| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable one image forming device to speedily control the image formation output of another image forming device for forming and outputting an image in an image forming system using a plurality of image forming devices. SOLUTION: In the case of tandem copying, an external controller 39 distributes the printing of the minimum number of printing copies in the total number of printing copies to a slave image forming device 41 in the case of performing tandem copying, distributes the rest of the number of copies allocated to the slave 41 from the total number of printing copies to a master image forming device 40 and instructs to start printout. When the controller 39 detects that the slave 41 finishes printing the whole number of copies and also detects printing (another job printing request) to newly interrupt, the controller 39 starts new printing in the slave 41. When the controller 39 detects that the slave 41 finishes the interrupted printing, the controller 39 interrupts printing of the master 40 side to inquires the master 40 about the number of copies that are not outputted, reallocates the minimum number of printing copies to the slave 41 similarly with the printing start time and the rest of the copies distributed to the slave 41 from the number of copies that are not outputted to the master 40 and restarts tandem copying. |
