JPH11208978A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [PROBLEMS] In an image forming apparatus having a staple device, when the number of documents exceeds a limit number, the user is made aware that stapling cannot be performed, and erroneous recognition that the device has failed is eliminated and reliability is improved. Improve. Further, even when the number of documents exceeds the limit, the number of manual sheet gathering operations is reduced, and operability is improved. SOLUTION: When the number of originals exceeds the limit number, a warning is displayed on a display panel 47 to make a user recognize that stapling cannot be performed. In addition, the display panel 47 displays whether or not to staple the sheet, prompts the user to select one of them, enables the sheets to be grouped even when the number of sheets exceeds the limit, and reduces sheet processing operations after image formation is completed. And shorten the processing time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a staple device for binding sheets stacked on a discharge tray or a sorting device with a staple after an image is formed by a copying machine or a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a stapling apparatus that binds together sheets stacked in a paper discharge tray or a sorter bin with a staple after image formation is used for the number of documents. If the number of sheets to be stapled exceeds the limit of the number of stapling devices, the stapling operation is set and the stapling operation after image formation is completed without performing stapling operation in consideration of the structure or safety of the stapling device. The paper processing operation has been completed. Moreover, at that time, these measures were performed without warning the operator that stapling would not be performed.

[0003]

Conventionally, an image forming apparatus provided with a stapling device that binds partially stacked paper sheets with a staple does not perform stapling when the number of originals exceeds a limited number that can be stapled. However, the discharge process after image formation is completed only by stacking, but at this time, the operator is not warned that stapling will not be performed. For this reason, if the operator does not recognize that the staple device has a limited number of sheets, the operator mistakenly thinks that the staple device has failed and checks the device or requests maintenance or requests for service or a maker. As a result, there is a problem in that time is lost and the reliability of the staple device and the maker providing the staple device is impaired. In addition, since binding is not performed after stacking, paper taken out from a paper output tray or a sorter bin after image formation must be manually collected, and there is a problem in that the processing takes time and effort. .

