Image forming apparatus, control method and program for image forming apparatus

Abstract

This reduces the effort required for users to separate printed documents into desired quantities after printing. [Solution] The image forming apparatus has a first control means that, when a function for shifting or rotating for each specified number of cut sheets or thickness is set, and when a function for shifting or rotating for each specified number of shifted parts is not set, controls the output position of the printed output paper to shift or rotate each time it is printed on the output paper of the specified number of cut sheets or thickness; and a second control means that, when a function for shifting or rotating for each specified number of shifted parts is set, and when a function for shifting or rotating for each specified number of cut sheets or thickness is not set, controls the output position of the printed output paper to shift or rotate each time it is printed on the output paper of the specified number of shifted parts.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , ,

[0006] ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method of the image forming apparatus, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, a function of shifting and printing for each arbitrary number of copies is known. Further, assuming that the user cuts the printed matter after printing, by shifting the printed matter for each number of sheets that can be cut by the cutting machine, when the other cut paper bundle is stacked under the cut paper bundle after cutting, sorting of N copies is made in the page order of 1 to D. There is known a technique of aggregating and printing so as to obtain a finished state (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Further, in order to perform post-processing such as boxing, there is known a technique of specifying the height of the stacking means and the stackable paper bundle and shifting the output at a stackable height (see Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the prior art, when printing an arbitrary number of copies, it is not possible to simultaneously specify a function of shifting the output position and a shifting function due to other factors. For example, when cutting the output using a cutting machine or the like in a post-process, there are often limitations on the maximum number of sheets that can be cut. Therefore, when the user cuts after printing, it is necessary to distribute the printed matter for each maximum number of sheets to be cut, and there is a problem that it takes time for the user to distribute the printed matter.

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is to reduce the effort required for users to separate printed materials into arbitrary quantities after printing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The image forming apparatus has a first control means that controls the output position of the printed output paper to shift or rotate each time it prints on the specified number of cut sheets or thickness, if a shift or rotation function for each specified number of shifts is set and a shift or rotation function for each specified number of shifts is not set; a second control means that controls the output position of the printed output paper to shift or rotate each time it prints on the specified number of shifts, if a shift or rotation function for each specified number of shifts is set and a shift or rotation function for each specified number of cut sheets or thickness is not set; and if the number of cut sheets or thickness is greater than the number of shifts, the first control means controls the output position of the printed output paper to shift or rotate each time it prints on the specified number of shifts. The system includes a third control means for controlling the output position of the printed output paper to shift or rotate each time it prints on a specified number of cut sheets or cut thickness, or each time it prints on a specified shift number of output sheets; a fourth control means for controlling the output position of the printed output paper to shift or rotate each time it prints on a specified shift number of output sheets, provided that a shift or rotation function for each specified number of cut sheets or cut thickness is set, and the number of cut sheets or cut thickness is not greater than the number or thickness of the shift number; and a fifth control means for controlling the system to print on the output paper without shifting or rotating the output position of the printed output paper, provided that a shift or rotation function for each specified number of cut sheets or cut thickness is not set, and a shift or rotation function for each specified shift number is not set. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This disclosure reduces the effort required for users to separate printed materials into arbitrary quantities after printing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] This is an external view of the input / output devices of an image processing unit. [Figure 4] This is a detailed diagram of the control panel of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] This diagram shows an example of the display on the control panel. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing the function settings screen. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the finishing settings screen. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart illustrating the process of creating the final copy. [Figure 9] This figure shows the output when the final copy is executed. [Figure 10] This figure shows the output when the final copy is executed. [Figure 11] This figure shows the output when the final copy is executed. [Figure 12] This figure shows the output when the final copy is executed. [Figure 13] This figure shows the output when the final copy is executed. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of the finishing settings screen. [Figure 15] This figure shows the output when the final copy is executed. [Figure 16] This figure shows an example of the final settings screen on a computer. [Figure 17] This diagram shows the dropdown menu for the final settings screen on a computer. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the scope of the claims is not limited to the configurations described in the embodiment. If the same effects as the object and effects can be obtained, part or all of the configuration may be replaced with equivalents.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming system 100 according to this embodiment. The image forming system 100 includes a personal computer 107 and an image forming apparatus 108. As an example of the image forming apparatus 108, the configuration of a multi-functional peripheral (MFP) is shown.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 108 includes a controller 101, a scanner 102, a printer 103, a finisher 104, a network interface 105, and an operation unit 106.

[0013] In FIG. 1, the controller 101 is a controller for controlling the multi-functional peripheral and has the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 2.

[0014] The scanner 102 is a scanner engine and is controlled by the controller 101.

[0015] The printer 103 is a laser beam printer engine and is controlled by the controller 101.

[0016] The printer 103 is connected to the finisher 104 and can perform staple (stitch) or saddle stitch processing on a plurality of recording media (e.g., paper) output from the printer 103.

[0017] The finisher 104 is also controlled by the controller 101.

[0018] The network interface 105 provides bidirectional communication to the controller 101 via the network interface 105, enabling connection with the personal computer 107 over the network.

[0019] The control unit 106 is a user interface consisting of an LCD display and a keyboard, and it displays information from the controller 101 and transmits user instructions to the controller 101.

[0020] Furthermore, all functions can be accessed through interfaces such as networks.

