JP2011152646A - Apparatus and system for forming image - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve total productivity by taking post-processing at a following device into consideration and improve working efficiency by facilitating handling of printed matter formed with images. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus has an image forming part which performs image formation to papers on the basis of a printing job. Group output can be set in the image forming apparatus, whereby papers formed with the same image are continuously delivered to a set set number of copies on the basis of setting of the printing job and this operation is performed to the last page. When group dividing output of dividing the set number of copies to two or more groups is set when performing group output, papers formed with the same image are continuously delivered to a dividing number of copies which divides the set number of copies, and this operation is performed to the last page. These operations are performed to the set number of copies in the group dividing output. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to discharge of a sheet on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, or a printing machine based on a print job, and more particularly to a set number of sheets on which the same image is formed. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system capable of group output for continuously discharging paper.

  There are group output and sort output as methods for sorting sheets to be output when printing is performed based on a print job. For example, in the case of a print job that outputs an output group consisting of image data of P pages per copy up to a set number of copies, the group output prints a sheet on which one image or both sides of the same image is formed continuously up to the set number of copies. This is repeated until the final P page of image data.

  Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses have been used in the field of light printing such as POD (print on demand), and electrophotographic image forming apparatuses have been used for mass printing output. Further, when the bookbinding process is performed using the sheets printed in large quantities, the collation process using a collator apparatus (also referred to as a collating machine) may be performed offline, or the bookbinding process may be performed together with the collating process. An example of the collator device is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  In the collator apparatus, each bundle of sheets (hereinafter referred to as a group) on which the same image to be bound is formed must be placed on a different sheet feeding stage of the collator apparatus, and the operation is usually performed offline by an operator. It is done by work. At that time, in the image forming apparatus, it is preferable from the viewpoint of work efficiency that the printed sheets can be easily sorted in groups. In Patent Document 2, for this purpose, a partition sheet is inserted at the boundary between groups.

  In Patent Document 3, in order to improve work efficiency when using a plurality of collator devices, the number of sorting corresponding to the number is set, and according to the setting of the number of sorting, offset discharge is performed within the group output. is there.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-247575 JP 2002-240399 A JP 2008-56421 A

  When processing a group output by the image forming apparatus in a subsequent process such as a collator apparatus, it is necessary to complete the output of all pages by the image forming apparatus. When a print job consisting of a large number of copies is executed at once, it is necessary to wait for a long time until the output of all pages is completed. Or it was necessary to divide and output in multiple times.

  When outputting all pages at once, the total productivity decreases due to the waiting time. If the output is divided into a plurality of times, if copying is performed based on the document, the scan needs to be performed a plurality of times, which may cause damage to the document. Further, when outputting from a PC by a printer function, RIP (ripping) time may be required, and productivity may be reduced. When data stored in a storage device such as a hard disk inside the image forming apparatus is used, productivity may be reduced due to a long reading time.

  Although Patent Document 2 attempts to improve work efficiency, no consideration is given to improvement in productivity. In Patent Document 3, productivity is improved by operating a plurality of collator devices in parallel. However, total productivity including the image forming apparatus is not improved.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention has an object to improve the total productivity in consideration of the post-processing of the subsequent stage, and to facilitate the handling of the printed matter on which the image has been formed, thereby improving the working efficiency.

  The above object is achieved by the invention described below.

1. An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on a print job,
Based on the print job settings, it is possible to set a group output that continuously discharges paper on which the same image is formed to the set number of copies, and performs this until the last page,
When the group output is set to divide the set number of copies into a plurality when the group output is performed, the paper on which the same image is formed is continuously discharged up to the divided number of divisions obtained by dividing the set number of copies, An image forming apparatus characterized in that group division output can be performed by performing this up to the last page and performing these operations up to the set number of copies.

  2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to 1, wherein the number of divided copies is repeatedly output up to a set number of copies with the designated number of copies designated by the user as the number of divided copies, or is output for every designated number of divided copies.

3. Output stop and output continuation can be set,
When output stop is set, when the output up to the number of divided copies being executed is completed, the output of the subsequent divided copies is paused,
3. When the output continuation setting is made, the output up to the number of divided copies being executed is completed, and then the output up to the subsequent number of divided copies is continuously performed. Image forming apparatus.

