JPH10151839A - Apparatus and method for controlling output and image-forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To carry out substitutive printing so that a printing reflecting various instructions can be obtained simply later even when the instructions cannot be executed at the output time. SOLUTION: When PDL data are received from host computers 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, an image-processing apparatus 3 develops an image and detects whether or not a printing instruction included in the image can be realized by a copying apparatus 1. When the instruction cannot be realized, the instruction is replaced with a realizable instruction and issued to the copying apparatus 1. In this case, a count of sheets is designated to be one. The replaced instruction is separately sent to the copying apparatus 1 as a recovery copy made. An operator calls the recovery copy mode sent and stored in the copying apparatus 1, so that a printed matter printed earlier is copied.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for receiving image data from a host computer or the like and developing the image data into raster image data. The present invention relates to an output control device for transmitting and forming an image, and an image forming system including the output control device and an image forming device connected to the output control device.
Page Description Language (hereinafter PD)
L) and an image control system for receiving image data from a host computer or the like in the form of PDL data described in L.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming system which receives PDL data from a host computer or the like, develops it into raster image data, and forms an image in an image forming section based on the developed raster image data, various print operation instructions can be given. There is something. In particular, when a digital copier is provided with such a print function, the copier has a double-sided print function, a sort function, a staple function, a cassette selection function,
It is possible to perform printing by instructing various printing operations such as a paper size selection function.

In such a conventional image forming apparatus, when an attempt is made to print a print job of a plurality of pages supported by various print operations and a designated print operation cannot be executed due to some error, the following is required. (Correspondence 1) To cancel printing, (Correspondence 2) to wait until the error is cleared, or (Correspondence 3) to print a plurality of copies ignoring the unexecutable print operation instruction. For example, if the A4 size 10-copy print is specified but the paper cassette has only the A3 size, in the first case, the printing itself is stopped, and in the second case, the A4 size paper is stored in the paper cassette. Wait until it is entered, and in response 3, A4
10 copies were printed using A3 size paper instead of the size.

[0004]

The above-mentioned prior art has the following problems.

First, in the case of the first measure, there is a problem that an operator cannot obtain a print output. The operator prints from his own computer, and after a while, he prints out and does not print, but he must return to his computer and print again. In particular, if the print job is sent to the image forming apparatus via any spooler, the operator thinks that the print job has been completed when the print job is sent to the spooler. I do not know that it did not. In particular, P
In the case of a print job described in DL data, depending on the contents of the page, it may take time to develop the PDL data into a raster image. There is a case where the user waits for a long time to obtain a print output.

[0006] Next, in case of response 2, if the operator does not notice the error, the image forming apparatus continues to wait for the error release, and another print job after the print job is also waited. There is a problem that the use efficiency of the forming apparatus is deteriorated. Generally, in the case of copying, the operator himself performs the operation in front of the apparatus, but in the case of printing, the operator does not always immediately go to the print output after printing. In many cases, you will continue to wait for an error release.

[0007] Next, in the case of correspondence 3, some print output can be obtained, and there is no need to wait for error cancellation, but a plurality of unnecessary prints different from the operator's intention are obtained. There is. For example, A
If the print job is replaced with the A3 size instead of the 4 size 10 copy print job and the 10 copies are printed, the operator can endure the A3 size, cut the 10 copies of the A3 size paper to the A4 size by himself, or form an image. A4 paper must be set in the apparatus and a print job of 10 copies of A4 size must be performed again.

As described above, the handling of the error which has been conventionally performed is not satisfactory for the operator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and when printing of a plurality of copies with a designated print operation instruction cannot be executed due to some error, the print operation instruction that cannot be executed is ignored. And an output control apparatus and method for forcibly setting the number of copies to 1 to perform alternative printing, and issuing an instruction of a copy operation corresponding to the ignored print operation instruction using the alternative printed copy as a document. It is intended to provide a forming system.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and has the following configuration. That is, an output control device that gives an operation instruction to the image forming apparatus and prints an image, and that receives a print data including print image data and print operation instruction data, A first determining unit that determines whether printing can be performed in accordance with a print operation instruction included in the print data; A second determining means for determining whether the printing can be executed by replacing the second printing operation instruction with the second printing operation instruction. Control means for providing the image forming apparatus with a replacement print operation instruction in which a copy is replaced with the second print operation instruction.

Alternatively, there is provided an output control method for giving an operation instruction to an image forming apparatus to print an image, the method comprising: receiving a print data including print image data and print operation instruction data; Referring to the state, a first determination step of determining whether printing can be performed in accordance with a print operation instruction included in the print data, and if it is determined that the print operation cannot be performed in the first determination step, one of the print operation instructions A second print operation instruction by replacing the copy unit with a predetermined second print operation instruction; and, if it is determined in the second determination step that print is executable, the print operation is performed. Providing a replacement print operation instruction in which a part of the instruction is replaced with the second print operation instruction to the image forming apparatus.

Alternatively, a computer readable memory for storing a program for giving an operation instruction to the image forming apparatus and printing an image, comprising: a code for a reception step for receiving print data including print image data and print operation instruction data; A code for a first determination step of determining whether printing can be performed in accordance with a print operation instruction included in print data by referring to a state of the image forming apparatus;
When it is determined in the first determination step that the printing cannot be performed, a code of a second determination step that determines whether printing can be performed by replacing a part of the print operation instruction with a second print operation instruction is provided. Providing a replacement print operation instruction in which a part of the print operation instruction is replaced with the second print operation instruction to the image forming apparatus when it is determined in the second determination step that printing is executable. And the code of

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment <Configuration of Image Forming System> FIG. 1 shows an image processing apparatus 3 that supports a color PDL and constitutes an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of.

As shown, the host computer 2-
1-2 and the image processing apparatus 3 are connected via an interface 4 such as a network. The operator creates a document, an image, or the like using the host computer, and sends the document, image, or the like to the image processing apparatus 3 as PDL data that can be interpreted by the image processing apparatus 3. The PDL data sent from the host computer via the interface 4 and the external interface circuit 5 is temporarily held in the spool area 8-1 in the hard disk 8 by the CPU 6.
Next, the PDL read from the spool area 8-1
The data is expanded to YMCK raster image data,
The data is written to the full page image memory 10-1 in M10. The developed raster image data is transferred from the full page image memory 10-1 through the CPU bus 7 to the DMA (Direct
The image is read out by a Memory Access) process and sent to the image forming apparatus 1 via the printer interface 11 to form an image. Program area 8 in hard disk 8
-2 is used to hold the program, which is RA
The program is moved to the work memory area 10-2 in M10 and the program is executed. A part of the work memory area 10-2 and the work memory area 8-3 in the hard disk 8 are also used as a temporary work area. The printer communication unit 9 communicates with the control unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication path 13. 7 is a CP connecting each part.
It is a U bus.

In this embodiment, the image memory 10-1 stores YMCK (yellow, magenta, cyan,
Black) Each consists of 8 bits, 32 bits in total, has a capacity of one page of A3 size, and has a capacity of two pages of A4 size. However, this memory can be expanded, and for example, the capacity can be set to four pages in A4 size or two pages in A3 size. Further, in the image processing device 3, the image memory supports a K8-bit mode, which is a monochrome gray scale mode, and a K1-bit mode, which is a binary monochrome mode, in addition to the 8-bit mode of YMCK, which is a YMCK mode. However, for the sake of simplicity, the present embodiment will be described focusing on the YMCK 8-bit mode.

The image processing apparatus 3 may be a commonly used personal computer, workstation, or the like.

The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment
As will be described later in detail, this is a full-color electrophotographic copying machine, and forms an image based on raster image data 12 in YMCK 8-bit mode per pixel sent from the image processing device 3. However, in the actual image forming apparatus, the MCYK four color toners are used in order for each color, that is, in a frame-sequential manner. Therefore, in accordance with the formation of each MCYK color component inside the image forming apparatus 1, M8-bit data, C8-bit data, Y
8-bit data and K8-bit data are transmitted in a frame sequence. Further, the image processing apparatus 3 operates in the gray scale mode (K
When development is performed in 8 bits) or monochrome mode (K1 bits), image formation is performed using only black (K) toner, and only black data is sent accordingly.

As will be described in detail later, the operation unit 41 is an operation unit for an operator to issue a copy instruction to the electrophotographic copying machine 1 and the like. The control unit 14 detects the state of each part of the copying machine, and controls each part of the copying machine according to the setting input by the operation unit 41.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a color copying machine 1 which is an image forming apparatus constituting the image forming system according to the present embodiment. When the forming operation of the color copying machine 1 is started and the image formation of magenta (M) starts, the magenta raster image data 12 sent from the image processing device 3 passes through the switching unit 22 in accordance with the start. The processing unit 23 is entered. The M raster image data that has been subjected to various image processing such as gradation correction by the image processing unit 23 is passed to the laser driving unit 24, and the laser light is modulated based on the data. The modulated laser light is scanned and irradiated on the photosensitive drum 25 to form a latent image, and is developed by an M toner developing unit (not shown) to become an M toner image. On the other hand, the upper cassette 26 or the double-sided tray 2
7, or the paper fed from the lower cassette 28 is wound around the transfer drum 29. Then, the photosensitive drum 25
The upper M toner image is transferred onto the paper on the transfer drum. When the transfer of the M toner image is completed, the next step is cyan (C).
Sending raster image data from the image processing device,
The latent image formation, development, and transfer are performed, and thereafter the same is performed for yellow (Y) and black (K), so that the MCYK toner image is transferred onto the paper on the transfer drum 29. The paper to which the MCYK toner image has been transferred is
At 0, the toner is fused and fixed to form a full-color image. The fixed sheet is sent to the staple sorter unit 31 in the case of normal printing (the same applies to normal copying; the same applies to the following description), and is normally discharged onto the uppermost discharge tray 33-1.

