JP2013237205A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of inserting partition paper for showing an end at a position designated by copy unit when forming an image according to a job received from an external device.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: an NIC 110 that receives an insertion position of partition paper, information printed on each partition paper, and a printing job from a terminal device 180; an image forming part 122 that forms an image on recording paper according to the printing job; an ejection part that ejects the recording paper and the partition paper; and a controller 102. The insertion position is designated by copy unit that aggregation of the recording paper on which the image has been formed entirely is set as one copy, and the controller controls the ejection part to eject the partition paper on which information has been printed after ejecting the recording paper of the number of copies decided from the insertion position. Thus, since the partition paper on which the prescribed information has been printed is inserted at an optional position designated by copy unit, a user can easily handle the output recording paper.

Description

  The present invention provides an image in which a partition sheet for indicating a delimiter can be inserted at an arbitrary position designated by a copy unit in a plurality of recording sheets that are formed and ejected according to a job received from an external device. The present invention relates to a forming apparatus.

  In many offices (company, office, etc.), an image forming apparatus (typically a copier) that forms an image on recording paper (hereinafter also referred to as printing) as one type of image processing apparatus that is an electronic device. Has been introduced. In such offices, there are many cases where a plurality of image forming apparatuses having a copy function, a printer function, and the like are connected to a network and shared by a plurality of users. A multi-function peripheral, which is one type of such an image forming apparatus, has a plurality of basic functions such as a copy mode, a facsimile mode (hereinafter also referred to as FAX), a network compatible printer mode, and a scanner mode. With a typical operation mode.

  In addition to the function of image formation (copying and printing) itself, the image forming apparatus has a function for the user to easily handle printed matter. As one of the functions, there is known a function of inserting a partition paper so that the separation of printed matter can be easily understood. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses an image forming apparatus for a school that can be easily processed after discharge. This image forming apparatus describes that, when the partition paper mode is selected, a predetermined paper is inserted at a break between parts, that is, every time one printed matter is discharged.

JP 2001-75431 A

  As described above, the conventional divider paper can be set to be inserted for each copy of the printed material or to be inserted on a specified page, but set to be inserted to distinguish the specified number of copies. I can't. Therefore, when distributing different numbers of printed materials for each department, it is necessary for the user to count the required number of copies of the printed materials that have been inserted and discharged, and this is cumbersome for the user. There is. In addition, the partition paper may be inserted to an unnecessary position, and there is a problem that the paper is consumed wastefully.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, a partition sheet for indicating a delimiter is inserted at an arbitrary position designated by a copy unit in a plurality of recording sheets (printed materials) that are formed and ejected according to a job received from an external device. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that can be easily classified by a user.

  The above object can be achieved by the following.

  That is, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus in which a partition sheet for indicating a break is inserted between a plurality of recording sheets discharged after an image is formed on the surface. This image forming apparatus externally transmits insertion position data for specifying the insertion position of the partition paper, information specifying data for specifying information to be formed as an image for each partition paper, and an image forming job for instructing image formation on the recording paper. An image forming unit that receives an image from an apparatus, an image data generating unit that generates image data from an image forming job, an image forming unit that forms an image on recording paper according to the image data generated by the image data generating unit, and an image is formed And a control unit for controlling the discharge unit, and the insertion position data includes a set of recording sheets on which all images are formed according to the image forming job. The control unit determines the insertion position in units of copies, and causes the discharge unit to discharge the recording paper on which the image has been formed, after discharging the number of copies determined from the insertion position data, and then to discharge the partition paper. Image forming unit, before the partition sheet is discharged to form the information on the partition sheet as an image.

  Preferably, the information specifying data is a partition paper job for generating information as an image for each partition paper generated by a printer driver of the external device, and the image forming apparatus generates image data from the partition paper job. A partition paper image data generation unit is further provided, and the image forming unit forms information as an image according to the image data generated by the partition paper image data generation unit before the partition paper is discharged.

  More preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes a partition sheet image data generation unit that generates image data from the information specifying data, and the image forming unit is generated by the partition sheet image data generation unit before the partition sheet is discharged. Information is formed as an image on the partition paper in accordance with the image data.

  More preferably, the image forming unit generates image data from the information specifying data before the partition paper is discharged, and forms information on the partition paper as an image according to the image data.

  Preferably, the image forming unit forms an image representing a value one larger than the number of sets discharged until the partition paper is discharged on the partition paper discharged first, and is discharged after the second. An image representing a value one greater than the number of sets ejected immediately after the partition paper discharged immediately before the partition paper and immediately before the partition paper is formed on the partition paper.

  According to the present invention, when a plurality of copies are executed by an image forming apparatus from an external device, it is possible to insert a partition sheet on which specified information is printed with a user-specified number of copies. Since the partition paper on which the designation information is printed is inserted at the position designated by the copy unit, the user can easily divide a plurality of copies of the printed matter. That is, even if the user does not count the number of copies, the user can easily specify the position where the printed material is divided, and the printed material only needs to be divided before and after the partition paper. Further, since the partition paper is not inserted at an unnecessary position, it is possible to suppress wasteful consumption of the paper.

  By generating a partition paper job for forming information as an image for each partition paper by a printer driver of an external device such as a computer, the design freedom of the partition paper can be increased. The user can distinguish the printed matter at a glance by appropriately setting the letters, numbers and images formed on the divider paper, and their colors and shapes so as to obtain an appropriately designed divider paper, Multiple printed materials can be easily classified.

  Also, instead of receiving a partition paper job (partition paper image data) from an external device such as a computer, the image forming apparatus receives information necessary to generate the partition paper image data and generates the partition paper image data. By doing so, the processing of the external device can be reduced, and the size of data to be communicated can be reduced.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the partition paper was inserted in printed matter. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the data flow in three types of methods which implement | achieve the insertion function of a partition paper. 6 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program executed by the terminal device in order to realize a function of inserting a partition sheet in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen which sets the conditions regarding the printing displayed on a terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen which sets the conditions regarding the partition paper displayed on a terminal device. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control structure of a program executed in the image forming apparatus in order to realize a partition sheet insertion function in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the partition paper was inserted in printed matter. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the partition paper was inserted in printed matter. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen different from FIG. 7 which sets the conditions regarding the partition paper displayed on a terminal device. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program different from FIG. 8 executed in the image forming apparatus in order to realize the function of inserting a partition sheet in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program different from those shown in FIGS. 8 and 12 executed in the image forming apparatus in order to realize the function of inserting a partition sheet in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen different from FIG.7 and FIG.11 which sets the conditions regarding the partition paper displayed on a terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen different from FIG.7, FIG.11 and FIG.14 which sets the conditions regarding the partition paper displayed on a terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen similar to FIG. 7 which sets the conditions regarding the partition paper displayed on a terminal device.

  In the following embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is a digital multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a network 190, receives a print job from a terminal apparatus 180, and forms an image on a recording sheet according to the received job data. Execute.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 100, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 104 for storing programs, and a RAM (Random Access) that is a volatile storage device. Memory) 106 and HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 108, which is a non-volatile storage device that retains data even when power is turned off. The ROM 104 stores programs and data necessary for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a NIC (Network Interface Card) 110, a document reading unit 120, an image forming unit 122, an image processing unit 124, a partition paper data generation unit 126, an operation unit 130, and a bus 112.