4). It can be connected to a post-processing device with multiple paper discharge units,
When the setting for changing the paper discharge destination is made, when the output up to the number of divided copies being executed is completed, the paper discharge portion that outputs the subsequent number of divided copies is changed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.

5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 3,
A post-processing device having a paper discharge unit for discharging paper discharged from the image forming apparatus;
An image forming system comprising:

6). The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 3,
A post-processing device that includes a plurality of paper discharge units, and discharges the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus to any one of the paper discharge units,
An image forming system, wherein when the output of the number of divisions being executed is completed, the paper discharge unit that outputs the subsequent number of divisions is changed when the change of the discharge destination is set.

  According to the present invention, since the group division output can be executed, the set number of copies can be easily divided and output, so that the total productivity can be improved in consideration of the post-processing in the subsequent apparatus. In addition, it is possible to improve the work efficiency by facilitating the handling of the printed matter on which the image is formed.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an exemplary embodiment. 2 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a control flow performed by control units 809, 402, and 607 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a printer driver setting screen. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a printer driver setting screen. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a setting screen in the display operation unit 30. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a setting screen in the display operation unit 30. FIG. It is a figure explaining the paper discharge state in a comparative example. It is a figure explaining the paper discharge state in an Example. 6 is a Gantt chart showing a flow of a print job output process and a collator processing process. 4 is a setting screen for group division output in the display operation unit 30. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a control flow performed by control units 809, 402, and 607 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to another embodiment.

  Although the present invention will be described based on an embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming system includes an image forming apparatus 1 and a post-processing apparatus 6. The image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus that continuously forms a plurality of pages × a plurality of copies and continuously discharges the formed paper. A print job is composed of image data and print settings for each page. The print settings include the number of copies to be set (number of copies to be printed), the number of pages in one copy, the type of paper, the mode for image formation (single-sided, double-sided, etc.), the paper discharge setting, and the like. The paper discharge setting includes group output, sort output, and group division output described later. For group output, based on image data for one page or two-page image data, paper on which the same image is formed is continuously discharged up to a set number of copies, and this is output to the final page. Sort output is a process of forming an image based on image data from the first page to the last page and repeating this up to the set number of copies. The image forming system is configured so that image data and print settings can be input and set. After the print job is input and set, the execution of the print job is instructed so that image formation according to the print job is continuously performed. Is executed automatically.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 20 for reading the content of an image to be formed, a display operation unit 30 for performing an operation display and an operation command input from a user, A printer unit 40 that forms an image on a sheet and a sheet feeding unit 50 that can supply a plurality of types of sheets are provided.

  The image reading unit 20 scans a document placed on a platen glass by an image sensor 23 such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) to convert the document image into data, and a plurality of documents to the scanner unit 22. Are provided with an automatic paper feeding mechanism (ADF: Auto Document Feeder) 21 and the like that can be continuously read.

  The printer unit 40 functions as, for example, an image forming unit that performs electrophotographic image formation, and an image forming unit 42 that transfers a toner image based on image data onto a sheet, a fixing unit 43 that fixes the toner image, and a paper supply unit A conveyance path 41 that conveys the paper sheet to the image forming unit 42, a conveyance path 41b for double-sided processing that reverses the sheet on which the image is formed on one side, and sends it to the image forming unit 42 are provided.

  The image forming unit 42 includes a photosensitive drum 42a on which an image pattern is formed by exposure, a laser unit 42b that performs exposure scanning on the surface of the photosensitive drum 42a based on image data, and a transfer device 42c that transfers toner onto a sheet. The toner is transferred onto the paper as an image formed on the photosensitive drum 42a by passing the paper between the photosensitive drum 42a and the transfer device 42c.

  For example, the paper feed unit 50 accommodates a plurality of paper trays 51, 52, and 53 for accommodating a plurality of types of papers having different paper types and sizes and independently feeding each other, and a large amount of paper. A paper feed unit 54 for paper is provided.

  The post-processing device 6 includes a paper discharge mechanism 60 that discharges paper on which an image has been formed. The paper discharge mechanism 60 includes a plurality of stackers 61 and a plurality of paper discharge trays 62. These function as a paper discharge unit. Each of the stacker 61 and the paper discharge tray 62 includes an upper surface detection sensor 603 that detects the upper surface of the stacked paper. In the paper discharge tray 62, the upper surface detection sensor 603 detects whether the paper stacking amount is full.

