JP7334413B2 - Control device and judgment method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control device and a determination method.

In general, an image forming apparatus (printer, copier, facsimile machine, etc.) that uses electrophotographic process technology forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating (exposure) a laser beam based on image data on a charged photoreceptor. Form. Then, by supplying toner from a developing device to the photosensitive member (image carrier) on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, the electrostatic latent image is visualized and a toner image is formed. Further, after the toner image is directly or indirectly transferred onto a sheet of paper, the image is formed on the sheet of paper by heating and pressurizing it in a fixing device.

In a recent image forming system equipped with the above image forming apparatus, a plurality of pages (for example, two pages of A4 paper) are imposed on one sheet (for example, A3 paper) and printed. Many of them have a printing function, and after cutting and dividing the paper printed using this imposition printing function with a cutting device (especially a multi-cutting machine connected inline), for the divided divided paper There is a booklet (final printed matter) that is completed by performing post-processing (for example, stapling processing) with a post-processing device.

JP 2006-103344 A

By the way, in the post-processing device of the image forming system, a limit on the number of sheets to be processed (limit number of sheets) may be set according to the specification, purpose of use, and the like. For example, in stapling processing as post-processing, the maximum number of sheets that can be stapled at one time is set to a predetermined number (for example, 50 sheets) depending on the size of the stapler. In the case binding process as post-processing, the minimum number of sheets that can be case bound at one time is set to a predetermined number (for example, 20 sheets).

However, in the above-described image forming system, the number of sheets on which images are formed differs from the number of split sheets that are cut and divided. Therefore, although the number of sheets on which an image is formed does not exceed the limit number of sheets (maximum number of sheets), the number of divided sheets may exceed the limit number of sheets (maximum number of sheets). In this case, there is a problem that post-processing is performed on the number of split sheets exceeding the limit number (maximum number of sheets), which causes a failure of the post-processing device.

Also, although the number of sheets on which an image is formed does not exceed the limit number of sheets (minimum number of sheets), the number of divided sheets may exceed the limit number of sheets (minimum number of sheets). There is no problem in this case, but if the number of split sheets does not exceed the limit number (minimum number of sheets), post-processing is performed on the number of split sheets less than the limit number (minimum number of sheets) to produce the desired booklet. There was a problem that wasted paper could not be created.

Note that the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200011 is merely a technique for prohibiting post-processing operations when sheets of an inappropriate size are sent to a post-processing job such as bookbinding. cannot solve the problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a control device and determination method capable of preventing the occurrence of failures in post-processing devices and the occurrence of wasted paper.

A control device according to the present invention includes:
an image forming apparatus that forms an image on paper;
a cutting device disposed downstream of the image forming apparatus in the paper transport direction and configured to cut the paper on which the image is formed and divide the paper into a plurality of divided paper;
a post-processing device disposed on the downstream side of the cutting device in the sheet conveying direction and performing post-processing on the divided sheets;
A control device provided in an image forming system comprising
an acquisition unit that refers to setting information included in a print job and acquires the number of divided sheets when the cutting process is executed ;
a determination unit that determines whether or not the post-processing can be executed according to whether the number of divided sheets is included in the limit range of the number of sheets set for the post-processing;
has
The determining unit determines whether or not the post-processing can be executed after the print job is set and before the image forming process corresponding to the print job.

The determination method according to the present invention is
an image forming apparatus that forms an image on paper;
a cutting device arranged downstream of the image forming apparatus in the paper transport direction, for performing cutting processing on the paper on which an image is formed, and dividing the paper into a plurality of divided paper;
a post-processing device disposed on the downstream side of the cutting device in the sheet conveying direction and performing post-processing on the divided sheets;
A determination method in an image forming system comprising
referring to the setting information included in the print job to obtain the number of divided sheets when the cutting process is executed ;
After the print job is set and before the image forming process corresponding to the print job, it is determined whether the number of divided sheets is included in the limit range of the number of sheets set for the post-processing. Accordingly, whether or not the post-processing can be executed is determined.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the post-processing device from malfunctioning and to prevent the generation of wasted paper.

1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing main parts of a control system of the image forming system according to the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a control unit (image forming apparatus) according to the embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of a warning screen according to the embodiment; FIG.

Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in detail based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of an image forming system 100 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing main parts of the entire control system provided in image forming system 100 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 1, a cutting apparatus 2 (multi-cutting machine), and a post-processing apparatus 3, which are connected in order from the upstream side along the sheet S transport direction. In this embodiment, the cutting device 2 and the post-processing device 3 are connected in-line.

