JP2013146899A - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus in which the occurrence of difference in consumption level between a parent unit and a child unit by making the number of printed prints even between the parent unit and the child unit.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes two printing engines connected in series and performs printing on a front surface of a paper by one printing engine and then, printing on a rear surface of the paper by the other engine, thereby performing double-sided printing on the paper. The image forming apparatus includes a receiving means receiving a print job, an analysis means analyzing the number of pages of image data included in the print job received by the receiving means, and a control means switching the printing engines with which the final page of the image data is printed for each image data or each predetermined number of prints of the number of prints set in the print job, when the number of pages of the image data analyzed by the analysis means is odd.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a program, and a recording medium.

  In recent years, improvement in processing capability of image forming apparatuses has been promoted.

  A tandem type image forming apparatus in which two printing engines are connected in series prints on the front side of a sheet by a master unit and prints on the back side by a slave unit located downstream in the sheet transport direction. To improve the processing capacity of the device.

  However, in such a tandem type image forming apparatus, when the number of pages of image data to be printed is an odd number, the last page is usually printed by the master unit. For this reason, when printing for a large number of print jobs that include image data for odd pages, or when printing for image data for odd pages with a large number of copies specified, the number of prints on the master unit is lower than on the slave unit. And there is a difference in the degree of wear between the parent device and the child device.

  Conventional techniques for preventing a difference in the degree of wear of a plurality of image forming apparatuses include the following. In other words, the server acquires consumable material usage information and developer remaining amount information from each image forming apparatus on the network, collates with pixel information of the image data to be printed, and the image data is less consumed. Sort out. As a result, there is one in which the lifetime of consumable parts is made the same (Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-178585 A

  However, in the above-described prior art, it is possible to equalize the degree of wear for each image forming apparatus, but it is possible to prevent a difference in the degree of wear between the master unit and the slave unit of the serial tandem type image forming apparatus. There is a problem that can not be.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and when the number of pages of image data included in a print job is an odd number, the last page of image data for each image data or for each predetermined number of print copies. Switch the print engine on which is printed. As a result, the number of copies printed by the parent device and the child device is equalized, and a difference in the degree of wear between the parent device and the child device is prevented.

  The above-described problems of the present invention are solved by the following means.

  (1) Two printing engines connected in series are provided. After printing on the front side of the paper by one printing engine, printing on the back side of the paper by the other printing engine, double-sided printing on the paper An image forming apparatus for receiving a print job, an analysis unit for analyzing the number of pages of image data included in the print job received by the reception unit, and the analysis unit analyzed by the analysis unit When the number of pages of image data is an odd number, the print engine that prints the last page of the image data for each of the image data or for every predetermined number of print copies set in the print job An image forming apparatus.

  (2) In the case where the number of pages analyzed by the analysis unit is an odd number, the storage unit further stores information of the print engine that printed the last page of the image data last, and the control unit The image according to (1), wherein the print engine is switched so that the last page of the image data is printed by the print engine other than the print engine in which information is stored by the storage unit for each image data. Forming equipment.

  (3) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the predetermined number of print copies is a number obtained by dividing the number of print copies set in a print job by the number of print engines.

  (4) In any one of (1) to (3), the control unit switches the print engine on which the last page of the image data is printed when the sheet exceeds a predetermined thickness. Image forming apparatus.

  (5) Double-sided printing on paper by having two print engines connected in series, printing on the front side of the paper with one print engine and then printing on the back side of the paper with the other print engine An image forming system having an image forming apparatus that performs a print job creation unit that creates a print job including image data and setting information, a transmission unit that sends a print job created by the print job creation unit, A receiving unit that receives a print job transmitted by the transmitting unit, and an analysis of the number of pages of the image data and the equalization setting based on the image data or the setting information included in the print job received by the receiving unit And when the analysis unit determines that the equalization setting is performed, the image is based on the equalization setting. When the number of data pages is an odd number, the last page of the image data is printed every page number of the image data or every predetermined number of print copies set in the print job. And an image forming system having control means for switching a print engine.

  (6) In the case where the number of pages analyzed by the analyzing unit is an odd number, the storage unit stores the print engine that printed the last page of the image data last, and the control unit includes the image data The image forming system according to (5), wherein the print engine is switched so that the last page of the image data is printed by the print engine other than the print engine stored in the storage unit for each number of pages. .

