JP2012083674A - Controller, image formation device and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress decrease of productivity related to image formation processing.SOLUTION: A controller includes a reception part 211 for receiving a print instruction including image information of each page and paper quality information specifying a paper quality of paper sheets on which an image is formed for each page and a control part 212 for controlling an image output device 40 to output all the pages for which a paper quality conforming with a first print setting is specified among multiple print settings defining settings of a fixing device 401. When the output of all the pages for which the paper quality conforming with the first print setting is specified is finished and the first print setting is switched to a second print setting, the control part 212 controls the image output device 40 to output all the pages for which a paper quality conforming with the second print setting is specified.

Description

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

  Not only plain paper but also label paper, postcards, OHP films, thin paper, thick paper, high-quality and medium-quality paper for printing, coated paper, art paper as recording media for forming images (hereinafter referred to as paper) Various paper qualities such as may be used. As described above, in order to form high-quality images on various paper-quality papers, for example, the pressure and fixing temperature of a fixing device (equipment for image formation) for fixing the toner transferred onto the papers It is necessary to set it properly.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique for easily changing the pressure contact force of the pressure roller with respect to the fixing roller by a one-touch operation.

  In Patent Document 2, a first heat amount control unit that instructs a fixing unit to heat an image with a different heating amount for each type of transfer material, and an image is heated with a heating amount common to a plurality of types of transfer materials. Thus, there is disclosed an image forming apparatus including a second heat quantity control unit that instructs the fixing unit.

  In Patent Document 3, it is detected whether the transferred transfer material is an envelope or plain paper, and it is determined whether or not the mounted fixing device is a fixing device compatible with the transferred transfer material. An image forming apparatus that displays a message to the effect that the attached fixing device should be replaced on a display device when the determination result is negative is disclosed.

  Patent Document 4 discloses an image forming apparatus that changes the execution order of print jobs in accordance with image forming conditions of a plurality of print jobs.

JP 2004-361607 A Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-321478 JP 2008-58365 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-333989

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a control device, an image forming device, and a control program that suppress a decrease in productivity related to image forming processing.

  The control device according to claim 1, a receiving unit that receives an image formation instruction including image information of each page and paper quality information designating a paper quality of a recording material forming the image for each page, and image formation A control unit that controls the output device to output all pages in which a paper quality that conforms to the first print setting is specified among a plurality of print settings that define the setting of the device, and the control unit includes: When the output of all pages for which the paper quality suitable for the first print setting is specified is finished and the first print setting is switched to the second print setting, the second print setting is met. The output device is controlled to output all pages in which the paper quality to be specified is specified.

  The control device according to claim 2 is the control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes all of the images included in the image formation instruction before or after outputting the page included in the image formation instruction. The output device is controlled so as to output an image in which a single page of recording material is aggregated on one recording material, and all the pages aggregated on the single recording material can identify the paper quality designated for each page. Is displayed.

  The control device according to claim 3 is the control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit discharges the recording material on which the page is printed on a page with discontinuous page numbers. The output device is controlled so that the discharge position of the recording material on which the page is printed is offset with respect to the discharge position of the recording material on which the previous page is printed.

  A control device according to a fourth aspect is the control device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the control unit includes a page in which a paper quality suitable for the first print setting is designated, The pages designated with the paper quality suitable for the print settings other than the first print settings existing between the pages designated with the paper quality suitable for the first print settings are collected on one recording material. The aggregated image is output to the output device.

  A control device according to a fifth aspect is the control device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the image forming device has a paper quality suitable for the first print setting output by the output device. A temporary stacking unit that temporarily stacks the recording material, and the control unit is a paper-quality recording material that conforms to the second print setting output by the output device so as to be in the page order of the image formation instruction; The temporary stacking unit is controlled to insert the recording material temporarily stacked in the temporary stacking unit.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 forms an image on a specified paper-quality recording material, outputs the image output device, image information of each page, and paper quality of the recording material forming the image for each page. A receiving unit that receives an image forming instruction including the specified paper quality information, and all pages in which a paper quality that conforms to the first print setting is specified among a plurality of print settings that define settings of devices related to image formation A control unit that controls the image output apparatus to output the image, wherein the control unit finishes outputting all pages for which a paper quality suitable for the first print setting is designated. When the first print setting is switched to the second print setting, a control device that controls the image output apparatus to output all pages in which the paper quality that conforms to the second print setting is designated And comprising.

