JP2011235591A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform printing of index paper by using paper the same as one for regular outputting in confirmation printing of only a specific range.SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus includes a plurality of paper supply trays capable of respectively accommodating text paper and index paper, an image forming section for forming an image on paper, a paper discharge section for discharging paper, a paper feeding/transporting section for picking up paper from the paper supply trays and feeding or transporting the paper to the image forming section and the paper discharge section, and a control section for controlling the forming of an image and the feeding or transporting of the paper. The image forming apparatus has a confirmation printing function for performing confirmation printing of a job before regular outputting. In a case where only a page in a specific range in the job is printed by the confirmation printing function, index paper which is to be used in a page prior the specific range and is not a printing target is picked up from the paper supply tray and is discharged to the paper discharge section before the index paper is printed in the confirmation printing so that the confirmation printing can be performed by using the same paper as that of regular outputting.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of performing confirmation printing of a job including pages that use index sheets.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus that forms an image using image data, and transfers the image to a sheet for output, the user can set printing conditions. Examples of printing conditions include the number of output copies, single-sided and double-sided printing, printing paper size, copy magnification, copy density, and post-processing methods such as stapling and punching. When the printing conditions are set in this way, the user confirms whether or not the output form intended by the user can be obtained. If the result of the confirmation is different from the intended one, the printing conditions are reset. There is a desire to make settings and corrections.
Conventionally, from this point of view, an image forming apparatus that enables output for confirmation by a user before performing normal output has been proposed. The output function for confirmation is referred to as confirmation printing. ing.
Recently, an image forming apparatus has also been realized in which a specific range of pages in a job can be designated to perform the confirmation printing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-39898 A

By the way, in the printing of the image forming apparatus, there is a case where a job including an index sheet is printed. In this case, there is a demand for the confirmation printing to check the index sheet by printing in the same manner as the main output. Then, if confirmation printing is performed only on a specific range of pages during the main output of a job that includes index paper, the index paper is used in the same order as the main output because the index paper is stored in the paper feed tray in order. Is done.
Note that the index sheets remaining in the paper feed tray after the confirmation printing are in the order in which the index sheets that have not been subjected to the confirmation printing remain, and are different from the order of the index sheets used in this output. If this output is performed as it is, the index paper is used and printed in a form different from the main output. On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, before starting the actual output, the index sheet that has become redundant as a result of confirmation printing in a specific range from the paper feed tray in which the index sheet is stored is stored in the image forming apparatus. By discharging to a separate discharge destination from the confirmation printing, it is possible to make the index paper used for the output the same as that used for the confirmation printing.

  However, since the image forming apparatus is premised on performing confirmation printing in the middle of output, when performing confirmation printing of a specific range of pages before this output, the paper feed tray in which the index sheet is stored is used. There is a problem that the index sheets are not stacked in the order in which the confirmation printing is performed, and the confirmation printing cannot be performed on the same sheet as the main output.

  The above state will be described with reference to FIG. In the paper feed tray on which the index paper is stacked, the index paper is stacked in the order of tab 1 to tab 5 as shown in FIG. Used on paper. (B) shows the printing order in which index sheets are inserted into the body and printed. In this example, the third page (tab 1), the fifth page (tab 2), and the seventh page (tab 3) are displayed. Sequential index paper is used. At this time, the case where the fourth and fifth pages in the job are printed as confirmation printing will be described. In this output, as shown in (b), the main text and the index paper of the tab 2 stored secondly in the paper feed tray are printed sequentially. On the other hand, in the confirmation printing, as shown in (c), the main body and the index sheet at the head are printed sequentially. However, the first index sheet is the tab 1 sheet, and an index sheet different from the main output is used, making it difficult to achieve the purpose of confirmation printing.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and even if the first sheet of the index sheet tray and the print target page are different from the sheet used at the time of actual output at the time of confirmation printing in a specific range, The purpose is to enable confirmation printing on the paper used.

