JP2021123076A - Image formation system and control program of image formation system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image formation system which can improve the efficiency of sorting of jobs by a user and reduce recording materials highly accurately.SOLUTION: An image formation system comprises: a storage unit which stores a preceding job for performing the first image formation and a succeeding job for performing the second image formation on an output object subjected to the image formation by the preceding job in association with each other; a display unit; and a controller which causes the display unit to display the preceding job information and the succeeding job information including recording materials of the succeeding job as information of the associated preceding job and succeeding job stored in the storage unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming system and a control program for the image forming system.

Conventionally, there is known a technique of foil stamping printing in which a paper on which a toner image is formed is superposed on a foil, heated and pressed, and the foil is transferred to the toner image. Since the foil used for foil stamping printing is very expensive, a technique for suppressing wasteful consumption of the foil is required. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of using a foil roll having a width suitable for each grouped job to reduce the number of times the foil roll is replaced and to suppress the amount of foil discarded.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-151810

In the conventional technique, jobs are grouped based on the area to be stamped and printed, so that a plurality of jobs can be stamped without replacing the foil rolls, and the loss of foil due to the replacement is reduced. However, in the prior art, recording materials other than foil, for example, recording materials that are consumables such as toner and varnish used as glue for attaching foil and materials for foil decoration are not considered.

In order to reduce the number of recording materials, the number of times the recording material is replaced is reduced as in the case of the foil roll in the conventional technique. However, in the conventional technique, when there are a plurality of preceding jobs, what kind of recording material is used in the succeeding job is not associated with each of the plurality of preceding jobs.

Therefore, in the conventional technique, for each of a plurality of preceding jobs, what kind of recording material is used in the succeeding job is investigated, and the preceding job is executed so that the number of times of exchanging the recording material is reduced. Sorting work was required to change the order in which they were made. Such sorting work is a very complicated work that requires a lot of time, and improvement is desired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system capable of efficiently sorting jobs by a user and reducing recording materials with high accuracy, and a control program of the image forming system.

The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

(1) A storage unit that stores a preceding job that forms a first image, an output that is image-formed by the preceding job, and a succeeding job that further forms a second image.
Display and
A controller that displays the information of the preceding job and the information of the recording material used for the succeeding job as the information of the associated preceding job and the succeeding job stored in the storage unit on the display unit. When,
An image forming system.

(2) The preceding job that performs the first image formation, the output that is image-formed by the preceding job, and the succeeding job that further forms the second image are associated with each other, and the associated preceding job is associated. A storage unit that stores a plurality of jobs and subsequent jobs, and
Display and
From the plurality of linked preceding jobs and the succeeding jobs stored in the storage unit, strings are used so that the type of recording material used for forming the second image by the succeeding job is the same. A controller that groups the attached preceding job and the succeeding job and displays them on the display unit.
An image forming system.

(3) The preceding job that performs the first image formation, the output that is image-formed by the preceding job, and the succeeding job that further forms the second image are associated with each other, and the associated preceding job is associated. A storage unit that stores a plurality of jobs and subsequent jobs, and
An image forming unit that forms an image and
From the plurality of linked preceding jobs and the succeeding jobs stored in the storage unit, the recording materials used for the second image formation by the succeeding job are linked so as to be the same type. A controller that groups the preceding jobs and the succeeding jobs and causes the image forming unit to continuously form an image of the preceding jobs in the same group.
An image forming system.

(4) The first image formation is printing using toner.
The second image formation is at least one of printing with toner, printing with ink, stamping with foil, and varnishing.
The recording material used for the second image formation of the subsequent job is toner, ink, foil, and varnish, and the information of the recording material includes at least the color of the recording material and the manufacturer. The image forming system according to any one of (3).

(5) A control program for an image forming system having a storage unit and a display unit.
A step of associating a preceding job that performs the first image formation and a succeeding job that further forms a second image with the output product image formed by the preceding job and storing the image in the storage unit.
As the information of the preceding job and the succeeding job that are associated with each other, a step of displaying the information of the recording material used for the succeeding job together with the information of the preceding job on the display unit.
A control program that allows a computer to execute.

(6) A control program for an image forming system having a storage unit and a display unit.
The preceding job that performs the first image formation, the output product that is image-formed by the preceding job, and the succeeding job that further forms the second image are associated with each other, and the preceding job and the said A stage in which a plurality of subsequent jobs are stored in the storage unit, and
A string is stored in the storage unit so that the type of recording material used for forming the second image by the succeeding job is the same from among the plurality of linked preceding jobs and the succeeding jobs. A step of grouping the attached preceding job and the succeeding job and displaying them on the display unit, and
A control program that allows a computer to execute.

(7) A control program for an image forming system having a storage unit and an image forming unit.
The preceding job that performs the first image formation, the output product that is image-formed by the preceding job, and the succeeding job that further forms the second image are associated with each other, and the preceding job and the said A stage in which a plurality of subsequent jobs are stored in the storage unit, and
From the plurality of linked preceding jobs and the succeeding jobs stored in the storage unit, the recording materials used for the second image formation by the succeeding job are linked so as to be the same type. A step of grouping the preceding job and the succeeding job, and causing the image forming unit to continuously form an image of the preceding job in the same group.
A control program that allows a computer to execute.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the preceding job and the succeeding job that forms an image on the output are linked, and the information of the linked preceding job and the recording material of the succeeding job is displayed. .. As a result, in one embodiment, the recording material used for the succeeding job can be immediately understood from the displayed contents together with the preceding job. Therefore, in one embodiment, the user does not need to confirm the information of the preceding job and the succeeding job, and sorting for reducing the recording material can be easily performed.

Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the preceding job and the succeeding job that forms an image on the output product are associated with each other, and a plurality of the associated preceding job and the succeeding job are stored. Then, in another embodiment, the preceding job and the succeeding job are grouped and displayed so that the types of recording materials are the same from among the plurality of stored jobs. As a result, in other embodiments, jobs having the same type of recording material used for subsequent jobs are grouped and displayed. Therefore, in other embodiments, it is not necessary for the user to confirm the information of the preceding job and the succeeding job, and it is not necessary to sort the recording materials.

Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the preceding job and the succeeding job that forms an image on the output product are associated with each other, and a plurality of the associated preceding job and the succeeding job are stored. Then, in another embodiment, the preceding job and the succeeding job are grouped from the plurality of stored jobs so that the types of recording materials are the same, and the jobs in the group are continuously image-formed. I decided. As a result, in other embodiments, jobs of the same type of recording material used for subsequent jobs are grouped together to form a continuous image. Therefore, in other embodiments, it is not necessary for the user to confirm the information of the preceding job and the succeeding job, and it is not necessary to sort the recording materials.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the whole structure example of the image formation system provided with the foil stamping apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware configuration example of each apparatus provided in the image formation system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the example of the detailed contents of the pre-registration processing unit provided in the client device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and the auxiliary storage part provided in a controller. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed internal structure example of the job processing part provided with the controller which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure example of the grouping processing part which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the foil roll which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 1st example of the rearrangement of jobs which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd example of the rearrangement of jobs which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the pre-registration process of various information performed using the client terminal which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the processing at the time of printing performed by the image formation system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed content of the grouping process of the job performed in step S13 of FIG. This is a list showing information on recording materials. It is a figure which shows the example of a job list. It is a screen view which shows the operation screen for grouping. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of grouping by manual. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of the job list after grouping.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an overall configuration example of an image forming system (image forming system) provided with a foil pressing device.

