JP2001058445A - Print controller and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pint controller for preferentially conduct a print job to another sheet feeder until a sheet is supplied when a lack of the sheet of a specific sheet feeder takes place during printing and a storage medium. SOLUTION: A CPU 11 executes print control processing according to a print control program stored in a memory 16. That is, the CPU 11 decides whether there is a job of a sheet feeding waiting state or not. If there is the job, an instruction select screen is displayed on a display unit 15. When 'print OK' is selected from an input unit 12 by a user, whether sheets are set in a manual sheet feeder (MPF) or not is decided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing control device and a storage medium for controlling a printing device capable of printing on different types of paper by setting different types of paper on a plurality of paper feeding devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing apparatus mainly used in a client-server type print control apparatus connected to a network, a preprinted paper is used for printing a proposal or a quotation to a customer. . This preprinted paper is a sheet in which the title of the document to be printed, a company name logo, a frame, an image of a background, and the like are pre-printed on the paper based on a predetermined format, and the user prints individual information on the paper. This makes it possible to create good-looking materials.

Generally, when printing is performed on preprinted paper, a manual paper feeder (hereinafter, referred to as a paper feeder) included in the printing apparatus is used.
It is necessary to set pre-printed paper in MPF (Manual Paper Feeder) beforehand. If the user forgets to set paper or runs out of paper, the cassette paper feeder ( Hereinafter, CPF (Cassette Paper
Feeder) is printed on plain paper. For this reason, if an incorrect sheet is set in the MPF, meaningless printing is performed.

In order to prevent these mistakes, a print control device used in a conventional client-server type system determines whether or not a print job transmitted from a client is for an MPF. , By stopping the print job and displaying a message prompting the user to load pre-print paper,
Printing was resumed after paper was supplied.

[0005]

However, the conventional print control apparatus has the following problems. MP
Since other print jobs cannot be processed while the error message that paper is not set in F is output, even if another print job is sent from another client while the message is being displayed, the first print job is executed. You cannot print until the job is finished.

[0006] In printing using preprinted paper, desired printing cannot be performed unless preprinted paper is set in the MPF. In this case, meaningless printing without format printing is performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a print control apparatus which gives priority to a print job to another paper feeder until a paper is replenished when paper runs out of a specific paper feeder during printing. The purpose is to provide a storage medium.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In a print control device that controls a printing device that can print on the paper by setting different papers in a plurality of paper feeding devices, a manual paper feeder that manually sets paper when a print request is received. Determining means for determining whether the request is a print request using the apparatus (for example, the CP in FIG. 1)
(Corresponding to U11), and when the determination unit determines that the print request is to use the manual paper feeder, the paper supply to the paper feeder is completed until the print request is completed.
A print control unit (e.g., corresponding to the CPU 11 in FIG. 1) for executing the print request based on the print request when there is another print request in which the print request is set to a standby state and the loaded paper is specified. It is characterized by doing.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the print request is received, the determination means determines whether the request is a print request using a manual paper feeder for manually setting paper, When the determination unit determines that the print request is to use the manual paper feeder, the print control unit waits for the print request until the supply of the paper to the paper feed unit is completed. If there is another print request specifying the loaded paper, printing based on the print request is executed.

[0010] Therefore, even if a specific sheet is set or the sheet runs out during printing, an error occurs until the sheet is set or replenished, and a print job specifying another type of sheet is performed. Does not continue in the print disabled state, so that printing efficiency is improved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus capable of printing on a sheet by setting different sheets on a plurality of sheet feeding apparatuses. In this case, a printability determining unit (e.g., corresponding to the CPU 11 in FIG. 1) that determines whether printing on the sheet specified by the print request is possible, and the printability determination unit If it is determined that printing on the loaded paper is not possible, the print request is placed in a print standby state, and if there is another print request specifying loaded paper, printing based on the print request is executed. Control means (corresponding to, for example, the CPU 11 of FIG. 1).

