Abstract:
An image forming system for connecting a plurality of image forming apparatus and which is capable of conducting a tandem operation such that an image input by one of the plurality of image forming apparatus is output by the plurality of image forming apparatus and which includes job reserving sections provided on each of the image forming apparatus, for reserving an image forming job, wherein while conducting the tandem operation, any of the job reserving sections on the image forming apparatus is capable of reserving a job.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus in which a plurality of main bodies of the image forming apparatus are connected to each other and the image formation is performed on the recording materials from image data by a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus. 
     A conventional tandem type image forming apparatus is, for example, proposed in TOKUGANHEI No. 7-204493, and is in practical use in the name of the copying machine “KONICA 7060” (the registered trade mark), as a copying machine representing an example of the image forming apparatus. The tandem type image forming apparatus is highly estimated in terms of usefulness as a copying machine having high speed copying power, and it is expected to have various uses in the future, because a plurality of the copying machines (the main bodies of the image forming apparatus) perform copying simultaneously. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, when a plurality of the copying machines A and B perform the tandem movement to make one hundred sets of copies from ten sheets of the documents, for example, ten sheets of the documents are set on the copying machine A which reads the image, a tandem mode (the mode of performing the tandem movement) is designated on an operation panel, the numeral one hundred as the number of the sets of copies is set, and a copy button is pressed, then, in this case, the image data obtained through reading of ten sheets of the documents are stored in both of image memories via selectors. 
     Further for example, a copy quantity is, automatically allocated to the copying machines A and B so that 50 sets may be allocated to each of them, then each copying machine copy them, and as a result, it becomes possible to copy two times faster than the case of the single copying machine. 
     However, in the prior tandem type image forming apparatus, as shown in display panels of  283 A and  283 B in FIG. 5, the copying machine A which reads the image becomes a master machine, and a reservation is also inputted on the master machine. In this case, even when image forming apparatus are installed at a plurality of places in a office, the reservation cannot be done on the copying machine B, and a user must move to the other place to reserve a copying job. If the user wants to reserve on the copying machine B, the user must wait until the copying machine A finishes its work. 
     Conventionally, for the job reservation, it is impossible to intermingle a tandem job which outputs from a plurality of copying machines and a single job which outputs from the one copying machine, and all the reservations during the tandem job are reserved as a tandem job. In such a reservation manner, it is very inconvenient, when the output in terms of the number of copies is very small, or when the user wants to avoid gathering the copies which are outputted from a plurality of the copying machines for one job. If the user wants to reserve on the copying machine B, the user must wait until the copying machine A finishes its work. 
     Conventionally, for the job reservation, it is impossible to intermingle a tandem job which outputs from a plurality of the copying machines and a single job which outputs from the one copying machine, and all the reservations during the tandem job are reserved as a tandem job. In such a reservation manner, it is very inconvenient, when the output in terms of the number of copies is very small, or when the user want to avoid gathering the copies which are outputted from a plurality of the copying machines for one job. 
     Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus wherein the job can be reserved from every main body of the image forming apparatus so that convenience is improved for the job reservation. 
     In the tandem type copying machine in the past, there are some copying machines wherein each copying machine works independently after the first job allocation, and no further allocation of the job is made again. 
     Further, there are some copying machines wherein when one of the copying machines complete its job, job allocation is made only once, and then, the tandem mode is cleared, and each copying machine works independently. With regard to the job allocation which is made only once, all of the remaining numbers of the output are allocated to the machine which finished its job in case of the occurrence of an error which disables operation requiring a service person call in the other machine, 50% of the remaining numbers of the output are allocated in case the other machine is in stopped operation, and 50% of the remaining numbers of the output are allocated in case the other machine is in outputting operation. 
     When the re-allocation is not performed like in the past, or when the one time re-allocation is performed, if the stop of the copying machine such as that for no paper repeatedly happens twice or more, it was impossible to obtain the desire number of copies until the problem was corrected. 
