JP5782848B2 - Program and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

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

  POD (Print on Demand) that can flexibly cope with a small number of copies from book printing to bookbinding including various post-processing such as case binding is used. In the in-line POD printing process, the process from the printing process by the printer to the bookbinding by the post-processing apparatus is completed by a series of operations. A post-processing apparatus used for such POD printing processing may require a considerable time for processing preparation. Therefore, even if the printing process before the post-processing is completed, it may take time until the preparation of the post-processing apparatus is completed, and the start of the post-processing may be delayed. This wastes the waiting time from when the post-processing is ready until the preparation of the post-processing device is completed. That is, extra time is required for the POD printing process. On the other hand, if the post-processing device is activated in advance in order to reduce such extra waiting time, the post-processing device is operating even when post-processing is not required, and power is wasted. It will be consumed.

  In this connection, in an image forming system including a post-processing device, if there is a print job that requires preparation time for post-processing during processing of a plurality of print jobs, post-processing is performed during processing of the preceding print job. Is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Also, a technique is known in which when a plurality of print jobs are executed, a print job that does not require post-processing preparation is first executed before a print job that requires post-processing preparation time is started. (For example, refer to Patent Document 3).

  However, in the technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, when there is a preceding print job, preparation for post-processing is performed in parallel with the preceding print job, but when there is no preceding print job, There is no print job to be executed in parallel with post-processing preparation, and post-processing preparation cannot be executed in advance. Therefore, when there is no preceding print job or when the preceding print job is finished immediately, it is necessary to wait for the preparation time of the post-processing apparatus, and the start of the post-processing is delayed.

JP 2007-160601 A JP 2006-199475 A JP 2006-072325 A

  The present invention has been made based on the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a program and an image forming system that can reliably reduce the post-processing preparation time for a print job that requires post-processing preparation time. .

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

  (1) To cause a computer to execute a process for controlling a post-processing apparatus that is connected to an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on a print job and executes post-processing on a print medium on which the image is formed A step (a) for extracting post-processing setting information for the post-processing from print settings, which are conditions for forming the image, and the extracted post-processing setting information A program including: a procedure (b) for transmitting to the printer; and a procedure (c) for generating the print job from the print settings and the image after transmitting the extracted post-processing setting information.

  (2) After the post-processing apparatus starts preparation for the post-processing based on the post-processing setting information transmitted in the procedure (b), the print job generated in the procedure (c) is The program according to (1), further including a procedure (d) for transmission to the image forming apparatus.

(3) The program according to (2), wherein the image forming apparatus performs rasterization processing on the image data based on the print job transmitted in the procedure (d).

  (4) Printing that is a program for causing a computer to execute processing for controlling a post-processing device that performs post-processing on a print medium on which an image is formed, and is a condition for forming the image Step (e) for receiving post-processing setting information including setting information about the post-processing extracted from the setting, and preparation for the post-processing related to the post-processing setting information received in the step (e) Including a procedure (f) for instructing the post-processing device, and a procedure (g) for receiving the print setting and the print job generated from the image after receiving the post-processing setting information.

(5) The procedure for predicting the time required to rasterize the data of the images included in the print job and (h), based on the predicted time by the procedure (h), continue the preparation of the post The program according to (4), further including a procedure (i) for determining whether or not to perform.

  (6) The method further includes a step (j) of comparing the rasterization processing time predicted in the step (h) with the time until the preparation for the post-processing is completed, and whether to continue the preparation for the post-processing. The program according to (5), wherein the procedure (i) for determining whether or not is executed based on a result of the comparison in the procedure (j).

(7) The method further includes a step (k) of predicting a time required to process the preceding print job that does not include the post-processing among the plurality of different print jobs.
Any one of the above (4) to (6), including a step (l) for determining whether to postpone the start of the preparation for the post-processing based on the time predicted in the step (k). The program described in.

(8) and the procedure (k) the processing time of the predicted print job to the preceding in, further comprising the steps (m) comparing the time until ready for the post-processing is completed, the preparation of the post-treatment The program according to (7), wherein the procedure (l) for determining whether or not to delay the start of is executed based on a result of the comparison in the procedure (m).

  (9) The above (4) to (8), further including a procedure (n) for stopping the preparation for the post-processing when the print job is not received within a predetermined time after the preparation for the post-processing is started. The program as described in any one of.

  (10) The program according to any one of (2) to (9), wherein the preparation for the post-processing includes a process of thermally melting an adhesive used for the post-processing.

  (11) The post-processing is a case binding process in which a heat-melting adhesive is applied to a side surface of a bundle of printed materials printed based on the print job and wrapped with a cover sheet. The program as described in any one of-(10).

  (12) A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to any one of (1) to (11) is recorded.

(13) An image forming system comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image based on a print job; and a post-processing unit that executes post-processing on the print medium on which the image is formed, and forms the image An extraction unit that extracts post-processing setting information for the post-processing from a print setting set as a condition to perform, a transmission unit that transmits the extracted post-processing setting information, and the post-processing setting information received An instruction unit that instructs the post-processing unit to prepare for post-processing based on the post-processing setting information; and a generation unit that generates the print job from the print setting and the image after the post-processing setting information is transmitted. And an image forming system.

(14) The image forming unit predicts a time required to rasterize image data included in the print job, and determines whether to continue the preparation for the post-processing based on the predicted time. The image forming system according to (13), further including a control unit for determining.

  (15) Whether the control means compares the predicted rasterization processing time with the time until the preparation for the post-processing is completed, and whether to continue the preparation for the post-processing based on the result of the comparison The image forming system according to (14), wherein it is determined whether or not.

(16) The control unit predicts a time required to process the preceding print job that does not include the post-processing among the plurality of different received print jobs, and based on the predicted time The image forming system according to any one of ( 14 ) to (15), which instructs start of preparation for the post-processing.

(17) said control means includes a print job processing time of the preceding, compares the time and to prepare for the post-processing is completed, based on the result of the comparison, the initiation of preparations for the post-treatment The image forming system according to (16), wherein an instruction is given.

(18) The control means stops the preparation for the post-processing when the print job is not received within a predetermined time after the start of the preparation for the post-processing is instructed, ( 14 ) to (17) The image forming system according to any one of the above.