<Overall configuration of image formation system>
The image forming system 50 shown in FIG. 1 includes a controller 2, a printing device 3, and a foil stamping device 4. The controller 2, the printing device 3, and the foil pressing device 4 are connected to each other via a network N (see FIG. 2), and each device is used as an example of an information processing device. A post-processing device 4A capable of sorting the printed matter 8 printed by foil stamping by job or page is connected to the foil stamping device 4. The post-processing device 4A can also change the orientation of the printed matter 8 for each job or page. Further, a foil roll 9 having an arbitrary foil roll width is set in the foil pressing device 4.

The job 5 submitted from the client terminal 1 is submitted to the controller 2. Job 5 includes, for example, print data for the printing apparatus 3 to form an image on paper. The job also includes print setting information such as how to allocate an image to paper and how many copies of paper to form the image. The controller 2 creates foilless print data 6 that does not include the foil object and foil stamping print data 7 that includes the foil object and recording material (described later) exchange information from the print data extracted from the job 5. The foil object is data that defines the position and shape of the foil that is foil-pressed on the printed matter 8 by the foil-pressing device 4, and is used for foil-pressing the printed matter 8 (paper) on which an image is formed.

The foilless print data 6 is, for example, CMYK data (an example of color data) and is input to the printing device 3. The printing device 3 generates a printed matter 8 in which an image is formed based on the foilless print data 6. The printed matter 8 is an output matter that serves as a base when the foil is pressed by a subsequent job thereafter. Therefore, the foilless print data 6 is the data of the preceding job.

After that, the user sets the printed matter 8 in the foil pressing device 4. The foil pressing device 4 executes a second image formation by the subsequent job on the printed matter 8 in which the first image formation is performed by the preceding job, and the foil image is formed by the foil pressing.

When the user operates the foil pressing device 4, the recording material is exchanged based on the recording material exchange information notified from the controller 2. The recording material is a consumable item, for example, toner or varnish that becomes glue during foil pressing, foil material used for foil pressing, or the like. As the replacement of the recording material, for example, in the case of foil, replacement with a foil roll 9 having a foil roll width corresponding to the position and size of the foil object is executed. Further, as the replacement of the recording material, for example, when the foil materials are different, the replacement with the foil roll 9 made of the foil material to be used is executed.

Then, the foil stamping device 4 stamps the printed matter 8 based on the foil stamping print data 7. The foil-pressed printed matter 8 is appropriately sorted by the post-processing device 4A and output as the foil-pressed printed matter 10.

<Hardware configuration of each device>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of each device included in the image forming system 50.

(Client terminal)
The client terminal 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 connected to each other via a bus, a memory 12 of a volatile recording medium, and an auxiliary storage unit 13 of a non-volatile recording medium. Further, the client terminal 1 includes a user interface terminal 14, a pre-registration processing unit 15, an image data generation unit 16, a job output unit 17, and a communication I / F 18 (an example of a communication unit). For the client terminal 1, for example, a personal computer device is used.

The CPU 11 is a central processing unit that controls the operation of each part of the client terminal 1 and performs arithmetic processing, and reads and executes a program code of software that realizes each function according to the present embodiment from the auxiliary storage unit 13. The client terminal 1 may be provided with a processing device such as an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit) instead of the CPU 11.

The memory 12 is a main storage unit, and variables, parameters, and the like generated during arithmetic processing are temporarily written in the memory 12. A RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like is applied to the memory 12.

The auxiliary storage unit 13 is a storage unit that plays an auxiliary role of the memory 12, and usually has a mechanism capable of storing data for a long time. HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), flexible disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card and the like are used for the auxiliary storage unit 13. .. In the auxiliary storage unit 13, in addition to the OS (Operating System) and various parameters, a program for operating the client terminal 1 is recorded. For example, the program (software) shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 may be stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13.

The user interface terminal 14 (an example of the first information presenting unit) is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like on which the user can operate and input, a liquid crystal display device or the like on which the user can check the screen. The user interface terminal 14 is used as an example of a presentation confirmation unit that allows the user to confirm the information presented to the user interface terminal 14. In the figure, the user interface terminal 14 is referred to as a “UI (User Interface) device”. The user interface terminal 14 is presented with job groups or recording material exchange information. A group is a collection of jobs and pages that can use the same recording material. The user can instruct the execution of the job and confirm the execution result of the presented job through the user interface terminal 14.

The pre-registration processing unit 15 is used to register various parameters in advance with respect to the auxiliary storage unit 23 included in the controller 2. The controller 2 executes a predetermined process based on the pre-registered parameters.

The image data generation unit 16 produces image data of an image (foilless image and foil stamped image) printed by the image forming system 50 by a document creation or image creation application based on an operation by the user through the user interface terminal 14. Generate.

The job output unit 17 generates a job including print setting information (also referred to as “job ticket”) and image data, and outputs the job to the controller 2. The print setting information includes information such as the presence / absence of foil stamping print setting and page allocation.

As the communication I / F (Interface) 18, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like is used, and various data can be transmitted and received between each device via a network N such as a LAN (Local Area Network). It is said that.

(controller)
The controller 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 connected to each other via a bus, a memory 22 of a volatile recording medium, and an auxiliary storage unit 23 of a non-volatile recording medium. Further, the controller 2 includes a job processing unit 24, a RIP processing unit 25, and a communication I / F 26 (an example of a communication unit). For the controller 2, for example, a personal computer device or a server is used.

The CPU 21 is a central processing unit that controls the operation of each part of the controller 2 and performs arithmetic processing, and reads and executes a program code of software that realizes each function according to the present embodiment from the auxiliary storage unit 23. The controller 2 may be provided with a processing device such as an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit) instead of the CPU 21.

The memory 22 is a main storage unit, and variables, parameters, and the like generated during arithmetic processing are temporarily written in the memory 22. RAM or the like is applied to the memory 22.

The auxiliary storage unit 23 is a storage unit that plays an auxiliary role of the memory 22, and usually has a mechanism capable of storing data for a long time. HDD, SSD, flexible disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card and the like are used for the auxiliary storage unit 23. In addition to the OS and various parameters, the auxiliary storage unit 23 records a program for operating the controller 2. For example, the program (software) shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 may be stored in the auxiliary storage unit 23.

The job processing unit 24 generates foilless print data 6 and foil stamping print data 7 from the print data included in the job submitted to the controller 2. The foilless print data 6 and the foil stamping print data 7 are supplied to the RIP processing unit 25.