  The CPU 102, ROM 104, RAM 106, HDD 108, NIC 110, document reading unit 120, image forming unit 122, image processing unit 124, partition paper data generation unit 126, recording paper transport unit 128, and operation unit 130 are connected to the bus 112. Yes. Data (including control information) is exchanged between the units via the bus 112. The CPU 102 reads a program from the ROM 104 onto the RAM 106 via the bus 112, and executes the program using a part of the RAM 106 as a work area. That is, the CPU 102 controls each part of the image forming apparatus 100 according to a program stored in the ROM 104, and realizes each function of the image forming apparatus 100.

  In addition to these, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a paper feed unit (paper feed tray) that stores recording paper for forming an image, a paper discharge unit (paper output tray) that discharges the recording paper on which the image is formed, a telephone, and the like. A FAX modem (not shown) for FAX communication connected to the line, a power supply unit (not shown) for supplying power to each unit, and the like are provided.

  As will be described later, the document reading unit 120 reads a document with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) to generate image data (digital signal). The image data is temporarily stored in the RAM 106. The image processing unit 124 executes various image processes on the read image data. The image data is stored in the HDD 108 as necessary.

  As will be described later, the partition paper data generation unit 126 generates image data (such as character image data) to be formed on the partition paper on the RAM 106. The generated image data is stored in the HDD 108 as necessary. The “partition paper” means paper that is inserted between the recording papers that are ejected in order to make it easy to determine the separation of the recording papers that are printed and ejected.

  The image forming unit 122 forms an image on the recording paper or the partition paper transported by the recording paper transport unit 128 based on the image data on the RAM 106 (including image data to be formed on the partition paper). FIG. 2 shows a state in which two partition sheets 200 and 202 indicated by oblique lines are inserted between six recording sheets on which images are formed. A character image “1” representing the first copy is formed on the partition paper 200. A character image “4” representing the fourth copy is formed on the partition paper 202.

  The operation unit 130 includes a touch panel display and an operation key unit. The touch panel display includes a display panel composed of a liquid crystal panel and the like, and a touch panel that is disposed on the display panel and detects a touched position. A screen for instructing the image forming apparatus 100 is displayed on the touch panel display (display panel) of the operation unit 130. On the home screen displayed immediately after the image forming apparatus 100 is activated, keys for instructing each function such as copying and printing are displayed.

  In the operation key section, a home key, a power key for turning on / off the power of the image forming apparatus, an LED lamp that is turned on when the power is on, and the like are arranged as hardware keys. The screen displayed on the touch panel display changes variously (screen transition) according to the state of the image forming apparatus 100. The home key is a key for returning the screen displayed on the touch panel display to the home screen.

  The operation unit 130 receives an input of an instruction or the like from the user to the image forming apparatus 100. The user checks the state of the image forming apparatus 100, the job processing status, and the like on the screen displayed on the touch panel display. By selecting a key displayed on the touch panel display on the touch panel superimposed on the display panel (touching a corresponding part on the touch panel), it is possible to perform function setting, operation instruction, and the like of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The NIC 110 is connected to an external network 190 and is an interface for the image forming apparatus 100 to communicate with an external device via the network 190. The image forming apparatus 100 is connected to an external telephone line (not shown), and includes a FAX modem (not shown) that is an interface for the image forming apparatus 100 to perform FAX communication with an external apparatus via the telephone line. Yes.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the conveyance of the recording paper and the image formation on the recording paper in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described in more detail. Here, image formation on recording paper will be described, but the same applies to image formation on partition paper.

  The document reading unit 120 includes an image reading device 90 and an automatic document feeder (ADF: Auto Document Feeder) 150.

  The image reading apparatus 90 includes a document placing table 92 made of transparent glass on which a document is placed, a light source unit 93 that holds the light source and the first mirror, a mirror unit 94 that holds the second and third mirrors, A reduction optical system image reading apparatus including a lens and a CCD 95.

  An automatic document feeder 150 is attached on the document table 92. The automatic document feeder 150 automatically conveys the document on the document table 92. The automatic document feeder 150 is configured to be rotatable in the direction of arrow M, and the document can be placed by hand by opening the document table 92.

  The image forming unit 122 includes an optical scanning device 1, a developing device 2, a photosensitive drum 3, a cleaner unit 4, a charger 5, an intermediate transfer belt unit 6, a fixing unit 116, paper feed trays 81 to 85, and a paper discharge tray 91. And 96. The paper feed tray 85 is a manual feed tray.

The image data handled in the image forming apparatus 100 is black (BLACK, hereinafter “K
Color images using cyan, CYAN (hereinafter also referred to as “C”), magenta (hereinafter also referred to as “M”) and yellow (YELLOW, hereinafter also referred to as “Y”). Data, that is, image data broken down into these four color components. Accordingly, four each of the developing device 2, the photosensitive drum 3, the charger 5, and the cleaner unit 4 are provided so as to form four types of latent images corresponding to the respective colors. Four image stations are configured to process magenta and yellow.

  The charger 5 is a device for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined potential. The optical scanning device 1 is a laser scanning unit (LSU) provided with a laser emitting unit, a reflection mirror, and the like. The optical scanning device 1 includes a polygon mirror that scans a laser beam and optical elements such as a lens and a mirror for guiding the laser light reflected by the polygon mirror to the photosensitive drum 3.

  The optical scanning device 1 exposes the charged photosensitive drum 3 according to input image data, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image according to the image data on the surface thereof. The developing device 2 visualizes the electrostatic latent images formed on the respective photosensitive drums 3 with toner of four colors (YMCK). The cleaner unit 4 removes and collects toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 3 after development and image transfer.

  The intermediate transfer belt unit 6 disposed above the photosensitive drum 3 includes an intermediate transfer belt 61, an intermediate transfer belt driving roller 62, an intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63, an intermediate transfer roller 64, and an intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65. I have. Four intermediate transfer rollers 64 are provided corresponding to each color of YMCK.

  The intermediate transfer belt driving roller 62, the intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63, and the intermediate transfer roller 64 are driven to rotate while the intermediate transfer belt 61 is stretched. Each intermediate transfer roller 64 supplies a transfer bias described later in order to transfer the toner image on the corresponding photosensitive drum 3 onto the intermediate transfer belt 61.

  The intermediate transfer belt 61 is provided in contact with each photosensitive drum 3. A color toner image (multicolor toner image) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 61 by sequentially superimposing and transferring the respective color toner images formed on the photosensitive drum 3 onto the intermediate transfer belt 61.

  The toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 61 by an intermediate transfer roller 64 that is in contact with the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 61. A high-voltage transfer bias (a high voltage having a polarity (+) opposite to the toner charging polarity (−)) is applied to the intermediate transfer roller 64 in order to transfer the toner image. The intermediate transfer roller 64 is a roller whose base is a metal (for example, stainless steel) shaft having a diameter of 8 to 10 mm and whose surface is covered with a conductive elastic material (for example, EPDM, urethane foam, or the like). With this conductive elastic material, a high voltage can be uniformly applied to the intermediate transfer belt 61.