On the other hand, in the case of first-side printing of double-sided printing, the sheet that has passed through the fixing device 30 is sent to the anti-transfer unit 34,
The traveling direction is reversed by the reversing section 34 and the sheet enters the double-sided tray 27. At this time, the first side image is on the upper side of the paper. Then
The paper fed from the double-sided tray 27 is printed on the second surface along the same route as in normal printing, and is discharged. As a result, the first surface on which an image is formed first is on the lower side of the discharged paper, and the second surface is on the upper side of the discharged paper.

Further, in the case of sort printing of a plurality of pages and a plurality of copies, the first copy sent to the staple sorter unit 31 is discharged to the discharge tray 33-1 and the second copy is discharged to the discharge tray 33-2. Each part is sorted and output to each paper discharge tray, for example, the paper is printed and the third copy is discharged to the paper discharge tray 33-3. In short, the output of one copy of a plurality of pages is stacked on each paper discharge tray. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram, and the output tray is 3
Although only the number is written, many trays such as 10 or 25 are actually provided.

Further, the staple sorter unit 31 is provided with a staple unit 32, which has a function of stapling the sheets stacked on the respective discharge trays. Usually, this function is used in combination with the sort print function, and is therefore called a staple sort print function. When combined with the sort print function, stapling is performed for each output of one copy of a plurality of pages to obtain a plurality of copies.

The color copier 1 also has a copy function for copying an original placed on the automatic document feeder 21 or an original reading position (not shown), in addition to the above-described print function. The automatic document feeder is used in many commercially available copiers and will not be described in detail. However, it is a device for placing multiple documents and transporting them one by one to the document reading position. is there. These originals are read using an image reading unit 35 composed of an optical system (not shown) and a color CCD or the like, are converted into RGB image data, and are converted into MCYK data by the image processing unit 23 via the switching unit 22. After the conversion, the image is sent to the laser drive unit 24, and then passes through the same path as during printing, whereby a color copy image can be obtained. <Description by PDL Data> FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining PDL data. ADOBE Pos
PDL (P) represented by tScript (registered trademark) language
As shown in FIG. 3A, the age description language is used to describe one page of an image using (i) an image description using character codes, (ii) an image description using graphic codes, and (iii) an image description using raster image data. A language for combining and describing elements, and the data described using P
This is DL data.

FIG. 3B shows an example of description using character codes. L100 is a description for specifying the color of the character.
The values in parentheses indicate the luminance of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) in this order. The minimum is 0.0 and the maximum is 1.0. In L100, the character is specified to be black.
Next, L101 stores the character string “IC” in the variable String1.
Is substituted. Next, in L102, the first and second parameters indicate the x and y coordinates of the start position coordinates on the paper on which the character string is laid out, the third parameter indicates the size of the character, and the fourth parameter indicates the space between the characters. The fifth parameter indicates a character string to be laid out. In short, L102 is calculated from the position of coordinates (0.0, 0.0)
This is an instruction to lay out the character string “IC” with a size of 0.3 and an interval of 0.1.

FIG. 3C shows the above-described example using a graphic code. L103, like L100, specifies the color of the line, and here, red is specified. Next, L104
Is used to specify that a line should be drawn.
The second parameter is the starting coordinate of the line, and the third and fourth parameters are the X and Y coordinates of the ending coordinate, respectively. The fifth parameter indicates the thickness of the line. That is, the coordinates (0.9, 0.
0) and a line of width 0.1 drawn from the coordinates (0.9, 1.0).

FIG. 3D shows the above-described example using raster image data. L105 converts the raster image into a variable Image
Assigned to 1. Here, the first parameter represents the image type of the raster image and the number of color components, the second parameter represents the number of bits per color component, and the third and fourth parameters represent the x and y directions of the raster image. Represents the image size. The fifth and subsequent parameters are raster image data. The number of raster image data is the product of the number of color components forming one pixel and the image size in the x and y directions. In L105, the RGB image has three color components (R,
G, B), the number of raster image data is 3 × 5 × 5 = 75. L106 is Image1
This is an instruction to lay out the raster image data within the size (0.5, 0.5) from the coordinates (0.0, 0.5).

FIG. 4A shows one page of FIG.
This figure shows how the image descriptions of (b), (c) and (d) are interpreted and developed into raster image data. R10
0, R101 and R102 are respectively shown in FIG.
The PDL data of (c) and (d) is developed.
These raster image data are actually developed in the full page image memory 10-1 for each RGB color component.
For example, in the portion of R100, all 0s are written in each RGB memory, and in the portion of R101, 255, respectively.
0,0 is written.

P sent from the host computer 2
The DL data is developed into a raster image as described above and written into the image memory 10-1.

The PDL data includes, besides the image description described above, a control description describing each print operation instruction. FIG. 4B is an example of the control already described in which each print operation instruction is described. L107 converts this print job into 4
This is an instruction to print a copy. L108 is an instruction to perform a sort print. L109 is an instruction to perform staple print. L110 is an instruction to perform double-sided printing. L111 is an instruction to perform printing in A3 size. L112 is an instruction to perform printing using transparency (transparent sheet) as the paper type. The types of paper include colored paper, thick paper, sticker paper, transfer paper, and the like in addition to plain paper and transparency. In the present embodiment, plain paper and transparency are represented. L113 is a designation of a color mode, and is an instruction to develop this page with K8 bits and print it in a single black color. In the color mode, there are other instructions for developing with K1 bits and printing in a single black color, and instructions for developing with CMYK 8 bits and printing in full color. L
Reference numeral 114 indicates that the pages of the original document are arranged in descending order in the print job, that is, the pages are arranged in order from the last page of the original document. If this designation is not provided, or if updown = up is designated, it is assumed that the pages of the original document are arranged in ascending order in the print job, that is, that the pages are arranged in order from the first page of the original document. It is shown. In the copying machine according to the present embodiment, the paper is discharged face-up, and thus the paper is successively stacked on the paper discharged face-up first. Therefore, if printing is performed in order from the first page of the original document arranged in ascending order, the first page of the original document will be at the bottom. For this reason, when the documents are arranged in ascending order, a page reverse order process, which will be described later, is performed, and printing is performed in order from the last page of the original document. In addition, since normal print jobs are arranged in ascending order, in this embodiment, page reverse order processing is performed by default. Therefore, L114 can be regarded as an instruction not to perform the page reverse order processing. L1
If the pages of the document are arranged in descending order within the print job, that is, from the last page of the original document, as specified at 14, the last page will be at the bottom if printed in that order. Absent. In the present embodiment, simply referring to the first page means the first page of the print job. L115 is an Nin1 mode instruction, that is, an instruction to arrange and print N pages of images on one sheet of paper. In this case, it is an instruction to perform 4in1 printing.

When each of the above print operation instructions is not designated, default print operation instructions are used as follows.

1) One copy when the number of copies is not specified.

2) Non-sort printing in which neither sorting nor staple sorting is performed when no sort print or staple sort print is instructed.

3) If no instruction is given for double-sided printing,
One-sided print.

4) If the paper size is not specified, print in A4 size.

5) Plain paper print when no paper type is specified.

6) If no gray scale print or monochrome print is specified, full color print.

7) If the descending order of the pages in the print job is not specified, it is regarded as ascending and the pages are printed in reverse order.

8) Normal printing for forming one image on one sheet unless Nin1 is specified. <Alternative Processing for Sort Instruction> FIGS. 5 to 9 are diagrams for explaining alternative processing for each print operation instruction in the first embodiment. FIG. 5A shows a case where the sort print and the page reverse order print are combined. In the sort print, for example, a print job of three copies of three pages is printed on each of the discharge trays 33-1 and 3-3 of the staple sorter unit 31, as shown in the left side of FIG.
This is a process of distributing and outputting every three pages on 3-2 and 33-3. Then, the operator can obtain three copies of the document simply by extracting the document. The page reverse order printing will be described later in detail, but is a process of printing with the page order reversed. In this case, the order of page 1, page 2, and page 3 is reversed, and printing is performed in the order of page 3, page 2, and page 1. The sort print output accompanied by the page reverse order process on the left side of FIG. 5A is, specifically, formed with the first page of the third page, discharged onto the paper discharge tray 33-1 and then discharged to the third page. The second copy of the page is formed and discharged onto the discharge tray 33-2, and then the third copy of the third page is formed and discharged onto the discharge tray 33-3. The same can be achieved by changing the discharge destination for the eyes and the first page.

On the other hand, if the previous copy output or print output remains on the output tray 33-3 before the sort printing is started, outputs of different jobs are mixed on the output tray. Therefore, it is not preferable to perform the sort print. Also, even when the number of copies is larger than the number of paper discharge trays 33 (3 in the present embodiment), sort printing cannot be performed at once. If such sort printing is not possible, conventionally, (Action 1) printing is stopped. (Correspondence 2) Previous copy output on paper output tray 33-3,
Or, if print output remains (which can be detected by the sensor), wait for it to be removed. If the number of copies is larger than the number of the paper output trays 33, printing is performed by the number of the paper output trays 33, and the rest is printed after waiting for removal. (Correspondence 3) Disregard the sort print instruction and discharge all three copies of three pages on the uppermost discharge tray 33-1 as non-sort print with page reverse order processing. The following three types are supported. In response 1, a print output may not be obtained, and in response 2, waiting for error release may be continued. In response 3, the top output tray 3
Since the first page has three copies on page 3-1 and the second page has three copies, and the third page has three copies, the operator must manually replace them. , 1
It cannot be divided by division. This becomes a serious task when the number of pages and the number of copies increase.