(19) The image forming system according to any one of (13) to (18), wherein the preparation for the post-processing includes a process of thermally melting an adhesive used for the post-processing.

(20) The post-processing unit executes a case binding process in which a heat-melting adhesive is applied to a side surface of a bundle of printed materials printed based on the print job and wrapped with a cover sheet. The image forming system according to any one of 13) to (19).

  According to the present invention, the setting information included in the print job that requires preparation for post-processing is extracted, and the extracted setting information is first transmitted to the post-processing device via the network. Can immediately prepare for post-processing based on the extracted setting information. Therefore, an extra waiting time until preparation for post-processing is completed is surely shortened.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of image formation according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of PC shown by FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of the MFP shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the MFP illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer controller unit of the MFP illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer output unit of the MFP illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the post-processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a paper discharge device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer driver screen according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a print job. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job including post-processing setting information extracted from the print job illustrated in FIG. 10 and the other print job. It is a figure where it uses for description of the post-processing preparation which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process for extracting post-processing setting information which concerns on this embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing executed by the MFP based on a print job according to the present embodiment. It is a figure where it uses for description of the post-processing preparation which concerns on this embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing executed by the MFP based on a print job according to a second embodiment. It is a figure where it uses for description of the post-processing preparation which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process based on prediction of the RIP process completion time based on this embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail for each configuration with reference to the drawings. In addition, the dimension ratio of drawing is exaggerated on account of description, and may differ from an actual ratio.

[First Embodiment]
(Image forming system)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an image forming system according to the present invention.

  The image forming system of the present embodiment includes PCs (Personal Computers) 10 and 10 ′ as network terminals and an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral) 20, which are connected to each other via a network 30 so as to communicate with each other. ing.

  The network 30 includes a LAN in which computers and network devices are connected according to standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI, and a WAN in which LANs are connected by a dedicated line. The type and number of devices connected to the network 30 are not limited to the example shown in FIG.

(PC)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the PCs 10 and 10 ′ shown in FIG. Since the PCs 10 and 10 'may have the same configuration, the configuration of only the PC 10 will be described below as a representative. A PC 10 as a client computer includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a memory 12, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 13, a display 14, an input device 15, a graphic I / F (Interface) unit 16, and a communication I / F unit 17. These are connected to each other via a bus 18 for exchanging signals.

  In accordance with the program, the CPU 11 performs control of each unit and various arithmetic processes (for example, document data creation, process for converting to page description language, print job generation, process for extracting post-processing setting information, print job transmission, etc.). Do. Each function of the PC 10 is exhibited when the CPU 11 executes a corresponding program. For example, the CPU 11 functions as an extraction unit that extracts post-processing setting information, a transmission unit that transmits the extracted post-processing setting information, and the like.

  The memory 12 includes a ROM for storing various programs and various data, a RAM for temporarily storing programs and data as a work area, and the like. Further, the memory 12 can be constituted by, for example, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

  The HDD 13 stores various programs including an operating system (OS) and various data. The HDD 13 stores various applications for creating, selecting or reproducing document data including image data and text data. The HDD 13 can store image data regarding document data, and the stored image data can be read onto the memory 12 as needed by the CPU 11 and processed on the memory 12.

  The HDD 13 is installed with a printer driver for making print settings for the created document data. The user can select document data to be printed via the printer driver, execute print settings for the document data, and execute post-processing settings for bookbinding by desired post-processing (details). Will be described later). The set document data is converted into PDL data described in a page description language (PDL) that can be interpreted by the MFP 20 together with print settings and bookbinding settings set by the user. The print setting is set as a condition for forming an image based on document data. PDL data converted and generated for each print instruction is a print job (details will be described later). Examples of PDL include PS (PostScript (registered trademark)) and XPS (XML Paper Specification). The HDD 13 stores a program for extracting post-processing settings from PDL data.

  The display 14 is an OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or the like, and is used for displaying various types of information. As will be described later, the display 14 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) such as a printer driver screen.

  The input device 15 includes a pointing device such as a mouse, a keyboard, and the like, and is used for inputting various information.

  The graphic I / F unit 16 displays, via the display 14, a GUI that can accept a print instruction or the like via the input device 15 operated by the user.

  The communication I / F unit 17 is an interface for communicating with an external device on the network 30, and is a network interface based on a standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, FDDI (Fiber-Distributed Data Interface), USB, IEEE1394. Serial interfaces such as SCSI, parallel interfaces such as SCSI and IEEE1284, wireless communication interfaces such as BLUETOOTH (registered trademark), IEEE802.11, HomeRF, and IrDA can be used.

(MFP)
Next, the configuration of the MFP according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  3 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of the MFP shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the MFP shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the printer controller of the MFP shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer output unit of the MFP shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first and second post-processing devices, and FIG. 8 is the configuration of the paper discharge device. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the MFP 20 according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 21, a first post-processing apparatus 24, a second post-processing apparatus 25, and a paper discharge apparatus 26. The components of these devices will be described in detail below. Note that among the constituent elements described below, the same constituent elements as those of the PC 10 described above are not described in order to avoid duplication.

(Image forming device)
The image forming apparatus 21 forms an image on a recording medium based on document data and print settings included in a print job received from the PC 10 as a client computer via the network 30. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 21 as a printing apparatus (printer) includes a printer controller unit 22 and a printer output unit 23. Note that the printer controller unit 22 and the printer output unit 23 are configured independently of each other and may be connected via a dedicated interface cable, USB, or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the printer controller unit 22 includes a CPU 221, a memory 222, an HDD 223, a communication I / F unit 224, and a video I / F unit 225. These are connected to each other via an internal bus 226 such as PCI Express (registered trademark) so as to communicate with each other.

  The CPU 221 controls each part of the above-described units and the printer output unit according to a program, various arithmetic processes (for example, prediction of raster image processing time and preceding job processing time, transmission of post-processing preparation instructions, etc.) Execute. Each function of the printer controller unit 22 is exhibited by the CPU 221 executing a corresponding program.