That is, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of paper feed trays each capable of storing body paper and index paper, an image forming unit that forms an image on the paper, a paper discharge unit that discharges the paper, A sheet feeding and conveying unit that feeds sheets from the sheet feeding tray and conveys the sheets to an image forming unit and a sheet discharging unit; and a control unit that controls the image formation and sheet feeding and conveyance.
The control unit has a confirmation printing function for performing confirmation printing of a job before the actual output. When the confirmation printing function prints only a specific range of pages in the job, an index sheet is printed by the confirmation printing. Before the printing, an index sheet that is not to be used for printing on a page before the specific range is fed from the paper feed tray and discharged to the paper discharge unit.

  The index sheets are ordered and stored in the sheet feed tray, and the index sheets used in the pages before the specific range where confirmation printing is performed are excluded from the confirmation printing target and fed from the sheet feeding tray and discharged. Paper is discharged to the section. As a result, the index sheets after the head of the index sheet feed tray can be printed in the same order as the index sheets to be printed in the main output, and the confirmation printing can be performed in accordance with the main output. This output means normal printing different from confirmation printing.

The non-printable index sheet may be discharged before the index sheet is printed in the confirmation printing, and is normally discharged before the confirmation printing.
It is desirable to discharge the index sheets that are not to be printed so as to be distinguished from the confirmation printing sheets that are discharged after that. As one of the methods, when a plurality of paper discharge units are provided, an index sheet that is not a print target and a confirmation printed sheet are discharged to another paper discharge unit.
In addition, even when index paper that is not the target of printing and paper that has been confirmed to be printed are discharged to the same paper discharge unit, shift paper discharge that changes the paper discharge position in the width direction of the paper discharge unit or insertion of a separator is inserted. Thus, the two can be distinguished and arranged.
In addition, when an index sheet that is not to be printed is conveyed to the paper discharge unit and discharged, it can be discharged in an unprinted state without image formation in the image forming unit. This eliminates the need for wasteful image formation. However, the present invention does not exclude that the image is formed and discharged, and the image may be discharged after performing an appropriate image formation if desired.

Note that when a non-printable index sheet is fed, transported, and ejected, the necessary number of sheets are targeted. The number of sheets can be grasped by referring to page information from the first page of the job and calculating index sheets up to a specific range.
Also, when creating page information for pages that use index paper, index order information indicating the number of index paper used in the target job is added, and index paper that is not to be printed is discharged based on this index order information. You may make it paper.
Specifically, only the first [index sheet order information-1] sheets included in the specific range are discharged.

  In the case of confirmation printing, if the pages in the specific range do not include pages that use index sheets, normal confirmation printing can be performed immediately without discharging index sheets that are not to be printed.

  After ejecting the index paper that is not the target of printing and performing the confirmation printing of the specific range of pages, the excess index paper remaining in the paper feed tray is fed, transported and ejected in the same way as above, By matching the first index sheet of the paper feed tray with the first page of the index sheet in the main output, printing can be performed with the paper as the main output. Therefore, even if confirmation printing is performed only on pages in a specific range, printing is performed on the paper as set in the actual printing.

  The index sheet describes a summary of the contents of the text if desired, and generally refers to a sheet having a protrusion called a tab as the index sheet. The index sheets are stored in the sheet feeding tray in order.

That is, according to the present invention, a plurality of paper feed trays each capable of storing body paper and index paper, an image forming unit that forms an image on the paper, a paper discharge unit that discharges the paper, and the paper supply A paper feeding / conveying unit that feeds paper from a paper tray and conveys the paper to an image forming unit and a paper discharging unit, and a control unit that controls the image formation and paper feeding / conveying of the paper,
The control unit has a confirmation printing function for performing confirmation printing of a job before the actual output. When the confirmation printing function prints only a specific range of pages in the job, an index sheet is printed by the confirmation printing. Before this, the index paper that is not to be used for the pages before the specific range is controlled to be fed from the paper feed tray and discharged to the paper discharge unit. Confirmation printing can be performed on the printed paper. Accordingly, when printing is performed on the tab tab portion, it is possible to prevent the printing from being performed at an illegal position by the confirmation printing. Further, it is possible to confirm the printed image of the tab tab at the time of confirmation output, and to confirm the relationship between the index paper ear position and the printed image at the time of confirmation output.