  As described above, the electrostatic images visualized according to the hues on the photosensitive drums 3 are stacked on the intermediate transfer belt 61. The image information (toner density distribution) thus laminated is transferred onto the recording paper by the transfer roller 10 disposed at the contact position between the recording paper and the intermediate transfer belt 61 as the intermediate transfer belt 61 rotates. .

  At this time, the intermediate transfer belt 61 and the transfer roller 10 are pressed against each other at a predetermined nip, and a voltage for transferring the toner onto the recording paper is applied to the transfer roller 10 (what is the toner charging polarity (−))? Reverse polarity (+) high voltage). Further, in order to obtain the nip constantly, either one of the transfer roller 10 and the intermediate transfer belt drive roller 62 is made of a hard material (metal or the like), and the other is made of a soft material such as an elastic roller (elastic rubber roller). , Foaming resin rollers, etc.) are used.

  As described above, the toner adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 61 by contact with the photosensitive drum 3 or the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 61 without being transferred onto the recording paper by the transfer roller 10 is used in the next step. In order to cause toner color mixing, the toner is removed and collected by the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65. In the intermediate transfer belt cleaning unit 65, for example, a cleaning blade that contacts the intermediate transfer belt 61 is disposed as a cleaning member. The intermediate transfer belt 61 that contacts the cleaning blade is supported by the intermediate transfer belt driven roller 63 from the back side. Has been.

  The paper feed trays 81 to 84 are trays for storing recording paper used for image formation, and are provided below the optical scanning device 1. In addition, recording paper used for image formation can be placed on the manual paper feed tray 85. The paper discharge trays 91 and 96 are trays for collecting printed recording sheets face down, that is, with the printing surface facing down.

  In order to send the recording paper in the paper feed trays 81 to 84 and the manual paper feed tray 85 to the paper discharge tray 91 or 96 via the transfer roller 10 and the fixing unit 116, the recording paper is conveyed inside the image forming unit 122. Paths S1 and S2 are formed. In the vicinity of the recording paper transport paths S1 and S2 from the paper feed trays 81 to 84 or the manual paper feed tray 85 to the paper discharge tray 91 or 96, pickup rollers 11a to 11e, transport rollers 12a to 12e, registration rollers 13, and transfer rollers. A roller 10, a fixing unit 116, and the like are disposed.

  The paper feed trays 81 to 84, the manual paper feed tray 85, the pickup rollers 11a to 11e, the transport rollers 12a to 12e, and the registration roller 13 constitute the recording paper transport unit 128 shown in FIG.

  The transport rollers 12a to 12e are small rollers for promoting and assisting the transport of the recording paper, and a plurality of the transport rollers 12a to 12e are provided along the recording paper transport paths S1 and S2. For example, the pickup rollers 11a to 11d are arranged in the vicinity of the respective end portions of the paper feed trays 81 to 84, pick up recording sheets one by one from the paper feed trays 81 to 84, and supply them to the recording paper transport path S1. Similarly, the pickup roller 11e is disposed in the vicinity of the end of the manual paper feed tray 85, picks up the recording paper one by one from the manual paper feed tray 85, and supplies it to the recording paper transport path S1.

  The registration roller 13 temporarily holds the recording paper conveyed through the recording paper conveyance path S1. Then, the recording paper is conveyed to the transfer roller 10 at the timing when the leading edge of the toner image on the photosensitive drum 3 and the leading edge of the recording paper coincide.

  The fixing unit 116 includes a heat roller 71 and a pressure roller 72. The heat roller 71 and the pressure roller 72 rotate with the recording paper interposed therebetween. Further, the heat roller 71 is set to a predetermined fixing temperature by the CPU 102 based on a signal from a temperature detector (not shown), and by thermally pressing the toner together with the pressure roller 72 to the recording paper, It has a function of fusing, mixing, and pressing the multicolor toner image transferred to the recording paper and thermally fixing the recording paper. An external heating belt 73 for heating the heat roller 71 from the outside is provided.

  Hereinafter, each mode for executing the functions (copy function, printer function, scanner function, and facsimile function) installed in the image forming apparatus 100 will be briefly described.

(Printer mode)
When the image forming apparatus 100 is used as a printer, image data received via the NIC 110 is output from the image forming unit 122 via the RAM 106 or the like.

  When the terminal device 180 instructs the image forming apparatus 100 to print, the NIC 110 receives image data from the terminal device 180 connected to the network 190. The received image data is sent to the RAM 106 in units of pages as output image data, and then stored in the HDD 108. Thereafter, the image data stored in the HDD 108 is sequentially read out at an appropriate timing and sent to the RAM 106.

  In the paper feed unit (the paper feed trays 81 to 84 or the manual paper feed tray 85), the recording paper is pulled out by the pickup roller and conveyed to the image forming unit 122 by the plurality of conveyance rollers 12a to 12e. The image forming unit 122 forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data on the surface of the photoconductive drum 3 by exposing the charged photoconductive drum 3 according to the input image data. After toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image portion on the photosensitive drum 3, the toner image is transferred onto the conveyed recording paper via the intermediate transfer belt 61. Thereafter, the recording paper is heated and pressurized (this fixes the image on the recording paper), and is discharged to a paper discharge tray.

(Copy mode)
When the image forming apparatus 100 is used as a copying machine, image data of a document read by the document reading unit 120 is output from the image forming unit 122 as a printed matter.

  Image data read by the CCD 95 of the image reading device 90 provided in the original reading unit 120 is completed as output data (printing data) on the RAM 106 and then stored in the HDD 108. When there are a plurality of documents, this reading operation and storage operation are repeated. Thereafter, based on the processing mode instructed from the operation unit 130, the image data stored in the HDD 108 is sequentially read out at an appropriate timing and sent to the RAM 106.

  As in the printer mode described above, the image data is transmitted to the image forming unit 122 and image formation is performed. Similarly, when printing a plurality of copies of the read image data, it is similarly stored as output data in the HDD 108 in units of pages, sent from the HDD 108 to the RAM 106, repeated for the number of output copies, and in accordance with the timing of image formation. 122.

(Scanner mode)
When the image forming apparatus 100 is used as a network scanner, for example, image data of a document read by the document reading unit 120 is transmitted from the NIC 110 to a computer or the like via the network 190. Also in this case, the original is electronically read by the CCD 95 provided in the original reading unit 120. The read image data of the document is completed as output data on the RAM 106 and then stored in the HDD 108. Thereafter, the image data is sent again from the HDD 108 to the RAM 106, and after establishing communication with the transmission destination designated via the operation unit 130, the image data is transmitted from the NIC 110 to the designated transmission destination.