  (7) The image forming system according to (5), wherein the predetermined number of print copies is a number obtained by dividing the number of print copies set in a print job by the number of print engines.

  (8) In any one of (5) to (7), the control unit switches the print engine on which the last page of the image data is printed when the paper exceeds a predetermined thickness. Image forming system.

  (9) Procedure (a) for receiving a print job, procedure (b) for analyzing the number of pages of image data included in the print job received in procedure (a), and analysis in the procedure (b) A print engine that prints the last page of the image data every page number of the image data or every predetermined number of print copies set in a print job when the number of pages of the image data is an odd number And (c) a process comprising: two printing engines connected in series, printing on the front surface of the paper by one printing engine, and then printing on the back surface of the paper by the other printing engine A program for causing an image forming apparatus to perform double-sided printing on paper by performing printing.

  (10) The process further includes a procedure (d) for storing the print engine that printed the last page of the image data last when the number of pages analyzed in the procedure (b) is an odd number, In the step (c), the print engine is configured such that the last page of the image data is printed by the print engine other than the print engine stored in the step (d) for each page number of the image data. The program according to (9), wherein the program is switched.

  (11) The program according to (9), wherein the predetermined number of print copies is a number obtained by dividing the number of print copies set in a print job by the number of print engines.

  (12) Any one of the above (9) to (11), wherein the print engine in which the last page of the image data is printed in the procedure (c) is when the paper exceeds a predetermined thickness. The program described in.

  (13) A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to any one of (9) to (12) is recorded.

  When the number of pages of image data included in the print job is an odd number, the print engine for printing the last page of the image data is switched for each image data or for each predetermined number of copies. This makes it possible to equalize the number of copies to be printed between the parent device and the child device, and to prevent a difference in the degree of wear between the parent device and the child device.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the client PC concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a tandem type image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration related to a printing process of the tandem image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart of processing by the tandem type image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a subroutine flowchart of a printing process in step S403 of the flowchart of FIG. In the first embodiment of the present invention and the conventional tandem image forming apparatus, the number of page processes in each print engine when printing on both sides of a sheet for a print job of three pages of image data for which the number of copies of 100 has been specified is as follows. It is explanatory drawing shown in comparison. 4 is a flowchart of processing by a client PC of the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between a print job, setting information, and image data. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a user interface screen for inputting setting information on a printer driver. 5 is a subroutine flowchart of a printing process according to the second embodiment of the present invention in step S403 in the flowchart of FIG. A comparison is made between the second embodiment of the present invention and the conventional tandem type image forming apparatus in the case of printing a print job of three pages of image data for which the number of copies of 100 has been specified. It is explanatory drawing shown.

  Hereinafter, a tandem image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, an image forming system having the same, and a program for the image forming apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of client PCs (Personal Computers) 2a, 2b, and 2c, and a tandem type image forming apparatus 3.

  The tandem image forming apparatus 3 is a serial tandem machine that performs printing on the front and back surfaces of a sheet by two printing engines connected in series. The client PCs (Personal Computers) 2a, 2b, and 2c may be composed of a plurality of PCs or a single PC.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the client PCs 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and the tandem type image forming apparatus 3 are connected via a network 4 so that they can communicate with each other. The network 4 is a LAN (Local Area Network) in which computers and network devices are connected according to standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI (Fiber-Distributed Data Interface), or LANs are connected by a dedicated line. It can be configured by a WAN (Wide Area Network).

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the client PC according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the client PCs 2a, 2b, and 2c include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 23, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 24, and an operation unit. 25, a display unit 26 and a communication interface 27, which are connected to each other via a bus 28 for exchanging signals.

  The CPU 21, RAM 22, ROM 23, and HDD 24 function as a print job creation unit, and the communication interface 27 functions as a transmission unit.

  The CPU 21 performs control of each unit and various arithmetic processes according to a program.

  The RAM 22 temporarily stores programs and data as a work area.

  The ROM 23 stores various programs and various data.

  The HDD 24 stores various programs including the operating system and various data.

  The operation unit 25 includes a pointing device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and is used for performing various operations and inputs.

  The display unit 26 is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays various types of information.