  The stacker 61 has a stage 68 that moves up and down, and accommodates a large amount of sheets on which images are formed stacked on the stage 68. In the figure, the left stacker 61 shows a state in which sheets are stacked. In the paper discharge tray 62, the paper that is exposed to the outside and has an image formed thereon is loaded in a visible state and discharged. In addition, it is good also as a structure provided with the 3 or more stacker 61 by connecting the other stacker 61 to the illustration left side surface side of the paper discharge mechanism 60. FIG.

  Other configurations of the paper discharge mechanism 60 include conveyance paths 63a to 63c for feeding sheets sent from the printer unit 40 to the stacker 61, the paper discharge tray 62, or the subsequent discharge mechanism 60, and these conveyance paths 63a to 63c. There are switching pieces 64, 65, and the like as a switching unit for switching the sheet destination at 63c. The switching pieces 64 and 65 are configured to be rotated by an actuator to switch the sheet destination.

  FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus 1. In addition to the above configuration, the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes the following control configuration. In other words, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an interface unit 70 for receiving image data for image formation from an external terminal, and an image processing unit 80 for storing and reading image data for image formation. Yes.

  The interface unit 70 includes, for example, a communication interface 701 that connects to a LAN (Local Area Network) and transmits / receives data, a memory 702 that temporarily stores image data received from an external terminal via the communication interface 701, and A memory control unit 704 that reads / writes data from / to the memory 702 and inputs / outputs data to / from the image processing unit 80 via the bus 90, a control unit 703 that performs overall control of the interface unit 70, and the like. Is provided.

  The image processing unit 80 also receives a read signal sent from the image sensor 23 of the scanner unit 22 and converts it into image data. The image processing unit 80 compresses the read image data. A data processing unit 802 for compression, a memory 803 for storing image data, a storage area 804 for storing compressed image data set to store compressed image data among the storage areas of the memory 803, and an external terminal A storage area 805 for storing uncompressed image data set for temporarily storing uncompressed image data sent from the memory, a memory control unit 806 for controlling reading and writing of data to and from the memory 803, A decompression data processing unit 807 for decompressing the compressed image data, and a printer for outputting an image forming signal based on the decompressed image data 40, a signal processing unit 808 for image writing to be output to the laser diode 401, a non-volatile memory 810 for storing setting data and the like, and each control provided in the scanner unit 22, the display operation unit 30, and the printer unit 40. A control unit 809 that performs serial communication with the units 221, 303, and 402 to perform synchronization control with each unit is provided.

  In addition to the image sensor 23 described above, the scanner unit 22 is provided with a control unit 221 that performs control processing related to image reading. In addition, the display operation unit 30 includes a display unit 301 such as a liquid crystal panel, a touch panel 302 arranged so as to overlap the display unit 301, display control of the display unit 301, signal input processing from the touch panel 302, and the like. A control unit 303 is provided for performing the above. Further, the printer unit 40 includes a laser diode (LD) 401 of the laser unit 42b that performs an exposure process, and a control unit 402 that performs a control process related to an image forming process.

  In the paper discharge mechanism 60, a switching actuator 602 that rotates the switching pieces 64 and 65 independently to switch the paper transport destination, and the uppermost sheet of the stack of sheets stacked on the stage 68 have a predetermined value. Processing of an upper surface detection sensor 603 that detects that the position has been reached, a stage position detection sensor 604 that detects the height position of the stage 68 using an encoder or the like, a drive unit 605 that moves the stage 68 up and down, and processing of the paper discharge mechanism 60 A control unit 607 and the like for overall control are provided.

  The paper discharge mechanism 60 is configured as a unit, and a plurality of units can be connected in cascade. When a plurality of units are connected, the configuration of the paper discharge mechanism 60 as described above is provided for a plurality of units. In FIG. 2, the configuration of each part of the second paper discharge mechanism 60 is not shown. When a plurality of units are connected, the control unit 607 of the first paper discharge mechanism 60 is connected to the control unit 402 of the printer unit 40 so as to be capable of serial communication. The control unit 607 of the second and subsequent paper discharge mechanisms 60 is connected to the control unit 607 of the preceding paper discharge mechanism so as to be capable of serial communication, and synchronization control and the like of both processes can be performed. ing.

