JP2016031469A - Printing system and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

When printing including a spot color, the image forming order of each toner image and the arrangement order of the image forming units do not match, the case where the arrangement order is changed to match, and the image forming unit is selectively operated. However, it is difficult to select a more preferable printing method. A plurality of image forming units are detachably arranged, a printing unit capable of performing 1 or N (plurality) pass printing, a control unit 301 for performing a first determination, and a second determination. A rearrangement determination unit 214 for performing one-pass printing when it is determined in the first determination that the order of image formation and the order of arrangement of the image forming units are the same. When the second determination is made, and when the one-pass printing after rearrangement is selected in the second determination, the user is informed to prompt the user to rearrange the image forming units, and the one-pass printing is performed. If N-pass printing is selected, N-pass printing is executed. [Selection] Figure 12

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system and an image forming apparatus capable of performing image generation processing a plurality of times on the same surface of a recording sheet.

  When printing that includes special colors such as undercoat or coating, the order from the recording surface of the special color layer formed by these printings and the image layer formed based on image data such as normal color printing is specified. Therefore, a plurality of image forming units arranged along the transfer path of the transfer medium to individually form the toner images of the special color layer and the image layer, and the formed toner images in the order of arrangement of the image forming units It is necessary that the order of transfer performed by the transfer unit that sequentially transfers the images is the specified order.

  Therefore, when the arrangement order of the plurality of image forming units is not arranged so as to be the specific order, the arrangement order of the plurality of image forming units is specified by the user so as to be changed so as to become the specific order. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1) or a transfer medium is guided a plurality of times to a conveyance path in which a plurality of image forming units are arranged, and a toner image generated only by the image forming unit selected at the time of one pass is transferred. There has been a method (for example, see Patent Document 2) in which the processing is repeated so that the transfer order becomes the specified order.

JP 2008-151971 (page 13, FIG. 8) JP 2012-63399 A (pages 22 to 23, FIG. 8)

However, by changing the arrangement order of the image forming units, the transfer medium passes through the conveyance path in which the plurality of image forming units are arranged only once, and the transfer medium can be transferred without changing the arrangement order of the image forming units. About the method of passing the said conveyance path over multiple times, since one side is excellent and the other is inferior depending on use conditions, it was difficult to determine which one method to select.
In addition, when the transfer medium is guided to a conveyance path in which a plurality of image forming units are arranged a plurality of times, the same processing operation is repeated, so that it may be erroneously recognized as a malfunction.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes:
A plurality of image forming units that generate developer images for a plurality of colors are detachably arranged in order from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium to be conveyed, and the developer images are sequentially stacked on the recording surface of the recording medium. Transferable image forming section, and a medium conveying section that allows the recording medium to pass through the image forming section 1 or N (plural) times, and allows a developer image to be transferred to the same recording surface during each sheet passing. The developer images selected and generated from the plurality of image forming units at the time of paper passing are transferred, and the stacking order of the developer images is set in a desired order by the 1 or N (multiple) paper passing. A printing section capable of performing printing, an image data input section for inputting image data to be printed, an operation panel section for displaying apparatus information and inputting user instruction information, and printing including printing conditions The print information setting unit that sets the information and the entire device are controlled. Based on the image data and the print information, an overlapping order of the developer images is determined, and whether or not the overlapping order of the developer images coincides with the arrangement order of the plurality of image forming units. The control unit that performs the determination of 1 and the N times of paper passing printing that performs the printing by N (plurality) times of paper passing or the rearrangement of the plurality of image forming units and the printing by one time of paper passing A rearrangement determination unit that performs a second determination for selecting whether to perform one-time sheet printing, and the one-time sheet printing or the N-time sheet printing based on the image data and the print information. A print data generation unit for generating print data for
When it is determined in the first determination that the order in which the developer images overlap and the arrangement order of the plurality of image forming units match, the one-time sheet passing printing is performed.
If it is determined in the first determination that the order in which the developer images are superimposed and the arrangement order of the plurality of image forming units do not match, the second determination is performed.
When the one-time sheet passing printing after the rearrangement is selected, the user is informed to prompt the rearrangement of the plurality of image forming units, and the user confirms that the rearrangement has been performed by the user. Executes continuous paper printing,
When the N-time sheet passing printing is selected, the N-sheet passing printing is executed.

The printing system according to the present invention comprises:
A plurality of image forming units that generate developer images for a plurality of colors are detachably arranged in order from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium to be conveyed, and the developer images are sequentially stacked on the recording surface of the recording medium. Transferable image forming section, and a medium conveying section that allows the recording medium to pass through the image forming section 1 or N (plural) times, and allows a developer image to be transferred to the same recording surface during each sheet passing. The developer images selected and generated from the plurality of image forming units at the time of paper passing are transferred, and the stacking order of the developer images is set in a desired order by the 1 or N (multiple) paper passing. A printing device having a printing unit capable of performing printing, a first communication control unit that executes communication with the host device, and a first control unit that controls the entire device,
Print information including a second communication control unit that executes communication with the printing device, an input / output unit that displays device information and inputs user instruction information, an application that creates image data, and printing conditions A printing information setting unit for setting the image forming apparatus, and the entire apparatus, and determines a stacking order of the developer images based on the image data and the printing information. The stacking order of the developer images and the plurality of images A second control unit that performs a first determination as to whether or not the arrangement order of the forming units is the same; and N times of paper-pass printing for performing the printing by N (plurality) of paper passes or A rearrangement determination unit for performing a second determination for selecting whether to perform one-time sheet-passing printing, in which a plurality of image forming units are rearranged and the printing is performed by one-time sheet passing, the image data, and the print information On the basis of the one-time paper-pass printing or the N times And a print data generating unit that generates print data for printing on paper,
When it is determined in the first determination that the order in which the developer images are overlapped with the order in which the plurality of image forming units are arranged, the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus and the one time Instruct to print paper,
If it is determined in the first determination that the order in which the developer images are superimposed and the arrangement order of the plurality of image forming units do not match, the second determination is performed.
When the one-time sheet passing printing after the rearrangement is selected, the user is notified to prompt the rearrangement of the plurality of image forming units, and the user confirms that the rearrangement has been performed, and Send print data to the printing device and instruct one-time printing
And a host device that transmits the print data to the printing apparatus and instructs N times of paper printing when the N-time paper printing is selected.

