JP4577110B2 - Printing apparatus and printing management method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing management method, and more particularly to a printing apparatus that conveys and prints discontinuous print media and a printing management method for the printing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing apparatuses such as copiers and printers have been widely used for printing using paper that has been cut into a standard size (hereinafter, cut paper). Such cut sheets are superior in terms of ease of handling after printing as compared to continuous sheets, but rarely have problems (troubles in which the printing order is disturbed) peculiar to cut sheets during conveyance of the sheets.

  This type of problem occurs when multiple paper is fed at the same time without being able to fill the paper at the time of paper feeding, and the multiple paper is transported in a state where the paper is overlapped. This error occurs due to an unpredictable abnormality such as a misprinted paper recognition error, a paper dropout inside the apparatus, or a skip of a print image due to a noise mixed in a synchronization signal between the printer and the controller. Although it is sufficient that an abnormal test can be carried out for all cases at the time of product development, it takes an enormous amount of time and money, so usually an abnormal test is often carried out only for representative cases. Therefore, it is usually impossible to predict all abnormalities.

Therefore, in order to detect such a problem, an invisible mark is printed on the printing surface, and the image is correctly displayed by reading the invisible mark printed on the printing surface by the reading unit before being stacked on the discharge tray. A printing apparatus that determines whether or not printing is performed is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-137478 A

  However, in the conventional printing apparatus, since the invisible mark is formed only at one position of the image forming unit that performs normal printing, the information until the paper conveyed from the paper feed tray reaches the image forming unit, the image Information such as which conveyance path the sheet has passed after the forming unit cannot be grasped. Therefore, when a problem occurs in such a printing apparatus, it is difficult to analyze a printing order disorder or an abnormality occurrence point.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and provides a printing apparatus and a print management method that make it easy to detect an abnormality and analyze an abnormality that has occurred by leaving a printing medium conveyance history and a printing history. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a transport unit that transports a print medium to which an identification code is attached, a print unit that prints the print medium transported by the transport unit, A detection unit that is provided at a plurality of locations on a conveyance path through which the print medium is conveyed and detects the identification code when the print medium passes, and relates to the passage of the print medium based on the detection result of the detection unit Management means for managing the data for each print medium.

  As described above, detection means for detecting the identification code attached to the print medium is provided at a plurality of locations on the conveyance path along which the print medium is conveyed, and based on the detection result of the detection means, it is related to the passage of the print medium. Since data is managed for each print medium, it is possible to easily detect the occurrence of an abnormality and analyze the abnormality that has occurred.

  As the identification code, for example, a code such as a barcode may be printed on or attached to a print medium, or a storage unit such as an IC tag is provided on the print medium and stored in the storage unit. It may be.

  Further, the detection means includes at least two of a vicinity of a feeder that accommodates the printing medium, a vicinity of the printing means, a vicinity of a reversing means that inverts the printing medium, and a vicinity of a stacker that discharges the printing medium printed by the printing means. It can be provided at a location.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus that conveys a printing medium provided with a storage unit that stores an identification code, a printing unit that prints the printing medium conveyed by the conveying unit, and the printing medium. And writing means for writing data relating to the passage of the print medium to the storage means when the print medium passes.

  As described above, writing means is provided at a plurality of locations on the conveyance path along which the printing medium is conveyed, and the writing means relates to the passage of the printing medium when the printing medium passes through the storage means provided on the printing medium. Since the written data is written, the data written in the storage means of the print medium can be read after the printing process, and the occurrence of the abnormality and the analysis of the abnormality that has occurred can be easily performed.

  The printing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention may further comprise management means for managing data related to passage of the print medium for each print medium.

  As described above, since the data related to the passage of the print medium is managed for each print medium based on the detection result of the writing means, it is possible to easily detect the abnormality occurrence and analyze the abnormality that has occurred. . Further, even when a problem occurs in the management unit itself on the printing apparatus side, it is possible to detect the occurrence of an abnormality from the data written in the storage unit of the print medium and to analyze the abnormality that has occurred.

  Note that the writing means is at least near the feeder that accommodates the printing medium, near the printing means, near the reversing means that inverts the printing medium, and near the stacker that discharges the printing medium printed by the printing means. It can also be provided in two places.