(Facsimile mode)
The image forming apparatus 100 can perform FAX transmission / reception with an external facsimile apparatus via a FAX modem and a telephone line network. When the image forming apparatus 100 is used as a facsimile apparatus, data received by FAX from the facsimile apparatus is formed on the RAM 106 as image data, and stored in the HDD 108 and printed by the image forming unit 122 as described above. Can do. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 can read out image data from the HDD 108, convert it into a data format for FAX communication, and transmit it to an external facsimile apparatus via a FAX modem and a telephone line network.

  Hereinafter, a function for inserting a partition sheet in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described in detail. In response to a print instruction from the terminal device 180, the image forming apparatus 100 can print information such as characters on a partition sheet inserted between printed materials. As shown in FIG. 4, there are three methods for generating image data corresponding to information to be printed on the partition paper.

  In FIG. 4, software for generating image data to be printed on the partition paper is shown in the leftmost column, and data delivered between the software in each of the three methods is shown in the three columns on the right side. Yes.

  In the first method (A), the printer driver (software) 300 of the terminal device 180 that instructs printing generates partition sheet image data 306 and 308 represented by “partition sheet 1” and “partition sheet 2”. The generated partition sheet image data 306 and 308 are transmitted via the network 190 together with command data (hereinafter referred to as “command”) 310 including conditions relating to the partition sheet and original print job data (hereinafter referred to as “print job”) 312. To the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 uses the printer module 302 and the print service 304 in accordance with the received data to print on recording paper, print on partition paper, and printed partition paper between printed recording papers. Execute insert.

  In the second method (B), the printer driver 300 of the terminal device 180 generates a command 310 and a print job 312 that include conditions related to the partition paper. The generated command 310 and print job 312 are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 via the network 190. In the image forming apparatus 100, the printer module 302 generates partition sheet image data 306 and 308 using the received command 310. Thereafter, the printer module 302 processes the image data 306 and 308 of the partition paper and the print job 312 by RIP (Raster Image Processor), and delivers the result (raster image) and the command 310 to the print service 304. Based on this, the print service 304 executes printing on the recording paper, printing on the partition paper, and insertion of the printed partition paper between the printed recording papers.

  In the third method (C), similarly to the second method (B), the terminal device 180 generates a command 310 and a print job 312 including conditions related to the partition paper by the printer driver 300, and the image forming apparatus 100. Sent to. In the image forming apparatus 100, the printer module 302 performs RIP processing on the received print job 312 and delivers the result (raster image) and the command 310 to the print service 304. The print service 304 generates partition sheet image data 306 and 308 in accordance with the command 310. After that, the print service 304 uses the partition paper image data 306 and 308 and the print job 312 (both raster images) to print on the recording paper, print on the partition paper, and between the printed recording papers. Insert the printed partition paper.

  In FIG. 4, the same name is used for data having the same concept in each layer, but the data format is different. The job generated by the printer driver 300 of the terminal device 180 and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 is data (hereinafter referred to as PDL data) described in a page description language. A job delivered from the printer module 302 to the print service 304 is raster image data as a result of RIP processing.

  Further, the command 310 does not necessarily have to be the same data in three types of methods. For example, in the first method (A), the partition sheet image data 306 and 308 are transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100, and therefore the command 310 includes information for generating the partition sheet image data 306 and 308. (For example, information such as text, font, and position) may not be included. On the other hand, in the second method (B) and the third method (C), the image data 306 and 308 of the partition paper are not transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100. 1 includes information for generating image data 306 and 308 of the divider paper (for example, information such as text, font, and position).

  The three types of methods (A) to (C) for generating the image data of the partition paper shown in FIG. 4 will be described more specifically.

(A) First Method In the first method, as described above, the printer driver 300 of the terminal device 180 generates image data of partition paper. For example, in order for the user to execute a predetermined application program (hereinafter also simply referred to as an application) in the terminal device 180 (for example, a computer) and cause the image forming apparatus 100 to print the result, the display device of the terminal device 180 Suppose that printing is instructed via the screen displayed on the screen. Here, it is assumed that a printer driver 300 for generating data (job) for causing the image forming apparatus 100 to execute printing is installed in the terminal device 180.

  Referring to FIG. 5, in step 700, the CPU of terminal device 180 displays a screen 400 for setting printing conditions as shown in FIG. 6 on the display device of terminal device 180. In an area 406 of the screen 400, an object to which print instruction data is transmitted is displayed. Here, “printer 1” represents the image forming apparatus 100.

  In step 702, the CPU of the terminal device 180 determines whether there has been an effective operation on the screen 400. If it is determined that there has been an effective operation, control proceeds to step 702. Otherwise, step 702 is repeated. The operation is performed, for example, with a computer keyboard or mouse. The effective operation is, for example, an operation (for example, a mouse click or a keyboard) for selecting an area on the screen 400 to which some processing is assigned (an area to which a key or the like is assigned) or a point in the area. (Pressing the Tab key and Enter key). The operation of selecting a point on the screen 400 to which no processing is assigned with the mouse is not an effective operation.

  In step 704, the CPU of the terminal device 180 determines whether the operation is an instruction to change the setting of the printer 1. This operation is an operation for selecting the setting key 410 displayed on the screen 400. When the setting key 410 is selected, the control shifts to 716. Otherwise, control passes to 706.

  In step 706, the CPU of the terminal device 180 determines whether or not the operation in step 702 is selection of the OK key 402. If it is determined that the OK key 402 is selected, control proceeds to step 708. Otherwise control passes to step 712. The operation of the OK key 402 is a print instruction.

  In step 708, the CPU of the terminal device 180 generates a print job (PDL data) from the execution result data of the application using the set printing conditions. Specifically, the CPU of the terminal device 180 executes the printer driver 300 to generate a print job. At this time, if the print condition includes settings related to a partition sheet, which will be described later, the CPU of the terminal device 180 generates a job for printing the partition sheet image (hereinafter also referred to as a partition sheet job). To do.

  As will be described later, the partition paper job is PDL data including a designated character when a character (text) to be printed on the partition paper is designated. If the character to be printed on the partition paper is not designated, the PDL data includes a number representing the number of copies to be printed.

  In step 710, the CPU of the terminal device 180 transmits information about the generated print job and divider paper (including the divider paper job) to the printer 1 (that is, the image forming apparatus 100) via the network 190. Hereinafter, the information regarding the print job and the partition paper is also referred to as “print instruction data”.

  In step 712, the CPU of the terminal device 180 determines whether or not the operation in step 702 is selection of the cancel key 404. If it is determined that the cancel key 404 is selected, the program ends. Otherwise, control proceeds to step 714, and after the corresponding processing is executed, control returns to step 700. The operation of the cancel key 404 is an instruction to cancel the setting of the printing conditions.

  The process of step 714 is a process of receiving a selection by the user by displaying a list of printers registered in the terminal device 180 in response to the user selecting the pull-down key 408 (step 702), for example. . In step 714, in response to the selection of the pull-down key 412 for the area indicating the number of copies to be printed (step 702), a process for displaying the candidates for the number of copies and accepting the selection, or a display area 414 for the number of copies In response to the selection (step 702), a process of receiving a direct input of the number of copies from the keyboard is also included. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the number of copies has been set to 6 by the process of step 714.

