Patent Publication Number: US-10322903-B2

Title: Printing control apparatus, binding control apparatus, method for controlling printing control apparatus, and program therefor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation, and claims the benefit, of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/744,271 filed Jan. 17, 2013, which claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-035978 filed Feb. 22, 2012. Each of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/744,271 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-035978 is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     Aspects of the present invention generally relate to a printing control apparatus capable of controlling binding processing for binding a plurality of sheets, a binding control apparatus, a method for controlling the printing control apparatus, and a program therefor. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Some image processing apparatuses with copy and printer functions are provided with a sheet processing apparatus for performing post-print processing for output printing sheets. One typical function provided by the sheet processing apparatus is a staple binding function. The staple binding function is a function of binding sheets using a metal staple. 
     Since a staple-bound print product is easy to handle on a volume basis, staple binding is widely used when handling an output product having a plurality of pages. 
     Recently, however, in consideration of the environment, some binding methods have been devised that do not use a metal staple (hereinafter referred to as stapleless binding methods). For example, a certain stapleless binding method collectively cuts out a part of a set of printed sheets subjected to binding so as to bore the sheets, and folds and binds the tips of the cut portions (refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-300847). 
     As described above, various types of stapleless binding methods have been put in practical use. These methods have different characteristics from binding methods using a metal staple (hereinafter, referred to as staple binding methods). For example, a stapleless binding method provides a less binding force and is, therefore, capable of binding less number of sheets at one time than a staple binding method. When a sheet processing unit capable of performing both staple binding and stapleless binding is connected, the two binding methods differ from each other in binding position, the number of sheets subjected to binding, and concept of front and back sides. Therefore, image position control suitable for each method is required at the time of image generation. 
     Accordingly, there has been a case where, when the number of sheets subjected to stapleless binding processing exceeds the number of bindable sheets, if the stapleless binding processing is specified by a user, binding processing cannot be applied to a sheet bundle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, a printing control apparatus configured to control a binding unit configured to perform a binding processing for binding a plurality of sheets without using a staple includes a printing unit configured to perform printing on a sheet, and a control unit configured to control the binding unit to divide a plurality of sheets subjected to printing by the printing unit into a plurality of sheet groups in units of the number of sheets bindable by the binding unit, and to apply the binding processing to each of the plurality of sheet groups. 
     Further features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view illustrating an example of a configuration of a sheet processing unit. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates arrangements of binding portions and binding work areas. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are cross sectional views illustrating binding processing by a second binding unit illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view illustrating a sheet to which binding processing by the second binding unit illustrated in  FIG. 2  is applied. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view illustrating a sheet to which binding processing by the second binding unit illustrated in  FIG. 2  is applied. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a printing control apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a printing control apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example of a user interface (UI) screen displayed on an operation unit illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a printing control apparatus according to a third exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates binding processing according to different modes of binding processing methods. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 
     A first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus  100  according to the present exemplary embodiment, where the image processing apparatus  100  is an example of a printing control apparatus. While the following description to the image processing apparatus  100 , any apparatus that would function as a printing control apparatus would be applicable. In the present exemplary embodiment, a sheet processing apparatus that performs post-print processing is implemented as part of the image processing apparatus having a function of reading an image and a function of printing an image on a sheet. In another embodiment, the sheet processing apparatus is implemented as an apparatus separate from the image processing apparatus. In each case, the image processing apparatus including the sheet processing apparatus and the sheet processing apparatus as a separate apparatus, function as a binding control apparatus that performs sheet binding processing. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a central processing unit (CPU)  101  is a control unit of a system for controlling the entire apparatus. A read-only memory (ROM)  102  stores a control program for the CPU  101 . A static random access memory (SRAM)  103  stores setting values registered by an operator, management data of the apparatus, and various working buffers. Since the SRAM  103  is a nonvolatile SRAM backed up by a battery, the contents of the SRAM  103  are retained even after the power of the apparatus is turned OFF. The SRAM  103  also stores read image data. 