  Next, as basic processing operations of the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above, image data input processing and image formation processing will be described in order.

[Image data input processing]
There are two types of image data input processing: a method of reading an image of a document using the image reading unit 20 and a method of transmitting image data from an external terminal such as a PC via the interface unit 70.

  In the image data input process using the image reading unit 20, the user sends an original using the ADF 21 or places the original on the platen glass and operates the scanner unit 22. An image is captured as an image signal. The image signal is converted into image data by the signal processing unit 801 for image reading, and then compressed by the data processing unit 802 for compression, and is stored in the storage area 804 of the memory 803 via the memory control unit 806. Stored.

  In the image data input process using the interface unit 70, image data sent from an external terminal PC such as a personal computer is received via the communication interface 701, and temporarily stored in the memory 702 of the interface unit 70 via the memory control unit 704. Remember. Next, the image data is transferred to the storage area 805 of the memory 803 via the memory control unit 704 of the interface unit 70, the bus 90, and the memory control unit 806 of the image processing unit 80, and then the transferred image data. Is sent to the data processing unit 802 for compression via the memory control unit 806 and subjected to compression processing. The compressed image data is stored again in the storage area 804 of the memory 803 via the memory control unit 806.

[Image formation processing]
The image forming process for one page is executed as follows. Image data to be transferred onto the sheet by the memory control unit 806 is read from the storage area 804 of the memory 803 and sent to the data processing unit 807 for expansion. Then, the data processing unit 807 decompresses the image data and sends it to the image writing signal processing unit 808. The signal processing unit 808 sends an image signal to the laser diode 401 at a predetermined timing based on the image data, and laser output based on the image data is performed from the laser diode 401 to the photosensitive drum 42a, and an exposure pattern based on the image data. Is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 42a. Simultaneously with these processes, the control unit 402 of the printer unit 40 rotates a drive motor (not shown) to convey the sheet onto the conveyance paths 41 and 41b, and the exposed photosensitive drum 42a and the transfer device 42c. Pass the paper between. Thereby, a toner image based on the image data is formed on the paper. Next, the paper is sent to the fixing unit 43 to fix the toner attached on the paper, and then the paper is sent to the paper discharge mechanism 60. Such processing is repeatedly executed for a plurality of pages × the set number of copies based on the contents of the print job set in the nonvolatile memory 810 or the like.

[Control flow]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a control flow performed by the control units 809, 402, and 607 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  Here, before describing the control flow, a setting procedure of group output setting, group division output setting and other print settings by the user will be described. 4 and 5 are explanatory diagrams of a printer driver setting screen in the external terminal PC connected via the communication interface 701. FIG. 6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams of a setting screen in the display operation unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 1. Based on these drawings, the print setting setting procedure will be sequentially described.

FIG. 4 shows a printer driver screen, which is a setting screen for performing basic settings. In the D1 column, the paper type, paper feed tray, and the like are selected. In the D2 column, the type of post-processing and the print mode are set. In the D3 column, the paper discharge unit is selected and the number of set copies is set. Further, in the D3 column, there are a D30 column, a D31 column, and a D32 column. In the D30 column, the setting number M can be set. In the column D31, sort output or group output can be selected. Sort output is set by checking the check box. In the figure, since it is not checked, the group output is set. Further, in the state where the group output is set in the D31 column, the D32 column can be selected, and the group division output can be set by depressing the D32 column. In accordance with the setting, the screen is switched to a detailed screen of group division output setting shown in FIG. In the group division output setting, there are two types of setting methods for the number m of divided copies: “for each designated number of copies” and “arbitrary designation”. FIG. 5A shows an example of setting by “each specified number of copies”. Setting can be performed by checking the D51 column and selecting each designated number of copies and inputting a numerical value to the D52 column using an input device such as a keyboard of an external terminal. The input numerical value is the number m of divided parts (the details of the number m of divided parts will be described in the control flow). The number of divisions m cannot be larger than the set number M set in the D30 column (see FIG. 4). For example, if the set number M is 1000, the divided number m cannot be greater than 1000. The division number m set in the D52 column is repeated, and this is repeated until the division number m. For example, if the set number of copies M is 1000 and the number of divided parts m is 200, the number of divided parts m _{1 to} m ₅ from the first to the fifth time is all 200 parts. If it is not divisible by the division number m, the remainder is set to the last division number m. For example, if the set number of copies is 1100, the number of divided parts m _{1 to} m ₅ is 200, and the number of divided parts of the divided part number m ₆ in the last sixth time is the remaining 100 parts.

