JP7354876B2 - Image forming system, image forming device and program - Google Patents

Description

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

Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming system including a first folding processing section and a second folding processing section that perform post-processing on a conveyed recording medium for each processing target unit, the first folding processing section and the second folding processing section. A post-processing unit capable of processing the conveyance destination of the recording medium for each unit of processing target when the time required for processing the processing unit of the processing unit is longer than the ejection interval of the recording medium ejected from the image forming apparatus. A technique has been disclosed in which the productivity of the image forming system is prevented from decreasing even if it takes time to process each processing object by the post-processing means.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-208703

In order to shorten the post-processing time for a recording medium on which an image has been formed, post-processing may be performed on a plurality of print jobs using a plurality of post-processing means having the same function. However, when post-processing is performed using a plurality of post-processing means, the order in which print jobs are discharged after finishing the post-processing may be changed depending on the arrangement of the post-processing means and the contents of the post-processing.

If the output order of print jobs is changed, for example, if an error occurs during execution of a print job and the process is interrupted, when the error is resolved and the interrupted print job is resumed, Even though the ejection of the next print job has been completed, the process for the next print job will be executed again. In other words, the same print job will be processed redundantly.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system that can shorten the post-processing time compared to the case where post-processing is performed using one post-processing means without changing the order of discharge after finishing the post-processing. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a program.

[Image forming system]
The present invention according to claim 1 includes a plurality of post-processing means for performing post-processing specified for each print instruction on a recording medium on which an image is formed;
a switching unit that switches the conveyance destination of the recording medium on which the image has been formed to one of the plurality of post-processing units;
Equipped with memory and processor,
The processor includes:
When controlling the switching means to perform post-processing based on a plurality of print instructions by distributing it to a plurality of post-processing means, starting the print process based on a subsequent print instruction after completion of the print process for the previous print instruction. This is an image forming system that delays the completion of post-processing for a previous print instruction so that it is not later than the completion of post-processing for a subsequent print instruction.

The present invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the processor performs the first printing process until the final page of the print process based on the previous print instruction is conveyed to the post-processing means, the post-processing is performed by the post-processing means, and the page is ejected. If the time is longer than the second time from when all pages to be printed based on a later print instruction are conveyed to the post-processing means, post-processed by the post-processing means and ejected, the first 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the start of print processing based on a subsequent print instruction is delayed by a difference between the time and the second time.

The present invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the processor performs the first page printing process until the final page of the print process based on the previous print instruction is conveyed to the post-processing unit, the post-processing process is performed by the post-processing unit, and the page is ejected. If the time is shorter than the second time required for all pages to be printed based on later print instructions to be conveyed to the post-processing means, post-processed by the post-processing means, and ejected, the later print 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the printing process based on the instruction is started without delay.

The present invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the processor determines the transport time during which the final page of print processing based on the previous print instruction is transported to the post-processing means, and the time required for the post-processing means to perform the post-processing. and calculate the first time by adding
The total time required for all the pages to be printed based on the subsequent print instructions to be transported to the post-processing means, and the time required for the post-processing to be performed by the post-processing means are added together to obtain the second result. The image forming system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the image forming system calculates the time.

In the present invention according to claim 5, when the processor controls the switching means to distribute post-processing based on a plurality of print instructions to a plurality of post-processing means and perform the post-processing based on a previous print instruction, After the completion of the post-processing based on the previous printing instruction, the post-processing based on the previous printing instruction is performed by a post-processing means different from the post-processing means that executes the post-processing based on the previous printing instruction, and then the post-processing based on the previous printing instruction is performed. If it takes less time to perform the post-processing and eject the recording medium by using the post-processing means that executes the processing, the switching means does not change the conveyance destination of the recording medium, and the subsequent print instructions 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system starts printing processing based on.

In the present invention according to claim 6, when there is an abnormality in the post-processing based on the previous print instruction while executing the post-processing based on the subsequent print instruction, the processor executes the post-processing based on the subsequent print instruction. 5. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the image forming system stops processing.

The present invention according to claim 7 provides that when there is an abnormality in the post-processing based on the previous print instruction while the processor is executing the post-processing based on the subsequent print instruction, the processor executes the post-processing based on the subsequent print instruction. 5. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein after the processing is executed, ejection of the recording medium on which the post-processing has been performed is stopped.

In the present invention according to claim 8, when there is an abnormality in the post-processing based on the previous print instruction while executing the post-processing based on the subsequent print instruction, the processor executes the post-processing based on the subsequent print instruction. 5. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the image forming system interrupts the processing.

The present invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that the processor restarts the interrupted post-processing based on the subsequent print instruction when an abnormality in the post-processing based on the previous print instruction is resolved. image forming system.