[0021] Figure 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 108 shown in Figure 1. The image forming apparatus 108 includes a controller 101, a scanner 102, a printer 103, a finisher 104, a network interface 105, a liquid crystal display 203, and a keyboard 204. The liquid crystal display 203 and the keyboard 204 correspond to the operation unit 106 in Figure 1.

[0022] The controller 101 includes a CPU 201, memory 202, bus 209, ROM 210, and DISK 211.

[0023] Inside the controller 101, the CPU 201 is connected via the bus 209 to the memory 202, the liquid crystal display 203 and keyboard 204 that make up the operation unit 106, the ROM 210 and the DISK 211.

[0024] Various programs and data are stored on a DISK 211 (storage medium) such as a hard disk or flexible disk, and are sequentially read into memory 202 as needed and executed by the CPU 201. This DISK 211 may be detachable from the image forming apparatus 108, or it may be built into the image forming apparatus 108.

[0025] Furthermore, the program may be configured to be downloaded from other image forming machines via a network and stored on DISK211.

[0026] Furthermore, memory 202 can be non-volatile memory like DRAM or volatile memory like SRAM, but memory 202 may have both functions, or it may be configured so that memory 202 handles the functions of volatile memory and DISK 211 handles the functions of non-volatile memory. Also, memory 202 may be a removable memory medium.

[0027] The liquid crystal display 203 and the keyboard 204 constitute the operation unit 106 shown in Figure 1.

[0028] The CPU 201 displays data by writing it to the LCD display 203, and the CPU 201 receives user instructions by reading data from the keyboard 204 or the LCD display 203, which is a touch panel.

[0029] The input information is transferred to and stored in either memory 202, disk 211, or CPU 201, and used for various processes.

[0030] Additionally, a network interface 105 is connected to bus 209. The CPU 201 performs communication using the network interface 105 by reading or writing data to or from the network interface.

[0031] Furthermore, a printer 103, a finisher 104, and a scanner 102 are connected to bus 209.

[0032] The CPU 201 performs engine operations such as printing and scanning, as well as acquiring various statuses, by reading and writing data to the printer 103, finisher 104, and scanner 102.

[0033] Image data can be saved from the scanner 102 or the network interface 105 to the disk 211 and memory 202 in the controller 101.

[0034] Furthermore, it is possible to store image data in advance in a removable memory 202 and then retrieve it by attaching the memory 202 to the controller 101.

[0035] Image data stored on DISK211 can be moved or copied to memory 202, and various layout processing can be applied to the image data in memory 202 according to instructions from the operation unit 106.

[0036] The printer 103, finisher 104, and scanner 102 may exist as separate peripheral devices on a network, rather than being located inside the image forming apparatus 108, and may be controlled by the controller 101 of the image forming apparatus 108.

[0037] Figure 3 is an external view of the image forming apparatus 108. The scanner unit 301, which is an image input device, illuminates the image on the paper that will be the original document and converts the original document placed in the scanner into electrical image data by scanning with a CCD line sensor. From the electrically converted image data, the scanner performs color and size determination of the original document.

[0038] The printer unit 302, which is an image output device, converts image data into an image on paper. After printing on the paper, it performs folding processes such as stapling and binding before outputting the image. Printing operations are started and stopped by instructions from the CPU 201.

[0039] The configuration of the operation unit 303 is shown in Figure 4. The liquid crystal display unit 401 has a touch panel sheet attached to the liquid crystal, and displays the system operation screen and soft keys. When a displayed key is pressed, it transmits the position information to the CPU 201.

[0040] The start key 402 is used to initiate the document image scanning operation. A two-color LED 403, green and red, is located in the center of the start key 402, and its color indicates whether the start key 402 is ready for use. The stop key 404 stops the operation while it is running.

[0041] The numeric keypad 405 consists of a group of number and letter buttons and is used to set the number of copies and switch screens on the LCD display unit 401. The user mode key 406 is pressed when configuring the device settings.

[0042] Figure 5 shows an example of the display on the liquid crystal display unit 401. The copy basic screen 501 is an example of the display on the liquid crystal display unit 401. From this copy basic screen 501, you can select the cassette to use and set the magnification. The number of copies 504 can be set by entering the number on the numeric keypad 405.

[0043] The manual feed tray 304 and paper cassette 305 in Figure 3 are the parts where paper for printing is loaded.

[0044] The output trays 306 and 307 are the parts that output the printed paper.

[0045] The saddle tray 308 is the part that outputs saddle-stitched paper and has a stopper 309 to prevent saddle-stitched output from falling and a tray sensor 310 to notify when the tray is full of saddle-stitched output paper.

[0046] A detailed explanation of the printer unit 302 will be given. Figure 3 shows an example of a full-color image forming apparatus 108. The photosensitive drum 311 is charged to a specific polar potential by the primary band electricity 321, and the position of the arrow 322 is exposed by an exposure means (not shown). In this way, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the first color component is formed. Subsequently, 312 is developed using one of the four developing machines.

[0047] The intermediate transfer belt 313 is driven in the direction of the arrow, and the first color component image formed on the photosensitive drum 311 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 313 by the electric field formed by the primary transfer roller 320 as it passes through the junction between the photosensitive drum 311 and the intermediate transfer belt 313.

[0048] The surface of the photosensitive drum 311, after transferring the image to the intermediate transfer belt 313, is cleaned by the cleaning device 314. This process is repeated sequentially to superimpose the four-color images onto the intermediate transfer belt 313 and form a color image. When forming a single-color image, the transfer process is performed only once.