In this embodiment, in such a case, the number of copies is forcibly changed to 1, and only one copy is subjected to non-sort printing with page reverse order processing. As a result, FIG.
As shown in the diagram on the right, a total of three sheets are discharged onto the discharge tray 33-1 such as the first page, the second page, and the third page from the top. If the previous copy output or print output remains on the output tray 33-3, the operator removes the previous copy output or print output, and then performs two sort copies using one printed copy as a document. By doing so, a total of three copies of the document can be obtained. If the designated number of prints is larger than the number of paper output trays 33, the specified number of documents are obtained by performing a sort copy of the designated number of copies minus one copy using one printed copy as a document. be able to.

In the case of a sort copy in which the number of copies is larger than the number of the paper output trays 33, the copying machine 1 performs the sort copy by the number of the paper output trays 33, and waits until it is removed, and then performs the remaining copy. That is, in the case of printing 10 copies, a total of 10 copies can be obtained by repeating the sort copy of three copies three times using one printed copy as a document. Unlike the case of printing, in the case of copying, there are many cases where the operator is near the apparatus, so there is no problem even if waiting for removal. In the present embodiment, ignoring some print operation instructions and printing with one copy as described above is referred to as alternative printing. Further, obtaining an output equivalent to that obtained by printing one copy of the substitute print as a document and obtaining the same output as the original print operation instruction is called a recovery copy.

The correspondence of this embodiment is superior to the first correspondence in the following points.

1) In the conventional solution 1, the operator needs to return to his / her own computer and perform the printing operation. I can do it.

2) When reprinting is performed according to the conventional method 1, it takes time for the computer to create a print job and to send the print job from the computer again, and another computer operates the image processing apparatus. If you are in use, you may have to wait. According to this embodiment, it is only necessary to insert a substitute print in the automatic document feeder of the copying apparatus and start copying.

3) In general, the reprinting process involves a development time, and the processing time varies depending on the contents of a page. Therefore, even if the process is started by the image processing apparatus, a long time is waited until the printing is actually performed. There are cases. According to this embodiment, the recovery copy can be performed at a constant speed regardless of the content of the page at the maximum speed of the image copying apparatus.

Therefore, the operator can obtain the final output more quickly than performing reprinting.

Further, the correspondence of this embodiment is superior to the second correspondence in the following points.

1) Since the image processing apparatus does not wait for the error to be released, the use efficiency of the image copying apparatus is improved.

2) Since the image processing apparatus does not keep waiting for the error to be released, the subsequent print job is not kept waiting. For example, in the conventional correspondence 2, if the job being printed is a staple sort print job and the printer is waiting for the cancellation of the stapleless error, the subsequent non-sort job is
Even though you can print normally without the staples, you will have to wait. In the case of the embodiment, the staple sort print job is printed alternately.
Subsequent non-sort jobs are also printed normally.

Furthermore, the correspondence of the present embodiment is superior to the conventional correspondence 3 in the following points.

1) The number of unnecessary print outputs can be reduced.

2) The operator can obtain the desired final output with a simple operation. <Alternative processing for staple sort instruction> Next, FIG.
(B) shows a case where staple sort print and page reverse order print are combined. In the staple sort print, for example, a print job of three copies of ten pages is sorted and printed for each copy as shown in the left side of FIG.

In staple printing, if, for example, a staple jam has occurred in the staple unit 32 or if no staple has occurred, stapling cannot be performed. In this case, the alternative operation in the conventional example is to perform reverse page processing and sorting, but print three copies of 10 pages without performing stapling. in this case,
The operator must manually perform stapling. This becomes a difficult task as the number of copies increases.

In this embodiment, in such a case, FIG.
(B) As shown in the right figure, change the number of copies to 1
Non-sort printing is performed on only the set with page reverse order processing. Since stapling cannot be performed, stapling is not performed for one printed copy. Then, after releasing the staple jam and the absence of paper, the operator performs staple sort copy of three copies using one printed copy as a document, thereby obtaining a total of three copies of the document. Instead of performing staple sort copy of three copies, staple sort copy of two copies is performed, and one copy used as a document is manually stapled to obtain a total of three copies of the document. good. The former has the advantage of less labor and the latter has the advantage that paper is not wasted. <Alternative processing for double-sided print instruction> Next, FIG.
(A) is for double-sided printing. In double-sided printing, for example, a print job of four pages and five copies
As shown in FIG. 6A, the first page is on the front side of the first sheet, the second page is on the back side of the first sheet, the third page is on the front side of the second sheet, and the second page. Two copies per sheet are printed on both sides, such as the fourth page, on the back side of the sheet, and five copies, ten sheets in total, are output.

In double-sided printing, for example, if paper of the previous job remains on the double-sided tray or paper jam occurs on the double-sided tray, double-sided printing cannot be performed. In that case, the alternative operation in the conventional example is to print five copies in one-sided printing. In this case, the operator obtains one-sided printing even though the two-sided printing is instructed, and the total number of output sheets is twenty.

In the present embodiment, in such a case, FIG.
(A) As shown on the right, the number of copies is forcibly changed to 1 and 1
Only one side is printed. Then, the operator removes the paper from the duplex tray or releases the paper-jab state of the duplex tray, and then performs duplex copying of 5 copies using one printed copy as a document to output 5 duplex outputs. Obtainable. In addition, instead of 5 double-sided copies, 4 double-sided copies were made, and in addition,
A total of five copies of the document may be obtained by putting up a copy on one side. The former gives you a complete 5-sided copy,
The latter has the advantage that paper is not wasted. <Alternative Processing for Page Reverse Order Print Instruction> Next, FIG. 6B shows a case where page reverse order print and sort print are combined. The page reverse order printing is a process of printing the pages in reverse order as described above. In the page reverse order printing, a print job for outputting two copies of the received print data of two or three pages in order from the first page, as shown in the left side of FIG.
First, the third page is printed and discharged face-up, then the second page is printed and discharged face-up and placed on the third page, and finally the first page is the second page On the top. That is, in this case, the order of page 1, page 2, and page 3 is reversed, and printing is performed in the order of page 3, page 2, and page 1. Specifically, this processing can be realized by putting the received print job in the spool area 8-1, and then developing and printing the pages in order from the last page.

In the page reverse order printing, if the received print job does not have page independence, the pages cannot be developed sequentially from the last page, and the page reverse order processing cannot be performed.
That is, when the page N is affected by the content of the page N-1, the subsequent page N cannot be developed and printed first. In that case, the alternative operation in the conventional example is:
Sort, but 3 pages 3 without page reverse order processing
Part of the print. In this case, the operator must manually rearrange the pages arranged in the page order from the bottom so that the pages are arranged in the page order from the top. This becomes a serious task when the number of pages and the number of copies increase.

In this embodiment, in such a case, FIG.
(B) As shown on the right side, the number of copies is forcibly changed to 1 and only one copy is printed without performing the page reverse order processing. Then, the operator manually changes the page order of only one copy, and copies the original as a document to copy four copies, thereby obtaining a total of five copies of the page reverse sort output.

Incidentally, in the host computer,
When a print job for a certain document is created, there is a printer having a page reverse order function that changes the page order so that the last page of the document is the first page of the print job. When printing such a print job sent from the host computer with the page order reversed, it is not necessary for the image processing apparatus to perform page reverse order printing. <Alternative Processing for Size Instruction> Next, FIGS. 7A and 7B relate to a print specifying an A4 size. For a 5-copy print with A4 size specified,
A4 size paper in the upper cassette 26 or the lower cassette 28 is fed, and an image is printed on A4 size paper as shown on the left side of FIG. 7A, and five copies are output. .

In the print specifying the A4 size,
If the upper cassette 26 or the lower cassette 28 does not have the A4 size and has only the A3 size paper, the A4 size
Cannot print in size. In that case, the alternative operation in the conventional example is to print five copies on A3 size paper. In this case, the operator endures the A3 size paper, cuts five copies of the A3 size paper to the A4 size, sets the A4 paper in the color copying machine 1, and again prints the A4 size five copies. Must be done.

In this embodiment, in such a case, FIG.
(A) As shown in the figure on the right, the number of copies is forcibly changed to 1 and only one copy is printed on A3 size paper. Then, after setting the A4 paper in the color copying machine 1, the operator performs five A4 size copies using one printed copy as an original, thereby obtaining five A4 size outputs. Also, make 4 copies of A4 size copy,
In addition, one copy used as a document may be cut into an A4 size to obtain a total of five copies of the document.
The former has the advantage of requiring less effort and the latter has the advantage that paper is not wasted.

Similarly, in A4 size printing, even if there is no A4 size in the upper cassette 26 or the lower cassette 28 and there is only A5 size paper, printing cannot be performed in A4 size. In such a case, the alternative operation in the conventional example is to perform 5
Copies were to be reduced. in this case,
The operator endures the image reduced to A5 size,
A4 paper must be set in the color copier 1 and a print job of five A4 size copies must be performed again.