  If it is determined in step 704 that the operation is an instruction to change the setting of the printer (selection of the setting key 410), in step 716, the CPU of the terminal device 180 displays the printer on the display device of the terminal device 180. Display the setting screen. When the setting key 410 is selected in the state of FIG. 6, the setting screen that is displayed first is a screen on which basic setting items are displayed (for example, the “main” tab in the screen 450 shown in FIG. 7). Is selected).

  In step 718, the CPU of the terminal device 180 determines whether there has been an effective operation on the setting screen of the printer 1. If it is determined that there has been an effective operation, control proceeds to step 720. Otherwise, step 718 is repeated.

  In step 720, the CPU of the terminal device 180 determines whether or not the operation in step 718 is selection of the OK key 452. If it is determined that the OK key 452 is selected, the control proceeds to step 722. Otherwise, control passes to step 724. The operation of the OK key 452 is an instruction to confirm the setting contents.

  In step 722, the CPU of the terminal device 180 stores the set conditions regarding the printer 1 in, for example, an internal RAM. Control then returns to step 700. As a result, the screen 400 of FIG. 6 is displayed again on the display device of the terminal device 180.

  In step 724, the CPU of the terminal device 180 determines whether or not the operation in step 718 is selection of the cancel key 454. If it is determined that the cancel key 454 is selected, the setting contents are discarded and the control returns to step 700. Otherwise, control proceeds to step 726, and after the corresponding processing is executed, control returns to step 716. The operation of the cancel key 454 is an instruction to cancel the settings related to the printer.

  The conditions regarding the partition paper are set by executing Steps 716 to 726 in FIG. Specifically, in response to the selection of the “partition” tab 456 on the setting screen of the printer 1 (step 718), a screen 450 for displaying the setting contents of the partition sheet shown in FIG. 7 is displayed.

  The screen 450 displays setting items related to the partition paper for each copy of the printed matter. In FIG. 7, since 6 copies are set as the number of copies in FIG. 6, the setting items for the 6 sheets of partition paper can be displayed. FIG. 7 shows a state in which setting items for partition sheets inserted before the first and second copies are displayed. When the user operates the scroll bar 460, setting items related to the third to sixth copy sheets that are not displayed are displayed.

  An area 458 displays setting items related to the partition paper inserted on the first printed material, and an area 462 displays a partition paper inserted between the first printed material and the second printed material. Setting items are displayed. Specifically, in the area 458 and the area 462, characters indicating whether or not a divider sheet is inserted and radio buttons are displayed. The selected radio button is displayed in black at the center. In the initial state in which the screen 450 is first displayed, all radio buttons corresponding to “cannot be entered” are selected. In FIG. 7, the partition paper is inserted on the first printed material, but the partition paper is set not to be inserted between the first printed material and the second printed material.

  A rectangular area under “text” (hereinafter referred to as “text area”) is an area for inputting characters to be printed on a partition sheet. In FIG. 7, “User A” is input for the first sheet of partition paper. The user can select a text area and enter characters from the keyboard. The default for text is the number of copies. That is, even if nothing is input in the text area, a number representing the value obtained by adding “1” to the number of copies of the printed matter output until the divider is inserted is set as the text. . For example, when a divider is inserted into the first copy, “1” is printed on the divider, and when a divider is inserted between the third and fourth copies, “4” is printed on the partition paper.

  “Font” and “position” on the right side of the text area represent the font used when printing the input text on the partition paper and the position on the partition paper for printing the input text. In FIG. 7, “Gothic” and “upper and lower center” (meaning the center of the upper and lower end regions of the partition paper) are set. These setting contents are selected by a user operating a pull-down key. Here, the font selection candidate displayed in a pull-down manner is the name of the font provided in the terminal device 180.

  In the area 464, a frame pattern surrounding the text and setting items for a background image displayed in a predetermined area including the text are displayed. These setting contents are selected by the operation of the pull-down key by the user. In FIG. 7, “pattern 3” is set as the frame pattern, and “background image 2” is set as the background.

  “Size”, “type”, and “paper feed tray” represent the size, type, and paper feed tray in which the paper is stored, respectively. In FIG. 7, “A4”, “plain paper”, and “tray 1” are set, respectively. The setting contents of “size”, “type”, and “paper feed tray” are selected by the user operating the pull-down key. To display paper feed tray candidates by operating the pull-down key, information on paper feed trays (paper feed trays 81 to 84 and manual paper feed tray 85) provided in the printer 1 (image forming apparatus 100) is displayed as an image. Obtained from the forming apparatus 100. The size is, for example, A4, A3, B5, or B4. The type is, for example, plain paper, recycled paper, printed paper, colored paper, tab paper, punch paper, thin paper, or thick paper.

  As described above, the user can make settings related to the partition sheet, and the setting contents are stored in the RAM inside the terminal device 180 in step 722 as described above. Thereafter, when the user selects the OK key 404 on the screen 400 (FIG. 6) (YES in step 706), in step 708, a print job is generated from the execution result of the application, and the setting contents of the partition paper, specific Specifically, a partition paper job is generated using settings related to text (font, print position, frame pattern, and background image). Note that when it is specified that a divider sheet is to be inserted but no text (characters to be printed) is input, a divider sheet job including characters representing the number of copies is generated as described above.

  Thereafter, in step 710, the setting content (command) related to the partition paper is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 together with the print job and the partition paper job. Here, the command does not include information necessary only for the generation of the partition paper job. For example, the command includes information on the size and type of the partition paper and the paper feed tray, but does not include information on text data, font, position, frame pattern, and background image.

  FIG. 8 shows a control structure of a program that executes printing using print instruction data (print job, divider job, and command) received from the terminal device 180 in the image forming apparatus 100. The processing from step 750 to step 772 is realized by the CPU 102 executing a plurality of software programs. That is, in step 750 and step 752, the CPU 102 executes a receiving module that receives data via the network 190. In steps 754 to 762, the CPU 102 executes the printer module 302. In step 764 to step 772, the CPU 102 executes the print service 304.

  In step 750, the CPU 102 determines whether or not print instruction data has been received. If it is determined that it has been received, control proceeds to step 752. Otherwise, step 750 is repeated.

  In step 752, the CPU 102 stores the received print instruction data in the HDD 108.

  In step 754, the CPU 102 reads the conditions related to the partition paper from the print instruction data stored in the HDD 108 in step 752. Specifically, the CPU 102 reads out the partition paper size and the paper feed tray information from the command, specifies information for specifying the paper feed tray of the recording paper on which the application result image is formed, and the image formation from the print job. The information of the paper discharge tray for discharging the recorded paper is read.

  In step 756, the CPU 102 determines from the information read in step 754 whether or not the partition paper can be discharged to the same tray as the tray from which the printed material is discharged. If it is determined that the same tray can be discharged, the control proceeds to step 760. Otherwise control passes to step 758. Since the size of the recording paper accommodated in the paper feed trays 81 to 84 provided in the image forming apparatus 100 is stored as, for example, the HDD 108 as an initial setting, the CPU 102 executes the application execution result on the terminal device 180. The size of the recording paper stored in the paper supply tray can be specified from the information on the paper supply tray of the recording paper that forms the image. Therefore, the CPU 102 can determine whether the partition paper can be discharged from the specified recording paper size, partition paper size, and paper discharge tray to the same tray as the tray from which the printed matter is discharged.