[0049] The image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 313 is printed onto the paper fed from the cassette 315 at the secondary transfer roller 319. The printed paper is heated and fixed by the fuser 316. After fixing, the paper is transported through 317 to the output tray 324 and discharged from the machine. For double-sided printing, the paper is circulated through the inversion path 318 and the printing process is repeated. When the paper is discharged to the output tray 324, stapling or shifting the output position is performed depending on the settings.

[0050] Figure 6 shows the function settings screen that appears after pressing the "Other Functions" button 502 on the basic copy screen 501. The function settings screen 600 has a group of function buttons 601, from which detailed function settings can be configured by selecting the desired function. The group of function buttons 601 can also be placed on the basic copy screen 501 as shortcut buttons. For example, the finishing settings button 602 can be placed on the basic copy screen 501 in Figure 5 as a shortcut button 503.

[0051] Figure 7 shows an example of a screen for setting the type of finish, which is displayed when the finishing setting button 503 in Figure 5 is pressed. On the finishing setting screen 700, sheet processing such as stapling, folding, and shifting can be set. Pressing a button changes its color, indicating that it is selected, and pressing the OK button 710 in this state allows you to set the sheet processing. Pressing the Cancel setting button 709 will discard the settings you have made.

[0052] The sort button 701 sets the pages to be sorted by page. The group button 702 sets the pages to be grouped together. The stapler + sort button 703 adds a stapler function to the sorting process. The stapler + group button 704 adds a stapler function to the grouping process. These buttons 701 to 704 are mutually exclusive and cannot be set simultaneously.

[0053] The shift button 705 is set to perform shifts in units of copies, and by entering a numerical value in the shift copy input area 706, the system can perform shifts in increments of a specified number of copies.

[0054] The Cutting Count Shift Button 707 is a setting that shifts the cuts at any number of sheets. By entering a value in the Cutting Count Input Area 708, the system can shift at the specified number of sheets. The Cutting Count Shift Button 707 can be used when the Sort Button 701 or Group Button 702 is set. Since the Cutting Count can be any number of sheets, the Cutting Count Shift Button 707 can also be expressed as "Shift at any number of sheets". Alternatively, the Cutting Count can be set to the Cutting Thickness instead of a specific number of sheets. The Cutting Thickness is the thickness of the paper stack. In that case, for example, the thickness of the output paper stack can be calculated from the number of output sheets and the paper weight, and the system can shift at the set Cutting Thickness.

[0055] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the process of making a final copy. The process shown in Figure 8 is started by configuring the settings on the finishing settings screen 700 in Figure 7 and pressing the start key 402 in Figure 4. The control method of the image forming apparatus 108 will be explained below.

[0056] In the finishing settings screen 700 of Figure 7, the CPU 201 sets the shift function for each specified number of sheets to be cut by selecting the number of sheets to be cut shift button 707 in the number of sheets to be cut input area 708. The CPU 201 also sets the shift function for each specified number of shifts in the number of shifts input area 706 by selecting the shift button 705.

[0057] In step S801, the CPU 201 determines whether to perform a cut-number shift. If the cut-number shift button 707 in Figure 7 is selected, the CPU 201 determines to perform a cut-number shift. The cut-number shift button 707 is a button for setting the function of shifting for each specified cut-number in the cut-number input area 708. If it is determined in S801 not to perform a cut-number shift, the process proceeds to step S802. If it is determined in S801 to perform a cut-number shift, the process proceeds to step S806.

[0058] In step S802, the CPU 201 determines whether to perform a shift. If the shift button 705 in Figure 7 is set, the CPU 201 determines to perform a shift. The shift button 705 is a button for setting the shift function for each specified number of shifts in the shift number input area 706. If it is determined in S802 not to perform a shift, the process proceeds to step S803. If it is determined in S802 to perform a shift, the process proceeds to step S804.

[0059] In step S803, the CPU 201 controls the printer 103 to print the document scanned by the scanner 102, and then terminates the flowchart. That is, the CPU 201 controls the printer 103 to print on the output paper without the finisher 104 shifting the output position of the printed output paper, and then terminates the flowchart.

[0060] In step S804, the CPU 201 obtains the value in the shift portion input area 706 in Figure 7 as the shift portion.

[0061] In step S805, the CPU 201 controls the printer 103 to print the document scanned by the scanner 102, shifting it according to the number of shift copies acquired in S804, and then terminates the flowchart. That is, each time the printer 103 prints on the number of shift copies acquired in S804, the CPU 201 controls the finisher 104 to shift the output position of the printed output paper, and then terminates the flowchart.

[0062] In step S806, the CPU 201 obtains the value in the number of sheets to be cut input area 708 in Figure 7 as the number of sheets to be cut.

[0063] In step S807, the CPU 201 determines whether to perform a shift. If the shift button 705 in Figure 7 is set, the CPU 201 determines to perform a shift. If it is determined in S807 not to perform a shift, the process proceeds to step S808. If it is determined in S807 to perform a shift, the process proceeds to step S809.

[0064] In step S808, the CPU 201 controls the printer 103 to print the scanned document using the scanner 102, shifting it according to the number of sheets to be cut, as determined in S806, and then terminates the flowchart. That is, each time the printer 103 prints on the output sheets according to the number of sheets to be cut, as determined in S806, the CPU 201 controls the finisher 104 to shift the output position of the printed sheet, and then terminates the flowchart.