  The communication interface 27 is an interface for communicating with an external device, such as a network interface according to a standard such as Ethernet, token ring, or FDDI, a serial interface such as USB or IEEE1394, a parallel interface such as SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) or IEEE1284. , BLUETOOTH (registered trademark), IEEE 802.11, HomeRF (Home Radio Frequency), IrDA (Infrared Data Association), etc., a telephone line interface for connecting to a telephone line, and the like can be used.

  The user transmits a print job created by the printer driver in the client PCs 2a, 2b, and 2c from the client PCs 2a, 2b, and 2c to the tandem type image forming apparatus 3 via the network 4, and the tandem type image forming apparatus 3 converts the print job to the print job. Can output printout based on. The print job is a general term for a print command for the tandem type image forming apparatus 3, and includes setting information for setting image data, printing conditions, and the like. The print job is created by a printer driver activated in the client PCs 2a, 2b, and 2c based on image data and print settings input or designated by the user. The printer driver converts the specified document file into a print job, and can make various settings such as paper size and settings related to the tandem image forming apparatus 3, and instructs the tandem image forming apparatus 3 to print. It is software that can.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the tandem type image forming apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the tandem type image forming apparatus 3 includes a CPU 31, a RAM 32, a ROM 33, an HDD 34, an external interface 35, an operation unit 36, a display unit 37, an image control unit 38, a reading unit 39, a first printing unit 40, And a second printing unit 41. These components are connected to each other via a bus 42 for exchanging signals.

  The external interface 35 functions as a reception unit, and the CPU 31, RAM 32, ROM 33, and HDD 34 function as an analysis unit and a control unit. The HDD 34 functions as a storage unit.

  The CPU 31 performs control of the above constituent elements and various arithmetic processes according to a program. That is, the CPU 31 performs overall control related to various processes, printing, and storage while cooperating with each component configuring the tandem type image forming apparatus 3.

  The RAM 32 temporarily stores various data received through the reading unit 39 or the network 4. Various data including image data stored in the RAM 32 is processed by the CPU 31 and transmitted to the HDD 34 and the image control unit 38 as necessary.

  The HDD 34 is a device for storing various programs including programs for the CPU 31 to control each component of the tandem image forming apparatus 3, various data such as print job data, and rasterized image data. . The program and data stored in the HDD 34 are read by the CPU 31 as necessary and executed or processed on the RAM 32.

  The external interface 35 is an interface for performing communication between the tandem image forming apparatus 3 and an external device. The external interface 35 is a network interface based on a standard such as Ethernet, Token Ring, or FDDI, a serial interface such as USB or IEEE 1394, or a SCSI. A parallel interface such as IEEE 1284, various local connection interfaces such as a wireless communication interface such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE 802.11, HomeRF, and IrDA, a telephone line interface for connecting to a telephone line, and the like are used.

  The operation unit 36 has various fixed settings such as a touch panel for performing various settings, a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies, a start key for instructing start of operation, a stop key for instructing stop of operation, a reset key for initializing various setting conditions, and the like. It consists of keys.

  The display unit 37 displays various information or a touch panel for inputting various settings, a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies, a start key for instructing the start of operation, a stop key for instructing to stop the operation, and various setting conditions as initial values. It consists of various fixed keys such as reset keys, display lamps and the like. In addition, about the function which the operation part 36 and the display part 37 overlap, either the operation part 36 or the display part 37 may make it have the said function.

  The image control unit 38 performs rasterization processing and layout processing of image data included in the print job.

  The reading unit 39 applies light to a document set at a predetermined reading position on the document table with a light source such as a fluorescent lamp, and photoelectrically converts the reflected light with an imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor. Image data (bitmap data) is generated from the electrical signal.

  The first printing unit 40 is a so-called master device of the two printing engines included in the tandem type image forming apparatus 3, and the second printing unit 41 is the two printing units included in the tandem type image forming apparatus 3. The engine is a so-called child machine (the second printing unit 41, which is a child machine, is located downstream of the first printing unit 40, which is the parent machine) in the paper transport direction.

  The first printing unit 40 and the second printing unit 41 print an image based on the image data on a sheet through the steps of charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing by an electrophotographic method. The first printing unit 40 and the second printing unit 41 can improve the printing process speed by sharing the printing process with each other. For example, in double-sided printing, the first printing unit 40 can print the front side of the paper and the second printing unit 41 can print the back side of the paper, thereby realizing high-speed printing. In other words, when the second printing unit 41 is printing the back side of the sheet, the first printing unit 40 can print the front side of the next sheet, thereby realizing a high-speed printing process.