Accordingly, the present invention obtains the reliability of the stapling apparatus by enabling the operator to recognize the reason why stapling is not performed when the number of originals exceeds the limit number, and to meet the demands of the user. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing the manual work when handling sheets after image formation and improving operability by being able to collect sheets within a possible range.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus main body having an image forming unit, and a stacking unit for stacking sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit. Stapling means for stapling the sheets stacked on the stacking means one by one, and display means for displaying a warning if the number of sheets stacked on the stacking means is equal to or larger than the limit of the stapling means. Are provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus main body having an image forming means, an accumulating means for accumulating sheets on which images are formed by the image forming means, and Stapling means for stapling a part of the sheets stacked on the stacking means, and if the number of sheets stacked on the stacking means is equal to or more than the limit number of the staple means, before starting image formation by the image forming means, Display means for displaying a warning either during the formation or after the end of the image formation.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus main body having an image forming unit, a stacking unit for stacking sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit, and Selectively performing an operation of stapling the sheets to be stacked on a part, an operation of dividing and stapling the sheets to be stacked, and an operation of not stapling the sheets to be stacked. And stapling means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus main body having an image forming means, an accumulating means for accumulating sheets on which images are formed by the image forming means, and While performing the operation of stapling the sheets one by one if the number of sheets stacked on the sheet is within the limit number of sheets,
If the number of the sheets to be stacked is equal to or larger than the limit number, a staple that divides the sheets to be stacked and performs a stapling operation or selectively performs an operation that does not staple the stacked sheets. The invention according to claim 5, further comprising means for providing an image forming apparatus, an apparatus main body having an image forming means, and an accumulating means for accumulating a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming means. When,
An operation of stapling the sheets stacked on the stacking unit one by one, an operation of dividing and stapling the stacked sheets, and an operation of not stapling the stacked sheets are selected. Stapling means, a display means for displaying a warning if the number of sheets stacked on the stacking means is equal to or more than the limit number of the stapling means, and the divided stapling of the stapling means. And a control means for controlling the stapling means in accordance with the result of the selection by the selecting means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus main body having an image forming means, an accumulating means for accumulating sheets on which images are formed by the image forming means, and Selectively performing an operation of stapling the sheets to be stacked on a part, an operation of dividing and stapling the sheets to be stacked, and an operation of not stapling the sheets to be stacked. If the number of sheets stacked on the staple unit is equal to or more than the limit number of the staple unit, a warning is given before the image formation by the image forming unit, during the image formation, or after the image formation is completed. Display means for displaying an operation, a selection means for selecting the divided stapling operation or the stapling operation of the stapling means, and a previous operation in accordance with a selection result by the selection means. It is intended to provide a control means for controlling the staple unit.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus main body having an image forming unit, a stacking unit for stacking sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit, and Selectively performing an operation of stapling the sheets to be stacked on a part, an operation of dividing and stapling the sheets to be stacked, and an operation of not stapling the sheets to be stacked. Stapling means, display means for displaying a warning if the number of sheets to be stacked on the stacking means is equal to or more than the limit number of the staple means, and operation of dividing and stapling the stapling means, or Selection means for selecting an operation not to be stapled, and controlling the stapling means in accordance with a selection result from the selection means, or selection of the selection means is not performed after a predetermined time has elapsed If is intended to provide a control means for controlling said stapling means to one of said divided not stop operation or the needle to the needle clamp by operation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus main body having an image forming unit, a stacking unit for stacking sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit, and Selectively performing an operation of stapling the sheets to be stacked on a part, an operation of dividing and stapling the sheets to be stacked, and an operation of not stapling the sheets to be stacked. If the number of sheets stacked on the staple unit is equal to or more than the limit number of the staple unit, a warning is given before the image formation by the image forming unit, during the image formation, or after the image formation is completed. Display means for displaying, stapling means, selecting means for selecting the divided stapling operation or the stapling operation, and according to a selection result from the selecting means. To control the serial staple means or,
If the selection means is not selected after a lapse of a predetermined time, a control means is provided for controlling the staple means to either the operation of dividing the staple means and performing the staple stop or the operation of not performing the staple stop.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus main body having an image forming unit, a stacking unit for stacking sheets on which images are formed by the image forming unit, and Selectively performing an operation of stapling the sheets to be stacked on a part, an operation of dividing and stapling the sheets to be stacked, and an operation of not stapling the sheets to be stacked. Stapling means, display means for displaying a warning if the number of sheets to be stacked on the stacking means is equal to or more than the limit number of the staple means, and operation of dividing and stapling the stapling means, or Selecting means for selecting an operation not to be stapled; releasing means for releasing the selecting means; and when the releasing means is not set, the stapling means is operated in accordance with a selection result from the selecting means. Gosuru one, said setting releasing means during those provided and control means for controlling at the no staple means to stop the needle operation if the number of the paper is more limited number of the stapling means.

According to the present invention, when the number of originals exceeds the limit of the stapling apparatus, a warning message indicating that the number of sheets to be stapled exceeds the limit is displayed to the user for the reason that stapling is not performed. It is intended to improve the reliability of the image forming apparatus without causing time loss due to recognition and erroneous recognition of the stapling apparatus as a failure. Also, when the number of originals exceeds the staple limit number, if necessary, the sheets can be divided and stapled, thereby reducing the manual work required to combine sheets after image formation and improving operability. It is intended.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a digital copying machine 10 which is an image forming apparatus, and includes a main body having image forming means, a mechanical control unit 11 for driving a sorting device and a staple device,
1 schematically shows an electrical connection between an operation panel 12 and a main control unit 13 that controls the operation panel 12.

The main CPU 14 of the main control unit 13 includes an ROM 16 for storing a control program, a RAM 17 for temporarily storing data, an NVM 18 which is a non-volatile memory which is backed up by a battery and which is not lost even when the power is turned off. A shared RAM 20 for performing two-way communication with the mechanical control unit 11;
1, a page memory control device 22, a page memory 23 and the like are connected.

A mechanical controller C for controlling the mechanical controller controller 11
PU 24 comprises a R0M 26 in which the control program is stored,
RAM 27 for data storage, laser driver 28 for controlling on / off of light emission by the semiconductor laser, polygon motor driver 30 for controlling the rotation of the polygon motor, main for controlling the main motor for rotating the drum, paper transport device, developing device and the like. A motor driver 31, a charging device 32 for charging the drum, a heater lamp 33 for heating the fixing roller, a heat roller temperature sensor 34 for detecting the surface temperature of the heat roller, a CCD driver 36 for driving the CCD sensor, and a motor for moving the carriage. It is connected to various drivers such as an image forming unit in the apparatus main body and a paper conveying unit, such as a scan motor driver 37 for controlling rotation, an exposure lamp 38 for irradiating a read original and the like. Further, the mechanical control unit 11 includes a sorter 48 for stacking the sheets on which images are formed, and a finisher device 4 such as a staple device 51 for closing the stacked sheets with a staple.
1 is connected.

