Image forming method and system with a finishing capability

Abstract

An image forming system of the present invention includes an image forming method and section for forming an image on a sheet fed thereto. A stapler included in a finisher staples a stack of sheets each carrying image formed by the image forming section thereon. A controller causes the image forming section to form an image in accordance with input image data and causes the stapler to staple the stack of sheets at a preselected point or points. When sheets of different sizes are mixed together, the controller inhibits the stapler from stapling the stack except when the short edges of a large size sheet and the long edges of a small size sheet are identical in length in a direction perpendicular to the direction of sheet feed and when all the images printed on the sheets have the same orientation when the stapled stack is spread.

1. A method of stapling sheets each carrying an image formed by an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of:
 designating a stapling operation for a stack of sheets, said stack of sheets including sheets of different sizes mixed together; and 
 stapling the stack of sheets only when each short edge of a large size sheet and each long edge of a small size sheet are identical in length in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet feed and when all the images formed on the stack of sheets have the same orientation when said stack is spread after stapling. 
 
     
     
       2. A method of stapling sheets each carrying an image formed by an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of:
 designating a stapling operation for a stack of sheets, said stack of sheets including sheets of different sizes mixed together; and 
 stapling the stack of sheets at one of a position located at a top left of the sheets in a direction with respect to an orientation of a formed image, a position located at a top right of the sheets in a direction with respect to an orientation of a formed image, and positions located at a top edge of the sheets in a direction with respect to an orientation of a formed image, when each short edge of a large size sheet which has a portrait image and each long edge of a small size sheet which has a landscape image are identical in length in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet feed. 
 
     
     
       3. A method of stapling sheets each carrying an image formed by an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of:
 designating a stapling operation for a stack of sheets, said stack of sheets including sheets of different sizes mixed together; and 
 stapling the stack of sheets at one of a position located at a left top of the sheets in a direction with respect to an orientation of a formed image and positions located at a left edge of the sheets in a direction with respect to an orientation of a formed image, when each short edge of a large size sheet which has a landscape image and each long edge of a small size sheet which has a portrait image are identical in length in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet feed. 
 
     
     
       4. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet in accordance with image data and print conditions; 
 a sheet feeding unit configured to feed a plurality of sheets to said image forming unit; 
 a sheet discharging unit configured to discharge the sheets coming out of said image forming unit; 
 a stapling unit configured to staple the sheets stacked; and 
 a control unit configured to control said sheet feeding unit to selectively feed pages with different orientations for printing and combined staplingtogether. 
 
     
     
       5. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet in accordance with image data and print conditions; 
 a sheet feeding unit configured to feed a plurality of sheets to said image forming unit; 
 a sheet discharging unit configured to discharge the sheets coming out of said image forming unit; 
 a finishing unit configured to finish the sheets stacked; and 
 a control unit configured to control said sheet feeding unit to selectively feed pages with different orientations for printing and combined finishingtogether. 
 
     
     
       6. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 a controller configured designate a stapling operation for a stack of sheets, said stack of sheets including sheets of different sizes mixed together; and   a stapler configured to staple the stack of sheets only when each short edge of a large size sheet and each long edge of a small size sheet are identical in length in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet feed and when all the images formed on the stack of sheets have the same orientation after stapling.   
     
     
       7. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 means for designating a stapling operation for a stack of sheets, said stack of sheets including sheets of different sizes mixed together; and   means for stapling the stack of sheets only when each short edge of a large size sheet and each long edge of a small size sheet are identical in length in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet feed and when all the images formed on the stack of sheets have the same orientation after stapling.   
     
     
       8. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 a controller configured to designate a stapling operation for a stack of sheets, said stack of sheets including sheets of different sizes mixed together; and   a stapler configured to staple the stack of sheets at one of a position located at a top left of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image, a position located at a top right of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image, and positions located at a top edge of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image, when each short edge of a large size sheet which has a portrait image and each long edge of a small size sheet which has a landscape image are identical in length in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet feed.   
     
     
       9. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 means for designating a stapling operation for a stack of sheets, said stack of sheets including sheets of different sizes mixed together; and   means for stapling the stack of sheets at one of a position located at a top left of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image, a position located at a top right of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image, and positions located at a top edge of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image, when each short edge of a large size sheet which has a portrait image and each long edge of a small size sheet which has a landscape image are identical in length in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet feed.   
     
     
       10. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 a controller configured to designate a stapling operation for a stack of sheets, said stack of sheets including sheets of different sizes mixed together; and   a stapler configured to staple the stack of sheets at one of a position located at a left top of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image and positions located at a left edge of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image, when each short edge of a large size sheet which has a landscape image and each long edge of a small size sheet which has a portrait image are identical in length in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet feed.   
     
     
       11. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 means for designating a stapling operation for a stack of sheets, said stack of sheets including sheets of different sizes mixed together; and   means for stapling the stack of sheets at one of a position located at a left top of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image and positions located at a left edge of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image, when each short edge of a large size sheet which has a landscape image and each long edge of a small size sheet which has a portrait image are identical in length in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet feed.   
     
