JP5173307B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an improvement of an image forming apparatus used for a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a multi-function peripheral (MFP) thereof.

  In recent years, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a multi-function machine can generally perform switching printing to a plurality of types of paper media having different dimensions. There is provided an image obtained by superimposing print images on print data so as to be able to be combined and printed.

  In the image forming apparatus, various devices have been made to smoothly realize such various functions.

  For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-199577 (Patent Document 1) provides this type of printer.

  That is, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228867 sets a use priority in advance for a tray on which recording paper is set, and is configured to be able to switch an alternative paper type tray when there is no recording paper of a specified paper type. Even if there is no recording paper, the printing process can be continued without stopping the printer while waiting for printing against the user's will.

  Further, an image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-156778 (Patent Document 2) has been proposed.

This patent document 2 discloses a reading unit that reads an image of a document, a storage unit that performs storage processing or erasing processing of a form image on a storage area, an image read by the reading unit, and a form image stored by the storage unit. A compositing unit that performs a compositing process; and a control unit that prohibits a storage process or an erasing process of the form image when the compositing process is performed by the compositing unit. However, the form image used for the composition process is not deleted by mistake.
JP 2001-199577 A JP 2000-156778 A

  However, in the conventional technology such as Patent Document 1 described above, for example, when performing duplex printing, it is necessary to select both the recording paper and the duplex printing function from the operation panel. Contrary to the display selection of the recording paper on the screen, special function selection such as selection of double-sided printing can often be made after switching the screen from the initial screen, and there is room for improvement in operability.

  Furthermore, in Patent Document 2 described above, when the image read by the reading unit and the storage form image of the storage unit are combined and printed, the paper is selected on the initial screen while the combined printing is performed as in Patent Document 1. In many cases, the selection is made by switching the screen from the initial screen, and the operation is complicated.

  Note that the same situation can occur in extended printing in which predetermined print data is additionally printed in addition to printing one page of print data on a print sheet, for example, not limited to duplex printing and composite printing. Improvement was desired.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of performing various types of extended printing only by designating a paper feed stage.

In order to solve such a problem, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of paper feed stages in which a print medium on which an image is formed is set, predetermined print data for the print medium, and additional printing to be added thereto. A storage unit for storing a management table in which a specific paper feed stage associated with an extended print instruction for instructing printing with data is set; and when an instruction selection of a specific paper feed stage among these paper feed stages is received, A paper feed stage selection unit that outputs an extended print instruction corresponding to the specific paper feed stage with reference to the stored management table , a printing unit that performs print processing including the extended print on the print medium, and an output And a print control unit that controls the paper feed of the print medium from the selected specific paper feed stage and the extended print control by the printing unit based on the extended print instruction.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the management table is set with a specific paper feed stage associated with an extended print instruction for duplex printing with predetermined print data for one page and additional print data. A configuration in which the print control unit controls double-sided printing as the extended printing is also possible.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the management table is set with a specific paper feed stage associated with an extended print instruction for composite printing for compositing additional print data with predetermined print data for one page. A configuration in which the print control unit performs composite print control as the extended print is also possible.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the management table sets a specific paper feed stage associated with an extended print instruction for collectively printing predetermined print data for one page and additional print data on the print medium for one page. It is also possible to employ a configuration in which the print control unit performs integrated print control as the extended print.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the paper feed stage selection unit may accept the selection of the type of print medium as the specific paper feed stage.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention may be configured such that the paper feed stage selection unit accepts the selection of the specific paper feed stage when the extended printing is set for the specific paper feed stage in the management table. is there.

  In such an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, when the specific paper feed stage associated with the extended print instruction is selected in the paper feed stage selection unit, the print control unit selects the specific paper feed selected by the paper feed stage selection unit. Controls the feeding of print media from the tray and extended printing to the printing unit, and the printing unit processes the extended printing for the transport-controlled print medium. Become.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the management table is set with a specific paper feed stage associated with an extended print instruction for duplex printing with predetermined print data for one page and additional print data. In the configuration in which the print control unit controls the double-sided printing as the extended printing, the double-sided printing as the extended printing can be performed only by specifying the paper feed stage.