  The HDD 223 stores various programs including the OS and various data. For example, the HDD 223 stores a program for predicting the time required for RIP processing, a program for predicting the completion time of the preceding job when there is a preceding print job, and the like.

  The video I / F unit 225 is an interface for communicating with the printer output unit 23.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the printer output unit 23 includes an image forming unit 231, an operation unit 232, a paper feed unit 233, a paper discharge unit 234, and a communication I / F unit 235. These are connected via an internal bus 236 so that they can communicate with each other.

  The image forming unit 231 uses an image forming process such as an electrophotographic process including charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing processes, and based on image data received from the video I / F unit 225. Is printed on the recording medium. In addition to the printer controller unit 22, the image forming unit 231 is dedicated to performing RIP processing on image data and printing raster data that is RIP processed image data. An MPU (Micro-Processing Unit) (not shown) may be provided. In this case, the image forming apparatus 23 may include a storage device (for example, a RAM or an HDD) that develops an image for printing.

  The operation unit 232 includes a touch panel, a numeric keypad, a start button, a stop button, and the like, and is used for inputting various settings by the user and displaying various information.

  The paper supply unit 233 stores paper as a printing medium onto which an image is transferred, cover paper, and the like, and sends the stored paper one by one to the image forming unit 231 or the post-processing device. The paper feed unit 233 includes a plurality of trays, and can be configured to select a paper size, color, and paper quality for each printing application. For example, the paper feed unit 233 includes a paper feed tray for storing printing paper for printing image data or text data, and a paper feed tray for storing paper used as a cover for case binding.

  The paper discharge unit 234 discharges the paper conveyed from the image forming unit 231 according to an instruction from the printer controller 22. The paper discharged from the image forming apparatus 21 is carried out to the connected post-processing apparatus.

(Post-processing equipment)
The post-processing device includes a first post-processing device 24 and a second post-processing device 25, and executes post-processing on the print medium printed by the image forming device 21 based on print settings specified in the print job. To do. The post-processing executed by the first post-processing device 24 includes, for example, a stapling process for binding a bundle of sheets with staples, a punch punching process for forming filing holes at the end of the sheet, and bundling the sheets into a book shape. Examples thereof include a bundling process for forming, a folding process for folding a sheet, and a trimmer process for cutting an end of the sheet. In the post-processing apparatus executed by the second post-processing apparatus 25, for example, a molten adhesive such as a hot-melt type adhesive is applied to the side surface of the sheet bundle that is bundled and formed by the first post-processing apparatus 24. For example, case binding may be used in which the sheet bundle is wrapped with a sheet as a cover and wrapped. Since a hot-melt type adhesive or the like is melted, in order to carry out case binding, it takes time to heat and melt the adhesive as a post-processing preparation. The post-processing apparatus further includes a heating unit and a temperature detection unit (both not shown) for melting the adhesive as described above. Further, the post-processing device may be configured so that all the post-processing can be performed by one device, or may be configured by two or more devices.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the post-processing apparatus includes a control unit 241, a paper feed unit 242, a paper discharge unit 243, and a communication I / F unit 244. These are connected via an internal bus 245 so as to communicate with each other.

  The control unit 241 executes control of each unit and various arithmetic processes (for example, post-processing preparation, job ID collation, etc.) according to a program. Each function of the post-processing device is exhibited when a CPU (not shown) executes a corresponding program.

  The paper feeding unit 242 receives the printed material conveyed from the upstream process of the printing process including the POD printing process. The paper discharge unit 243 conveys the post-processed printed matter to an apparatus for a downstream process. The paper feeding unit 242 may be configured to be able to separately supply paper independently of the paper feeding unit 233.

  The communication I / F unit 244 transmits and receives data via the network 30 and the internal bus. The communication I / F unit 244 establishes a connection with the PC 10 and other communication I / F units, and transmits and receives data using various network protocols. In this embodiment, post-processing setting information regarding post-processing included in a part of the print job is transmitted from the PC 10 and received by the post-processing device via the communication I / F unit 244.

(Paper output device)
As shown in FIG. 3, the paper discharge device 26 discharges printed and selectively post-processed printed matter from the paper discharge trays 261 and 262. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the paper discharge device 26 includes a control unit 261, a paper feed unit 262, a paper discharge unit 263, and a communication I / F unit 264. These are connected via an internal bus 265 so as to communicate with each other.

  The control unit 261 executes control of each unit and each unit of the printer output unit 23 and various arithmetic processes according to a program. Each function of the paper discharge device 26 is exhibited when a CPU (not shown) of the control unit 261 executes a corresponding program. For example, the paper discharge device 26 sorts the printed materials for different types of post-processing such as folding and stapling based on an instruction from the control unit 261, and discharges the printed materials to different discharge destinations for each sorted type. To do.

  The paper feed unit 262 takes in the printed material discharged from the post-processing device into the paper discharge device 26. The paper discharge unit 263 discharges the sorted printed materials to the outside of the MFP 20 via the paper discharge trays 261 and 262 and the like.

  Note that the PC 10 and the MFP 20 may include components other than the components described above, or may not include some of the components described above.

(Print job and post-processing setting information)
Next, referring to FIG. 9 to FIG. 11, the configuration of the print job including the setting information (post-processing setting information) about the post-processing according to the first embodiment, and the post-processing setting information and printing after the extraction The job configuration will be described in detail.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer driver screen according to the present embodiment, FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a print job, and FIG. 11 illustrates post-processing setting information extracted from the print job illustrated in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print job including the other print job after the post-processing setting information is extracted.

  A printer driver for print setting is stored in the HDD 13 or the like of the PC 10, and a printer driver screen is launched by a predetermined operation of the input device 15 by the user and displayed on the display 14. An example of the printer driver screen is as shown in FIG. The printer driver screen 40 includes a “printer” item for designating an MFP to execute printing. In the example shown in FIG. 9A, “Printer ABC” is designated. The printer driver screen 40 has a “number of copies” item for designating the number of copies to print, a “property” button for launching a screen for designating detailed print settings and post-processing settings for POD print processing, etc. The “Preview” button for confirming the appearance of the printed matter, the “Detect Printer” button for searching for a printer available on the network 30, the print settings and the post-processing settings are confirmed, and the print job is sent to the MFP 20. An “OK” button for transmitting to the printer, a “Close” button for canceling the settings and closing the printer driver screen 40 are configured.