  In step 758, the CPU 102 changes the designated partition paper to a recording paper that can be discharged to the same tray as the tray from which the printed matter is discharged. When the image forming apparatus includes a plurality of paper discharge trays, the size of the recording paper that can be discharged by the paper discharge tray may be limited due to physical limitations such as the size and mechanism of the image forming apparatus. For example, when copying an original on A4 size recording paper, if the A3 size is set as the partition paper and the A3 size paper cannot be discharged to the tray for discharging the printed matter, the CPU 102 performs recording for forming an image in the copy process. A paper feed tray that stores recording paper of the same size as the paper (B4 size) is set as a paper feed tray for the partition paper.

  In step 760, the CPU 102 executes RIP processing on the print job and the partition paper job, and generates a raster image for each page.

  In step 762, the CPU 102 transmits (delivers) the raster image (including partition sheet image data), partition sheet conditions, and print conditions generated in step 760 to the print service 304. The printer module 302 and the print service 304 are executed by the CPU 102, and the processing in step 762 is processing for storing the raster image generated by the CPU 102 in step 760 in a predetermined area of the HDD 108, for example.

  In step 764, the CPU 102 reads out the raster image (including the partition paper image data), the partition paper conditions, and the printing conditions from the HDD 108, and removes them from the designated paper feed tray according to the printing conditions as described above. Image formation on the conveyed recording paper is started.

  In step 766, the CPU 102 counts the number of copies of the recording paper discharged to the paper discharge tray 91 or 96 while controlling the image forming unit 122, and whether the predetermined number of copies to be discharged before the partition paper is discharged has been reached. Determine whether or not. If it is determined that the predetermined number of copies has been reached, control proceeds to step 770. Otherwise, control passes to step 768.

  The number of discharged recording sheets can be detected by a sensor disposed in the vicinity of the transport roller 12b or 12e. Therefore, since the number of scanned documents and the printing conditions (the number of documents to be imaged on one side of one document and the number of printed surfaces of one document) are known to the CPU 102, the CPU 102 Considering these conditions, the number of ejected copies can be calculated from the number of ejected recording sheets.

  In step 768, the CPU 102 forms an image on the recording paper.

  In step 770, the CPU 102 forms an image on the partition paper. Specifically, the partition paper is taken out from the designated paper feed tray and conveyed, and an image is formed on the partition paper based on the partition paper image data. The CPU 102 can determine image data to be used for printing on the partition paper from the number of copies of the printed matter that has already been discharged.

  In step 772, the CPU 102 determines whether or not printing of the designated number of copies has been completed. If it is determined that the program has been completed, the program ends. Otherwise, control returns to step 766.

  As described above, the designated number of printed materials into which the partition sheets have been inserted in accordance with the partition sheet conditions set in Steps 716 to 726 in FIG. For example, the insertion position of the partition paper is before the first printed matter (see FIG. 7), between the second printed matter and the third printed matter, and between the fourth printed matter and the fifth printed matter. When the character (text) to be printed on the partition paper is not set, a print result as shown in FIG. 9 is obtained. In FIG. 9, diagonal lines are drawn on the partition sheets 204 to 208 to distinguish them from printed matter.

  The insertion position of the partition paper is set in the same manner as described above, and “user A” (see FIG. 7), “user B”, and “user C” are set as characters to be printed on each partition paper, and the background image is If set, a print result as shown in FIG. 10 is obtained. In FIG. 10, hatched patterns are drawn on the partition sheets 210 to 214 to distinguish them from printed matter. The drawing patterns around the characters “user A”, “user B”, and “user C” indicate that the set background image is drawn.

  Therefore, when the user instructs the image forming apparatus 100 to print a plurality of copies, the user can easily sort the print results. In other words, the partition paper is inserted at the position designated by the copy unit, and information such as the number of copies, the designated character, and the image is printed on each partition paper, so the user does not need to count the number of copies, It is only necessary to separate the printed matter before and after the divider.

  As described above, in the first method, the printer driver 300 of the terminal device 180 generates the image data (partition paper job) of the partition paper, so that the user can arbitrarily designate an image to be printed on the partition paper. Can do. Therefore, the design freedom of the partition paper is high.

(B) Second Method In the second method, as described above, the printer module 302 of the image forming apparatus 100 generates image data of partition sheets. As in the first method, it is assumed that the user instructs the terminal device 180 to execute an application and print the result. Further, it is assumed that a printer driver 300 for generating data (job) for causing the image forming apparatus 100 to execute printing is installed in the terminal device 180. Further, it is assumed that a plurality of types of font data are stored in the HDD 108 of the image forming apparatus 100.

  In the terminal device 180, the process for setting the conditions related to the partition paper is similar to the first method, and most of the processing is the same as described with reference to FIG. Therefore, the same description will not be repeated and only differences from the first method will be described.

  The setting screen displayed on the display device of the terminal device 180 in step 716 is a screen 480 shown in FIG. Unlike the screen 450, the screen 480 does not display the frame pattern surrounding the text and the setting item of the background image displayed in the predetermined region including the text. This is because the image forming apparatus 100 does not include frame pattern and background image data (not stored in the HDD 108). Here, the font selection candidates displayed in the pull-down display are names of fonts provided in the printer 1 (image forming apparatus 100). The names of fonts included in the image forming apparatus 100 are acquired from the image forming apparatus 100 via the network 190 by the printer driver 300.

  Thus, since the setting screen of the partition paper displayed on the display device of the terminal device 180 is different, the printer driver 300 executed by the terminal device 180 is also different as follows. That is, in step 708 of FIG. 5, a print job is generated from the execution result of the application, but partition sheet image data (partition sheet job) is not generated. In step 710, the print instruction data transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 includes a print job and setting contents (commands) related to the partition sheet, but does not include partition sheet image data (partition sheet job). . The command transmitted here also includes information necessary only for the generation of the partition paper image data. Therefore, the command includes, for example, text data, font type, text printing position, partition paper size, partition paper type, and information specifying each of the paper feed trays. When no text is input on the screen 480, the text data transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 is numeric data corresponding to the number of copies determined from the information on the position where the divider is inserted, as described above. is there.

  FIG. 12 shows a control structure of a program that executes printing using print instruction data (print job and command) received from the terminal device 180 in the image forming apparatus 100. The processing in steps 750 to 772 and step 800 is realized by the CPU 102 executing a plurality of software programs. That is, in step 750 and step 752, the CPU 102 executes a receiving module that receives data via the network 190. In steps 754 to 762 and 800, the CPU 102 executes the printer module 302. In steps 764 to 772, the CPU 102 executes the print service 304. Most of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is the same as the flowchart shown in FIG. Therefore, the same description will not be repeated and only differences from the first method will be described.

