JP5256121B2 - Image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system that performs printing by controlling an image forming apparatus efficiently by an image processing apparatus when performing duplex printing.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming system including an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus has a printing order control unit that defines a printing order for each page of printing paper and a paper reversing mechanism that reverses printing paper that has been printed on one side. In addition, the printing paper on which double-sided printing is performed with the print data supplied in a predetermined order is discharged in the order of page numbers.

  Such a double-sided printing technique is described in Patent Document 1 below.

JP 2001-151425 A

  However, in the conventional image forming system, if the memory capacity for holding the print data of the image forming apparatus is small, there is a problem that double-sided printing cannot be performed due to an error when performing double-sided printing.

  The image forming system of the present invention includes a storage unit having a predetermined storage capacity for storing print data, receives the print data and print timing information, stores the print data in the storage unit, and The image forming apparatus is configured to print the print data on both sides of a print medium based on print timing information, and an image processing apparatus that transmits and controls the print data to the image forming apparatus.

  The image processing apparatus determines a print timing by comparing a storage unit usage amount and the storage capacity with a prediction unit that predicts a storage unit usage amount of the print data stored in the storage unit, and this determination A determination unit that outputs print timing information corresponding to the result; and a transmission unit that transmits the print timing information and the print data output from the determination unit to the image forming apparatus.

  Another image forming system of the present invention includes a storage unit having a predetermined storage capacity for storing print data, receives the print data and print timing information, and stores the print data in the storage unit. And an image forming apparatus that performs double-side printing of the print data on a print medium based on the timing information, and an image processing apparatus that transmits and controls the print data to the image forming apparatus.

  The image processing apparatus is a plurality of print data generated by a plurality of page description languages, and a prediction unit that predicts the storage unit usage of each of the plurality of print data stored in the storage unit, The print data with the smallest usage amount is selected from the storage unit usage amount of each page description language, and the storage unit usage amount of the selected print data is compared with the storage capacity to determine the print timing. A determination unit that determines and outputs the print timing information corresponding to the determination result, and transmits the print timing information output from the determination unit and the selected print data to be sent to the image forming apparatus Part.

  According to the image forming system of the present invention, the print medium staying in the image forming apparatus by comparing the storage unit usage amount predicted to be used in the print data with the storage capacity of the storage unit mounted in the image forming apparatus. Since the print data is printed based on this information, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an error due to insufficient storage capacity. Furthermore, an efficient operation of the image forming apparatus can be expected.

  According to another image forming system of the present invention, print data is generated in a plurality of page description languages, and the print data with the minimum storage unit usage amount is selected, so that the use efficiency of the storage unit is improved. Can be expected.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of an image forming system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the printing unit 39 in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the print data when one sheet stays in the transmission unit 23 in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing print data when two sheets stay in the transmission unit 23 in FIG. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing print data when three sheets are staying in the transmission unit 23 in FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing print data when one sheet stays in the RAM 34 in FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing print data when two sheets are staying in the RAM 34 in FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing print data when three sheets are staying in the RAM 34 in FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer driver 20 in FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation state when the printing unit 39 of FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation state when one sheet of the printing unit 39 in FIG. 2 is staying. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an outline of an image forming system in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a setting screen displayed on the display unit 12 in FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer driver 20A in FIG.

  Modes for carrying out the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in light of the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are only for explanation and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

(Configuration of Example 1)
The configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention includes (1) the configuration of the image forming system of the first embodiment, (2) the configuration of print data in the transmission unit of the image processing apparatus, and (3) the print data in the RAM of the printer. The description will be divided into configuration.

(1) Configuration of Image Forming System of Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of an image forming system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The image forming system is connected to an image processing apparatus 10 that transmits print data, and a network such as a local area network or a universal serial bus, and is connected to the image processing apparatus 10 and receives print data. The image forming apparatus (for example, a printer) 30 that prints on (paper) 1 is configured.