In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the management table is set with a specific paper feed stage associated with an extended print instruction for composite printing for compositing additional print data with predetermined print data for one page, In the configuration in which the print control unit controls composite printing as the extended printing, it is possible to perform composite printing as extended printing only by designating the paper feed stage.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention, the management table, one page of predetermined print data and additional print data for a specific paper feed stage associated with that expansion print instruction for the aggregate printing to the print medium in one page In the configuration in which the print control unit is configured to perform consolidated printing control as extended printing, it is possible to perform consolidated printing as expanded printing only by specifying a paper feed stage.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in the configuration in which the paper feed stage selection unit accepts selection of the type of print medium as the specific paper feed stage, double-sided printing or other extended printing can be performed by selecting, for example, a standard size of the print medium. It becomes possible.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in the configuration in which the paper feed stage selection unit accepts the selection of the specific paper feed stage when the extended printing is set for the specific paper feed stage in the management table, When the specific paper feed stage is not set for double-sided printing or other extended printing, an extended printing instruction is not issued and malfunction can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  First, the first configuration (double-sided printing function) according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus A according to the present invention includes an image reading unit 3, a communication unit 5, a storage unit 7, an operation panel unit 9, a printing unit 11, and a paper feed stage 13 with a printing control unit 1 as a center. Configured. Although the image forming apparatus A has various configurations other than this, it is not a main part of the present invention, and thus the description and illustration are omitted.

  The print control unit 1 controls the image reading unit 3, the communication unit 5, the storage unit 7, the operation panel unit 9, the printing unit 11, and the paper feed stage 13, and details will be described later.

  For example, in the image forming apparatus A of FIG. 2, the image reading unit 3 is disposed on the upper part of the main body case 15, and optically reads an image from, for example, a plurality of printed originals under the control of the print control unit 1. A known scanner or the like that generates electronic print data as a print job by performing filter processing, scaling processing, gradation processing, and the like. The generated print data is sequentially stored in the storage unit 7 for each page of the document. It has become. The internal configuration of the image forming apparatus A will be described later.

  Returning to FIG. 1, under the control of the print control unit 1, the communication unit 5 receives print data including images and documents with a predetermined protocol via a network (not shown), for example, with another multifunction device. , An interface unit for sequentially storing each page in the storage unit 7.

  The storage unit 7 has a function of storing a management table, which will be described later, in addition to print data from the image reading unit 3 and the communication unit 5, and a readable / writable hard disk (HDD) that stores an operation program of the print control unit 1. ).

  The operation panel unit 9 is disposed, for example, on the upper part of the main body case 15 of the image forming apparatus A in FIG. 2, and a liquid crystal display unit that displays the operation state of the image forming apparatus A and a liquid crystal operation panel that also serves as a touch switch input unit. It is made up of.

  The operation panel unit 9 selects a printing sheet that is a printing medium to be printed, executes or cancels printing, instructs double-sided printing according to the present invention, that is, selects a paper feed stage that accepts designation of a specific paper feed stage for double-sided printing. In addition to having a function as a printing unit, the printing control unit 1 has a conventionally known display input function.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel unit 9 has an operation state display area 9a such as “printing is possible”, “A4”, “A3”, “manual feed”, “specific paper”, etc. A plurality of types of image display such as a standard size paper selection display button 9b, a density setting button 9c such as “density setting”, and a magnification setting button 9d such as “magnification setting” can be displayed. FIG. 3 shows an initial screen (basic), and a “user function” screen or a “function list” screen is displayed by touch selection of a tab.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the operation panel unit 9 refers to a management table in which the correspondence between a plurality of paper feed stages 1 to 4 and double-sided printing (printing form) is set in advance, and prints on the paper feed stage 1. When “double-sided printing” is set as the form, “specific paper” 9b in FIG. 3 is associated with the paper feed stage 1, and if the specific paper 9b is selected and touched, the “double-sided printing” is accepted. Otherwise, it has a function of not accepting “double-sided printing”. The management table is created under the control of the print control unit 1.