  The control program according to claim 7 includes: a receiving step for receiving an image forming instruction including image information of each page; and paper quality information specifying the paper quality of a recording material for forming an image for each page; An output device that forms and outputs an image on a recording material having a specified paper quality so as to output all pages in which a paper quality that conforms to the first print setting is output among a plurality of print settings that define the settings of the device. The first control step for controlling the output and the output of all the pages for which the paper quality suitable for the first print setting is designated, and the switching from the first print setting to the second print setting is completed. In this case, the computer is caused to execute a second control step of controlling the output device so as to output all pages in which the paper quality that matches the second print setting is designated.

  According to the control device of the first aspect, a decrease in productivity related to the image forming process is suppressed.

  According to the control device of the second aspect, a decrease in productivity related to the image forming process is suppressed, and the configuration of the entire page included in the print instruction and the paper quality designated for each page are confirmed. .

  According to the control device of the third aspect, the productivity reduction related to the image forming process is suppressed, and the order of the printed matter collectively printed for each paper quality is rearranged to the page order of the print instruction. User convenience is improved.

  According to the control device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, a decrease in productivity related to the image forming process is suppressed, and an operation of rearranging the order of the printed matter collectively printed for each paper quality to the page order of the print instruction is performed. User convenience is improved.

  According to the control device of the fifth aspect, a decrease in productivity related to the image forming process is suppressed, and a time until the output pages are rearranged in a correct order is shortened.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect, a decrease in productivity related to the image forming process is suppressed.

  According to the control program of the seventh aspect, a decrease in productivity related to the image forming process is suppressed.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of a control apparatus. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the function which a control apparatus has. FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing an order in which pages included in a print instruction are output by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which a control apparatus performs. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which a control apparatus performs. It is a figure which shows an example of a page management table. It is a figure which shows an example of a thumbnail image. It is a figure which shows an example of a thumbnail image management table. FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing an example of an image output from the image forming apparatus and an order of formation thereof. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a discharge position of a sheet output from the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image output from an image forming apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for setting a final output result of an image to a page order of a print instruction. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another example of the order in which pages included in a print instruction are output by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a display device 10, a control device 20, an image reading device 30, an image output device 40, and a communication control device 50.

  The display device 10 displays an operation screen that accepts an operation on the image forming apparatus 100 from a user based on the control of the control device 20. In addition, the display device 10 receives an instruction for the image forming apparatus 100 from the user via the operation screen. The display device 10 outputs the received instruction to the control device 20.

  The control device 20 controls the entire operation of the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the control device 20 controls the display device 10 to display an operation screen on the display device 10. In addition, the control device 20 receives an instruction for the image forming apparatus 100 from the display device 10.

  The control device 20 controls the image reading device 30, the image output device 40, and the communication control device 50 included in the image forming apparatus 100 based on the received instruction. Specifically, for example, when an image reading (scanning) instruction is received from the display device 10, the control device 20 controls the image reading device 30 to read a document placed on a document table and to read a document image. get. Also. When receiving a copy instruction from the display device 10, the control device 20 controls the image reading device 30 to read a document placed on the document table and acquire a document image. Next, the control device 20 controls the image output device 40 to form and output the acquired document image on a recording medium such as paper. When a FAX transmission instruction is received from the display device 10, the control device 20 first controls the image reading device 30 to read a transmission target document placed on the document table and acquire a document image. Next, the control device 20 controls the communication control device 50 to transmit the acquired document image to the destination specified by the display device 10.

  The image reading device 30 is, for example, a scanner, and reads a document placed on a document table and outputs the read document image to the control device 20 based on the control of the control device 20.

  The image output device 40 forms and outputs an image on a sheet based on the control of the control device 20. The image output device 40 includes a fixing device (not shown) that fixes the toner transferred onto the paper to the paper. In the present embodiment, the fixing device included in the image output apparatus 40 is a fixing device that allows the user to switch settings (printing settings) such as a fixing temperature according to the paper quality and a pressure during pressurization. Note that the setting of the fixing device may be changed under the control of the control device 20.

