conveyance screw to be collected therein.

The sheet with the toner image transferred thereto at the image formation position, is conveyed by the conveyance rollers43to the fixing device37. In the fixing device37, the toner image on the sheet is heated and pressed by the heating roller and the pressure roller. This allows the toner image to be fused and fixed to the sheet. The sheet with the toner image fixed thereto by the fixing device37is conveyed by the conveyance rollers43to the post-processing device5.

The post-processing device5performs post-processes such as a punching process and a stapling process on a sheet after an image formation conveyed from the sheet conveying portion4. As shown inFIG.4, the post-processing device5includes a second conveyance path51, a plurality of conveyance rollers52, a punching portion53, a stack tray54(an example of a sheet stack portion of the present disclosure), a stapling portion55(an example of a post-processing portion of the present disclosure), a discharge roller56, a discharge tray57, a sheet supply tray58(an example of a sheet placing portion of the present disclosure), a sheet feed roller59, a third conveyance path60, and a conveyance roller61.

The second conveyance path51, connecting the first conveyance path42and the discharge tray57, is a path in which a sheet is moved. The second conveyance path51includes the plurality of conveyance rollers52that are used for conveying sheets one by one. In the post-processing device5, a sheet is conveyed by the plurality of conveyance rollers52in the conveyance direction D1shown inFIG.4.

The punching portion53is provided in the second conveyance path51and executes a punching process to punch a punch hole on a sheet conveyed in the second conveyance path51. The stack tray54is provided downstream of the punching portion53in the conveyance direction D1in the second conveyance path51. On the stack tray54, sheets conveyed by the plurality of conveyance rollers52are stacked. The stapling portion55executes a stapling process (an example of a post-process of the present disclosure) to staple a sheet bundle stacked on the stack tray54. The discharge roller56discharges the sheet bundle on which the stapling process was executed by the stapling portion55, to the discharge tray57.

On the sheet supply tray58, a sheet(s) that is to be inserted in the sheet bundle stacked on the stack tray54, is placed. The sheet feed roller59conveys the sheet(s) placed on the sheet supply tray58to the third conveyance path60. The third conveyance path60, connecting the sheet supply tray58and an upstream of the punching portion53in the conveyance direction D1in the second conveyance path51, is a path in which a sheet is moved. The conveyance roller61is provided in the third conveyance path60and conveys a sheet that has been conveyed to the third conveyance path60by the sheet feed roller59, to the second conveyance path51.

The operation/display portion7(an example of a display portion of the present disclosure) includes a display portion and an operation portion, wherein the display portion is, for example, a liquid crystal display and displays various types of information in response to control instructions from the control portion9, and the operation portion is, for example, operation keys or a touch panel for inputting various types of information to the control portion9in response to user operations.

The storage portion8is a nonvolatile storage device. The storage portion8is, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory or an EEPROM, or a storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

The control portion9includes control equipment such as a CPU9A, a ROM9B, and a RAM9C. The CPU9A is a processor that executes various calculation processes. The ROM9B is a nonvolatile storage device in which various information such as control programs for causing the CPU9A to execute various processes are preliminarily stored. The RAM9C is a volatile storage device that is used as a temporary storage memory (working area) for the various processes executed by the CPU9A. In the control portion9, the CPU9A executes the various control programs stored in advance in the ROM9B. This allows the image forming apparatus10to be controlled comprehensively by the control portion9. It is noted that the control portion9may be formed as an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit (ASIC), and may be a control portion provided independently of a main control portion that comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus10.

In the image forming apparatus10, a conveyance process is executed to convey a plurality of sheets placed on any of the sheet supply cassettes411and the sheet supply tray58, sequentially to the stack tray54.

Meanwhile, there is known, as a related technology, an image forming apparatus configured to set an insertion timing and a sheet supply source for each of insertion sheets to be inserted in a sheet bundle that is stacked on the stack tray54by the conveyance process.

Here, the operation of the conventional image forming apparatus is controlled based on sheet types associated with sheet supply sources that are the sheet supply cassettes411and the sheet supply tray58. For example, in a case where a toner image is transferred and fixed to a sheet conveyed from any one of the sheet supply cassettes411by the fixing device37, the temperature of the fixing device37is controlled based on a sheet type associated with the sheet supply cassette411from which the sheet is conveyed. In addition, in a case where the stapling process is executed on a sheet bundle stacked on the stack tray54, it is determined whether or not the stapling process can be executed on the sheet bundle, based on sheet types associated with sheet supply sources of the sheets included in the sheet bundle. Here, with a configuration where, as in the image forming apparatus of the related technology, a sheet supply source is set for each of the insertion sheets, it is difficult to output, without trouble, a sheet bundle that includes a plurality of types of sheets the number of which exceeds the total number of the sheet supply cassettes411and the sheet supply tray58.