  The printing unit 11 is disposed in the main body case 15 of the image forming apparatus A shown in FIG. 2, and prints the print data in monochrome or color on a conveyance sheet and discharges it. 17. Details will be described later.

  The paper feed stage 13 is a cassette or the like for setting a print medium such as paper, and is formed from a plurality of paper feed stages 1 to 4 according to paper sizes such as A4, A3, and manual feed and setting methods. There is a specific paper feed stage 13a corresponding to the paper feed stage 1 designated exclusively for double-sided printing.

  The print control unit 1 includes a CPU, a memory unit that stores an operation program for the CPU, and an input / output interface (none of which are shown). The image reading unit 3, the communication unit 5, the storage unit 7, and the operation described above. The panel unit 9, the printing unit 11, and the paper feed stage 13 are controlled. Based on the selection of the paper feed stages 13a and 13b from the operation panel unit 9, the printing unit 11 is controlled to start from the corresponding paper feed stage. Paper feed control, and functions for controlling execution of double-sided printing and normal single-sided printing.

  The print control unit 1 has a management table creation function for setting a correspondence relationship between the paper feed stages 1 to 4 and a printing form including double-sided printing in advance. For example, in the operation screen of FIG. The management table shown in FIG. 4 is displayed by selecting a tab, and the setting control of the “paper feed tray”, “paper size”, “paper type”, and “printing form” is made and registered and stored in the storage unit 7, and the operation panel is displayed. It has a function to perform reference control from the unit 9.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus A described above.

  In FIG. 2, in the lower part of the main body case 15 of the image forming apparatus A, in addition to the specific paper feed stage 13a and the general paper feed stage 13b, the printing paper primarily fed from these paper feed stages 13a and 13b is stored. The above-described monochrome and color printing units 11 including a conveyance unit for secondary paper feeding and a transfer fixing unit 19 for transferring and fixing print data to form an image are arranged. In FIG. 2, only two paper feed stages are shown for convenience.

  The reversing conveyance unit 17 has a function of reversing the front and back of the printing paper on which an image is transferred and fixed on one side for double-sided printing and returning it to the transfer fixing unit 19, and forms the printing unit 11.

  Above the main body case 15, the image reading unit 3 and the operation panel unit 9 described above are arranged. The print control unit 1, the communication unit 5, and the storage unit 7 place electronic circuits at appropriate positions inside the main body case 15. Formed and arranged.

  A paper discharge tray 23 is disposed downstream of the printing unit 11 following the paper discharge unit 21.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be briefly described.

  For example, an example in which management data as shown in FIG. 4 is stored in the storage unit 7 in advance and an initial operation screen “basic” as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed will be described.

  When the “specific paper” 9b is touch-inputted on the initial operation screen “basic” in FIG. 3, the operation panel unit 9 accepts it, reads out and refers to the management data stored in the storage unit 7, and the specific paper feed stage 13a is selected and the print control unit 1 is instructed to execute double-sided printing.

  The print control unit 1 controls the printing unit 11 to feed and convey the sheet from the specific sheet feed stage 13a, and controls the printing unit 11 to execute double-sided printing. The paper is discharged from the unit 21 to the paper discharge tray 23.

  When “special paper” 9b is selected on the operation panel unit 9 and the specific paper feed stage 13a is not set to double-sided printing in the management data, a predetermined error is displayed without receiving a double-sided printing instruction. And good.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus A according to the present invention, a plurality of paper feed stages 13 on which paper on which an image is formed are set, and a specific paper feed associated with a duplex printing instruction for the paper among the paper feed stages 13 Based on the selection in the paper feed stage selection unit 9 that accepts the selection of the stage 13a, the printing unit 11 that performs printing including double-sided printing on the paper, and the corresponding specific paper feed stage 13a, And a print control unit 1 that controls paper feeding and performs double-sided printing in the printing unit 11.

  Therefore, the paper feed tray (paper cassette) 13a and the double-sided printing function are linked to each other, and it is possible to easily perform double-sided printing only by designating the paper name and size, for example, “special paper” or “A4”. In addition to simplifying printing operations and improving operability, paper can be reduced and saved, contributing to resource saving.