  In the present embodiment, when the number of pages of image data is an odd number, the print engine that prints the last page of image data for each image data is switched between the first printing unit 40 and the second printing unit 41. As a result, in a case where a large amount of image data with an odd number of pages is printed, the number of copies by the first printing unit 40 as the master unit is compared with the number of copies by the second printing unit 41 as the slave unit. This increases the difference in the degree of wear of the print engine.

  The first printing unit 40 and the second printing unit 41 can print the image data acquired by the reading unit 39 in addition to printing the image data included in the print job received from the client PC 2 via the network 4. The printed paper is output by the first printing unit 40 or the second printing unit 41.

  The configuration related to the printing process of the tandem type image forming apparatus 3 will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration relating to the printing process of the tandem type image forming apparatus. Hereinafter, in order to simplify the description, components that are substantially the same in the configurations of the first printing unit 40 and the second printing unit 41 will be described with the same reference numerals.

  The tandem type image forming apparatus 3 is provided with an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 302, a scanner 304, and a touch panel 306 on an upper part of a main body 300. The main body 300 is provided with a printing unit 361 and can perform printing using toners of four colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black).

  Under the printing unit 361, three paper feed trays T1 to T3 and T4 to T6 for storing paper are provided. In addition to the paper feed trays T1 to T3 and T4 to T6 provided in the main body, the image forming apparatus 30 can include a paper feed unit having a large capacity paper feed tray. FIG. 4 shows an example provided with a paper feed unit. The paper feed unit includes three large capacity paper feed trays T7 to T9. In the paper feed trays T1 to T9, papers of different sizes and types can be accommodated to meet various printing needs.

  The printing unit 361 includes an image forming unit (Y, M, C, K) 360, an intermediate belt 362, a secondary transfer roller 364, a fixing unit 366, and the like. The image forming unit (Y, M, C, K) 360 forms a toner image on the intermediate belt 362.

  The image forming unit 360 includes an exposure unit, a developing unit, a photosensitive drum, and a primary transfer roller. At the time of printing, according to a PWM signal obtained by converting image data into PWM (Pulse Width Modulation), the exposure unit irradiates the photosensitive drum with laser light to form an electrostatic latent image. This is developed by the developing unit, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum. The toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred onto the intermediate belt by the primary transfer roller.

  The toner images of the respective colors formed by the image forming unit (Y, M, C, K) 360 are transferred to the same position on the rotating intermediate belt 362 and transferred onto the intermediate belt 362 from four color toners. A color image is formed. The paper is fed from one of the paper feed trays T1 to T9 at the timing when the color image on the intermediate belt 362 reaches the position of the secondary transfer roller. When the color image is transferred onto the paper by the secondary transfer roller and printed, the printed paper is conveyed to the fixing unit 366 and fixed.

  In double-sided printing, after the front side is printed by the first printing unit 40, the paper discharged from the fixing unit of the first printing unit 40 is conveyed to the second printing unit 41 for printing on the back side. The paper whose back surface is printed by the second printing unit 41 is discharged from the main body 300.

  In the present embodiment, when the number of pages of image data is an odd number, the print engine that prints the last page of image data for each image data is switched between the first printing unit 40 and the second printing unit 41. Therefore, when the number of pages of the image data is an odd number, the second printing unit 41 can also print the last page of the image data on the surface of the paper.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of processing by the tandem type image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a subroutine flowchart of the printing process in step S403 of the flowchart of FIG. The processing by the tandem type image forming apparatus shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6 can be executed by a program installed in the tandem type image forming apparatus 3.

  In the following description, the first printing unit 40 is described as a “master device”, and the second printing unit 41 is described as a “slave device”.

  In the tandem image forming apparatus 3, the CPU 31 analyzes the print job received from the client PCs 2a, 2b, and 2c, and reflects setting information included in the print job as print settings in the tandem image forming apparatus 3 (S401).

  The image control unit 38 performs image forming processing on the image data included in the print job (S402). That is, the image control unit 38 converts the image data into printable bitmap data by performing rasterization processing of the image data.

  The CPU 31 performs print processing for the page of image data that has undergone image formation processing in step S402 (S403).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the setting information includes equalization settings for making the same number of copies to be printed in the parent device and the child device (S501). Here, the equalization setting refers to a setting relating to a switching method between the parent device and the child device for equalizing the degree of wear of the parent device and the child device. The equalization setting (equalization ON / OFF setting) and Includes setting of equalization method.