  The image processing apparatus 10 includes, for example, a personal computer, a workstation, and the like. The image processing apparatus 10 receives a print request from the control unit 11 that controls the entire apparatus and an application program (not shown) in the image processing apparatus 10 and receives the print request from the printer 30. A printer driver 20 that transmits print data is included. The printer driver 20 is a program for converting the data format of data to be printed created by the image processing apparatus 10 and print data to be printed by the printer 30, and is incorporated in an operating system (hereinafter referred to as “OS”). Used. The printer driver 20 is designed to correspond to the model of the printer 30 and is preinstalled in the OS or stored in a medium such as a CD-ROM.

  The printer driver 20 according to the first exemplary embodiment includes a prediction unit 21 that predicts a storage unit usage amount, that is, a memory usage amount from print data, a memory usage amount that is predicted by the prediction unit 21, and a storage unit that is mounted on the printer 30. That is, the storage capacity of the memory, that is, the memory capacity is compared to determine how many print sheets 1 can stay in the printer 30, and the print data is transmitted to the determination unit 22 that outputs print timing information and the printer 30. A transmission unit 23 is included.

  Here, the print timing information refers to the number information of the print sheets 1 indicating how many print sheets 1 can stay in the printer 30. The printer 30 receives the print timing information, determines the timing of supplying, printing, transporting, reversing, and the like of the printing paper 1 and the order of the print pages, and a print control program corresponding to the print timing information Thus, the mechanism of the printing unit 39 is controlled to operate.

  The printer 30 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “CPU”) 31 and a controller control LSI 32, which perform image processing according to a program stored in a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as “ROM”) 33. It has a function of processing data received from the device 10.

  A random access memory (hereinafter referred to as “RAM”) 34 constituting a memory as a storage unit is used as a work memory when the CPU 31 and the controller control LSI 32 perform various processes, and further, print data and the like are stored. Used as a buffer when receiving and processing. An EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) 35, which is a non-volatile storage unit, is a kind of non-volatile semiconductor memory and is an electrically writable / erasable ROM that should be stored even when the power is turned off. This is for storing various setting data.

  The receiving unit 36 has a function of receiving print data from the image processing apparatus 10 and a function of transmitting information on the capacity of the RAM 34 from the printer 30 to the image processing apparatus 10. The operation panel 38 has functions for displaying the status of the printer 30 and for making various settings by the user.

  The engine control LSI 37 communicates with the controller control LSI 32 to control the printing unit 39. The printing unit 39 has a function of controlling each process of charging, photosensitizing, developing, transferring, and fixing and controlling a motor, a clutch, a solenoid, and the like for transporting printing paper by a control signal from the engine control LSI 37. .

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the printing unit 39 in FIG.
FIG. 2 shows a state where three printing sheets 1 are staying. The printing unit 39 conveys the fed printing paper 1, a paper cassette 2 that is a paper housing unit that stores the printing paper 1, a pickup roller 61 that feeds out the printing paper 1 stored in the paper cassette 2. A paper feed roller 62 and a transport roller 63 are provided.

  Further, the printing unit 39 includes an entrance sensor 65 for confirming the passage of the printing paper 1, a registration roller 66 for drawing the printing paper 1 into the image forming unit 40, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) head 41 composed of a light emitting diode, The image forming unit 40 includes a photosensitive drum 42 and various types of rollers, and includes an image forming unit 40 that performs charging, developing, transferring, and fixing processes and printing on the printing paper 1.

  The image forming unit 40 is also in contact with the charging roller 45 for uniformly charging the photosensitive drum 42 and the photosensitive drum 42, and by applying a voltage, the toner is electrostatically latent on the photosensitive drum 42. A developing roller 44 that adheres to the image, a supply roller 43 that supplies toner to the developing roller 44, and a transfer roller 48 that transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum 42 onto the sheet 1b by an electric field generated by an applied voltage. The heat roller 46 and the backup roller 47 for fixing the toner on the paper 1b are composed of various rollers.