  Further, the paper feed stage selection unit 9 refers to a management table in which the correspondence relationship between the paper feed stages 13a and 13b and the printing mode including double-sided printing is set in advance, and duplex printing is set for the specific paper feed stage 13a. Therefore, when the duplex setting is not actually set for the specific paper feed stage 13a, the selection of the specific paper feed stage 13a is not accepted, and malfunction can be prevented.

  In the present invention, among the paper feed stages 13, the specific paper feed stage 13a associated with the double-sided printing instruction for the printing paper includes the dimensions and names of the paper such as “specific paper” and “A4”, as well as the paper feed stage. Various display forms such as numbers are possible. In short, the object of the present invention can be achieved by carrying out display with a specific paper feed stage.

  In the image forming apparatus A described above, even if “specific paper” is selected on the operation panel unit 9, “error” is not displayed if the specific paper feed stage 13 a is not set to duplex printing in the management table. In addition, it may be configured to execute single-sided printing by interpreting it as a normal single-sided printing instruction, and the print control unit 1, operation panel unit 9, and printing unit 11 may be formed in accordance with this.

  Next, a second configuration (composite printing function) according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.

  If this 2nd structure is demonstrated with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 mentioned above, the printing control part 1, the memory | storage part 7, the operation panel part 9, and the printing part 11 will differ, and the image reading part 3, the communication part 5 will be described. The paper feed stage 13 and the like are the same as in the first configuration.

  In other words, in the second configuration, the operation panel unit 9 specifies specific information associated with so-called composite printing in which additional print data such as a form such as “confidential” is superimposed on the print data for one page. It has a function as a paper feed stage selection unit that accepts selection of a paper feed stage. That is, a composite print is instructed as an extended print instruction. Other selection functions are the same as those in the first configuration.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the operation panel unit 9 refers to a management table in which correspondence relationships between a plurality of paper feed stages 1 to 4 and composite printing (printing form) are set in advance. When “Form 1” such as “Confidential” is set as the printing form of “1 (specific paper feed stage)”, when the specific paper 9b is selected and touched, the selection of the specific paper feed stage 13a in FIG. 2 is accepted. Otherwise, it has a function of not accepting the composite printing form. Note that a special front surface printing or the like can be considered as the fame 2 in FIG.

  In addition to the storage contents described above, the storage unit 7 preliminarily stores composite print data of “form 1” such as “confidential” and “form 2” such as a special table under the control of the print control unit 1.

  The printing unit 11 develops and forms image data obtained by superimposing and synthesizing “confidential” print data on print data for one page, and discharges the synthesized data by monochrome printing or color printing on transport paper. have.

  The print control unit 1 has the management table creation function in FIG. 5 for setting the correspondence between the paper feed stage and the extended printing mode including composite printing in advance. For example, in the operation screen of FIG. 5 is displayed and set in the management table of FIG. 5, stored in the storage unit 7, and has a function of performing reference control from the operation panel unit 9.

  The print control unit 1 has a function of controlling the execution of extended printing including composite printing by controlling the printing unit 11.

  Therefore, when “specific paper” 9b is touch-input on the initial operation screen “basic” in FIG. 3, the operation panel unit 9 accepts it, reads out and refers to the management data stored in the storage unit 7, “Paper” is selected and the print control unit 1 is instructed to execute composite printing.

  The print control unit 1 outputs the print data and the composite print data “confidential” to the printing unit 11, and controls the printing unit 11 to feed the printing paper from the specific paper feed stage 13a corresponding to the “specific paper” 9b. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the print unit 11 adds “confidential” as “form 1” to the print data for one page on the printing paper. An image obtained by combining the print data is printed on the transport sheet, and is discharged from the paper discharge unit 21 to the paper discharge tray 23.