  If the CPU 31 determines that the equalization setting is not included in the setting information (S501: NO), the CPU 31 performs a normal print process on the page of the image data subjected to the rasterization process in step S402. That is, if the page related to the current printing process is an odd page, printing is performed by the first printing unit 40 that is a parent device, and if it is an even page, printing is performed by the second printing unit 41 that is a child device (S508).

  If the CPU 31 determines that the equalization setting is included in the setting information (S501: YES), the CPU 31 determines whether the page related to the current print processing is the last page and an odd page (S502). When the page related to the current printing process does not correspond to the last page or the odd page (S502: NO), the normal printing process is performed (S508).

  If the page related to the current print process is the last page and an odd page (S502: YES), the CPU 31 sends from the HDD 34 information on the print engine that printed the last page of the image data for which the previous print process was performed last. Obtain (S503). Here, the information of the print engine that printed the last page of the image data that has been subjected to the previous printing process last is either the master or slave that printed the last page of the image data that was previously printed. This information identifies the print engine. For example, the information of the print engine can be a MAC (Media Access Control) address of the print engine.

  As will be described later, when the page related to the current print processing is the last page and an odd page, the HDD 34 stores information on the print engine that printed the page. That is, the HDD 34 stores information on the print engine that printed the last page of the image data last when the number of pages of the image data is an odd number.

  Based on the information stored in the HDD 34, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the print engine that last printed the last page of the image data that has been subjected to the previous printing process is the master (S504). If it is determined that the print engine that last printed the last page of the image data subjected to the previous print process is the master (S504: YES), the page related to the current print process is printed by the slave ( S505). On the other hand, if it is determined that the print engine that last printed the last page of the image data that has been subjected to the previous printing process is not the parent machine (S504: NO), the page related to the current printing process is printed by the parent machine ( S506).

  In steps S502 to S506, when the number of pages of image data included in the print job is an odd number, the print engine for printing the last page for each image data is switched. In other words, when the number of pages of image data included in the print job is an odd number, the print engine for printing the last page is switched for each part of the number of prints designated by the setting information. The reason why the print engine that prints the last page for each image data is switched in this way is to equalize the number of copies to be printed by the parent device and the child device.

  FIG. 7 shows the number of page processes in each print engine when printing on both sides of a sheet for a print job of three pages of image data for which the number of copies of 100 is specified, and this embodiment and a conventional tandem image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing shown in comparison.

  FIG. 7A shows the number of page processes in each print engine when printing is performed on both sides of a sheet of 3-page image data for which 100 copies have been designated in a conventional tandem image forming apparatus. On the other hand, FIG. 7B shows the number of page processes in each print engine when printing on both sides of a sheet of 3 pages of image data for which 100 copies have been designated in this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the conventional tandem type image forming apparatus prints odd pages on the front side of the paper and prints even pages on the back side of the paper in double-sided printing. Therefore, if the image data is an odd number of 3 pages, the first page (p1) is printed on the front side by the master unit, the second page (p2) is printed on the back side by the slave unit, and the third page (p3 ) Is printed on the surface by the main unit. In this case, since page 3 (p3), which is the last page of image data, is always printed by the parent device, the number of page processes of the parent device is larger than that of the child device by the number of page processes of the last page. As a result, when printing 3 pages of image data for which 100 copies have been specified, the number of pages processed by the slave unit is 100 pages, whereas the master unit is 200 pages, compared to the slave unit. Machine wear increases.

  In the present embodiment, when the number of pages of image data included in a print job is an odd number, the print engine for printing the last page of image data is switched for each image data. That is, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the image data is 3 pages, the first page (p1) is printed on the front side by the master unit, and the second page (p2) is printed on the back side by the slave unit. However, the print engine for printing the third page (p3) of the last page is switched for each image data (that is, for each copy). For example, when the last page of the first copy is printed by the master unit, the last page of the second set is printed by the slave unit, and the last page of the third copy is printed by the master unit. The print engine on which the last page of image data is printed is switched.