     
       12. A method of stapling sheets each carrying an image formed by an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of:
 forming an image on a sheet in accordance with image data and print conditions;   feeding a plurality of sheets to said image forming unit;   discharging the sheets coming out of said image forming unit;   stapling the sheets stacked; and   controlling said sheet feeding unit to selectively feed pages with different orientations for printing and combined stapling.   
     
     
       13. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 means for forming an image on a sheet in accordance with image data and print conditions;   means for feeding a plurality of sheets to said image forming unit;   means for discharging the sheets coming out of said image forming unit;   means for stapling the sheets stacked; and   means for controlling said sheet feeding unit to selectively feed pages with different orientations for printing and combined stapling.   
     
     
       14. A method of stapling sheets each carrying an image formed by an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of:
 feeding a plurality of sheets;   forming an image on a sheet in accordance with image data and print conditions;   stacking discharged sheets; and   finishing the stacked sheets; and   controlling said step of feeding to selectively feed pages with different orientations for printing and combined finishing.   
     
     
       15. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 means for feeding a plurality of sheets;   means for forming an image on a sheet in accordance with image data and print conditions;   means for stacking discharged sheets; and   means for finishing the stacked sheets; and   means for controlling said step of feeding to selectively feed pages with different orientations for printing and combined finishing.   
     
     
       16. A method of stapling sheets each carrying an image formed by an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of:
 receiving print data and a command from a host device;   designating a stapling operation for a stack of sheets, said stack of sheets including sheets of different sizes mixed together; and   stapling the stack of sheets when each short edge of a large size sheet and each long edge of a small size sheet are identical in length in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet feed.   
     
     
       17. The method of claim 16, wherein said step of stapling comprises:
 stapling the stack of sheets when images formed on the stack of sheets have a same orientation relative to a sheet output direction.   
     
     
       18. The method of claim 16, wherein said step of stapling comprises:
 stapling the stack of sheets at one of a position located at a top left of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image, a position located at a top right of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image, and a position located at a top edge of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image.   
     
     
       19. The method of claim 16, wherein said step of stapling comprises:
 stapling when each short edge of a large size sheet which has a portrait image and each long edge of a small size sheet which has a landscape image are identical in length in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet feed.   
     
     
       20. The method of claim 16, wherein said step of stapling comprises:
 stapling the stack of sheets at one of a position located at a left top of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image and a position located at left edge of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image.   
     
     
       21. The method of claim 16, wherein said step of stapling comprises:
 stapling when each short edge of a large size sheet which has a landscape image and each long edge of a small size sheet which has a portrait image are identical in length in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet feed.   
     
     
       22. The method of claim 16, wherein said host device comprises:
 a host computer.   
     
     
       23. The method of claim 16, wherein said host device comprises:
 a scanner.   
     
     
       24. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 an input/output port configured to receive print data and a command from a host device;   a controller configured to designate a stapling operation for a stack of sheets, said stack of sheets including sheets of different sizes mixed together; and   a stapler configured to staple the stack of sheets when each short edge of a large size sheet and each long edge of a small size sheet are identical in length in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet feed.   
     
     
       25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said stapler is configured to staple the stack of sheets when images formed on the stack of sheets have a same orientation relative to a sheet output direction. 
     
     
       26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said stapler is configured to staple the stack the stack of sheets at one of a position located at a top left of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image, a position located at a top right of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image, and a position located at a top edge of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said stapler is configured to staple the stack when each short edge of a large size sheet which has a portrait image and each long edge of a small size sheet which has a landscape image are identical in length in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet feed. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said stapler is configured to staple the stack the stack of sheets at one of a position located at a left top of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image and a position located at left edge of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image. 
     
     
       29. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said stapler is configured to staple the stack when each short edge of a large size sheet which has a landscape image and each long edge of a small size sheet which has a portrait image are identical in length in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet feed. 
     
     
       30. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said host device comprises:
 a host computer.   
     
     
       31. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said host device comprises:
 a scanner.   
     
     
       32. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 means for receiving print data and a command from a host device;   means for designating a stapling operation for a stack of sheets, said stack of sheets including sheets of different sizes mixed together; and   means for stapling the stack of sheets when each short edge of a large size sheet and each long edge of a small size sheet are identical in length in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet feed.   
     
     
       33. The image forming apparatus of claim 32, wherein said means for stapling comprises:
 means for stapling the stack of sheets when images formed on the stack of sheets have a same orientation relative to a sheet output direction.   
     
     
       34. The image forming apparatus of claim 32, wherein said means for stapling comprises:
 means for stapling the stack of sheets at one of a position located at a top left of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image, a position located at a top right of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image, and a position located at a top edge of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image.   
     