  The communication control device 50 transmits a document image or the like to be transmitted to a destination designated by the display device 10 based on the control of the control device 20. Further, the communication control apparatus 50 receives a print instruction from an information processing apparatus (not shown) connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication unit 200. The communication control device 50 outputs the received print instruction (image formation instruction) to the control device 20.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the control device 20 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the control device 20.

  The control device 20 includes an input / output unit 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a CPU 203, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 204.

  The input / output unit 201 transmits / receives data to / from the display device 10, the image reading device 30, the image output device 40, and the communication control device 50. The ROM 202 stores a program for controlling the printing order of each page included in the printing instruction. The CPU 203 reads and executes a program stored in the ROM 202. The RAM 204 stores temporary data used when executing the program.

  Next, an example of functions provided in the control device 20 will be described. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of functions provided in the control device 20. The control device 20 includes a reception unit 211, a control unit 212, and a notification unit 213. The reception unit 211, the control unit 212, and the notification unit 213 are realized by calculation by the CPU 203 of a program stored in the ROM 202.

  The receiving unit 211 receives a print instruction from the communication control device 50. The print instruction includes image information of each page and paper quality information specifying the paper quality of the paper on which the image is formed for each page. The receiving unit 211 outputs the received print instruction to the control unit 212.

  The control unit 212 receives a print instruction from the reception unit 211. For example, the control unit 212 receives a print instruction illustrated in FIG. FIG. 4A is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a print instruction. In the print instruction shown in FIG. 4A, numerals represent page numbers. The characters “plain paper” or “thick paper” below the page number represent the paper quality designated for the corresponding page. In the print instruction shown in FIG. 4A, the paper quality is specified so that pages 1, 2, 6 and 8 are formed on plain paper and pages 3 to 5 and 8 are formed on thick paper.

  In addition, the control unit 212 acquires the setting of the fixing device 401 included in the image output device 40 from the image output device 40. The user needs to switch the setting of the fixing device 401 according to the paper quality. Therefore, the control unit 212 obtains the current setting of the fixing device 401 to determine the paper quality on which image formation is possible with the current setting of the fixing device.

  The control unit 212 controls the image output apparatus 40 so as to sequentially output pages in which paper quality that matches the current setting of the fixing device is designated. For example, it is assumed that the setting of the fixing device is a setting suitable for image formation on plain paper. Then, it is assumed that the control unit 212 receives a print instruction illustrated in FIG. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4B, the control unit 212 sequentially outputs the 1, 2, 6, and 8 pages in which the paper quality (plain paper) that matches the setting of the fixing device is designated. The output device 40 is controlled.

  When the output of the page in which the paper quality that matches the current setting of the fixing device is finished and there is a page in which another paper quality is specified in the print instruction, the control unit 212 instructs the notification unit 213 to change the setting. Is output. Here, the setting switching instruction is to switch the setting of the fixing device from the current setting (first print setting) to a setting suitable for image formation on other paper quality (second print setting). It is for instructing. In the example of FIG. 4B, after outputting 8 pages, the control unit 212 outputs a setting switching instruction to the notification unit 213. When the setting of the fixing device is changed, the control unit 212 controls the image output device 40 so as to sequentially output pages in which paper quality suitable for the changed setting of the fixing device is designated. In the example of FIG. 4, when the setting of the fixing device is changed to a setting suitable for image formation on thick paper, the control unit 212 sequentially outputs pages 3, 4, 5, and 7 To control.

  The notification unit 213 receives a setting switching instruction from the control unit 212. When the setting switching instruction is received, the notification unit 213 notifies the user that the setting of the fixing device needs to be changed. For example, the notification unit 213 displays a message for notifying the user to change the setting of the fixing device on the display device 10. In the example of FIG. 4, after 8 pages are output, the notification unit 213 notifies the user to switch the setting of the fixing device to a setting suitable for image formation on “thick paper”. In response to the notification from the notification unit 213, the user performs an operation for switching the setting of the fixing device 401.

  Next, an example of processing executed by the control device 20 will be described. 5 and 6 are flowcharts illustrating an example of processing executed by the control device 20.