  The printing unit 39 includes a discharge sensor 67 that detects whether the printing paper 1 is discharged from the image forming unit 40, and a branch point 68 having a selector function for switching back the printing paper 1 to the duplex printing unit 50. , Discharge rollers 69 and 70 for temporarily moving the print paper 1 to the outside in order to switch back the print paper 1, a discharge roller 71 for discharging the print paper 1 that has been printed to the outside, the Dup rollers 51 to 53, and printing The Dup sensor 54 is configured to detect the presence or absence of the paper 1 and includes a duplex printing unit 50 that temporarily holds and transports the printing paper 1 on which one side is printed.

(2) Configuration of Print Data in Transmission Unit of Image Processing Device FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing print data when one sheet stays in the transmission unit 23 in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing print data when two sheets stay in the transmission unit 23 in FIG. Further, FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing print data when three sheets stay in the transmission unit 23 in FIG.

  3, 4, and 5 show the format of print data generated by the printer driver 20, and these data are transmitted from the transmission unit 23 and received by the reception unit 36 of the printer 30.

  The format of these data includes a header portion 81 that stores print timing information indicating how many print sheets 1 are retained in the printer 30 and a data portion 82 that stores print data. The print data in the data portion 82 is arranged in the actual printing order by the print order control unit 26 of the printer driver 20.

  In FIG. 3, the print timing information in the header portion 81 represents the retention of one sheet. At this time, the print data is stored in the data portion 82 as the second page data, the first page data, the fourth page data, the third page data, the sixth page data, the fifth page data,. The data are stored in the order of N-1 page data.

  In FIG. 4, the print timing information in the header portion 81 represents the retention of two sheets. At this time, the print data is stored in the data portion 82 as the second page data, the fourth page data, the first page data, the sixth page data, the third page data, the eighth page data,... N-3. The page data and the (N-1) th page data are stored in this order.

  In FIG. 5, the print timing information in the header portion 81 represents the stay of three sheets. At this time, the print data is stored in the data portion 82 as second page data, fourth page data, sixth page data, first page data, eighth page data, third page data,... N-3. The page data and the (N-1) th page data are stored in this order.

(3) Configuration of Print Data in Printer RAM FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing print data when one sheet stays in the RAM 34 in FIG. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing print data when two sheets are staying in the RAM 34 in FIG. Further, FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing print data when three sheets are staying in the RAM 34 in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, the RAM 34 is divided into a work area 83 and data storage areas 84a and 84b. The work area 83 is used for temporarily storing print data when it is moved on the RAM 34. The data storage area 84 (= 84a, 84b) is printed in order from the data at the bottom of the figure. For example, the diagram on the left side of the figure shows that the second page is printed first and then the first page is printed.

  7 and 8, the RAM 34 is divided into a work area 83 and a data storage area 84, as in FIG. However, the RAM 34 has data storage areas 84a to 84d in the case of staying two sheets shown in FIG. 7, and the data storage areas 84a to 84f in the case of staying three sheets shown in FIG.

(Operation of Example 1)
The operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described separately for (1) the relationship between the number of staying sheets and the RAM capacity, and (2) the operation of the printer driver of the image processing apparatus.

(1) Relationship between Number of Stays and RAM Capacity In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the maximum number of sheets that can stay on the paper conveyance path of the printer 30 is three due to restrictions on the mechanism of the apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that there are three printing papers 1a, 1b, and 1c simultaneously on the paper transport path. In this case, when a paper jam occurs, it is necessary to remove the three printing papers 1a, 1b, and 1c. When the printing paper 1 is removed and printing is resumed without resending print data from the image processing apparatus 10. Since there are three sheets of printing paper 1, that is, the front and back sides, it is necessary to store the print data for six pages in the RAM 34 in terms of the number of pages.

  Similarly, in the case where two sheets are retained, the print data for four pages needs to be stored on the RAM 34, and in the case where one sheet is retained, the print data for two pages needs to be retained on the RAM 34.

