Image forming apparatus, postprocessing apparatus, option apparatus, image forming system, and controller

Abstract

An image forming system including an image forming apparatus, which is configured to form an image on a sheet according to an input print job, and a plurality of postprocessing apparatuses, which is configured to execute postprocessing on a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus, includes a supply unit configured to supply the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses with a signal, which instructs a batch power supply to the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses, and a control unit configured, after the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses have been powered on by the supply unit instructing the batch power supply, to discontinue a power supply to a second postprocessing apparatus, which is connected further downstream of a first postprocessing apparatus provided most downstream in a direction of conveying the sheet in the input print job, of the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses.

1 . An image forming system including an image forming apparatus, which is configured to form an image on a sheet and a plurality of postprocessing apparatuses, which are connected to the image forming apparatus and which is configured to execute postprocessing on a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus, the image forming system comprising:
 a power supply unit configured to supply electric power to the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses;   a determination unit configured to determine a predetermined postprocessing apparatus to which electric power supplied from the power supply unit should be cut off among the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses;   a transmission unit configured to transmit a signal to the predetermined postprocessing apparatus; and   a discontinuation unit disposed on each of the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses and configured to cut off electric power supplied from the power supply unit to the predetermined postprocessing apparatus according to the signal transmitted by the transmission unit.   
     
     
         2 . The image forming system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an obtaining unit configured to obtain actuating information indicating postprocessing to be executed on a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus,   wherein the determination unit is configured to determine the predetermined postprocessing apparatus based on the actuating information obtained by the obtaining unit.   
     
     
         3 . The image forming system according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses includes a first postprocessing apparatus, a second postprocessing apparatus configured to receive a sheet discharged from the first postprocessing apparatus, and a third postprocessing apparatus configured to receive a sheet discharged from the second postprocessing apparatus, and   wherein the determination unit is configured to determine the second postprocessing apparatus and the third postprocessing apparatus as the predetermined postprocessing apparatus if (i) the first postprocessing apparatus executes postprocessing on a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus and (ii) the second postprocessing apparatus and the third postprocessing apparatus do not execute postprocessing on the sheet.   
     
     
         4 . The image forming system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an obtaining unit configured to obtain final destination information indicating a final postprocessing apparatus to which a sheet is finally discharged from the image forming apparatus among the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses,   wherein the determination unit is configured to determine the predetermined postprocessing apparatus based on the final destination information obtained by the obtaining unit.   
     
     
         5 . The image forming system according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses includes a first postprocessing apparatus, a second postprocessing apparatus configured to receive a sheet discharged from the first postprocessing apparatus, and a third postprocessing apparatus configured to receive a sheet discharged from the second postprocessing apparatus, and   wherein the determination unit is configured to determine the second postprocessing apparatus and the third postprocessing apparatus as the predetermined postprocessing apparatus if the first postprocessing apparatus is the final postprocessing apparatus.   
     
     
         6 . The image forming system according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the discontinuation unit includes a plurality of relays, which are disposed on each of the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses, in order to control electric power supplied from the power supply unit to each of the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses, and wherein the discontinuation unit is configured to control the plurality of relays according to the signal transmitted by the transmission unit so that electric power supplied from the power supply unit to a relay of the predetermined postprocessing apparatus is cut off.   
     
     
         7 . An image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a sheet, the image forming apparatus comprising:
 a determination unit configured to determine a predetermined postprocessing apparatus to which electric power supplied from a power supply unit configured to supply electric power to each of a plurality of postprocessing apparatuses should be cut off among the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses, wherein the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses is connected to the image forming apparatus in order to execute postprocessing on a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus; and   a transmission unit configured to transmit a signal to the predetermined postprocessing apparatus determined by the determination unit.   
     
     
         8 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 an obtaining unit configured to obtain actuating information indicating postprocessing to be executed on a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus,   wherein the determination unit is configured to determine the predetermined postprocessing apparatus based on the actuating information obtained by the obtaining unit.   
     
     
         9 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 7 ,
 wherein the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses includes a first postprocessing apparatus, a second postprocessing apparatus configured to receive a sheet discharged from the first postprocessing apparatus, and a third postprocessing apparatus configured to receive a sheet discharged from the second postprocessing apparatus, and   wherein the determination unit is configured to determine the second postprocessing apparatus and the third postprocessing apparatus as the predetermined postprocessing apparatus if (i) the first postprocessing apparatus executes postprocessing on a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus and (ii) the second postprocessing apparatus and the third postprocessing apparatus do not execute postprocessing on the sheet.   
     
     
         10 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 an obtaining unit configured to obtain final destination information indicating a final postprocessing apparatus to which a sheet is finally discharged from the image forming apparatus among the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses,   wherein the determination unit is configured to determine the predetermined postprocessing apparatus based on the final destination information obtained by the obtaining unit.   
     