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a print request is received, the printability determining means determines whether or not printing on a sheet specified by the print request is possible, and performs printing. The control unit sets the print request to a print standby state when the print enable determination unit determines that printing on the specified paper is impossible, and causes another print request specifying the loaded paper to be performed. If there is, print based on the print request is executed.

Therefore, the user does not need to wait for a print job using another paper feeder until the paper setting is completed, and the printing efficiency is improved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus capable of printing on a sheet by setting different sheets in a plurality of sheet feeding apparatuses. A storage unit (for example, corresponding to the RAM 13 in FIG. 1) for storing overlay data that substitutes for the print data of the preprinted preprinted paper; (E.g., corresponding to the CPU 11 in FIG. 1), and if it is determined that the preprinted paper cannot be used, the paper is set in another paper feeding device. A temporary mark for temporarily printing the overlay data stored in the storage means on print paper based on the print data based on the print request. Means (e.g., the printer 1 of Fig. 1
4 (corresponding to No. 4).

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the storage unit stores overlay data that substitutes for print data of a preprinted sheet in which a predetermined format is printed in advance, and the determining unit stores the preprinted sheet. In response to the designated print request, it is determined whether or not the preprint paper can be used. If the determination means determines that the preprint paper cannot be used, another provisional paper feeding device is determined. And temporarily printing the overlay data stored in the storage means on print paper based on the print request.

Therefore, when no paper is set in the manual paper feeder or when it is desired to reduce the cost of the paper to be used, alternative printing without using the preprint paper can be performed.

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, a computer system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
Will be described in detail.

[First Embodiment] First, the configuration will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a computer system 10 according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
As shown in FIG. 1, the computer system 10 includes:
CPU 11, input device 12, RAM 13, printing device 1
4, display device 15, storage device 16, and storage medium 16a
Each part except the storage medium 16a is mutually connected by a bus 17. The bus 1
The printer 7 is connected to 7 via a cable C1.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11
Executes a print control process (see FIGS. 3 to 5), which will be described later, according to a print control program stored in the storage device 16. That is, the CPU 11 determines whether or not there is a job in a paper feed waiting state, and if there is such a job, causes the display device 15 to display an instruction selection screen (not shown). Is selected, it is determined whether a sheet is set in the MPF (see FIG. 2).

When it is determined that no paper is set in the MPF, the CPU 11 determines whether or not overlay printing has been specified. The set paper feeder is selected, predetermined overlay data is obtained from the RAM 13, and the overlay data is output to the printer 14 as image data.

If the overlay printing has not been designated, the CPU 11 causes the display device 15 to display an error message of "no paper" on the display device 15. If "cancel" is instructed from the input device 12, the CPU 11 waits for paper feed. Delete jobs in status. Further, the CPU 11 determines the presence or absence of a print request job, and if there is a print request job, determines whether or not use of the MPF is specified. If not specified, CPF processing is executed.

The input device 12 inputs various parameters required for the print control process executed by the CPU 11, inputs start and stop of the print control process, and outputs the various input instruction signals to the CPU 11. .

A RAM (Random Access Memory) 13
A memory area for storing data files and parameters necessary for the print control process executed by the CPU 11 is formed. Further, the RAM 13 temporarily stores various data obtained from the storage device 16 in the print control processing executed by the CPU 11 according to the processing content.

The printing device 14, as shown in FIG.
It has two types of paper feeders, F and CPF, and different types of paper set in these paper feeders, that is,
Printing on plain paper, preprinted paper on which a fixed format is printed in advance, or the like is possible. Also, the CPF contains A
Paper cassettes having different sizes, such as paper cassettes 4 and B4, are detachable, and print and discharge print data stored in the RAM 13 on predetermined paper based on a print control program executed by the CPU 11.

The display device 15 is a CRT (Cathode Ray Tu).
be), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) device or the like, which displays various display data input from the CPU 11, for example, an input screen for inputting various parameters necessary for the print control process executed by the CPU 11,
A processing step screen showing each processing step of the print control processing, an error message such as out of paper occurring during the print control processing, a print control screen showing the name of the preprint paper, and the like are displayed.