  Next, the relationship among the number of staying sheets, the capacity of the RAM 34, and the memory usage of the print data will be described.

If the capacity of the RAM 34 is X and the memory usage of the print data is S (P1), S (P2), S (P3),...
One sheet stay: ΣS (P1 to P4)> X ≧ S (P1) + S (P2)
2 sheets stay: ΣS (P1 to P6)> X ≧ ΣS (P1 to P4)
3 sheets stay: X ≧ ΣS (P1 to P6)
Note (1): The notation of ΣS (P1 to Pn) is
It means S (P1) + S (P2) +... + S (Pn).
Note (2): P1, P2,... Pn simply represents the order of data to be printed, and does not mean the first page, second page,.

(2) Operation of Printer Driver of Image Processing Device FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer driver 20 in FIG.

  Although not shown in this flow, it is assumed that the image processing apparatus 10 has acquired the capacity information of the RAM 34 from the printer 30 when the printer 30 and the image processing apparatus 10 are connected.

  The printer driver 20 starts its operation upon receiving a print request from an application program in the image processing apparatus 10. In step S <b> 1, the printer driver 20 performs print data conversion and generates print data for the printer 30.

  In step S2, the prediction unit 21 predicts the memory usage of the print data and stores it. Next, in step S3, the determination unit 22 compares and calculates in advance the memory capacity of the RAM 34 from which information has been acquired and the memory usage that the prediction unit 21 is expected to use when printing, and the number of staying sheets And print timing information is output.

  In step S4, the transmission unit 23 branches based on the staying number determined by the determination unit 22, and transmits the print data to the printer 30 in steps S5, S6, and S7.

That is, in step S5, if the result of the calculation is that the capacity of the RAM 34 installed in the printer 30 is a capacity of 2 pages or more and less than 4 pages (A), the transmission unit 23 prints the print timing information as one sheet staying. Send data. Hereinafter, similarly, in step S6,
If the capacity of the RAM 34 is a capacity of 4 pages or more and less than 6 pages (B), the transmission unit 23 transmits 2 sheets of data. In step S7, if the RAM 34 has a capacity of 6 pages or more (C), the transmitting unit 23 transmits three-sheet data.

  In the first embodiment, the case where three sheets are retained will be described. However, if the printer 30 supports a larger number of sheets, for example, n sheets, it is possible to cope with data transmission of n sheets remaining.

  Next, the operation of the transmission unit 23 when transmitting print data from the transmission unit 23 of the image processing apparatus 10 to the printer 30 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.

  According to FIG. 3, first, the transmission unit 23 transmits the print timing information of the header unit 81. The print timing information is information indicating the timing at the time of double-sided printing, and is data indicating whether printing is performed with one sheet staying, printing with two sheets staying, or printing with three sheets staying.

  Thereafter, the transmission unit 23 transmits the print data corresponding to each page of the data unit 82 in a predetermined order. When the total number of printed pages is N pages, the data transmission order when there is 1 sheet is 2nd page → 1st page date → 4th page → 3rd page → 6th page → 5th page →… → The order of the Nth page → (N-1) th page.

  According to FIG. 4, first, the transmission unit 23 transmits the print timing information of the header unit 81. Thereafter, the transmission unit 23 transmits the print data corresponding to each page of the data unit 82 in a predetermined order. When the total number of prints is N pages, the data transmission order when 2 sheets are staying is 2nd page → 4th page → 1st page → 6th page → 3rd page → 8th page → ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ → The order is (N-3) page → (N-1) page.

  According to FIG. 5, first, the transmission unit 23 transmits the print timing information of the header unit 81. Thereafter, the transmission unit 23 transmits the print data corresponding to each page of the data unit 82 in a predetermined order. The order of data transmission when 3 sheets are staying is 2 pages, 4 pages, 6 pages, 1 pages, 8 pages, 3 pages, ... The order is (N-3) page → (N-1) page.

  In this way, the print data is transmitted from the transmission unit 23 to the reception unit 36 of the printer 30. Subsequently, the operation of the printer 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8.