The present invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that, when an abnormality in processing based on a previous print instruction is resolved, the processor starts processing from the beginning based on the previous print instruction in which the abnormality has been resolved. 9. The image forming system according to any one of 9 to 9.

[Image forming device]
The present invention according to claim 11 provides an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium for each print instruction;
a plurality of post-processing means for performing post-processing specified for each print instruction on the recording medium on which the image is formed;
a switching unit that switches the conveyance destination of the recording medium on which the image has been formed to one of the plurality of post-processing units;
Equipped with memory and processor,
The processor includes:
When controlling the switching means to perform post-processing based on a plurality of print instructions by distributing it to a plurality of post-processing means, starting the print process based on a subsequent print instruction after completion of the print process for the previous print instruction. The image forming apparatus delays the completion of post-processing for a previous print instruction so that the completion of post-processing for a subsequent print instruction is not later than the completion of post-processing for a subsequent print instruction.

[program]
The present invention according to claim 12 provides a step of performing post-processing specified for each print instruction on a recording medium on which an image is formed;
switching the conveyance destination of the recording medium on which the image has been formed to one of a plurality of post-processing means;
When performing post-processing based on a plurality of print instructions by distributing it to the plurality of post-processing means, after the print process of the previous print instruction is completed, the start of the print process based on the subsequent print instruction is executed by the previous print instruction. delaying completion of post-processing for the subsequent print instruction so that it is not later than completion of post-processing for the subsequent print instruction;
This is a program that causes a computer to execute.

According to the present invention according to claim 1, it is possible to shorten the post-processing time compared to the case where post-processing is performed using one post-processing means without changing the order of discharge after finishing the post-processing. It is possible to provide an image forming system.

According to the present invention according to claim 2, it is possible to shorten the post-processing time compared to the case where post-processing is performed using one post-processing means without changing the order of discharge after finishing the post-processing. It is possible to provide an image forming system.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, if the order of discharge after finishing the post-processing is not changed, printing processing based on a subsequent printing instruction can be executed without delay.

According to the present invention according to claim 4, all the pages printed based on the previous print instruction can be It is possible to calculate the time until the paper is ejected and the time until all pages of print processing based on subsequent print instructions are ejected.

According to the present invention according to claim 5, by distributing print processing based on a plurality of print instructions to different post-processing units, it is possible to prevent the time required to complete ejection from becoming longer.

According to the invention according to claim 6, even if an abnormality occurs in the post-processing based on the previous printing instruction, the ejection order of the printing processing based on the previous printing instruction and the printing processing based on the subsequent printing instruction is switched. can be prevented.

According to the present invention according to claim 7, even if an abnormality occurs in the post-processing based on the previous print instruction, the previous print instruction can be canceled by stopping ejection of the recording medium on which the post-processing has been performed. It is possible to prevent the ejection order of the printing process based on the previous printing instruction and the printing process based on the subsequent printing instruction from being swapped.

According to the present invention according to claim 8, even if an abnormality occurs in the post-processing based on the previous printing instruction, the ejection order of the printing processing based on the previous printing instruction and the printing processing based on the subsequent printing instruction is switched. can be prevented.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, if the abnormality in the post-processing based on the previous print instruction is resolved, it is possible to save the effort of re-executing the post-processing based on the subsequent print instruction.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, even if an abnormality occurs in the process based on the previous print instruction, it is possible to save the effort of re-executing the process based on the previous print instruction.

According to the present invention according to claim 11, it is possible to shorten the post-processing time compared to the case where post-processing is performed using one post-processing means without changing the order of discharge after finishing the post-processing. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can provide a flexible image forming apparatus.

According to the present invention according to claim 12, it is possible to shorten the post-processing time compared to the case where post-processing is performed using one post-processing means without changing the order of discharge after finishing the post-processing. We are able to provide a variety of programs.

1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of an image forming system 10 in an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a diagram for explaining the hardware configuration of a print control section 41 and a post-processing control section 61. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the post-processing control section 61. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the branching points of the transport paths in the post-processing devices 51 and 52 and the post-processing sections 71 and 72. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of processing time when post-processing of a print job is executed. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a first specific example of printing processing executed in the image forming system 10. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating how the final page (P7) of print job 2 passes through a branch point. FIG. In specific print processing example 1 shown in FIG. 7, the time taken from the time when the last page (P7) of print job 2 passes the branch point until the ejection of print jobs 2 and 3 is completed. It is a figure for explaining. 8 is a diagram showing the status of each print job at time T1 when the print process of print job 3 is executed without delay in specific print process example 1 shown in FIG. 7. FIG. A diagram for explaining how a delay time is provided before the start of the printing process of print job 3 to prevent print job 3 from completing ejection before print job 2 in specific print process example 1 shown in FIG. 7. It is. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a second specific example of printing processing executed in the image forming system 10. FIG. In specific print processing example 2 shown in FIG. 12, the time taken from the time when the last page (P5) of print job 2 passes the branch point until the ejection of print jobs 2 and 3 is completed It is a figure for explaining. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a third specific example of printing processing executed in the image forming system 10. FIG. In specific print processing example 3 shown in FIG. 14, the time taken from the time when the last page (P9) of print job 1 passes the branch point until the ejection of print jobs 1 and 2 is completed It is a figure for explaining. A diagram for explaining how a delay time is provided before the start of the print process of print job 2 to prevent print job 2 from completing ejection before print job 1 in specific print process example 3 shown in FIG. 14. It is.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an image forming system 10 and a terminal device 20 that are interconnected through a network 30. The terminal device 20 generates print data and transmits the generated print data to the image forming system 10 via the network 30. The image forming system 10 receives print data transmitted from the terminal device 20 and outputs an image on paper according to the print data.