In this embodiment, in such a case, FIG.
(B) As shown on the right, change the number of copies to 1
Only one copy is printed on A5 size paper. And
The operator sets A4 paper on the color copier 1 and then
By performing one A4 size enlarged copy using one printed copy as an original, five A4 size outputs can be obtained. Also, make 4 copies of A4 size copy,
In addition, one copy used as a manuscript may be put up in A5 size to obtain a total of five copies of the document. The former has the advantage of requiring less effort and the latter has the advantage that paper is not wasted. The image reduced at the time of the A4 → A5 reduced printing is enlarged at the time of the A5 → A4 enlarged copy, and the image quality returns to the original size although the image quality is slightly lowered. <Alternative Processing for Paper Type Instruction> Next, FIG.
Is A4 size transparency (transparent sheet)
This is for a print that specifies. For a 5-copy print with A4 size transparency,
A4 size transparency stored in the upper cassette 26 or the lower cassette 28 is fed, and FIG.
(A) As shown in the figure on the left, an image is printed on an A4 size transparency, and five copies are output.

If the upper cassette 26 or the lower cassette 28 does not have the A4 size transparency and has only the A4 size plain paper in the print specifying the A4 size transparency, the printing is performed with the A4 size transparency. Can not do. In this case, the alternative operation in the conventional example is to print five copies on A4 size plain paper. In this case, the operator will obtain five unneeded plain paper outputs.

In this embodiment, in such a case, FIG.
(A) As shown on the right, the number of copies is forcibly changed to 1,
Only one copy is printed on A4 size plain paper. Then, the operator sets the transparency of A4 size in the color copying machine 1 and obtains 5 copies of transparency output of A4 size by copying 5 copies using one printed copy as a document. Can be. <Alternative Processing for Out of Paper Error> Next, FIG.
Is for the case where it is predicted that the printer will run out of paper during printing. For example, in a case where only four sheets are present and a print job with page reverse order processing and sort processing for three copies of four pages in the left diagram of FIG. 8B is performed, three copies of the fourth page are output. And the third page is 1
When the set is output, the printer runs out of paper and cannot continue printing. In that case, there is no alternative operation in the conventional example, and there is only a method of continuing to wait for paper to be supplied or canceling the print job.

In this embodiment, in such a case, the remaining amount of paper is detected in advance, and the number of copies is forcibly changed to 1 as shown in the right side of FIG. Print As a result, one set of four pages is obtained using four sheets of paper. Then, the operator replenishes the upper cassette or the lower cassette with paper of a target size, and then copies two copies using one printed copy as a document to obtain a total of three copies.

The upper cassette 26 and the lower cassette 28 of this embodiment are provided with a sheet remaining amount sensor (not shown) so that an approximate value of the sheet remaining amount can be checked. Control unit 1
No. 4 roughly predicts, based on this approximate value, whether or not the printer will run out of paper during printing. <Alternative processing for Nin1 and double-sided instruction> Next, FIG.
Is for a combination of a 4-in-1 print instruction and double-sided printing. In the print of this combination, for example, a print job of eight pages and five copies is generated as shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), four pages from page 1 to page 4 are printed side by side on the front side of the sheet, and four pages from page 5 to page 8 are printed side by side on the back side of the sheet.
Five copies of it are output.

In the printing of this combination, for example, if the paper of the previous job remains on the double-sided tray or a paper jam occurs on the double-sided tray, the double-sided printing cannot be performed. In this embodiment, in such a case, as shown in FIG. 9B, one-sided printing is performed ignoring the two-sided printing instruction, but 4-in-1 printing is performed as instructed, and the number of copies is forcibly changed to one. By printing only one copy, two 4-in-1 prints on one side are obtained for the front side and the back side. Then, the operator removes the paper in the double-sided tray or cancels the paper jam state of the double-sided tray, and then performs five double-sided copying using one printed copy as a document to obtain the copy shown in FIG. The equivalent of 5 sets of 4 in 1 double-sided print output of 5 sets of 4 in 1 in FIG.
Two-sided copy output can be obtained.

Incidentally, 4-in-1 printing is realized by dividing one page memory in the image memory 10-1 into four and developing each page in each divided area. For this reason, for example, in 4-in-1 printing in which four A5-size pages are arranged on four A3-size sheets, if there is no A3-size free space in the image memory 10-1, for example,
3 size 4-in-1 printing cannot be performed. As described above, there is also a print operation instruction that determines whether or not execution is possible depending on the situation of the image processing apparatus. As an alternative process in this case, it is conceivable to perform alternative printing of each page in A5 size and perform 4in1 copy using the original as a document, but since the image copying apparatus 1 does not have a page memory, it is possible to perform 4in1 copy. Can not. Therefore, in this case, the recovery copy cannot be performed even if the alternative print is performed. As described above, there are print operation instructions that cannot be replaced by copy operation instructions in the image copying apparatus.

In addition to the above-described print operation instructions, alternative printing and recovery copy for the print operation instructions can be performed. For example, forming a black image with the YMC toner when there is no K toner even though the printing in the gray scale mode (K8 bit) is instructed is an example of the alternative printing. In this case, since three colors of toner are used, compared with the case where only K toner is used,
Since the printing cost per sheet increases, and black is expressed by mixing the three color toners, it is difficult for true black to appear. Therefore, in this case, it is preferable to perform alternative printing with one copy, supply K toner, and then use the original as a document to perform the recovery copy of the remaining copies in black and white. Examples of other print operation instructions include a folding instruction, a punching instruction, a glue binding instruction, and a face-up / face-down discharge instruction. <Print Data Processing Procedure by Image Processing Apparatus> FIG.
0 and FIG. 11 are flowcharts for explaining a control flow of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. These flows are realized by the CPU 6 of the image processing apparatus 1 executing a predetermined program stored in the RAM 10.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a reception task for receiving print data described in PDL. The receiving task waits until a request for receiving PDL data is received from each host computer in S11. When a reception request arrives, it is checked in S12 whether there is a free area in the spool area 8-1. If not, the host computer which has made the reception request is notified in S13 that the reception is not possible, and the process returns to S12. Wait for the spool area 8-1 to become empty. However, it is assumed that the spool area 8-1 has a capacity for storing PDL data for one job or more. If there is a free area in the spool area 8-1, the PDL data is received from the host computer which has made the reception request in S14, and written in the spool area 8-1. Next, in S15, it is determined whether reception of one job has been completed. If completed, the process returns to S11 to receive the next print job from each computer. If not completed, the process returns to S12 to request reception. The remaining print jobs are received from the host computer.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an expansion task for expanding the received PDL data. First, in S21, the expansion task extracts PDL data for one job from the spool area 8-1. Next, in S22, each printing operation instruction described in FIG. 4B is extracted from the print job, and various states of the copying machine 1 collected from the color copying machine 1 via the communication line 13 and the image processing apparatus 3 itself. It is determined whether or not the print operation can be performed according to the print operation instruction based on the state of. Specifically, in the case of the sort print instruction, whether there is no paper remaining on the output tray, and in the case of the staple print instruction, whether or not there is no staple, will be described with reference to FIGS. A factor that hinders such various instructions is examined to determine whether the instruction can be executed.

If the process can be executed, the process skips to step S27.
Each page is developed as a raster image on the image memory 10-1, and the developed raster image is sent to a color copier to perform printing. At this time, a process to be performed on the color copying machine side is notified to the color copying machine before starting printing based on the print operation instruction extracted in S22. For example, double-sided printing, sorting, staples,
The color copier is notified of the paper size, paper type, number of prints, and the like. On the other hand, functions such as page reverse printing are functions realized on the image processing device side,
This is executed by the image processing apparatus developing the image on the image memory 10-1 sequentially from the last page in the print job. In the development, if the color mode is used, YMC
K is expanded to 8 bits each, totaling 32 bits.
In the case of the 8-bit mode, the image is developed with K8 bits, and in the case of the black and white K1 bit mode, the image is developed with K1 bits. When the development of the image is completed, various instructions regarding processing to be performed by the copying machine and transmission of the developed image are performed, and the copying machine 1 performs printing.

When the printing of one print job is completed in S27, the process returns to S21 and proceeds to the processing of the next print job.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S22 that printing cannot be performed by the designated print operation instruction, the process proceeds to S23.
So, if you ignore some print operation instructions, you can print, and one copy printed as a manuscript,
It is determined whether an output equivalent to that obtained when printing is performed in accordance with the original print operation instruction is obtained by copying with a combination of certain copy operation instructions. That is, as described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9, it is determined whether or not there is a copy operation instruction to replace the ignored print operation instruction. This alternative includes a process for supplementing a reduced print with an enlarged copy as described in FIG. 7B, a process for copying by reducing the number of copies by 1, and an operator as shown in FIG. 6B. This also includes processing that involves operations such as page sorting by. In the present embodiment, since both printing and copying are performed by the same color copier 1, except for a print operation instruction to be processed on the image processing apparatus side such as 4-in-1 printing,
There is a corresponding copy operation instruction. That is, S23
In this case, no instruction is given to use a function that the color copying machine 1 does not originally have, and it is determined that copying is recoverable in most cases as long as alternative printing is possible. However, if alternative printing itself is not possible or meaningless, such as when one of the YMC toners has run out of full color designation, it is determined that recovery copying cannot be performed.