Another image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes:
A plurality of image forming units that generate developer images for a plurality of colors including a spot color are detachably arranged in order from the upstream side in the transport direction of the transported recording medium, and sequentially arranged on one recording surface of the recording medium. An image forming unit capable of transferring developer images superimposed thereon, and the recording medium passed through the image forming unit 1 or N (multiple) times, and the developer image can be transferred to the same recording surface at each sheet passing And transferring a developer image selected and generated from the plurality of image forming units at the time of paper passing, and superimposing the developer images by passing the paper one or N times (multiple). A printing unit capable of performing printing including spot colors in the desired order; and
An image data input unit for inputting image data to be printed, an informing unit for informing apparatus information,
A print information setting unit that sets print information including a print condition, and a third control unit that performs any one of the one-time sheet printing and the N-time sheet printing based on the print information;
The third control unit is characterized by notifying a printing method to be executed by the notification unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform printing by a more preferable method regardless of use conditions. In addition, since the user can confirm the printing method, it is possible to prevent misidentification of the printing operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a main configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment employed in a printing system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram schematically showing a white (W) image forming unit together with a transfer belt, a corresponding transfer roller, a recording sheet, and a corresponding LED head. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a printer control system and a main configuration of a personal computer as a host device that constitute the printing system according to the first embodiment. The five image forming units when the image forming order and the arrangement order of the image forming units match are shown together with the exposure head, the transfer roller, and the recording paper. (A) and (b) show the five image forming units together with the exposure head, the transfer roller, and the recording paper when the image forming order and the arrangement order of the image forming units do not match. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a conveyance path along which a recording sheet is conveyed during one-pass printing. (A), (b), and (c) are operation | movement explanatory drawings which showed the conveyance path | route in which a recording paper is conveyed at the time of 2 pass printing. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of each process performed between the user, the printer driver of the PC, and the printer from when the user inputs print information to the PC and requests the printing until the printer executes printing. It is a figure which shows the menu displayed on the display part of an input / output part at the time of mode selection. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between a selected mode, a weight Wt for printing completion time, a weight Wd for photoconductor drum consumption, and a weight Wb for transfer belt consumption. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the content of a message displayed on the input / output unit when the image forming unit is rearranged. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the control system of the image forming apparatus of Embodiment 2 by this invention.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a main configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment employed in a printing system according to the present invention.

  A printer 1 as a printing apparatus is used to form a color image, for example, white (as a special color for forming a background) on four colors of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). W), an electrophotographic printer capable of printing is provided, and as shown in the figure, a sheet tray 2, an image forming unit 3, and a fixing unit 4 are provided, and each of these units is used as a recording medium. A paper feed roller 5 for transporting the recording paper 25, transport roller pairs 6a to 6j, a discharge roller pair 8, and transport path switching guides 9a and 9b are provided.

The paper tray 2 accommodates recording paper 25 in a stacked state therein, and is detachably attached to the lower part in the printer 1. The paper feed roller 5 takes out the recording paper 25 stored in the paper tray 2 one by one from the top and feeds it to the paper transport path R1. The conveyance roller pairs 6 a and 6 b correct the skew of the recording paper 25 and convey it to the image forming unit 3.
In the figure, the alternate long and short dash line and its arrow schematically show the conveyance path and the conveyance direction of the recording paper 25.

  The image forming unit 3 records the toner images formed by the five image forming units 21, the exposure heads 26 to 30, which are detachably disposed along the paper conveyance path, and the respective image forming units 21 as will be described later. 25 includes a transfer processing unit 7 that transfers the image by 25 using Coulomb force.

  Five image forming units arranged in series in order from the upstream side of the sheet conveyance path, that is, the image forming unit 21W for white (W), the image forming unit 21K for black (K), and the image forming for yellow (Y). The unit 21Y, the magenta (M) image forming unit 21M, and the cyan (C) image forming unit 21C (which may be simply 21 when there is no particular need to distinguish) all have the same configuration. Only the color of the toner as the developer used, that is, white (W), black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) is different.

  The transfer processing unit 7 is paired with a transfer belt 7a that electrostatically attracts and conveys the recording paper 25, a drive roller 7b that is driven to rotate by a drive unit (not shown), and drives the transfer belt 7a, and a drive roller 7b. The toner formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 is disposed so as to be in pressure contact with the tension roller 7c over which the belt 7a is stretched and the photosensitive drum 41 of each image forming unit 21 via the transfer belt 7a. Transfer rollers 31 to 35 to which a voltage is applied so as to transfer the image onto the recording paper 25 are provided.

  The stacker 10 stacks recording sheets printed by the printer 1 and discharged by the discharge roller pair 8, and an operation panel 11 disposed in a predetermined part of the printer 1 has an input unit for inputting data by the user and the user And a display unit for displaying information related to the printer 1.

Here, the configuration of the image forming unit 21 </ b> W including white (W) toner will be described.
The image forming unit 21K includes black (K) toner, the image forming unit 21Y includes yellow (Y) toner, the image forming unit 21M includes magenta (M) toner, and cyan (C) toner. The image forming unit 21C has the same configuration as that of the image forming unit 21W including white (W) toner, except that only the color of the toner is different.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram schematically showing a white (W) image forming unit 21 </ b> W together with the transfer belt 7 a, the corresponding transfer roller 31, the recording paper 25, and the corresponding exposure head 26.

  As shown in the figure, in the image forming unit 21W, a photosensitive drum 41 is rotatably arranged in the direction of the arrow, and around the photosensitive drum 41, the photosensitive drum 41 is sequentially arranged from the upstream side in the rotation direction. A charging roller 42 for contacting and charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 with a certain pressure to charge and exposing the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 41 to light (exposure) to form an electrostatic latent image 26. Is disposed.

  Further, a developing unit 49 for generating a toner image in which the electrostatic latent image is developed by attaching a toner 48 of a predetermined color (here, white) to the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, and the photosensitive member A cleaning blade 44 for removing residual toner remaining when the toner image on the drum 41 is transferred to the recording paper 25 is provided. For this reason, the cleaning blade 44 is formed of an elastic body, and is arranged so that the edge portion thereof is in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 with a constant pressure.