  First, the control unit 212 determines a print mode (step S11). Here, the printing mode is a mode in which printing conditions suitable for image formation are determined in advance according to the paper quality. In this embodiment, a plain paper printing mode that defines printing conditions suitable for image formation when the paper quality is “plain paper” and printing conditions that are suitable for image formation when the paper type is “thick paper” are defined. The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a thick paper printing mode. The printing conditions include the setting of the fixing device, the conveyance speed of the recording medium, and the like. The control unit 212 may determine the print mode based on the setting of the fixing device. For example, when the setting of the fixing device is a setting suitable for printing on plain paper, the control unit 212 may determine the print mode as the plain paper print mode. In addition, the control unit 212 may accept a print mode selection from the user via the display device 10 and determine the print mode.

  Next, the control unit 212 first acquires the data for the first page (step S13). Next, the control unit 212 determines whether or not the acquired page has been printed (step S15). The control unit 212 determines whether or not the acquired page has been printed by referring to page management data as shown in FIG. 7, for example.

  FIG. 7 is an example of page management data. The page management data manages whether or not the page stored in “page” has been printed. For example, the control unit 212 acquires the value stored in the “printed” item of the acquired page. When “YES” is stored in the “printed” item, the control unit 212 determines that the acquired page has been printed. When “NO” is stored in the “printed” item, the control unit 212 determines that the acquired page has not yet been printed.

  When the acquired page has been printed (step S15 / YES), the control unit 212 acquires data of the next page (step S17), and executes the processing from step S15.

  When the acquired page is not printed (step S15 / NO), the control unit 212 determines whether or not the setting of the fixing device is a setting corresponding to the print mode (step S19). Specifically, for example, when the printing mode is the plain paper printing mode, the control unit 212 determines whether or not the setting of the fixing device is a setting suitable for printing on plain paper. When the printing mode is the thick paper printing mode, the control unit 212 determines whether the setting of the fixing device is a setting suitable for printing thick paper.

  When the setting of the fixing device is not a setting corresponding to the print mode (step S19 / NO), the notification unit 213 notifies the user to change the setting of the fixing device (step S21).

  When the setting of the fixing device is a setting corresponding to the printing mode (step S19 / YES), the control unit 212 determines whether or not the printing mode is the plain paper printing mode (step S23). If the print mode is the plain paper print mode (step S23 / YES), it is determined whether or not the paper quality designated for the acquired page corresponds to the current print mode (step S25). That is, it is determined whether the paper quality designated for the acquired page is “plain paper”. Note that determining whether or not the print mode corresponds to the specified paper quality for the acquired page means whether or not the specified paper quality for the acquired page matches the setting of the fixing device. It means to judge.

  When the designated paper quality does not correspond to the current print mode (step S25 / NO), the control unit 212 determines whether a thumbnail image (aggregated image) already exists (step S27). Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the thumbnail image is an image in which one or a plurality of pages of images with a paper quality that does not correspond to the current print mode are collected on one sheet. For example, the thumbnail image is temporarily stored in the RAM 203.

  When the thumbnail image exists (step S27 / YES), the control unit 212 determines whether or not the last page included in the already created thumbnail image and the acquired page are continuous (step S29). For example, the control unit 212 refers to the thumbnail image management data shown in FIG. 9A and determines whether or not the last page included in the thumbnail image and the acquired page are continuous pages.

  FIG. 9A shows an example of thumbnail image management data. The thumbnail image management data includes items of “ID”, “page”, and “already output”. “ID” is a number that uniquely identifies a thumbnail image. “Page” represents a page included in the thumbnail image identified by the ID. The item “already output” indicates whether the thumbnail image identified by the ID has already been output. In the example of FIG. 9A, a thumbnail image identified by ID “1” already exists, and the thumbnail image includes 3 pages and 4 pages.

  When the last page included in the already created thumbnail image and the acquired page are continuous (step S29 / YES), the control unit 212 adds the acquired page to the existing thumbnail image (step S31). ). For example, when the thumbnail image management table is in the state shown in FIG. 9A, it is assumed that the acquired page is “5 pages”. In this case, the last page “4 pages” included in the already created thumbnail image and the acquired page (5 pages) are consecutive pages (step S29 / YES). Therefore, the control unit 212 adds five pages to the existing thumbnail image identified by the ID “1” as shown in FIG. 9B (step S31).