     Further, in the prior copying machine, if the accident happens once and the re-allocation is performed, the tandem mode is cleared and the copying machine works independently, accordingly, when the error of disable operation requiring a service person call happens, the image data are lost by the power-off operation, and as a result, it becomes impossible to obtain the output of all the number of the copies. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an image forming apparatus which is able to obtain the output result in the shortest time in accordance with the condition, to increase the productivity and to improve the reliability. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     For solving the problem stated above and attaining the object, the invention is constructed as the following structures: 
     An image forming system for connecting a plurality of image forming apparatus and being capable of conducting a tandem operation such that an image inputted by one of the plurality of image forming apparatus is outputted by the plurality of image forming apparatus, the system comprises; job reserving sections provided on each of the image forming apparatus, for reserving an image forming job, wherein while conducting said tandem operation, any of the job reserving sections on said image forming apparatus is capable of reserving a job. 
     Further, the above object may be attained by the following preferable structures. 
     (Structure 1) An image forming apparatus in which a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus are electrically connected each other, and the image inputted from the one set of the main body of the image forming apparatus can be outputted from a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus, wherein a job can be reserved while the job to output from a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus is conducted, and there is provided a control means which makes any of the job to output from a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus and the job to output from the one set of the main body of the image forming apparatus to be possible. 
     According to (Structure 1), intermingled jobs can be reserved, while the job is in operation to output from a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus, and the job is freely selected without being restricted by carrying out of the job operating previously, a degree of freedom for use is high and production efficiency is improved. 
     (Structure 2) An image forming apparatus in which a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus are electrically connected each other, and the image inputted from the one set of the main body of the image forming apparatus can be outputted from a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus, wherein a job can be reserved while the job to output from the one set of the main body of the image forming apparatus is conducted, and there is provided a control means which makes any of both the job to output from a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus and the job to output from the one set of the main body of the image forming apparatus to be possible. 
     According to (Structure 2), intermingled jobs can be reserved, while the job to output from the one set of the main body of the image forming apparatus is conducted, and the job is freely selected without being restricted by carrying out of the job operating previously, a degree of freedom in use is high and production efficiency is improved. 
     (Structure 3) An image forming apparatus in which a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus are electrically connected each other, and the image inputted from the one set of the main body of the image forming apparatus can be outputted from a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus, wherein a job can be reserved while the job to output from a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus is conducted, and there is provided a control means which makes it possible for all of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus connected to reserve the job. 
     According to (Structure 3), the jobs can be reserved from every connected main body of the image forming apparatus, while the job to output from a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus is conducted, and the job is freely reserved without being restricted by the main bodies of the image forming apparatus operating previously, a degree of freedom for use is high and production efficiency is improved. 
     (Structure 4) The image forming apparatus stated in (Structure 3), wherein that the above-mentioned job reservation can be performed for both the job to output from a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus and the job to output from the one set of the main body of the image forming apparatus. 
     According to (Structure 4), the job reservation can be performed for both the job to output from a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus and the job to output from one set of the main body of the image forming apparatus, a degree of freedom for use is high and production efficiency is improved. 
     (Structure 5) An image forming apparatus in which a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus are electrically connected each other, and the image inputted from the one set of the main body of the image forming apparatus can be outputted from a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus, wherein there is provided a control means which makes it possible, while conducting a job to output from the one set of the main body of the image forming apparatus, to reserve a job from the other main body of the image forming apparatus. 
     According to (Structure 5), a job can be reserved from the other main body of the image forming apparatus, while the job to output from the one set of the main body of the image forming apparatus is conducted, and the job can be freely reserved, without being districted by the job reservation from the main body of the image forming apparatus which is in operation of the job, a degree of freedom for use is high and production efficiency is improved. 
     (Structure 6) The image forming apparatus stated in (Structure 5) wherein the above-mentioned job reservation can be performed for both the job that outputs from a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus and the job that outputs from the one set of the main body of the image forming apparatus. 