The RIP processing unit 25 converts the foilless print data 6 reflecting the print settings based on the print setting information of the job into a language (PDL: Page Description Language) that can be identified by the printing device 3 and outputs the RIP (Raster image processor). ) Perform processing. In addition to PDL, the language that can be identified by the printing device 3 includes PCL, PostScript, and the like. When the page allocation setting is included, the RIP processing unit 25 allocates the foilless print data 6 based on the number of allocations and the arrangement described in the page allocation setting. Similarly, the RIP processing unit 25 reflects the print settings in the foil stamping print data 7, converts the foil stamping print data 7 into a language that can be identified by the foil stamping device 4, and outputs the data.

For the communication I / F26, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like is used, and various data can be transmitted and received between each device via a network N such as a LAN.

(Image forming device)
In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus is the printing apparatus 3. The printing device 3 receives the job output from the client terminal 1 via the network N, forms an image on paper based on the job print setting and the foilless print data 6, and outputs the image (hereinafter, “printing process”). do. The printing device 3 may be a multifunction device (MFP: Multifunction Peripheral) having a plurality of types of functions (printing function, copying function, scanning function, etc.).

The printing device 3 includes a CPU 31, a memory 32, an auxiliary storage unit 33, an operation display unit 34, an image forming unit 35, and a communication I / F 36.

The CPU 31 is a central processing unit that controls the operation of each part of the printing device 3 and performs arithmetic processing, and reads and executes a program code of software that realizes each function according to the present embodiment from the auxiliary storage unit 33. The printing device 3 may be provided with a processing device such as an MPU instead of the CPU 31.

The memory 32 is a main storage unit, and variables, parameters, and the like generated during arithmetic processing are temporarily written in the memory 32. RAM or the like is applied to the memory 32.

The auxiliary storage unit 33 is a storage unit that plays an auxiliary role of the memory 32, and usually has a mechanism capable of storing data for a long time. In addition to the OS and various parameters, the auxiliary storage unit 33 records a program for operating the printing device 3.

The operation display unit 34 is configured by stacking a touch panel, which is an operation unit, on a flat panel display, which is a display unit. The operation display unit 34 generates an operation signal according to the content of the operation input from the user, and supplies the generated operation signal to the CPU 31. Further, the operation display unit 34 displays the processing result of the CPU 31.

The image forming unit 35 forms an image on the paper based on the foilless print data 6 transmitted from the controller 2. The image forming unit 35 is configured as a printer engine.

The communication I / F 36 uses, for example, a NIC or the like, and has a configuration capable of transmitting and receiving various data between each device via the network N.

(Foil stamping device)
The foil stamping device 4 reads the foil stamping print data 7 transmitted from the controller 2, applies varnish to the position of the paper corresponding to each pixel of the foil image constituting the foil stamping print data 7, and adheres the foil on the varnish ( Foil stamping).

The foil pressing device 4 includes a CPU 41, a memory 42, an auxiliary storage unit 43, an operation display unit 44, a paper transport unit 45, a foil pressing processing unit 46, and a communication I / F 47.

The CPU 41 is a central processing unit that controls the operation of each part of the foil pressing device 4 and performs arithmetic processing, and reads and executes a program code of software that realizes each function according to the present embodiment from the auxiliary storage unit 43. The foil pressing device 4 may be provided with a processing device such as an MPU instead of the CPU 41.

The memory 42 is a main storage unit, and variables, parameters, and the like generated during arithmetic processing are temporarily written in the memory 42. RAM or the like is applied to the memory 42.

The auxiliary storage unit 43 is a storage unit that plays an auxiliary role of the memory 42, and usually has a mechanism capable of storing data for a long time. In addition to the OS and various parameters, the auxiliary storage unit 43 records a program for operating the foil stamping device 4.

The operation display unit 44 (an example of the second information presentation unit) is configured by stacking a touch panel, which is an operation unit, on a flat panel display, which is a display unit. The operation display unit 44 generates an operation signal according to the content of the operation input from the user, and supplies the generated operation signal to the CPU 41. In addition, the operation display unit 44 displays the processing result of the CPU 41.

The paper transport unit 45 transports the paper set by the user in the manual feed tray or the paper feed tray (both not shown) of the foil pressing device 4.

The foil stamping processing unit 46 applies varnish to the paper based on the foil stamping print data 7 composed of the foil image, drives the foil roll 9 and stamps the foil, and adheres the foil on the varnish.

For the communication I / F 47, for example, a NIC or the like is used, and various data can be transmitted / received between the devices via the network N.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of detailed contents of the pre-registration processing unit 15 included in the client terminal 1 and the auxiliary storage unit 23 included in the controller 2.

The pre-registration processing unit 15 includes a recording material information registration unit 15a, a sorting policy registration unit 15b, and a group minimum number registration unit 15c. The recording material information registration unit 15a registers the recording material information 23a in the auxiliary storage unit 23 of the controller 2. Further, the job information 23d in the auxiliary storage unit 23 is information in which the preceding job and the succeeding job linked by the grouping processing unit 24c are stored.

FIG. 12 is a list showing information on recording materials. The recording material information 23a includes information on various recording materials (consumables) possessed by the user. As shown in FIG. 12, the recording material information includes, for example, information on foil setting, glue, foil color, foil maker, foil decoration, foil roll width, and the like. As information about foil setting, presence or absence is set. Toner, varnish, etc. are set as information on the glue. As information on the foil color, silver, gold, copper, platinum, zinc, aluminum, tin, etc. are set. Company A, company B, company C, etc. are set as information about the foil manufacturer. As information on foil decoration (foil material), glitter, powder, glitter, aluminum frame, chemical foil, or the like is set. As information on the foil roll width, 148 mm (A5 compatible size), 210 mm (A4 compatible size), 297 mm (A3 compatible size), and the like are set. Of the information on the recording material, the presence or absence of the foil setting is not the information on the recording material itself, but it is preferably stored in order to link and group the preceding job and the succeeding job. For example, if there is information about foil setting without foil, it is possible to group preceding jobs that are not stamped.

The sort policy registration unit 15b registers the sort policy 23b in the auxiliary storage unit 23 of the controller 2. The sorting policy 23b is referred to when the controller 2 sorts the jobs so that the number of exchanges of various recording materials is reduced. Examples of the sorting policy 23b are shown in (1) to (3) below.

(1) Priority is given to the continuation of the same recording material.

(2) Priority is given to jobs with close delivery dates.

(3) Priority is given to jobs with a large number of prints.

As shown in (1), the sorting policy 23b stipulates that, for example, in the case of the foil pressing device 4, jobs are sorted based on the set position of the foil roll 9 set in the foil pressing device 4. If the current foil roll configuration in the foil stamping device 4 is prioritized in this way, the group including the job that does not need to change the current set position of the foil roll 9 is executed first. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the position of the foil roll 9 already set in the foil stamping device 4 at the start of the foil stamping printing by the foil stamping device 4. Similarly, as the foil decoration (foil material), it is specified that the same foil material continues. Further, when varnishing is performed to attach the foil, the varnishing process may be a subsequent job. In this case, the job using the varnish is specified to continue.