  The developing unit 49 stores and supplies toner 48 (here, white) and supplies toner 48, the developing roller 43, the supply roller 46 that supplies the toner 48 supplied from the toner cartridge 45 to the developing roller 43, and the developing roller 43 A developing blade 47 for thinning the toner 48 is formed, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 is visualized, that is, developed by the thinned toner 48. The image forming unit 21W is configured to detachably dispose the toner cartridge 45 above the supply roller 46.

  The developing roller 43 and the supply roller 46 are arranged in parallel with each other so as to be in contact with each other with a constant pressure, and rotate in the direction of the arrow (same direction) shown in FIG. Further, as shown in the figure, the developing blade 47 and the developing roller 43 are arranged in parallel to each other so that, for example, a bent portion of the developing blade 47 contacts the peripheral surface of the developing roller 43 with a constant pressure.

  As shown in FIG. 1, transfer rollers 31 to 35 respectively transfer the recording paper 25 by electrostatically absorbing and transporting the recording paper 25 at positions facing the respective photosensitive drums 41 of the five image forming units 21 described above. It is arrange | positioned in the state press-contacted via. The transfer rollers 31 to 35 respectively transfer the toner images on the corresponding photosensitive drums 41 to the recording paper 25. At the time of the transfer, the surface potentials of the photosensitive drums 41 and the respective photosensitive drums 41 are transferred. A voltage for applying a predetermined potential difference to the surface potential of the correspondingly arranged transfer rollers 31 to 35 is applied.

  The fixing unit 4 includes a heating roller 4a and a pressure roller 4b inside, and fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording paper 25 by applying pressure and heating. The transfer rollers 31 to 35 and the rollers of the fixing unit 4 are rotationally driven through a motor (not shown) in the main body of the printer 1 and several gears of different systems, whereby the transfer process and the fixing process are executed.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a control system that controls the operation of the printer 1 according to the present invention, and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) as a host device that transmits print data to the printer 1. 2) is a block diagram showing a main configuration of 200.

  As shown in the figure, the printer 1 includes a printer control unit 110 as a first control unit that performs main control of the printer 1, a print control unit 111 that controls each module, a paper feed roller 5 and a conveyance roller pair 6a. To 6j, the discharge roller pair 8, the conveyance path switching guides 9a and 9b, and the like, a conveyance control unit 112 that controls the conveyance unit 102 as a medium conveyance unit, an image formation control unit 113 that controls the image forming unit 3, and a fixing unit 4 A fixing control unit 114 that controls the operation panel 11, an operation panel control unit 115 that controls the operation panel 11, and a printing time / consumable item consumption degree prediction unit 116 as a prediction unit that predicts the printing time and the consumption degree of consumables based on the print information. A calculation unit 120 that performs calculation processing, a storage unit 130 such as a ROM and a RAM, and a first communication control unit for communicating with the PC 200 via a USB cable or a network. And a communication control unit 117 of. Note that the print control unit 111 and the part that executes the printing operation thereby correspond to the printing unit.

  The print control unit 111 controls the entire printing operation, and when performing paper conveyance, the print control unit 111 requests the conveyance control unit 112 to control the conveyance unit 102 including a motor (not shown) and the like, and supplies the paper feed roller 5 and the conveyance roller pair 6a. To 6j, the transfer belt 7a, the discharge roller pair 8 and the like convey the paper and request the image forming control unit 113 to control the image forming unit 3 when performing image formation, and fix the developer image when fixing the developer image. The fixing control unit 114 is requested to control the unit 4. The operation panel control unit 115 controls the operation panel 11 to perform menu display, alarm display, detection of input operation by the user, and the like.

  A PC 200 as a host device that transmits print data to the printer 1 includes a printer driver 210 corresponding to the printer 1, application software (hereinafter referred to as an application) 220 such as text creation software, a display unit, and an operation input unit. And a communication control unit 230 as a second communication control unit that performs communication control with an external device such as the printer 1.

  The printer driver 210 displays a print setting screen via a printer driver control unit 211 as a second control unit that performs main control, and a user via the input / output unit 225, and print information setting for setting print information. Unit 212, print data generation unit 213 that generates print data from image data and print information, an image forming unit when the order of superimposing toner images and the color arrangement of image forming unit 21 differ in printing including a spot color The image forming unit rearrangement determination unit 214 is provided as a rearrangement determination unit that determines whether to prompt replacement of 21 or to perform printing as it is.

  In printing in which white (W) as a special color for forming a background is added, a white (W) special color layer as a background is first formed on the recording surface of the recording paper 25, and black (K), A color image layer composed of four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) is formed. Therefore, at the time of printing, first, a white toner image on the recording paper 25 is transferred, and then four color toner images, here, black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are used. The toners are sequentially superimposed and transferred.

Next, when performing printing including the above-described special colors, a desired toner image overlapping order (image forming order), here, white (W), black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan ( C) and the arrangement order of the five image forming units 21 from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording paper 25 in the image forming unit 3 are as follows:
(A) If they match,
(B) If they do not match,
Differences in print processing will be described.

(A: If they match)
FIG. 4 shows the five image forming units 21 in the image forming unit 3 at this time together with the exposure heads 26 to 30, the transfer rollers 31 to 35, and the recording paper 25. However, for simplicity, each image forming unit 21 shows only the photosensitive drum 41.

  In this case, the white (W) toner first formed on the white (W) image forming unit 21W on the recording surface of the recording paper 25 conveyed in the direction of the arrow along the image forming unit 3 along the paper conveyance path R2. The image transfer is started, and black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) toner images are sequentially transferred at different timings so as to overlap therewith. As a result, the printing including the spot color can be completed only by passing the recording paper 25 once through the image forming unit 3. Hereinafter, when the recording paper 25 is passed through the image forming unit 3 K times to complete printing including a special color, it may be referred to as K-pass printing.

  FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a conveyance path along which the recording paper 25 is conveyed during the one-pass printing.