The storage device 16 has a storage medium 16a in which programs, data and the like are stored in advance, and this storage medium 16a is constituted by a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory. This storage medium 16a
The storage medium 16a is fixedly provided in the storage device 16 or is detachably mounted. The storage medium 16a stores data processed by various programs such as the print control program.

The program, data, and the like stored in the storage medium 16a may be received from another device connected via a public line network or the like by a communication interface and stored. Another device connected via a network may be provided with a storage device having the above storage medium, and the program and data stored in the storage medium 16a may be used via a communication line.

Next, the operation of the computer system 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a print control process executed by the CPU 11.

In this print control process, first, the CPU
11 determines whether there is a job in a paper feed waiting state (step S1). Here, if the job exists (step S
1; Yes), the CPU 11 displays an instruction selection screen (not shown) on the display device 15 and urges the user to select whether to start data printing (step S2).

Next, when "print OK" is selected by the user from the input device 12 in accordance with the instruction selection screen, the CPU 11 determines whether or not paper is set in the MPF (step S3). . If a sheet is set (step S3; Yes), the CPU 1
1 causes the printing device 14 to print the print request data stored in the RAM 13 (step S8), and deletes the print request job (step S9). Then, the process returns to step S1, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.

If it is determined in step S3 that no paper is set in the MPF (step S3).
3; No), the CPU 11 determines whether or not overlay printing has been designated (step S4). Here, if overlay printing has been designated (step S4; Yes)
s), the CPU 11 selects a CPF other than the MPF, which is a sheet feeding device on which sheets are set (step S5). Next, the CPU 11 acquires overlay data from the RAM 13 (step S6), and outputs the overlay data as image data (step S7).

If it is determined in step S4 that overlay printing has not been specified (step S4; No), C
The PU 11 causes the display device 15 to display an error message such as "Please replenish the paper." (Step S1)
0), and return to step S2 again to execute the subsequent processing. In step S2, when "cancel" is instructed from the input device 12, the process proceeds to step S9, and the CPU 11 deletes the job in the paper feed waiting state.
In step S2, if there is no input from the input device 12, the process shifts to the processes in step S11 and later described later.

Next, a description will be given of the processing in the case where there is no job waiting for sheet feeding in step S1. In this case, first, the CPU 11 determines whether there is a print request job (step S11). If there is a print request job (step S11; Yes), the CPU 11
It is determined whether or not use is designated (step S
12).

Here, if the use of the MPF is designated (step S12; Yes), the CPU 11 executes the MPF-related processing described later (step S14), returns to step S1, and repeats the subsequent processing. Execute. If not specified (Step S12; No),
The CPU 11 executes a CPF-related process described later (step S13), and proceeds to the process after step S8.

Next, the CPF processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the CPF processing executed by the CPU 11. This CPF
In the system processing, first, the CPU 11 determines whether the CPF is out of paper (step S131). Where CP
If F is out of paper (step S131; Yes), C
The PU 11 causes the display device 15 to display an error message such as "Please replenish paper." (Step S13)
2).

Next, the CPU 11 enters a paper supply standby state, and determines whether or not paper has been supplied (step S133). Here, if the paper has been replenished (step S133; Yes), the CPF-based processing ends, and if the paper has not been replenished (step S133; No), the CP
U11 keeps displaying the error message on the display device 15 until the paper is replenished. Step S1
In S31, if the CPF has not run out of paper (Step S131; No), the CPF-based processing ends.

Next, the MPF processing will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the MPF processing executed by the CPU 11. This MPF
In the system processing, the CPU 11 first determines whether or not the preprint paper name has been specified (step S141).
Here, when the preprint paper name has been designated (step S141; Yes), the CPU 11 causes the display device 15 to display the preprint paper name (step S14).
2). Next, the CPU 11 displays a message such as "Please set paper" on the display device 15 (step S143), stops the printing device 14, and shifts the job to a paper feed waiting state (step S144).