The image forming apparatus 1 is an intermediate transfer type color image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process technology. That is, the image forming apparatus 1 primarily transfers each color toner image of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) formed on the photosensitive drum 413 onto the intermediate transfer belt 421, After the four-color toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 421, secondary transfer is performed onto the long paper P fed from the paper feed unit 51 or the paper S sent from the paper feed tray units 51a to 51c. By doing so, an image is formed.

In the image forming apparatus 1, the photosensitive drums 413 corresponding to the four colors of YMCK are arranged in series in the running direction of the intermediate transfer belt 421, and the toner images of the respective colors are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 421 in one procedure. A tandem system is used.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading section 10 , an operation display section 20 , an image processing section 30 , an image forming section 40 , a sheet conveying section 50 , a fixing section 60 and a control section 101 . The control unit 101 corresponds to the "control device", the "acquisition unit", the "determination unit", the "notification control unit", and the "display control unit" of the present invention.

The control unit 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104, and the like. The CPU 102 reads out a program corresponding to the processing content from the ROM 103, develops it in the RAM 104, and centrally controls the operation of each block of the image forming apparatus 1 in cooperation with the developed program. At this time, various data stored in the storage unit 72 are referred to. The storage unit 72 is composed of, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (so-called flash memory) or a hard disk drive.

The control unit 101 transmits and receives various data to and from an external device (for example, a personal computer) connected to a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) via the communication unit 71. conduct. For example, the control unit 101 receives image data transmitted from an external device, and forms an image on the sheet S based on this image data (input image data). The communication unit 71 is composed of a communication control card such as a LAN card, for example. A cutting control unit 201 of the cutting device 2 and a post-processing control unit 301 of the post-processing device 3, which will be described later, are also connected to the control unit 101 .

As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading section 10 includes an automatic document feeder 11 called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), a document image scanning device 12 (scanner), and the like.

The automatic document feeder 11 transports the document D placed on the document tray by the transport mechanism and sends it to the document image scanning device 12 . The automatic document feeder 11 makes it possible to continuously read images (including both sides) of a large number of documents D placed on the document tray at once.

The document image scanning device 12 optically scans the document conveyed onto the contact glass from the automatic document feeder 11 or the document placed on the contact glass, and converts the light reflected from the document into a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). ) An image is formed on the light-receiving surface of the sensor 12a, and the document image is read. The image reading unit 10 generates input image data based on the result of reading by the document image scanning device 12 . Predetermined image processing is performed on the input image data in the image processing section 30 .

As shown in FIG. 2 , the operation display unit 20 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel, and functions as a display unit 21 and an operation unit 22 . The display unit 21 displays various operation screens, image states, operation states of respective functions, and the like according to display control signals input from the control unit 101 . The operation unit 22 includes various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key, receives various input operations by the user, and outputs operation signals to the control unit 101 .

The image processing unit 30 includes a circuit or the like that performs digital image processing on input image data in accordance with initial settings or user settings. For example, the image processing unit 30 performs tone correction based on tone correction data (tone correction table) under the control of the control unit 101 . The image processing unit 30 also performs various types of correction processing such as color correction and shading correction, compression processing, etc., on the input image data, in addition to tone correction. The image forming section 40 is controlled based on the image data subjected to these processes.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 40 includes image forming units 41Y, 41M, and 41C for forming an image using colored toners of Y, M, C, and K components based on input image data. , 41K, an intermediate transfer unit 42, and the like.

Image forming units 41Y, 41M, 41C, and 41K for the Y, M, C, and K components have similar configurations. For convenience of illustration and description, common components are indicated by the same reference numerals, and Y, M, C, or K is added to the reference numerals to distinguish them. In FIG. 1, only the components of the image forming unit 41Y for the Y component are denoted by reference numerals, and the components of the other image forming units 41M, 41C, and 41K are omitted.

The image forming unit 41 includes an exposure device 411, a developing device 412, a photosensitive drum 413, a charging device 414, a drum cleaning device 415, and the like.

The photoreceptor drum 413 includes, for example, an undercoat layer (UCL), a charge generation layer (CGL), a charge transport layer (CGL), and a charge transport layer ( It is a negative charging type organic photoconductor (OPC: Organic Photo-conductor) in which CTL (Charge Transport Layer) is sequentially laminated.