     According to (Structure 6), in addition to (structure 5), the intermingled reservation of jobs is acceptable, a degree of freedom for use is high and production efficiency is improved. 
     (Structure 7) The image forming apparatus stated in either one of the Structures 1-6, wherein the above-mentioned job reservation can be performed for both the job which outputs from the main body of the image forming apparatus representing the copying machine that can output the image inputted from an external apparatus, and the job which outputs from the main body of the image forming apparatus representing a printer. 
     According to (Structure 7), in addition to the Structures 1-6, the job reservation can be performed for both the job which outputs from the copying machine that can output the image that is inputted from the external apparatus, and the job which outputs from the printer, and the structure can be used for various kinds of the apparatus, a degree of freedom for use is high and production efficiency is improved. 
     (Structure 8) The image forming apparatus stated in either one of the Structures 1-6, wherein, when the above-mentioned job is the one that outputs from the main body of the image forming apparatus representing the printer, the job must be limited to the one that outputs from the one set of the main body of the image forming apparatus. 
     According to (Structure 8), in addition to the Structures 1-6, in case of the job which outputs from the printer, the job is limited to the job which outputs from the one set of the main body of the image forming apparatus. 
     (Structure 9) An image forming apparatus in which, a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus are electrically connected each other, and the output number for the image inputted from one set of the main body of the image forming apparatus is allocated and sent so that a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus can output, wherein, at the end of the job that outputs from one set of the main body of the image forming apparatus based on the above-mentioned allocation of the output number of the copies, if there remains the output number of the images on the other image forming apparatus main bodies, there is provided a control means which transmits the remaining output number to the above-mentioned one set of the main body of the image forming apparatus which again performs the allocation of the remaining output number in accordance with circumstances, and performs the re-allocation until all of the remaining output numbers are completely outputted. 
     According to (Structure 9), at the end of the job that outputs from the one set of the main body of the image forming apparatus, based on the above-mentioned allocation of the output number of the copies, if there remains the output number in the other main body of the image forming apparatus, the remaining output number is transmitted to the above-mentioned one set of the main body of the image forming apparatus, and allocation of the output number is conducted until all of the remaining output numbers are completely outputted. Thus, it is possible to obtain output results in the shortest time in accordance with the condition, and the productivity is improved and the reliability can also be improved. 
     (Structure 10) The image forming apparatus stated in (Structure 9), wherein, while the output is in operation as the above-mentioned conditions, the remaining output number is allocated equally to a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus to be sent. 
     According to (Structure 10), while the output is in operation, the remaining output number is allocated equally to a plurality of the main bodies of the image forming apparatus to be sent for output, and thus, it is possible to obtain the output results within a shortest period of time. 
     (Structure 11) The image forming apparatus stated in (Structure 9) wherein, while the apparatus is disable of operations as the above-mentioned conditions, the whole of the remaining output number is allocated equally to a plurality of main bodies of other image forming apparatus. 
     According to (Structure 11), while the apparatus is disable of operations, all the remaining output numbers are allocated equally to a plurality of the main bodies of the other image forming apparatus, therefore, the copies of all the preset numbers are obtained, even if the service person calling error happens after the abnormal condition occurs. 
     (Structure 12) The image forming apparatus stated in (Structure 9) wherein, while the apparatus is in the stopped condition as the above-mentioned condition, all the remaining output number are allocated equally to the main bodies of the other image forming apparatus. 
     According to (Structure 12), while the apparatus is in the stopped condition, all the remaining output number are ed equally to the main bodies of the other image forming apparatus to be sent. Therefore, by allocating the remaining output number of the main body of the stopped image forming apparatus to the main bodies of the image forming apparatus which have finished their outputs, after the output of the designated job of the main body of the other image forming apparatus is completed during the abnormal condition, it is possible to obtain the desired numbers of the image copies, without releasing the abnormality of the main body of the image forming apparatus which is in abnormal condition. 