If it is determined in step S23 that printing cannot be performed even if some print operation instructions are ignored, or if it is determined that an output equivalent to that in which the original print operation instruction was used for recovery copying cannot be obtained, the process proceeds to step S28. The host computer that has sent the print job is notified that an error has occurred and printing cannot be performed, and the process returns to S21 and proceeds to the processing of the next print job.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S23 that an equivalent output is obtained, the number of copies is first changed to 1 in S24, and some print operation instructions that cannot be further executed are replaced with executable operation instructions. If the replacement instruction is the default specification, it may be deleted. Further, the replaced or deleted print operation instruction and the number of print copies are stored.

In step S25, a copy is made by the color copying machine 1 using the paper printed by one copy as a document, and a copy operation instruction for obtaining an output equivalent to that obtained by printing with the original print operation instructions is obtained. The configured recovery copy mode is sent to the color copying machine 1 and registered in a vacant mode memory among a plurality of mode memories 411 described later of the operation unit 41 of the color copying machine 1. The recovery copy mode is specified in accordance with the print operation instruction and the number of copies before deletion or replacement stored in S24. For example, if the sort instruction is deleted, specify the sort,
When the double-sided instruction is deleted, the double-sided designation is set as the recovery copy mode, and when the A4 instruction is replaced with A5, the enlargement designation of A5 → A4 is set as the recovery copy mode. In addition, since only one copy is output as the substitute print, the number of copies is always set when the substitute print is to be output for a plurality of copies.

In step S26, the external interface 5 and the network 4 determine whether the alternative copy of one copy has been performed, that the recovery copy is required, and which mode memory the recovery copy mode is registered in.
To the host computer that has sent the print job via. The host computer notifies the operator of the fact that the alternative printing has been performed based on the notified information and the number of the mode button of the copying machine in which the recovery copy mode is stored, by displaying or the like. Then, in S27,
Based on the corrected print operation instruction, the alternative print of one copy is executed. <Copy Operation Control by Copying Machine> FIG. 12 is a key and display layout of the operation unit 41 of the color copying machine 1. The operation unit is used by an operator to transmit each copy operation instruction to the color copier 1 when copying is performed using the color copier 1, or to check the status of the apparatus and each copy operation instruction currently set. Is for the operator to confirm. First, 42
Is a reset key to reset the settings of the entire operation unit to the initial state,
A start key for starting the copy operation and a stop key for stopping the copy operation. Reference numeral 43 denotes a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies and C (clear) for clearing the number.
Is the key. Reference numeral 44 denotes a numeral display unit for displaying the number of input copies. Next, reference numeral 45 denotes a key for selecting a non-sort copy, a sort copy, and a staple sort copy from above, and an LED for confirming the selection status. Reference numeral 46 designates, from the top, a key for selecting a normal copy in which a single-sided original is copied on one side, a double-sided copy in which a single-sided original is double-sided, and a double-sided copy in which a double-sided original is double-sided. . Next, reference numeral 47 denotes a key for selecting a paper feed stage during copying and an LED for confirming the selection status. Upper is an upper cassette, Lo.
"wer" selects paper feeding from the lower cassette.

On the other hand, 48 notifies the selected paper feed tray of the size of the paper currently in the storage, the presence of plain paper, the presence of transparency, and the absence of any paper. Things. The size detection, the paper type detection, and the paper presence / absence detection are performed by the control unit 14 using sensors (not shown) in each cassette, and the display is performed. Next, reference numeral 49 denotes a key for selecting enlargement, reduction, or actual copy, and an LED for confirming the selection status. At the top is a key for selecting to enlarge an A4 document on A3 paper and selecting the next two enlarged copies having different magnifications. The fourth key from the top is a key for selecting the actual copy. The fifth key from the top is a key for selecting a reduced copy of an A3 original on B4 paper, and the following two keys are also keys for selecting a reduced copy having a different magnification. Finally, 50 is a mode memory call and registration key.

The mode memory 411 is for storing the combinations (modes) of the respective copy operation instructions set by the operation unit 41. The M1 to M7 keys 50 correspond to one combination (mode). And 7 in total
Mode can be registered. In order to register in the mode memory, first, a combination of each copy operation instruction to be registered is set on the operation unit 41, and then, for example, M
When the 1 key is pressed, it is registered in M1. Then, the mode memory can be called by simply pressing the M1 to M7 keys, and each copy operation instruction of the operation unit 41 is automatically set in accordance with a combination of each copy operation instruction stored in the mode memory. . In this embodiment, for simplicity of explanation, the operation unit 41 is constituted by keys and LEDs. However, if the operation unit 41 is constituted by a liquid crystal display unit and a touch panel, flexible setting can be performed for each copy operation instruction, and various status displays can be performed. Can also be displayed in detail.

The mode memory 411 stores the recovery copy mode sent from the image processing apparatus 3 as it is.

FIG. 13 shows a color copying machine 1 according to the present embodiment.
5 is a flowchart for explaining the control flow of FIG.
This procedure is executed by the control unit 14. First, S3
In step 1, it is checked whether a recovery copy mode reception request has been received from the image processing apparatus.
At 32, the recovery copy mode is received and registered in the empty mode memory, and the number of the registered mode memory is notified to the image processing apparatus. Then, the process returns to S31. If there is no empty mode memory, it is overwritten and registered in, for example, M7. On the other hand, if the reception request has not been received, it is checked in step S33 whether or not the mode memory call keys M1 to M7 in the operation unit 41 have been pressed. The setting is performed on the unit 41, and the process returns to S31. If the mode memory call key has not been pressed, it is determined in S35 whether a key other than the mode memory call key and the copy start key has been pressed,
If the key is pressed, various processes are performed in S36 according to the pressed key, and the process returns to S31.

If it has not been pressed, it is determined in S37 whether the copy start key has been pressed, and if it has not been pressed, the flow returns to S31. When the copy start key is pressed, first, in S38, it is determined whether a copy operation is possible according to each copy operation instruction stored in the copy mode memory 411. Specifically, whether the paper corresponding to the copy operation instruction is in the cassette,
In the case of a double-sided copy operation instruction, it is checked whether double-sided copy is possible, whether a plurality of documents corresponding to the copy operation instruction are in the automatic document feeder, and the like. If it is determined that the copy operation is possible, in S39, copy is performed based on the designated copy operation instruction. On the other hand, if it is determined that the copy operation is not possible, an error is displayed on a message display unit (not shown) in S40 to notify the operator, and S31 is executed.
Return to

In the above system, the operator notified from the image processing apparatus 3 that the alternative printing has been performed,
Go to the color copier 1, insert the printed copy into the automatic document feeder, release the notified error, press the notified mode memory call key,
By simply pressing the copy start key, the recovery copy is executed, and the output of a plurality of copies equivalent to the case of printing by the initial print operation instruction can be obtained. If an error is displayed on a message display (not shown) when the copy start key is pressed, the error may be canceled by inserting paper of the correct size, and the copy start key may be pressed again. . In the above operation, if the user wants to perform the recovery copy after reducing the number of copies by 1, the user presses the notified mode memory call key, manually changes the number of copies, and then presses the copy start key.

With the above-described configuration, the image forming system according to the present embodiment prints one copy of a copy that can be a copy original and performs recovery even if an error occurs in a copying machine that performs printing in response to a print operation instruction. By generating a copy mode and setting the copy mode in the copying machine, a printed material as intended can be easily output. further,
Since the print operation instruction does not wait for the return of the error state, it can be effectively used without lowering the usage efficiency of the copying machine. Further, the operator does not move between the host computer used by the operator for the recovery copy and the copying machine. [Second Embodiment] The second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the color copying machine, the contents of the print operation instruction, the method of notifying the recovery copy mode, and the like. Since the other components are similar, the description of the similar components will be omitted by assigning the same reference numerals, and only the differences will be described.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a color copying machine 1 which is an image forming apparatus constituting an image forming system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Since the block diagram of the image processing apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment, FIG.
Substitute with

First, the first different point from the first embodiment is that an image memory 61 is provided in a color copying machine. The image memory 61 is composed of a hard disk and two pages of semiconductor memory for input and output, and is an image memory capable of storing raster image data of several tens of pages or more. YM sent only once per page from image processing device
The CK image data 12 is recorded in the image memory 61 once it has been compressed. Next, when the image forming operation is started, the image data read from the image memory 61 is sent to the laser drive unit 24 while rearranging the pages, etc., and then the same as in the first embodiment. An image is formed. Reading from the plurality of units 61 is repeated the number of times. In the first embodiment, the sort print is performed using a mechanical sorter. However, in the present embodiment, electronic sort described later using the image memory 61 performs
In order to perform sorting, there is only one discharge tray 33.

Next, a second point different from the first embodiment is that, in addition to various print operation instructions of the first embodiment, electronic sort print and raster page reverse order described later are used as print operation instructions. It has a print.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are diagrams for explaining an alternative process of each print operation instruction in the second embodiment. FIG. 15 shows a case where the electronic sort print and the raster page reverse print are combined. In the electronic sort printing, for example, as shown in the left-hand diagram of FIG. It is. Then, the operator can obtain three copies of the document simply by extracting the document. Further, the raster page reverse order printing will be described later in detail, but is a process of printing with the page order reversed, similar to the page reverse order print in the first embodiment. In this case, the order of page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4 is reversed, and page 4, page 3, page 2,.
Print in the order of page 1.