  The writing means provided in the vicinity of the printing means can further write an image identification code for identifying a print image on the print medium in the storage means.

  Thereby, since the image printed on the print medium (or the image to be printed from now on) can be stored in the storage means of the print medium, this information can be read out after printing, and the printing apparatus Even without it, it is possible to easily detect page sequence disturbances.

  Furthermore, the management means can further manage an image identification code for identifying a print image for the print medium for each print medium.

  As a result, it is possible to determine which image is printed on the printing medium (or an image to be printed from now on) on the printing apparatus side, and it is possible to easily detect page sequence disturbance and the like.

  Further, the storage means for the print medium can be constituted by an IC tag.

  This makes it possible to write and read data easily and quickly.

  In the first and second inventions, the data related to the passage of the print medium includes data indicating that the print medium has passed, data indicating the time when the print medium has passed, and date and time when the print medium passed. Can be any of the data indicating.

  It is possible to grasp where the print medium has passed through the transport path only by data indicating that it has passed. Further, if it is data indicating the time or date and time when passing, a more detailed conveyance history can be grasped.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print management method for a printing apparatus comprising: a transport unit that transports a print medium with an identification code; and a print unit that prints the print medium transported by the transport unit. In the method, the identification code is detected when the print medium passes through a plurality of predetermined locations in a transport path along which the print medium is transported, and the print medium is passed based on the detection result. Management is performed for managing related data for each print medium.

  Since the third print management method of the present invention also operates in the same manner as the first printing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to easily detect the occurrence of an abnormality and analyze the abnormality that has occurred.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print management method comprising: a transport unit that transports a print medium provided with a storage unit that stores an identification code; and a print unit that prints the print medium transported by the transport unit. A printing management method for a printing apparatus, wherein the storage means stores data related to passage of the print medium when the print medium passes through a plurality of predetermined locations in a conveyance path along which the print medium is conveyed. Write to.

  Since the fourth printing management method of the present invention also operates in the same manner as the second printing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to easily detect the occurrence of an abnormality and analyze the abnormality that has occurred.

  As described above, the printing apparatus and the print management method of the present invention have an excellent effect that it is possible to easily detect the occurrence of an abnormality and analyze the abnormality that has occurred by leaving a printing medium conveyance history and a printing history. Play.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 10 includes a first feeder 14A and a second feeder 14B that store paper (cut paper) 12 cut into a predetermined size, and includes the first feeder 14A or the second feeder 14B. The sheets 12 stored in the feeder 14B are fed out one by one. As the first feeder 14A and the second feeder 14B, for example, one that takes out the sheets one by one from the uppermost part of the accommodated sheet bundle by the corresponding feed belt 15 can be used.

  In FIG. 1, two feeders are also provided in a portion 19 surrounded by a dotted line below a reversing unit 28 to be described later, but in the present embodiment, this feeder will be described as not being used.

  The paper 12 taken out from the first feeder 14A and the second feeder 14B is transported along the transport path 18 formed by the plurality of pairs of transport rolls 16A by the transport device 16 including the plurality of pairs of transport rolls 16A. The An image forming unit 20 for printing a desired image on the paper 12 and a fixing device 22 for fixing the image printed on the paper 12 are arranged along the transport path 18 in order from the upstream side in the transport direction. The sheet 12 taken out from the first feeder 14A and the second feeder 14B is guided to the image forming unit 20 and the fixing device 22.

  The image forming unit 20 prints a desired image on the paper 12 using a color material generally used conventionally such as toner or ink. The image forming unit 20 of the present embodiment records an electrostatic latent image by irradiating a charged photosensitive belt with a light beam based on image data, and develops the electrostatic latent image with toner by a developing device. To do. Furthermore, an image is formed by transferring the toner image formed by development onto the paper 12 conveyed by the conveying device 16 by the transfer device.

  The fixing device 22 includes two rolls, a heating roll and a pressure roll. The sheet 12 on which the image has been transferred is guided between the two rolls by the conveying device 16 and is heated and pressed to be subjected to a fixing process. As a result, the image is fixed on the paper 12.