  When a “property” button 41 on the printer driver screen 40 is pressed (clicked), a setting screen for specifying details of print settings is launched. An example of a setting screen for making detailed settings is as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9B, on the left side of the print job setting screen 42, there is a “basic” button for making basic settings for the print job, and the size and positional relationship of the image to be printed with respect to the print paper. The “imposition” button for setting the image quality, the “image quality” button for specifying the image quality at the time of printing, the “finishing” button 43 for setting the post-processing, and the information about the print job are acquired. And a “job information” button. Also, on the right side of the print job setting screen 42, the “number of copies” item for specifying the number of copies for basic setting, the “paper type” item for specifying the printing paper, and the size of the printing paper are specified. A “paper size” item for specifying the print paper and a “paper basis weight” item for designating the basis weight of the printing paper are included. Further, the print job setting screen 42 has an “OK” button for confirming the detailed setting and returning to the printer driver screen 40, a “Cancel” button for canceling the detailed setting, and a “Cancel” button for reflecting the detailed setting. An “Apply” button and a “Help” button for displaying commentary information about the detailed setting items are included.

  When the “finish” button 43 on the print job setting screen 42 is clicked, various items for detailed setting for post-processing are displayed on the print job setting screen 42. Examples of various items for making detailed settings for post-processing are as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9C, a “finishing method” item 44 for designating a finishing method as post-processing is displayed on the right side of the print job setting screen 42 for finishing setting. When “case binding” is designated in the “finishing method” item 44, a new setting item for case binding is displayed below the “finishing method” item 44. Specifically, a “cover” item 45 for designating the case binding cover and a “text” item 46 for setting a sheet on which document data included in the print job is printed are displayed. These items for case binding include a “paper setting” button for detailed setting of paper. When the “paper setting” button is clicked, a screen (not shown) for designating paper is launched, and paper selection for each paper feed tray can be executed. In the example shown in FIG. 9C, in the “cover” item 45, “custom” paper of “tray 1” is designated as the cover paper for case binding. In the “text” item 46, “A4” paper of “Tray 3” is designated as the paper for the main part for case binding.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a print job including print settings and post-processing settings specified on the printer driver screen 40 and the print job setting screen 42. The setting items and the like shown in the figure are shown as an example, and may be different from the actual setting items.

  When the “OK” button on the printer driver screen 40 is clicked, the print settings are confirmed, and the print settings are converted into PDL data by the printer driver installed in the PC 10 as described above. This PDL data becomes a print job. As shown in FIG. 10, the print job 500 described by PDL data includes print setting information and post-processing setting information set on the printer driver screen 40 and the print job setting screen 42. Such setting information is described for each unit defined by a tag described in the HTML format or the XML format. For example, a print job is defined by a portion enclosed by <job> to </ job>. Specifically, a <job> tag 510 including a description about the print job itself includes a print job ID. The print job ID is identification information for distinguishing it from other print jobs as a unique print job, and is assigned to each confirmed print job by, for example, a printer driver. The <job> tag 510 includes a <print setting> tag 520 and a <page setting> tag 540 as subordinate items of the <job> tag 510.

  A <print setting> tag 520 including setting information about a print job includes information for specifying the printer described by the <printer> tag, and print settings and post-processing settings described by the <print job setting> tag 530. And information for specifying. A <print job setting> tag 530 is a setting information about finishing described by a <finishing> tag 531 and a “basic” setting screen of the above-described print job setting screen 42 described by a <basic setting> tag 533. Contains information about the specified basic print settings. The <print job setting> tag 530 includes imposition setting information described by the <imposition> tag 534 and image quality setting information described by the <image quality> tag 535.

  The <finishing> tag 531 includes a value (“case binding”) for the finishing method as post-processing described by the <finishing method> tag 532. Further, the <finishing> tag 531 includes setting information (“tray 1 custom”) that is described by the <cover> tag and is about the accommodation location and type of the cover used for case binding. Furthermore, the <finishing> tag 531 includes setting information (“tray 3 A4”) about the storage location and type of printing paper for the printed material main body described by the <text> tag.

  The print job 500 includes information about document data and image data in units of objects to be printed on a printed material body or the like described by a <page setting> tag 540.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the print job including the extracted post-processing setting information and the other print job after the post-processing setting information is extracted from the print job 500 illustrated in FIG. . In the present embodiment, a part of post-processing setting information of the print job 500 is extracted, and a print job including the extracted setting information and another print job not including the extracted print job are generated. In the example shown in FIG. 11, a part of the information of the <finishing> tag 531 describing the post-processing setting of the print job 500 is extracted. That is, information about “finishing method” in “finishing” is extracted, and a print job 500 ′ including the extracted information is generated. At the same time, the other source print job 500 ″ that does not include the extracted information is generated.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the print job 500 ′ includes the value of the “finishing method” tag 532 (“case” in the “finishing” tag 531 described in the “print setting” tag 520 of the print job 500. The bookbinding “)” is included as the extracted information. The print job 500 ′ includes the same job ID as that of the extraction source print job 500 that is given when the post-processing setting information is extracted. By collating the job ID, it can be determined that the print job 500 ′ generated for post-processing preparation and the other print job 500 ″ should be processed as the same print job. The print job 500 ′ functions as a post-processing preparation instruction when transmitted to the post-processing apparatus. That is, the post-processing apparatus that has received the print job 500 ′ starts preparation for post-processing based on the content of the print job 500 ′. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 11A, the print job 500 ′ includes “case binding” as setting information, so the post-processing apparatus starts thermal melting of the adhesive in preparation for case binding. Details will be described later.

  As illustrated in FIG. 11B, the print job 500 ″ does not include the extracted information regarding “finishing method” among the setting information regarding “finishing”, and setting information other than “finishing method”. including. The print job 500 ″ is transmitted to the MFP 20 after the print job 500 ′ is transmitted as a normal print job.