The print output on the left side of FIG. 15A is produced specifically as follows. First, all of the raster image data of one copy of four pages sent from the image processing apparatus 3 in the order of page 1, page 2, page 3, and page 4 is once held in the image memory 61. Next, the image forming operation is started. First, the raster image data of the fourth page in the image memory 61 is read, the first copy of the fourth page is formed, and the sheet is discharged onto the discharge tray 33. Next, the raster image data of the third page in the image memory 61 is read to form the first copy of the third page, and
The first copy is output after the sheet is discharged onto the third sheet, and the same processing is performed on the second and first pages thereafter.
Thereafter, by repeating the reading and forming of each page twice, the second and third copies are output. As described above, the electronic sort process realizes sorting by temporarily storing raster image data of all pages in the image memory 61 and reading out each page for each copy.

Raster page reverse printing reverses the page order when writing to the image memory 61 and the page order when reading. The page reverse printing according to the first embodiment is performed in the spool area 8-1 on the image processing apparatus side.
Page reverse printing was performed at the stage of PDL data in the middle. On the other hand, in the reverse printing of the raster page, the reverse printing of the page is performed at the stage of the raster image in the image memory 61 of the color copying machine. The former is different from the latter: 1) No image memory is required on the color copier side. The latter has the following advantages over the former: 1) Since the raster image has page independence at the stage of the raster image, reverse printing is possible even for a print job described in PDL data without page independence.

2) The page can be copied in reverse order. Accordingly, even when the reverse page printing cannot be executed, the recovery copy can be performed by the reverse page copying. There is an advantage.

When performing the electronic sort printing and the raster page reverse printing, all the pages need to be temporarily stored in the image memory 61. Therefore, the image memory 61
If the total of the raster image data of all pages is larger than the empty area of, the data cannot be written in the image memory 61, and the electronic sorting and the reverse printing of the raster pages cannot be performed. In this case, when the conventional correspondence 3 is applied, the electronic sort print instruction and the raster page reverse order instruction are ignored, and three copies of four pages are discharged onto the discharge tray 33 as a simple non-sort print. As a result, the first page is 3
Since the second page is stacked on the third page, the third page is stacked on the third page, and the fourth page is stacked on the third page, the operator must manually sort and reverse the pages in order. Cannot be in the state of the document. This becomes a serious task when the number of pages and the number of copies increase.

In this embodiment, in such a case, the number of copies is forcibly changed to 1 and only one copy is subjected to non-sort printing without the reverse processing of the raster page. as a result,
As shown on the right side of FIG. 15A, the first, second, third, and fourth pages from the bottom are obtained on the paper discharge tray 33. After deleting unnecessary image data registered in the image memory 61, the operator performs electronic sorting of three copies and reverse copying of raster pages using one printed copy as a document, so that a total of three copies of the document are obtained. Can be obtained. The raster page reverse order copying is a process of writing all pages in the image memory 61 and reading the pages in reverse order when copying a plurality of pages of the original placed on the automatic document feeder. Since the first page of the non-sort-printed copy is at the bottom, the raster page can be automatically rearranged so that the first page is at the top by performing the reverse copy. In addition, instead of performing three copies of the electronic sort and the reverse copy of the raster page, only two copies are copied, and one copy used as a manuscript is manually rearranged in the page order to obtain three copies in total. Is also good.

In the present embodiment, as described above, when the electronic sorting of all pages in a print job and the raster page reverse processing cannot be performed, the number of copies is forcibly changed to 1 and only one copy is rasterized. Non-sort printing is performed without page reverse order processing.
And a configuration in which only one copy is subjected to partial raster page reverse order processing and printed. Specifically, in FIG. 15B, although it is desired to perform the electronic sort and the reverse order processing of the raster page as shown on the left side,
When the free space of the image memory 61 is only three pages, as shown on the right side of FIG. 15B, three pages from the first page to the third page are first subjected to raster page reverse order processing and one copy is printed. Then, the remaining fourth page is printed. The operator can obtain the same output as when all pages are printed in reverse order by simply placing the fourth page below the third page. If two copies of the output are electronically sorted and copied, a total output of three copies is obtained. . Even in the case of four or more pages, in this example, the replacement may be performed in units of three pages, so that the replacement work may be relatively small. For example, if there is a free space of 50 pages and a print job of 100 pages is printed, 50th page, 49th page,.
Since pages 0, 99,..., 52, 51 are stacked from the bottom, the lower 50
By placing a stack of sheets on the upper stack, a 100-page document arranged in order can be obtained. FIG.
The method shown in FIG. 15B has an advantage over the method shown in FIG. 15A in that it is easier to change pages when one alternative printed copy is used as the final output. As described above, when there are a plurality of alternative printing methods, as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to select the alternative print that is as close as possible to the final print, or the one that requires less operator work.

FIG. 16 is for a two-fold brochure print. In a two-fold brochure, for example, as shown in FIG. 16A, a print job of eight pages and five copies is arranged such that the second page is arranged on the left side of the first sheet of paper and the seventh page is arranged on the right side. The first page behind the
Print on both sides with the 8th page on the back of the 7th page, and the 4th page on the left side of the surface of the second sheet.
The fifth page is arranged on the right side, and the third page is arranged behind the fourth page, and the sixth page is arranged behind the fifth page. In other words, the print is performed so as to be bound by folding on both sides. When the sheets printed in this manner are overlapped and folded so that the fifth page comes next to the fourth page, a pamphlet-like document as shown in FIG. 16B can be made. FIG. 16 (b) is a top view of a slightly bent front side, which is obtained by arranging pages in order from the left with the first page at the top. When a stapler capable of vertically stapling and stapling is provided at the center of the paper, the processing for saddle stapling along the fold may be performed together. When performing this two-fold pamphlet print, for example, in the example of FIG.
Since it is necessary to print the pages in a row, as in the case of non-electronic printing, all the pages of the print job are temporarily stored in the image memory 61, and the pages are read out and arranged in the arrangement described above and printed on both sides. This is achieved by:

In this two-fold pamphlet print, if the total of the raster image data of all pages is larger than the free space of the image memory 61, the image cannot be written into the image memory 61 and the two-fold pamphlet print cannot be performed. In such a case, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16C, the number of copies is forcibly changed to 1 and only one copy is subjected to single-sided non-sort printing. Then, after deleting unnecessary image data registered in the image memory, the operator performs a half-fold pamphlet copy with designation of five raster pages in reverse order using the printed one copy as a document, thereby obtaining five copies. You can get a document. Also, instead of copying five copies, copy only four copies, and for one copy used as a manuscript, if you change the page order manually, it is one sided, and eight pages will be a separate substitute. By doing so, a total of 5 parts may be obtained.

[0099] When a two-fold pamphlet cannot be printed, the number of copies may be forcibly changed to 1 and only one copy may be printed on both sides in a non-sorted manner. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16D, one copy of eight pages is printed as it is on both sides. In this case, the first page is formed on the back surface of the lowermost sheet, so if the four sheets are turned upside down by 180 degrees, the first page will be on the upper side. Therefore, the operator deletes unnecessary image data registered in the image memory, and then performs a four-sided double-folded half-fold pamphlet copy using the deleted image data as a document to separate the left and right sheets used as the document. You can get a total of five copies of the document, including one copy.

The method of FIG. 16D is different from the method of FIG. 16C in that when one copy of the alternative print is used as the final output, the alternative print is a two-sided print, so that it is close to the final output. There are advantages. Another advantage is that the number of substitute prints is reduced. As described above, when there are a plurality of alternative print methods, a method in which the number of alternative print sheets is as small as possible may be selected.

A third point different from the first embodiment is that a recovery copy instruction sheet described later is used as a method for notifying the operator of the recovery copy mode.

FIG. 17 is a view for explaining a recovery copy instruction sheet for notifying the operator of the recovery copy mode in the second embodiment. Since the designated print operation instruction cannot be executed, when the alternative print is performed, a recovery copy instruction sheet as shown in FIG. 17 is printed and discharged on the alternative print. When the operator went to get the print output,
By seeing the output of this sheet, it can be known that the alternative printing has been performed. In FIG. 17, reference numeral 72 denotes print job information, and the name of the operator who sent the print job, the name of the document included in the print job, the number of pages, and the number of copies are displayed. Further, reference numeral 73 is for notifying the operator of a print operation instruction that cannot be executed, and reference numeral 74 is for notifying how the alternative print has been performed. When a plurality of operation instructions have been replaced with other instructions by alternative printing, all of the plurality of instructions are displayed. Reference numeral 75 denotes information indicating how to perform the recovery copy.

Since the recovery copy instruction sheet is in such a form that the operator can read it, the operator brings the alternative print printed in one copy to another higher-speed copying machine. It is also possible to set the recovery copy mode specified on the recovery copy instruction sheet and perform copying. Further, even when a two-sided print is instructed to a color copier without a two-sided function, the alternative print printed on one side is taken to another copier capable of two-sided copy, and a two-sided recovery copy is performed. It is also possible. In this way, for a print operation instruction that cannot be originally executed by the combination of the image processing apparatus and the color copying machine 1, the number of copies can be set to 1 and the alternative print can be performed ignoring the print operation instruction.