If no preprint paper name is specified in step S141 (step S14)
1; No), the CPU 11 determines whether or not preprinted paper is set in the MPF (step S14).
5). If the sheet is set (step S145; Yes), the process proceeds to step S8 and subsequent steps in FIG. 3, and if the sheet is not set (step S1).
45; No), the process proceeds to the process after step S143.

As described above, in the computer system 10 according to the first embodiment, when the paper runs out during printing using the cassette paper feeder on the assumption that paper is always set, However, the printing apparatus does not accept another print request until a paper-out error message is displayed and the paper is replenished as in the related art. On the other hand, if the paper runs out during printing using a manual paper feeder, etc., which requires manual setting of irregular-sized paper every time printing is performed, the printing will continue until the paper is fed correctly. The request job is set to the sheet supply standby state, and printing is performed on another sheet.

In the computer system 10 according to the first embodiment, when it is recognized that the preprint paper is not set in response to the print request designating the preprint paper, the alternative printing using the overlay data is performed. I do. For this reason, when a print job using preprinted paper is executed, it is possible to execute a subsequent job that outputs to plain paper even while the user is exchanging the paper. Rate and printing efficiency are improved.

[Second Embodiment] Next, FIGS.
A second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, the computer system 1 in the first embodiment is applied to a network such as a LAN.

First, the configuration will be described. FIG. 6 shows a loop type LAN (Local Area Net) as an example of a network.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a print control system 1 according to the present invention in the case of using (work). As shown in FIG. 6, the print control system 1 includes a print server 20 and a client 3
0, the client 40 is directly connected to the loop type LAN.

In FIG. 6, the print server 20
Is a server dedicated to printing in which a single printing device 24 processes print requests from a plurality of client terminals, and the clients 30 and 40 are personal computers used by those who make print requests. Although the communication between the print server 20 and the clients 30 and 40 is illustrated as a wired connection in FIG. 6, these may be wireless communication.

Next, referring to FIG.
Will be described. FIG. 7 shows the print server 2
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a 0. 7, a print server 20 includes a CPU 21, an input device 22, a RAM,
23, display device 25, storage device 26, and storage medium 26
a, a communication device 28, and each unit except the storage medium 26a is connected by a bus 27. The printing device 24 is connected to the bus 27 via a cable C2.

The CPU 21 reads the network print control program stored in the storage medium 26a in the storage device 26, stores the read program in the work memory area in the RAM 23, and executes the network print control processing in accordance with the program stored in the RAM 23. Is stored in the work memory area in the RAM 23 and displayed on the display device 25. Then, the processing data stored in the work memory area is stored in a predetermined storage destination of the storage medium 26a in the storage device 26.

The CPU 21 executes a network print control process (to be described later) (see FIG. 10) according to a network print control program stored in the storage device 26. That is, the CPU 21 determines whether or not there is a job in a paper feed waiting state, and if there is such a job, causes the display device 25 to display an instruction selection screen, and when “print OK” is selected from the input devices 32 and 42. , And whether a sheet is set in the MPF.

The CPU 21 determines the presence or absence of an unprinted page in a job for which a print request has been made. If there is an unprinted page, the job is set to a print wait state. Delete the requested print job. Further, the CPU 21 determines whether or not overlay printing has been designated. If overlay printing has been designated, the CPU 21 selects a paper feeder on which a sheet is set other than the MPF, and reads predetermined overlay data from the RAM 23. And outputs the overlay data as image data.

The CPU 21 determines the presence or absence of a print request job, and if there is a print request job, determines whether or not the use of the MPF is specified. And if not specified,
Executes CPF processing.

The input device 22 includes a keyboard having cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, and the like, and a mouse as a pointing device, and outputs to the CPU 21 a signal of a key pressed by the keyboard. At the same time, an operation signal from the mouse is output to the CPU 21.

The RAM 23 forms a memory area for storing data files and parameters necessary for the network print control processing executed by the CPU 21. The RAM 23 temporarily stores print data based on a print request in the network print control process executed by the CPU 21 according to the content of the process.