Also, if the jobs are sorted so that the jobs with the closest delivery date are preferentially executed based on the delivery date information of the jobs as in (2), the group including the job with the shortest delivery date is executed first. NS. Therefore, the time until the user obtains the foil-stamped printed matter 10 is shortened, and the foil-stamped printed matter 10 can be delivered before the delivery date.

Further, if priority is given to a job having a large number of prints based on the number of prints of the job as in (3), for example, when there are 1000 copies of jobs and 10 jobs belonging to different groups, the number of prints is large. By giving priority to 1000 copies of jobs for foil stamping printing, the number of times the foil roll 9 is replaced can be reduced. The reason for this is that if foil stamping is performed first for jobs with a small number of prints, it is not possible to group jobs submitted separately with jobs with a small number of prints into one group, but the number of prints is high. This is because if the foil stamping printing is performed first from the most jobs, there is a possibility that the separately submitted jobs can be grouped with the jobs with a small number of prints, and the number of replacements of the foil roll 9 may be reduced. The sorting policy 23b itself may be prioritized in the order of (1) to (3). The priority of such a sorting policy 23b may be set by the user.

The group minimum number registration unit 15c registers the group minimum number 23c in the auxiliary storage unit 23 of the controller 2. The group minimum number 23c is a value obtained as a grouping threshold value. Generally, the smaller the minimum number of sheets 23c in the group, the more the number of exchanges of the foil rolls 9, and the larger the minimum number of sheets 23c in the group, the smaller the number of exchanges of the foil rolls 9, but the number of exchanges of the foil rolls 9 including unused foils. The amount of waste increases.

For example, suppose that there is a job A in which 1000 pages of hot stamping printing is performed and a job B in which 1 page of hot stamping printing is performed. Here, it is assumed that the foil object of job A is formed on the entire paper, and the foil object of job B is formed on a small part of the paper. However, since it takes time and cost to replace the foil rolls at the timing of switching between jobs A and B, jobs A and B are grouped so that the foil rolls used in job B can be used as they are in job A. At this time, the grouping processing unit 24c shown in FIG. 4 groups a plurality of jobs having different sizes of foil objects if the number of jobs with small foil objects is 23c (for example, 100) or less, which is the minimum number of jobs in the group.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a detailed internal configuration example of the job processing unit 24 included in the controller 2.

The job processing unit 24 includes a job receiving unit 24a, a foil object information calculation unit 24b, a grouping processing unit 24c, a priority determination unit 24d, a job sorting unit 24e, a foilless print data transmission unit 24f, and a foil stamping print data transmission unit 24g. A recording material exchange information output unit 24h and a post-processing notification unit 24i are provided.

The job receiving unit 24a receives a plurality of jobs from the client terminal 1 through the communication I / F 26, and writes the jobs in the memory 22. The foil object information calculation unit 24b is a foil object in a direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction of the paper to be fed to the foil stamping device 4 based on the foil stamping print data 7 extracted from the print data included in the job read from the memory 22. Calculate the foil object information including the position and size of. This calculation process is performed with reference to the recording material information 23a stored in the auxiliary storage unit 23.

The grouping processing unit 24c groups jobs based on the positions and sizes of the foil rolls 9 that can be attached to the foil pressing device 4 and the foil objects. The process of grouping jobs is performed with reference to the recording material information 23a stored in the auxiliary storage unit 23 and the group minimum number of sheets 23c. The result of grouping the foil objects is transmitted to the client terminal 1 and can be confirmed by the user on the user interface terminal 14 of the client terminal 1.

The priority determination unit 24d determines the priority indicating the execution order for each group. This priority is determined with reference to the sorting policy 23b stored in the auxiliary storage unit 23 and the group minimum number 23c. The determined priority is transmitted to the client terminal 1, can be confirmed by the user on the user interface terminal 14 of the client terminal 1, and the user can change the priority.

The job sorting unit 24e sorts the grouped jobs for each group according to the determined priority. At this time, the job sorting unit 24e sorts the jobs so that the foil pressing device 4 can continuously execute the jobs of the same group, and the group having the higher priority can be executed first.

The foilless print data transmission unit 24f transmits the foilless print data 6 that does not include the foil object, which is extracted from the print data by the job reception unit 24a, to the printing apparatus 3. The printing apparatus 3 performs an image forming process (also referred to as a printing process) for forming an image on paper according to the foilless printing data 6.

The foil stamping print data transmission unit 24g transmits the foil stamping print data 7 including the foil object extracted from the print data by the job reception unit 24a to the foil stamping device 4.

The recording material exchange information output unit 24h outputs recording material exchange information indicating the timing at which the recording material is exchanged. In the present embodiment, in the foil pressing device 4, the timing at which the foil roll 9 is replaced is the same as the timing at which the group changes. The recording material exchange information output unit 24h outputs the recording material exchange information to the user interface terminal 14. Further, the recording material exchange information output unit 24h may transmit the exchange information to the foil pressing device 4 and have the operation display unit 44 (an example of the second information presenting unit) provided in the foil pressing device 4 present the foil roll exchange information. .. Therefore, the user who confirms the recording material exchange information on the client terminal 1 or the foil pressing device 4 can exchange the recording material at the timing when the group changes.

The post-processing notification unit 24i provides post-processing information including the job sorting result for the post-processing device 4A when the post-processing device 4A capable of sorting the paper for each job or page is provided in the foil pressing device 4. Notify. Then, the post-processing notification unit 24i notifies the sorting result of the jobs, and causes the post-processing device 4A to perform sorting for returning the foil-pressed paper to the original sorting order. The post-processing device 4A performs post-processing (for example, sorting processing, folding processing) on the printed matter stamped with foil according to the notified post-processing information.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the grouping processing unit 24c.

The grouping processing unit 24c includes a page sorting determination unit 24c1, a job group candidate extraction unit 24c2, a job group division unit 24c3, a job group merge processing unit 24c4, and an image rotation processing unit 24c5.

The page rearrangement determination unit 24c1 determines whether or not the pages can be rearranged for each page included in the job, and rearranges the rearrangeable pages. For example, the page sorting determination unit 24c1 determines whether or not the pages can be sorted depending on the setting by the user or whether or not the post-processing device 4A having a sorting function is connected to the foil pressing device 4.

The job group candidate extraction unit 24c2 extracts jobs that can be grouped for each foil roll width of the foil roll 9 that can be set in the foil pressing device 4 as job group candidates.

The job group division unit 24c3 divides the jobs that can be foil-pressed by the foil roll 9 set in the foil-pressing device 4 from the extracted job group candidates, and determines the job group including this job.

The job group merge processing unit 24c4 performs foil stamping printing of jobs included in the group and having a specified number of sheets or less by using a foil roll 9 having a foil roll width larger than that of the foil roll 9 used for foil stamping printing of jobs. Merge into other groups that are done.