[0065] In step S809, the CPU 201 obtains the value in the shift portion input area 706 in Figure 7 as the shift portion.

[0066] In step S810, the CPU 201 determines whether the number of sheets to be cut is greater than the number of shift copies. For example, for output with 4 pages per copy (4 pages / copy), if the number of shift copies is 1, the number of shift copies is 4, and if the number of shift copies is 5, the number of shift copies is 20. If S810 determines that the number of sheets to be cut is not greater than the number of shift copies, the process proceeds to step S805. If S810 determines that the number of sheets to be cut is greater than the number of shift copies, the process proceeds to step S811.

[0067] In step S805, the CPU 201 controls the printer 103 to print the document scanned by the scanner 102, shifting it according to the number of copies obtained in S804, and then the flowchart ends.

[0068] In step S811, the CPU 201 controls the printer 103 to print the document scanned by the scanner 102, shifting it according to the number of cut sheets obtained in S806 or the number of shift copies obtained in S804, and then terminates the flowchart. That is, each time the printer 103 prints on the output sheets according to the number of cut sheets obtained in S806, or on the output sheets according to the number of shift copies obtained in S804, the CPU 201 controls the finisher 104 to shift the output position of the printed output sheet, and then terminates the flowchart.

[0069] Note that in Figure 8, the cutting thickness may be used instead of the number of sheets to be cut, as described above.

[0070] From here on, we will explain the finishing copy process and output, as described in Figure 8, using specific examples.

[0071] Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12 show images of the output when printing three copies of an output document with 7 pages per copy (7 pages / copy).

[0072] Figure 9 shows an image of the output of S803 when the shift button 705 and the number of sheets shift button 707 in Figure 7 are not set. Output paper 901 indicates the number of pages of the output paper, and layout document 902 indicates the number of pages of the document to be laid out on the output paper. After printing pages 7 to 1 of the document as the first copy on output paper 1 to 7, printing proceeds sequentially from output paper 8 as the second copy.

[0073] Figure 10 shows an image of the output of S805 when the shift button 705 in Figure 7 is set and the number of sheets to be cut shift button 707 is not set. The value in the shift number input area 706 is assumed to be 1. Output paper 1001 indicates the number of pages of the output paper, and layout document 1002 indicates the number of pages of the document to be laid out on the output paper. After printing document pages 7-1 (1003) as the first copy on output paper 1-7, a shift is performed. Subsequently, printing is performed sequentially from output paper 8 as the second copy. Since the printer 103 prints according to the shift number, a shift is performed when output paper 7 and 14 are printed.

[0074] Figure 11 shows an image of the output of S808 when the shift button 705 in Figure 7 is not set, and the number of sheets to be cut shift button 707 is set. The value entered in the number of sheets to be cut input area 708 is assumed to be 5 sheets. Output paper 1101 indicates the number of pages of the output paper, and layout document 1102 indicates the number of pages of the document to be laid out on the output paper. After printing document pages 7-3 (1103) on output paper 1-5, a shift is performed. Subsequently, printing proceeds sequentially from output paper 6. Since printer 103 prints according to the number of sheets to be cut, a shift is performed when output paper 5, 10, 15, and 20 are printed.

[0075] Figure 12 shows an image of the output of S811 when the shift button 705 and the number of sheets shift button 707 in Figure 7 are set. Assume that the value in the shift number input area 706 is 1 and the value in the number of sheets input area 708 is 5. Output paper 1201 indicates the number of pages of the output paper, and layout document 1202 indicates the number of pages of the document to be laid out on the output paper. After printing document pages 7-3 (1203) on output paper 1-5, perform a shift. Next, print document pages 2 and 1 on output paper 6 and 7, and perform a shift as 1 copy (1204) has been printed. Next, print document page 7 on output paper 8, and continue printing sequentially. To print every 5 sheets and every 1 shift, perform a shift when output paper 5, 7, 12, 14, and 19 have been printed. Of these, output sheets 5, 12, and 19 are shifted by the number of sheets to be cut, while output sheets 7 and 14 are shifted by the number of copies.

[0076] The above embodiments make it possible to realize a copying function that takes into account the limitations on the number of sheets to be cut in the subsequent process. For example, in the specific example shown in Figure 12, after cutting output sheets 1 to 5, output sheets 6 and 7 are cut and the respective stacks of paper are stacked, allowing the user to obtain the desired printed materials in separate copies without the trouble of separating them according to the number of sheets to be cut.