  As shown in the figure, the recording paper 25 placed on the paper tray 2 is fed to the paper transport path R1 by the paper feed roller 5, and after the skew feeding is corrected by the transport roller pair 6a, 6b, the image forming unit. 3 is conveyed. In the process of being transported through the paper transport path R2 of the image forming unit 3, the recording paper 25 on which the toner images of the respective colors are transferred in the desired order as described above is transported after the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 4. The paper is guided to the paper transport path R3 by the roller pair 6c and the transport path switching guide 9a, and is discharged to the stacker 10 by the transport roller pair 6d and the discharge roller pair 8.

(B: If they do not match)
FIG. 5 shows the five image forming units 21 in the image forming unit 3 at this time together with the exposure heads 26 to 30, the transfer rollers 31 to 35, and the recording paper 25. However, for simplicity, each image forming unit 21 shows only the photosensitive drum 41.

  As shown in the figure, here, in the image forming unit 3, the arrangement order of the five image forming units 21 from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording paper 25 is black (K), yellow (Y), magenta ( M), cyan (C), and white (W), and if one-pass printing is performed as it is, a white (W) special color layer to be used as a base is formed on the color image layer. Become.

in this case,
・ Replace the image forming unit.
-Perform 2-pass printing,
It is possible to print by selecting any one of the two methods, and these methods will be described below.

First, a method for changing the arrangement of the image forming unit 21 will be described.
In this case, for example, the five image forming units 21 of the image forming unit 3 that are detachably disposed by opening the lid disposed above the printer 1 are exposed, and the recording paper 25 from the upstream side in the transport direction is exposed. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the arrangement order of the five image forming units 21 is changed, and for white (W), black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). By performing the above-described one-pass printing, printing including spot colors can be completed. Here, the exposure heads 26 to 30 are configured such that, for example, the positions of the exposure heads 26 to 30 are not changed even when the image forming unit 21 is replaced by being held by a lid.

  Here, the description has been made so that all the five image forming units 21 are moved to change the arrangement shown in FIG. 5 to the arrangement shown in FIG. 4. However, when other conditions are satisfied, for example, the order of color superposition is changed. For example, when there is no problem with the image even if the image is changed, the white (W) image forming unit 21W and the black (K) image forming unit 21K positioned at the uppermost stream may be interchanged.

Next, a method for performing two-pass printing will be described.
In this case, the image forming unit 21 is not replaced, and the two-pass printing is performed.

  That is, in the first pass, as shown in FIG. 5A, a white (W) toner image is formed only on the white (W) image forming unit 21W and transferred to the recording paper 25 for fixing. In the second pass, as shown in FIG. 5B, black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) toner images are respectively transferred to the other four image forming units 21. Then, the toner images are sequentially transferred so as to be superimposed on the white (W) toner image. By performing two-pass printing in this way, printing including spot colors can be completed.

  FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a conveyance path along which the recording paper 25 is conveyed during the two-pass printing.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the recording paper 25 placed on the paper tray 2 is first fed out to the paper transport path R1 by the paper feed roller 5, and the skew is corrected by the transport roller pairs 6a and 6b. After that, it is conveyed to the image forming unit 3. At this time, white (W) formed by the image forming unit 21W for white (W) arranged at the last stage as described in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7B, the recording paper 25 on which only the toner image of (W) is transferred to the recording surface is fixed by the fixing unit 4 and then the conveyance roller pair 6c and the conveyance path switching guide 9a. To the paper transport path R4.

  Thereafter, the recording paper 25 guided to the paper transport path R5 by the transport roller pair 6e and the transport path switching guide 9b is transported through the paper transport paths R5 and R8 by the transport roller pairs 6f, 6h, and 6i, and the transport roller pair 6j, After the skew is corrected by 6b, it is conveyed again to the image forming unit 3 with the recording surface facing upward as shown in FIG.

  At this time, in the process of being conveyed on the sheet conveyance path R2 of the image forming unit 3, as described with reference to FIG. 5B, black (K) and yellow (Y) respectively formed by the other four image forming units 21. ), Magenta (M), cyan (C) toner images are sequentially transferred so that the toner images of white (W) are superimposed on the toner image of the white (W). The paper is guided to the paper transport path R3 by the pair 6c and the transport path switching guide 9a, and is discharged to the stacker 10 by the transport roller pair 6d and the discharge roller pair 8.

  Here, an example of two-pass printing with a special color (white) added as the background has been shown. However, if more than two special colors are added by adding clear, etc. However, in this case, the paper transport paths R4, R5, and R8 are passed through each time.

  The printer 1 has a configuration that supports double-sided printing. In this case, the recording paper 25 that has finished printing on the first surface (front surface) is guided to the paper transport path R4 by the transport roller pair 6c and the transport path switching guide 9a (see FIG. 7B), and further the transport roller. After being guided to the reverse pull-in path R6 by the pair 6e and the transport path switching guide 9b, it is guided to the paper transport path R8 via the reverse path R7. Thereafter, the skew feeding is corrected by the pair of conveyance rollers 6j and 6b, and the recording sheet 25 is conveyed again to the image forming unit 3 with the second side (back side) facing up, and printing on both sides is performed. The paper is guided to the paper transport path R3 by the pair 6c and the transport path switching guide 9a, and discharged to the stacker 10 by the transport roller pair 6d and the discharge roller pair 8.

  In the present embodiment, when the order in which toner images are superposed and the color arrangement of the image forming unit 21 in the image forming unit 3 are different in printing including special colors, the print completion time and the consumable consumption are evaluated as indices. Then, a printing method for automatically urging replacement (rearrangement) of the image forming units 21 or printing N (N is plural) without rearranging is automatically determined. Hereinafter, the determination process will be described.

  FIG. 8 shows various processes performed between the user shown in FIG. 3, the printer driver 210 of the PC 200, and the printer 1 from when the user inputs print information to the PC 200 and requests the printing until the printer 1 executes printing. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of a process. In the figure, the processing number 1. -15. Is provided for convenience.

  The user prints on the print setting screen displayed by the printer driver 210 via the input / output unit 225, including print conditions such as paper size, weight (thickness), number of copies, duplex / single-sided setting, spot color setting, and printing mode. Information is specified and printing is requested (Process 1). In this printing mode, weighting is given to how much priority is given to the print completion time and the consumable consumption level in determining the printing method. For example, a menu as shown in FIG. And the user is allowed to select any one of the three modes of the longevity priority mode, the productivity priority mode, and the balance mode. In this selection, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the print completion time weight Wt, the photosensitive drum consumption weight Wd, and the transfer belt consumption weight Wb are set according to the mode to be selected. Will be described later.