A panel CPU 42 of the operation panel 12 inputs image forming conditions in the digital copying machine 10, such as a print key 43 for instructing the start of copying, the number of copies or the number of prints and the magnification, designation of partial copying, and coordinates of the area. Input device 44 including a plurality of push button switches or a touch sensor panel, a numeric keypad 46 used for setting the number of copies, an operation procedure, an error message, etc., and a paper processing condition after image formation. And a display panel 47 having a touch sensor capable of inputting the same.

The main CPU 14 is connected to a mechanical control CPU 24 via a shared RAM 20.
Numeral 24 executes an operation based on an instruction from the main CPU 14 and returns a status. Further, the main CPU 14 is connected to the panel CPU 42 and the panel C
Image formation conditions, sheet processing conditions after image formation, and the like are input from the PU 42, and operation instructions to the display panel 47 are issued as necessary.

Thus, at the time of image formation, after the image forming conditions and sheet processing conditions are set by the input device 44, the print key 4
3, the main CPU 14 turns on the panel C
The contents of the input from the PU 42 are determined and the digital copier 10
An operation instruction is output to the mechanical control CPU 24 to control the entire image forming operation and the sheet processing operation after image formation. The mechanical control unit 11 performs an image forming operation in accordance with the operation instruction, and sets the operation state as a status to the main CP.
Output to U14. In response to this status, the main CP
U14 further issues an operation instruction to the mechanical control unit 11 or, if necessary, issues an operation instruction such as displaying a message on the display panel 47, so that the mechanical control unit 1 always operates.
The entire digital copier 10 is controlled while grasping the state of 1.

Next, the control operation of the staple device 51 will be described in detail. When stapling is selected by the input device 44 and input to the main CPU 14, the stapling device 51 is instructed to drive the stapling device via the mechanical control CPU 24, forms a toner image by image forming means, is fixed by a fixing roller, and is fixed to a discharge tray. And the sheets stacked in the sorter bin of the sorting device 48 are stapled for each part. During this time, the main CPU 14 controls the stapling device 51 according to the status of the driving state returned from the stapling device 51, and instructs the display panel 47 to display a display requiring an operator.

That is, when the stapling device 51 has a stapleable limit of 20 sheets, and the number of originals on which images are to be formed is 21 or more, and the sheets on the discharge tray or saw turbine cannot be stapled. Will display that effect on the display panel 47.

Next, the staple device 51 and the display panel 4
The actual operation of the display on 7 will be described. First, specific example 1
The case of placing a document manually will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Specific Example 1) FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the stapling device 51 and the display panel 47.
The original cloth is placed on the platen, and the image forming conditions are
The paper processing conditions after image formation are input, stapling is selected in step 60, and the print key 43 is turned on in step 61 to start copying. In step 62, 1 is added to the original count. In step 63, it is determined whether the original count is 21 or not.
Then, the CCD driver 36, the scan motor driver 37, and the exposure lamp 38 are driven to start document scanning and form an image.

After the original scanning is completed, it is checked in step 66 whether the next original exists. At this time, display panel 4
7 is displayed as shown in FIG. If there is a next original, place the next original on the platen, touch [Next Original] on the display panel 47 and return to step 62.
Steps 62 to 66 are repeated until the original is completed. During this time, if the number of originals exceeds the limit and the original count becomes 21 in step 63, the process proceeds to step 67, and the display panel 47 displays "No more sheets can be stapled" as shown in FIG. Is displayed, [staples at this time] and [no staples] are displayed.
The operator is prompted to select whether to staple zero sheets or to perform only sorting without stapling.

If the operator selects "no staple" in step 67, the process returns to step 64. If the operator selects "Staple at this time" in step 67, the flow advances to step 68 to staple the 20 sheets on which the image has been formed up to the present time, and the flow advances to step 70 to reset the document count to 0. Return to 62.