     (Structure 13) The image forming apparatus stated in either one of the Structures 9-12, wherein there is provided the re-allocation establishing means which switches between the manner to perform the above-mentioned re-allocation establishment and the manner not to perform it. 
     According to (Structure 13), by switching the manner to perform the re-allocation establishment or the manner not to perform it, it is possible to use the image forming apparatus in accordance with the condition. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the read image data processing system of the image forming apparatus. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus. 
     FIGS.  3 ( a ) and  3 ( b ) show the display panel of the image forming apparatus. 
     FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the conventional tandem type image forming apparatus. 
     FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a file to store the reserved jobs in the memories of the copying machines A and B. 
     FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the display panel of the image forming apparatus in detail. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The embodiments of the present invention will be explained hereinafter, referring to the drawings. 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the image data processing system of the image forming apparatus. 
     In FIG. 1, two sets of the copying machines representing copying machine A and copying machine B (not limited to two sets, but a plurality of sets can be used) are connected each other in the construction of the tandem type, and constitute the image forming apparatus of the present invention. Further, they are the copying machines which can output the image inputted from the external device such as the personal computer. 
     FIG. 1 is an example of simultaneous copying carried out by two sets of copying machines representing the first copying machine A and the second copying machine B, and there are shown the block diagrams which show from the reading process to the writing process in the operations of the copying machines A and B. The symbol  101 A and the symbol  101 B are scanners which output the read image signals, the symbol  102 A and the symbol  102 B are image processing circuits which process the image process such as variable magnification and the like, and symbol  103 A and the symbol  103 B are compression/extension circuits of the image data. 
     The symbol  105 A and the symbol  105 B are selectors which select whether a direct writing of the image data or a temporary storage of the image data in the memory, the symbol  106 A and the symbol  106 B are writing control circuits which respectively drive writing means  107 A and  107 B, and the writing means  107 A and the writing means  107 B perform the writing to photoconductors by light-emitting elements representing semiconductor lasers. 
     C 1  is a cable which transmit the image data between the copying machine A and the copying machine B, and selector  108 A is the one that selects whether to input the image data from the scanner  101 A to the image processing circuit  102 A or to input the image from the scanner  101 B to the image processing circuit  102 A. Selector  108 B is the one that selects whether to input the image data from the scanner  101 A in the image processing circuit  102 A or to input the image data from the scanner  101 B in the image processing circuit  102 B. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, when a plurality of the copying machines A and B perform the tandem movement to make one hundred sets of copies from ten sheets of the documents, for example, ten sheets of the documents are set on the copying machine A which reads the image, a tandem mode (the mode of performing the tandem movement) is designated on the un-illustrated operation panel, the numeral one hundred as the number of the sets of copies is set, and a copy button is pressed, then, in this case, the image data obtained by the scanner  101 A through reading of ten sheets of the documents are stored in both of the image memories  104 A and  104 B via the selectors  108 A and  108 B. 
     Further, the numbers of copying set are, for example, automatically allocated to the copying machine A for fifty sets and the copying machine B for fifty sets, then each copying machine copy them, and as a result, it becomes possible to copy two times faster than the case of the single copying machine. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 2 is sectional views of the copying machine A and the copying machine B both of which can perform the tandem mode, and the copying machine A is provided with an image forming section (image forming means)  10 A, an image reading section (image reading means)  20 A and a recording materials stacking section  30 A, while the copying machine B is provided with image forming section (image forming means)  10 B, image reading section (image reading means)  20 B and recording materials stacking section  30 B. 