Next, the configuration of the image forming system 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

The image forming system 10 of this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 40 and post-processing apparatuses 51 and 52.

The image forming apparatus 40 includes a print control unit 41 that controls printing processing in the image forming apparatus 40 , a plurality of paper supply cassettes 42 , a conveyance path 43 that conveys the paper supplied from the paper supply cassette 42 , and a conveyance path 43 . The image forming section 44 forms an image for each print job on a sheet of paper conveyed thereon.

The image forming section 44 includes yellow, magenta, cyan, and black photoreceptors arranged side by side, as well as an intermediate transfer belt. A charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a primary transfer device, a cleaning device, etc. (not shown) are arranged around each photoconductor, and the toner image formed on each photoconductor is transferred to an intermediate transfer belt. be done. Then, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt is transferred by a secondary transfer roll onto a sheet of paper such as a recording medium that has been transported on the transport path 43, and is fixed by a fixing device, and the paper to which this toner image is fixed is later transferred. It is designed to be transported to a processing device 51.

The post-processing device 51 includes a post-processing control unit 61 that controls the operations of the post-processing devices 51 and 52, and a post-processing unit 71 that performs post-processing such as folding, booklet creation, and stapling. It is equipped with a switching device 62, a discharge device 63, and conveyance paths 64 and 65.

Further, the post-processing device 52 is arranged after the post-processing device 51 and includes a post-processing section 72, an ejection tray 66, and a conveyance path 67.

The post-processing units 71 and 72 each perform post-processing specified for each print job on paper on which an image has been formed. The switch 62 switches the conveyance destination of the paper on which the image has been formed to either the post-processing section 71 or 72.

The sheet conveyed from the image forming apparatus 40 is conveyed in the post-processing device 51 by being switched to one of the conveyance paths 64 and 65 by the switching device 62 . Here, the conveyance path 64 is for conveying the paper to the post-processing device 52 connected to the subsequent stage. Further, the conveyance path 65 is for conveying the paper to the post-processing section 71.

That is, after the printing process has been performed in the image forming apparatus 40, the paper is transferred to either the post-processing unit 72 or the post-processing unit 71 of the post-processing device 52, with the point where the switch 62 is provided as a branching point. They are sorted and transported.

Here, the switching device 62 is controlled by the post-processing control section 61, and selects the post-processing section according to the content of the post-processing specified for the print-processed paper conveyed from the image forming apparatus 40. It is designed to be sorted into either 71 or 72.

Then, the paper after being subjected to post-processing in the post-processing section 71 is ejected to the ejecting device 63. Further, the paper switched to the conveyance path 64 by the switch 62 is conveyed to the post-processing section 72 via the conveyance path 67 of the post-processing device 52.

Then, the paper after being subjected to post-processing in the post-processing section 72 is ejected to the ejection tray 66.

Here, the post-processing section 71 and the post-processing section 72 have similar functions, and are configured to be able to perform post-processing such as folding processing, booklet creation processing, and stapling processing.

Next, the hardware configuration of the print control section 41 and the post-processing control section 61 will be explained with reference to FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the print control unit 41 and the post-processing control unit 61 transmit and receive data to and from the CPU 11, memory 12, storage device 13 such as a hard disk drive, external devices, etc., respectively. It has a communication interface (abbreviated as IF) 14. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 15.

The CPU 11 is a processor that executes predetermined processing based on a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13 and controls the operations of the print control section 41 and the post-processing control section 61. In this embodiment, the CPU 11 will be described as reading and executing a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13; however, the CPU 11 may store the program in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and It is also possible to provide

The print control section 41 and the post-processing control section 61 control the operations of the image forming apparatus 40 and the post-processing devices 51 and 52, respectively. Note that the print control unit 41 executes a print process based on a print job that is a print instruction transmitted from the terminal device 20, and also transmits the contents of post-processing specified in this print job to the post-processing control unit 61. to notify.