     A dynamic random access memory (DRAM)  104  stores program control parameters. An operation unit  105  is a user interface that displays information inside the apparatus. The operation unit  105  displays a user interface screen (described below). A reading unit  106  reads image data and converts the image data into binary data. The image processing apparatus  100  uses the reading unit  106  to read a document during execution of an image transmission function. A recording unit  107  prints image data on a sheet. An image processing unit  108  performs coding and decoding processing for image data handled by the image transmission function. The above-described function units are connected via a data bus  110  through which image data is transferred. 
     The recording unit  107  is connected to a sheet processing unit  109 . A sheet printed by the recording unit  107  is conveyed to the sheet processing unit  109 . The sheet processing unit  109  aligns input sheets, selects an output tray, and performs post-print processing such as binding processing for binding a plurality of sheets. In the present exemplary embodiment, two different processing is used: processing for binding a sheet bundle by using a staple (referred to as first binding processing) and processing for binding a sheet bundle without using a staple (referred to as second binding processing). 
     With the thus-configured image processing apparatus  100 , the reading unit  106  reads a document image to convert the image into binary data, and the SRAM  103  temporarily stores the read image data therein. An example of printing control will be described below, in which the image processing unit  108  converts the image data stored in the SRAM  103 , the recording unit  107  prints the image on a sheet, and the sheet processing unit  109  performs post-print processing. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view illustrating in more detail an example of a configuration of the sheet processing unit  109  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the sheet processing unit  109  is installed in the chassis of the sheet processing apparatus of the image processing apparatus  100 . 
     Descriptions on the recording unit  107  having an engine for executing print processing will be omitted. The sheet processing unit  109  is used being connected to the main unit of the image processing apparatus  100 . Although the connection mode of the sheet processing unit  109  includes the in-line mode and other modes, the application of the present exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a sheet processing apparatus  201  is used being connected to the recording unit  107 . A sheet is conveyed from the recording unit  107  to the sheet processing apparatus  201  via a conveyance roller pair  204 . A conveyance roller pair  205  reverses a sheet at the time of two-sided printing. After being reversed, the sheet enters the recording unit  107  again via the conveyance roller pair  205  to be subjected to printing on the back side of the sheet. Also in this case, an output sheet is sent to the sheet processing apparatus  201  via the conveyance roller pair  204 . 
     Although the sheet processing apparatus  201  is provided with a function of truing up output sheets and a function of moving output sheets, a binding function will be focused. 
     A first binding unit  202  is a stapler having a staple binding function that uses a metal staple. A second binding unit  203  has a stapleless sheet binding function that does not use a metal staple. Although there are many types of stapleless binding methods as described above, herein, the sheet processing unit  201  is exemplified to be provided with a stapleless binding method for binding sheets by applying pressure thereto from the upside and downside in the thickness direction to make them closely contact. 
     For example, the sheet processing apparatus  201  includes both the first binding unit  202  and the second binding unit  203 . However, the sheet processing apparatus  201  may include only the second binding unit  203 , which performs stapleless binding. A case where the sheet processing apparatus  201  is provided with the first binding unit  202  and the second binding unit  203 , and a case where the sheet processing apparatus  201  is provided only with the second binding unit  203  will be described below. 
     When using the stapleless binding function, it is necessary to allocate a larger processing portion on the sheets than with the staple binding function, as described above. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates arrangements of the first binding unit  202  and the second binding unit  203  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and the binding work areas. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a state where sheets  301  are subjected to binding, and the first binding unit  202  is stopped at a standby position. When actually binding the sheets  301 , the first binding unit  202  moves from the standby position to a binding position  302  indicated by an arrow and performs sheet binding. Although a mechanism for moving the first binding unit  202  is omitted, its movement is controlled by an instruction from the CPU  101 . 