     In the image forming sections  10 A and  10 B, the symbols  11 A and  11 B are electrophotographic photoconductors (hereafter referred to as photoconductor), and, image forming sections  12 A and  12 B are arranged around the photoconductors  11 A and  11 B. Performing the electrostatic charge, the exposure and the development on the photoconductors  11 A and  11 B, the image forming sections  12 A and  12 B form toner images on the surface of the photoconductors  11 A and  11 B. The image forming sections  12 A and  12 B have cleaning devices which remove toner remaining on the photoconductors  11 A and  11 B after the transfer process. The symbols  13 A and  13 B are fixing units which fix the toner images on the recording materials. The copying machines A and B have sheet feeding sections  15 A- 17 A having therein various sizes of recording sheets and sheet feeding sections  15 B- 17 B, respectively. Further, the copying machines A and B have respectively sheet feeding sections  14 A and  14 B for duplex image formations which reverse the recording sheets having images formed on their surfaces and supply them again to the image forming sections. 
     The recording sheet, which is supplied from either one of the sheet feeding sections  15 A- 17 A, is subjected to transfer of the toner image from the photoconductor  11 A, and then, it passes through the fixing device  13 A to be fixed, and is ejected to the recording material stacking section  30 A. In the same way, the recording sheet, which is supplied from either one of the sheet feeding sections  15 B- 17 B, is subjected to transfer of the toner image from the photoconductor  11 B, and is fixed to be ejected to the stacking section  30 B. 
     The image reading sections  20 A and  20 B are the image scanners which have platens  21 A and  21 B on which the documents G having images to be read are placed, and have ejected sheet stacking sections  22 A and  22 B on which the image-read documents are stacked. 
     The stacking sections  30 A and  30 B have respectively trays  31 A and  31 B on which the non-bound recording sheets are stacked, and have respectively trays  32 A and  32 B on which the bound recording materials are stacked. 
     SA 1  and SB 1  represent recording sheet detecting sensors which are located at the positions where the recording sheets are separated from the photoconductors  11 A and  11 B. When the recording sheets jam at the separating positions, SA 1  and SB 1  output jamming signals. SA 2  and SB 2  are the sensors which detect the jams of the recording sheets at the fixing units  13 A and  13 B. 
     SA 4 -SA 6  and SB 4 -SB 6  are the sensors which detect the existence of the recording materials at the sheet feeding sections  15 A- 17 A, and  15 B- 17 B, respectively. SA 3  and SB 3  are the sensors which detect the jams of the recording sheets at the sheets feeding sections  14 A and  14 B of the duplex image formations, respectively. 
     SA 7  and AB 7  are the sensors which detect the fixing temperature of the fixing devices  13 A and  13 B, respectively. 
     The output of the various sensors from SA 1  to SA 7  in the copying machine A stated above are inputted in control section CPUA, while the output of the various sensors from SB 1  to SB 7  in the copying machine B are inputted in control section CPUB. 
     To the control sections CPUA and CPUB, there are inputted not only the output of the above-mentioned various sensors but also the signals from operation panels  18 A and  18 B, and the control sections CPUA and CPUB control respectively the contents which are displayed on display sections of display panel  19 A and display panel  19 B. Further, the control section CPUA and the control section CPUB are connected each other by a cable C 1  that transmits control signals. 
     The copying by the tandem mode of the invention will be explained in detail as follows. 
     The image forming apparatus, composed of the copying machine A and the copying machine B, being connected in the way of the tandem mode, perform image forming under the following tandem mode, in addition to the independent mode which forms the image independently in each of the image forming sections, based on image data obtained through reading by an image reading section of each copying machine. 
     Taking a case to make one hundred sets of copies from ten sheets of the documents for example, in the tandem mode, a user sets ten sheets of the documents on the platen  21 A of the copying machine A, further, selects the tandem mode on the operation panel  18 A, sets the copy quantity of numeral  100 , and presses a copy button, then the image data of ten sheets of the documents which are obtained at the image reading section  20 A are stored in both of image memory  104 A and image memory  104 B. Further for example, the copy quantity is automatically allocated to copying machines A and B so that 50 sets may be allotted to each of them, and each of the copying machines performs the copying. 