If the operator selects "no next document" in step 66, the flow advances to step 71 to determine whether or not the document count is less than 20. If the count is less than 20, the flow advances to step 72 to sort device 48 Then, all the image forming operations and the sheet processing operations are completed. If the manuscript count is not less than 20,
Proceeding to step 73, all image forming operations and sheet processing operations are completed without stapling the sheets stacked in the sorting device 48.

Next, a case where a document is supplied by an automatic document feeder (hereinafter abbreviated as DF) will be described as a specific example 2 with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the stapling device 51 and the display panel 47.
In step 74, the document is set on the DF, and the input device 44
, The image forming conditions and the paper processing conditions after image formation are input, and in step 76 stapling is selected, and in step 77 the print key 43 is turned on to start copying. In step 78, 1 is added to the original count, and the process proceeds to step 80 to start document scanning and form an image. After document scanning is completed, in step 81, it is checked whether there is a next document in the DF. If there is, the process returns to step 78, and thereafter, steps 78 to 81 are repeated until there is no document in the DF.

In step 81, if it is confirmed that all the DF documents have been read, the flow advances to step 82 to compare whether the document count exceeds 20 or not. To sort device 4
The sheets stacked on the sheet 8 are stapled by a normal stapling operation, and all image forming operations and sheet processing operations are completed. If the document count is equal to or greater than the limit of 21 sheets in step 82, the process proceeds to step 84 and the display panel 4
As shown in Fig. 6, a warning that "the document cannot be stapled due to a large number of documents" is displayed in FIG. 7, and "divide and staple" and "no staple" are displayed, and only sorting without stapling is performed. The operator is prompted to select whether to perform stapling or to divide the sheets into 20 sheets or less.

If the operator selects "no staple" at step 84, the process proceeds to step 87, where all image forming operations and sheet processing operations are completed without stapling the sheets stacked in the sorting device 48. When the operator selects [divide and staple] in step 84, a message prompting the user to input the number of divisions is displayed on the display panel 47 as shown in FIG. The desired number of divided sheets is input from the numeric keypad 46 within the range of not more than 20, and the process proceeds to step 90 where the sheets divided into the number designated by the sorting device 48 and stacked are stapled, and all image forming operations and sheets are performed. The processing operation ends.

Next, in Example 3, the case of placing the original manually and
A case in which a warning regarding stapling processing is performed before the start of a copying operation in any case of original supply by F will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a warning display operation before the stapling device 51 is operated. In step 91, stapling is selected from the input device 44, and in step 92, the print key 43 is turned on to copy. Is started, the process proceeds to step 93, and the display panel 47 displays [21 or more originals cannot be stapled] as shown in FIG.
Is displayed, [20 or less originals] and [21 or more originals] are displayed.
In step 4, the operator is asked whether the number of originals is 21 or more.

If the number of originals is equal to or less than 20, the process proceeds to step 96 after the completion of image formation to perform a normal stapling operation. If the number of originals is 21 or more, step 97
To the display panel 47, as shown in FIG. ] And asks the operator, and further displays [divide and staple] and [no staple] to prompt the user to select whether to divide and staple or to perform only sorting. If "no staple" is selected, the process proceeds to step 98 after completion of image formation, and all image forming operations and sheet processing operations are completed without stapling the sheets stacked by the sorting device 48.
If “divide and staple” is selected, a message prompting the user to enter the number of pages to be divided is displayed on the display panel 47 as shown in FIG. Proceeding to 100, the operator inputs a desired number of divided sheets from the ten keys 46 within the limit of 20 sheets, which is the limit number of sheets, and sets staple conditions. After completion of image formation, the flow advances to step 101 to staple the sheets that have been divided and accumulated in the number specified by the sorting device 48, and end all image forming operations and sheet processing operations.

With this arrangement, when the number of originals exceeds the limit of the stapling device 51, the display panel 47
Is displayed, the operator can grasp the state of the stapling device 51. Therefore, unlike the related art, the staple device is erroneously recognized as having failed and no time is lost for maintenance, and the reliability of the staple device can be improved. In addition, the user can select the processing of paper after the number of sheets exceeds the limit on the display panel 47,
Since it is also possible to divide and staple as necessary, when the number of documents exceeds the limit, compared to the conventional device where stapling is not performed at all, there is no Manual work can be reduced, and operability is improved.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, when the number of documents exceeds the limit, a warning display is displayed on the stapler. A selection mode that incorporates a function for selecting the next treatment and a non-selection mode that discharges paper without stapling when the number of originals exceeds the limit is set. The mode may be switched to any one of the modes at the time of installing the apparatus or at the time of maintenance. However, when the paper is discharged without stapling in the non-selection mode, the stapling device is erroneously recognized as having failed by displaying that stapling was not possible because the limit has been exceeded on the display means at the end of copying or the like. The conventional problem of doing so will be supplemented.