(Interrelation between various processes)
Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the mutual relationship with time of various processes by the PC and MFP until the post-processing preparation setting information is extracted and transmitted and processed according to the first embodiment is described in detail. explain.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining post-processing preparation according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12A shows the interrelationship between the processing time of operations for various processes shown along the vertical axis and the processing timing of various processes, with the horizontal line extending from left to right as the time axis. FIG. 12B shows the timing at which heating is performed as preparation for the post-processing apparatus and the temperature change due to heating, corresponding to the specific process of FIG.

  First, the contents of the various processes shown in FIG.

  The PDL conversion process is a process for converting the print settings set on the printer driver screens 40 and 42 shown in FIG. 9 into the PDL data as the print job shown in FIG. PDL data as a print job can be sequentially transferred to the MFP 20 via the network 30 from the part of the converted PDL data that can be transferred.

  The job transfer process is a process for transmitting a print job converted into PDL data to the MFP 20 via the network 30. The time width of the job transfer process shown in FIG. 12A represents the time required for transferring the PDL data.

  The RIP process is a process in which the CPU 221 of the MFP 20 that has received the transferred job converts the document data included in the job into raster data. FIG. 12A shows that the RIP processing is sequentially performed from the part of the jobs transferred from the PC 10 and the PC 10 ′ that have arrived at the MFP 20.

  The print process is a process in which the image forming unit 231 of the MFP 20 prints the document data in the print job subjected to the RIP process based on the print settings included in the print job. The time required for the printing process varies depending on the size of the document data included in the print job.

  Post-processing preparation is processing in which the post-processing apparatus starts preparation for post-processing based on the received post-processing preparation instruction (print job 500 ′). In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the second post-processing device 25 that executes case binding receives a post-processing preparation instruction, and starts a process of melting an adhesive for case binding processing as post-processing preparation. .

  Post-processing is processing in which the post-processing apparatus executes post-processing on a sheet or the like printed based on a print job.

  Next, temperature control by the post-processing apparatus shown in FIG.

  The horizontal axis is the time axis as in FIG. A vertical axis | shaft shows the temperature of the adhesive agent container etc. which are heated by the heating means of a post-processing apparatus (all are not shown). In the present embodiment, first, the heating is performed up to the “preheating target temperature”, and when it is necessary to stand by, the “preheating target temperature” is maintained. At the time of bookbinding, the final heating is performed from the “preheating target temperature” to the “bookbinding temperature”, and the “bookbinding temperature” can be maintained.

  Next, the interrelationships of the various processes over time will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 12 (a), two different client computers PC10 and PC10 'on the network 30 execute print instructions for jobs A to C at different times, and set print settings to PDL data. Convert to Specifically, the PC 10 ′ executes processing for converting job A that does not include post-processing setting information into PDL data, and then the PC 10 executes processing for converting job B including post-processing setting information into PDL data. . Thereafter, the PC 10 'executes a process of converting the job C that does not include post-processing setting information into PDL data.

  Here, for job B including post-processing setting information, a part of the post-processing setting information is extracted by the printer driver of the PC 10 as described above. As a result, the job B is divided into the print job 500 ′ including only a part of the post-processing setting information shown in FIG. 11 and the print job 500 ″ not including a part of the extracted post-processing setting information. It is done. The print job 500 ′ is transmitted to the post-processing apparatus before the other divided print job 500 ″.

  For example, the print job 500 ′ can be transmitted to the post-processing apparatus immediately after the execution of the print job B is instructed from the PC 10 (see the dotted arrow extending downward from the job B of the PC 10 in FIG. 12A). Therefore, the post-processing apparatus that has received the print job 500 ′ can immediately start preparation for post-processing based on the post-processing setting information. In the present embodiment, the extracted post-processing setting information is “case binding”, and this information is included in the print job 500 ′ and transmitted to the second post-processing device 25. As shown in FIG. 12B, the second post-processing device 25 that has received the print job 500 ′ changes the operation state from “OFF” to “warm-up”, and heats the adhesive for case binding. Is started. Therefore, the temperature of the adhesive of the second post-processing device 25 starts to increase from T1.

  Note that the processing time required to extract only the post-processing setting information in the print job 500 and then convert it to PDL data and send it is that other parts of the print job 500 are converted to PDL data, transferred, etc. Therefore, in FIG. 12 and the like, it is shown that there is no processing time.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b), the post-processing preparation by the second post-processing device 25 ends the warm-up at T2, continues the final heating, and performs the heat processing at T5. Completed. The printed matter that has been printed based on the job B (print job 500 ″) is case-bound from T5 to T6. In the example shown in FIG. 12, since the heating (warm-up and final heating) is completed after the time T4 when the RIP processing of the job B ends, the post-processing (case binding processing) of the job B is performed at T5. It can be started simultaneously with the end of heating.

  Here, in order to efficiently reduce the extra operating power consumption of the second post-processing device 25, at the time T5 when the heating process is completed, the RIP process of the job B is completed and the printing process is started. It is desirable to be at the same time as time T4. In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the heat treatment is started immediately after the heat treatment is not started immediately so that T4 and T5 are simultaneously performed. That is, the heating start time T1 is postponed.

(Processing procedure for extracting post-processing setting information)
Next, with reference to FIG. 13, a procedure of processing for extracting post-processing setting information according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for extracting post-processing setting information, which is executed by the CPU 11 in accordance with a printer driver program installed in the PC 10. Note that the algorithm of the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 is stored in the memory 12 or the like of the PC 10 and executed by the CPU 11.

  As shown in FIG. 13, first, the setting of the print job is confirmed (step S11). In this step, a print job is set on the print job setting screens 40 and 42 of the printer driver shown in FIG. 9 by a user operation. When the “OK” button is clicked on the printer driver screen 40 in FIG. 9A described above, the print job set on the screen 40 is confirmed.

  Subsequently, post-processing setting information is extracted (step S12). In this step, post-processing setting information is extracted from the print settings determined in step S11. As for the post-processing setting, for example, a character string or a script that matches pre-stored post-processing setting information can be read and extracted from information including print settings.