FIG. 5B shows an example of setting by “optional designation”. By checking the D53 column and selecting an arbitrary designation, it is possible to perform setting by inputting a numerical value into the D54 column. A plurality of numerical values can be input, and each of the input numerical values becomes the division number m in turn. In the figure, corresponding to the order of the numerical values entered in the D53 column, the number of divided parts m ₁ is 100, the number of divided parts m ₂ is 200, the number of divided parts m ₃ is 300, and the number of divided parts m ₄ is 400. . It is necessary to set so that the total of these is 1000 copies. Note that the control may be changed so that the input to the D54 field is changed to the number of divisions and the number of boundaries is entered by the user. For example, if the number of divided parts m ₁ is 100, the number of divided parts m ₂ is 200, the number of divided parts m ₃ is 300, and the number of divided parts m ₄ is 400, as in the above example, the 100th, 300th, 700 This is a case where the numerical values are sequentially input since the copies of the copies and the 1000th copy are boundaries.

  Next, a setting procedure performed by the display operation unit 30 of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. The display operation unit 30 performs the same setting as in FIGS. In the D60 column of FIG. 6, the number of copies set (number of copies) input by the numeric keypad D74 or the like is displayed. The group output can be set by depressing the D61 button. When the group output is set, the group division output can be further set by depressing the D62 button. In accordance with the setting, the screen is switched to the detailed screen of the group division output setting shown in FIG. Similarly to FIG. 5, the setting method of the number of divisions m can be switched to “every designated number of copies” or “arbitrary designation” by operating the D71 button and the D73 button. The number of divisions m input with the numeric keypad D74 is displayed in the D72 column. The figure shows a state in which the D71 button is selected. The setting method is the same as that shown in FIG.

  Return to the description of the control flow. In step S11 of FIG. 3, print settings and image data are acquired as a print job. The print settings include at least the number of copies to be set, the number of pages of one copy, a mode for image formation (single-sided, double-sided, etc.), and a group setting instruction as a discharge setting. In step S12, the setting of the number of group division copies is further acquired as the print setting. These settings are set by the user on the setting screens shown in FIGS. In the following description, it is assumed that the set number of copies M is 1000, the number of pages per copy is 10 pages, and the number of divided copies m is set to 200 for each designated number of copies (that is, divided into 5 times).

  Mx is a counter for the number of copies and mx is a counter for the number of divisions. In step S12, these counters are initialized (zeroed).

  In step S14, printing is performed based on the print job. If it is the first time in the control flow, since the printing in step S14 is the first page, only the division number counter mx is incremented (step S15). Repeat until the division number counter mx ≧ the division number m (step S16). If the number m of divided parts is 200, step S14 to step S16 are repeated 200 times before proceeding to step S17, and mx is initialized in step S17.

  If the output has not been completed until the last page (10 pages in the example) (step S18: No), the control flow after step S14 is repeated after the image data is updated to the next page in step S19. If the result of the update in step S19 is the last page, in step S15, if only the divided copy counter mx is used, the set copy counter Mx is also incremented, and the process proceeds to step S20 (step S18: Yes). At this time, the set number counter Mx is 200 when the first group division output is completed, and is 400, 600, 800, and 1000 when the second to fifth times, respectively.

  In step S20, the page to be printed is initialized and output. In the case of the first to the fourth time, the set number counter Mx ≧ the set number M is not satisfied (step S21: No (reference numeral 30)), so the control flow after step S14 is repeated again, and in the case of the fifth time, the set number of copies. Since the counter Mx ≧ the set number of copies M, the control flow ends.

[Output status]
Next, the discharge state in the comparative example and the embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a comparative example, and FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a paper discharge state in the embodiment. In the example of FIGS. 8 and 9, the common condition is that the set number of copies is 1000, the number of pages per copy is 10 pages, and the print job is output in the single-sided mode. The group division output is performed with the setting of “200 copies”.