The printing device 24 is the printing device 1 shown in FIG.
As in the case of No. 4, there are two types of paper feeding devices, MPF and CPF, and different types of paper set in these paper feeding devices, that is, plain paper and preprinted paper on which a fixed format is preprinted. Etc. can be printed. Further, paper cassettes having different sizes such as A4 and B4 can be attached to and detached from the CPF, and print the print data stored in the RAM 23 on predetermined paper based on a network print control program executed by the CPU 21. And output the paper. The display device 25 includes a CRT, a liquid crystal display device, and the like, and displays various display data input from the CPU 21.

The storage device 26 has a storage medium 26a in which programs, data, and the like are stored in advance, and this storage medium 26a is generally capable of higher-speed access than other storage media. And a magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk. In this storage medium 26a,
A network print control program for controlling the print control system 1 and data processed by the program are stored.

The communication device 28 is constituted by a LAN card, a router, and the like, and controls communication with an external device via a communication line such as a LAN cable or a dedicated line.

Next, the internal configuration of the client 30 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG. 8, a client 30 includes a CPU 31, an input device 32, a RAM 3
3, display device 35, storage device 36 and storage medium 36a,
Each part except the storage medium 36a is constituted by a communication device 38, and is connected by a bus 37.

The CPU 31 stores, in a work memory area in the RAM 33, a program designated from among various programs corresponding to the client 30 stored in the storage device 36, various instructions or data input from the input device 32. Then, various processes are executed according to the program stored in the RAM 33 in accordance with the input instruction and the input data, and the processing results are stored in the work memory area in the RAM 33 and displayed on the display device 35. Then, the processing result stored in the work memory area is stored in the storage destination of the storage medium 36a in the storage device 36 instructed by the input device 32.

The input device 32 includes a keyboard having cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, and the like, and a mouse as a pointing device, and outputs to the CPU 31 a signal of a key pressed by the keyboard. At the same time, an operation signal from the mouse is output to the CPU 31.

The RAM 33 forms a memory area for storing files and parameters necessary for the network print control process executed by the CPU 31 and is obtained from the storage device 36 in the network print control process executed by the CPU 31. Store various data.

The display device 35 is composed of a CRT, a liquid crystal display device and the like, displays various display data input from the CPU 31, and inputs, for example, various parameters necessary for the network print control process executed by the CPU 21. An input screen, an error message such as out of paper occurring during the print control processing, a print control screen showing the name of the preprint paper, and the like are displayed.

The storage device 36 has a storage medium 36a in which programs, data and the like are stored in advance, and this storage medium 36a is constituted by a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory. The storage medium 36a is fixedly provided on the storage device 36 or is detachably mounted. The storage medium 36a includes various application programs corresponding to the client 30,
And data processed by each processing program.

The program, data, and the like stored in the storage medium 36a may be configured to be received and stored from another device connected via a communication line or the like. A storage device provided with the storage medium 36a is provided on the other connected device side.
The program, data, and the like stored in 6a may be used via a communication line.

The communication device 38 is constituted by a LAN card, a router, and the like, and controls communication with an external device via a communication line such as a LAN cable or a dedicated line.

FIG. 9 is a view conceptually showing the print control screen 35a and the spool file 33a. As shown in FIG. 9, the client 30 transmits an MPF described later.
In the system processing, every time there is a print request, “XX proposal” is displayed as the preprint paper name and “MPF” is displayed as the paper feed position on the display device 35, and at the same time, it corresponds to the print request stored in the spool file 33a. Various kinds of information such as “print data”, “preprint paper name”, “paper feed position”, “client name”, and “job ID” are transferred to the print server 20. Then, the print server 20
Based on these transfer data, a network print control process described in detail below is executed.

Since the overall structure of the client 40 shown in FIG. 6 is the same as that of the client 30 shown in FIG. 8 in the second embodiment, illustration and description of the structure will be omitted. The above is the description of the configuration of the print control system 1 according to the second embodiment.