The control unit 101 rotates the photoreceptor drum 413 at a constant peripheral speed by controlling the drive current supplied to a drive motor (not shown) that rotates the photoreceptor drum 413 .

The charging device 414 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 413 having photoconductivity to a negative polarity. The exposure device 411 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor laser, and irradiates the photosensitive drum 413 with laser light corresponding to an image of each color component.

The developing device 412 is a two-component developing device that adheres toner of each color component to the surface of the photosensitive drum 413 to visualize the electrostatic latent image and form a toner image.

The drum cleaning device 415 has a drum cleaning blade or the like that slides on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 413, and removes transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 413 after the primary transfer.

The intermediate transfer unit 42 includes an intermediate transfer belt 421, a primary transfer roller 422, a plurality of support rollers 423, a secondary transfer roller 424, a belt cleaning device 426, and the like.

The intermediate transfer belt 421 is an endless belt and stretched around a plurality of support rollers 423 in a loop. At least one of the plurality of supporting rollers 423 is configured as a driving roller, and the others are configured as driven rollers. For example, it is preferable that the roller 423A arranged downstream in the belt running direction from the primary transfer roller 422 for the K component is a drive roller. This makes it easier to keep the running speed of the belt in the primary transfer portion constant. As the drive roller 423A rotates, the intermediate transfer belt 421 runs in the arrow A direction at a constant speed.

The intermediate transfer belt 421 is a belt having conductivity and elasticity, and is rotationally driven by a control signal from the control section 101 .

The primary transfer roller 422 is arranged on the inner circumferential surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 421 so as to face the photosensitive drum 413 of each color component. A primary transfer nip for transferring a toner image from the photosensitive drum 413 to the intermediate transfer belt 421 is formed by pressing the primary transfer roller 422 against the photosensitive drum 413 with the intermediate transfer belt 421 therebetween.

The secondary transfer roller 424 is arranged on the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 421 so as to face the backup roller 423B arranged on the downstream side of the driving roller 423A in the belt running direction. A secondary transfer nip for transferring the toner image from the intermediate transfer belt 421 to the sheet S is formed by pressing the secondary transfer roller 424 against the backup roller 423B with the intermediate transfer belt 421 therebetween.

When the intermediate transfer belt 421 passes through the primary transfer nip, the toner images on the photosensitive drum 413 are sequentially superposed on the intermediate transfer belt 421 and primarily transferred. After that, when the sheet S passes through the secondary transfer nip, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 421 is secondarily transferred onto the sheet S. FIG. The sheet S onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed toward the fixing section 60 .

A belt cleaning device 426 removes transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 421 after secondary transfer.

The fixing unit 60 includes an upper fixing unit 60A having a fixing surface side member arranged on the fixing surface of the paper S, that is, the surface on which the toner image is formed, and an upper fixing unit 60A that is arranged on the rear surface of the paper S, that is, the surface opposite to the fixing surface. A lower fixing section 60B and the like having a rear side support member arranged thereon are provided. A fixing nip that pinches and conveys the sheet S is formed by pressing the back surface side support member against the fixing surface side member.

The fixing unit 60 fixes the toner image to the paper S by heating and pressurizing the paper S conveyed after the toner image is secondarily transferred at the fixing nip. The fixing section 60 is arranged inside the fixing device F as a unit.

The paper conveying unit 50 includes a paper feeding unit 51, a paper discharging unit 52, a conveying path unit 53, and the like. The three paper feed tray units 51a to 51c that constitute the paper feed unit 51 contain paper S (standard paper, special paper) identified based on basis weight, size, etc., for each preset type. . The transport path portion 53 has a plurality of transport roller pairs including a registration roller pair 53a.

The paper sheets S accommodated in the paper feed tray units 51 a to 51 c are sent out one by one from the top and conveyed to the image forming section 40 by the conveying path section 53 . In the image forming section 40 , the toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 421 are collectively secondary-transferred onto one side of the sheet S, and the fixing section 60 performs a fixing process. The paper S on which the image has been formed is discharged outside the machine by a paper discharge section 52 having a transport roller pair (paper discharge roller pair) 52a.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cutting device 2 is a device that performs cutting processing on the sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus 1 and divides the sheet S into a plurality of divided sheets. It includes a section 201 , a cutting section 202 , and a cutting/conveying section 203 .