     By the operation on the operation panel  18 A, there are established the copy quantity, the sizes of the recording sheets in use, the copying magnification, and the selection of single-side copying by which the images are copied on one side of the recording material, or the duplex copying by which the images are copied on both sides of the recording material. The control signals generated by these operations are not only used for the control by the control section CPUA in the copying machine A, but also used for control of the copying machine B by the control section CPUB by being transmitted from cable C 1  to the control section CPUB. 
     During the copying operation in the copying machines A and B, when the recording sheet of the designated size is used up in the sheet feeding sections  15 B- 17 B, the emptiness of the recording sheet is detected by either one of the sensors SB 4 -SB 6 , and is transmitted to the control section CPUA via the control section CPUB and the cable C 1 , and the abnormality is displayed on the display panel  19 A. 
     There are displayed, on the display panel  19 A of the copying machine A, not only the emptiness of the recording sheet but also the jam of the recording sheets detected by the sensor SB 1  and SB 2  in the copying machine B. 
     FIGS.  3 ( a ) and  3 ( b ) show a display panel of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIGS.  3 ( a ) and  3 ( b ) also show job control display sections  19 A 1  and  19 B 1  respectively of the display panels  19 A and  19 B, FIG.  3 ( a ) more specifically shows the job control display section  19 A 1  of the copying machine A, while FIG.  3 ( b ) more specifically shows the job control display section  19 B 1  of the copying machine B. For example, FIGS.  3 ( a ) and  3 ( b ) show the following condition. 
     The copying machine B is on operation of copying for the ordinary copy of the print job of the single mode, and in the course of this job, the copying machine A is set to the tandem mode, and the copying machine A is on operation of copying for the print job as the master machine. 
     As the copying machine A is set to be the tandem mode to be on copying operation as the print job, the reservation of the tandem job is made on the copying machine B as the sub machine. 
     During the performance of this job, in the copying machine A and the copying machine B, the reservations of the copies are made in the following procedure by the control means. The control means is constituted with the selectors  108 A and  108 B, and the control sections CPUA and CPUB. 
     For the job reservation of the copying machine A, the ordinary copy of the single job as the reservation job  1 , and the ordinary copy of the single job as the reservation job  2  are reserved in sequence. 
     After that, the tandem mode is set on the copying machine B, and the copying machine B becomes the master machine, to reserve the tandem job as the reservation job  2 . By this reservation, the copying machine A becomes the sub machine to reserve the tandem job of the reservation job  3 . 
     After that, in the copying machine A, the ordinary copy of the single job as the reservation job  4  is reserved in sequence. 
     In each of the copying machines A and B, the reservation can be made freely, and the reservation job can be either the tandem type or the single type (ordinary copy). 
     FIG. 6 minutely show a display panel of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 6 show a job control display section of the display panel  19 A and  19 B. In this display panel, there exist introducing section  40  of the display contents, display section  41  displaying the first priority job, display section  42  displaying the second priority job, and display section  43  displaying the condition of the engaged machine (that is, for the copying machine A, the condition of the copying machine B, and for the copying machine B, the condition of the copying machine A) connected by the cable C 1 . 
     For example, FIG. 6 show the following conditions. 
     The copying machine A is established to the tandem mode, and is on operation of copying, and 230 sheets out of 500 sheets of copies have already been made, and the remaining number of the copies to be made is 270. The time required for making the remaining sheets is 5.4 min. Further, there is reserved next copying which is displayed on the display section  42  as the second priority job. 
     The copying machine B has no designated sheet in the sheet feeding section. 
     In the copying machine B, in case of jamming of sheet, “jam” is displayed on the display section  43 . Further, “wait” is displayed, as the next job is under the waiting condition. 
     On each of the copying machine A and the copying machine B, there is provided a control means that transmits the remaining number of output to one set of the copying machine via the cable C 1 , conducts re-allocation for the remaining number of output on the one copying machine, depending on circumstances, and further performs the re-allocation until all of the remaining output numbers are completely outputted, when the other copying machine has the remaining number of output of the copies, at the end of the job to output from one set of copying machine, based on the allocation of the output number of the copies, and this control means is composed of the selectors  108 A and  108 B, and the control sections CPUA and CPUB. 