  When the last page included in the already created thumbnail image and the acquired page are not continuous (step S29 / NO), the control unit 212 creates a new thumbnail image (step S33). For example, when the thumbnail image management table is in the state shown in FIG. 9B, it is assumed that the acquired page is “7 pages”. In this case, the last page (5 pages) included in the existing thumbnail image identified by “ID” 1 and the acquired page (7 pages) are not continuous (step S29 / NO). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9C, the control unit 212 newly creates a thumbnail image identified by the ID “2” (step S33).

  If no thumbnail image exists (step S27 / NO), the control unit 212 creates a new thumbnail image (step S33).

  When the designated paper quality corresponds to the current print mode (step S25 / YES), the control unit 212 determines whether there is a thumbnail image that needs to be output (step S35). In the present embodiment, among the thumbnail images that have not yet been output, the thumbnail image in which the last page included in the thumbnail image is one page before the acquired page is the thumbnail image that needs to be output. Therefore, the control unit 212 determines whether or not there is a thumbnail image that is stored in the RAM 203 and has not been output yet, and the last page included in the thumbnail image is one page before the acquired page. To do. For example, if the acquired page is six pages, it is determined whether or not there is a thumbnail image whose last page included in the thumbnail image is five pages.

  When there is a thumbnail image that needs to be output (step S35 / YES), the control unit 212 controls the image output device 40 to output a thumbnail image (step S37). Then, the control unit 212 controls the image output device 40 to print the acquired page, and sets a printed flag for the printed page in the page management table (step S39). If there is no thumbnail image that needs to be output (step S35 / NO), the page acquired by controlling the image output device 40 is printed, and a printed flag is set for the printed page in the page management table. (Step S39).

  Next, when the process of step S31, step S33, or step S39 ends, the control unit 212 determines whether the acquired page is the last page (FIG. 6: step S41). When the acquired page is not the final page (step S41 / NO), the control unit 212 acquires data of the next page (FIG. 5: step S17), and executes the processing from step S15.

  When the acquired page is the last page (step S41 / YES), the control unit 212 determines whether there is a thumbnail image that needs to be output (step S43). Specifically, for example, the control unit 212 determines whether there is a thumbnail image that has not been output yet among the thumbnail images held in the RAM 203.

  When there is a thumbnail image that needs to be output (step S43 / YES), the control unit 212 controls the image output device 40 to output a thumbnail image (step S45). Specifically, when there is a thumbnail image that has not yet been output among the thumbnail images held in the RAM 203, the control unit 212 determines that there is a thumbnail image that needs to be output (step S43 / YES). Then, the control unit 212 controls the image output device 40 to output a thumbnail image that has not been output yet (step S45).

  When there is no thumbnail image that needs to be output (step S43 / NO), or when the process of step S45 ends, the control unit 212 determines whether all pages included in the print instruction have been printed (step S43 / NO). Step S47). If all pages have not been printed (step S47 / NO), the control unit 212 changes the print mode (step S49), and executes the processing from step S13. If all pages have been printed (step S47 / YES), the control unit 212 ends this process.

  When the print mode is not the plain paper print mode (FIG. 5: Step S23 / NO), the control unit 212 determines whether or not the paper quality designated for the acquired page corresponds to the current print mode ( FIG. 6: Step S51). When the paper quality designated for the acquired page does not correspond to the current print mode (step S51 / NO), the control unit 212 executes the processing from step S41 described above.

  When the paper quality designated for the acquired page corresponds to the current print mode (step S51 / YES), the control unit 212 determines whether it is necessary to create a thumbnail image (step S53). Specifically, for example, the control unit 212 determines whether any thumbnail image stored in the RAM 204 has been output. Then, if any of the thumbnail images stored in the RAM 204 has been output, the control unit 212 determines that it is not necessary to create a thumbnail image.