  In this way, by switching the print engine on which the last page of image data is printed for each image data, the third page (p3) which is the last page of image data is printed by a different print engine each time one copy of image data is printed. Page processing is performed. As a result, when printing three pages of image data for which 100 copies have been specified, the number of page processes for both the master and slave units is 150 pages, and the number of page processes in each print engine is equalized. . Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the number of copies to be printed by the parent device and the child device is equalized, so that the degree of wear between the parent device and the child device can be equalized.

  After the last page is printed in step S505 or step S506, the information of the print engine of the master or slave that has been printed is stored in the HDD 34 as the information of the print engine that printed the last page last (S507).

  Note that the information of the print engine that printed the last page last is stored in the HDD 34 after the last page is printed. If the print engine that should print the last page last is determined in advance, The print engine information may be saved before printing the page.

  It is determined whether printing of all pages based on the setting information of the image data has been completed (S509). If printing of all pages has not been completed (S509: NO), step S501 is further performed for the next page of image data. Step S508 is performed.

  If all pages have been printed (S509: YES), post-processing is performed (S404). Examples of post-processing include stapling, punching, saddle stitching, Z-folding, tri-folding, and bi-folding. These post-processing are set in the setting information.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing by the client PC of the image forming system according to the present embodiment. This flowchart can be executed by a printer driver installed in the client PCs 2a, 2b, and 2c.

  The user activates the printer driver in the client PCs 2a, 2b, and 2c, and inputs setting information about image data designated as a print target from the operation unit 25 (S701).

  The printer driver cooperates with the client PCs 2a, 2b, and 2c to create a print job including image data and setting information (S702).

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between a print job, setting information, and image data.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the print job includes image data and setting information. Image data includes vector data, bitmap data, and text data. Further, the image data can include a plurality of pages of data. The tandem image forming apparatus 3 can recognize the number of pages of image data based on the image data included in the received print job.

  The setting information includes, for example, paper size setting, paper discharge tray setting, thick paper designation setting, and number of copies setting. In the present embodiment, serial tandem setting is further included as setting information. Here, the serial tandem setting includes a print engine equalization setting.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a user interface screen for inputting setting information on the printer driver.

  As shown in FIG. 10, paper size setting and paper discharge tray setting can be set by selection from a pull-down menu.

  In the serial tandem setting, the equalization setting can be made by checking the check box clearly marked as “Master / Slave equalization”. Further, the equalization method can be set by selecting “mode 1” or “mode 2” from the pull-down menu.

  For example, mode 1 can be a mode for switching the print engine that prints the last page for each image data when the number of pages of the image data is an odd number.

  Mode 2 can be a mode in which the print engine for printing the last page for each image data is switched only when the print job is for thick paper and the number of pages of the image data is an odd number. For example, mode 2 is a mode for switching the print engine for printing the last page for each image data only when a sheet having a thickness exceeding 0.2 mm is specified as the setting information and the number of pages of the image data is an odd number. can do. By switching the print engine that prints the final page for each image data only when the thickness exceeds the predetermined thickness, an increase in processing time that may occur due to the switching of the print engine can be suppressed.

  The client PCs 2a, 2b, and 2c transmit the created print job to the tandem image forming apparatus 3 (S703).

  The tandem image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the image forming system including the tandem image forming apparatus, and the program for the image forming apparatus have been described. However, according to the present embodiment, the parent of the tandem image forming apparatus is described. By equalizing the number of copies printed by the machine and the child machine, it is possible to prevent a difference in the degree of wear between the parent machine and the child machine. That is, it is possible to prevent a difference in the degree of wear of parts related to image formation, fixing, and printing and the amount of material consumption between the parent device and the child device, and to reduce costs related to maintenance of the apparatus.

(Second Embodiment)
A tandem image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, an image forming system having the tandem image forming apparatus, and a program for the image forming apparatus will be described in detail.

  In the present embodiment, when the number of pages of image data included in a print job is an odd number, the print engine for printing the last page of image data is switched every predetermined number of print copies. In addition, about this point, since this embodiment is the same as that of 1st Embodiment, the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 11 is a subroutine flowchart of the printing process in step S403 of the flowchart of FIG. The processing by the tandem type image forming apparatus 3 shown in FIGS. 5 and 11 can be performed by a program installed in the tandem type image forming apparatus 3.

  The CPU 31 determines whether or not the setting information includes equalization settings for making the same number of copies to be printed in the parent device and the child device (S1001).