  Subsequently, the extracted post-processing setting information is determined (step S13). In this step, a determination is made as to which post-processing device the post-processing setting information extracted in step S12 should be transferred to. For example, in the example of the print job 500 ′ shown in FIG. 11, the post-processing setting information specifies “case binding” as the “finishing method”, so the extracted post-processing setting information is the second post-processing information. It is determined that it should be transmitted to the processing device 25. If there is no suitable post-processing device in the extracted post-processing setting information, an error message (not shown) or the like can be displayed.

  Subsequently, information about the extracted post-processing setting is transmitted (step S14). In this step, the post-processing setting information extracted in step S12 is transmitted to the MFP 20 first. When the extracted post-processing setting information is transmitted, it may be transmitted after being converted into PDL data such as a print job 500 ′ shown in FIG. As will be described later, the print job 500 ′ received by the MFP 20 is transmitted to an appropriate post-processing apparatus as a post-processing preparation instruction.

  Subsequently, the print setting is PDL converted (step S15). In this step, of the print settings, other print settings other than the information extracted in step S12 are PDL converted. Since various settings and data are included in the print setting, as shown in FIG. 12 and the like, a predetermined time is required for PDL conversion. Therefore, in the present embodiment, post-processing setting information for post-processing preparation is extracted before executing the PDL conversion in this step (step S12), so the post-processing setting information is transmitted promptly (step S14). The post-processing preparation can be started.

  Subsequently, the other print job is transmitted (step S16). In this step, the print job PDL converted into the print job 500 ″ as shown in FIG. 11B in step S 15 is transmitted to the MFP 20. In the present embodiment, the post-processing setting information is transmitted before the RIP processing of the print job transmitted in this step is started (step S14). Therefore, not only during the PDL conversion time but also during the RIP processing, Post-processing preparation can be performed.

(Procedure for post-processing preparation)
Next, with reference to FIG. 14, a procedure of processing for starting post-processing preparation based on the extracted post-processing setting information will be described in detail.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the MFP based on a print job according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining post-processing preparation according to the present embodiment. Note that the algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14 is stored in the memory 222 of the printer controller unit 22 of the MFP 20 and executed by the CPU 221.

  As shown in FIG. 14, first, information about post-processing settings is received (step S201). In this step, the post-processing setting information transmitted in step S14 of FIG.

  Subsequently, the processing time of the preceding print job is calculated (step S202). In this step, if there is a print job that has been received in advance and is being processed, preceding the print job 500 ′ received in step S 201, the print processing time of the preceding print job is calculated. The calculation of the processing time includes, for example, the processing time from the time when the preceding print job is started to the time when the calculation of the processing time is started and the number of pages on which the preceding job has been processed within this processing time. First detect. Then, by calculating the progress of the printing process based on the detected processing time and the number of processed pages, and the total number of pages included in the preceding job, it is possible to predict the time when the processing of the preceding job is completed. it can. If there is no preceding print job, the print processing completion time of the preceding job can be processed as “0” (zero).

  Subsequently, the print job completion time of the preceding job is compared with the adhesive heating completion time (step S203). In this step, the time until completion of processing of the preceding print job calculated in step S202 is compared with the time until heating of the adhesive as post-processing preparation is completed. The time required for the heat treatment may be a known value that is measured in advance and stored in the memory 22 or the like, or may be appropriately calculated each time.

  If it is determined that the time until the completion of processing of the preceding job is shorter than the heat processing time (step S203: NO), preheating is started (step S204). In this step, based on the post-processing setting information received in step S201, the post-processing apparatus is instructed to start preheating. Specifically, since it was predicted in step S202 that the preceding job is completed before the heating is completed, the post-processing preparation, that is, the preheating (warm-up) starts based on the information about the post-processing preparation. Is done. For example, the setting information of case binding is transferred from the printer controller 22 to the second post-processing setting information 25, whereby the post-processing preparation is started. Specifically, referring to FIG. 12 described above, first, the post-processing setting information (print job 500 ′) is received by the second post-processing device 25. In FIG. 12, time T5 when heating (warm-up and final heating) is completed is based on time T1 when the print job 500 ′ is received, after time T3 when job A preceding job B is completed. . Accordingly, in step S203, the time until the completion of the printing process of the preceding job A is calculated to be before the heating time (corresponding to step S203: NO). As a result, in this step S204, heating is started without being postponed. That is, heating can be started immediately after the time point T1 when the print job 500 'for the job B is received.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the processing time of the preceding job is longer than the heating processing time (step S203: YES), heating is started in accordance with the print processing completion time of the preceding job (step S205). In this step, since it is predicted in step S203 that the preceding job is completed after the heating is completed, the start of heating is postponed in accordance with the completion time of the preceding job. Specifically, referring to FIG. 15, the time T3 ′ when the print processing of the preceding job A ′ is completed is heated from the time T1 when the print job 500 ′ including the extracted post-processing setting information is received. It is after the heating completion time T5 when starting. Therefore, in the previous step S203, it is calculated that the time until the print processing of the preceding job A ′ is longer than the heating processing time (corresponding to YES in step S203). As a result, in this step S205, heating is postponed and started. The postponed period is postponed by, for example, the time obtained by subtracting the time (T1 to T5) required for heating from the completion time (T1 to T3 ′) of the preceding job A ′ calculated in step S202. .

  As shown in FIG. 15, the other print job 500 ″ of the print job 500 ′ is preheated in step S204, before or after the preheat is started in step S205, or in step S206. Before the completion of the preheating is detected, etc., and received by the MFP 20, the printing process is started as appropriate.

  Subsequently, completion of preheating is detected (step S206). In this step, completion of the preheating (warm-up) started in step S204 or S205 is detected. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15B, it is detected whether or not the preheating target temperature is lower than the bookbinding temperature.

  Subsequently, final heating is started (step S207). In this step, the final heating is performed following the preliminary heating up to step S206. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15B, the temperature is increased from the preheating target temperature to the bookbinding temperature (T2 'to T3').

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the final heating is completed (step S208). In this step, it is determined whether or not the heating has been executed up to the bookbinding temperature shown in FIG. 15B by the final heating started in step S207. When it is determined that the final heating has not been completed, that is, the temperature has not been raised to the bookbinding temperature by the final heating (step S208: NO), the final heating is continued (step S207).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the final heating has been completed (step S208: YES), case binding is started (step S209).