  In step 800, the CPU 102 generates a partition paper job. Specifically, the CPU 102 separates information necessary for generating image data (partition paper job) of the partition paper from the command stored in the HDD 108, for example, text data to be printed on the partition paper, The position for inserting the paper, the type of font, and the information for specifying the position for printing the text on the divider paper are read out, and a divider paper job is generated according to them.

  As described above, in the same manner as in the first method, the second method discharges a designated number of printed materials into which the specified number of copies have been inserted in accordance with the set partition paper conditions. 9 and 10). Therefore, when the user instructs the image forming apparatus 100 to print a plurality of copies, the user can easily sort the print results. In other words, the partition paper is inserted at the position designated by the copy unit, and information such as the number of copies, the designated character, and the image is printed on each partition paper, so the user does not need to count the number of copies, It is only necessary to separate the printed matter before and after the divider.

  Unlike the first method, the second method cannot print an arbitrary image on the partition paper, but the data size transmitted from the terminal device 180 to the image forming apparatus 100 can be reduced. Further, since the partition device image data (partition paper job) is not generated by the terminal device 180, the processing time by the printer driver 300 of the terminal device 180 can be shortened.

(C) Third Method In the third method, as described above, the print service 304 of the image forming apparatus 100 generates image data of the partition paper. Similarly to the first and second methods, it is assumed that the user instructs the terminal device 180 to execute an application and print the result. Further, it is assumed that a printer driver 300 for generating data (job) for causing the image forming apparatus 100 to execute printing is installed in the terminal device 180. Further, it is assumed that a plurality of types of font data are stored in the HDD 108 of the image forming apparatus 100.

  In the terminal device 180, the process for setting the conditions relating to the partition paper is the same as in the second method. The setting screen displayed on the display device of the terminal device 180 in step 716 is the same screen as that of the second method, that is, the screen 480 shown in FIG. Data transmitted from the terminal device 180 to the image forming apparatus 100 is the same as that in the second method. Therefore, the same description will not be repeated.

  FIG. 13 shows a control structure of a program that executes printing using print instruction data (print job and command) received from the terminal device 180 in the image forming apparatus 100. Most of the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 is the same as the flowchart shown in FIG. Therefore, the same description will not be repeated and only differences from the second method will be described.

  The flowchart of FIG. 13 corresponds to the flowchart of FIG. 12 in which Step 756, Step 758, and Step 800 are moved between Step 762 and Step 764, and Step 800 is replaced with Step 810. The processing in step 756, step 758, and step 810 in FIG. 13 is realized by the CPU 102 executing the print service 304.

  In step 810, the CPU 102 generates image data of the partition paper. Specifically, the CPU 102 uses information stored in the HDD 108 to generate information necessary for generating the image data of the divider paper, for example, text data to be printed on the divider paper, and a position at which the divider paper is inserted in units of copies. The font type and the information specifying the position where the text is printed on the partition paper are read out, and the image data of the raster image partition paper is generated according to them.

  As described above, in the same way as in the first and second methods, the third method discharges the designated number of copies of printed matter into the discharge tray 91 or 96 in which the divider paper is inserted according to the set condition of the divider paper. (See FIGS. 9 and 10). Therefore, when the user instructs the image forming apparatus 100 to print a plurality of copies, the user can easily sort the print results. In other words, the partition paper is inserted at the position designated by the copy unit, and information such as the number of copies, the designated character, and the image is printed on each partition paper, so the user does not need to count the number of copies, It is only necessary to separate the printed matter before and after the divider.

  In the third method, unlike the first method, an arbitrary image cannot be printed on the partition paper, but the data size transmitted from the terminal device 180 to the image forming apparatus 100 can be reduced. Further, since the partition device image data (partition paper job) is not generated by the terminal device 180, the processing time by the printer driver 300 of the terminal device 180 can be shortened.

  As shown in the second and third methods, the image data to be printed on the partition paper can be generated by either the printer module 302 or the print service 304. However, since the print service 304 is usually more restrictive than the printer module 302, the configuration in which the printer module 302 generates partition sheet image data is more than the configuration in which the print service 304 generates partition sheet image data. In addition, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in setting the partition paper, that is, to provide the user with a partition paper setting screen with a high degree of freedom.

  Further, in the third method, the image data of the partition paper is generated only by the printing service 304, so that the usage amount of the HDD 108 can be suppressed as compared with the first and second methods.

  In the third method, the image data of the partition paper is generated when printing is performed by the print service 304, and therefore the current time (may include year, month, day) is obtained from a timer provided in the image forming apparatus 100. By acquiring and generating partition paper image data including the time information, it is possible to output a printed matter including the partition paper on which the discharge time is printed.

  In the above description, a case where the printer driver 300 installed in the terminal device 180 generates a divider job (first method) or a case where a printer job is not generated (second and third methods) will be described. However, it is not limited to this. The printer driver 300 may generate a partition paper job in accordance with designation by the user. For example, a screen 490 including a background setting key 492 for performing additional settings as shown in FIG. 14 may be displayed on the display device of the terminal device 180. When the background setting key 492 is selected, the CPU of the terminal device 180 displays a screen including the frame pattern and background image setting items shown in FIG. When the setting items of the frame pattern or the background image are set, the CPU of the terminal device 180 generates a divider paper job in step 708 of FIG. 5 and in step 710 prints print instruction data including the divider paper job. Send. If neither the frame pattern nor the background image setting items are set, the CPU of the terminal device 180 does not generate a divider paper job in step 708 of FIG. 5 and does not include a divider paper job in step 710. Print instruction data including information necessary for generating paper image data is transmitted.

  In this case, the image forming apparatus 100 executes different processes depending on whether or not the received print instruction data includes a partition paper job. That is, if a partition paper job is included, the CPU 102 executes each step of the flowchart shown in FIG. If no partition paper job is included, the CPU 102 executes each step of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 or FIG.

  Accordingly, it is possible to realize a partition paper insertion function that achieves both the design freedom of the partition paper design and the efficiency of the partition paper insertion process. That is, a user who gives priority to the design of the partition paper can obtain a print result in which the partition paper on which the background image is printed is inserted into the partition paper, although the processing time is increased by the generation of the partition paper job by the printer driver. it can. On the other hand, a user who gives priority to the processing time can obtain a printing result in which a partition sheet is inserted in a short time without causing the printer driver to generate a partition sheet job.

  Although the case where the CPU 102 executes the printer module 302 and the print service 304 in the image forming apparatus 100 has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image forming apparatus 100 may further include a processor that executes the print service 304 in order to enable high-speed printing.

  In the second method described above, the case where the partition paper job is generated in step 800 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. In step 800, as in step 810 of FIG. 13, a raster image divider image data may be generated directly without generating a divider job. In that case, in step 760 of FIG. 12, the CPU 102 executes RIP processing only for the print job, and generates a raster image for each page.

  In the above description, the case where the number of output copies is printed on the partition paper when no text is input has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. When text has been input, the input text (characters) and the number of copies may be printed on the partition paper.

  Although the case where the printer driver 300 determines the number of output copies to be printed on the recording paper and transmits print instruction data including the corresponding character data to the image forming apparatus 100 has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. The print instruction data may not include character data of the number of output copies to be printed on the recording paper. Since the print instruction data includes information on the insertion position of the partition paper, the image forming apparatus 100 (CPU 102) can determine the number of output copies to be printed on the partition paper from the information on the insertion position.