     
       35. The image forming apparatus of claim 32, wherein said means for stapling comprises:
 means for stapling when each short edge of a large size sheet which has a portrait image and each long edge of a small size sheet which has a landscape image are identical in length in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet feed.   
     
     
       36. The image forming apparatus of claim 32, wherein said means for stapling comprises:
 means for stapling the stack of sheets at one of a position located at a left top of the sheets with respect to an orientation of a formed image and a position located at left edge of the sheets in a direction of a formed image.   
     
     
       37. The image forming apparatus of claim 32, wherein said means for stapling comprises:
 means for stapling when each short edge of a large size sheet which has a landscape image and each long edge of a small size sheet which has a portrait image are identical in length in a direction perpendicular to a direction of sheet feed.   
     
     
       38. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said host device comprises:
 a host computer.   
     
     
       39. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said host device comprises:
 a scanner.   
     
     
       40. An image forming apparatus configured to form an image, comprising:
 a stapler;   a selection receiving unit configured to receive a selection of a stapling position and an image orientation for at least one sheet;   a short edge feed tray configured to hold the at least one sheet and to feed said at least one sheet in a direction perpendicular to a short edge direction of the sheet;   a long edge feed tray configured to hold at least one other sheet and to feed said at least one sheet in a direction perpendicular to a long edge direction of the sheet;   a sheet feeding unit configured to a controllably draw a sheet from one of said short edge feed tray and said long edge feed tray such that pages with different orientations are fed for image forming and stapling together; and   a control unit configured to control said sheet feeding unit to select one of said short edge feed tray and said long edge feed tray to draw from based on the selected stapling position and the selected image orientation of said sheet.   
     
     
       41. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 40, further comprising:
 a controllable stapling unit configured to staple a plurality of sheets drawn from one or more of said short edge feed tray and said long edge feed tray, wherein   said controller is further configured to control said controllable stapling unit.   
     
     
       42. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 40, wherein said control unit is configured to control said sheet feeding unit in accordance with a stapling process time and an image formation time. 
     
     
       43. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 42, wherein said control unit is configured to control said sheet feeding unit so that said long edge feed tray is preferably selected when priority is given to productivity. 
     
     
       44. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 40, wherein said selected stapling position comprises one of:
 a horizontal position and a vertical position relative to said selected image orientation.   
     
     
       45. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 44, wherein said the control unit selects said orthogonal position when priority is given to productivity. 
     
     
       46. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 40, further comprising:
 an input device configured to allow a user to input one of said selected stapling position and said selected image orientation.   
     
     
       47. The image forming apparatus as claimed in claim 43, wherein said control unit is configured to control a controllable stapling unit and said sheet feeding unit according to one of two modes of operation, said two modes of operation including
 oblique stapling of long edge fed sheets, and   horizontal or vertical stapling of long edge fed sheets.   
     
     
       48. A method of forming an image in an image forming apparatus, comprising:
 receiving a selection of a stapling position and a selected image orientation of at least one sheet;   holding the at least one sheet in a short edge feed tray configured to feed said at least one sheet in a direction perpendicular to a short edge direction of the sheet;   holding at least one other sheet in a long edge feed tray configured to feed said at least one sheet in a direction perpendicular to a long edge direction of the sheet;   controllably selecting one of said short edge feed tray and said long edge feed tray to draw a sheet from based on the selected stapling position and the selected image orientation of said sheet such that pages with different orientations are fed for image forming and stapling together.   
     
     
       49. The method of claim 48, further comprising:
 controllably stapling a plurality of sheets drawn from one or more of said short edge feed tray and said long edge feed tray.   
     
     
       50. The method of claim 48, wherein said step of controllably drawing includes drawing said sheet in accordance with a stapling process time and an image formation time. 
     
     
       51. The method of claim 50, wherein said step of controllably drawing includes preferably drawing from said long edge feed tray when priority is given to productivity. 
     
     
       52. The method of claim 48, wherein said selected stapling position comprises one of:
 a horizontal position and a vertical position relative to said selected image orientation.   
     
     
       53. The method of claim 52, further comprising:
 selecting said orthogonal position when priority is given to productivity.   
     
     
       54. The method of claim 48, further comprising:
 inputting one of said selected stapling position and said selected image orientation via an input device.   
     
     
       55. The method of claim 51, wherein said step of controllably drawing comprises:
 controllably drawing according to one of two modes of operation, said two modes of operation including
 oblique stapling of long edge fed sheets, and 
 horizontal or vertical stapling of long edge fed sheets. 
   
     
     
       56. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 means for holding at least one sheet in a short edge feed tray configured to feed said at least one sheet in a direction perpendicular to a short edge direction of the sheet;   means for holding at least one other sheet in a long edge feed tray configured to feed said at least one sheet in a direction perpendicular to a long edge direction of the sheet;   means for controllably selecting one of said short edge feed tray and said long edge feed tray to draw a sheet from based on the selected stapling position and the selected image orientation of said sheet such that pages with different orientations are fed for image forming and stapling together.