  Thereafter, the process for executing the post-processing preparation is terminated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, post-processing setting information included in the print job 500 is extracted, and the extracted information is immediately transmitted to the second post-processing device 25. The second post-processing device 25 can start post-processing preparation based on the received post-processing setting information. That is, the second post-processing device 25 can start heating without waiting for the start of heating until the time point T4 (FIG. 12) at which the print job 500 can be printed. Therefore, even when there is no preceding job A or when job A ends immediately, the time from T1 to T4 including the time during which job B is subjected to PDL conversion / transfer / RIP processing is always effectively used as the preparation time. Therefore, it is possible to reliably reduce the time for the POD printing process. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the completion time of the preceding print job is calculated, and the calculated time is compared with the time required for post-processing preparation, so that post-processing preparation is started based on the comparison result. Time can be calculated. Since the post-processing preparation (heating) is started based on the calculated time, the second post-processing device 25 is not operated for an extra time, and power consumption can be surely reduced.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by the MFP based on a print job according to the second embodiment, FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining post-processing preparation according to this embodiment, and FIG. 18 is a RIP process. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process based on prediction of completion time. In FIGS. 16 to 18, the same components and processes as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted to avoid duplication of explanation.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing executed by the MFP based on a print job according to the second embodiment. Note that the processing from step S301 to S306 is the same as step S201 to 206 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 16, after completion of the preheating is detected (step S306), it is determined whether or not the RIP process is completed (step S307). In this step, it is determined whether or not the RIP processing is completed for the document data included in the job B (print job 500 ″) received before the preheating is completed. For example, referring to FIG. 17, it can be seen that job B is being subjected to RIP processing at time T <b> 2 ″ when the preheating is completed. In this case, it is determined in this step that the RIP process is being performed. If it is determined that the RIP process has been completed (step S307: YES), the process proceeds to step S308.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the RIP process has not been completed (step S307: NO), it is determined whether or not the RIP process is being performed (step S309). In this step, it is determined whether or not the RIP process for the print job 500 ″ is being executed. If it is determined that the RIP process is being performed (step S309: YES), the process proceeds to step S312 described later.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the RIP process is not being performed (step S309: NO), the final heating is postponed (step S310). In this step, in step S309, regarding the progress of the printing process, it is determined that the RIP process of the print job 500 '' has not yet started, and it is determined that it is not necessary to perform the final heating. Therefore, the final heating is postponed.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a timeout has occurred (step S311). In this step, it is determined whether or not the process postponed in step S310 has timed out. By setting a timeout, for example, when a communication error occurs before RIP processing is completed, it is determined that a print job to be RIP processed has not been received, and processing can be interrupted. . By interrupting the process, it is possible to prevent unnecessary power from being consumed. When it is determined that it is not time-out (step S311: NO), the process returns to step S309. On the other hand, when it is determined that a timeout has occurred (step S311: YES), the processing for delaying the continuation of post-processing preparation in consideration of the RIP processing time is terminated.

  If it is determined in step S309 that the RIP process is being performed (step S309: YES), the continuation of the post-processing preparation is postponed based on the prediction of the RIP process completion time (step S312). In this step, since it is determined in step S309 that the RIP process is in progress for the document data of the print data 500 ″, the time until the RIP process is completed is predicted, and the predicted completion time of the RIP process is determined. Based on the above, the continuation of post-processing preparation is postponed.

  The processing procedure for postponing the continuation of the post-processing preparation based on the prediction of the time until the RIP processing is completed is as shown in FIG. First, the completion time of the RIP process is predicted (step S31). In this step, the completion time of the RIP process determined as being processed in step S309 is predicted. Specifically, the method for predicting the time for completing the RIP process is the same as the method for predicting the process completion time for the preceding job in step S202 described above. That is, it is necessary to perform RIP processing for the amount of processing completed in the period (hereinafter referred to as elapsed processing time) from the time when the RIP processing for job B is started until the time when processing of this step is started (hereinafter referred to as current time). The ratio of the total document data amount is calculated. The total processing time is calculated by dividing the processing elapsed time by the calculated ratio. By subtracting the elapsed processing time from the total processing time, the time from the current time until the RIP processing is completed can be calculated.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the time for completing the RIP process is later than the time for completing the heating (step S32). In this step, the RIP processing completion time T5 '' determined in step S31 is compared with the final heating completion time T5 (FIG. 17B). When the time for completing the RIP process is earlier than the time for completing the final heating (step S32: NO), the process proceeds to step S308 in FIG. 16, and the final heating is started.

  On the other hand, when the time for completing the RIP process is later than the time for completing the heating (step S32: YES), the final heating is postponed (step S33). In this step, in step S32, the time until the heating is completed is earlier than the time for completing the RIP processing. Therefore, in order to avoid excessive power consumption by maintaining the temperature at the binding temperature, the RIP processing is completed. The final heating is performed according to the time to be performed. Referring to FIG. 17B, it is shown that the time point at which the final heating is started is postponed from T2 ″ to T5 ″ without continuing the heating at T2 ″. Accordingly, the final heating completion time T5 when the final heating is executed from T2 ″ when there is no postponement is postponed until T5 ″. The time from T2 ″ to T7 ″ is maintained at the preheating target temperature that is lower than the bookbinding temperature. Therefore, it takes less time to maintain the high temperature, and power consumption can be saved.

  Subsequently, steps S32 and S33 are executed until it is determined that the time for completing the RIP process is earlier than the time for completing the heating.

  The subsequent procedure steps S308, S313, and S314 in FIG. 16 are the same as steps S207 to S209 in FIG.

  As described above, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, in this embodiment, since heating is started in accordance with the RIP processing completion time, the time for maintaining the high temperature is reduced, and the power consumption is reduced. it can.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

  Although the post-processing setting information is extracted by the printer driver stored in the PC 10 in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. A process for extracting post-processing setting information may be executed as part of a dedicated program different from the printer driver or a program for controlling the printer controller unit 22 that has received PDL data as a print job. The setting of the print job may be performed by an application instead of the printer driver.