[0077] The shift button 705 and the cut-to-sheet shift button 707 can be combined not only with the sort button 701 but also with the group button 702. Figure 13 illustrates the image of the output of S811 when the group button 702 and the cut-to-sheet shift button 707 are set. When the group button 702 is set, the output position is shifted for each page of the original document. Therefore, the number of shifted copies in the flowchart of Figure 8 is 1. Figure 13 shows an image of the output when printing 7 copies of an output document with 3 pages per copy (3 pages / copy). Also, the value entered in the cut-to-sheet input area 708 is assumed to be 5 sheets. Output paper 1301 indicates the number of pages of the output paper, and layout document 1302 indicates the number of pages of the original document to be laid out on the output paper. First, since the number of cut-to-sheets is 5, original page 3 is printed on output paper 1-5 (1203), and then the shift is performed. Next, original page 3 is printed on output paper 6 and 7, and the shift is performed using the group function (1204). Next, page 2 of the original document is printed onto output paper 8, and printing continues sequentially. Since the printer prints 5 sheets and each original page separately, a shift is performed when output papers 5, 7, 12, 14, and 19 are printed. Of these, output papers 5, 12, and 19 are shifted by the number of sheets to be cut, while output papers 7 and 14 are shifted by a group. In the specific example shown in Figure 13, after cutting output papers 1 through 5, output papers 6 and 7 are cut, and the respective stacks of paper are stacked, allowing the user to obtain the desired printed materials without the trouble of separating them by the number of sheets to be cut.

[0078] The shift button 705 and the cut sheet shift button 707, which shift the paper output position, may also function to rotate the output direction by 90 degrees. The rotation of the output direction is performed by the printer 103 when the paper is ejected to the paper output slot 324. The finishing settings screen when the function is to rotate by 90 degrees instead of shifting is shown in screen 1400 of Figure 14. The shift button 705 and the cut sheet shift button 707 may also be expressed as the 90-degree rotation button 1401 and the "rotate by cut sheet" button 1402. In this case, in steps S805, S808 and S811, the CPU 201 controls the output to rotate the output position of the output paper instead of shifting it.

[0079] The finishing copy process described in Figure 8 can be combined with other functions. For example, it can be combined with a function that allocates multiple originals to a single sheet of paper. Figure 15 shows an output image of a finishing copy when 28 originals are allocated to 3 copies, with 4 originals allocated per page of output paper. The value in the shift copy input area 706 is set to 1 copy, and the value in the trimming copy input area 708 is set to 5 sheets. Output paper 1501 indicates the number of pages on the output paper, and allocation original 1502 indicates the number of original pages allocated to the output paper. After printing original pages 9-28 on output paper 1-5 (1504), a shift is performed. Next, original pages 1-8 are printed on output paper 6 and 7, and since 1 copy (1503) has been printed, a shift is performed. Next, original pages 9-28 are printed on output paper 8-12, and printing continues sequentially. To print in batches of 5 sheets and 1 set, the machine shifts when output sheets 5, 7, 12, 14, and 19 are printed. Of these, output sheets 5, 12, and 19 are shifted based on the number of sheets to be cut, while output sheets 7 and 14 are shifted based on the number of sets.

[0080] In Figures 9 to 13, the CPU 201 controls the system to print one page of the document on each page of the output paper. In contrast, in Figure 15, the CPU 201 controls the system to print multiple pages of the document on each page of the output paper.

[0081] The finishing copy process described in Figure 8 can also be used when printing from the PC 107 in Figure 1. For example, in the flowchart of Figure 8, printing can be performed by using the document scanned by the scanner 102 in steps S803, S805, S811, and S808 as the document data sent from the PC 107.

[0082] The print settings screen 1601 shown in Figure 16 is the print settings screen performed on the PC 107. The settings for the sort button 701, group button 702, stapler + sort button 703, and stapler + group button 704 can be set using the finishing settings pull-down 1602. The shift button 705 and the number of sheets shift button 707 can be set using the shift setting checkbox 1603 and the number of sheets shift checkbox 1605. Numerical input for the shift number input area 706 and the number of sheets input area 708 can be set by entering numerical values ​​in input areas 1604 and 1606, respectively. The settings on the print settings screen 1601 can be confirmed with the OK button 1607 and canceled with the Cancel button 1608.

[0083] The finishing settings dropdown 1602 displays the configurable selection items 1701, as shown in Figure 17. For example, "No Selection," "Sort," "Group," "Stapler + Sort," and "Stapler + Group" are displayed as selection items 1701.

[0084] Furthermore, the print settings screen 1601 can be displayed not only on a PC 107 but also on mobile devices. By displaying the print settings screen 1601 and accepting user settings, it is possible to adjust both the number of copies and the maximum number of sheets to be cut after printing, not just for copying, when the user cuts the paper to a desired size after printing.

[0085] In this case, in steps S803, S805, S808, and S811 of Figure 8, the CPU 201 controls the system to print the document received from the personal computer 107 or the like onto the output paper.

[0086] Furthermore, the cutting quantity shift button 707 and cutting quantity input area 708 in Figure 7 may be used to set a shift or rotation function for each specified cutting quantity or cutting thickness, as described above.

[0087] Furthermore, the shift button 705 and the shift number input area 706 in Figure 7 may be used to set the shift or rotation function for each specified shift number, as described above.

[0088] In summary, this embodiment reduces the effort required for the user to separate printed materials into arbitrary quantities after printing.

[0089] (Other embodiments) This disclosure can also be implemented by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the embodiments described above to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0090] Furthermore, the embodiments described above are merely examples illustrating how to implement this disclosure, and they should not be interpreted as limiting the technical scope of this disclosure. In other words, this disclosure can be implemented in various ways without departing from its technical concept or its main features.