The cutting control unit 201 cooperates with the control unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 1, and performs cutting processing based on cutting processing setting information (corresponding to “setting information regarding cutting processing” of the present invention) that is included in the print job and preset by the user. to control the operation of the entire cutting device 2 . The cutting process setting information includes, for example, an imposition printing function that imposes and prints a plurality of pages (for example, two pages of A4 paper) on one sheet of paper (for example, A3 paper). Specific details regarding the cutting process of the printed sheet S are set.

The cutting unit 202 has a cutting blade for cutting the sheet S along the conveying direction, and cuts the sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus 1 to divide the sheet S into a plurality of divided sheets. To divide.

The cutting/conveying unit 203 has a plurality of roller pairs arranged in the conveying direction of the sheet S, and cuts the sheet S discharged from the image forming apparatus 1 by the cutting unit 202 into a plurality of divided sheets. The sheets are conveyed to the outside of the cutting device 2, that is, to the post-processing device 3 in order.

The post-processing device 3 is a device for performing post-processing such as punch processing, stapling processing, folding processing, and case binding processing on divided sheets. A part 303 is provided. Note that the case binding process is a process of applying an adhesive to the back surface of a sheet bundle of sheets, adhering the sheet bundle to a cover sheet, and wrapping the sheet bundle with the cover sheet to create a booklet.

The post-processing control unit 301 cooperates with the control unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 1 to control the overall operation of the post-processing apparatus 3 based on post-processing setting information included in the print job and preset by the user. In the post-processing setting information, in addition to execution/non-execution of post-processing and types of post-processing, limits on the number of processed sheets (limit number of sheets) are set according to the specifications of the post-processing device 3 and purpose of use.

For example, in the stapling process as post-processing, the maximum number of sheets (limit number of sheets) that can be stapled at one time is set to a predetermined number (for example, 50 sheets) depending on the size of the stapler. That is, a limit range of the number of sheets (for example, 50 sheets or less) is set in association with the stapling process.

In the case binding process as post-processing, the minimum number of sheets (limit number of sheets) that can be case bound at one time is set to a predetermined number (for example, 20 sheets). That is, a limit range of the number of sheets (for example, 20 sheets or more) is set in association with the case binding process.

The post-processing unit 302 performs post-processing on divided sheets that have been cut by the cutting device 2 and discharged.

The post-processing transport section 303 has a plurality of pairs of transport rollers, and transports the divided sheets transported from the cutting device 2 toward the post-processing section 302 . The divided sheets conveyed by the post-processing conveying section 303 are subjected to post-processing in the post-processing section 302 and then discharged outside the post-processing apparatus 3 (discharge section).

By the way, in the image forming system 100, the number of sheets S on which an image is formed differs from the number of split sheets cut and divided. Therefore, although the number of sheets S on which an image is formed does not exceed the limit number of sheets (maximum number of sheets), the number of divided sheets may exceed the limit number of sheets (maximum number of sheets). In this case, there is a problem that the post-processing device 3 may fail due to forced post-processing of the number of split sheets exceeding the limit number (maximum number of sheets).

Also, although the number of sheets on which an image is formed does not exceed the limit number of sheets (minimum number of sheets), the number of divided sheets may exceed the limit number of sheets (minimum number of sheets). There is no problem in this case, but if the number of split sheets does not exceed the limit number (minimum number of sheets), post-processing is performed on the number of split sheets less than the limit number (minimum number of sheets) to produce the desired booklet. can not be created, resulting in wasted paper.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control unit 101 of the image forming apparatus 1 acquires the number of divided sheets divided by performing the cutting process, and determines whether the number of divided sheets falls within the limit range of the number of sheets set for the post-processing. To accurately determine whether or not post-processing can be executed depending on whether or not the number of sheets is included.

An operation example of the control unit 101 (image forming apparatus 1) will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the process shown in FIG. 3 is executed, for example, after a print job (including cutting process setting information and post-processing setting information) is set and before image forming process corresponding to the print job. Here, the print job forms an image on A3 size paper S (30 sheets), cuts the paper S, and divides the paper S into a plurality of (2) divided papers (A4 size). It is a job to

First, the control unit 101 (acquisition unit) refers to the cutting process setting information of the print job and acquires the number of divided sheets (60 sheets) after being divided by the cutting process (step S100).

Next, the control unit 101 refers to the post-processing setting information and determines whether execution of post-processing is set for the print job (step S120). As a result of the determination, if execution of post-processing is not set for the print job (step S120, NO), the control unit 101 ends the processing in FIG.