  In the embodiment described above, the extracted setting information is generated as a print job. However, it is not limited to this. The extracted information may be generated as information in any data format and prepared for post-processing.

  In the above-described embodiment, the form in which the print job that is the extraction source of the extracted post-processing setting information is used as the print job 500 ″ different from the print job 500 has been described. However, it is not limited to this. The print job 500 after the post-processing setting information is extracted may be used in its original form including the extracted post-processing setting information.

  In the above-described embodiment, the completion time of the preceding job and the completion time of the RIP process are calculated based on the processing amount up to the time of measurement, the time required for the processing amount, and the total processing amount. However, it is not limited to this. Any calculation method may be used.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated as an example the process which heats the adhesive of case binding beforehand as post-processing preparation, it is not limited to this. Applicable to any post-processing preparation.

  The means and method for performing various processes in image formation according to the present embodiment can be realized by either a dedicated hardware circuit or a programmed computer. The program may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a flash memory and a CD-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred to and stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk. The program may be provided as a single application software, or may be incorporated in the software of the apparatus as a function of image formation.

10,10 'PC,
11, 221 CPU,
12,222 memory,
13,223 HDD,
14 display,
15 input devices,
16 Graphic I / F part,
17, 224, 235, 244, 264 communication I / F part,
18, 27, 226, 236, 245, 265 internal bus,
20 MFP,
21 image forming apparatus,
22 Printer controller section,
23 Printer output section,
231 Image forming unit,
232 operation unit,
233 paper feeder,
234 discharge section,
24 first post-processing device,
25 second post-processing device,
26 paper discharge device,
30 network,
40, 42 Printer driver screen,
500, 500 ', 500''print jobs.

Claims (20)

A program for causing a computer to execute processing for controlling a post-processing device that is connected to an image forming device that forms an image based on a print job and that performs post-processing on a print medium on which the image is formed There,
A procedure (a) for extracting post-processing setting information about the post-processing from the print setting which is a condition for forming the image;
A procedure (b) for transmitting the extracted post-processing setting information to the post-processing device;
A procedure (c) for generating the print job from the print setting and the image after transmitting the extracted post-processing setting information;
Including programs.   Based on the post-processing setting information transmitted in the procedure (b), after the post-processing device starts preparation for the post-processing, the print job generated in the procedure (c) is transferred to the image forming device. The program according to claim 1, further comprising a step (d) of transmitting to the computer. The program according to claim 2, wherein rasterization processing is performed on the image data by the image forming apparatus based on the print job transmitted in step (d). A program for causing a computer to execute processing for controlling a post-processing apparatus that performs post-processing on a print medium on which an image is formed,
A procedure (e) for receiving post-processing setting information including setting information about the post-processing, which is extracted from a print setting that is a condition for forming the image;
A procedure (f) for instructing the post-processing device to prepare for the post-processing related to the post-processing setting information received in the procedure (e);
A procedure (g) of receiving a print job generated from the print settings and the image after receiving the post-processing setting information;
Including programs. A step (h) of predicting a time required for rasterizing the image data included in the print job;
A procedure (i) for determining whether or not to continue the preparation for the post-processing based on the time predicted in the procedure (h);
The program according to claim 4, further comprising: A step (j) for comparing the rasterization processing time predicted in the step (h) and the time until the preparation for the post-processing is completed;
The program according to claim 5, wherein the procedure (i) for determining whether or not to continue the preparation for the post-processing is executed based on a result of the comparison in the procedure (j). A step (k) for predicting the time required to process the preceding print job that does not include the post-processing among the plurality of different print jobs;
7. The method according to claim 4, further comprising a step (l) of determining whether to postpone the start of the preparation for the post-processing based on the time predicted in the step (k). program. Further comprising said steps (k) the processing time of the predicted print job to the preceding in the procedure for comparing the time and to prepare for the post-processing has completed (m),
The program according to claim 7, wherein the procedure (1) for determining whether to postpone the start of preparation for the post-processing is executed based on a result of the comparison in the procedure (m).   9. The method according to claim 4, further comprising a step (n) of canceling the preparation for the post-processing when the print job is not received within a predetermined time after the preparation for the post-processing is started. The listed program.   The program according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the preparation for the post-processing includes a process of thermally melting an adhesive used for the post-processing.   The post-processing is a case binding process in which a heat-melting adhesive is applied to a side surface of a bundle of printed matter printed based on the print job and wrapped with a cover sheet. A program according to any one of the above.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program as described in any one of Claims 1-11. An image forming system comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image based on a print job; and a post-processing unit that executes post-processing on a print medium on which the image is formed.
Extraction means for extracting post-processing setting information about the post-processing from print settings set as conditions for forming the image;
Transmitting means for transmitting the extracted post-processing setting information;
An instruction unit that receives the post-processing setting information and instructs the post-processing unit to prepare for the post-processing based on the post-processing setting information;
Generation means for generating the print job from the print setting and the image after transmission of the post-processing setting information;
Including an image forming system.   The image forming unit predicts a time required for rasterizing image data included in the print job, and determines whether to continue preparation for the post-processing based on the predicted time The image forming system according to claim 13, further comprising means.   The control means compares the predicted rasterization processing time with the time until the preparation for the post-processing is completed, and determines whether or not to continue the preparation for the post-processing based on the result of the comparison. The image forming system according to claim 14, wherein the determination is made. The control means predicts a time required to process the preceding print job that does not include the post-processing among the plurality of different received print jobs, and based on the predicted time, The image forming system according to any one of claims 14 to 15, which instructs start of preparation for post-processing. Wherein said control means includes a print job processing time of the preceding, compares the time and to prepare for the post-processing is completed, based on the result of the comparison, an instruction to start preparation for the post-treatment, The image forming system according to claim 16. The control unit according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein when the print job is not received within a predetermined time after the start of preparation for the post-processing is instructed, preparation for the post-processing is stopped. The image forming system described. The image forming system according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the preparation for the post-processing includes a process of thermally melting an adhesive used for the post-processing. The post-processing unit executes a case binding process in which a heat-melting adhesive is applied to a side surface of a bundle of printed materials printed based on the print job and wrapped with a cover sheet. The image forming system according to any one of the above.