  Here, the predetermined weights Wt, Wd, and Wb are set in correspondence with the selected mode. However, these weights may be arbitrarily directly specified by the user.

  In the printer driver 210, processing 1. Based on the print information set in step 1 and the image data separately created by the application software 220, the image forming order that is the overlapping order of the toner images is determined (processing 2.). Further, the arrangement order of the image forming units 21, that is, the arrangement order of the five image forming units 21 from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording paper 25 in the image forming unit 3 is obtained for the printer 1, and this arrangement information is acquired. (Process 3.).

  Processing 2. The printer driver control unit 211 of the printer driver 210 determines the order of toner image formation in step 3. The arrangement order of the five image forming units 21 is detected by processing color detection means (not shown) that detects the processing color of each image forming unit 21 provided in the printer 1 by the printer control unit 110 of the printer 1. It is recognized based on information.

Here, the printer driver 210 compares the order of toner image formation with the order of arrangement of the image forming units 21, and here, processing when these are different will be further described.
If the order of toner image formation matches the order of arrangement of the image forming units 21, print data for one-pass printing is generated by the print data generation unit 213 (processing 13.), and the generated print data is printed by the printer. 1 to request printing (process 14), and the printer 1 receives the print data and executes 1-pass printing (process 15).

  The printer driver 210 passes print information to the printer 1, and rearranges the image forming unit for determining whether to prompt the rearrangement of the image forming unit 21 or to perform N-pass printing (N is a plurality). Determination information is acquired (processing 4.).

  In the meantime, in the printer 1, the image forming unit rearrangement determination information is predicted and calculated by the printing time / consumable consumption prediction unit 116. That is, the printer 1 first obtains the required number of times of transfer N (equivalent to N for N-pass printing) based on the print information (process 5), and performs the following process 6 for predictive calculation. ~ Process 9. I do.

Process 6 Then, the printing time Tp1 at the time of 1-pass printing is predicted.
Considering the case of single-sided printing, if the number of printed pages is M, the paper length is Lps, the distance between papers is Lpi ′, and the total distance of the paper transport paths R1, R2, R3 through which the recording paper 25 passes is L1, The transport distance Ss1 ′ from the start to the end of printing is
Ss1 ′ = L1 + M × Lps + (M−1) × Lpi ′
It becomes. Also in the case of duplex printing, if the paper interval is replaced with the average paper interval Lpi in the image forming unit 3, the transport distance Ss1 from the start to the end of printing is the same.
Ss1 = L1 + M * Lps + (M−1) * Lpi
Can be expressed as

  However, since the value of the average sheet interval Lpi in the image forming unit 3 varies depending on the printing speed V, the sheet length Lps, the environment setting, and the like, the average sheet interval Lpi corresponding to the print setting is measured in advance and an appropriate value is obtained. Need to be able to get. Hereinafter, Lpi ′ will be described as an example of the average sheet interval Lpi.

From the above, assuming that the printing speed is V, the printing time Tp1 during one-pass printing is
Tp1 = Ss1 / V
Thus, the prediction calculation can be performed by the above formula.

Process 7 In this case, the consumption degree Dp1 of the photosensitive drum 41 and the consumption degree Bp1 of the transfer belt 7a during one-pass printing are predicted.
The calculation method here differs depending on the drive control method of the photosensitive drum 41 and the transfer belt 7a. However, in this case, the calculation method is simplified and is calculated on the assumption that the photosensitive drum 41 and the transfer belt 7a are always driven and controlled during paper conveyance. To do.

Assuming that the average rotation amount of the photosensitive drum 41 per page printing (average number of rotations × circumference length) is Ld, the degree of wear of the photosensitive drum 41 during one-pass printing (hereinafter referred to as drum count). Dp1 is
Dp1 = Ss1 / Ld
Predictive, and
When the average amount of rotation of the transfer belt 7a per page printing (average number of rotations × belt length) is Lb, the degree of wear of the transfer belt 7a during one-pass printing (hereinafter sometimes referred to as belt count) Bp1 Is
Bp1 = Ss1 / Lb
To predict and calculate.

Process 8 Then, the printing time Tp2 at the time of N (plurality) pass printing is predicted.
At this time, if the total distance of the paper transport paths R1, R2, and R3 through which the recording paper 25 passes is L1, the transport distance Ss2 from the start to the end of printing is
Ss2 = L1 + N × M × Lps + (N × M−1) × Lpi
It becomes. Therefore, if the printing speed is V, the printing time Tp2 during N-pass printing is
Tp2 = Ss2 / V
Thus, the prediction calculation can be performed by the above formula.

Process 9 Now, the consumption level Dp2 of the photosensitive drum 41 and the consumption level Bp2 of the transfer belt 7a during N-pass printing are predicted.
The calculation method here is processing 7. As in the case of 1-pass printing, if the photosensitive drum 41 and the transfer belt 7a are always driven and controlled during paper conveyance, the consumption level (drum count) Dp2 of the photosensitive drum 41 during N-pass printing is ,
Dp2 = Ss2 / Ld
Predictive, and
The degree of wear (belt count) Bp2 of the transfer belt 7a during N-pass printing is
Bp2 = Ss2 / Lb
To predict and calculate.

  The printer 1 uses the predicted information to determine the degree of wear (drum count) Di of the photosensitive drum 41, the degree of wear Bi of the transfer belt 7a, and the initial time in the mounting check / correction performed when rearranged. The image forming unit rearrangement determination information to which Ti is added is passed to the printer driver 210.

  The printer driver 210 includes the image forming unit rearrangement determination information, the average image forming unit replacement time Tc, the print completion time weight Wt corresponding to each print mode shown in FIG. 10, the photosensitive drum consumption weight Wd, and the transfer belt. Based on the consumption weight Wb, a comprehensive evaluation is performed using the time when printing is completed and the degree of consumption of consumables as an index for when the image forming unit 21 is rearranged for printing and when N-pass printing is performed without rearranging. A determination is made and one of the printing methods is selected (processing 10). Note that the average image forming unit replacement time Tc here is set in advance based on statistics. You may be able to set it with.