  Discharge to the first stacker 24A, the second stacker 24B, and the first stacker 24A or the second stacker 24B from which the sheet 12 on which the image is formed is discharged downstream of the fixing device 22 in the sheet conveyance direction is stopped. A purge tray 26 for discharging the paper 12 is provided. On the purge tray 26, a sheet 12 or the like that has been subjected to some trouble during conveyance and could not be subjected to an appropriate image forming process is discharged and stacked.

  Further, the conveyance path 18 on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction from the fixing device 22 is branched, and one of the branched paths guides the sheet 12 after the fixing process to the reversing unit 28. The reversing unit 28 adopts a conventionally known inverter system, and reverses the front and back of the paper 12 by returning and transporting the paper 12 and returns it to the image forming unit 20. That is, in the printing apparatus 10, after an image is formed on the front surface of the paper 12, the reversing unit 28 can reverse the front and back of the paper 12 and form an image on the back surface of the paper 12 as necessary. (Double-sided printing is possible). Instead of the inverter system, an intermediate tray may be provided so that the paper 12 is turned upside down.

  Furthermore, the printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of IC tag reader / writer devices (hereinafter referred to as R / W devices) along the conveyance path 18 of the paper 12. As shown in FIG. 1, a first feeder R / W device 30a and a second feeder R / W device 30b are provided in the vicinity of the feed belt 15 of each of the first feeder 14A and the second feeder 14B. Further, a transfer R / W device 30c is provided in the vicinity of the transfer device of the image forming unit 20 (which may be located on either the upstream side or the downstream side of the transfer device, but in the present embodiment, it is arranged on the downstream side of the transfer device). An inversion R / W device 30d is provided in the vicinity of the unit 28. Further, a first stacker R / W device 30e and a second stacker R / W device 30f are provided in the vicinity of the sheet discharge ports of the first stacker 24A and the second stacker 24B. The plurality of R / W devices perform writing and reading of information with respect to the IC tag provided on the paper 12.

  The IC tag is embedded in the end portion of the paper 12. The IC tag provided on the paper 12 is a type of IC tag that can read and write stored information, and uses a close contact type (0 to several mm) or proximity type (several mm to several tens cm) IC tag. It is preferable. In addition, the power source system can be a battery-less type (a type that operates by power supplied from an antenna). Furthermore, an IC tag covered with a member having a predetermined strength may be used so as not to be damaged even when pressed by the fixing device 22 or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the control system of the printing apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 10 includes a CPU 40 that controls the entire printing apparatus 10, a ROM 42 that stores a program executed by the CPU 40, a DRAM 44 that is a work memory, and a nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM) that stores various data. ) 46 and a communication port 48 that is an interface for communicating with the printer controller 50. In addition, the first feeder R / W device 30a, the second feeder R / W device 30b, the transfer R / W device 30c, the reverse R / W device 30d, the first stacker R / W device 30e, and the first feeder R / W device 30b illustrated in FIG. An IC tag controller 32 for controlling read / write of the 2-stacker R / W device 30f is provided.

  Note that the CPU 40 also controls a conveyance control unit that controls the conveyance device 16 and an image formation control unit that controls the image forming unit 20, but illustration of these control units is omitted here.

  Image data to be printed on the paper 12 is transmitted from the printer controller 50. As shown in FIG. 3, communication signals are first exchanged between the printer controller 50 and the printing apparatus 10 to establish a communication connection. When the printing apparatus 10 is ready for printing and is ready for printing, the printing apparatus 10 transmits a synchronization signal to the printer controller 50. Upon receiving the synchronization signal, the printer controller 50 transmits print control data and image data for one page to the printing apparatus 10. Thereafter, transmission / reception of the synchronization signal, print control data, and image data is repeated for each page until the print job is completed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a print control data table held by the printer controller 50. As shown in FIG. 4, print control data is designated for each image ID as an image identification code for identifying each image to be printed in the table. For example, for the image with the image ID “0001”, the paper ID “0001”, the front / back information “front”, the first feeder “YES”, the second feeder “NO”, the first stacker “YES”, the second The print control data “NO” is designated. The print control data prints the image with the image ID “0001” on the “front” surface of the sheet 12 with the sheet ID “0001”, and the sheet 12 on which the image ID “0001” is printed is “first”. The designation indicates that the sheet is taken out from the feeder and discharged to the first stacker after printing is completed.