  In the receiving unit 36, when print data with one sheet remaining is received with the print timing information, the first second page of data is stored in the data storage area 84a of the RAM 34, and then the first page of data is stored in the data storage area 84b. Store.

  In this state, when the data of the next fourth page is to be transmitted, there is no space in the RAM 34 and, for example, the reception unit 36 transmits busy information according to the communication protocol between the transmission unit 23 and the reception unit 36. The data transmission / reception is temporarily suspended by returning the data to the unit 23.

  In FIG. 6, the leftmost diagram shows a state in which the print data for the second page and the print data for the first page are stored in the RAM 34. Here, when printing is executed and both sides are printed, the print data of the first page and the second page are already printed, so the printer 30 discharges the printed paper and newly adds the fourth and third pages. The page data is received and stored in the RAM 34. The diagram in FIG. 6 shows this state. Further, when the print data of the fourth page and the third page are printed, the print data of the sixth page and the fifth page are received, and the state shown in the rightmost diagram of FIG. 6 is obtained.

  7 shows the state transition of the RAM 34 when two sheets are staying, and FIG. 8 shows the state transition of the RAM 34 when three sheets are staying, and the same operation as in FIG. 6 is performed.

Next, the printing operation of the printer 30 will be described with reference to FIG.
The printer 30 receives print timing information and print data at the receiving unit 36. The ROM 33 stores a program corresponding to each print timing information. The received print timing information is decoded by the CPU 31 and notified to the controller control LSI 32.

  The controller control LSI 32 notifies the received print timing information to the engine control LSI 37. The engine control LSI 37 operates the printing unit 39 at a predetermined timing by a program corresponding to each staying number stored in the ROM 33, and controls a control mode, a control clutch, and a control solenoid (not shown) to perform print control. I do.

  For example, the staying state of the printing paper 1 in the printer 30 is the state shown in FIG. 2 when three sheets are staying, and the state shown in FIG. In the case of staying, the state is as shown in FIG.

(Effect of Example 1)
According to the first embodiment, there are the following effects.

  By comparing the memory usage estimated to be used in the print data with the memory capacity of the RAM 34 installed in the printer 30, the number of print sheets 1 staying in the printer 30 is determined, and printing is performed based on this information. Since the data is printed, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an error due to insufficient memory in the RAM 34 and to expect an efficient operation of the printer 30.

(Configuration of Example 2)
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an outline of an image forming system in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Elements common to those in FIG. 1 showing Embodiment 1 are denoted by common reference numerals. FIG. 13 is a setting screen displayed on the display unit 11 in FIG.

  The image forming system according to the second embodiment includes an image processing apparatus 10A having a configuration different from that of the image processing apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment and a printer 30 similar to the first embodiment. In the image processing apparatus 10A, a setting unit 24 for selecting a page description language is added. Accordingly, the prediction unit 21 is replaced with the prediction unit 21A, and the determination unit 22 is replaced with the determination unit 22A. Furthermore, the image processing apparatus 10A includes a control unit 11 that controls the entire apparatus, a display unit 12 such as a display that draws and displays characters, graphics, and the like, a data input keyboard 13, and an operation mouse 14. Yes.

  In FIG. 13, ○ PS91a, ○ PCL91b, and ○ GDI91c represent the types of page description languages, and the printer 30 uses the setting screen 11 to specify which page description language is used. . ◎ No matter 91d indicates that the printer 30 may be any page description language, and in FIG. 13, ◎ No matter what 91d is selected.

(Operation of Example 2)
In general, in the printer 30, printing is performed according to the description in the page description language. The page description language is a program language for instructing the printer 30 to draw characters and graphics. When printing a document, it is necessary to convert character and graphic position information, format information, and the like into bitmap data. The page description language performs this conversion. For example, PostScript of Adobe Systems Incorporation, PCL (Printer Control Language) of HP (Hewlett-Packard Company), Windows (registered trademark) GDI (Graphics Device Interface), which is a standard of (Windows (registered trademark)). There is also a printer driver 20A having a plurality of these.