  FIG. 8A shows a state in which group output is performed by the image forming apparatus 1 and 1000 pages are sequentially stacked on the stacker 61 from the first page to the tenth page. Note that the stacker 61 performs shift discharge that is shifted little by little in the sheet conveyance direction for each page.

  When all the 10,000 sheets have been output, the operator manually loads each page bundle onto the stack tray st of the collator C1 shown in FIG. 8B. Cover sheets such as colored paper can be loaded at the bottom of the stack tray st, and the sheets loaded in each stack tray st are collated or collated by the collator unit c12 in the order in which they are bound. Processing is performed and the paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit c13. In the paper discharge section, 1000 copies of cover sheets and booklets that have been collated in the order of 1 to 10 pages are stacked.

  FIG. 9A shows a state in which the image forming apparatus 1 performs group division output, and 200 pages are stacked on the stacker 61 in order from the first page to the tenth page. In the image forming apparatus 1, the output of 2000 sheets is repeated five times as one divided group output based on the setting of the number of divisions m (200 copies) described above.

  In this way, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the processing of the next process can be started when the output of the divided group output 2000 sheets is completed without waiting for the completion of all the 10,000 outputs. That is, when the first output of 2000 sheets by the image forming apparatus 1 is finished, the operator can load each page bundle on the stack tray st of the collator C1 shown in FIG. 9B. While 1 is executing a print job, the next process can be performed in parallel by another post-processing device such as a collator device.

  FIG. 10 is a Gantt chart showing the flow of the print job output process and collator processing process. FIG. 10A shows the process in the comparative example, and FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C show the process in the example. 10 (a), 10 (b), and 10 (c), as a common example, the image forming system outputs a total of 10,000 copies of 1000 copies with 10 pages per copy, and then the collator. The collation process was performed by the apparatus.

  In FIG. 10 (a) of the comparative example, as shown in FIG. 8, printing of 10,000 sheets is performed with group output (first step), and then the operator loads the printed matter into the collator device, and then the collator device makes 10,000 sheets. On the other hand, a collation process is performed (second step). In this case, if the time required for the first process is 2h and the time required for the second process is 4h, the time required for all processes is 6h.

  FIG. 10B of the embodiment is an example in which the number m of divided parts is divided into two parts of 500 parts as divided group outputs. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10B, the collation process (second process) can be performed by the collator device after the printing of 5000 sheets is completed in the first process. While the second step is being performed, the remaining 5000 sheets can be printed in the image forming system (third step). That is, the second step and the third step can be performed in parallel. The collation process of the 4th process is performed by loading 5000 printed matter printed by the 3rd process in the collator apparatus which was vacated after the 2nd process. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 (b), the time required for the entire process is 5h, so that the entire process can be performed in a shorter time than the comparative example shown in FIG. 10 (a). Improvements can be made.

  FIG. 10C of the embodiment shows a process when printing is performed under the same conditions as in FIG. 10B and two collator devices (collator 1 and collator 2) are used. Since the fourth step and the second step can be performed in parallel by using two collator devices, the time required for all the steps is 4 hours, and the productivity can be further improved.

According to the present embodiment, the group division output can be executed, so that the set number of copies can be easily divided and output. As a result, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) As described above, post-processing after the image forming system can be started without waiting for the completion of all output of the print job. Therefore, the total productivity can be improved by reducing the waiting time and shortening the time required for all processes including the post-processing in the subsequent stage.
(2) When a booklet is produced by combining paper output by a group with an image forming system and paper such as a cover output by another device, the paper output by a group is the same, but the paper output by another device is changed halfway. When a plurality of types of booklets are produced with a plurality of combinations, it is possible to easily cope with such a problem by setting the number of divided copies in accordance with the number of set copies of each type.
(3) When a group output sheet is collated or collated with another post-processing device, the upper limit processing number of the post-processing device is smaller than the upper limit processing number of the image forming system of the present application For example, in the example shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the upper limit number of sheets that can be stacked on the stack tray st is 500 sheets, the group output sheets are subdivided according to the upper limit number of sheets and loaded into the stack tray st. I had to. In the embodiment of the present application, it is possible to easily cope with such a problem by matching the setting of the number of divisions with the upper limit processing number of the other post-processing devices.