The determination method for comprehensive evaluation will be further described. When the image forming unit 21 is rearranged and printed, the print completion time T1 is
T1 = Ti + Tc + Tp1
Thus, the total image drum consumption level D1 and the total belt consumption level B1 when the image forming unit 21 is rearranged and printed are respectively D1 = Di + Dp1
B1 = Bi + Bp1
It becomes.

On the other hand, the print completion time T2 when N-pass printing is performed without rearranging the image forming unit 21 is as follows.
T2 = Tp2
Thus, the total image drum consumption level D2 and the total belt consumption level B2 when N-pass printing is performed without rearranging the image forming unit 21 are D2 = Dp2 respectively.
B2 = Bp2
It becomes.

An evaluation function J1 when the image forming unit 21 is rearranged and printed, and an evaluation function J2 when N-pass printing is performed without rearranging the image forming unit 21 are defined as follows:
J1 = Wd × D1 + Wb × B1 + Wt × T1
J2 = Wd × D2 + Wb × B2 + Wt × T2
It is determined which evaluation function is smaller.

  If J1 <J2, select relocation and process 11. And processing 12. I do. At this time, the print information setting unit 212 of the printer driver 210 displays a message as shown in FIG. 11 on the input / output unit 225 to prompt the user to rearrange the image forming unit 21. At this time, the printer 1 may be requested to display a similar message on the operation panel 11. The user rearranges the image forming units 21 in accordance with the displayed message (Process 11).

  Note that the message displayed here is designed so that, for example, the arrangement of the five image forming units 21 arranged in the predetermined image formation order in the image forming unit 3 can be visually confirmed. For example, the completion of the arrangement is confirmed by detecting that the user completes the rearrangement and closes the lid of the printer 1.

  The printer driver 210 then obtains this arrangement information by obtaining the arrangement order of the image forming units 21 from the printer 1 (Processing 12.), and thereafter the order of toner image formation matches the arrangement order of the image forming units 21. Processing until 11. And processing 12. repeat.

  When the printer driver 210 confirms that the order of toner image formation matches the order of arrangement of the image forming units 21, the process 1. The print data generation unit 213 generates print data for one-pass printing based on the print information, the image data, and the order of arrangement of the image forming units 21 (in this case, the same as the order of toner image formation) (process 13. The generated print data is transmitted to the printer 1 to request printing (process 14).

  The printer 1 receives the print data and executes 1-pass printing (process 15).

  On the other hand, processing 10. If it is determined that J1 ≧ J2, the printer driver 210 selects N (N is a plurality) pass printing and directly performs processing 13. I do. In this case, processing 13. Then, processing 1. The print data generation unit 213 generates print data for N-pass printing based on the print information, the image data, and the order of arrangement of the image forming units 21 (which differs from the order of toner image formation) (process 13. The generated print data is transmitted to the printer 1 to request printing (process 14).

  The printer 1 receives the print data and executes N (N is a plurality) pass printing (process 15).

  As described above, according to the printing system of the present embodiment, the order in which toner images are superimposed (image forming order) in printing including a spot color and the order in which image forming units 21 are arranged to form each toner image including the spot color. , It is possible to automatically determine whether to prompt the user to replace the image forming unit or to perform N-pass printing as it is based on the user's values for the print completion time and the consumable consumption level.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus 300 according to the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a part of the PC 200 is added to the printer 1 described in the first embodiment.

  That is, the image forming apparatus 300 here is configured as the printer shown in FIG. 1, and in the control system shown in FIG. 12, a control unit 301 that performs main control of the image forming apparatus, a print control unit 111, and a paper feed roller 5. Control of a conveyance control unit 112 for controlling the conveyance unit 102, an image formation control unit 113 for controlling the image forming unit 3, a fixing control unit 114 for controlling the fixing unit 4, and an operation panel 304 as an operation panel unit or a notification unit. An operation panel control unit 303, a printing time / consumable item consumption degree prediction unit 116, a calculation unit 120 that performs calculation processing, and a storage unit 130 such as a ROM and a RAM. The operation panel 304 includes an input unit for inputting data by the user and a display unit for displaying predetermined information regarding the image forming apparatus 300 to the user.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 300 displays a print setting screen for the user via the operation panel 304, and a print information setting unit 212 for setting print information. Print data for generating print data from the image data and the print information The image forming unit 213 determines whether to prompt the user to replace the image forming unit 21 or to print the image forming unit 21 when the order in which the toner images are overlapped and the color arrangement of the image forming unit 21 are different in printing including the special color. A unit rearrangement determination unit 214 and an image data input unit 302 for inputting image data from an external memory such as a USB are provided. Note that the control unit 301, the print control unit 111, and the image forming unit rearrangement determination unit 214 correspond to a third control unit.

  In this image forming apparatus 300, parts common to the printing system shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, or description thereof is omitted by omitting the drawings, and different points will be mainly described.

  In the configuration described above, the image forming apparatus 300 executes printing by performing the same processing as the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 8 from when the user inputs print information and requests printing until printing is executed. However, in this case, the image forming apparatus 300 executes processing separately performed by the printer driver 210 and the printer 1 illustrated in FIG. 8 in the same apparatus. Hereinafter, the processing flow will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

  The user is a print setting screen displayed by the print information setting unit 212 via the operation panel 304, and includes printing conditions such as paper size, weight (thickness), number of copies, duplex / single-sided setting, spot color setting, and printing mode. Print information is designated and printing is requested (processing 1.). The control unit 301 performs processing 1. The order of toner image formation is determined based on the print information set in step 1 and the image data separately input from the image data input unit 302 (Process 2), and the image forming unit 3 starts from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording paper 25. The arrangement order of the five image forming units 21 is obtained, and this arrangement information is acquired (processing 3.).

  Here, the control unit 301 compares the order of toner image formation with the order of arrangement of the image forming units 21, and here, the processing when these are different will be further described. If the order of toner image formation matches the order of arrangement of the image forming units 21, print data for one-pass printing is generated by the print data generation unit 213 (processing 13.), and based on this print data One-pass printing is executed (process 15).

  First, the printing time / consumable consumption prediction unit 116 obtains the required number of times of transfer N (equivalent to N for N-pass printing) based on the print information (processing 5.), and processing 6. ~ Process 9. Is executed to predict and calculate the image forming unit rearrangement determination information. Process 6. ~ Process 9. Since this is as described in the first embodiment, a description thereof is omitted here.