  When it is necessary to create a thumbnail image (step S53 / YES), the control unit 212 determines whether a thumbnail image already exists (step S55). When the thumbnail image already exists (step S55 / YES), the control unit 212 determines whether or not the last page included in the already created thumbnail image and the acquired page are continuous (step S57). When the last page included in the already created thumbnail image and the acquired page are continuous pages (step S57 / YES), the control unit 212 adds the acquired page to the existing thumbnail image (step S57). S59).

  When the last page included in the already created thumbnail image and the acquired page are not continuous (step S57 / NO), the control unit 212 creates a new thumbnail image (step S61). If no thumbnail image exists (step S55 / NO), the control unit 212 creates a new thumbnail image (step S61).

  When it is not necessary to create a thumbnail image (step S53 / NO), after the process of step S59 or the process of step S61, the control unit 212 controls the image output device 40 to print the acquired page, A printed flag is set in the page management table (step S63). Thereafter, the control unit 212 performs the processing from step S41 described above.

  An image output result when the control processing according to the present embodiment described above is performed on the print instruction shown in FIG. Note that the printing mode at the start of image formation is the plain paper printing mode. In the printing instruction shown in FIG. 10A, first, as shown in FIG. 10B, pages 1 and 2 in which “plain paper” is designated as the paper quality are printed first. Next, a thumbnail image including images of 3 to 5 pages in which “thick paper” is designated as the paper quality between the second page and the sixth page is output before the sixth page. After that, after 6 pages with “plain paper” designated as the paper quality are printed again, thumbnail images including images of 7 pages between the 6th page and the 8th page are printed before the 8th page. . Next, 8 pages on which “plain paper” is printed are printed. When the switching operation of the fixing device by the user is completed, pages 3 to 5 and 7 in which “thick paper” is designated as the paper quality are printed.

  FIG. 10C shows an image output result when the print instruction shown in FIG. 10A is processed by the conventional image forming apparatus that does not perform the control process according to the present embodiment. When the control processing according to the present embodiment is not performed, each page is printed according to the page order of the print instruction. Since it is necessary to switch the setting of the fixing device 401 according to the paper quality, when image formation is performed according to the page order of the print instruction, four switching operations occur. Since the printing process is interrupted each time a switching operation occurs, the productivity associated with image formation decreases as the number of switching operations increases. On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10B, the switching operation is performed once. That is, according to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the operation for switching the setting of the fixing device is less than that of the image forming apparatus that does not perform the control process of the present embodiment, and the printing process is interrupted. The frequency decreases. Thereby, a decrease in productivity related to image formation is suppressed. In other words, since the time required for the switching operation is shortened, the time from the start of image formation based on the print instruction to the end of image formation is shortened, and the productivity for image formation is improved.

  As apparent from the above description, in the above embodiment, the receiving unit 211 receives a print instruction including image information of each page and paper quality information specifying the paper quality of the recording material forming the image for each page. Upon receipt, the control unit 212 outputs all pages in which the paper quality conforming to the first print setting (setting suitable for image formation on plain paper or setting suitable for image formation on thick paper) is designated. The image output device 40 is controlled to do so. Then, the control unit 212 finishes outputting all pages for which the paper quality suitable for the first print setting is specified, and the first print setting is switched to the second print setting (plain paper → thick paper). Or from thick paper to plain paper), the image output apparatus 40 is controlled so as to output all the pages in which the paper quality conforming to the second print setting is designated. According to the present embodiment, after pages with paper quality suitable for the setting of the fixing device are collectively output, the setting of the fixing device is switched, and the paper quality suitable for the changed setting of the fixing device is designated. Pages are output together. As a result, the number of operations for switching the setting of the fixing device is reduced, and the number of times the printing process is interrupted is reduced. Therefore, a decrease in image formation productivity due to the interruption of the printing process is suppressed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 212 controls the control unit 212 when, for example, a page in which thick paper is specified exists between a page in which plain paper is specified and a page in which plain paper is specified next. The unit 212 causes the image output device 40 to output a thumbnail image in which pages designated with thick paper are collected on a single sheet. That is, when printed pages are discontinuous, pages existing between discontinuous pages are output as thumbnail images. Since the output thumbnail image can be used when rearranging the order of the printed matter collectively printed for each paper quality, the order of the printed matter collectively printed for each paper quality is rearranged to the page order of the print instruction. The convenience of the user who performs the work is improved.