  The partition paper setting screen is not limited to FIGS. 7, 11, and 14. For example, you may comprise so that the conditions regarding a partition paper may be set on a some setting screen.

  In the setting screens shown in FIGS. 7, 11, and 14, the user can set whether or not to insert a partition sheet for each copy. Even in such a setting screen, as long as the number of print copies is up to a certain level, it is possible to easily set the condition of the partition paper by operating the scroll bar 460. However, when the number of prints increases, the setting operation using such a setting screen becomes complicated. When the number of print copies is large, for example, as shown in FIG.

  In the setting screen 500 shown in FIG. 15, the user can set the condition of the partition paper for a set of a predetermined number of copies as a set in the area 502. Specifically, in the area 502, the “partition paper” column (the leftmost column) displays numbers for distinguishing the setting conditions of the partition paper. That is, the partition paper conditions are set for each row. Each cell in the “text” column (second column from the left) is a cell for inputting text to be printed on the partition paper. The user can select a cell and enter characters from the keyboard. In FIG. 15, the characters of user A to user C are set to be printed on each partition sheet so that distribution to three users A to C can be easily understood.

  The cell in the “number of copies” column (third column from the left) is a cell for inputting the number of copies to be printed. The user can select a cell and enter a numerical value from the keyboard. Further, the user can select a cell and operate the “+” key or the “−” key in the area 504 using a mouse or the like to increase or decrease the numerical value displayed in the cell.

  The cells in the “partition paper insertion position” column (the rightmost column) use the specified number of copies as one set of printed matter, and insert the partition paper before and after it. It is a cell for setting whether or not. When the check box on the left side of the character “Before the number of copies” in each cell is selected using a mouse or the like, a divider is inserted in front of a set of printed materials. When the check box on the left side immediately after the character “after the number of copies” is selected using a mouse or the like, a divider sheet is inserted behind a set of printed materials. Two check boxes of each cell can be selected together.

  In FIG. 15, the selected check box is displayed in black, and the non-selected check box is displayed in white. Therefore, in the setting shown in FIG. 15, first, a partition sheet on which the text “user A” is printed is output, and subsequently, 30 copies of printed matter are output. Subsequently, a partition sheet on which the text “user B” is printed is output, and then 20 copies are output. Subsequently, a partition sheet on which the text “user C” is printed is output, and then 40 copies of printed matter are output.

  When the detail setting key 506 is selected in a state where any row is selected, a detail setting screen relating to that row is displayed. In the detailed setting screen, as described with reference to FIG. 7, for example, the type of text font to be printed on the partition paper, the position to print the text, the frame pattern surrounding the text, and the background image displayed in a predetermined area including the text The partition paper size, the partition paper type, the partition paper feed tray, and the like can be set.

  In the setting screen 500 of FIG. 15, an area 502 is displayed so that conditions for up to the fourth partition sheet can be set. When the user operates the scroll bar 508, the row in the area 502 is scrolled, and the conditions for the fifth and subsequent divider sheets can be set.

  Note that a check box 510 is displayed on the setting screen 500 shown in FIG. That is, the setting screen 500 is displayed when the check box 510 is selected. If the check box 510 is not selected, a screen 520 for setting whether to insert a partition sheet for each copy, as shown in FIG. 7, is displayed as shown in FIG. In FIG. 16, the check box 510 is white and is in a non-selected state.

  For example, when the setting key 410 is selected on the screen 400 shown in FIG. 6, a screen similar to that in FIG. 15 but not including the check box 510 may be displayed. By displaying the setting screen 500 of FIG. 15 including 510, the user can select a more appropriate setting screen for the partition paper according to the number of print copies. If the number of print copies is small, the user can switch to the setting screen 520 shown in FIG. 16 by deselecting the check box 510.

  Conditions other than those described above may be set as conditions relating to characters to be printed on the partition paper. For example, the character size and color may be settable.

  The condition relating to the partition paper may include at least information for specifying the insertion position of the partition paper, the paper feed tray containing the partition paper, and the size of the partition paper. Information on the type of partition paper and the characters (text) to be printed on the partition paper is arbitrary.

  The information for designating the insertion position of the partition paper is arbitrary. The number of copies (including “0”) of the printed material that is discharged before the partition paper is discharged for the first time, and two partitions that are continuously discharged. Any information that can calculate the number of copies of the printed material discharged between papers may be used. You may specify these copies directly.

  If the image forming apparatus can perform post-processing such as punching and stapling on the recording paper on which the image is formed, the post-processing is not performed on the partition paper even if the post-processing is designated. It is preferable to make it.

  The present invention has been described above by describing the embodiment. However, the above-described embodiment is an exemplification, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and is implemented with various modifications. be able to.

100 Image forming apparatus 102 CPU
104 ROM
106 RAM
108 HDD
110 NIC
112 Bus 120 Document Reading Unit 122 Image Forming Unit 124 Image Processing Unit 126 Partition Paper Data Generation Unit 128 Recording Paper Transport Unit 130 Operation Unit 180 Terminal Device 190 Network

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus for inserting a partition sheet for indicating a separator between a plurality of recording sheets discharged after an image is formed on the surface,
Insertion position data for specifying the insertion position of the partition paper, information specification data for specifying information to be formed as an image for each partition paper, and an image forming job for instructing image formation on the recording paper are received from an external device. Receiving means for
Image data generating means for generating image data from the image forming job;
Image forming means for forming an image on the recording paper according to the image data generated by the image data generating means;
Discharging means for discharging the recording paper on which an image is formed, and the partition paper;
Control means for controlling the discharge means,
The insertion position data specifies the insertion position in units of a set of recording paper on which all images are formed according to the image forming job,
The control means causes the discharge means to discharge the recording paper on which an image has been formed, after discharging the number of copies determined from the insertion position data, and then to discharge the partition paper,
The image forming apparatus forms the information as an image on the partition sheet before the partition sheet is discharged. The information specifying data is a divider paper job for forming information as an image for each divider paper generated by a printer driver of the external device,
It further comprises partition paper image data generation means for generating image data from the partition paper job,
The image forming unit forms the information as an image on the partition sheet according to the image data generated by the partition sheet image data generation unit before the partition sheet is discharged. The image forming apparatus described in 1. It further comprises partition paper image data generation means for generating image data from the information specifying data,
The image forming unit forms the information as an image on the partition sheet according to the image data generated by the partition sheet image data generation unit before the partition sheet is discharged. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   The image forming unit generates image data from the information specifying data before the partition paper is discharged, and forms the information as an image on the partition paper according to the image data. The image forming apparatus according to 1. The image forming unit includes:
On the partition paper that is discharged first, an image that represents a value that is one greater than the number of the sets that are discharged before the partition paper is discharged,
An image representing a value that is one greater than the number of the sets ejected immediately after the partition paper ejected immediately before the partition paper and immediately before the partition paper is formed on the partition paper ejected after the second. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.

Images