On the other hand, as described in the following, the image forming apparatus10according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can output, without trouble, a sheet bundle including a plurality of types of sheets the number of which exceeds the total number of the sheet supply cassettes411and the sheet supply tray58.

Specifically, an apparatus control program for causing the CPU9A of the control portion9to execute a registration process (see the flowchart ofFIG.5) and an apparatus control process (see the flowchart ofFIG.6) is stored in advance in the ROM9B of the control portion9. It is noted that the apparatus control program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD, a DVD, or a flash memory, and may be installed from the recording medium to the storage portion8.

As shown inFIG.2, the control portion9includes a reception processing portion91, a storage processing portion92, a setting processing portion93, a conveyance processing portion94, an insertion processing portion95, and an operation control portion96. Specifically, the control portion9executes the apparatus control program stored in the ROM9B by using the CPU9A. This allows the control portion9to function as the reception processing portion91, the storage processing portion92, the setting processing portion93, the conveyance processing portion94, the insertion processing portion95, and the operation control portion96.

The reception processing portion91receives a specification operation performed to specify the content of registration information that is used to set the sheet supply source and the sheet type of an insertion sheet.

For example, the reception processing portion91displays, on the operation/display portion7, a registration screen to receive user operations. For example, on the registration screen, it is possible to input, as the content of the registration information, the name of the registration information, the sheet supply source of the insertion sheet, the sheet type of the insertion sheet, the sheet size of the insertion sheet, and the print image printed on the insertion sheet. For example, a specification operation is performed to confirm the content of the registration information that has been input on the registration screen. It is noted that the registration screen may be configured to receive specification of a print condition of the print image.

For example, on the registration screen, any one of the four sheet supply cassettes411and the sheet supply tray58is selected as the sheet supply source of the insertion sheet specified in the registration information. In addition, on the registration screen, any one of a plurality of predetermined sheet types such as regular paper, thin paper, cardboard, coated paper, postcard, envelope, and OHP sheet is selected as the sheet type of the insertion sheet specified in the registration information. In addition, on the registration screen, any one of a plurality of predetermined sheet sizes such as A4 vertical, A4 horizontal, and A3 vertical is selected as the sheet size of the insertion sheet specified in the registration information. In addition, on the registration screen, any one of a plurality of images preliminarily stored in the storage portion8is selected as the print image specified in the registration information.

When the reception processing portion91has received a specification operation, the storage processing portion92stores, in the storage portion8, a piece of registration information that includes the content confirmed by the specification operation.

The setting processing portion93sets execution conditions of a sheet bundle output process in accordance with a user operation.

Here, the sheet bundle output process includes the conveyance process and an insertion process. The insertion process is a process in which, when an insertion timing to insert an insertion sheet comes during an execution of the conveyance process, the execution of the conveyance process is stopped, and a sheet is conveyed from the sheet supply source of the insertion sheet to the stack tray54. In addition, the sheet bundle output process includes a post-processing step in which the stapling process is executed on a sheet bundle that is stacked on the stack tray54by the conveyance process and the insertion process. It is noted that the insertion process may be a process in which, when an insertion timing to insert an insertion sheet comes during an execution of the conveyance process, a sheet is conveyed from the sheet supply source of the insertion sheet to the stack tray54without stopping the execution of the conveyance process.

For example, the setting processing portion93displays, on the operation/display portion7, a setting screen for the user to set execution conditions of the sheet bundle output process. For example, it is possible to set, on the setting screen, execution conditions of the conveyance process, the insertion process, and the post-processing step that are included in the execution conditions of the sheet bundle output process.

For example, in response to a predetermined first call operation performed on the setting screen, the setting processing portion93displays a first specification screen on the operation/display portion7, the first specification screen being used to specify execution conditions of the conveyance process. For example, on the first specification screen, it is possible to specify the sheet supply source of the sheet conveyed in the conveyance process, the number of sheets conveyed in the conveyance process, whether or not a document sheet image is printed on the sheet conveyed in the conveyance process, and the print condition of the document sheet image.