1 is a central sectional view of an entire image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Similarly, the circuit block of the entire image forming system is shown. Similarly, it is a figure which shows a confirmation print setting screen. Similarly, it is a figure which shows an index paper setting screen. Similarly, it is a figure which shows a page unit setting screen. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the whole flow at the time of confirmation printing. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing a procedure for discharging an unnecessary index sheet. Similarly, it is a diagram for explaining index sheet order information used in the procedure for discharging unnecessary index sheets. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the printing result by confirmation printing. It is a figure which shows the operation example of confirmation printing in a prior art.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a central sectional view of the entire image forming apparatus and shows a mechanical configuration. The configuration will be described below.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes a digital multifunction peripheral 1a and a post-processing apparatus (FNS) 180. A scanner unit 130 and a flow type automatic document feeder (ADF) 135 are provided on the upper side of the image forming apparatus 1. Thus, an image of the original can be read through the platen glass 137 or the slit glass 138 for reading the ADF original.
The above-described scanner unit 130, flow type automatic document feeder (ADF) 135, platen glass 137, ADF document reading slit glass 138, and the like constitute an image reading unit.
In addition, on the upper side of the image forming apparatus 1, an operation unit 140 including a touch panel is provided at a position where the platen glass 137 is not located, so that an operator can perform operations and display information.

A plurality of paper feed trays (1-3) 160 (three stages in the figure) are arranged on the lower side of the image forming apparatus 1, and a large capacity that also serves as a paper feed tray when attached to the image forming apparatus 1. A paper feed tray 161 is arranged. In the digital multifunction peripheral 1a, a transport path for transporting paper fed from the paper feed tray, a second paper feed roller 162, and the like are provided. The paper feed / conveying section of the present invention is configured by the paper feed roller, the transport path, the second paper feed roller 162 and the like provided in the paper feed tray. An image forming unit 151 including a charger 152, an LD unit 153, a photoconductor 154, a developing unit 155, a transfer unit 156, a fixing unit 157, a cleaning unit 158 and the like is provided in the conveyance path.
The image forming unit 151, the paper feed tray (1-3) 160, the large-capacity paper feed tray 161, the paper feed roller, the transport path, the second paper feed roller 163, and the like constitute the printer unit 150 of the present invention. .

  The charging device 152, the developing device 155, and the transfer unit 156 are disposed around the photoconductor 154. The charger 152 uniformly charges the surface of the photoreceptor 154 before image writing. The LD unit 153 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 154 by irradiating the photoconductor 154 whose surface is uniformly charged with a semiconductor laser. The developing device 155 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 154 by the LD unit 153 with the toner member. By this development processing, a toner image is formed on the photoreceptor 154. The transfer unit 156 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive member 154 to a sheet conveyed from the sheet feed tray (1-3) 160 or the large-capacity sheet feed tray 161. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is separated from the photoreceptor 154 and conveyed to the fixing device 157. The toner member remaining on the photoreceptor 154 is removed by the cleaning unit 158.

The fixing device 157 fixes the toner image transferred to the front side of the sheet by heating the conveyed sheet. The sheet subjected to the fixing process is conveyed to a post-processing device (FNS) 180 as it is in the case of single-sided printing. In the post-processing device (FNS) 180, stapling, punching, cutting, and the like are performed. On the other hand, in the case of duplex printing, the fixed sheet is switched back and a predetermined image is transferred by the image forming unit 151 to the back side of the sheet. The paper on which images are formed on both sides is conveyed to a post-processing device (FNS) 180 after fixing. The post-processing device (FNS) 180 includes a first paper discharge port 182 and a second paper discharge port 183 as a paper discharge unit.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes a digital multi-function peripheral 1a and the post-processing device (FNS) 180, and the first paper discharge port 182 and the second paper discharge port 183 correspond to a paper discharge unit of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a circuit block of an image forming system including a digital multifunction peripheral (copier, printer, scanner) 1a, and the contents thereof will be described in detail below.
The digital multi-function peripheral 1a processes image data input from terminals A and B, which are external devices, through the digital copier body having the image control unit 110, the scanner unit 130, the operation unit 140, and the printer unit 150, and the LAN 3. Alternatively, image processing means 170 is provided that enables image data obtained by the scanner unit 130 to be transferred to the terminals A and B through the LAN 3.