The image rotation processing unit 24c5 rotates the image of the page on which the foil object is formed at an arbitrary angle so that the foil stamping printing is performed according to the set position of the foil roll 9 set in the foil stamping device 4. For example, the image rotation processing unit 24c5 performs a process of rotating the image of the entire page by 180 ° in order to align the position of the foil object with the set position of the foil roll 9. At this time, as shown by the broken line in the job C of FIG. 7 described later, the process of rotating the job C by 180 ° in the direction perpendicular to the paper passing direction is performed. The image rotation processing unit 24c5 may perform a process of rotating the image of the entire page clockwise by 90 ° or 270 °.

<Example of foil roll configuration>
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a configuration example of the foil roll 9. The upper part of FIG. 6 shows a comparative example of the sizes of three types of foil rolls 9 having different foil roll widths, and the lower part of FIG. 6 shows an example of the foil roll width of each foil roll 9.

In the upper part of FIG. 6, foil rolls 9a, 9b, and 9c are shown in ascending order of foil roll width. In the table shown in the lower part of FIG. 6, the values of the foil roll widths w1 to w3 with respect to the foil rolls 9a to 9c are stored. In the table, the foil rolls 9a, 9b, and 9c are named foil roll A, foil roll B, and foil roll C, respectively. As shown in this table, for example, the foil roll width w1 of the foil roll 9a is 148 mm, the foil roll width w2 of the foil roll 9b is 210 mm, and the foil roll width w3 of the foil roll 9c is 297 mm. An example of executing job rearrangement using the foil rolls 9a to 9c shown in FIG. 6 will be described below.

<First example of job sorting>
Next, the rearrangement of jobs will be described by showing a first example in FIG. 7 and a second example in FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a first example of rearranging jobs.
In this example, the foil objects 61a to 61d used in the four types of jobs A to D are shown.

The upper part of FIG. 7 shows the positions and sizes of the foil objects 61a to 61d printed on the paper 60 by jobs A to D in order from the left. The positions and sizes of the foil objects 61a to 61d are one-dimensional information. The paper 60 is passed through the foil pressing device 4 along the paper passing direction from right to left in the drawing. The size of the paper 60 used in jobs A to D is the same. In jobs A to D, 100 copies of each are stamped and printed based on the foil object at the same position on the paper 60. Then, on the left side of the upper part of FIG. 7, how large the foil roll width of the foil rolls 9a and 9c is is shown.

In jobs A to D, the shapes of the foil objects 61a to 61d are represented by a rectangular frame filled with diagonal lines. The offset of the foil objects 61a to 61d is determined based on the length from the lower part of the paper 60 to the lower part of the foil objects 61a to 61d. A reference line 65, which is a reference for offset, is shown on the lower side of the paper 60. The width of the foil objects of the foil objects 61a to 61d is determined based on the length from each offset to the upper part of the foil objects 61a to 61d.

Then, in the middle of FIG. 7, the values of the offset and the foil object width are stored for each of the jobs A to D. For example, in job A, the offset 62a of the foil object 61a is 240 mm, and the foil object width 63a is 50 mm.

Here, the relationship between the foil rolls 9a to 9c shown in FIG. 6 and the foil objects 61a to 61d of FIG. 7 will be described. Conventionally, the foil stamping device 4 executes jobs in the order of jobs A to D submitted to the controller 2. Here, in the case of job A, the foil object width 63a is 50 mm. Therefore, if the foil roll 9a having a foil roll width of 148 mm is used, foil stamping printing according to the position of the foil object 61a and the foil object width of job A can be performed. It is possible. However, since the foil object width 63b of the job B is 280 mm, the foil roll 9a cannot perform hot stamp printing on the foil object 61b. Therefore, the foil roll 9c having a foil roll width of 297 mm is used by exchanging the foil roll 9a.

Next, the foil object width 63c of the job C is 50 mm, but the foil roll 9c increases the amount of waste. Therefore, the foil roll 9c is replaced with the foil roll 9a again. Since the position of the foil object 61c is different from that of the foil object 61a, the position of the foil roll 9a exchanged in the job C is on the lower side of the paper 60 in accordance with the offset 62c.

Next, since the foil object width 63d of the job D is 100 mm, if the foil roll 9a having the foil roll width of 148 mm is used, foil stamping printing according to the foil object 61d of the job D is possible. However, in job C, the foil roll 9a is set on the lower side of the paper 60, whereas in job D, if the foil roll 9a is not set on the upper side of the reference line 65, foil stamping printing is performed according to the foil object 61d of job D. I can't. Therefore, the foil roll 9a is moved in the direction perpendicular to the paper passing direction. As described above, in the conventional foil stamping printing, it is necessary to frequently move or replace the foil roll 9 according to the position and size of the foil object.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 7, the job sorting unit 24e changes the job execution order. In the job C, the foil object 61e in which the foil object 61c is rotated by 180 ° by the image rotation processing unit 24c5 is represented by a broken line rectangular frame.

For example, if the jobs A and D are rearranged in this order, the foil roll 9a set in the job A can be used in the job D without moving. Further, if the job C is executed after the job D, it is only necessary to move the foil roll 9a from the upper side to the lower side of the paper 60. After that, when the job B is executed next to the job C, the foil roll 9a may be replaced with the foil roll 9c.

When jobs A, B, C, and D are executed in this order, the foil rolls need to be exchanged twice, between jobs A and B and between jobs B and C, whereas jobs A, D, and C are required. If the steps are executed in the order of B and B, the foil roll can be exchanged only once between jobs C and B. Therefore, rearranging the job execution order is considered to be effective in reducing the number of replacements of the foil rolls 9 and reducing the amount of waste of the foil rolls 9.

When the image rotation processing unit 24c5 rotates the foil object 61c to the position of the foil object 61e by 180 ° in the job C, the offset of the foil object 61e in the job C changes. Then, jobs A, D, and C can be grouped in the same group. Since many jobs are included in the same group in this way, after executing jobs A and D, job C can be executed with the foil roll 9a set on the upper side of the paper 60, and the user can execute the job C on the foil pressing device 4. The time and effort required can be further reduced.

<Second example of job sorting>
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a second example of rearranging jobs. In this example, the foil objects 61a, 61b, 61d used in the three types of jobs A, B, and D are shown. Jobs A, B, and D print 100 pages each. However, in job A, the foil object 61a is formed only on the last page out of 100 pages, and in job D, the foil object 61d is formed only on the first page out of 100 pages.

As a premise, the user cannot replace the foil roll 9 at the break of the job, and can replace the foil roll 9 while printing the page in the job. Therefore, the recording material exchange information output unit 24h outputs the recording material exchange information in which the timing at which the foil roll 9 is exchanged is in the middle of the job. When jobs A, B, and D are executed in this order as shown in the upper part of FIG. 8, the foil roll 9a cannot be replaced with the foil roll 9c at the break of jobs A and B. Therefore, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 8, the jobs are sorted so that the jobs A, D, and B are executed in this order. At this time, the grouping processing unit 24c groups the last page of job A and the first page of job D into the same group. As a result, the last page of job A and the first page of job D are stamped and printed by the same foil roll 9a. After that, the foil roll 9a is replaced with the foil roll 9c during the execution of the job D, so that the foil stamping printing of the job B is performed. By changing the job execution order in this way, it is not necessary to replace the foil roll 9 at the break of the job.