  The image forming unit rearrangement determining unit 214 includes the image forming unit rearrangement determination information, the average image forming unit replacement time Tc, the print completion time weight Wt corresponding to each print mode shown in FIG. Based on Wd and the weight Wb of the transfer belt consumption, when the image forming unit 21 is rearranged for printing and when N-pass printing is performed without rearranging, the time when printing is completed and the consumable consumption level are used as indicators. A comprehensive evaluation is performed for determination, and one of the printing methods is selected (processing 10). Process 10. The calculation method of the evaluation function J1 when the image forming unit 21 is rearranged and printed and the evaluation function J2 when N-pass printing is performed without rearranging the image forming unit 21 will be described in the first embodiment. Since it is as it was, description here is abbreviate | omitted.

  The control unit 301 performs the process 10. If J1 <J2, it is determined that rearrangement is selected, and the above-described processing 11. is performed until the toner image forming order matches the arrangement order of the image forming units 21. And processing 12. Are repeated, and it is confirmed that the order of toner image formation and the order of arrangement of the image forming units 21 match. The print data generation unit 213 generates print data for one-pass printing based on the print information, the image data, and the order of arrangement of the image forming units 21 (in this case, the same as the order of toner image formation) (process 13. ), 1-pass printing is executed based on the print data (process 15.).

  On the other hand, the control unit 301 performs processing 10. If it is determined that J1 ≧ J2, N pass printing is selected and direct processing is performed. I do. In this case, processing 13. Then, processing 1. The print data generation unit 213 generates print data for N-pass printing based on the print information, the image data, and the order of arrangement of the image forming units 21 (which differs from the order of toner image formation) (process 13. ), N-pass printing is executed based on the print data (process 15.).

  Modification 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

  In the first modification, when printing is performed, a process of notifying the user whether to perform 1-pass printing or N-pass printing is added.

  First, processing 3. In the comparison between the order of toner image formation and the order of arrangement of the image forming units 21 in the control unit 301 after the completion of the process, if the order of toner image formation and the order of arrangement of the image forming units 21 match, immediately 1 A message to execute pass printing is displayed on the operation panel 304 to notify the user.

  Further, processing 10. When N-pass printing is selected in this selection, the operation panel 304 is displayed on the operation panel 304 to notify the user that N-pass printing is to be executed immediately.

  As described above, when printing is executed, the user can recognize whether or not the image forming apparatus 300 is operating normally by notifying the user of the printing execution including the contents. For example, when N-pass printing that requires a relatively long time is executed without print notification, the user may be anxious about whether the operation of the apparatus is normal.

  Next, a second modification of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the image data input unit 302 illustrated in FIG. 12 has been described as a connection unit that inputs image data from an external memory such as a USB that stores the image data. The input unit 302 is configured by a scanner. In this case, the print data generation unit 213 generates print data based on the image data read by the scanner and the print information.

  Furthermore, in the second modification, the example in which the image data input unit 302 itself is configured by a scanner has been shown, but the image data input unit 302 can also be configured as a connection unit that is connected to a scanner prepared as an external device. .

  In the first and second embodiments, for example, black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are used as the special colors for forming the background to form a color image. The electrophotographic printer capable of five-color printing including white (W) has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, four-color printing including special colors other than black (K) may be used. Furthermore, the spot colors may be two colors of clear or clear and white (W).

  Further, in the first and second embodiments, an example in which a plurality of modes that are appropriately weighted with respect to the print completion time and the consumption of consumables is set and selectively selected as the print mode is shown. A quality priority mode or the like is additionally set, and in the quality priority mode, if the image forming order and the arrangement order of the image forming units 21 do not match, a process for prompting the rearrangement of the image forming units is immediately added. It can take various forms.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the order in which toner images are superimposed in printing that includes a special color is different from the order in which image forming units 21 that form each toner image including a special color are arranged. In this case, it is possible to automatically determine whether to prompt replacement of the image forming unit or to perform N-pass printing as it is based on the user's values for the print completion time and the consumable consumption level.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described by taking a color electrophotographic printer as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an image is formed on a recording material using an electrophotographic method. The present invention can also be used for image forming apparatuses such as copying machines, facsimile machines, and MFPs. Further, although a color printer has been described, a monochrome printer may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer, 2 Paper tray, 3 Image formation part, 4 Fixing part, 4a Heating roller, 4b Pressure roller, 5 Paper feed roller, 6a-6j Conveying roller pair, 7 Transfer processing part, 7a Transfer belt, 7b Drive roller, 7c tension roller, 8 discharge roller pair, 9a, 9b transport path switching guide, 10 stacker, 11 operation panel, 21W white (W) image forming unit, 21K black (K) image forming unit, 21Y yellow (Y ) Image forming unit, 21M image forming unit for magenta (M), 21C image forming unit for cyan (C), 25 recording paper, 26-30 exposure head, 31-35 transfer roller, 41 photoconductor drum, 42 charging roller, 43 developing roller, 44 cleaning blade, 45 toner cartridge , 46 supply roller, 47 developing blade, 48 toner, 49 developing unit, 102 transport unit, 110 printer control unit, 111 print control unit, 112 transport control unit, 113 image formation control unit, 114 fixing control unit, 115 operation panel control 116, print time / consumable consumption prediction unit, 117 communication control unit, 120 calculation unit, 130 storage unit, 200 PC, 210 printer driver, 211 printer driver control unit, 212 print information setting unit, 213 print data generation unit , 214 image forming unit rearrangement determining unit, 220 application software, 230 communication control unit, 300 image forming apparatus, 301 control unit, 302 image data input unit, 303 operation panel control unit, 304 operation panel.