     The re-allocation is performed for the improvement of the productivity in the tandem mode. When the output of the output number allocated into the one set of the copying machine is completed, while the output of the other copying machine is still in operation, the remaining numbers to be outputted are sent to the one set of the copying machine, and are allocated again by the control means. 
     According to the condition of the still-working copying machine, the remaining numbers to be outputted are allocated again and are outputted by the operation finished copying machine. There is no limit for the number of times of the re-allocation, that is, the re-allocation will be repeated by the control means until the preset output numbers are completely outputted. The re-allocation is performed by the unit of set copies, and no re-allocation is performed for the set on-the-way of output. 
     Further, the operation panels  18 A and  18 B are provided with means for establishing the re-allocation, and by using the means for establishing the re-allocation, it is possible to use in accordance with the conditions by switching the way to perform the re-allocation or not. 
     The re-allocation operations will be explained as follows. 
     When one of the copying machines (copying machine F) normally finishes the job (the completion of the output of the allocated job including the re-allocation), the condition of the other copying machine is checked. The re-allocation is performed in accordance with the condition of the subjected job of the other copying machine obtained from the checked results. 
     Firstly, when the other copying machine is in stopped condition, the copying machine F outputs all the remaining output of the other copying machine. There is a case that the copy quantity of the copying machine which gave all of the copying work becomes “0” setting, however, the job clearing is not performed, and when the start timing of the job comes, the re-allocation is checked, and if there is remaining re-allocated work to be done, the copying machine receives it to output. There is a case that the job of the sub copying machine ends during the data receiving. In case of the copying stopped condition, all of the remaining outputs are allocated to the other copying machine. By doing this, the desired set of copies can be obtained without recovering the abnormal condition of the troubled copying machine, because the remaining outputs of the stopped copying machine are re-allocated to the other copying machine which has finished the output of the designated job, in case of the abnormal condition. 
     Secondly, when the other copying machine is on the output operation, the copying machine F receives the re-allocation of a half of the remaining outputs and outputs them. Fractions are to be cut away. In case of raising to a unit for fractions, the re-allocation is performed even though the remaining output is “1 set”, resulting in decrease of productivity, on the contrary. When the other copying machine is on the output operation, it is possible to obtain the output results within the shortest time, by allocating the remaining output set numbers to a plurality of the copying machines equally. 
     Thirdly, when the other copying machine is in the disable condition of the service person calling trouble, the copying machine F receives all of the remaining output and outputs them. That is, while the disable condition of the copying machine, by allocating all of the remaining output to the other copying machine, all the assigned output can be obtained, even if the service person calling error happens, after the abnormal condition happened. 
     As described above, when the outputting job of the one copying machine is finished, if there are the remaining output numbers in the other copying machine, re-allocation of the output number of the copies is conducted in accordance with the conditions, and the re-allocation is conducted until all of the remaining output numbers are completely outputted. By doing this, the output results can be obtained in the shortest time in accordance with the condition, the productivity is improved and the reliability can also be improved. 
     The system realizes that well-balanced control is performed complementarily and independently, without the substantial distinction of the main copying machine and the sub copying machine, when a plurality of the copying machines independently receive the job reservation and perform the printing process independently, based on the reserved job including the tandem movement. 
     For example, when the control is performed only by the main copying machine as in the conventional system, the trouble of the main copying machine makes it impossible to control the re-allocation. 
     According to the system of the invention, with a signal of the job end of each copying machine itself, each copying machine conducts checking of the job end of the other machine and conduct the routine of the re-allocation, in consequence, there is no influence of the above-mentioned trouble. 
     Further, the re-allocation can be performed repeatedly by the routine stated above. In consequence, it becomes possible to obtain the higher printing speed of the total system.