On the other hand, if execution of post-processing (for example, stapling processing) is set for the print job (step S120, YES), the control unit 101 determines whether a limit range of the number of sheets is set in association with post-processing. It is determined whether or not (step S140). As a result of the determination, if the limit range of the number of sheets is not set (step S140, NO), the control section 101 terminates the processing in FIG.

On the other hand, if the limit range of the number of sheets is set (step S140, NO), the control section 101 determines whether or not the number of divided sheets is included in the limit range of the number of sheets (step S160). As a result of the determination, if the number of divided sheets (60 sheets) is included in the limit range of the number of sheets (for example, 70 sheets or less) (step S160, YES), the control unit 101 (determining unit) does not perform the post-processing. It is determined that it is possible, and the processing in FIG. 3 is terminated.

On the other hand, when the number of split sheets (60 sheets) is not included in the limit range of the number of sheets (for example, 50 sheets or less) (step S160, NO), the control unit 101 (determination unit, notification control unit, display control unit) determines that post-processing cannot be executed, and performs control to display (notify) a warning screen containing warning information on the display unit 21 (step S180). After completing the process of step S180, the control unit 101 ends the process in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of the warning screen 110 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the warning screen 110 includes a warning message 120 (the number of sheets discharged after trimming (divided number) is not included in the limited range) as warning information. As a result, the user who sees the warning message 120 is forced to perform post-processing (stapling processing) on split sheets (60 sheets) exceeding the limit number of sheets (maximum number of sheets: 50), and the post-processing apparatus 3 It is possible to grasp that the failure of the print job will occur before executing the print job, and take countermeasures such as canceling the execution of the print job or changing the type of post-processing. Note that the control unit 101 may perform control to notify the warning information in a form other than display, such as sound or alarm.

In the present embodiment, the warning screen 110 is provided with an operation button 130 for receiving a change in post-processing by the post-processing device 3 along with a guidance message (Are you sure you want to change the post-processing?). The user selects the operation button 130 (yes) to change the post-processing by the post-processing device 3 (for example, change from stapling processing to binding processing, or cancel execution of stapling processing). be able to. As a result, the user can understand that the post-processing by the post-processing device 3 may occur due to forced post-processing of the divided sheets exceeding the limit number of sheets, and then the post-processing by the post-processing device 3. changes can be made quickly. Note that if the post-processing by the post-processing device 3 is not to be changed, the user performs an operation of selecting the operation button 140 (No). The warning screen 110 functions as a "change acceptance screen" of the present invention.

Next, referring to FIG. 3 again, the print job forms an image on A3 size paper S (10 sheets), cuts the paper S, and divides the paper S into a plurality of sheets (2 sheets). An example of the operation of the control unit 101 (image forming apparatus 1) in the case of a job that divides into divided sheets (A4 size) will be described.

First, the control unit 101 (acquisition unit) refers to the cutting process setting information of the print job and acquires the number of divided sheets (20 sheets) after being divided by the cutting process (step S100).

Next, the control unit 101 refers to the post-processing setting information and determines whether execution of post-processing is set for the print job (step S120). As a result of the determination, if execution of post-processing is not set for the print job (step S120, NO), the control unit 101 ends the processing in FIG.

On the other hand, if execution of post-processing (for example, case binding processing) is set for the print job (step S120, YES), the control unit 101 determines whether a limit range of the number of sheets is set in association with the post-processing. It is determined whether or not (step S140). As a result of the determination, if the limit range of the number of sheets is not set (step S140, NO), the control section 101 terminates the processing in FIG.

On the other hand, if the limit range of the number of sheets is set (step S140, NO), the control section 101 determines whether or not the number of split sheets is included in the limit range of the number of sheets (step S160). As a result of the determination, if the number of split sheets (for example, 20 sheets) is included in the limit range of the number of sheets (for example, 20 sheets or more) (step S160, YES), the control unit 101 (determination unit) performs post-processing. It is determined that execution is possible, and the processing in FIG. 3 is terminated.

On the other hand, if the number of split sheets (20 sheets) is not included in the limit range of the number of sheets (for example, 30 sheets or more) (step S160, NO), the control unit 101 (determination unit, notification control unit, display control unit) determines that post-processing cannot be executed, and controls the display unit 21 to display the warning screen 110 containing the warning information (step S180). After completing the process of step S180, the control unit 101 terminates the process in FIG.