[Other Embodiments]
FIG. 11 is a group division output setting screen in the display operation unit 30. In another embodiment, the setting for stopping the operation of the main body and the setting for changing the discharge destination are performed after the output up to the number of divisions is completed on the setting screen.

  By setting the D81 column and the D82 column in the upper part of FIG. 11, it is possible to switch whether or not to stop the main body operation after the completion of the output up to the number of divided copies. As shown in FIG. 1, when a plurality of paper discharge units (stacker 61) are provided, by setting the lower D83 column and D84 column in FIG. The paper tip can be changed.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a control flow performed by the control unit of the image forming apparatus 1 according to another embodiment. The control flow in FIG. 12 is a control flow performed following the reference numeral 30 in FIG. 3 (No in step S21), and is performed based on the settings performed on the setting screen in FIG.

  In FIG. 12A, when the D81 column of FIG. 11 is selected and the stop setting is made (step S31: Yes), the number of divided copies to be executed after the output up to the number of divided copies being executed is completed. Is temporarily stopped (step S32). In step S32, the process continues to wait until a restart request is received, and when a copy button (not shown) is pushed down by the user (step S33: Yes), printing is resumed (step S34), and the control flow after step S14 is executed. According to this embodiment, since it can be stopped for every output of the number of divisions, it is possible to facilitate handling to a subsequent apparatus.

  When the D82 column in FIG. 11 is selected and the output continuation setting is set instead of the output stop setting (step S31: No), these controls are skipped, as shown in the control flow of FIG. After the output up to the number of divided copies being executed is completed, the output up to the number of subsequent divided copies is continuously performed.

  In FIG. 12B, when the D83 column in FIG. 11 is selected and the discharge destination change setting is set (step S35: Yes), the discharge destination is changed in step S36, and the subsequent division is performed. The number of copies is discharged to the changed paper discharge unit. For example, when two stackers 61 are provided as shown in FIG. 1 and divided into five groups for group division output, as shown in FIG. 9, the first, third and fifth times are on the right side on the upstream side. The paper discharge destination is alternately switched so that the paper is discharged to the stacker 61 and discharged to the left stacker 61 on the downstream side in the second and fourth times.

  On the other hand, when the D84 column in FIG. 11 is selected and the discharge destination change setting is not set (step S35: No), the control of step S36 is skipped and the number of divided copies being executed is as shown in the control flow of FIG. Is completed, the output up to the subsequent number of divided copies is continued and overlapped on the same paper discharge unit. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to facilitate handling to the subsequent apparatus by switching the paper discharge destination.

809, 402, 607 Control unit 80 Image processing unit 40 Printer unit (image forming unit)
51, 52, 53 Paper feed tray 54 Paper feed unit 60 Paper discharge mechanism 61 Stacker 30 Display operation unit

Claims (6)

An image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet based on a print job,
Based on the print job settings, it is possible to set a group output that continuously discharges paper on which the same image is formed to the set number of copies, and performs this until the last page,
When the group output is set to divide the set number of copies into a plurality when the group output is performed, the paper on which the same image is formed is continuously discharged up to the divided number of divisions obtained by dividing the set number of copies, An image forming apparatus characterized in that group division output can be performed by performing this up to the last page and performing these operations up to the set number of copies.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of divided copies is repeatedly output up to a set number of copies, with the designated number of copies designated by the user as the number of divided copies, or output for each of the designated number of divided copies. Output stop and output continuation can be set,
When output stop is set, when the output up to the number of divided copies being executed is completed, the output of the subsequent divided copies is paused,
3. The output according to claim 1, wherein when the output continuation setting is set, the output up to the number of divided copies being executed is continued after the output up to the number of divided copies being executed is completed. Image forming apparatus. It can be connected to a post-processing device with multiple paper discharge units,
The discharge unit that outputs the subsequent number of divided copies is changed when the output up to the number of divided copies being executed is completed when the change of the discharge destination is set. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A post-processing device having a paper discharge unit for discharging paper discharged from the image forming apparatus;
An image forming system comprising: An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A post-processing device that includes a plurality of paper discharge units, and discharges the paper discharged from the image forming apparatus to any one of the paper discharge units,
An image forming system, wherein when the output of the number of divisions being executed is completed, the paper discharge unit that outputs the subsequent number of divisions is changed when the change of the discharge destination is set.

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