  When the same document, graphic, etc. are converted by this page description language, the memory usage after conversion differs depending on the page description language.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer driver 20A in FIG.

  The operation is started, and in step S11, the user makes a setting that the description language of the print data to be printed may be any page description language corresponding to the printer 30. For example, the user uses the keyboard 13 and the mouse 14 to set the setting screen displayed on the display unit 12 shown in FIG.

  In step S12, a print request is issued from the application program in the image processing apparatus 10A to the printer driver 20A according to a user's print instruction, and the print process is started. As in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the image processing apparatus 10A has acquired information on the capacity of the RAM 34 of the printer 30 in advance.

  In steps S13, S14, and S15, the printer driver 20A generates print data in each page description language corresponding to the printer 30. For example, print data is generated by PCL, PS, or GDI.

  In steps S16, S17, and S18, the prediction unit 21A predicts the memory usage of the print data generated by each page description language and stores it. In step S19, the determination unit 22A compares the memory usage used for each page description language with each other, and selects the one predicted to use the least memory usage.

  In the same manner as in the first embodiment, a comparison / calculation process between the capacity of the RAM 34 in step S3 and a memory usage expected to be used during printing, a staying number determination process in step S4, and data transmission in steps S5, S6 and S7 Processing is executed.

  The operation of the printer 30 after receiving the print data is the same as that of the first embodiment.

(Effect of Example 2)
According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, there are the following effects.

  In the printer 30 having a plurality of page description languages, the number of print sheets 1 staying in the printer 30 can be determined without making the user aware of the page description language, so that the burden on the user can be reduced. Furthermore, improvement in the usage efficiency of the RAM 34 can be expected.

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments, and various usage forms and modifications are possible. For example, the following forms (a) to (c) are available as usage forms and modifications.

  (A) The image forming apparatus of the present invention may be configured by a copier other than the printer 30, a facsimile, or a composite apparatus thereof.

  (B) Although the printer 30 having the LED head 41 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a laser printer may be used.

  (C) Although the printing medium has been described with respect to the printing paper 1, the printing medium is not limited to the printing paper 1, and may be another printing medium such as a film.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing paper 10,10A Image processing apparatus 20,20A Printer driver 21,21A Prediction part 22,22A Judgment part 23,23A Transmission part 30 Printer 31 CPU
33 ROM
34 RAM
36 receiving section 39 printing section 40 image forming section 50 double-sided printing unit 81 header section 82 data section 83 work area 84 data storage area

Claims (4)

A storage unit having a predetermined storage capacity for storing print data; receiving the print data and print timing information; storing the print data in the storage unit; and printing the print data based on the print timing information An image forming apparatus for printing data on both sides of a print medium;
The prediction unit for predicting the storage unit usage amount of the print data stored in the storage unit, the storage unit usage amount and the storage capacity are compared to determine the printing timing, and the printing corresponding to the determination result An image processing apparatus comprising: a determination unit that outputs timing information; and a transmission unit that transmits the print timing information and the print data output from the determination unit and supplies the print data to the image forming apparatus.
An image forming system comprising: A storage unit having a predetermined storage capacity for storing print data; receiving the print data and print timing information; storing the print data in the storage unit; and printing the print data based on the print timing information An image forming apparatus for printing data on both sides of a print medium;
A plurality of the print data generated by a plurality of page description languages, a prediction unit for predicting a storage unit usage amount of each of the plurality of print data stored in the storage unit, and each of the page description languages The print data with the smallest usage amount is selected from the storage unit usage amount, the storage unit usage amount of the selected print data is compared with the storage capacity, and the print timing is determined. And a transmission unit that transmits the print timing information output from the determination unit and the selected print data and supplies the print data to the image forming apparatus. Equipment,
An image forming system comprising:   The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the print timing information is information indicating a storable number of the print medium in the image forming apparatus.   4. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the storable number is set according to the storage capacity.

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