     
         11 . The image forming apparatus according to  claim 10 ,
 wherein the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses includes a first postprocessing apparatus, a second postprocessing apparatus configured to receive a sheet discharged from the first postprocessing apparatus, and a third postprocessing apparatus configured to receive a sheet discharged from the second postprocessing apparatus, and   wherein the determination unit is configured to determine the second postprocessing apparatus and the third postprocessing apparatus as the predetermined postprocessing apparatus if the first postprocessing apparatus is the final postprocessing apparatus.   
     
     
         12 . A postprocessing apparatus configured to execute postprocessing on a sheet discharged from an image forming apparatus, the postprocessing apparatus comprising:
 a power supply unit configured to supply electric power to the postprocessing apparatus;   a receiving unit configured to receive a signal to cut off electric power supplied from the power supply unit to the postprocessing apparatus; and   a discontinuation unit configured to cut off the electric power supplied from the power supply unit to the postprocessing apparatus in a case where the receiving unit receives the signal.   
     
     
         13 . The postprocessing apparatus according to  claim 12 ,
 wherein the discontinuation unit includes a relay in order to control electric power supplied from the power supply unit to the postprocessing apparatus, and   wherein the discontinuation unit is configured to control the relay so that electric power supplied from the power supply unit to the relay of the postprocessing apparatus is cut off in a case where the receiving unit receives the signal.   
     
     
         14 . A controller configured to control an image forming system including an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a sheet and a plurality of postprocessing apparatuses configured to execute postprocessing on a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus, the controller comprising:
 a determination unit configured to determine a predetermined postprocessing apparatus to which electric power supplied from a power supply unit configured to supply electric power to each of the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses should be cut off among the plurality of postprocessing apparatuses; and   a transmission unit configured to transmit a signal to the predetermined postprocessing apparatus determined by the determination unit.   
     
     
         15 . An image forming system including an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a sheet and a plurality of feeding apparatuses configured to feed a sheet to the image forming apparatus, the image forming system comprising:
 a power supply unit configured to supply power to the plurality of feeding apparatuses;   a determination unit configured to determine a predetermined feeding apparatus to which electric power supplied from the power supply unit should be cut off among the plurality of feeding apparatuses;   a transmission unit configured to transmit a signal to the predetermined feeding apparatus; and   a discontinuation unit disposed on each of the plurality of feeding apparatuses and configured to cut off electric power supplied from the power supply unit to the predetermined feeding apparatus according to the signal transmitted by the transmission unit.   
     
     
         16 . The image forming system according to  claim 15 ,
 wherein the discontinuation unit includes a plurality of relays, which are disposed on each of the plurality of feeding apparatuses, in order to control power supply from the power supply unit to each of the plurality of feeding apparatuses, and   wherein the discontinuation unit is configured to control the plurality of relays according to the signal transmitted by the transmission unit so that a relay of the predetermined feeding apparatus to which electric power supplied from the power supply unit should be cut off.   
     
     
         17 . An image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a sheet, the image forming apparatus comprising:
 a determination unit configured to determine a predetermined feeding apparatus to which electric power supplied from a power supply unit configured to supply electric power to each of a plurality of feeding apparatuses should be cut off among the plurality of feeding apparatuses, wherein the plurality of feeding apparatuses are connected to the image forming apparatus in order to feed a sheet to the image forming apparatus; and   a transmission unit configured to transmit a signal to the predetermined feeding apparatus determined by the determination unit.   
     
     
         18 . A feeding apparatus configured to feed a sheet to an image forming apparatus, the feeding apparatus comprising:
 a power supply unit configured to supply electric power to the feeding apparatus   a receiving unit configured to receive a signal to cut off electric power supplied from the power supply unit to the feeding apparatus; and   a discontinuation unit configured to cut off the electric power supplied from the power supply unit to the feeding apparatus in a case where the receiving unit receives the signal.   
     
     
         19 . The feeding apparatus according to  claim 18 ,
 wherein the discontinuation unit includes a relay in order to control electric power supply from the power supply unit to the feeding apparatus, and   wherein the discontinuation unit is configured to control the relay so that electric power supplied from the power supply unit to the relay of the feeding apparatus is cut off in a case where the receiving unit receives the signal.   
     
     
         20 . A controller configured to control an image forming system including an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a sheet and a plurality of feeding apparatuses configured to feed a sheet to the image forming apparatus, the controller comprising:
 a determination unit configured to determine a predetermined feeding apparatus to which electric power supplied from a power supply unit configured to supply electric power to each of the plurality of feeding apparatuses should be cut off among the plurality of feeding apparatuses; and   a transmission unit configured to transmit a signal to the predetermined feeding apparatus determined by the determination unit.