     Likewise, the second binding unit  203 , which performs stapleless binding, is regularly stopped at a standby position, and, when actually binding the sheets, moves from the standby position to a binding position  303  to perform sheet binding. As described above, the first binding unit  202  and the second binding unit  203  are movable under the control of the CPU  101  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , according to a binding method. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are cross sectional views illustrating binding processing by the second binding unit  203  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The method for binding sheets by applying pressure thereto from the upside and downside in the thickness direction to make them closely contact will be described below. Specifically,  FIG. 4A  illustrates a state where output sheets are set at the binding position, and the second binding unit  203  is moved to the binding position  303 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , an upper mold  401  applies pressure onto the sheets from the upside. The upper mold  401  is provided with a plurality of convex blades. The upper mold  401  applies pressure onto the sheets at a plurality of portions to prevent the sheets from easily being separated. A lower mold  405  applies pressure onto the sheets from the downside. The lower mold  405  is provided with a plurality of concave portions  404  corresponding to convex portions  402  of the upper mold  401  to receive the convex blades of the upper mold  401 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4B , the upper mold  401  and the lower mold  405  apply pressure onto an output sheet bundle  403  from the upside and downside, respectively, by using a pressure mechanism (not illustrated), thus binding the output sheet bundle  403 . The cross section of the output sheet bundle  403  after binding is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . When the sheet bundle  403  is viewed from above, a binding position  601  is illustrated as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, black portions at the binding position  601  illustrated in  FIG. 6  indicate sheet portions pressed and crushed. Since this method uses pressure, the number of bindable sheets is limited. 
     Further, the binding processing can be applied twice because applying the binding processing only once provides a weak force. 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the printing control apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. In the present exemplary embodiment, the stapleless binding processing is performed. Specifically, when the number of sheets to be output is larger than the maximum number of bindable sheets, the sheets of an output product are divided into a plurality of sheet groups to be applied stapleless binding to the respective sheet groups. Each step is implemented when the CPU  101  illustrated in  FIG. 1  executes a program for implementing the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 7  stored in the ROM  102 . The stapleless binding processing by the second binding unit  203  will be described in detail below. 
     After a print job is started, in step S 701 , the CPU  101  confirms the number of sheets of an output product to be printed for the print job. In step S 702 , the CPU  101  determines whether the confirmed number of sheets to be output is larger than the maximum number of bindable sheets (hereinafter, referred to as permissible number of sheets) permitted by the second binding unit  203 . Although, in the present exemplary embodiment, the permissible number of sheets is statically determined by the second binding unit  203 , the permissible number of sheets may be dynamically changed according to the sheet type. The sheet type is determined by the sheet thickness and weight. 
     When the CPU  101  determines that the number of sheets to be output is larger than the permissible number of sheets (YES in step S 702 ), then in step S 703 , the CPU  101  instructs the recording unit  107  to output a sheet group corresponding to the permissible number of sheets from the top of the output product. In step S 704 , the CPU  101  controls the sheet processing unit  109  to apply the stapleless binding processing to the divided sheet groups by using the second binding unit  203 . 
     In step S 705 , the CPU  101  determines whether any sheet to be output exists in the output product. When the CPU  101  determines that any sheet to be output exists in the output product (YES in step S 705 ), the processing returns to step S 703 . In step S 703 , the CPU  101  instructs again the recording unit  107  to output a sheet group corresponding to the permissible number of sheets. In step S 704 , the CPU  101  instructs the sheet processing unit  109  to apply the second binding processing to the relevant sheet group. When the CPU  101  determines that the remaining number of sheets is less than the permissible number of sheets in step S 704 , the CPU  101  instructs the sheet processing unit  109  to apply the second binding processing to the remaining number of sheets, and the processing exits this flowchart. In step S 703 , the CPU  101  may instruct the recording unit  107  to output a sheet group having any number of sheets equal to or less than the permissible number of sheets. 
     When the CPU  101  determines that the number of sheets to be output is not larger than the permissible number of sheets (NO in step S 702 ), then in step S 706 , the CPU  101  instructs the recording unit  107  to output all sheets of the output product. Then, the CPU  101  controls the sheet processing unit  109  to apply the stapleless binding processing by using the second binding unit  203  to all sheets, and the processing exits this flowchart. 