  The image control unit 110 has a PCI bus 112 connected to the image processing means 170, and a DRAM control IC 111 is connected to the PCI bus 112. An image memory 120 including a compression memory 121 and a page memory 122 is connected to the DRAM control IC 111. The compression memory 121 is a memory for storing compressed image data, and the page memory 122 is a memory for temporarily storing uncompressed image data to be printed before image formation.

  The image data acquired by the image processing means 170 is transmitted to the DRAM control IC 111 through the PCI bus 112 along with the printing operation. Further, the above-described LAN 3 is connected to the DRAM control IC 111 via a LAN interface 118, and communication with external devices such as terminals A and B is possible.

Further, the image control unit 110 includes an image control CPU 113, and the DRAM control IC 111 is connected to the image control CPU 113.
Further, the image control CPU 113 is connected to a non-volatile memory 115 constituted by a flash memory or the like. The nonvolatile memory 115 stores initial print setting information of the image forming apparatus 1, machine setting information such as process control parameters, user setting values, output setting initial data, and the like.

The image control CPU 113 can read non-volatile data in the non-volatile memory 115 and can write desired data in the non-volatile memory 115.
The image control CPU 113 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the machine setting information, the print setting information, and the like. The image control CPU 113 controls the entire image forming apparatus 1 and constitutes a control unit of the present invention together with the nonvolatile memory 115 and the like. The control unit performs management control such as setting, reservation, and execution of jobs stored in the compression memory 121, and can perform confirmation printing in addition to normal printing of jobs. Confirmation printing can be performed on the entire job or a specific range of pages.

  Next, the scanner unit 130 includes a CCD 131 that performs optical reading, and a scanner control unit 132 that controls the entire scanner unit 130. The scanner control unit 132 is connected to the image control CPU 113 so as to be capable of serial communication. The CCD 131 is connected to a reading processing unit 116 that processes image data read by the CCD 131, and the reading processing unit 116 is connected to the DRAM control IC 111 via the compression IC 117 in a controllable manner.

  The operation unit 140 includes an LCD 141 that serves as both a display unit and an input unit and includes a touch panel, and an operation unit control unit 142 that controls the entire operation unit. The operation unit control unit 142 includes the image control unit. It is connected to the CPU 113 so that serial communication is possible. In the operation unit 140, under the control of the image control CPU 113, the LCD 141 inputs machine setting inputs such as print settings and operation control conditions in the image forming apparatus 1, setting inputs related to output, and paper information (size, paper) of each paper feed tray. Seed) setting input and display of desired information such as display of setting contents can be performed. In addition, a confirmation output setting operation, a confirmation output execution instruction operation, a confirmation output shift instruction operation, and the like can be performed.

The DRAM control IC 111 is connected with a compression IC 117 for compressing image data and an expansion IC 125 for expanding.
The write processing unit 126 connected to the decompression IC 125 is connected to the image forming unit 151 including the LD 153 of the printer unit 150, and performs processing of write data used for the operation of the LD unit 153.
The printer unit 150 includes a paper feed tray (1-3) 160, a large-capacity paper feed tray 161, a paper feed conveyance unit including a conveyance path and a secondary paper feed roller 162, in addition to the image forming unit 151. .
The printer unit 150 includes a printer control unit 159 that controls the entire printer unit 150 (paper feeding, image formation, paper discharge, post-processing, etc.). The printer control unit 159 is connected to the image control CPU 113 described above. Has been. The printer control unit 159 operates in accordance with a control command from the image control CPU 113 to control the printer unit 150.

