JP3002361B2 - Printing method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing method capable of performing printing processing based on print data supplied from a processing apparatus and discharging printed recording paper onto a plurality of paper output bins. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, the page output order in this type of printing apparatus has been controlled as shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a page output order in this type of printing apparatus.

[0004] As shown in this figure, the printing surface is the upper surface,
In a printing apparatus in which paper is sequentially discharged thereon, as shown in (a) of this figure, since the page arrangement of the printed matter is in the reverse order, it is necessary to rearrange in the normal order after printing is completed.
The reordering process has been executed by the following method without depending on the manual operation.

[0005] First, as shown in FIG. 1B, a device for discharging the printing paper by turning over the printing paper is mounted, the printing surface is set to the lower surface, and the printing paper is sequentially discharged thereon. A method of preventing the sheets from being arranged in reverse order (so-called face-down discharge).

Second, as shown in FIG. 1C, the print data received from the data source is temporarily stored in a memory or the like, and after detecting the last page, the stored print data is stored. Read and output in reverse order in page units.

On the other hand, there has also been proposed a printing apparatus which stores form data (form data) as shown in FIG. 9 and performs a form overlay printing process for printing the received form data by superimposing the form data thereon. I have.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a form overlay printing process in this type of printing apparatus.

As shown in this figure, in a series of printing, common format data (see (a) in this figure) is stored in a printing apparatus in advance as a form, and individual print data (see (b) in this figure) ) Is sequentially transmitted, and a form is overlaid on the print data and printed (see (c) of this figure).

The process of registering a form is called form registration, and the process of overlaying and printing a form on print data is called overlay printing.

A printing method using a conventional form overlay printing apparatus is roughly classified as follows depending on whether form registration and overlay printing are separated.

First, there is a method in which form registration and overlay printing are performed as one process. This is a method in which form data and print data are collectively transmitted as a series of data from a print request device to a printing device. According to this method, it is excellent in that the registered form is always guaranteed to be a desired form.

A second method is a method in which form registration and overlay printing are performed independently of each other.
A method for sending form data from the print requesting apparatus to the printing apparatus and a method for sending print data are separate processes. According to this method, one form registration can be used for a plurality of overlay printings. Excellent in point.

[0014]

Therefore, according to the first paper discharging method, a reversing mechanism (for example, a reversing loop mechanism) for reversing the printing surface of the paper fed to the printing apparatus is required. And the device configuration becomes complicated.

According to the second paper discharging method, no special device is required, but when a large amount of print data is required, the storage capacity for temporarily storing the print data is insufficient, and the printing process cannot be executed. It may be.

As described above, according to the conventional page aligning and discharging method in the printing apparatus, when the print data becomes large,
There are problems such as difficulty in performing simple and reliable page alignment printing.

Further, in the form overlay printing process, according to the first method, there is a problem that the form must be transmitted again even if the form to be used is already registered. Therefore, when a small amount of form overlay printing processing is repeatedly performed, the overhead becomes particularly large.

Further, according to the second method, after a certain form is registered, another form registration registers another form before overlay printing is performed to use the form. However, there is a problem that desired printing is not performed. Therefore, the form overlay printing cannot be performed efficiently and reliably.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for printing print data in a normal page order after discharge and discharging the print data to a discharge bin. It is determined whether to print the print data in the order of the normal page after the discharge and discharge the print data to a plurality of discharge bins.If the print data is determined to be discharged to a plurality of discharge bins, The print data is printed so as to be in the normal page order after the discharge, and the page order of the print data of the discharge bin to be discharged first and the page order of the print data of the discharge bin to be discharged next continue. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a printing method capable of easily and reliably performing page alignment printing of a large amount of print data on a plurality of discharge bins by discharging paper in this manner.

[0020]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus for performing a printing process based on print data supplied from a processing apparatus. Determination means for determining whether to print and discharge the print data to a discharge bin, or to print the print data in a normal page order after discharge and discharge the print data to a plurality of discharge bins; If it is determined by the determination unit that the print data is to be discharged to a plurality of discharge bins, the print data is printed so as to be in a normal page order after the discharge, and the first discharge bin of the discharge bin is discharged. And a print control unit that discharges the print data so that the page order of the print data and the page order of the print data of the discharge bin to be discharged next are continued.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the print control means performs face-up output for discharging a paper with a print surface facing up to a paper discharge bin, and the judging means performs the spooling. When the print data reaches a predetermined amount, it is determined that the print data is printed in a reverse order to the spooling and discharged to a plurality of discharge bins so that the print data is in a normal page order after the discharge.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the print control means switches the discharge bins based on a bin change command inserted into the print data for each predetermined amount. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the print control unit includes:
The print data is sequentially switched from an upper output bin to a subsequent output bin. A fifth invention according to the present invention is a printing method for controlling a printing apparatus that performs a printing process based on print data supplied from a processing apparatus, such that the print data is output in a normal page order after being discharged. It is determined whether to print and discharge to the discharge bin, or to print the print data in a normal page order after discharge and discharge to the plurality of discharge bins. If it is determined that the paper is to be discharged, the print data is printed so as to be in the normal page order after the paper is discharged, and the page order of the print data of the discharge bin to be discharged first and the discharge bin to be discharged next The print data is discharged so that the page order of the print data continues.