  If the CPU 31 determines that the equalization setting is not included in the setting information (S1001: NO), the CPU 31 performs a normal print process on the page of the image data subjected to the rasterization process in step S402. That is, if the page related to the current printing process is an odd page, printing is performed by the master unit, and if it is an even page, printing is performed by the slave unit (S1007).

  When the CPU 31 determines that the equalization setting is included in the setting information (S1001: YES), the CPU 31 determines whether the page related to the current print processing is the last page and an odd page (S1002). If the page related to the current print process is not the last page and not an odd page (S1002: NO), a normal print process is performed (S1007).

  If the page related to the current printing process is the last page and an odd page (S1002: YES), the CPU 31 determines whether the number of copies designated in the setting information (hereinafter referred to as “designated number of copies”) is a plurality of copies. Is determined (S1003). When it is determined that the designated number of copies is not a plurality of copies (S1003: NO), normal printing processing is performed (S1007).

  When the CPU 31 determines that the designated number of copies is a plurality of copies (S1003: NO), the CPU 31 determines whether the number of copies including the last page related to the current print processing is less than half of the designated number of copies. Judgment is made (S1004).

  If it is determined that the number of copies completed including the last page related to the current print processing is less than half the designated number of copies (S1004: YES), the last page is printed by the master (S1005). On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of copies including the last page related to the current print processing is not half or less than the designated number of copies (S1004: NO), the last page is printed by the slave unit (S1006). ).

  In steps S1002 to S1006, when the number of pages of image data included in the print job is an odd number, the print engine for printing the last page of image data is switched every half of the designated number of copies. Thus, the reason why the print engine for printing the last page is switched every half of the designated number of copies is to equalize the number of copies to be printed by the parent device and the child device.

  FIG. 12 shows a comparison of the number of page processes in each print engine when printing a three-page image data print job for which 100 copies have been specified, between this embodiment and a conventional tandem image forming apparatus. It is explanatory drawing shown.

  A in FIG. 12 is the same as A in FIG. As described in the description of the first embodiment, in the conventional tandem type image forming apparatus, the number of page processes by the slave unit is 100 pages, whereas the number of page processes by the master unit is 200 pages.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12B, in the present embodiment, when the number of pages of image data included in the print job is an odd number, the final image data for every 50 copies, which is a half of the specified number of copies. Switch the print engine on which the page is printed. That is, from the first copy to the 50th copy, the first page (p1) is printed on the front side by the master unit, the second page (p2) is printed on the back side by the slave unit, and the third page (the last page) ( p3) is printed by the master. From the 51st copy to the 100th copy, the first page (p1) is printed on the front side by the master unit, the second page (p2) is printed on the back side by the slave unit, and the third page (the last page) ( Switch p3) to the slave unit and print.

  In this way, by switching the print engine that prints the last page of the image data for every half of the designated number of copies, the last page of the image data, page 3 (p3), is set for every half of the designated number of copies. Page processing is performed by different print engines. As a result, when printing three pages of image data with a designated number of copies of 100, the number of page processes for both the master unit and the slave unit is 150 pages, and the number of page processes in each print engine is equalized. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the number of copies to be printed by the parent device and the child device is equalized, so that the degree of wear between the parent device and the child device can be equalized.

  In this embodiment, since the print engine that prints the last page is switched every half of the designated number of copies in one print job, information on the print engine that printed the last page last is unnecessary. Therefore, it is not necessary to store or acquire information about the print engine that printed the last page last as in the first embodiment.

  Based on the setting information, it is determined whether printing of all pages of the specified number of image data has been completed (S1008). If printing of all pages has not been completed (S1009: NO), the next page of image data is determined. Further, step S1001 to step S1007 are performed.

  If all pages have been printed (S509: YES), the print job printing process is terminated and post-processing is performed (S404).

  As described above, the tandem type image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the image forming system including the tandem type image forming apparatus, and the program for the image forming apparatus have been described. However, according to the present embodiment, the parent of the tandem type image forming apparatus. By equalizing the number of copies printed by the machine and the child machine, it is possible to prevent a difference in the degree of wear between the parent machine and the child machine. That is, it is possible to prevent a difference in the degree of wear of parts related to image formation, fixing, and printing and the amount of material consumption between the parent device and the child device, and to reduce costs related to maintenance of the apparatus.