  Further, the DRAM control IC 171 of the image processing means 170 is connected to the PCI bus 112 to which the DRAM control IC 111 is connected as described above. When the image forming unit 170 is used as a network printer or a network scanner, the image processing unit 170 receives image data or the like from the terminals A and B connected to the LAN 3 by the digital multi-function peripheral 1a or the scanner unit 130 The acquired image data is transmitted to terminals A and B connected to the LAN 3. In the image processing means 170, an image memory 172 composed of DRAM or the like is connected to the DRAM control IC 171. In the image processing means 170, the DRAM control IC 171, a controller control CPU 173 that controls the entire image processing means 170, and a LAN interface 175 are connected to a common bus. The LAN interface 175 is connected to the LAN 3.

Next, the basic operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
First, a procedure for storing image data in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
First, in the image forming apparatus 1, a case where an image is read by the scanner unit 130 and image data is generated will be described. The scanner unit 130 optically reads an image from a document by the CCD 131. At this time, the operation of the CCD 131 is controlled by the scanner control unit 132 that receives a command from the image control CPU 113. The reading of the original may be performed while the original is being fed by the casting type automatic document feeder (ADF) 135, or may be performed by placing the original on the platen glass 137.

  The image control CPU 113 operates according to a program and issues a command to the scanner unit 130 based on an operation by the operation unit 140. The image read by the CCD 131 is subjected to data processing by the reading processing unit 116, and the image data subjected to the data processing is sent to the compression IC 117 via the DRAM control IC 111 and compressed by a predetermined method. The compressed data is stored in the compression memory 121 via the DRAM control IC 111.

  In addition, the image data is input to the digital multi-function peripheral 1a via the LAN 3. Examples of the image data include data generated by application programs such as terminals A and B, and data generated by other image forming apparatuses. The data is received by the image processing means 170 via the LAN 3 and the LAN interface 175 and is temporarily stored in the image memory 172 by the DRAM control IC 171. The data stored in the image memory 172 is transferred to the DRAM control IC 111 via the PCI bus 112 and temporarily stored in the decompression IC 125. The data stored in the decompression IC 125 is sent to the compression IC 117 via the DRAM control IC 111 and subjected to compression processing, and stored in the compression memory 121 via the DRAM control IC 111.

  Next, when the image forming apparatus 1 outputs an image, the data stored in the compression memory 121 is sent to the decompression IC 125 via the DRAM control IC 111 to decompress the data. The decompressed data is sent to the write processing unit 126 via the DRAM control IC 111 to generate write data, and the LD unit 153 writes to the photoconductor 154.

In the printer unit 150, the printer control unit 159 that has received a command from the image control CPU 113 controls each unit such as the paper feed tray (1-3) 160, the large capacity paper feed tray 161, and the conveyance path. In the printer unit 150, image formation, transfer to paper, fixing, conveyance to a post-processing device (FNS) 180 by a conveyance path, post-processing by the post-processing device (FNS) 180, and the like are sequentially performed to perform print output. The paper is discharged to the first paper discharge outlet 182 and the second paper discharge outlet 183 by the paper discharge destination control.
When the confirmation printing is performed, a confirmation printing instruction is given by the user on the operation screen of the operation unit 140 controlled by the image control CPU 113. In that case, confirmation printing of all job pages, confirmation printing of a specific range of pages, and the like can be designated.

FIG. 3 shows a setting screen 1400 for instructing confirmation printing. The confirmation print setting screen 1400 is displayed on the LCD 141 of the operation unit 140 so as to be operable.
On the confirmation print setting screen 1400, an all page print instruction button 1401 and a specific range page instruction button 1402 are displayed so that they can be pressed. When the all-page button 1401 is pushed and the OK button 1405 is pushed, confirmation printing is executed on all pages. On the other hand, when the specific range page button 1402 is pushed, numerical values can be input to the start page column 1403 and the end page column 1404 to specify the page range. When the page field is selected, the numerical value can be input by displaying a numeric keypad so that it can be operated. Confirmation copy selection within a specific range is confirmed by pressing the OK button 1405. Further, by pressing a cancel button 1406, the setting contents can be canceled.