[0091] This embodiment includes the following configuration. (Item 1) A first control means controls the output position of the printed output paper to shift or rotate each time the specified number of cut sheets or thickness of cut paper is printed, if a shift or rotation function for a specified number of shifted copies is not set, and if the specified number of cut sheets or thickness of cut paper is not set, If a shift or rotation function is set for each specified number of shift copies, and a shift or rotation function is not set for each specified number of cut sheets or cutting thickness, a second control means controls the output position of the printed output sheet to shift or rotate each time printing is performed on the output sheet of the specified number of shift copies. A third control means controls the output position of the printed output paper to shift or rotate each time it is printed on the output paper of the specified number of cut sheets or thickness, or each time it is printed on the output paper of the specified number of shift copies, when the function of shifting or rotating for each specified number of cut sheets or thickness is set, and the function of shifting or rotating for each specified number of shift copies is set, and the number of cut sheets or thickness is greater than the number of cut sheets or thickness of the shift copies. A fourth control means controls the output position of the printed output paper to be shifted or rotated each time the specified number of cut sheets or thicknesses are printed, provided that a shift or rotation function is set for each specified number of shift copies, and the number of cut sheets or thicknesses is not greater than the number of shift copies. If a function for shifting or rotating for each specified number of cut sheets or cutting thickness is not set, and a function for shifting or rotating for each specified number of shifts is not set, a fifth control means controls the printing to be done on the output paper without shifting or rotating the output position of the printed output paper. An image forming apparatus characterized by having the following features. (Item 2) The first control means controls the system to shift the output position of the printed output sheet each time it prints on the specified number of cut sheets, if the function for shifting each specified number of shifted sheets is not set. The second control means, when a shift function for a specified number of shift copies is set and a shift function for a specified number of cut sheets is not set, controls the system to shift the output position of the printed output sheet each time it prints on the specified number of shift copies of output paper. The third control means controls the output position of the printed output sheet to shift each time it prints on the specified number of cut sheets, or each time it prints on the specified number of cut sheets, if a shift function is set for each specified number of shift copies, and the number of cut sheets is greater than the number of shift copies. The fourth control means, when a shift function is set for each specified number of cut sheets, and a shift function is set for each specified number of shifted sheets, and the number of cut sheets is not greater than the number of shifted sheets, controls the system to shift the output position of the printed output sheet each time it prints on the shifted number of output sheets. The image forming apparatus according to item 1, characterized in that the fifth control means controls the output paper to print without shifting the output position of the printed output paper if a shift function for each specified number of cut sheets is not set and a shift function for each specified number of shift copies is not set. (Item 3) The first control means, when a function for rotation every specified number of cut sheets is set, and a function for rotation every specified number of shifted sheets is not set, controls the output position of the printed output sheet to rotate each time the specified number of cut sheets of output paper are printed. The second control means, when the function for rotation for each specified number of shift copies is set, and the function for rotation for each specified number of cut sheets is not set, controls the output position of the printed output sheet to be rotated each time the output sheet for the specified number of shift copies is printed. The third control means, when a function for rotation for a specified number of cut sheets is set, and a function for rotation for a specified number of shifted sheets is set, and the number of cut sheets is greater than the number of shifted sheets, controls the output position of the printed output sheet to be rotated each time the specified number of cut sheets of output paper is printed, or each time the specified number of shifted sheets of output paper is printed. The fourth control means, when a function for rotation for a specified number of cut sheets is set, and a function for rotation for a specified number of shift sheets is set, and the number of cut sheets is not greater than the number of shift sheets, controls the output position of the printed output sheet to be rotated each time it is printed on the shift sheet. The image forming apparatus according to item 1, characterized in that, if the fifth control means does not have a function set for rotation every specified number of cut sheets and does not have a function set for rotation every specified number of shifts, it controls the printing to be done on the output paper without rotating the output position of the printed output paper. (Item 4) The first control means, when a shift function for each specified cutting thickness is set and a shift function for each specified number of shifts is not set, controls the output position of the printed output paper to shift each time it is printed on the output paper of the specified cutting thickness. The second control means, when a shift function for a specified number of shift copies is set and a shift function for a specified cutting thickness is not set, controls the output position of the printed output paper to shift each time it prints on the specified number of shift copies of output paper. The third control means, when a shift function for each specified cutting thickness is set, and a shift function for each specified number of shift copies is set, and the cutting thickness is thicker than the number of shift copies, controls the output position of the printed output paper to shift each time it prints on the output paper of the specified cutting thickness, or each time it prints on the number of shift copies of the output paper. The fourth control means, when a shift function for each specified cutting thickness is set, and a shift function for each specified number of shifts is set, and the cutting thickness is not thicker than the number of shifts, controls the system to shift the output position of the printed output paper each time it is printed on the number of shifts. The image forming apparatus according to item 1, characterized in that, if the fifth control means does not have a function set for shifting for each specified cutting thickness and does not have a function set for shifting for each specified number of shifts, it controls the print to print on the output paper without shifting the output position of the printed output paper. (Item 5) The first control means, when a function for rotation for each specified cutting thickness is set and a function for rotation for each specified shift number is not set, controls the output position of the printed output paper to rotate each time it is printed on the output paper of the specified cutting thickness. The second control means, when a function for rotation for each specified shift number is set and a function for rotation for each specified cutting thickness is not set, controls the output position of the printed output paper to rotate each time it is printed on the output paper of the shift number. The third control means, when a function for rotation for each specified cutting thickness is set, and a function for rotation for each specified shift number is set, and the cutting thickness is thicker than the thickness of the shift number, controls the output position of the printed output paper to rotate each time it is printed on the output paper of the specified cutting thickness, or each time it is printed on the output paper of the shift number. The fourth control means, when a function for rotation for each specified cutting thickness is set, and a function for rotation for each specified shift number is set, and the cutting thickness is not thicker than the thickness of the shift number, controls the output position of the printed output paper to rotate each time it is printed on the shift number of output sheets. The image forming apparatus according to item 1, characterized in that, if the fifth control means does not have a function set for rotation for each specified cutting thickness and does not have a function set for rotation for each specified shift number, it controls the printing to be done on the output paper without rotating the output position of the printed output paper. (Item 6) The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 5, characterized in that the first to fifth control means controls the scanning of a document by the scanner to print it on the output paper. (Item 7) The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 5, characterized in that the first to fifth control means control the received document to be printed on the output paper. (Item 8) The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 7, characterized in that the first to fifth control means control the printing of one page of the original document on each page of the output paper. (Item 9) The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 7, characterized in that the first to fifth control means controls the printing of multiple pages of original documents on each page of the output paper. (Item 10) A first setting means for setting a shift or rotation function for each specified number of sheets to be cut or cutting thickness, The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 9, further comprising a second setting means for setting a shift or rotation function for each specified number of shift units. (Item 11) If a shift or rotation function for a specified number of cut sheets or cut thickness is set, and a shift or rotation function for a specified number of shift copies is not set, a first control step controls the output position of the printed output paper to shift or rotate each time printing is performed on the output paper of the specified number of cut sheets or cut thickness. If a shift or rotation function is set for each specified number of shift copies, and a shift or rotation function is not set for each specified number of cut sheets or cutting thickness, a second control step is performed to control the output position of the printed output sheet to shift or rotate each time printing is performed on the output paper of the specified number of shift copies. A third control step controls the output position of the printed output paper to be shifted or rotated each time it is printed on output paper of the specified number of cut sheets or thickness, or each time it is printed on output paper of the specified number of shift copies, if a shift or rotation function is set for each specified number of cut copies or thickness, and if the number of cut sheets or thickness is greater than the number of cut copies or thickness, A fourth control step is to control the output position of the printed output paper to shift or rotate each time it is printed on the specified number of cut sheets or thickness, if a shift or rotation function is set for each specified number of shift copies, and the number of cut sheets or thickness is not greater than the number of shift copies or thickness, If the function to shift or rotate for each specified number of cut sheets or cutting thickness is not set, and the function to shift or rotate for each specified number of shifts is not set, a fifth control step controls the system to print on the output paper without shifting or rotating the output position of the printed output paper. A control method for an image forming apparatus, characterized by having the following features. (Item 12) A program to cause a computer to function as an image forming apparatus as described in any one of items 1 to 10. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0092] 101: Controller 102: Scanner 103: Printer 104: Finisher 105: Network Interface