  In the case where the page number is discontinuous, when the paper on which the page is printed is discharged, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the discharge position is set to that of the paper discharged immediately before. The output may be shifted (offset) from the discharge position. In FIG. 11A, after 2 pages are printed, the next page to be printed is 6 pages, and the page numbers are discontinuous. In this case, the control unit 212 controls the image output device 40 so that the discharge position of the sheet on which the six pages are printed is the sheet discharged immediately before (the two pages are printed) as shown in FIG. The paper is discharged out of position.

  Further, after printing 6 pages, the next page to be printed is 8 pages, and the page numbers are discontinuous. In this case, the control unit 212 controls the image output device 40 so that the discharge position of the paper on which 8 pages have been printed is shown in FIG. 11 (A). The paper is discharged out of position. In addition, after switching the fixing device, after printing 5 pages, 7 pages are printed next, and the page numbers are discontinuous. In this case, the control unit 212 controls the image output device 40 to set the discharge position of the paper on which the seventh page is printed as shown in FIGS. 11 (A) and 11 (B). The paper is printed out from the paper output position.

  Note that when thumbnail images are printed, the discharge position may not be shifted even for pages with discontinuous page numbers (FIG. 11B). Alternatively, the thumbnail image discharge position may be shifted from the discharge position of each page as shown in FIG. By offsetting the discharge position as described above, the location where the page is discontinuous is identified. Thereby, the convenience of the user who performs the operation of rearranging the printed matter collectively printed for each paper quality in the page order of the print instruction is improved.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12B, the control unit 212 may output an image representing the configuration of all pages at the start or end of the printing process. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 12B, hatching may be performed on a page on which thick paper is designated so that the paper quality designated on each page can be identified. Thereby, the configuration of the entire page included in the print instruction and the paper quality designated for each page are confirmed.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, the previously printed page is set in the interposer (temporary stacking unit) 60, and the previously printed page is changed to a page to be printed later so that the page order of the print instruction is obtained. You may make it insert. In FIG. 13, the image output device 40 prints a page in which “thick paper” is designated as the paper quality by setting the printing mode at the start of the printing process to the thick paper printing mode. The user sets the printed page in the interposer 60 as shown in FIG. Note that the image forming apparatus 100 may set the printed page in the interposer 60.

  When printing of a page in which “thick paper” is designated as the paper quality, the user changes the setting of the fixing device from the setting for thick paper to the setting for plain paper. When the setting of the fixing device is changed to the setting for plain paper, the image forming apparatus 100 prints a page in which “plain paper” is designated. The control unit 212 controls the interposer 60 to insert the pages 3 to 5 set in the interposer 60 between the second page and the sixth page so that the page order of the print instruction is obtained. Further, the control unit 212 controls the interposer 60 so that 7 pages set in the interposer 60 are inserted between the 6th page and the 8th page. As a result, the user need not perform the work of rearranging the printed matter collectively printed for each paper quality in the page order of the print instruction, thereby improving the convenience for the user. In addition, the time from the start of image formation to the rearrangement of output pages in the correct order is shortened.

  The above-described embodiments are a part of the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 includes the normal printing mode and the cardboard printing mode as the printing mode. However, the printing mode included in the image forming apparatus 100 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Absent. The image forming apparatus 100 may include, for example, an OHP print mode suitable for printing an OHP film.

  In the above-described embodiment, plain paper or thick paper is designated as the paper quality in the print instruction. However, paper quality other than plain paper or thick paper (for example, OHP, art paper, thin paper, etc.) for each page. May be specified. For example, in the print instruction shown in FIG. 14A, “plain paper”, “thick paper”, and “OHP” are designated as the paper quality. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 14B, the image forming apparatus 100 collectively outputs pages designated with plain paper, and then collectively outputs pages designated with thick paper. , OHP specified pages are output together.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the plain paper print mode is a print mode suitable for image formation on plain paper, and only the page designated as plain paper is printed. However, the plain paper printing mode is also suitable for image formation on other paper quality paper (for example, high-quality paper or art paper), and the paper quality that allows image formation in the plain paper printing mode is specified for the page. If so, the page may be output in the plain paper print mode. For example, in the print instruction shown in FIG. 14C, “plain paper”, “thick paper”, and “art paper” are designated as paper quality. The art paper is assumed to have a paper quality that allows image formation even in the plain paper printing mode. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 14B, the image forming apparatus 100 collectively outputs pages on which plain paper and art paper are designated, and then outputs the pages on which thick paper is designated. .