In addition, in response to a predetermined second call operation performed on the setting screen, the setting processing portion93displays a second specification screen (an example of a selection screen of the present disclosure) on the operation/display portion7, the second specification screen being used to specify execution conditions of the insertion process. For example, on the second specification screen, it is possible to specify an insertion timing, a sheet supply source, a sheet type, and a sheet size of the insertion sheet, whether or not to print an image on the insertion sheet, and a print condition of the image. For example, on the second specification screen, the insertion timing of the insertion sheet is specified by using the number of pages of the document sheet printed in the conveyance process.

Here, on the second specification screen, the sheet supply source, the sheet type, the sheet size, and the print image of the insertion sheet can be specified by using the registration information stored in the storage portion8.

Specifically, in a case where one or more pieces of registration information are stored in the storage portion8, the setting processing portion93displays the one or more pieces of registration information on the second specification screen in a selectable manner. For example, on the second specification screen, the setting processing portion93displays the one or more pieces of registration information in association with one or more sheet supply sources that are respectively specified therein, each of the sheet supply sources being any one of the sheet supply cassettes411and the sheet supply tray58. For example, the setting processing portion93displays respective names of the one or more pieces of registration information vertically or horizontally adjacent to the one or more sheet supply sources that are each any one of the sheet supply cassettes411and the sheet supply tray58. It is noted that on the second specification screen, the setting processing portion93may not display the one or more sheet supply sources that are respectively specified in the one or more pieces of registration information, each of the sheet supply sources being any one of the sheet supply cassettes411and the sheet supply tray58.

When, on the second specification screen, any one of the names of registration information is selected, the setting processing portion93determines that the content of the selected piece of registration information has been specified as the sheet supply source, the sheet type, the sheet size, and the print image of the insertion sheet. In this case, compared with a case where the sheet supply source, the sheet type, the sheet size, and the print image of the insertion sheet are individually selected, the labor of the user for the operation is saved. It is noted that the second specification screen may receive individual specifications of the sheet supply source, the sheet type, the sheet size, and the print image of the insertion sheet. In addition, when the sheet type is not specified on the second specification screen, the setting processing portion93may determine that a sheet type associated with the specified sheet supply source has been specified.

It is noted that the setting processing portion93may display, on the operation/display portion7, a list screen for viewing the insertion timing, the sheet supply source, the sheet type, the sheet size, and the print image for each of insertion sheets specified by user operations. For example, in the list screen, the insertion timing, the sheet supply source, the sheet type, the sheet size, and the print image for each insertion sheet may be displayed in a list format.

In addition, in response to a predetermined third call operation performed on the setting screen, the setting processing portion93displays a third specification screen on the operation/display portion7, the third specification screen being used to specify execution conditions of the post-processing step. For example, on the third specification screen, it is possible to specify whether or not to execute the stapling process.

When a predetermined confirmation operation has been performed on the setting screen, the setting processing portion93sets the execution conditions of the sheet bundle output process based on specifications that had been made on the first specification screen, the second specification screen, and the third specification screen before the confirmation operation was performed.

Here, based on the execution conditions specified on the second specification screen, the setting processing portion93sets the insertion timing, the sheet supply source, the sheet type, and the sheet size of each of insertion sheets that are to be inserted in the sheet bundle that is stacked on the stack tray54during the conveyance process, and sets the print image printed on the insertion sheet, and the print condition of the print image.

In addition, when a piece of registration information is selected on the second specification screen, the setting processing portion93sets the sheet supply source, the sheet type, the sheet size, and the print image of the insertion sheet based on the selected piece of registration information.

It is noted that the setting processing portion93may not set either or both of the sheet size of the insertion sheet and the print image printed on the insertion sheet.

The conveyance processing portion94executes the conveyance process in accordance with the execution conditions of the conveyance process set by the setting processing portion93.

The insertion processing portion95executes the insertion process when the insertion timing of the insertion sheet comes during an execution of the conveyance process.

In a case where a print image has been set with respect to the insertion sheet conveyed in the insertion process, the insertion processing portion95causes the image forming portion3to print the print image on the insertion sheet.

The operation control portion96is configured to control the operation of its associated apparatus during the execution of the sheet bundle output process based on the sheet type of the insertion sheet conveyed in the insertion process that is included in the sheet bundle output process.

Specifically, when the insertion sheet conveyed in the insertion process is conveyed to the stack tray54via the fixing device37, the operation control portion96controls the operation of the fixing device37based on the sheet type of the insertion sheet, not the sheet type associated with the sheet supply source of the insertion sheet.