Note that it may be possible to set whether or not to use index paper for confirmation printing. For example, the setting is set in advance as an initial setting, and the initial setting is stored in the nonvolatile memory 115 so as to be readable. In addition, settings may be made on various setting screens and the confirmation print setting screen 1400.
In addition, when performing confirmation printing of a specific range page, it may be possible to set whether or not to perform confirmation printing by discharging index sheets that are not to be printed. For example, the setting is determined in advance as “initial discharge setting”, and the initial setting is stored in the nonvolatile memory 115 so as to be readable. Further, whether or not to discharge paper may be set on various setting screens or the confirmation print setting screen 1400. In this embodiment, description will be made assuming that the index sheet that is not the printing target is set to be discharged in the initial setting.

Further, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, printing using index paper is possible, and settings relating to the index paper can be performed on the operation unit 140.
FIG. 4 shows an index sheet setting screen 1410 displayed on the operation unit 140 so as to be operable. In the index sheet setting screen 1410, an index sheet No. Of each No. can be set. Can be set for each. In the setting screen, the index sheet No. When the button 1411 is pressed, no. Can be entered. The paper size can be input by pressing the paper button 1412. Further, by pressing the number-of-ears button 1413, the number of ears serving as the tab positions can be set. In this setting screen, the index sheet No. For sheet 1, paper size A4 and number of ears 5 are set. After the setting is input, the setting is confirmed by pressing the OK button 1414, and the setting is canceled by pressing the cancel button 1415.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, setting in page units is possible, and FIG. 5 shows a page unit setting screen 1420 displayed on the operation unit 140 so as to be operable. In this figure, the target page can be set by pressing the page number button 1421. (A) is a setting screen for the third page, and (b) is a setting screen for the fourth page. The setting screen has a print type button 1422, and by pressing the print type button 1422, “text”, “blank sheet insertion”, and the like are selected and set. A paper feed tray button 1423 is a button for selecting and setting a paper feed tray to which paper is fed. By pressing the paper feed tray button 1423, a paper feed tray number can be input. In this example, no. No. 1 paper tray contains text sheets. No. 2 on the paper feed tray. One index sheet is stored.

The index paper button 1424 is used to set whether or not index paper is used and the index paper number when blank paper insertion is selected as the print type. When the index sheet button 1424 is pushed, the list displays the index sheet numbers that are not used or selectable index sheets, and can be selected. A heading position button 1425 is used to set a heading position when an index sheet is selected. A list of selectable heading positions is displayed according to the index sheet number and can be selected.
In the figure, the third page is a text print, and the fourth page is an index sheet No. 1 is used, and the heading position is set to the first of five.

Next, a procedure for discharging index sheets that are not to be printed during the confirmation printing of a specific range will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is executed by the control unit.
When the confirmation printing is started, it is determined whether or not the index printing use page is included in the confirmation printing designated page (step s1). If the index sheet use page is not included (step s1, NO), normal confirmation print output is started (step s3).
On the other hand, if it is determined in step s1 that the confirmation print designation page includes the index sheet use page (YES in step s1), the top sheet of the index sheet tray is adjusted to the sheet to be used in the actual output (step s2). ). Thereafter, confirmation print output is started (step s3).

A specific procedure for matching the top sheet of the index sheet feed tray with the sheet used in the main output will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is also executed by the control unit.
The counter is initialized (Cnt = 1: Step s10). Next, it is determined whether or not the Cnt page is a page within the confirmation printing range (step s11). If the Cnt page is a page within the confirmation print range (step s11, YES), the process is terminated. In this state, the first index paper used for the confirmation output is set at the head of the index paper feed tray.
If the Cnt page is not within the confirmation print range (step s11, NO), it is determined whether or not the Cnt page is an index sheet use page (step s12). If the Cnt page is not an index sheet use page (step s12, NO), Cnt is incremented (step s14), and the process returns to step s11. In this state, since the order of the index sheets is not affected, the counter is simply advanced.
If the Cnt page is an index sheet use page (YES in step s12), the first sheet in the index sheet tray is discharged separately from the confirmation print (step s13).
For example, an index sheet that is not to be printed is discharged to a second discharge port 183 provided in the post-processing device (FNS) 180, and a confirmation print sheet is discharged to the first discharge port 182. Thereafter, Cnt is incremented (step s14), and the process returns to step s11.