In this way, if the number of originals exceeds the limit, the user who wants to always stapling and discharge the original without changing the sheet processing conditions when the number of originals exceeds the limit is used during image formation. There is no need to reset each time.

In the second embodiment, a timer for counting a predetermined time is set in the panel CPU according to the user's request, and in step 84, [divide and staple] and [no staple] are displayed on the display panel. If there is no response from the operator for a certain period of time, the selection mode is automatically released without waiting for the selection by the operator, and the discharge operation is performed without performing stapling, and the image forming operation and the paper processing are performed. After the operation is completed, it may be displayed on the screen that stapling could not be performed due to an excess of time.

In this way, when the original is set on the DF and copying is performed, when the operator leaves the image forming apparatus until the image formation is completed after the copy is started, a selection is made on the display panel. It is possible to prevent an image forming operation from being stopped in a state where the image is displayed and no image formation being performed, and to increase the time loss for an operator who returns to think that the image formation has been completed. The timer setting can be set by a user or a service person when the image forming apparatus is installed or when maintenance is performed.

Further, the limit number of sheets of the stapling apparatus is arbitrary according to the function of the apparatus. When the number of original sheets exceeds the limit number, the number of sheets to be divided and stapled is also divided into three or four. Any number of divisions may be used.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the number of originals exceeds the limit of the stapling apparatus, it is possible to reliably inform the user that there is a limit to the number of sheets. This eliminates the need to think that the stapling device has failed, eliminates the need for inquiries to services and manufacturers, and eliminates time loss. Further, if the operator recognizes the limit number of the staple device by the warning display, the next time or later use will be performed.
Since the staple device is considered to be used in consideration of the number of documents, the staple device is easier for the user to use and the operability is improved.

Also, when the number of sheets exceeds the limit, staples can be selected by dividing the number of sheets as necessary. Therefore, for a user who has a time constraint, compared to a conventional apparatus in which staples are not formed at all, Since the manual work required to perform the paper gathering process after image formation is reduced, the time required to start the image forming operation and use the paper that has undergone the gathering process after image formation is significantly reduced. Work efficiency is improved

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a stapling apparatus and a display panel according to a specific example 1 of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a display on a display panel when [document count = 21] in Example 1 of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a warning display on a display panel of Example 1 of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a stapling apparatus and a display panel according to a specific example 2 of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a warning display on a display panel according to a specific example 2 of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a division number input instruction on a display panel according to a specific example 2 of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a warning display operation before starting a stapling operation according to a third specific example of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a warning display on a display panel of Example 3 of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an instruction to input sheet processing conditions after image formation after the limit number of sheets has been exceeded on the display panel in Example 3 of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a division number input instruction on a display panel according to a specific example 3 of the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital copier 11 ... Mechanical control part 12 ... Operation panel 13 ... Main control part 14 ... Main CPU 24 ... Mechanical control CPU 41 ... Finisher device 42 ... Panel CPU 47 ... Display panel 48 ... Sorting device 51 ... Staple device