The post-processing control unit 61 switches the switch 62 according to the details of the post-processing notified from the print control unit 41, and transfers the paper after the printing process to the post-processing units 71 and 72. Allocate to one of them and perform post-processing.

The reason why the two post-processing sections 71 and 72 are provided in the image forming system 10 of this embodiment will be explained. Generally, post-processing such as folding processing and booklet creation processing requires a longer time than printing processing. Therefore, if only one post-processing section is provided, the printing process for the next print job cannot be started and must wait until the post-processing is finished in the post-processing section and the ejection is completed. Must be.

Therefore, in the image forming system 10 of the present embodiment, the two post-processing units 71 and 72 having the same functions are provided, so that the post-processing It is possible to shorten the time it takes to execute and discharge.

However, when post-processing is performed using multiple post-processing means in this way, the order in which print jobs are ejected after post-processing may be changed depending on the arrangement of the post-processing means and the contents of the post-processing. be. Specifically, the process based on the subsequent print job may be ejected before the process based on the previous print job is completed.

If the output order of print jobs is changed, for example, if an error occurs during execution of a print job and the process is interrupted, when the error is resolved and the interrupted print job is resumed, Even though the ejection of the next print job has been completed, the process for the next print job will be executed again. In other words, the same print job will be processed redundantly.

Therefore, in order to prevent such problems from occurring, the image forming system 10 of the present embodiment performs the processing described below even when efficient post-processing is achieved using a plurality of post-processing means. This prevents the order of discharge after finishing the post-processing from being changed.

Specifically, when controlling the switching device 62 to distribute post-processing based on a plurality of print jobs to two post-processing units 71 and 72, the post-processing control unit 61 controls the printing of the previous print job. After completion of processing, the start of print processing based on a subsequent print job is delayed so that completion of post-processing for the previous print job is not later than completion of post-processing for the subsequent print job.

More specifically, the post-processing control unit 61 controls whether the final page of the print process based on the previous print job is conveyed to either the post-processing units 71 or 72 and the post-processing is performed by the post-processing units 71 or 72. The first time period from when all the pages to be printed based on the subsequent print job are conveyed to either of the post-processing sections 71 and 72 and the post-processing is executed by the post-processing sections 71 and 72. If it is longer than the second time until ejection, the print control unit 41 is notified to delay the start of print processing based on a subsequent print job by the difference between the first time and the second time. .

Note that the post-processing control unit 61 transports the final page of the print process based on the previous print job to either the post-processing units 71 or 72, performs post-processing on the post-processing unit 71 or 72, and then outputs the final page. Until all pages of print processing based on the subsequent print job are conveyed to either of the post-processing units 71 and 72, post-processing is performed by the post-processing units 71 and 72, and the pages are ejected. If the second time is shorter than the second time, the print control unit 41 is notified to start print processing based on a subsequent print job without delay.

Here, the post-processing control unit 61 determines the transport time for the final page of print processing based on the previous print job to be transported to either of the post-processing units 71 and 72, and the execution of post-processing by the post-processing units 71 and 72. The above-mentioned first time is calculated by adding the time required to do this.

Then, the post-processing control unit 61 calculates the total time of each transport time during which all pages to be printed based on the subsequent print job are transported to either the post-processing units 71 and 72, and the post-processing process performed by the post-processing units 71 and 72. The above-mentioned second time is calculated by adding the time required to execute the process.

Note that when the post-processing control unit 61 controls the switching device 62 to distribute post-processing based on a plurality of print jobs to a plurality of post-processing units 71 and 72 and executes the post-processing, the post-processing control unit 61 controls the switching device 62 to perform post-processing based on the previous print job. After completion, post-processing based on the previous print job is performed by a post-processing unit that is different from the post-processing unit that performs the post-processing based on the previous print job, and then ejected. If it takes less time to perform post-processing and eject paper using the post-processing unit that executes it, do not use the switch 62 to switch the conveyance destination of the paper, and instead The print control unit 41 is notified to start printing processing.

Note that in post-processing based on a print job, abnormalities such as paper jams may occur. Even when such an abnormality occurs, it is necessary to prevent the ejection order of print jobs from being changed.

Therefore, if there is an abnormality in the post-processing based on the previous print job while executing the post-processing based on the subsequent print job, the post-processing control unit 61 cancels the post-processing based on the subsequent print job. Note that "to cancel post-processing" here means to cancel post-processing.

Specifically, if there is an abnormality in the post-processing based on the previous print job while executing the post-processing based on the subsequent print job, the post-processing control unit 61 executes the post-processing based on the subsequent print job. After execution, the output of the print job for which post-processing has been executed is canceled.