  FIG. 5 is a timing chart of a synchronization signal, image data, and print control data exchanged between the printer controller 50 and the printing apparatus 10. In this figure, the sheet ID and the image ID are shown as representative of the print control data.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, one page of image data (shown as “VD” in FIG. 5A) and print control data (shown as “ID” in FIG. 5A). Are transmitted in response to one synchronization signal. When the printing apparatus 10 receives the image data and the print control data, the printing apparatus 10 temporarily stores the DRAM 44 and prints an image on the paper 12 based on the data stored in the DRAM 44. The print control data is sequentially stored in the NVRAM 46 every time it is received, and the same data as the print control data held by the printer controller 50 is sequentially stored in the NVRAM 46.

  The printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can perform both single-sided printing and double-sided printing. When performing single-sided printing, as shown in FIG. 6A, printing is performed on the surface of the paper 12 continuously from the first sheet. When performing duplex printing, as shown in FIG. 6B, first, the front side from the first page to the eighth page is printed, and then the back side from the first page to the eighth page is printed. Printed. Thereafter, similarly, the front and back surfaces are printed alternately with eight sheets of paper as one cycle.

  During printing, the conveyance of the paper 12 may be interrupted due to problems with the printer (for example, switching of feeders due to running out of paper, image quality adjustment around the process, etc.), and a blank portion of the paper 12 may be generated as shown in FIG. (Paper hole). In this printing apparatus 10, even if a paper hole occurs, a printing mode in which eight sheets are one cycle is maintained, and in order to maintain printing performance, as shown in FIG. The image of the front surface that should have been printed in the generated part is inserted and printed during the timing at which the front surface of the eighth page is to be printed and the next cycle in which the back image is to be printed. Thereafter, printing is delayed by 3 pages only in the paper hole portion.

  In the printing apparatus 10 that supplies and prints paper in such a sequence, when a further failure occurs, for example, skipping of a print image due to noise mixed in the synchronization signal, paper dropping inside the apparatus, or the like, The page sequence is further disturbed, and it becomes very difficult to detect and investigate the cause of the page sequence disturbance. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the conveyance history of the paper 12 is detected by R / W devices provided at a plurality of locations on the conveyance path of the paper 12 so that the page sequence disturbance can be easily detected and the cause of the abnormality can be easily determined. And print history.

  The CPU 40 of the printing apparatus 10 executes a processing routine program (described later) stored in the ROM 42 and manages the conveyance history and printing history of the paper 12. The transport history and the print history are written to the IC tag of each paper 12 by the R / W device, and are also stored and managed in the management table of the NVRAM 46 for each paper 12.

  FIG. 7 is an example of a management table stored in the NVRAM 46. As shown in the figure, the management table includes a sheet ID for identifying each sheet 12, and the vicinity of the R / W devices 30a to 30f in which the sheet 12 provided with the sheet ID is provided at a plurality of locations on the transport path 18. Each of the passage time when the paper passes and the image ID printed on the paper 12 is stored in correspondence with the paper ID. In the present embodiment, when print control data is received from the printer controller 50, the paper ID indicated by the received print control data is registered in the management table of the NVRAM 46, and then the paper 12 is transported to each R / R. The passage time and the image ID are stored in correspondence with the paper ID registered in the management table when passing through the W device.

  Here, a conveyance history and a printing history storage method in the printing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be briefly described. The paper 12 is fed from the first feeder 14A or the second feeder 14B according to the print control data. The first feeder R / W device 30a or the second feeder R / W device 30b attached in the vicinity of the outlet of the first feeder 14A or the second feeder 14B writes the paper ID and the passage time on the IC tag provided on the paper 12. Then, it is sent out to the conveyance path 18. At this time, the passage time passing through the first feeder R / W device 30a or the second feeder R / W device 30b is also recorded in the management table of the NVRAM 46 corresponding to the sheet ID.

  Next, on the sheet 12 conveyed to the image forming unit 20, the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive belt on which the toner image is formed by the transfer device. The transfer R / W device 30c arranged on the downstream side of the transfer device reads the paper ID from the passed paper 12, outputs it to the CPU 40 via the IC tag controller 32, and also supplies the paper 12 to the IC tag of the paper 12. The image ID of the image printed on the front surface and the passage time passing through the vicinity of the transfer device (transfer R / W device 30c) are written. At this time, the passage time and the image ID are also written in the management table of the NVRAM 46 at the same time.

