Apparatus and methods for interfacing reprographic and imaging systems with multiple set finishing devices

A control system that controls a document production system having an image output terminal (IOT) that produces document sets of sheets having images thereon, at least two similar finishing devices that receive the document sets, each finishing device having a corresponding controller, and a document set transport connected between the IOT and the finishing devices, the control system comprising:

• a master controller in communication with the document set transport and the controllers of the finishing devices, wherein
• the document set transport delivers document sets to a first finishing device of the finishing devices,
• the master controller causing the controllers of the finishing devices to signal the IOT that their corresponding finishing device is full when the first finishing device reaches a predetermined portion of its maximum capacity, the IOT being configured to cease output of document sets while being signaled that the finishing devices are full,
• the master controller causing the controllers of the finishing devices to cease signaling the IOT that their corresponding finishing device is full, and
• when the IOT is no longer signaled that the finishing devices are full, the IOT resumes output of document sets, document sets output by the IOT after the IOT resumes output being diverted by the master controller to a second finishing device, whereby the first finishing device is available to be unloaded.