Further, the post-processing control unit 61 is configured to interrupt the post-processing based on the subsequent print job if there is an abnormality in the post-processing based on the previous print job while executing the post-processing based on the subsequent print job. You can also do it. In this case, the post-processing control unit 61 resumes the interrupted post-processing based on the subsequent print job when the abnormality in the post-processing based on the previous print job is resolved.

Note that, when the abnormality in the processing based on the previous print job is resolved, the print control unit 41 and the post-processing control unit 61 start the processing based on the previous print job from which the abnormality has been resolved. In other words, if an abnormality occurs during the post-processing of a certain print job and the process up to the final ejection completion is not executed normally, the post-processing control unit 61 and print control unit 41 will Start by re-executing the print process.

Next, the operation of the image forming system 10 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, when sequentially executing a plurality of print jobs in the image forming system 10, the post-processing control unit 61 notifies the print control unit 41 of a delay time for delaying the start timing of the print jobs, so that the ejection order of each print job is The operation to prevent the information from being replaced will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the post-processing control unit 61 receives processing details of a print job from the print control unit 41 in step S101. Then, in step S102, the post-processing control unit 61 calculates the post-processing time in the post-processing units 71 and 72 and the transport time from the branch point to the post-processing units 71 and 72, respectively, based on the received processing content. .

Here, each transport time from the branch point to the post-processing units 71, 72 can be calculated from the distance from the branch point to the post-processing units 71, 72, and the paper transport speed.

Then, in step S103, the post-processing control unit 61 determines whether a situation occurs in which the ejection of the next print job is completed before the ejection of the preceding print job is completed. Furthermore, what kind of processing is specifically performed by the post-processing control unit 61 to determine whether or not a situation occurs in which the ejection of the next print job is completed before the ejection of the preceding print job is completed. Details regarding whether to make the determination will be described later.

If it is determined that a situation occurs in which the ejection of the next print job is completed before the ejection of the preceding print job is completed, the post-processing control unit 61 prevents the ejection order from being reversed in step S104. The delay time is calculated and the print control unit 41 is notified of the delay time.

Note that if it is determined that there is no occurrence of a situation in which the ejection of the next print job is completed before the ejection of the preceding print job is completed, the post-processing control unit 61, in step S105, completes the ejection of the next print job in the shortest possible time. The print control unit 41 is notified to start the job.

Next, detailed operation contents of the post-processing control unit 61 explained above will be explained using a specific example.

First, the positional relationship between the branching points of the transport paths in the post-processing devices 51 and 52 and the post-processing units 71 and 72 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 5 will be described assuming that the paper conveyance speed is 1000 mm/sec.

Referring to FIG. 5, the distance of the conveyance path 65 from the branch point where the switch 62 is provided to the post-processing section 71 is 100 mm, and the distance of the conveyance paths 64 and 67 from this branch point to the post-processing section 72. is 500mm.

In other words, the time it takes for the paper that has passed the branch point to be conveyed on the conveyance path 65 and reach the post-processing section 71 is calculated using the following formula and is 0.1 seconds.

100 (mm)/1000 (mm/sec) = 0.1 (sec)

Further, the time it takes for the paper that has passed through the branch point to be conveyed on the conveyance paths 64 and 67 and to reach the post-processing section 72 is calculated using the following formula and is 0.5 seconds.

500 (mm)/1000 (mm/sec) = 0.5 (sec)

The following description will be made assuming that the folding processing time required to perform the folding process in the post-processing units 71 and 72 is both 1 second, and the booklet creation time required to create the booklet is both 3 seconds.

When the positional relationship in which the post-processing units 71 and 72 are arranged and the processing times in the post-processing units 71 and 72 are as shown in FIG. An example of processing time is shown in FIG.

(1) Referring to FIG. 6, it can be seen that the necessary time required for the post-processing means 71 to convey five sheets of paper and complete the folding process is 1.5 seconds. Specifically, the transport time for transporting five sheets one by one from the branch point to the post-processing section 71 is 0.5 seconds (0.1 seconds x 5). Since it takes 1 second to fold these five sheets of paper all at once in the post-processing section 71, the total processing time is 0.5 seconds for the transport time and 1 second for the folding process. It will be 1.5 seconds.

(2) Similarly, it can be seen that the required time required for the post-processing means 71 to convey seven sheets of paper, execute and complete the booklet creation process is 3.7 seconds.

(3) Furthermore, it can be seen that the required time required for the post-processing means 71 to convey nine sheets of paper, execute and complete the booklet creation process is 3.9 seconds.

(4) Furthermore, it can be seen that the required time required for the post-processing means 72 to convey five sheets of paper, execute the folding process, and complete the folding process is 3.5 seconds.

(5) Furthermore, it can be seen that the required time required for the post-processing means 72 to convey seven sheets of paper, execute and complete the booklet creation process is 6.5 seconds.