     In the processing illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the CPU  101  divides the output product into the plurality of sheet groups in units of the permissible number of sheets, and applies the stapleless binding processing to each of the plurality of sheet groups. 
     By performing the above-described processing, the printing control apparatus can realize binding processing on the output product having the number of sheets equal to or larger than the permissible number of sheets by using the second binding unit  203  without largely degrading the convenience. 
     In the above-described exemplary embodiment, when the stapleless binding processing is specified and the number of sheets subjected to binding is larger than the number of sheets bindable by the second binding unit  203 , the CPU  101  instructs the second binding unit  203  to apply binding processing to each of the plurality of sheet groups. Further, when the stapleless binding processing is specified and the number of sheets subjected to binding is less than the number of sheets bindable by the second binding unit  203 , the CPU  101  instructs the second binding unit  203  to apply binding processing to all pages. 
     When performing binding processing a multiple number of times in units of the permissible number of sheets, it is also possible to move binding positions to apply the stapleless binding processing at different binding positions. 
     A second exemplary embodiment below will be described below. In the above-described first exemplary embodiment, a case is described in which, when the CPU  101  determines that the number of sheets subjected to binding is larger than the permissible number of sheets set in the second binding unit  203  (YES in step S 702 ), the CPU  101  divides the sheets subjected to binding into a plurality of sheet groups in units of the permissible number of sheets to apply binding processing to each sheet group. On the other hand, in the present exemplary embodiment, a case is described in which, when the CPU  101  determines that the number of sheets subjected to binding is larger than the permissible number of sheets set in the second binding unit  203 , the CPU  101  displays a UI screen illustrated in  FIG. 9  to determine whether the user wants to divide the output product in a plurality of volumes, to perform binding processing based on the user&#39;s selection. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the printing control apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. In the present exemplary embodiment, when the second binding unit  203  for performing the stapleless binding processing is used, and the number of sheets to be output is larger than the permissible number of sheets, the CPU  101  divides the sheets into a plurality of sheet groups to perform binding processing thereon. Each step is implemented when the CPU  101  illustrated in  FIG. 1  executes a program for implementing the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 8  stored in the ROM  102 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an example of the UI screen displayed on a display of the operation unit  105  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The UI screen is displayed on the display of the operation unit  105  under the control of the CPU  101 . 
     After a print job is started, in step S 801 , the CPU  101  confirms the number of sheets to be output for the print job. In step S 802 , the CPU  101  determines whether the number of sheets to be output is larger than the permissible number of sheets set in the second binding unit  203 . Although, in the present exemplary embodiment, the permissible number of sheets is statically determined by the second binding unit  203 , the permissible number of sheets may be dynamically changed according to the sheet type. The output sheet type is determined by the sheet thickness and weight. 
     When the CPU  101  determines that the number of sheets to be output is larger than the permissible number of sheets (YES in step S 802 ), then in step S 803 , the CPU  101  displays on the operation unit  105  the UI screen illustrated in  FIG. 9  to determine whether the user wants to divide the output product in units of the permissible number of sheets from the top of the output product to output the sheet groups. 
     The UI screen  901  illustrated in  FIG. 9  indicates a case where the permissible number of sheets for the stapleless binding processing is five. 
     When the CPU  101  determines that the user presses an OK button  902  (YES in step S 803 ), then in step S 804 , the CPU  101  instructs the recording unit  107  to output a sheet group corresponding to the permissible number of sheets from the top of the output product. In step S 805 , the CPU  101  controls the sheet processing unit  109  to apply the stapleless binding processing to the relevant divided sheet group by using the second binding unit  203 . 
     In step S 806 , the CPU  101  determines whether any sheet to be output exists in the output product. When the CPU  101  determines that any sheet to be output exists in the output product (YES in step S 806 ), the processing returns to step S 804 . When the CPU  101  determines that the remaining number of sheets is less than the permissible number of sheets, in step  805 , the CPU  101  instructs the sheet processing unit  109  to apply the second binding processing to the remaining number of sheets. 