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus main body having an image forming means, an accumulating means for accumulating sheets on which an image is formed by the image forming means, and a staple means for stapling a part of the sheets accumulated on the accumulating means. A display unit for displaying a warning when the number of sheets stacked on the stacking unit is equal to or larger than the limit of the number of the staple units. 2. An apparatus main body having an image forming means, an accumulating means for accumulating sheets on which an image is formed by the image forming means, and a staple means for stapling a part of the sheets accumulated on the accumulating means. If the number of sheets stacked on the stacking unit is equal to or more than the limit of the stapling unit, a warning is displayed before the image forming by the image forming unit, during the image forming, or after the image forming is completed. An image forming apparatus comprising: a display unit. 3. An apparatus main body having an image forming means, an accumulating means for accumulating sheets on which an image is formed by the image forming means, and an operation for stapling a part of the sheets accumulating on the accumulating means. An image forming apparatus comprising: a staple unit configured to selectively perform an operation of dividing and stapling the stacked sheets and an operation of not stapling the stacked sheets. 4. An apparatus main body having an image forming means, an accumulating means for accumulating sheets on which an image is formed by the image forming means, and a part if the number of sheets accumulated on the accumulating means is within a limited number. While performing the operation of stapling the sheets one by one, if the number of the sheets to be stacked is equal to or more than the limit number, the operation of dividing the sheets to be stacked and performing the stapling is performed, or the sheets to be stacked are stapled. An image forming apparatus comprising: a stapling unit that selectively performs an operation that does not stop. 5. An apparatus main body having an image forming means, an accumulating means for accumulating sheets on which images are formed by the image forming means, and an operation for stapling a part of the sheets accumulating on the accumulating means. Stapling means for selectively performing an operation of dividing and stapling the sheets to be stacked and an operation of not stapling the sheets to be stacked, and a step of stapling the sheets stacked on the stacking means. Display means for displaying a warning if the number of sheets is equal to or more than the limit number of the staple means; selecting means for selecting the divided stapling operation or the non-staple operation of the stapling means; And a control unit for controlling the stapling unit in accordance with the selection result of the image forming apparatus. 6. An apparatus main body having an image forming means, an accumulating means for accumulating sheets on which images are formed by the image forming means, and an operation for stapling a part of the sheets accumulated on the accumulating means. Stapling means for selectively performing an operation of dividing and stapling the sheets to be stacked and an operation of not stapling the sheets to be stacked, and a step of stapling the sheets stacked on the stacking means. If the number of sheets is equal to or more than the limit number of the stapling unit, a display unit that displays a warning before the image formation by the image forming unit, during the image formation, or after the image formation ends, and the division of the stapling unit Selecting means for selecting a stapling operation or an unstitching operation; and control means for controlling the stapling means in accordance with a result of the selection by the selecting means. An image forming apparatus comprising: 7. An apparatus main body having an image forming means, an accumulating means for accumulating sheets on which an image is formed by the image forming means, and an operation for stapling a part of the sheets accumulating on the accumulating means. Stapling means for selectively performing an operation of dividing and stapling the sheets to be stacked and an operation of not stapling the sheets to be stacked, and a step of stapling the sheets stacked on the stacking means. Display means for displaying a warning if the number of sheets is equal to or more than the limit number of the staple means; selecting means for selecting the divided stapling operation or the non-staple operation of the stapling means; The staple means is controlled according to the selection result from the staple means, or if the selection means is not selected after a lapse of a predetermined time, the staple means is divided and stapled. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to control either an operation or a non-staple operation. 8. An apparatus main body having an image forming means, an accumulating means for accumulating sheets on which images are formed by the image forming means, and an operation for stapling a part of the sheets accumulating on the accumulating means. Stapling means for selectively performing an operation of dividing and stapling the sheets to be stacked and an operation of not stapling the sheets to be stacked, and a step of stapling the sheets stacked on the stacking means. If the number of sheets is equal to or more than the limit number of the stapling unit, a display unit that displays a warning before the image formation by the image forming unit, during the image formation, or after the end of the image formation, and the division of the stapling unit Selecting means for selecting the stapling operation or the stapling operation, and controlling the stapling means according to the selection result from the selecting means, or after elapse of a predetermined time An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to control, when the selection unit is not selected, the operation of dividing the stapling unit and performing the stapling operation or the stapling operation. 9. An apparatus main body having an image forming means, an accumulating means for accumulating sheets on which an image is formed by the image forming means, and an operation for stapling a part of the sheets accumulating on the accumulating means. Stapling means for selectively performing an operation of dividing and stapling the sheets to be stacked and an operation of not stapling the sheets to be stacked, and a step of stapling the sheets stacked on the stacking means. Display means for displaying a warning if the number of sheets is equal to or more than the limit number of the staple means; selecting means for selecting the divided stapling operation or the non-staple operation of the stapling means; Release means for releasing the stapling means according to the selection result from the selection means when the release means is not set, and the sheet of paper when the release means is set. An image forming apparatus comprising: a controller configured to control the stapler by an operation that does not perform the stapling if the number is equal to or larger than the limit number of the stapler.