(6) Furthermore, it can be seen that the required time required for the post-processing means 72 to convey nine sheets of paper, execute and complete the booklet creation process is 7.5 seconds.

Next, using a specific example of a print job, we will explain how to provide a delay time between print jobs so that the ejection order is not reversed even when each print job is distributed to multiple post-processing units 71 and 72. We will explain the processing.

First, a case will be described in which a specific print processing example 1 as shown in FIG. 7 is executed in the image forming system 10.

In the specific print processing example 1 shown in FIG. Print jobs that execute booklet creation processing are executed alternately.

In this print processing example 1, print jobs 1, 3, . A description will be given assuming that print jobs 2, . . . , in which booklet creation processing is executed after printing processing is performed on paper, are distributed to the post-processing section 72 and executed.

When executing the print processing example 1 shown in FIG. to P6) are conveyed to the post-processing unit 72, and FIG. 8 shows how the final page (P7) of print job 2 passes through the branch point.

Referring to FIG. 8, for print job 1 of 5 pages, the folding process is completed in the post-processing section 71 and the sheet is discharged to the discharge device 63, so that the discharge is completed. Regarding print job 2, the sixth page (P1 to P6) is being transported to the post-processing unit 72, and the seventh page (P7) is about to pass the branch point. I understand.

In the state shown in FIG. 8, the post-processing control unit 61 determines whether or not the start of printing of the subsequent print job 3 should be delayed.

Specifically, the post-processing control unit 61 transports the final page P7 of the print process based on the preceding previous print job 2 to the post-processing unit 72, performs the post-processing on the post-processing unit 72, and discharges the final page P7. The first time until all the pages to be printed based on the subsequent print job 3 are conveyed to the post-processing section 71, the post-processing is performed by the post-processing section 71, and the second time is elapsed until the pages are ejected. time, the start of the print process based on the subsequent print job 3 is delayed by the difference between the first time and the second time.

A specific example of the first time and second time calculated by the post-processing control unit 61 is shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 shows a case where the time until the ejection of print jobs 2 and 3 is completed is calculated based on the time when the last page (P7) of print job 2 passes the branch point.

For print job 2, the booklet creation time in the post-processing section 72 is 0.5 seconds, which is the transport time for the final page (P7) to be transported to the post-processing section 72 via the transport paths 64 and 67. 3.5 seconds obtained by adding 3 seconds is the time required to complete the discharge.

For print job 3, all pages (P1 to P5) are folded in the post-processing section 71 in 0.5 seconds, which is the total transport time for transporting all the pages (P1 to P5) to the post-processing section 71 via the transport path 65. 1.5 seconds obtained by adding 1 second, which is the processing time, is the time required to complete the discharge.

In other words, the time it takes to complete the ejection of print job 3, 1.5 seconds, is shorter than the time 3.5 seconds it takes to complete the ejection of print job 2, and the print process for print job 3 continues as is. It can be seen that if the print job 3 is started, the print job 3 will be ejected before the eject of the print job 2 is completed.

Here, in FIG. 9, the time when the print job 3 is completely discharged is expressed as T1, and the time when the print job 2 is completely discharged is expressed as T2.

FIG. 10 shows the state of each print job at time T1 when the printing process of print job 3 is executed without delay in such a situation.

Referring to FIG. 10, it can be seen that at this time T1, the post-processing of the print job 3 in the post-processing unit 71 is completed and the print job 3 is ejected to the ejecting device 63. However, it can be seen that even at this point, the booklet creation process for print job 2 is being executed in the post-processing section 72, and ejection to the ejection tray 66 has not been completed.

In other words, if the print process for print job 3 is started immediately after the print process for print job 2, as shown in FIG. This will differ from the job execution order.

Therefore, the post-processing control unit 61 of this embodiment notifies the print control unit 41 to provide a delay time for delaying the start of print processing for print job 3, as shown in FIG. 11.

Specifically, the post-processing control unit 61 controls the time required for ejection of print job 2 to be completed for 3.5 seconds and the time for ejection for print job 3 to be completed for 1.5 seconds as shown in FIG. The print control unit 41 is notified of the difference of 2 seconds from the print job 3 as a delay time for delaying the start of print processing for print job 3.

Note that if the start of print processing for print job 3 is delayed by 2 seconds, the time it takes to complete the ejection of print job 2 and the time it takes to complete the ejection of print job 3 will be the same value, but in reality Since there is a certain time difference between the printing process of the last page of print job 2 and the printing process of the first page of print job 3, printing is performed by delaying the start of the print process of print job 3 by 2 seconds. The completion of ejection of job 2 is ensured before the completion of ejection of print job 3.

Next, a case will be described in which a specific printing process example 2 as shown in FIG. 12 is executed in the image forming system 10.