For example, in the image forming apparatus10, first table data is preliminarily stored in the storage portion8, wherein in the first table data, sheet types are associated with temperatures of the heating roller.

When the insertion sheet conveyed in the insertion process is conveyed to the stack tray54via the fixing device37, the operation control portion96consults the first table data to identify a temperature of the heating roller associated with the sheet type of the insertion sheet. Subsequently, the operation control portion96controls the drive of the fixing device37so that temperature of the heating roller changes to the identified temperature.

In addition, the operation control portion96controls the operation of the stapling portion55based on the sheet type associated with the sheet supply source of the sheet conveyed in the conveyance process, and the sheet type of the insertion sheet conveyed in the insertion process.

For example, in the image forming apparatus10, second table data is preliminarily stored in the storage portion8, wherein in the second table data, sheet types are associated with sheet thicknesses.

In a case where the sheet bundle output process includes the post-processing step, the operation control portion96identifies the number of sheets for each of a plurality of types of sheets included in the sheet bundle that is to be subjected to the stapling process in the post-processing step. In addition, the operation control portion96identifies the thickness for each of a plurality of types of sheets included in the sheet bundle that is to be subjected to the stapling process, and calculates the thickness of the sheet bundle based on the identified number of sheets and thickness. In addition, when the calculated thickness of the sheet bundle exceeds a predetermined upper limit value, the operation control portion96restricts the execution of the stapling process on the sheet bundle.

In addition, the operation control portion96controls conveyance of the insertion sheet by the sheet conveying portion4and the post-processing device5based on the sheet size of the insertion sheet conveyed in the insertion process.

For example, in the image forming apparatus10, one or more sheet sensors for detecting paper jams are provided in each of the first conveyance path42, the second conveyance path51, and the third conveyance path60.

The operation control portion96calculates, based on the sheet size of the insertion sheet, passage times at which the insertion sheet conveyed in the insertion process passes the sheet sensors. In a case where a passage of the insertion sheet is not detected at any sheet sensors after the calculated passage time elapses, the operation control portion96determines that a paper jam has occurred there. In this case, the operation control portion96stops the sheet bundle output process.

It is noted that the control portion9may not include the reception processing portion91and the storage processing portion92. In this case, predetermined registration information may be or may not be stored in the storage portion8.

In the following, with reference toFIG.5, a description is given of an example of the procedure of the registration process executed by the control portion9in the image forming apparatus10. Here, steps S11, S12, . . . represent numbers assigned to the processing procedures (steps) executed by the control portion9. It is noted that the registration process is executed in response to a user operation instructing to execute the registration process performed on the operation/display portion7.

First, in step S11, the control portion9displays the registration screen on the operation/display portion7. Here, the process of step S11is executed by the reception processing portion91of the control portion9.

In step S12, the control portion7determines whether or not the specification operation has been received on the registration screen.

Here, upon determining that the specification operation has been received on the registration screen (Yes side at S12), the control portion9moves the process to step S13. In addition, upon determining that the specification operation has not been received on the registration screen (No side at S12), the control portion9waits at step S12to receive the specification operation.

In step S13, the control portion9executes a storage process to store, in the storage portion8, the registration information that includes the content confirmed by the specification operation received in step S12. Here, the process of step S13is executed by the storage processing portion92of the control portion9.

In the following, with reference toFIG.6, a description is given of an example of the procedure of an apparatus control process executed by the control portion9in the image forming apparatus10. It is noted that the apparatus control process is executed in response to a user operation instructing to execute the apparatus control process performed on the operation/display portion7.

First, in step S21, the control portion9displays the setting screen on the operation/display portion7.

In the setting screen, in response to the first call operation, the first specification screen is displayed, wherein the first specification screen is used to specify the content of the execution conditions of the conveyance process. In addition, in response to the second call operation, the second specification screen is displayed, wherein the second specification screen is used to specify the content of the execution conditions of the insertion process. In addition, in response to the third call operation, the third specification screen is displayed, wherein the third specification screen is used to specify the content of the execution conditions of the post-processing step.

In step S22, the control portion9determines whether or not the confirmation operation has been performed on the setting screen.

Here, upon determining that the confirmation operation has been performed on the setting screen (Yes side at S22), the control portion9moves the process to step S23. In addition, upon determining that the confirmation operation has not been performed on the setting screen (No side at S22), the control portion9waits at step S22for the confirmation operation to be performed.