The processing for rearranging the execution order of the jobs performed by the job processing unit 24 will be described below. Here, the processing by each device constituting the image forming system 50 will be described in the order of pre-registration processing, foil stamping printing processing, and job grouping processing.

<Pre-registration process>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of pre-registration processing of various information performed using the client terminal 1. This process is performed by the user operating the user interface terminal 14 of the client terminal 1.

First, the user registers the information of the recording material possessed by the user (S1). The information on the recording material is as described with reference to FIG. The recording material information is registered as the recording material information 23a in the auxiliary storage unit 23 of the controller 2 by the recording material information registration unit 15a.

Next, the user registers the job sorting policy (S2). The sorting policy is registered as the sorting policy 23b in the auxiliary storage unit 23 of the controller 2 by the sorting policy registration unit 15b.

Then, the user registers the minimum number of sheets in the group as the minimum number of sheets to be included in the same group (S3). The group minimum number of sheets is registered as the group minimum number of sheets 23c in the auxiliary storage unit 23 of the controller 2 by the group minimum number of sheets registration unit 15c.

<Processing during printing (whole)>
Next, an example of the entire printing process in the image forming system 50 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of printing processing performed by the image forming system 50.

First, in the case of foil stamping printing, the job receiving unit 24a of the job processing unit 24 included in the controller 2 includes foil information from the client terminal 1 used by the user by using an arbitrary protocol through the communication I / F26. However, the information is received as print data (S11).

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a job list. In the job list shown in FIG. 13, the received print data has the job No. 1 as it is in the order of reception. It is shown as. Of the information on the recording material shown in FIG. 12, the foil roll width is not shown in the job list of FIG. 13 because it matches the paper size. That is, the display of the paper size in FIG. 13 is treated as it is as the foil roll width. In addition, the display by paper size is easier for the user to understand. Specifically, the A5 size corresponds to a foil roll width of 148 mm, the A4 size corresponds to a foil roll width of 210 mm, and the A3 size corresponds to a foil roll width of 297 mm.

In the foil stamping printing, first, the printing device 3 prints the toner image based on the information surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. The information enclosed by the alternate long and short dash line is the information of the preceding job.

Conventionally, in foil stamping printing, when print data is received, only the information of the preceding job surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line is displayed.

In the foil stamping, there is information surrounded by a chain line in FIG. 13 as information for further foil stamping after printing. The information enclosed by the chain line is the information of the succeeding job. In the present embodiment, when the received print data to be the preceding job is received, the information required for the succeeding job is also received. The information of the succeeding job may be input later according to the preceding job.

The information of the preceding job and the information of the succeeding job are linked and stored in the auxiliary storage unit 23 of the controller 2.

Next, the foil object information calculation unit 24b of the job processing unit 24 calculates the foil object information based on the foil stamping print data extracted from each job (S12). As shown in FIG. 7, the foil object information calculation unit 24b calculates the foil object information including the position and size of the foil object based on the direction orthogonal to the paper feeding direction.

Next, the grouping processing unit 24c of the job processing unit 24 performs the job grouping process based on the calculated position and size of the foil object in each job, and determines the job group (S13). Details of the job grouping process will be described later.

Next, the priority determination unit 24d of the job processing unit 24 determines the priority of each job group (S14).
The priority determination is executed according to the sorting policy 23b set by the user.

Next, the grouping result and the determined priority are presented to the user interface terminal 14 of the client terminal 1. Then, the user determines whether or not to modify the grouping result and priority based on the presented result (S15). If the user decides not to modify the grouping result and the determined priority (NO in S15), the process proceeds to step S17. It is also possible to skip step S15.

On the other hand, when the user determines to modify the grouping result and the determined priority (YES in S15), the user manually adjusts through the user interface terminal 14 (S16). Further, the user can make adjustments through the operation display unit 34 of the printing device 3 and the operation display unit 44 of the foil pressing device 4. In addition, the adjustment to change the job may be made from another computer connected from the controller 2 through the network. The adjustment to change the job may be made, for example, through the operation screen displayed on the Web browser of the computer.

FIG. 14 is a screen view showing an operation screen for grouping. The operation screen is displayed from the controller 2 on the operation display unit 34 of the printing device 3, the operation display unit 44 of the foil pressing device 4, or the client terminal 1. As shown in FIG. 14, the operation screen S1000 displays a job list S101, a group button S102, a sort button S103, an upper instruction button S104, a lower instruction button S105, an OK button S106, and a cancel button S107.

In the present embodiment, since the preceding job and the succeeding job are associated with each other and their information is stored, the information of the preceding job and the information of the succeeding job are displayed on the same line in the job list S101. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by looking at the job list S101, it is possible to know at a glance what kind of succeeding job is for the preceding job and what kind of recording material is used for the succeeding job. become.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the displayed job list S101 can be easily sorted by a manual so that the types of recording materials for subsequent jobs are the same.

An example of manual grouping will be described. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of manual grouping. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the job list after grouping.

In the manual sort, the user first selects a sort range from the job list S101. In FIG. 15, a state in which the foil color, the foil maker, and the foil decoration columns are selected at once from the job list before sorting (the frame of the chain line in FIG. 15) is shown.

Subsequently, when the sort button S103 is pressed, sorting is executed according to the sort range. After the sorting is executed, as shown in FIG. 16, the foil color, the foil maker, and the foil decoration are grouped so that the same items are executed in succession. For example, in FIG. 16, the jobs indicated by the chain line G1 are grouped together.

After that, when the OK button S106 is pressed, the sorted state is confirmed and stored as job information 23d. When the cancel button S107 is pressed, the display returns to the original state.

In addition to the manual grouping changes, for example, Job No. Is selected and the upper instruction button S104 or the lower instruction button S105 is pressed to change the order of the selected jobs.

In the manual grouping change, for example, on the job list S101 shown in FIG. 14, columns that are the same recording material may be highlighted or the character color may be changed to make it easier to understand. For example, No. in the job list S101. Since 1 and 4 use the same recording material, these two columns are displayed with different highlights and text colors.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the complicated work when the user confirms the information of the succeeding job linked to the information of the preceding job and performs grouping, changing the order of the jobs, etc. to improve efficiency is reduced. be able to.

Next, the job sorting unit 24e sorts the jobs and performs grouping processing based on the sorting policy 23b (S17). The process of step S17 is executed by pressing the group button S102 from the operation screen shown in FIG. At this time, the job sorting unit 24e sorts the jobs so that the jobs of the same group can be continuously executed and the group having the higher priority can be executed first. The rearranged job list is here the same as the state shown in FIG.

As described above, in the present embodiment, automatic grouping is possible based on the information of the succeeding job associated with the preceding job. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the user does not need to sort in consideration of the recording material such as foil and varnish used in the subsequent job, and the foil and varnish can be used efficiently.