[0023]

In the first to fourth inventions, when the judgment means judges that the print data is to be ejected to a plurality of ejection bins, the printing control means causes the printing to be performed in the normal page order after the ejection. Prints the data and discharges it in such a way that the page order of the print data of the output bin that discharges first and the page order of the print data of the discharge bin that discharges next continue, and a large amount of print data is The print results in the same page order are sorted and stacked from the first discharge bin to the next discharge bin.

In the fifth invention, when it is determined that the print data is to be discharged to a plurality of discharge bins, the print data is printed so as to be in a normal page order after the discharge, and the discharge is performed first. Of the print data of the discharge bin to be discharged and the page order of the print data of the discharge bin to be discharged next continue so that a large amount of print data is transferred from the discharge bin which discharges first to the next. The print results in the same page order are sorted and stacked in a paper discharge bin for discharging paper.

[0025]

[0026]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an information processing system to which a printing method according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes a central processing unit, in which various application programs are stored in a ROM (not shown) or the like. Performs various information processing. A display device 24 displays data input from the keyboard 23 and displays a processing result. A printing device 25 performs a printing process based on print data supplied from the central processing unit 21.

In the information processing system configured as shown in FIG. 1, the controller of the printing device 25 controls the page of the print data until the amount of print data stored in the storage block of a predetermined capacity reaches a predetermined upper limit. The print data from the last page stored in the storage block to the first page stored in the storage block is sequentially printed based on the number of pages updated up to the time when the upper limit value is reached. Since the delimiter information is output and the print data subsequently stored in the storage block is printed in the order of the normal page, a large amount of print data can be easily and reliably page aligned and printed.

Hereinafter, the printing operation in the printing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a printing procedure in the printing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step.

First, a page counter for managing print pages and a storage data amount of a temporary storage area (for example, reserved in the storage device 22) are initialized to "0" (1). Next, in order to store and manage the print data in page units, the page counter is incremented by "1" each time print data for one page is received, and is additionally stored in the temporary management area in page units (2). Next, after receiving the print data for one page, it is determined whether the data amount of the received print data exceeds the set block upper limit value or the end of the print data (3). If the data amount exceeds the set upper limit value of the block or if the end of the print data is reached, the page indicated by the page counter, that is, the last page stored in the block is printed, and the page counter is set to "1". "" Is subtracted and the printed data is deleted from the temporary storage area (4). Next, it is determined whether or not the content of the page counter is "0", that is, whether or not all the print data temporarily stored in the block has been printed (5). The process returns to step (4) until all the print data has been printed, prints all the print data stored in the storage area, determines the end state of the print request (6), and if YES, terminates the processing. If NO, that is, if there is still print data, a separator sheet is discharged as a block separator (7), and the process returns to step (2) to repeat the processing.

As described above, according to the printing method shown in FIG. 2, an initial setting step (1) for initially setting management information of a block which is a unit for temporarily storing print data, and receiving print data in units of one page, A print data temporary storage step (2) for sequentially storing the print data until the received print data exceeds the upper limit value of the block or the last page is detected; and printing the stored print data in reverse order to perform block management. Since the block unit reverse order printing steps (4) and (5) for resetting the state and the block separation control step (7) for inserting block separation information are executed, as shown in FIG. Every time print data is printed, a separator sheet is ejected, and a large amount of print data is continuously output. The first page becomes the final output paper in the block. It is possible to obtain a printed material in the order of the normal page by successively printing and collating the first page of the next block with the lowest sheet of the preceding block so as to be adjacent to the lowest sheet of the preceding block. Becomes

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a modification of the information processing system shown in FIG. 1. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 26 denotes a sheet post-processing device (sorter) which is communicable with the printing device 25 and includes, for example, sorting bins 27a, 27b,..., 27n.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of sorter 26 shown in FIG.

When the sorter 26 as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 can be connected to the printing device 25, the bin for the sorting bin of the sorter 26 is replaced with the separation page printing executed in the step (7). By inserting the change command, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, sheets in the order of the normal page are discharged from the upper sorting bin 27a to the following sorting bin 27n for each block, and continuously, It is possible to obtain a printed matter that becomes Second Embodiment FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system to which a printing method according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied.

In the figure, reference numeral 121 denotes a central processing unit which controls a printing device 122 and a communication device 124 based on a control program stored in a storage device 123. 125
Is a print request device such as a host computer connected to a network such as a predetermined public line.
The form data and print data stored in the storage device such as D) are transferred to the storage device 123 via the communication device 124.