In step S23, the control portion9sets the execution conditions of the sheet bundle output process based on the contents of specifications that had been made on the first specification screen, the second specification screen, and the third specification screen before the confirmation operation was performed. Here, the processes of steps S21to S23are executed by the setting processing portion93of the control portion9.

In step S24, the control portion9executes the sheet bundle output process.

In the following, with reference toFIG.7, a description is given of an example of the procedure of the sheet bundle output process executed in step S24of the apparatus control process.

First, in step S31, the control portion9executes the conveyance process in accordance with the execution conditions of the conveyance process set in step S23. Here, the process of step S31is executed by the conveyance processing portion94of the control portion9. It is noted that the processes of the following steps S32to S35are executed in parallel with the conveyance process.

In step S32, the control portion9determines whether or not the insertion timing of the insertion sheet has come, based on the execution conditions of the insertion process set in step S23.

Here, upon determining that the insertion timing of the insertion sheet has come (Yes side at S32), the control portion9moves the process to step S33. In addition, upon determining that the insertion timing of the insertion sheet has not come (No side at S32), the control portion9moves the process to step S35.

In step S33, the control portion9executes the insertion process based on the execution conditions of the insertion process set in step S23. Here, the process of step S33is executed by the insertion processing portion95of the control portion9.

In step S34, the control portion9controls the operation of its associated apparatus based on the execution conditions of the insertion process set in step S23. Here, the process of step S34is executed by the operation control portion96of the control portion9.

For example, when the insertion sheet conveyed in the insertion process is conveyed to the stack tray54via the fixing device37, the control portion9controls the operation of the fixing device37based on the sheet type of the insertion sheet.

In addition, the control portion9controls the conveyance of the insertion sheet by the sheet conveying portion4and the post-processing device5based on the sheet size of the insertion sheet conveyed in the insertion process.

In step S35, the control portion9determines whether or not the conveyance process has ended.

Here, upon determining that the conveyance process has ended (Yes side at S33), the control portion9moves the process to step S36. In addition, upon determining that the conveyance process has not ended (No side at S35), the control portion9moves the process to step S32.

In step S36, the control portion9determines whether or not the stapling process can be executed on the sheet bundle stacked on the stack tray54, based on the execution conditions of the conveyance process and the insertion process set in step S23. Here, the process of step S36is executed by the operation control portion96of the control portion9.

Specifically, the control portion9identifies the number of sheets for each of a plurality of types of sheets included in the sheet bundle stacked on the stack tray54. In addition, the control portion9identifies the thickness for each of the plurality of types of sheets included in the sheet bundle, based on the second table data, and calculates the thickness of the sheet bundle based on the identification result. In addition, when the calculated thickness of the sheet bundle is equal to or lower than the upper limit value, the control portion9determines that the stapling process can be executed.

Here, upon determining that the stapling process can be executed on the sheet bundle stacked on the stack tray54(Yes side at S36), the control portion9moves the process to step S37. In addition, upon determining that the stapling process cannot be executed on the sheet bundle stacked on the stack tray54(No side at S36), the control portion9ends the sheet bundle output process. In this case, the control portion9notifies that the stapling process cannot be executed.

In step S37, the control portion9executes the stapling process. Subsequently, the control portion9discharges the sheet bundle after the stapling process to the discharge tray57.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus10, the user can set the sheet supply source and the sheet type of each insertion sheet that is to be inserted in a sheet bundle that has been stacked on the stack tray54by the conveyance process. With this configuration, for example, even when a plurality of types of sheets are stored in one of the sheet supply cassettes411and a plurality of insertion sheets are conveyed from that sheet supply cassette411, it is possible to control the operation of the image forming apparatus10based on the sheet type of each of the conveyed insertion sheets. Accordingly, it is possible to output, without trouble, a sheet bundle including a plurality of types of sheets the number of which exceeds the total number of the sheet supply cassettes411and the sheet supply tray58.

It is noted that the image forming portion3may form an image by an image formation method, such as the inkjet method, that is different from the electrophotography method.

In addition, the post-processing device5may include, in place of the stapling portion55, a post-processing portion that executes a post-process, such as a double folding process, that is different from the stapling process, on a sheet bundle stacked on the stack tray54. In addition, the image forming apparatus10may not include the post-processing device5.

In addition, the reception processing portion91, the storage processing portion92, and the setting processing portion93of the control portion9may be provided in an information processing apparatus, such as a personal computer, that is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus10. In this case, a configuration including the image forming apparatus10and the information processing apparatus is another example of the image forming system of the present disclosure.