In the specific print processing example 2 shown in FIG. 12, three print jobs are executed in which printing processing is performed on five sheets of paper and then folding processing is performed.

In this print processing example 2, the first print job 1 is distributed to the post-processing section 71 and executed, the next print job 2 is distributed to the post-processing section 72 and executed, and the last print job 3 is distributed to the post-processing section 71 and executed. The explanation will be given assuming that the program is distributed to 71 and executed.

Here, print job 1 and print job 2 are print jobs with the same content, and print job 1, which should be ejected first, is distributed to the post-processing section 71 with a shorter conveyance path, so the ejection order is changed. is never reversed. Therefore, in the following, a case will be described in which it is determined whether or not the ejection order is reversed between print job 2 and print job 3.

In this print processing example 2, FIG. 13 shows the time from when the final page (P5) of print job 2 passes the branch point until the ejection of print jobs 2 and 3 is completed.

For print job 2, the folding processing time in the post-processing section 72 is 0.5 seconds, which is the transport time for the final page (P5) to be transported to the post-processing section 72 via the transport paths 64 and 67. 1.5 seconds obtained by adding 1 second is the time required to complete the discharge.

For print job 3, all pages (P1 to P5) are folded in the post-processing section 71 in 0.5 seconds, which is the total transport time for transporting all the pages (P1 to P5) to the post-processing section 71 via the transport path 65. 1.5 seconds obtained by adding 1 second, which is the processing time, is the time required to complete the discharge.

Therefore, the post-processing control unit 61 instructs the print control unit 41 to send the print job 3 to the print control unit 41 because the time until the ejection completion of the subsequent print job is not shorter than the time until the ejection completion of the previous print job. Notify that there is no need to delay the start of print processing.

Next, a case will be described in which a third specific printing process example as shown in FIG. 14 is executed in the image forming system 10.

In the specific print processing example 3 shown in FIG. 14, there is a print job in which booklet creation processing is executed after printing on nine sheets of paper, and a print job in which print processing is performed on two sheets of paper. Print jobs that are subsequently subjected to folding processing are executed alternately.

In this print processing example 3, print jobs 1, 3, . A description will be given assuming that print jobs 2, . . . , in which printing is performed on sheets of paper and then folding is performed, are distributed to the post-processing unit 72 and executed.

In this print processing example 3, FIG. 15 shows the time from when the final page (P9) of print job 1 passes the branch point until the ejection of print jobs 1 and 2 is completed.

For print job 1, the final page (P9) is conveyed to the post-processing section 71 via the conveying path 65 for 0.1 seconds, and the booklet creation time in the post-processing section 71 is 3 seconds. The 3.1 seconds obtained by adding the above is the time required to complete the discharge.

For print job 2, the post-processing unit 72 is transported to the post-processing unit 72 in 1.0 seconds, which is the total transport time for all pages (P1, P2) to be transported to the post-processing unit 72 via the transport paths 64 and 67. 2.0 seconds obtained by adding 1 second, which is the folding processing time in , becomes the time until the discharge is completed.

Referring to FIG. 15, it can be seen that the time taken to complete ejection of print job 1, 3.1 seconds, is longer than the time taken to complete ejection of print job 2, 2.0 seconds. Therefore, if the post-processing control unit 61 starts the printing process of print job 2 after print job 1 without delay, the ejection of print job 2 will be completed before the ejection of print job 1 is completed. It is determined that it is put away.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16, the post-processing control unit 61 determines whether the time required to complete the ejection of print job 1 is 3.1 seconds and the time required until the ejection of print job 2 is completed is 2.0 seconds. The print control unit 41 is notified of the difference of 1.1 seconds as a delay time for delaying the start of print processing for print job 2.

Note that in the embodiment described above, a case has been described in which the print control section 41 is provided in the image forming apparatus 40 and the post-processing control section 61 is provided in the post-processing device 51. It is not limited to this configuration. For example, the functions of the print control section 41 and the post-processing control section 61 may be realized by one control section and provided within the image forming apparatus 40.

In each of the above embodiments, the processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes a general-purpose processor (for example, CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.), a dedicated processor (for example, GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, (FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

Further, the operation of the processor in each of the above embodiments may be performed not only by one processor, but also by a plurality of processors located at physically separate locations. Further, the order of each operation of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

10 Image forming system 11 CPU
12 Memory 13 Storage device 14 Communication interface 15 Control bus 20 Terminal device 30 Network 40 Image forming device 41 Print control section 42 Paper supply cassette 43 Conveyance path 44 Image forming section 51, 52 Post-processing device 61 Post-processing control section 62 Switch 63 Ejection device 64, 65 Conveyance path 66 Ejection tray 67 Conveyance path 71, 72 Post-processing section