Further, the recovery copy instruction sheet according to the present embodiment is in a format that can be machine-readable by the image reading section 35 of the color copying machine 1. That is, in FIG. 17, a bar code 71 indicates that this paper is a recovery copy instruction sheet. Similarly, numeral 76 represents the contents of 72 as a bar code, and similarly, the contents of items 73, 74, and 75 correspond to the bar code 7
7, 78, 79. When the recovery copy instruction sheet is superimposed on the substitute print, placed on the automatic document feeder, and a copy is performed, the color copier is
By reading and recognizing 1, the uppermost document is recognized as the recovery copy instruction sheet, the other barcodes are read, the read recovery copy mode is recognized, and the subsequent document is read in the recovery copy mode. On the other hand, a recovery copy can be performed. With such a configuration, any color copying machine that can issue an operation instruction using the recovery copy instruction sheet can perform recovery copying without manually inputting the recovery copy mode by an operator.

A fourth point different from the first embodiment is that, in the first embodiment, when the printing based on the designated print operation instruction is impossible and the alternative printing is performed, the color printing is performed. The alternative printing is performed only when the recovery copy can be performed by the copying machine 1, whereas the present embodiment is characterized in that the alternative printing is performed when the printing based on the designated printing operation instruction is not possible. . This is because, in the present embodiment, the operator is notified of the recovery copy mode using the recovery copy instruction sheet, so that the operator can easily perform the recovery copy with another color copying machine. For this reason, even when the color copying machine 1 cannot perform the recovery copy, another copy apparatus may be able to perform the recovery copy. In this case, it is better to perform the alternative printing. For example, in the color copying machine according to the first embodiment, 4in1 copy cannot be performed.
Although the n1 copy could not be performed, the color copier of the second embodiment has the
One copy is possible. Specifically, the above-described processing is performed by setting the processing of S23 in FIG. 11 which is a flowchart of the image processing apparatus in the first embodiment to “determine whether printing can be performed if some print operation instructions are ignored. Just change it to "Yes". In this case, it does not matter whether the color copier has a function of realizing the printing operation.

As described above, according to the image forming system of the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the page reverse order processing can be recovered by the recovery copy. In addition, since the recovery copy mode is output as a printed matter, for example, a stand-alone device that is different from the copying machine that instructed the printing can be used as the copying machine for performing the recovery copy. Therefore, even when a function not provided in the copying machine for which printing has been instructed is instructed as a printing operation, alternative printing can be performed, and the range of alternative printing is expanded. [Third Embodiment] A third embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in an apparatus for performing a recovery copy, a method of notifying a recovery copy mode, and the like. Therefore, the description of the similar components will be omitted by assigning the same numbers to them, and only the differences will be described.

First, a first point different from the first embodiment is that an apparatus for performing alternative printing and an apparatus for performing recovery copying are different from each other. For this reason, it is not necessary for the device that performs the substitute printing to have the image copying function.

FIG. 18 is a connection diagram for explaining the relationship between the image processing apparatus 3, an image forming apparatus 81 such as a normal printer for performing alternative printing, and an image copying apparatus 82 such as a color copying machine for performing recovery copying. FIG. Image processing device 3
Has the same configuration as the image processing device 3 in the first embodiment. In addition to an image forming apparatus 81 for forming an image based on image data sent from the image processing apparatus, there is an image copying apparatus 82, and the image processing apparatus 3 and another image copying apparatus 82 are connected via the network 4. It is connected. Since the internal blocks of the image copying apparatus 82 are the same as those of the color copying machine 1 of the first embodiment, the description is omitted. In the present embodiment, since the image copying apparatus 82 is directly connected to the network 4 and does not pass through the image processing apparatus,
It does not have a print function for printing a print job from the host computer, but may have a configuration in which it is connected via an image processing apparatus and has a print function. Further, the image forming apparatus 81 is different from the copying machine of FIG. 2 in the first embodiment in that the automatic document feeder 21 and the image reader 35 for realizing the copy function are provided.
The image processing unit 23 is always connected to the image processing device 3. That is, the image forming apparatus 81 may be a printer independent of the image processing apparatus 3, or the image processing apparatus 3 and the image forming apparatus 81 may be housed in one housing to apparently constitute one printer. Is included.

Next, a second point different from the first embodiment is that the recovery copy mode is set to the network 4 because the recovery copy is performed by a copying apparatus different from the image forming apparatus 81 which has received the print instruction. Via the image processing apparatus 3 to the image copying apparatus 82. In the second embodiment, the recovery copy mode is transmitted to the image copying apparatus 82 via the recovery copy instruction sheet. However, the method of this embodiment is as follows: 1) The recovery copy instruction sheet is unnecessary. Save printing time and paper.

2) No time is required to read the recovery copy instruction sheet during recovery copy. It has the advantage. More specifically, the processing described above is based on the processing of S25 shown in the flowchart of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment in FIG.
Send to the image copying apparatus 82 and register it in the mode memory of the operation unit of another image copying apparatus ". Further, the control of FIG. 13 which is a flowchart of the color copying machine 13 in the first embodiment is performed. , The image copying apparatus 82 may be used. Thus, the recovery copy mode is set from the image processing apparatus via the network to the image copying apparatus 82.
Can be passed to The operator goes to another image copying apparatus 82 with the one-copy alternative print, and just presses the mode memory in which the recovery copy mode is registered as in the first embodiment to perform copying. A recovery copy can be made. Further, since the recovery copy is performed by another copying apparatus, in this embodiment, when notifying the operator that the alternative printing has been performed in S26 of FIG. 11, the recovery copy is performed by any image copying apparatus. Notify if it should be good. Instead of notifying which image copying device should perform the recovery copy, the operator registers in advance which image copying device should perform the recovery copy, and then registers the registered image copying device. A configuration in which the recovery copy mode is sent to the device is another embodiment.

As in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 81 for performing the substitute printing and the image copying apparatus 82 for performing the recovery copy are separated from each other, so that the image forming apparatus 81 having no copying function can perform printing. If you do,
This has the advantage that alternative printing can be performed. <Other Configurations> In the above-described first to third embodiments, the operator is notified of the recovery copy mode by transferring the recovery copy mode to a copier performing the recovery copy or printing the recovery copy instruction sheet. However, in step S26 of FIG. 11, the recovery copy mode is set together with notifying the host computer that has sent the print job of the alternative print via the network 4 that is the route that received the print job. A configuration may also be adopted in which the operator is notified by notifying.

In the above-described embodiment, when there are a plurality of alternative printing methods, a method of selecting a method in which the alternative print is as close as possible to the final print or a method of reducing the number of alternative prints as much as possible is selected. Although the above method was used, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the method that minimizes the recovery copy time or the method that minimizes the printing cost of the alternative print are selected.

In the above embodiment, a color image processing apparatus and a color copying machine have been described. However, the present invention is naturally applicable to a monochrome image processing apparatus and a monochrome image forming apparatus.

In the above embodiment, a so-called video I / F for transmitting image data in synchronization with an image synchronizing signal is used as an interface for transferring an image between the image processing apparatus 3 and the color copying machine 1. This interface is easy to control and has the feature that image data is delayed at high speed in real time. However, video I / F
Instead, a general-purpose interface such as SCSI or LAN may be used. In this case, it is not necessary to send an image in real time from the image processing apparatus side, and furthermore, the I / F can be completely independent for each forming apparatus. When the image processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus are integrated, the image may be transferred via a CPU bus instead of the video I / F.

In the above embodiment, the image data received from the host computer is received in the form of PDL data. This format has a feature that character data, graphic data, and raster image data can be handled uniformly. However, instead of the PDL data, only the raster image data may be received and written into the image memory. In this case, since complicated development processing is not performed, there is no need to use high-speed CPUs 1, ROMs, RAMs, and the like, and the price can be reduced. In this case, a print instruction such as a copy number designation or a sort designation is given by a command separately from the transfer of the raster image data, and a combination of these commands and the raster image data can be regarded as a print job.

In each of the above embodiments, the raster image data is held in the image memory 10-1 as it is.
This has the feature that the hardware structure can be simplified. However, instead of decompressing as it is, a configuration may be adopted in which some compression is performed and the compressed data is stored in the image memory. Even in this case, the image data is still raster image data. In this case, although the hardware structure becomes complicated, there is an effect that the memory amount can be reduced. In this case, the image memory 10-1 to the image memory 61
Up to this point, the image data may be sent while being compressed. In this case, since the image transfer time can be further reduced, there is an effect that the image processing apparatus can further concentrate on the development of the next page.

In each of the above embodiments, image data such as PDL data is received by communication from an external host computer or the like. However, the image data may be read from an internal floppy disk. . Also, a hard disk or the like may be used instead of the floppy disk, and PDL data created by an application program (not shown) may be transferred on the main memory.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the color copying machine 1 is separated from the image processing apparatus 3, but it may be integrated.

[0119]

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine) Machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU)
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the above-described flowcharts. Each module shown is stored in the storage medium of the image processing apparatus.

That is, referring to at least the code of the receiving step for receiving the print data including the print image data and the print operation instruction data and the state of the image forming apparatus, the printing is performed in accordance with the print operation instruction included in the print data. A code for a first determination step for determining whether the print operation can be performed, and when the first determination step determines that the print operation cannot be performed, a part of the print operation instruction is replaced with a predetermined print operation instruction to perform printing. A code of a second determination step for determining whether the print operation can be performed, and an operation in which a part of the print operation instruction is replaced with the predetermined print operation instruction when it is determined that the print is executable in the second determination step The program code of each module of the code of the control step for giving an instruction to the image forming apparatus may be stored in a storage medium. .