Claims

1. A first control means controls the output position of the printed output paper to shift or rotate each time the specified number of cut sheets or thickness of cut paper is printed, if a shift or rotation function for a specified number of shifted copies is not set, and if the specified number of cut sheets or thickness of cut paper is not set, If a shift or rotation function is set for each specified number of shift copies, and a shift or rotation function is not set for each specified number of cut sheets or cutting thickness, a second control means controls the output position of the printed output sheet to shift or rotate each time printing is performed on the output sheet of the specified number of shift copies. A third control means controls the output position of the printed output paper to shift or rotate each time it is printed on the output paper of the specified number of cut sheets or thickness, or each time it is printed on the output paper of the specified number of shift copies, when the function of shifting or rotating for each specified number of cut sheets or thickness is set, and the function of shifting or rotating for each specified number of shift copies is set, and the number of cut sheets or thickness is greater than the number of cut sheets or thickness of the shift copies. A fourth control means controls the output position of the printed output paper to be shifted or rotated each time the specified number of cut sheets or thicknesses are printed, provided that a shift or rotation function is set for each specified number of shift copies, and the number of cut sheets or thicknesses is not greater than the number of shift copies. If a function for shifting or rotating for each specified number of cut sheets or cutting thickness is not set, and a function for shifting or rotating for each specified number of shifts is not set, a fifth control means controls the printing to be done on the output paper without shifting or rotating the output position of the printed output paper. An image forming apparatus characterized by having the following features.

2. The first control means controls the system to shift the output position of the printed output sheet each time it prints on the specified number of cut sheets, if a shift function for each specified number of shifted sheets is not set. The second control means, when a shift function for a specified number of shift copies is set and a shift function for a specified number of cut sheets is not set, controls the output position of the printed output sheet to shift each time it prints on the specified number of shift copies of output paper. The third control means controls the output position of the printed output sheet to shift each time it prints on the specified number of cut sheets, or each time it prints on the specified number of cut sheets, if a shift function is set for each specified number of shift copies, and the number of cut sheets is greater than the number of shift copies. The fourth control means, when a shift function is set for each specified number of cut sheets, and a shift function is set for each specified number of shifted sheets, and the number of cut sheets is not greater than the number of shifted sheets, controls the system to shift the output position of the printed output sheet each time it prints on the shifted number of output sheets. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, if the fifth control means does not have a function set for shifting every specified number of cut sheets and does not have a function set for shifting every specified number of shifts, it controls the printing to be done on the output paper without shifting the output position of the printed output paper.