When the user sees the warning message 120 (see FIG. 4) included in the warning screen 110, post-processing (case binding processing) is performed on split sheets (20 sheets) less than the limit number of sheets (minimum number of sheets: 30). As a result, the desired booklet cannot be created and there is a risk of waste paper being generated. can take

As described in detail above, in the present embodiment, the control device (control unit 101) provided in the image forming apparatus 1 of the image forming system 100 cuts the sheet S on which an image is formed, and divides the sheet into pieces. Depending on whether or not the number of split sheets is included in the limit range of the number of sheets set in the acquisition unit that acquires the number of split sheets and in the post-processing that is executed on the split sheets, post-processing is performed. and a judgment unit for judging whether or not the process can be executed.

According to this embodiment configured as described above, the number of split sheets cut and divided is included in the limit range of the number of sheets set for post-processing, not the number of sheets S on which an image is to be formed. Whether or not the post-processing can be executed is determined depending on whether or not the post-processing is performed. As a result, post-processing can be executed even under various conditions with different restrictions on the number of processed sheets (maximum number of sheets or minimum number of sheets, which is the limit number of sheets) depending on the division mode of the sheet S, the specifications of the post-processing device 3, the purpose of use, etc. Whether or not it is acceptable is determined accurately. As a result, if post-processing is performed on split sheets exceeding the limit (maximum number of sheets), the post-processing device 3 may malfunction. It is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of wasted paper due to failure to create a desired booklet due to the processing.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the control unit 101 provided in the image forming apparatus 1 corresponds to the "control device" of the present invention has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cutting control unit 201 provided in the cutting device 2 and the post-processing control unit 301 provided in the post-processing device 3 may correspond to the "control device" of the present invention.

Also, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the warning screen 110 functions as the "change acceptance screen" of the present invention has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, separately from the warning screen 110, a change acceptance screen for accepting changes in post-processing by the post-processing device 3 may be displayed.

Moreover, the above-described embodiments are merely examples of specific implementations of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed to be limited by these. Thus, the invention may be embodied in various forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image forming device 2 cutting device 3 post-processing device 10 image reading unit 20 operation display unit 21 display unit 22 operation unit 30 image processing unit 40 image forming unit 50 paper conveying unit 60 fixing unit 71 communication unit 72 storage unit 100 image forming system 101 control unit 102 CPU
103 ROMs
104 RAMs
201 cutting control unit 202 cutting unit 203 cutting transport unit 301 post-processing control unit 302 post-processing unit 303 post-processing transport unit

Claims (7)

an image forming apparatus that forms an image on paper;
a cutting device disposed downstream of the image forming apparatus in the paper transport direction and configured to cut the paper on which the image is formed and divide the paper into a plurality of divided paper;
a post-processing device disposed on the downstream side of the cutting device in the sheet conveying direction and performing post-processing on the divided sheets;
A control device provided in an image forming system comprising
an acquisition unit that refers to setting information included in a print job and acquires the number of divided sheets when the cutting process is executed ;
a determination unit that determines whether or not the post-processing can be executed according to whether the number of divided sheets is included in the limit range of the number of sheets set for the post-processing;
has
After the print job is set, the determination unit determines whether or not the post-processing can be executed before the image forming process corresponding to the print job.
Control device. The acquisition unit acquires the number of divided sheets by referring to setting information related to the cutting process.
A control device according to claim 1 . A notification control unit that performs control to notify warning information when the determination unit determines that execution of the post-processing is impossible,
3. A control device according to claim 1 or 2. a display control unit that performs control to display a change acceptance screen for accepting changes in post-processing by the post-processing device when the determination unit determines that the post-processing cannot be executed;
A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The cutting device and the post-processing device are connected in-line,
A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The control device is provided in the image forming device,
A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. an image forming apparatus that forms an image on paper;
a cutting device arranged downstream of the image forming apparatus in the paper transport direction, for performing cutting processing on the paper on which an image is formed, and dividing the paper into a plurality of divided paper;
a post-processing device arranged on the downstream side of the cutting device in the sheet conveying direction and performing post-processing on the divided divided sheets;
A determination method in an image forming system comprising
referring to the setting information included in the print job to obtain the number of divided sheets when the cutting process is executed ;
After the print job is set and before the image forming process corresponding to the print job, it is determined whether the number of divided sheets is included in the limit range of the number of sheets set for the post-processing. Depending, determine whether the post-processing can be executed,
judgment method.

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