  In addition, the tandem-type image that can be generated by switching between the parent device and the child device in the unit of a predetermined number of copies in the printing of the last page of image data and minimizing the switching between the parent device and the child device. An increase in processing time in the forming apparatus can be prevented.

  The tandem image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the image forming system having the tandem image forming apparatus, and the program for the image forming apparatus are not limited to the above-described embodiments.

  For example, in the first embodiment described above, the print engine on which the last page is printed is switched for each part when there is setting information for a plurality of designated copies in one print job. The print engine on which the last page is printed may be switched for each print job having

  The present invention can also be applied to the case where the image read from the reading unit in the tandem type image forming apparatus is an odd page.

1 image forming system,
2a, 2b, 2c client PC,
3 Tandem type image forming apparatus,
4 network,
31 CPU,
32 RAM,
33 ROM,
34 HDD,
35 External interface,
36 operation unit,
37 display section,
38 Image control unit,
39 Reading section,
40 First printing section,
41 Second printing unit.

Claims (13)

An image that has two print engines connected in series, prints on the front side of the paper with one print engine, and then prints on the back side of the paper with the other print engine, thereby performing duplex printing on the paper A forming device,
Receiving means for receiving a print job;
Analyzing means for analyzing the number of pages of image data included in the print job received by the receiving means;
When the number of pages of the image data analyzed by the analyzing unit is an odd number, the last page of the image data for each image data or for each predetermined number of print copies among the number of print copies set in the print job Control means for switching the print engine on which is printed,
An image forming apparatus comprising: When the number of pages analyzed by the analyzing unit is an odd number, the storage unit further stores information of the print engine that printed the last page of the image data last,
The control means switches the print engine for each image data so that the last page of the image data is printed by the print engine other than the print engine in which information is stored by the storage means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined number of print copies is a number obtained by dividing the number of print copies set in a print job by the number of print engines.   4. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit switches the print engine on which the last page of the image data is printed when a sheet exceeds a predetermined thickness. Image forming apparatus. An image that has two print engines connected in series, prints on the front side of the paper with one print engine, and then prints on the back side of the paper with the other print engine, thereby performing duplex printing on the paper An image forming system having a forming apparatus,
Print job creation means for creating a print job including image data and setting information;
Transmitting means for transmitting a print job created by the print job creating means;
Receiving means for receiving a print job transmitted by the transmitting means;
Analysis means for analyzing the number of pages of the image data and the equalization setting based on the image data or the setting information included in the print job received by the receiving means;
If it is determined by the analyzing means that the equalization setting has been made, based on the equalization setting, when the number of pages of the image data is an odd number, for each page number of the image data or in a print job Control means for switching the print engine on which the last page of the image data is printed for each predetermined number of print copies of the set number of print copies;
An image forming system comprising: When the number of pages analyzed by the analysis unit is an odd number, the storage unit further stores the print engine that printed the last page of the image data last,
The control unit switches the print engine so that the last page of the image data is printed by the print engine other than the print engine stored in the storage unit for each page number of the image data. The image forming system according to claim 5.   6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined number of print copies is a number obtained by dividing the number of print copies set in a print job by the number of print engines.   8. The control unit according to claim 5, wherein the control unit switches the print engine on which the last page of the image data is printed when the paper exceeds a predetermined thickness. 9. Image forming system. Receiving a print job (a);
A procedure (b) for analyzing the number of pages of image data included in the print job received in the procedure (a);
When the number of pages of the image data analyzed in the step (b) is an odd number, the image is printed for each number of pages of the image data or for each predetermined number of print copies set in the print job. A step (c) of switching a print engine for printing the last page of data;
Processing with
An image that has two print engines connected in series, prints on the front side of the paper with one print engine, and then prints on the back side of the paper with the other print engine, thereby performing duplex printing on the paper A program for causing a forming apparatus to execute. The process further includes a procedure (d) for storing the print engine that printed the last page of the image data last when the number of pages analyzed in the procedure (b) is an odd number,
In the step (c), the print engine is configured such that the last page of the image data is printed by the print engine other than the print engine stored in the step (d) for each page number of the image data. The program according to claim 9, wherein the program is switched.   The program according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined number of print copies is a number obtained by dividing the number of print copies set in a print job by the number of the print engines.   12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the print engine in which the last page of the image data is printed in the step (c) is when the paper exceeds a predetermined thickness. The program described in.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program as described in any one of Claims 9-12.