3. The first control means, when a function for rotation every specified number of cut sheets is set, and a function for rotation every specified number of shifted sheets is not set, controls the output position of the printed output sheet to rotate each time the specified number of cut sheets of output paper are printed. The second control means, when the function for rotation for each specified number of shift copies is set, and the function for rotation for each specified number of cut sheets is not set, controls the output position of the printed output sheet to be rotated each time the output sheet for the specified number of shift copies is printed. The third control means, when a function for rotation for a specified number of cut sheets is set, and a function for rotation for a specified number of shifted sheets is set, and the number of cut sheets is greater than the number of shifted sheets, controls the output position of the printed output sheet to be rotated each time the specified number of cut sheets of output paper is printed, or each time the specified number of shifted sheets of output paper is printed. The fourth control means, when a function for rotation at specified cut intervals is set, and a function for rotation at specified shift intervals is set, and the number of cut intervals is not greater than the number of shift intervals, controls the system to rotate the output position of the printed output sheet each time it is printed on the shift interval output sheet. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, if the fifth control means does not have a function set for rotation every specified number of cut sheets and does not have a function set for rotation every specified number of shifts, it controls the printing to be done on the output paper without rotating the output position of the printed output paper.

4. The first control means, when a shift function for each specified cutting thickness is set and a shift function for each specified number of shifts is not set, controls the output position of the printed output paper to shift each time it is printed on the output paper of the specified cutting thickness. The second control means, when a shift function for a specified number of shift copies is set and a shift function for a specified cutting thickness is not set, controls the output position of the printed output paper to shift each time it is printed on the specified number of shift copies of output paper. The third control means, when a shift function for each specified cutting thickness is set, and a shift function for each specified number of shift copies is set, and the cutting thickness is thicker than the number of shift copies, controls the output position of the printed output paper to shift each time it prints on the output paper of the specified cutting thickness, or each time it prints on the number of shift copies of the output paper. The fourth control means, when a shift function for each specified cutting thickness is set, and a shift function for each specified number of shifts is set, and the cutting thickness is not thicker than the number of shifts, controls the system to shift the output position of the printed output paper each time it is printed on the number of shifts. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, if the fifth control means does not have a function set for shifting for each specified cutting thickness and does not have a function set for shifting for each specified number of shifts, it controls the printing to be done on the output paper without shifting the output position of the printed output paper.

5. The first control means, when a function for rotation for each specified cutting thickness is set and a function for rotation for each specified shift number is not set, controls the output position of the printed output paper to rotate each time it is printed on the output paper of the specified cutting thickness. The second control means, when a function for rotation for each specified number of shifts is set, and a function for rotation for each specified cutting thickness is not set, controls the output position of the printed output paper to rotate each time it is printed on the output paper of the specified number of shifts. The third control means, when a function for rotation for each specified cutting thickness is set, and a function for rotation for each specified shift number is set, and the cutting thickness is thicker than the thickness of the shift number, controls the output position of the printed output paper to rotate each time it is printed on the output paper of the specified cutting thickness, or each time it is printed on the output paper of the shift number. The fourth control means, when a function for rotation for each specified cutting thickness is set, and a function for rotation for each specified shift number is set, and the cutting thickness is not thicker than the thickness of the shift number, controls the output position of the printed output paper to rotate each time it is printed on the shift number of output sheets. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, if the fifth control means does not have a function set for rotation for each specified cutting thickness and does not have a function set for rotation for each specified shift number, it controls the printing to be done on the output paper without rotating the output position of the printed output paper.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first to fifth control means control the scanning of the original document by the scanner to print it on the output paper.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first to fifth control means control the received document to be printed on the output paper.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first to fifth control means control the printing of one page of the original document on each page of the output paper.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first to fifth control means control the printing of multiple pages of original documents on each page of the output paper.

10. A first setting means for setting a shift or rotation function for each specified number of sheets to be cut or cutting thickness, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second setting means for setting a shift or rotation function for each specified number of shift units.

11. If a shift or rotation function for a specified number of cut sheets or cut thickness is set, and if a shift or rotation function for a specified number of shift copies is not set, a first control step controls the system to shift or rotate the output position of the printed output paper each time it prints on the output paper of the specified number of cut sheets or cut thickness. If a shift or rotation function is set for each specified number of shift copies, and a shift or rotation function is not set for each specified number of cut sheets or cutting thickness, a second control step is performed to control the output position of the printed output sheet to shift or rotate each time printing is performed on the output sheet of the specified number of shift copies. A third control step controls the output position of the printed output paper to be shifted or rotated each time it is printed on the output paper of the specified number of cut sheets or thickness, or each time it is printed on the output paper of the specified number of shift copies, if a shift or rotation function is set for each specified number of cut sheets or thickness, and if the number of cut sheets or thickness is greater than the number of cut copies or thickness, A fourth control step is to control the output position of the printed output paper to shift or rotate each time the specified number of cut sheets or thicknesses are printed, if the function to shift or rotate for each specified number of shift copies is set, and the number of cut sheets or thicknesses is not greater than the number of shift copies or thicknesses, If the function to shift or rotate for each specified number of cut sheets or cutting thickness is not set, and the function to shift or rotate for each specified number of shifted copies is not set, a fifth control step controls the system to print on the output paper without shifting or rotating the output position of the printed output paper. A control method for an image forming apparatus, characterized by having the following features.

12. A program for causing a computer to function as an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images