In the printing apparatus configured as shown in FIG. 6, a first overlay printing or data source based on the form data and print data supplied from the print requesting apparatus 125 based on the determination result of the central processing unit 121. Of the second overlay printing based on the print data supplied from the storage device 123 and the form data stored in the storage device 123, the form data transfer at the time of the overlay printing request based on the already registered form data is unnecessary. It becomes possible.

The print processing operation in the printing method according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a printing procedure in a printing method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step. Also,
Steps (1) and (2) correspond to the form registration phase, and steps (3) to (7) correspond to the overlay printing phase.

The form and the identification number of the form are received from the print request device 125 (1), and the storage device 123
(2).

Next, an overlay printing phase is entered. Other form registration processing or overlay printing processing may be performed between the form registration phase and the overlay printing phase.

In this phase, first, the identification number of the form to be overlaid is received from the print requesting device 125 (3), and whether or not the identification number of the stored form and the identification number of the form used for printing are the same. (4) If the form identification numbers are the same, the print data is received (5), the print data (print data) is overlaid on the form and printed (6), and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, if the form identification numbers are not the same in the judgment in step (4), the judgment result, that is,
The print request device 125 is notified that the printing is not performed (7), and the process ends.

As described above, according to the printing method shown in FIG. 7, the form data supplied from the print request device 125 and the first form identification number of the form data are stored in the storage device 1.
23, and compares the second form identification number sent at the time of the overlay printing request from the data source with the first form identification number registered in the storage means. Since either the first overlay printing based on the supplied form data and print data or the second overlay printing based on the print data supplied from the data source and the form data stored in the storage unit is selected, In addition, it becomes unnecessary to transfer form data when an overlay print request is made based on form data that has already been registered. Further, when form data different from the first form identification number of the already registered form data is requested, the fact can be notified to the print requesting device 125, for example, the host computer on the user side. Etc. can be performed reliably.

[0046]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the fourth aspect, when the determination unit determines that the print data is to be discharged to a plurality of discharge bins, the print control unit prints the print data so as to be in a normal page order after the discharge. First, a large amount of print data is discharged first so that the page order of the print data of the discharge bin to be discharged first and the page order of the print data of the discharge bin to be discharged next continue. A large number of print data can be easily and reliably page-aligned and printed on multiple output bins by sorting and stacking the print results with the same page order from one output bin to the next output bin. can do.

According to the fifth aspect, when it is determined that the print data is to be discharged to a plurality of discharge bins, the print data is printed so as to be in a normal page order after the discharge, and is discharged first. A large amount of print data is discharged from the output bin that discharges first so that the page order of the print data of the output bin that discharges paper and the page order of the print data of the discharge bin that discharges next continue. Since the print results in the same page order are sorted and stacked on the next output bin, a large amount of print data can be easily and reliably page-aligned printed on a plurality of output bins. Has the effect of

[0048]

[0049]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system to which a printing method according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a printing processing procedure in a printing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a normal page sequential block discharge state in the printing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a modification of the information processing system shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the sorter shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system to which a printing method according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print processing procedure in a printing method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a page output order in this type of printing apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a form overlay printing process in this type of printing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 21 Central Processing Unit 22 Storage Device 23 Keyboard 24 Display Device 25 Printing Device

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41J 5/30 G06F 3/12

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printing apparatus for performing a printing process based on print data supplied from a processing apparatus, wherein the print data is printed so as to be in a normal page order after being discharged and discharged to a discharge bin. A determination unit that determines whether the print data is printed in a normal page order after the discharge and discharges the print data to a plurality of discharge bins. If it is determined that the paper is to be ejected , the print data is printed in the order of the normal pages after the paper is ejected , and the ejection is performed first.
Output bin in the page order of the print data of the paper bin and the next paper output
And a print control unit that discharges the print data so that the page order of the print data continues. 2. The printing control device according to claim 1, wherein
The face-up output for discharging the paper with the print surface facing up is performed, and the determining unit is configured to output the print data in a normal page order after discharging when the spooled print data reaches a predetermined amount. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that printing is performed in the reverse order of spooling and the sheets are discharged to a plurality of discharge bins. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the print control unit switches a discharge bin based on a bin change command inserted into the print data for each predetermined amount. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print control unit sequentially switches the print data from an upper output bin to a subsequent output bin. 5. A printing method for controlling a printing apparatus that performs a printing process based on print data supplied from a processing apparatus, the printing method comprising: printing the print data in a normal page order after discharging the print data; It is determined whether the paper is to be discharged to a bin, or the print data is printed so as to be in a normal page order after the discharge, and is discharged to a plurality of discharge bins. In this case, the print data is printed so as to be in the normal page order after the sheet is discharged, and the page order of the print data of the discharge bin to be discharged first.
A printing method characterized in that the paper is discharged so that the page order of the print data of the discharge bin to be discharged next continues.