  When the paper 12 is conveyed to the reversing device, the passing time is written to the IC tag of the paper 12 by the reversing R / W device 30d and simultaneously recorded in the management table of the printing device 10. Further, when the back surface is printed by the image forming unit 20, the transfer R / W device 30c writes the passage time passing through the vicinity of the transfer device when the back surface is printed and the image ID on the back surface on the IC tag of the paper 12. It is. At the same time, the passage time and the image ID when the back side is printed are also recorded on the management table. That is, when performing double-sided printing, both the passage time and the image ID when the front side is printed and when the back side is printed are recorded.

  The paper 12 for which printing has been completed is conveyed to the first stacker 24A or the second stacker 24B. Here, the first stacker R / W device 30e or the second stacker R / W device 30f writes the passage time to the IC tag of the paper 12, and also writes the same time to the management table. As a result, the transport history and print history of the paper 12 are recorded in the IC tag of each paper 12, and the transport history and print history for each paper 12 (each paper ID) are stored in the management table of the printing apparatus 10. To be recorded.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the history management program executed by the CPU 40 of the printing apparatus 10.

  In step 100, processing of the print job is started. Specifically, as described above, a synchronization signal is sent to the printer controller 50 to request image data and print control data. When image data or print control data is received from the printer controller 50, the paper 12 is transported based on the received image data and the image forming unit 20 forms an image. During execution of this print job, the R / W devices 30a to 30f provided at the above-described plurality of locations, when the paper 12 with the IC tag passes, store the data ( Sheet ID) is read out and sent to the IC tag controller 32. The IC tag controller 32 sends the data read by the R / W devices 30a to 30f to the CPU 40. In the present embodiment, the sheet ID is written on the IC tag by the first feeder R / W device 30a or the second feeder R / W device 30b, and therefore the first feeder R / W device 30a or the second feeder R. The paper ID is not included in the read result of the / W device 30b, and no data or a predetermined code is transmitted as the read result.

  In step 102, it is determined whether or not a read result has been received from any of the R / W devices 30a to 30f. If it is determined that the read result has not been received, the process proceeds to step 120 to determine whether the print job has been completed. If it is determined that the print job has not ended, the process returns to step 102.

  If it is determined in step 102 that the read result has been received from any of the R / W devices 30a to 30f, the process proceeds to step 104, and from which R / W device the received read result is transmitted. That is, the installation location of the R / W device that sent the read result is determined. The R / W device that sent out the read result is a first feeder R / W device 30a or a second feeder R / W installed near the first feeder 14A or the second feeder 14B on the most upstream side in the transport direction of the paper 12. If it is determined that it is the device 30b, an instruction is given to write the paper ID on the IC tag of the paper 12 in step 106. The instruction is transmitted to the first feeder R / W device 30 a or the second feeder R / W device 30 b via the IC tag controller 32, and the paper ID is written on the paper 12.

  For example, when image data of an image corresponding to the image data ID “0001” and print control data of the image data ID “0001” are received from the printer controller 50 in response to the transmitted synchronization signal (see FIG. 4). The paper 12 is taken out from the first feeder 14A according to the print control data. At this time, the first feeder R / W device 30a reads out the information written in the IC tag from the IC tag of the extracted paper 12, and sends it out. However, as described above, since the paper ID is not written in the IC tag at this time, the paper UD is not included in the read result. The CPU 12 instructs the first feeder R / W device 30a that has transmitted the read result to write the paper ID “0001” on the IC tag of the paper 12 that has been taken out via the IC tag controller 32. . The first feeder R / W device 30a writes the paper ID “0001” to the IC tag of the paper 12 in accordance with this instruction.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 104 that the R / W device that has sent out the read result is the transfer R / W device 30 c arranged in the vicinity of the transfer device of the image forming unit 20, the process proceeds to step 108. In step 108, an instruction is given to write the image ID on the IC tag of the paper 12. Thus, the image ID of the image printed on the paper 12 by the image forming unit 20 is written by the transfer R / W device 30c.