In the above procedure, the index page before confirmation printing is sequentially discharged by referring to the page information of the job in order from the top. However, the number of index sheets before confirmation printing is counted, and that number of sheets is discharged together. You may make it do.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, when creating page information of index paper use pages, index order information indicating the number of index paper used in the target job is added, and the index order information is displayed during confirmation printing. Referring to the index sheet to be discharged as not to be printed may be determined. In FIG. 8, the third page, the fifth page, and the seventh page of the main output are assigned to the index sheet, and index order information is assigned to each page. For example, when the fourth and fifth pages are confirmed and printed, the order information of the first index sheet in the confirmation printing is No. 2 so that the previous No. It is possible to determine to eject up to one index sheet as a non-print target.

FIG. 9 shows a printing state when the index sheet is discharged as a printing target and confirmation printing is performed.
In the paper feed tray on which the index paper is stacked, the index paper is stacked in the order of tab 1 to tab 5 as shown in FIG. Used on paper. (B) shows the printing order in which index sheets are inserted into the body and printed. In this example, the third page (tab 1), the fifth page (tab 2), and the seventh page (tab 3) are displayed. Sequential index sheets are used.
In this example, the case where the fourth and fifth pages in the job are printed as confirmation printing will be described. In this output, as shown in (b), the main body and the second index sheet of tab 2 are printed sequentially.
Prior to the confirmation printing, the index paper (tab 1) that is not to be printed in the index paper feed tray is discharged separately.
In the confirmation printing, as shown in (c), the text and the index sheet at the head are printed sequentially. The first index sheet is the sheet of the tab 2, and the same tab position (ear position) is used, that is, the same index sheet as the main output is used, and the purpose of the confirmation printing can be achieved.

  Although the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above description, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 1a Digital compound machine 113 Image control CPU
140 Operation unit 150 Printer unit 151 Image forming unit 162 Second paper feed roller 180 Post-processing device (FNS)
182 First paper outlet 183 Second paper outlet

Claims (11)

A plurality of paper feed trays each capable of storing a body paper and an index paper, an image forming unit for forming an image on the paper, a paper discharge unit for discharging the paper, and feeding paper from the paper feed tray A sheet feeding and conveying unit that conveys the image to the image forming unit and the sheet discharging unit, and a control unit that controls the image forming and sheet feeding and conveyance.
The control unit has a confirmation printing function for performing confirmation printing of a job before the actual output. When the confirmation printing function prints only a specific range of pages in the job, an index sheet is printed by the confirmation printing. An image forming apparatus, wherein before the specified range, a non-printable index sheet to be used on a page before the specific range is fed from the sheet feeding tray and discharged to the sheet discharge unit.   When printing only a specific range of pages in a job with the confirmation printing function, the control unit feeds an index sheet that is not a print target to be used on a page before the specific range before the confirmation printing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed to feed paper from a tray and discharge the paper to the paper discharge unit.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control to discharge the unprinted index sheet without performing the image formation when discharging the index sheet that is not to be printed. 4. .   After discharging the non-printable index sheet, the control unit feeds the same index sheet as the main output from the sheet feeding tray when there is a page using the index sheet in the specific range of pages. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control for confirming and printing the pages in the specific range is performed.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit distinguishes and discharges the index sheet that is not the print target and the sheet on which the confirmation printing has been performed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit discharges the non-printable index sheet and the confirmation-printed sheet to different sheet discharge units.   The control unit sequentially refers to the page information of the job from the top, calculates the number of index sheets used in the previous page of the specific range in the confirmation printing, and according to the number of sheets, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control for discharging the index sheet is performed.   The control unit adds index order information indicating the number of index paper used in the target job when creating page information of index paper used pages, and refers to the index order information during confirmation printing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed to discharge the non-printable index sheet based on the index order information.   The control unit performs confirmation printing of the specific range without performing the control of discharging index paper that is not a print target when the specific range in the confirmation printing does not include pages that use index paper. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   After the confirmation printing in the specific range, the control unit feeds the index paper to be used in a page whose printing order is later than the specific range from the paper feed tray without performing the image formation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus performs control of discharging the sheet to the unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the index sheet is a tab sheet.

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