     Otherwise, when the CPU  101  determines that the number of sheets to be output is not larger than the permissible number of sheets set in the second binding unit  203  (NO in step S 802 ), then in step S 807 , the CPU  101  instructs the recording unit  107  to output all sheets of the output product. Then, the CPU  101  controls the sheet processing unit  109  to apply the second binding processing to all sheets by using the second binding unit  203 , and the processing exits this flowchart. 
     Otherwise, when the CPU  101  determines that the user presses a CANCEL button  903  in the UI screen displayed on the display (NO in step S 803 ), the CPU  101  instructs the recording unit  107  to output all sheets of the output product, and the processing exits this flowchart. In this case, binding processing is not performed. 
     When outputting an output product having the number of sheets equal to or larger than the permissible number of sheets, the printing control apparatus can provide the user with the binding function using the second binding unit  203  in a simple way by applying the above-described processing. 
     A third exemplary embodiment will be described below.  FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the printing control apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. In the present exemplary embodiment, the sheet processing apparatus  201  includes both the first binding unit  202  for staple binding and the second binding unit  203  for stapleless binding. Each step is implemented when the CPU  101  illustrated in  FIG. 1  executes a program for implementing the flowchart illustrated in  FIG. 10  stored in the ROM  102 . 
     After a print job is started, in step S 1001 , the CPU  101  confirms the number of sheets to be output for the print job. In step S 1002 , the CPU  101  determines whether the number of sheets to be output is larger than the permissible number of sheets set in the second binding unit  203  for stapleless binding. 
     When the CPU  101  determines that the number of sheets to be output is not larger than the permissible number of sheets (NO in step S 1002 ), then in step S 1003 , the CPU  101  determines the second binding unit  203  to be a target binding unit, and the processing proceeds to step S 1004 . 
     Otherwise, when the CPU  101  determines that the number of sheets to be output is larger than the permissible number of sheets set in the second binding unit  203  for stapleless binding (YES in step S 1002 ), then in step S 1006 , the CPU  101  determines the first binding unit  202  to be the target binding unit, and the processing proceeds to step S 1004 . 
     In step S 1004 , as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the CPU  101  controls the image processing unit  108  and the recording unit  107  to perform printing according to the determined first binding unit  202  or second binding unit  203 . In step S 1005 , the CPU  101  controls the sheet processing unit  109  to perform binding processing by using the determined first binding unit  202  or second binding unit  203 . 
     More specifically, suppose a case where binding processing is applied at the upper left position of an input document  1101 . When the first binding unit  202  is used, the recording unit  107  outputs sheets from the last page with the image data rotated by 180 degrees by the image processing unit  108 . In this case, a sheet bundle  1110  is formed with the front side of the top page facing up. 
     When the second binding unit  203  is used, the recording unit  107  outputs sheets from the top page with the front side facing down. In this case, a sheet bundle  1120  is formed. 
     In step S 1005 , the sheet processing unit  109  applies the staple binding processing to the sheet bundle  1110  by using the first binding unit  202  determined in step S 1006 , and the processing exits this flowchart. Likewise, in step S 1005 , the sheet processing unit  109  applies the stapleless binding processing to the sheet bundle  1120  by using the second binding unit  203  determined in step S 1003 , and the processing exits this flowchart. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an applied staple  1110 A and a stapleless binding portion  1120 A. 
     By performing the above-described processing, the printing control apparatus can realize suitable switching between the staple binding processing and the stapleless binding processing depending on the number of sheets to be output, to apply most suitable binding processing to the output product. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments and may be modified in diverse ways (including organic combinations of the exemplary embodiments) within the spirit and scope thereof, and these modifications are not to be excluded from the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
     According to the present exemplary embodiment, even when the stapleless binding processing is specified for a sheet bundle having a number of sheets, the sheet bundle can be bound by suitably selecting a binding processing method. 
     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 (e.g., computer-readable storage medium). 
     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 modifications, equivalent structures, and functions.