[0127]

As described above, according to the output control apparatus and method and the image forming system of the present invention, if printing of a plurality of copies with a designated print operation instruction cannot be executed due to some error, it cannot be executed. Performing alternative printing by ignoring the print operation instruction and forcibly setting the number of copies to 1, and issuing a copy operation instruction corresponding to the ignored print operation instruction using one copy of the alternative print as a document. Can be. For this reason, the operator performs multiple copies based on a copy operation instruction that can obtain a final output equivalent to that when printing is performed according to the originally specified print operation instruction. And the final output equivalent to the case of printing with.

As a result, there is no need to wait for the error to be cleared, and there is an effect that the utilization efficiency of the apparatus and the system can be improved. There is also an effect that the operator can quickly obtain the final output regardless of the error. Also, there is an effect that the number of unnecessary print outputs can be reduced.

[0129]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining PDL.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining PDL.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining various alternative processes according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating various alternative processes according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining various alternative processes in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining various alternative processes in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing an example of one-copy printing and recovery copying according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an alternative process of electronic sorting according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an alternative process of a pamphlet print according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a recovery copy instruction sheet.

FIG. 18 is a connection diagram illustrating a relationship between an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment, an image forming apparatus performing alternative printing, and another image copying apparatus performing recovery copying.

FIG. 19 is a memory map for storing a program for realizing control by the image processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color copier 2 Host computer 3 Image processing device 4 Network 5 External interface 6 CPU 7 Bus 8 Hard disk 9 Printer communication unit 10 RAM 11 Printer interface 14 Control unit 41 Operation unit 411 Mode memory

Claims (35)

[Claims] 1. An output control device for giving an operation instruction to an image forming apparatus and printing an image, comprising: receiving means for receiving print data including print image data and print operation instruction data; A first determination unit that determines whether printing can be performed in accordance with a print operation instruction included in print data by referring to a state; and if the first determination unit determines that the print operation cannot be performed, one of the print operation instruction Second determining means for determining whether printing can be performed by replacing a copy with a predetermined second printing operation instruction; and performing the printing operation when the second determining means determines that printing can be performed. Control means for providing a replacement print operation instruction in which a part of the instruction is replaced with the second print operation instruction to the image forming apparatus. Output control apparatus for. 2. The output control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second print operation instruction includes an instruction to set the number of print copies to one. 3. The output control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies an operator that a replacement print operation instruction has been given to the image forming apparatus by the control unit. . 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said receiving means further comprises a developing means for receiving print data described in a page description language and developing print image data described in a page description language included in the print data into raster image data. The output control device according to claim 1, wherein: 5. Replaced with a second print operation instruction,
5. The output control according to claim 1, further comprising an operation instruction output unit that transmits a part of the print operation instruction included in the original print operation instruction to the image forming apparatus. apparatus. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus performs printing in accordance with a replacement print operation instruction in which a part of the print operation instruction is replaced by the second print operation instruction by the control unit. The output control according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when possible, it is determined that printing can be executed by replacing a part of the print operation instruction with the second print operation instruction. apparatus. 7. An operation instruction output for outputting a part of the print operation instruction included in the original print operation instruction, which is replaced by the second print operation instruction by the control means, as a document readable by an operator. The output control device according to claim 1, further comprising a unit. 8. A part of the print operation instruction included in the original print operation instruction replaced with the second print operation instruction by the control means is output in a predetermined optically readable format. The output control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an operation instruction output unit that causes the operation control unit to output the instruction. 9. The optically readable format includes:
9. The output control device according to claim 8, wherein the output control device has a format readable by the image forming apparatus. 10. The operation instruction output means subtracts one from the number of output copies included in a part of the print operation instruction replaced with the second print operation instruction and included in the original print operation instruction. 10. The output control device according to claim 5, wherein the output control unit is set as the number of output copies. 11. The printing method according to claim 1, wherein when a part of the print operation instruction replaced by the control unit is a sort print instruction, the print operation instruction is replaced with a print instruction without sorting. Output control device. 12. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a part of the printing operation instruction replaced by the control unit is a staple printing instruction, the printing instruction is replaced by a printing instruction without staple. Output control device. 13. A printing method according to claim 1, wherein when a part of the printing operation instruction replaced by said control means is a double-sided printing instruction, said printing operation instruction is replaced by a single-sided printing instruction.
The output control device according to any one of the above. 14. The printing method according to claim 1, wherein when a part of the print operation instruction replaced by the control means is a reverse print instruction, the print operation instruction is replaced with a print instruction without reverse order.
The output control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. 15. A printing method according to claim 1, wherein when a part of the printing operation instruction replaced by said control means is a paper size instruction, said printing operation instruction is replaced by an instruction of a paper size that can be output by said image forming apparatus. The output control device according to any one of the above. 16. A printing method according to claim 1, wherein when a part of the printing operation instruction replaced by said control means is a paper type instruction, said printing operation instruction is replaced by an instruction of a paper type that can be output by said image forming apparatus. The output control device according to any one of the above. 17. The printing method according to claim 1, wherein when a part of the printing operation instruction replaced by the control unit is a color instruction, the printing instruction is replaced by a color instruction that can be output by the image forming apparatus. An output control device according to item 1. 18. A printing method according to claim 1, wherein when a part of the print operation instruction replaced by said control means is a double-sided two-fold instruction, the print operation instruction is replaced with a single-sided print instruction.
0. The output control device according to any one of 0. 19. When a part of a print operation instruction replaced by the control unit is a print instruction to output a plurality of pages on one sheet, the print instruction is output to output one page to one sheet. The output control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: 20. An output control method for printing an image by giving an operation instruction to an image forming apparatus, comprising: a receiving step of receiving print data including print image data and print operation instruction data; A first determining step of determining whether printing can be performed in accordance with a print operation instruction included in the print data by referring to the state; and determining that the print operation instruction cannot be performed in the first determination step, A second print operation instruction by replacing the set with a predetermined second print operation instruction; and a print operation when the print operation is determined to be executable in the second determination process. Providing a replacement print operation instruction in which a part of the instruction is replaced with the second print operation instruction to the image forming apparatus. Output control method to be. 21. The output control method according to claim 20, wherein the second print operation instruction includes an instruction to set the number of print copies to one. 22. The output according to claim 20, further comprising a notifying step of notifying an operator that the replacement printing operation instruction has been given to the image forming apparatus by the control step. Control method. 23. The receiving step further includes a developing step of receiving print data described in a page description language and developing print image data described in a page description language included in the print data into raster image data. The output control method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein: 24. The image forming apparatus further comprising an operation instruction output step of transmitting a part of the print operation instruction included in the original print operation instruction, which is replaced with the second print operation instruction, to the image forming apparatus. The output control method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein: 25. The method according to claim 25, wherein the image forming apparatus performs a print operation in accordance with a replacement print operation instruction in which a part of the print operation instruction is replaced by the second print operation instruction in the control step. 24. The output method according to claim 20, wherein when it is possible to perform printing, it is determined that printing can be executed by replacing a part of the print operation instruction with a second print operation instruction. Control method. 26. An operation instruction for outputting a part of the print operation instruction included in the original print operation instruction replaced with the second print operation instruction by the control step as a document readable by an operator. The output control method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, further comprising an output step. 27. A part of the print operation instruction included in the original print operation instruction, which is replaced with the second print operation instruction in the control step, in a predetermined optically readable format. 24. The output control method according to claim 20, further comprising an operation instruction output step of outputting. 28. The output control method according to claim 27, wherein the optically readable format is a format readable by the image forming apparatus. 29. The operation instruction output step, wherein the number of output copies included in a part of the print operation instruction replaced with the second print operation instruction and included in the original print operation instruction is subtracted by one. 29. The output control method according to claim 24, wherein the number is set as the number of output copies. 30. An image forming system, comprising: the output control device according to claim 1; and an image forming device that prints out an image according to an operation instruction from the output control device. 31. An output control apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a copying apparatus serving as an image forming apparatus that prints out an image in accordance with an operation instruction from the output control apparatus. An image forming system comprising: storage means for storing a print operation instruction output by an output means; and copying means for reading the print operation instruction from the storage means and copying a document image in accordance with the print operation instruction. 32. An output control apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a copying apparatus as an image forming apparatus that prints out an image in accordance with an operation instruction from the output control apparatus. Reading means for reading an operation instruction output in a readable predetermined format; storage means for storing the read operation instruction; copying operation for reading a print operation instruction from the storage means and copying a document image according to the print operation instruction And an image forming system. 33. An output control device according to claim 1, wherein the first image forming device prints out an image in accordance with an operation instruction from the output control device, and is connected to the output control device. A second image forming apparatus, wherein the output control apparatus includes an operation instruction output unit that transmits a replacement print operation instruction replaced by the control unit included in the apparatus to the second image forming apparatus. An image forming system further provided. 34. The first image forming apparatus prints out the received image for one page on one sheet of paper, and the second image forming apparatus transmits the image by the operation instruction output unit. The image forming system according to claim 33, wherein the printing is performed according to the operation instruction. 35. A computer-readable memory storing a program for giving an operation instruction to an image forming apparatus and printing an image, the code comprising a reception step of receiving print data including print image data and print operation instruction data. Referring to the state of the image forming apparatus and determining a code of a first determination step for determining whether or not printing can be performed in accordance with a print operation instruction included in print data; A code for a second determination step of determining whether printing can be performed by replacing a part of the print operation instruction with a second print operation instruction; and determining that printing can be performed in the second determination step. In this case, a replacement print operation instruction in which a part of the print operation instruction is replaced with the second print operation instruction A computer-readable memory characterized by comprising a code of a control step of providing the image forming apparatus.