  In such a second configuration, the paper feed stage selection unit 9 that accepts the selection of the specific paper feed stage 13a associated with the composite print instruction for the paper among the plurality of paper feed stages 13, and the composite print on the paper And a printing control for performing a paper feeding control from the corresponding specific paper feeding stage 13a and a composite printing execution control in the printing part 11 based on the selection by the paper feeding stage selection unit 9 Since the specific sheet feeding stage 13a and the composite print function are linked, the composite print function can be easily obtained simply by designating the paper name and size, for example, “special paper” or “A4”. As with double-sided printing, the printing operation is simplified and the operability is improved, and paper can be reduced and saved, contributing to resource saving.

  Furthermore, since the paper feed stage selection unit 9 refers to a management table in which the correspondence between the paper feed stages 1 to 4 and the printing mode including composite printing is set in advance, it is possible to prevent malfunctions as in double-sided printing. It becomes.

  In addition, it is possible to use additional print data for composite printing instead of stamps such as date and approval, and it is also possible to use additional print data in a special table printing format.

  Next, a third configuration (collective printing function) according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.

  In the third configuration, the print control unit 1, the operation panel unit 9, and the print unit 11 are different in FIGS. 1 and 2, similarly to the configuration that enables the composite printing described above, and the image reading unit 3 and the communication unit 5. The storage unit 7 and the paper feed stage 13 are the same as those in the first configuration.

  In other words, in the third configuration, the operation panel unit 9 prints a plurality of pages on one side of one sheet of print paper, using, for example, print data for subsequent pages as the additional print data for one page of print data. In other words, so-called aggregated printing is extended printing, and it has a function as a paper feed stage selection unit that accepts selection of a specific paper feed stage associated with this aggregated print instruction. Other selection functions are the same as those in the first configuration.

  The operation panel unit 9 refers to the management table as shown in FIG. 7, and stores the management table in which the correspondence between the plurality of paper feed stages 1 to 4 and the printing mode (2) including the aggregate printing is set in advance. For example, if the paper feed stage 1 is selected, the selection of “consolidation (1/2)” is accepted, and other than that, it has a function of not accepting the aggregate printing.

  In the management table, as shown in FIG. 7, the correspondence relationship between the plurality of paper feed stages 1 to 4 and the aggregate printing (printing form (2)) is set in advance. “Consolidation (1/2)” for printing two pages on the same page and “Consolidation (1/4)” for printing four pages on one side of the printing paper are set, and the double-sided printing described above as the printing mode (1) Are also associated.

  In addition to the functions described above, the printing unit 11 develops and forms image data on one side of the printing paper by “aggregation (1/2)” or “aggregation (1/4)”, and uses the image data on the transport sheet. It has a function of discharging in monochrome printing or color printing.

  The print control unit 1 has the management table creation function shown in FIG. 7 for setting the correspondence between the paper feed stage and the extended printing mode including the aggregate printing in advance. For example, the “user function” is displayed on the operation screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed, the management table of FIG. 7 is displayed, the aggregated printing mode is set, and it is registered and stored in the storage unit 7, and has a function of performing reference control from the operation panel unit 9.

  The print control unit 1 has a function of controlling the printing unit 11 to control the execution of extended printing including aggregate printing.

  Therefore, when “specific paper” 9b is touch-input on the initial operation screen “basic” in FIG. 3, the operation panel unit 9 accepts it, reads out and refers to the management data stored in the storage unit 7, “Paper” is selected and, for example, the print control unit 1 is instructed to execute the consolidated printing of “aggregation (1/2)”.

  The print control unit 1 controls the printing unit 11 to feed and convey paper from the specific paper feed stage 13a corresponding to the “specific paper” 9b, and controls execution of the collective printing of the printing unit 11, as shown in FIG. 8A. In this way, the printing unit 11 collects print data for a plurality of pages on one page of printing paper as “aggregation (1/2)” or “aggregation (1/4)” as shown in FIG. The paper is printed and discharged from the paper discharge unit 21 to the paper discharge tray 23.

  8A shows an example in which print data for two pages is consolidated and printed horizontally on one page of printing paper, and FIG. 8B shows an example in which print data for four pages is consolidated and printed vertically and horizontally.