Further, although not shown, as a subsequent job, printing with toner or ink may be further performed on the printed matter 8. In such a case, the recording materials such as toner and ink used in the subsequent job can be grouped so that the colors, manufacturers, and the like are the same. According to this embodiment, when printing with toner or ink is performed as a subsequent job, the loss due to replacement of toner or ink can be reduced and the amount used can be reduced.

The manual change in step S16 may be positioned after the job rearrangement process in step S17. In the case of such a step order, the jobs are automatically rearranged in step S17, and then the user can directly rearrange the job order.

Next, the foilless print data transmission unit 24f transmits the foilless print data 6 to the printing device 3 in the order of the rearranged jobs through the communication I / F 26 (S18).

Next, the foil stamping print data transmission unit 24g transmits the foil stamping print data 7 to the foil stamping device 4 in the order of the rearranged jobs through the communication I / F 26 (S19).

Next, the recording material exchange information output unit 24h generates recording material exchange information based on the grouping result of the job. Then, the recording material exchange information output unit 24h transmits the exchange information of the recording material to the foil stamping device 4 through the communication I / F26 (S20). When the exchange information of the recording material includes the exchange of the foil roll, the user can exchange the foil roll 9 of the foil pressing device 4 at the instructed timing. Similarly, when the exchange information of the recording material includes the exchange of toner, the user can exchange the toner of the printing apparatus 3 at the instructed timing.

Next, the post-processing notification unit 24i notifies the post-processing device 4A of the job sorting result (S21), and ends this processing. However, if the post-processing device 4A is not connected to the foil pressing device 4, step S21 is skipped.

<Processing at the time of printing (job grouping)>
Next, the job grouping process will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the detailed contents of the job grouping process performed in step S13 of FIG.
This processing is performed by each unit included in the grouping processing unit 24c.

First, the page sorting determination unit 24c1 determines whether or not the jobs may be sorted on a page-by-page basis (S31). For example, when the user inputs through the operation screen that the page may be rearranged, the page rearrangement determination unit 24c1 makes a determination. Even when the post-processing device 4A having a sorter function is connected to the foil pressing device 4, it may be determined that the jobs may be rearranged on a page-by-page basis. If the jobs cannot be sorted by page (NO in S31), the process proceeds to step S33.

When the jobs can be sorted in page units, the page sorting determination unit 24c1 decomposes the jobs into page units (S32).

After step S31 or S32, the job group candidate extraction unit 24c2 performs a process of extracting job group candidates for each recording material (see FIG. 12) possessed by the user (S33). For example, in the case of foil, the foil color, foil maker, and foil decoration are grouped so as to be the same.

In the job group candidate extraction process in step S33, for example, in the case of a foil roll, the job group candidate extraction unit 24c2 collects jobs whose foil object size is smaller than the foil roll width (S34), and jobs the collected jobs. It is stored in the memory 22 or the like as a group candidate. That is, the succeeding job is associated with the preceding job and stored. Then, when the job group candidates are extracted for the foil roll 9 having a certain size of the foil roll width, the process of extracting the job group candidates for the foil roll 9 having the next smallest foil roll width is repeated. Although not shown, the same applies to other recording materials, and the foil color, foil maker, foil decoration, toner, varnish, etc. are rearranged so that the same thing can be continuously executed. , The grouping process is repeated.

It is assumed that all the jobs submitted from the client terminal 1 to the controller 2 belong to one of the job group candidates. Of course, depending on the content of the job, one group may be one job.

In the example of FIG. 7, foil objects that can be stamped and printed are extracted in order from the foil roll 9c having the largest foil roll width. The foil objects that can be stamped and printed using the foil roll 9c having the largest foil roll width are the foil objects 61a to 61d. The foil objects that can be stamped and printed using the foil roll 9b having the next largest foil roll width are the foil objects 61a, 61c, and 61d. The foil objects 61a, 61c, and 61d are also the foil objects that can be stamped and printed using the foil roll 9c having the smallest foil roll width. However, the amount of waste of the foil on the foil roll 9 can be reduced by using the foil roll 9a rather than the foil roll 9b. Therefore, job group candidates are extracted such that the foil objects 61a, 61c, 61d of jobs A, C, and D are stamped and printed by the foil roll 9a, and the foil object 61b of job B is stamped printed by the foil roll 9c. .. Note that foil objects that can be stamped and printed in ascending order of foil roll width may be extracted as job group candidates.

After the iterative process of step S33 is completed, the job group dividing unit 24c3 divides the job from the job group candidates and determines the jobs included in the job group for each job group candidate (S35). In this process, the job group dividing unit 24c3 determines whether or not all the jobs in the job group candidates can be stamped at the position where the foil roll 9 is set (S36). Specifically, the job group dividing unit 24c3 determines whether or not the difference between the maximum value obtained by adding the offset and the paper width and the minimum value of the offset is smaller than the foil roll width in each job.

When all the jobs cannot be foil-pressed (NO in S36), the job group division unit 24c3 removes any job that cannot be foil-pressed from the job group candidates (S37), and proceeds to the determination process in step S36 again. However, if processing to rotate the image of any job by 180 ° is permitted other than excluding any job from the job group candidates, as shown in job C at the bottom of FIG. 7, the image rotation processing unit 24c5 rotates the image by 180 ° and moves to the determination process in step S36. Then, the job group dividing unit 24c3 recalculates the offset and the paper width for the job in which the image is rotated, and performs the job group determination process.

On the other hand, when all the jobs can be stamped (YES in S36), the job group dividing unit 24c3 determines each job as a job group (S38). Then, when a certain job group candidate is confirmed as a job group, the process of confirming the next job group candidate as a job group is repeated.

After the iterative processing of step S35 is completed, the job group merging processing unit 24c4 executes a merging process of merging a plurality of job groups into one job group for each job group (S39). For example, if there are multiple jobs with a small number of copies and the positions of the foil objects included in this job vary from job to job, it is troublesome to replace the foil roll 9 or adjust the set position for each job. It takes. Therefore, for example, if the job is continuously executed on the foil roll 9a having the largest foil roll width shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to save the trouble of replacing the foil roll 9. Therefore, in step S39, the job group merge process is performed.

In the job group merging process, the job group merging processing unit 24c4 determines whether or not the number of prints of the job group is 23c or less, which is set in advance by the user, for each job group determined in step S38. Judgment (S40). If the number of prints in the job group is 23c or less, which is the minimum number in the group (NO in S40), the job group merge processing unit 24c4 performs the process of step S39 for the next job group.

If the number of prints of the job group exceeds the group minimum number of sheets 23c (YES in S40), the job group merge processing unit 24c4 determines whether or not there is another job group that can be merged (S41). Whether or not a job group can be merged is determined by whether or not another job group can include the foil pattern of the current job group. If there is no job group that can be merged (NO in S41), the job group merge processing unit 24c4 performs the process of step S39 for the next job group.