Claims (12)

a plurality of post-processing means for performing post-processing specified for each print instruction on the recording medium on which the image is formed;
a switching unit that switches the conveyance destination of the recording medium on which the image has been formed to one of the plurality of post-processing units;
Equipped with memory and processor,
The processor includes:
When controlling the switching means to perform post-processing based on a plurality of print instructions by distributing it to a plurality of post-processing means, starting the print process based on a subsequent print instruction after completion of the print process for the previous print instruction. An image forming system that delays completion of post-processing for a previous print instruction so that it is not later than completion of post-processing for a subsequent print instruction. The processor includes:
The first time from when the last page of the print process based on the previous print instruction is conveyed to the post-processing means, where the post-processing is performed by the post-processing means, and when it is ejected, is the entire time of the print process based on the subsequent print instruction. If it is longer than the second time from when the page is conveyed to the post-processing means until it is ejected after being subjected to post-processing by the post-processing means, the difference between the first time and the second time, The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the start of printing processing based on a later printing instruction is delayed. The processor includes:
The first time from when the last page of the print process based on the previous print instruction is conveyed to the post-processing means, where the post-processing is performed by the post-processing means, and when it is ejected, is the entire time of the print process based on the subsequent print instruction. A claim that starts printing processing based on a subsequent print instruction without delay when the second time is shorter than the second time from when the page is conveyed to the post-processing means, after the page is subjected to post-processing by the post-processing means, and until it is ejected. 2. The image forming system according to 1 or 2. The processor includes:
The first time is calculated by adding the transport time for the last page of the print process based on the previous print instruction to be transported to the post-processing means and the time required for the post-processing to be performed by the post-processing means. ,
The total time required for all the pages to be printed based on the subsequent print instructions to be transported to the post-processing means, and the time required for the post-processing to be performed by the post-processing means are added together to obtain the second result. The image forming system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the image forming system calculates the time. The processor includes:
When controlling the switching means to distribute and execute post-processing based on a plurality of print instructions to a plurality of post-processing means, the post-processing based on a subsequent print instruction is executed after the print process based on a previous print instruction is completed. , rather than performing post-processing and ejecting by a post-processing means that is different from the post-processing means that performs post-processing based on the previous print instruction, it is performed by a post-processing means that performs post-processing based on the previous print instruction and is ejected. 2. The image according to claim 1, wherein if the time required from performing post-processing to ejecting the recording medium is shorter, printing processing based on a subsequent printing instruction is started without switching the conveyance destination of the recording medium by the switching means. Formation system. The processor includes:
5. According to any one of claims 2 to 4, if there is an abnormality in the post-processing based on the previous printing instruction while executing the post-processing based on the subsequent printing instruction, the post-processing based on the subsequent printing instruction is stopped. image forming system. The processor includes:
If there is an abnormality in the post-processing based on the previous printing instruction while the post-processing based on the subsequent printing instruction is being executed, the recording medium on which the post-processing was performed after the post-processing based on the subsequent printing instruction was executed. The image forming system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein discharging of the image forming system is stopped. The processor includes:
5. The post-processing based on the subsequent printing instruction is interrupted if there is an abnormality in the post-processing based on the previous printing instruction while the post-processing based on the subsequent printing instruction is being executed. image forming system. The processor includes:
The image forming system according to claim 8, wherein the interrupted post-processing based on the subsequent printing instruction is restarted when an abnormality in the post-processing based on the previous printing instruction is resolved. The processor includes:
The image forming system according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein when an abnormality in processing based on a previous print instruction is resolved, processing based on the previous print instruction in which the abnormality has been resolved is started from the beginning. an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium for each print instruction;
a plurality of post-processing means for performing post-processing specified for each print instruction on the recording medium on which the image is formed;
a switching unit that switches the conveyance destination of the recording medium on which the image has been formed to one of the plurality of post-processing units;
Equipped with memory and processor,
The processor includes:
When controlling the switching means to perform post-processing based on a plurality of print instructions by distributing it to a plurality of post-processing means, starting the print process based on a subsequent print instruction after completion of the print process for the previous print instruction. An image forming apparatus that delays completion of post-processing for a previous print instruction so that completion of post-processing for a subsequent print instruction is not later than completion of post-processing for a subsequent print instruction. performing post-processing specified for each print instruction on the recording medium on which the image is formed;
switching the conveyance destination of the recording medium on which the image has been formed to one of a plurality of post-processing means;
When performing post-processing based on a plurality of print instructions by distributing it to the plurality of post-processing means, after the print process of the previous print instruction is completed, the start of the print process based on the subsequent print instruction is executed by the previous print instruction. delaying completion of post-processing for the subsequent print instruction so that it is not later than completion of post-processing for the subsequent print instruction;
A program that causes a computer to execute

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