Claims (19)

A plurality of image forming units that generate developer images for a plurality of colors are detachably arranged in order from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium to be conveyed, and the developer images are sequentially stacked on the recording surface of the recording medium. A transferable image forming unit,
A medium conveying section that allows the recording medium to pass through the image forming section 1 or N times (multiple times), and enables a developer image to be transferred to the same recording surface at each sheet passing;
The developer images selected and generated from the plurality of image forming units at the time of paper passing are transferred, and the developer images are printed in the desired order by passing through the 1 or N (multiple) times of paper passing. Printing section capable of,
An image data input unit for inputting image data to be printed;
An operation panel unit for displaying device information and inputting user instruction information;
A print information setting section for setting print information including print conditions;
The entire apparatus is controlled, and the overlapping order of the developer images is determined based on the image data and the printing information, and the overlapping order of the developer images matches the arrangement order of the plurality of image forming units. A control unit for performing a first determination as to whether or not
Perform N times of paper printing, which performs the printing by N (plurality) times of paper passing, or perform one time of paper passing printing, which rearranges the plurality of image forming units and performs the printing by one time of paper passing. A rearrangement determination unit that performs a second determination of selecting
A print data generation unit that generates print data for the one-time paper-pass printing or the N-time paper-pass printing based on the image data and the print information;
When it is determined in the first determination that the order in which the developer images overlap and the arrangement order of the plurality of image forming units match, the one-time sheet passing printing is performed.
If it is determined in the first determination that the order in which the developer images are superimposed and the arrangement order of the plurality of image forming units do not match, the second determination is performed.
When the one-time sheet passing printing after the rearrangement is selected, the user is informed to prompt the rearrangement of the plurality of image forming units, and the user confirms that the rearrangement has been performed by the user. Executes continuous paper printing,
An image forming apparatus that executes N-sheet passing printing when the N-sheet passing printing is selected. A prediction unit that predicts a printing time and a consumable consumption level at the time of each printing of the one-time sheet printing and the N-time sheet printing;
The rearrangement determination unit performs the second determination based on a printing time and a consumable consumption level at the time of each printing, and a required time and a consumable consumption level when the image forming unit is rearranged. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   When the control unit determines in the first determination that the order in which the developer images are overlapped and the order in which the plurality of image forming units are aligned, the control unit performs the one-time sheet-pass printing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a notification to the effect is given.   4. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein, when the N-th sheet passing printing is selected in the second determination, the control unit notifies the user that the N-th sheet passing printing is performed. 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data input unit is a scanner.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rearrangement determination unit performs the second determination by weighting time and wear level.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the weighting can be set by a user.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a spot color is included in the plurality of colors. A plurality of image forming units that generate developer images for a plurality of colors are detachably arranged in order from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording medium to be conveyed, and the developer images are sequentially stacked on the recording surface of the recording medium. Transferable image forming section, and a medium conveying section that allows the recording medium to pass through the image forming section 1 or N (plural) times, and allows a developer image to be transferred to the same recording surface during each sheet passing. The developer images selected and generated from the plurality of image forming units at the time of paper passing are transferred, and the stacking order of the developer images is set in a desired order by the 1 or N (multiple) paper passing. A printing section capable of performing printing,
A first communication control unit that executes communication with a host device;
A printing apparatus having a first control unit for controlling the entire apparatus;
A second communication control unit that executes communication with the printing apparatus;
An input / output unit for displaying device information and inputting user instruction information;
An application to create image data;
A print information setting section for setting print information including print conditions;
The entire apparatus is controlled, and the overlapping order of the developer images is determined based on the image data and the printing information, and the overlapping order of the developer images matches the arrangement order of the plurality of image forming units. A second control unit for performing a first determination as to whether or not
Perform N times of paper printing, which performs the printing by N (plurality) times of paper passing, or perform one time of paper passing printing, which rearranges the plurality of image forming units and performs the printing by one time of paper passing. A rearrangement determination unit that performs a second determination of selecting
A print data generation unit that generates print data for the one-time paper-pass printing or the N-time paper-pass printing based on the image data and the print information;
When it is determined in the first determination that the order in which the developer images are overlapped with the order in which the plurality of image forming units are arranged, the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus and the one time Instruct to print paper,
If it is determined in the first determination that the order in which the developer images are superimposed and the arrangement order of the plurality of image forming units do not match, the second determination is performed.
When the one-time sheet passing printing after the rearrangement is selected, the user is notified to prompt the rearrangement of the plurality of image forming units, and the user confirms that the rearrangement has been performed, and Send print data to the printing device and instruct one-time printing
A printing system comprising: a host device that transmits the print data to the printing apparatus and instructs N times of paper printing when the N times of paper printing is selected. A prediction unit that predicts a printing time and a consumable consumption level at the time of each printing of the one-time sheet printing and the N-time sheet printing;
The rearrangement determination unit performs the second determination based on a printing time and a consumable consumption level at the time of each printing, and a required time and a consumable consumption level when the image forming unit is rearranged. The printing system according to claim 8.   The printing system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the rearrangement determination unit performs the second determination by weighting time and a degree of wear.   The printing system according to claim 11, wherein the weighting can be set by a user.   The printing system according to claim 9, wherein a spot color is included in the plurality of colors. A plurality of image forming units that generate developer images for a plurality of colors including a spot color are detachably arranged in order from the upstream side in the transport direction of the transported recording medium, and sequentially arranged on one recording surface of the recording medium. An image forming unit capable of transferring a developer image in an overlapping manner;
A medium conveying section that allows the recording medium to pass through the image forming section 1 or N times (multiple times), and enables a developer image to be transferred to the same recording surface at each sheet passing;
A developer image selected and generated from the plurality of image forming units at the time of sheet passing is transferred, and the developer image is overlapped in a desired order by the one or N (multiple) sheet passing and includes a special color. A printing section capable of printing; and
An image data input unit for inputting image data to be printed;
An informing unit for informing apparatus information;
A print information setting section for setting print information including print conditions;
A third control unit that performs one of the one-time sheet printing and the N-time sheet printing based on the print information;
The third control unit notifies the printing method to be executed by the notification unit.   The third control unit determines a stacking order of the developer images based on the image data and the print information, and determines a stacking order of the developer images and an arrangement order of the plurality of image forming units. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the printing method is determined based on the comparison.   When the third control unit determines that the stacking order of the developer images does not match the arrangement order of the plurality of image forming units, the third control unit performs the N-time sheet printing or the plurality of the plurality of image forming units. 16. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein whether to perform the one-time sheet passing printing after rearranging the image forming units is selected.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the printing method to be notified is the N-time sheet passing printing.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the image data input unit inputs image data from a host device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the image data input unit is a scanner.

Images