  In addition, the function which said control apparatus 20 has is realizable with the computer provided with CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. In that case, a program describing the processing contents of the functions that the control device 20 should have is provided. By executing the program on a computer, the above processing functions are realized on the computer. The program describing the processing contents can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium.

  When the program is distributed, for example, it is sold in the form of a portable recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) on which the program is recorded. It is also possible to store the program in a storage device of a server computer and transfer the program from the server computer to another computer via a network.

  The computer that executes the program stores, for example, the program recorded on the portable recording medium or the program transferred from the server computer in its own storage device. Then, the computer reads the program from its own storage device and executes processing according to the program. The computer can also read the program directly from the portable recording medium and execute processing according to the program. Further, each time the program is transferred from the server computer, the computer can sequentially execute processing according to the received program.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Display apparatus 20 ... Control apparatus 30 ... Image output apparatus 60 ... Interposer 100 ... Image forming apparatus 211 ... Reception part 212 ... Control part 213 ... Notification part 401 ... Fixing device

Claims (7)

A receiving unit that receives an image formation instruction including image information of each page, and paper quality information that specifies the paper quality of a recording material that forms an image for each page;
A control unit that controls the output device so as to output all pages in which a paper quality that conforms to the first print setting is specified among a plurality of print settings that define the settings of a device related to image formation;
When the output of all pages for which the paper quality suitable for the first print setting is specified is finished and the first print setting is switched to the second print setting, the control unit A control device that controls the output device to output all pages in which paper quality that conforms to the print setting is specified. The control unit is configured to output an output device that outputs an image in which all pages included in the image formation instruction are collected on a single recording material before or after output of the page included in the image formation instruction. Control
2. The control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein all the pages collected on the one recording material are displayed so as to identify a paper quality designated for each page.   In the case where the recording material on which the page number is discontinuous is discharged, the control unit discharges the recording material on which the previous page is printed when the recording material on which the page is printed is discharged. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the output device is controlled so as to be discharged with being offset with respect to the position.   The control unit exists between the page in which the paper quality that conforms to the first print setting is designated and the page in which the paper quality that conforms to the first print setting is designated next. 4. The output device according to claim 1, wherein the output device is configured to output an aggregated image in which pages designated with paper quality suitable for a print setting other than the print setting are integrated on a single recording material. Control device. The image forming apparatus includes a temporary stacking unit that temporarily stacks a paper-quality recording material that is output from the output device and conforms to the first print setting;
The control unit applies the recording material temporarily accumulated in the temporary accumulation unit to a paper-quality recording material that conforms to the second print setting output by the output device so that the page order of the image formation instruction is obtained. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the temporary stacking unit is controlled to be inserted. An image output device that forms and outputs an image on a specified paper-quality recording material;
A receiving unit that receives an image formation instruction including image information of each page, and paper quality information that specifies the paper quality of a recording material that forms an image for each page;
A control unit that controls the image output apparatus so as to output all pages in which a paper quality that conforms to the first print setting is specified among a plurality of print settings that define settings of devices related to image formation;
With
The control unit is configured to output the first print setting to the second print setting after the output of all pages in which the paper quality suitable for the first print setting is designated is completed. A control device for controlling the image output device so as to output all pages in which the paper quality conforming to the second print setting is designated;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A receiving step of receiving an image forming instruction including image information of each page, and paper quality information specifying the paper quality of the recording material forming the image for each page;
An image is formed and output on a recording material of a specified paper quality so that all pages in which a paper quality that conforms to the first print setting is specified among a plurality of print settings that define device settings relating to image formation are output. A first control step for controlling the output device to perform,
When the output of all pages for which the paper quality conforming to the first print setting is specified is finished and the switching from the first print setting to the second print setting is finished, the second print setting is set. A second control step for controlling the output device so as to output all pages in which the paper quality conforming to the above is designated;
A control program that causes a computer to execute.

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