  In step 110, the same image ID as the image ID written in the IC tag is also stored in the management table of the NVRAM 46.

  After the processing of step 106 and step 110, or the R / W device that sent out the read result in step 104, the first feeder R / W device 30a, the second feeder R / W device 30b, and the transfer R / W device. If it is determined that none of 30c, it proceeds to step 112.

  In step 112, an instruction is given to the R / W device that has sent the received read result to write the passage time on the IC tag of the paper 12. The passage time can be the time when the writing instruction is issued, or the time when the above-described reading result is received. As a result, the passage time is written on the IC tag of the paper 12.

  In step 114, the passage time of the paper 12 is further stored in the management table of the NVRAM 46. Note that the passage time written in the management table is the same as the time written in the IC tag.

  In step 116, the management table stored in the NVRAM 46 and the print control data received from the printer controller 50 and stored in the NVRAM 6 are compared to determine whether an abnormality has occurred.

  For example, when a failure occurs in the image data control board or the like due to noise or the like inside the printing apparatus 10 and a synchronization signal breaks as shown in a part surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. It is determined that the synchronization signal for two pages has been transmitted, and as a result, the image data and the print control data may be transmitted by skipping one page. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), where the image of the image ID “0016” should originally be formed on the back surface of the paper ID “0008” on the 16th page, printing of this image is skipped. Since the image with the image ID “0017” corresponding to the surface of the paper ID “0009” is printed, a difference occurs between the management table and the received print control data (indicated by a bold line in FIG. 7). portion). Not only such an abnormality but also a sheet may drop off in the middle of the conveyance path 18 or a difference may occur between the management table and the received print control data due to some trouble, so the abnormality can be detected. it can.

  If it is determined in step 116 that an abnormality has occurred, the process proceeds to step 118. In step 118, the apparatus is urgently stopped to interrupt the execution of the print job, and processing when an abnormality occurs (for example, forced ejection of the paper 12 to the purge tray 26, display of an error message, etc.) is performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 116 that no abnormality has occurred, it is determined in step 120 whether all print jobs have been completed. If it is determined that the print job has not ended, the process returns to step 102. Steps 102 to 120 are repeated until it is determined in step 120 that the print job has been completed or an abnormality is detected in step 116.

  If the management table stored in the NVRAM 46 and the original print control data are confirmed after the emergency stop of the apparatus, the location where the abnormality has occurred and the cause of the occurrence of the abnormality can be easily analyzed.

  As described above, a plurality of R / W devices are provided on the transport path of the paper 12 to manage the transport history and print history, so that page sequence disturbances and abnormalities can be detected quickly, and the cause can be easily investigated. it can.

  Even if the printer controller 50 or the printing apparatus 10 itself malfunctions at the same time, both the abnormal management table and the print control data table are retained, and the occurrence of an abnormality cannot be detected. By causing the IC tag reader device to read the output paper 12 separately, a table including a conveyance history and a printing history can be recreated. Therefore, without the printer controller 50 and the printing apparatus 10, it is possible to check whether the page sequence from the paper 12 is wrong, whether an abnormality has occurred, the cause of the abnormality, or the like.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims.

  For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which only the passage time is stored in the management table or the IC tag of the paper 12 as the transport history has been described. However, date information may be added to the passage time and stored. Furthermore, instead of the passage time, only data indicating whether or not the passage where the R / W device is provided may be stored.

  In the above description, the paper ID is written on the IC tag of the paper 12 by the R / W device (the first feeder R / W device 30a or the second feeder R / W device 30b) arranged on the most upstream side in the transport direction of the paper 12. Although an example will be described, the present invention is not limited to this, and a paper ID may be stored in advance in the IC tag of the paper 12.