  In such a third configuration, the paper feed stage selection unit 9 that accepts the selection of the specific paper feed stage 13a associated with the aggregate print instruction for the paper among the plurality of paper feed stages 13, and the aggregate print on the paper And a print control for performing a paper feed control from the corresponding specific paper feed stage 13a and a collective print execution control in the print part 11 based on the selection by the paper feed stage selection unit 9 Therefore, the paper feed stage (paper feed cassette) 13a and the aggregate printing function are linked to each other, and the paper name and dimensions, for example, “special paper” or “A4” are simply designated. Similar to double-sided printing, centralized printing can be easily performed, printing operations are simplified and operability is improved, and paper can be reduced and saved, contributing to resource saving.

  Furthermore, since the paper feed stage selection unit 9 refers to the management table in which the correspondence between the paper feed stages 1 to 4 and the printing mode including the aggregate printing is set in advance, it is possible to prevent malfunctions as in double-sided printing. Become.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus A of the present invention can perform composite printing and aggregate printing in addition to double-sided printing, but is not limited to this, and main printing for one page on printing paper. Extended printing of data and additional print data added thereto can be performed, and the extended printing can be performed only by selecting a predetermined characteristic paper feed stage.

  In addition, in the image forming apparatus A of the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of extended prints are combined to form a combination of the above-described double-sided printing, aggregated printing, and the like. It is also possible.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the paper feed stage selection unit that accepts the selection of the specific paper feed stage associated with the extended print instruction is not limited to the operation panel unit 9 but can be selected via a network from the outside. Furthermore, selection via facsimile reception is also possible, and it is possible to associate a facsimile reception paper feed stage with a specific paper feed stage.

  In the image forming apparatus A of the present invention, the print medium is not limited to paper, and can be implemented with various sheet media such as a synthetic resin sheet.

  Furthermore, the image forming apparatus A of the present invention can be implemented in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine.

1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the image forming apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the display screen in this invention. It is a figure explaining the management data in the 1st composition concerning the present invention. It is a figure explaining the management data in the 2nd composition concerning the present invention. It is a figure explaining the printing result in the 2nd composition concerning the present invention. It is a figure explaining the management data in the 3rd composition concerning the present invention. It is a figure explaining the printing result in the 3rd composition concerning the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Print control part 3 Image reading part 5 Communication part 7 Storage part 9 Operation panel part (paper feed stage selection part)
11 Printing section 13 Paper feed stage 13a Specific paper feed stage (paper feed stage)
13b General paper feed tray (paper feed tray)
15 Main body case 17 Reverse conveyance section 19 Transfer fixing section 21 Paper discharge section 23 Paper discharge tray A Image forming apparatus

Claims (6)

A plurality of paper feed stages on which print media to be imaged are set;
A storage unit for storing a management table in which a specific paper feed stage associated with an extended print instruction for instructing printing of predetermined print data for the print medium and additional print data to be added thereto is set;
A paper feed stage selection unit that outputs the extended print instruction corresponding to the specific paper feed stage with reference to the stored management table when an instruction selection of the specific paper feed stage is received among the paper feed stages ; ,
A printing unit that performs a printing process including the extended printing on the print medium;
A print control unit that controls feeding of the print medium from the selected specific paper feed stage and the extended printing by the printing unit based on the outputted extended printing instruction;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The management table is set with the specific paper feed stage associated with the extended print instruction for duplex printing with the predetermined print data and additional print data for one page , and the print control unit The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein double-sided printing is controlled as extended printing. The management table is set with the specific paper feed stage associated with the extended print instruction for combining and printing additional print data with the predetermined print data for one page , and the print control unit sets the extended print instruction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the composite printing is controlled as printing. The management table is set with the specific paper feed stage associated with the extended print instruction for collectively printing the predetermined print data and additional print data for one page on the print medium for one page. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the print control unit performs aggregate printing control as the extended printing.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper feed stage selection unit accepts selection of a type of the print medium as the specific paper feed stage. The image according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the paper feed stage selection unit accepts selection of the specific paper feed stage when the extended printing is set for the specific paper feed stage in the management table. Forming equipment.

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