On the other hand, when there is a job group that can be merged (YES in S41), the job group merge processing unit 24c4 merges the job groups (S42). Then, when a certain job group is merged, the process of merging the next job group is repeated. When the merging process of all the job groups is completed, the job grouping process of FIG. 11 is completed, and the process is returned to step S14 of FIG.

In the image forming system 50 according to the above-described embodiment, jobs having a foil object capable of foil stamping printing can be continuously processed without replacing the foil roll 9 set in the foil stamping device 4 as much as possible. Jobs are sorted into. Therefore, the foil rolls 9 having the same foil roll width can be continuously set, the number of times the foil rolls 9 are replaced can be reduced, the burden on the user is reduced, and the productivity of foil stamping printing is improved. Further, a foil roll 9 having a foil roll width suitable for the size of the foil object can be used, and the amount of waste of the foil roll 9 can be reduced.

Further, in the image forming system 50 according to the embodiment, the jobs are rearranged so that the recording material, which is a consumable item other than the foil, can be continuously processed without being replaced as much as possible. Therefore, in the foil stamping, first, the preceding jobs having the same foil color, manufacturer, foil decoration, and the like are continuously executed. The user simply sets the printed matter 8 produced by the preceding job as one group in the foil pressing device 4 which is the succeeding job, and a plurality of succeeding jobs are executed until the recording material is replaced. Therefore, in the image forming system 50 according to one embodiment, the number of times the foil roll 9 is replaced can be reduced, the burden on the user is reduced, and the productivity of foil stamping printing is improved. Further, in the image forming system 50 according to the embodiment, the amount of waste recording material can be reduced.

Further, by presenting the job sorting result, the image rotation result, the replacement timing of the foil roll 9, and the like to the user interface terminal 14, the user can easily confirm how the job is processed. These results may be displayed on the operation display unit 34 included in the printing device 3 and the operation display unit 44 included in the foil pressing device 4. Then, the user can make adjustments such as modifying the sort result of the job based on the displayed result.

Each functional block included in the job processing unit 24 of the controller 2 may be distributed and provided by each device included in the image forming system 50. For example, the client terminal 1 may have the function of the job processing unit 24, and the client terminal 1 may transmit the foilless print data 6 and the foil stamping print data 7 to the printing device 3 and the foil stamping device 4. Further, by giving the function of the controller 2 to the cloud server or the like, the controller 2 may not be installed in the office or the like where the printing device 3 and the foil pressing device 4 are set.

In the above-described embodiment, the environment in which each device of the image forming system 50 is connected via the network N is taken as an example, but the print data is copied to a recording medium such as a USB (Universal Social Bus) memory, and the print data is copied to the recording medium. The USB memory may be inserted into the printing device 3 and the foil pressing device 4 to input print data.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various other application examples and modifications can be taken as long as the gist of the present invention described in the claims is not deviated.

For example, the above-described embodiment describes in detail and concretely the configurations of the apparatus and the system in order to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and is not necessarily limited to those including all the described configurations. Further, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of the embodiment described here with the configuration of another embodiment, and further, it is possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. It is possible. It is also possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration.

In addition, control lines and information lines are shown as necessary for explanation, and not all control lines and information lines are necessarily shown in the product.
In practice, it can be considered that almost all configurations are interconnected.

1 ... Client terminal,
2 ... controller,
3 ... Printing equipment,
4 ... Foil stamping device,
4A ... Aftertreatment device,
5 ... Job,
6 ... Print data,
7 ... Foil stamping print data,
8 ... Printed matter,
9 ... Foil roll,
10 ... Foil-pressed printed matter,
24 ... Job processing unit,
24a ... Job receiver,
24b ... Foil object information calculation unit,
24c ... Grouping processing unit,
24d ... Priority determination unit,
24e ... Job sorting department,
24f ... Foilless print data transmitter,
24g ... Foil stamping print data transmitter,
24h ... Recording material exchange information output unit,
24i ... Post-processing notification unit.

Claims (7)

A storage unit that stores the preceding job that forms the first image, the output that is image-formed by the preceding job, and the succeeding job that further forms the second image in association with each other.
Display and
A controller that displays the information of the preceding job and the information of the recording material used for the succeeding job as the information of the associated preceding job and the succeeding job stored in the storage unit on the display unit. When,
An image forming system. The preceding job that performs the first image formation, the output product that is image-formed by the preceding job, and the succeeding job that further forms the second image are associated with each other, and the preceding job and the said A storage unit that stores multiple subsequent jobs and
Display and
From the plurality of linked preceding jobs and the succeeding jobs stored in the storage unit, strings are used so that the type of recording material used for forming the second image by the succeeding job is the same. A controller that groups the attached preceding job and the succeeding job and displays them on the display unit.
An image forming system. The preceding job that performs the first image formation, the output product that is image-formed by the preceding job, and the succeeding job that further forms the second image are associated with each other, and the preceding job and the said A storage unit that stores multiple subsequent jobs and
An image forming unit that forms an image and
From the plurality of linked preceding jobs and the succeeding jobs stored in the storage unit, the recording materials used for the second image formation by the succeeding job are linked so as to be the same type. A controller that groups the preceding jobs and the succeeding jobs and causes the image forming unit to continuously form an image of the preceding jobs in the same group.
An image forming system. The first image formation is printing using toner.
The second image formation is at least one of printing with toner, printing with ink, stamping with foil, and varnishing.
The recording material used for the second image formation of the subsequent job is toner, ink, foil, and varnish, and the information of the recording material includes at least the color of the recording material and the manufacturer, claims 1 to 1. The image forming system according to any one of 3. A control program for an image forming system having a storage unit and a display unit.
A step of associating a preceding job that performs the first image formation and a succeeding job that further forms a second image with the output product image formed by the preceding job and storing the image in the storage unit.
As the information of the preceding job and the succeeding job that are associated with each other, a step of displaying the information of the recording material used for the succeeding job together with the information of the preceding job on the display unit.
A control program that allows a computer to execute. A control program for an image forming system having a storage unit and a display unit.
The preceding job that performs the first image formation, the output product that is image-formed by the preceding job, and the succeeding job that further forms the second image are associated with each other, and the preceding job and the said A stage in which a plurality of subsequent jobs are stored in the storage unit, and
A string is stored in the storage unit so that the type of recording material used for forming the second image by the succeeding job is the same from among the plurality of linked preceding jobs and the succeeding jobs. A step of grouping the attached preceding job and the succeeding job and displaying them on the display unit, and
A control program that allows a computer to execute. A control program for an image forming system having a storage unit and an image forming unit.
The preceding job that performs the first image formation, the output product that is image-formed by the preceding job, and the succeeding job that further forms the second image are associated with each other, and the preceding job and the said A stage in which a plurality of subsequent jobs are stored in the storage unit, and
From the plurality of linked preceding jobs and the succeeding jobs stored in the storage unit, the recording materials used for the second image formation by the succeeding job are linked so as to be the same type. A step of grouping the preceding job and the succeeding job, and causing the image forming unit to continuously form an image of the preceding job in the same group.
A control program that allows a computer to execute.

Images