  Further, the installation location of the IC tag reader / writer device is not limited to the location shown in the above embodiment, and may be installed anywhere on the transport path of the print medium.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the abnormality detection is performed during the print job processing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the data written in the management table or the IC tag can be read at any time after the abnormality occurs. Detection can be performed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the R / W devices 30a to 30f have described the example in which the information of the IC tag is always read when the paper 12 passes, and the passing time and the image ID are written in the IC tag. For example, only reading of an IC tag may be performed. Thereby, it is possible to detect the time when the paper 12 passes on the printing apparatus 10 side. In this example, the transport history such as the passage time and the printing history are not recorded on the IC tag of each sheet 12, but the passage time can be recorded and managed in the management table held on the printing apparatus 10 side. In addition, page sequence disturbances and abnormalities can be detected quickly, and the cause can be investigated easily.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the R / W device is used to detect the passage of the paper 12 and write to the IC tag is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A detection unit that detects the identification code is provided at a plurality of locations on the conveyance path of the sheet 12 using the sheet 12 with the code, and the conveyance history of the sheet 12 is managed based on the detection result of the detection unit. Good. In this case, the conveyance history such as the passage time and the printing history cannot be recorded on each sheet 12, but the passage time can be recorded and managed in the management table held on the printing apparatus 10 side. It is possible to quickly detect page sequence disturbances and abnormalities, and to easily investigate the cause.

1 is a configuration diagram of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the printing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a printer system including a printer controller and a printing apparatus, and is a diagram for explaining data transmission / reception between the printer controller and the printing apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table of print control data held by a printer controller. 4 is a timing chart of synchronization signals, image data, and print control data that are exchanged between the printer controller and the printing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the printing sequence of a printing apparatus. It is an example of the management table memorize | stored in NVRAM. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a history management processing program executed by a CPU of the printing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing apparatus 14A 1st feeder 14B 2nd feeder 16 Conveyance apparatus 18 Conveyance path 20 Image formation part 24A 1st stacker 24B 2nd stacker 26 Purge tray 28 Reverse part 30a 1st feeder R / W apparatus 30b 2nd feeder R / W apparatus 30c Transfer R / W device 30d Reverse R / W device 30e First stacker R / W device 30f Second stacker R / W device 32 IC tag controller 40 CPU
42 ROM
44 DRAM
46 NVRAM
50 Printer controller

Claims (11)

Conveying means for conveying a print medium with an identification code;
Printing means for printing the print medium conveyed by the conveying means;
Detecting means provided at a plurality of locations on a transport path along which the print medium is transported, and detecting the identification code when the print medium passes;
Management means for managing data related to passage of the print medium for each print medium based on the detection result of the detection means;
Printing device with   The detection means includes at least two locations: a vicinity of a feeder that accommodates the print medium, a vicinity of the print means, a vicinity of a reversing means that inverts the print medium, and a stacker that discharges a print medium that has been printed by the printing means. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, provided in the apparatus. Conveying means for conveying a print medium provided with a storage means in which an identification code is stored;
Printing means for printing the print medium conveyed by the conveying means;
A writing unit that is provided at a plurality of locations on a transport path along which the print medium is transported and writes data related to the passage of the print medium to the storage unit when the print medium passes;
Printing device with   The printing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising management means for managing data related to passage of the print medium for each print medium.   The writing means includes at least two of a vicinity of a feeder that accommodates the printing medium, a vicinity of the printing means, a vicinity of a reversing means that inverts the printing medium, and a vicinity of a stacker that discharges the printing medium that has been printed by the printing means. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the printing apparatus is provided at a location.   6. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the writing unit provided in the vicinity of the printing unit further writes an image identification code for identifying a print image on the print medium in the storage unit.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management unit further manages an image identification code for identifying a print image for the print medium for each print medium.   The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the storage unit for the print medium is configured by an IC tag.   The data relating to the passage of the print medium is any one of data indicating that the print medium has passed, data indicating a time when the print medium has passed, and data indicating a date and time when the print medium has passed. Item 9. The printing apparatus according to any one of items 8 to 9. A printing management method for a printing apparatus, comprising: a conveying unit that conveys a printing medium with an identification code; and a printing unit that prints the printing medium conveyed by the conveying unit
The identification code is detected when the print medium passes through a plurality of predetermined locations in a conveyance path along which the print medium is conveyed, and data related to the passage of the print medium is obtained based on the detection result. A print management method for managing each print medium. A printing management method for a printing apparatus comprising: a conveying unit that conveys a printing medium provided with a storage unit that stores an identification code; and a printing unit that prints the printing medium conveyed by the conveying unit,
A print management method for writing data related to passage of the print medium to the storage unit when the print medium passes through a plurality of predetermined locations in a transport path along which the print medium is transported.

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