Next, the operation of the print server 20 and the clients 30 and 40 according to the second embodiment will be described. Note that the CPF processing in the present embodiment
The processing in the first embodiment is the same as the CPF processing shown in FIG. 4, and the processing in the MPF is the same as the processing in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, here, a network print control process different from that of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a network print control process executed by the CPU 21. As shown in FIG. 10, in the network print control process, first, the CPU 21 determines whether or not there is a job waiting to be fed (step S21). If the job exists (step S21; Yes), the CPU 21
Displays an instruction selection screen on the display device 25, and prompts the user to select whether to start data printing (step S22).

Next, in accordance with the instruction selection screen, the user of the client 30 or 40 operates the input device 32.
Or, if "print OK" is selected from 42, the CPU 2
1 determines whether or not a sheet is set in the MPF (step S23). Here, when a sheet is set (step S23; Yes), the CPU 21
The print request data stored in the AM 23 is printed (step S28), and it is determined whether the discharge from the printing device 24 is completed (step S29).

Here, when the discharge of the printing device 24 is completed (step S29; Yes), it is determined whether or not there is an unprinted page in the job requested to be printed (step S3).
0). If the discharge of the printing device 24 has not been completed (step S29; No), the process of step S29 is repeatedly executed until the discharge is completed.

Next, in step S30, if there is an unprinted page (step S30; Yes), the CPU 2
1 sets the job to a print waiting state (step S3
1) Return to step S1 again, and repeat the subsequent processing. If there is no unprinted page (step S30; No), the print request job stored in the RAM 23 is deleted (step S37). Then, the process returns to step S1, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.

If it is determined in step S23 that no paper is set in the MPF (step S23; No), the CPU 21 determines whether overlay printing has been specified (step S24). Here, if overlay printing has been designated (step S2
4; Yes), the CPU 21 selects a paper feeding device on which paper is set other than the MPF (step S25).
Next, the CPU 21 acquires predetermined overlay data from the RAM 23 (step S26), and outputs the overlay data as image data (step S2).
7).

In step S24, if overlay printing has not been designated (step S24; N
o), the CPU 21 displays an error message such as "Please replenish paper" on the display device of the client that has requested the print (step S36), and returns to step S36.
The process returns to step S22, and the subsequent processing is executed.

In step S22, if "cancel" is instructed from the input device of the client which has issued the print request, the flow shifts to step S37 and the CPU 21
Deletes the job waiting for paper feeding. If there is no input from the input device in step S22, the process proceeds to step S32 and subsequent steps, which will be described later.

Next, a description will be given of the processing in the case where there is no job waiting to be fed in step S21. In this case, the CPU 21 determines whether there is a print request job or a print waiting job (step S32). If there is a print request job (step S32; Yes)
s), the CPU 21 determines whether or not use of the MPF is specified (step S33).

Here, if the use of the MPF has been designated (step S33; Yes), the CPU 21 executes the MPF system processing described later (step S35), returns to step S21 again, and repeats the subsequent processing. Execute.
If not specified (step S33; N
o), the CPU 21 executes CPF-related processing described later (step S34), and shifts to processing after step S28.

Since the detailed processing procedure of the CPF processing in step S34 and the MPF processing in step S35 is the same as the CPF processing and the MPF processing shown in FIGS. Description is omitted. However, in the CPF-based processing and the MPF-based processing of the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the paper supply error message and the preprint paper name are different from those of the client that has issued the print request. It is displayed on the display devices 35 and 45.

As described above, in the print control system 1 according to the second embodiment, printing based on a plurality of print requests is performed in parallel on a page basis, and the determination as to whether or not there is a job waiting to be fed is made before. Since it is possible to perform page-by-page confirmation after page discharge, even if a print request is received from another client before the print processing based on the print request from the client is completed, the operation of the printing apparatus 24 is performed. Increase efficiency and operate the system efficiently.

The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiment. For example, in the second embodiment, two clients use the print control system. The configuration described above may be adopted, and various detailed configurations of the print server 20 and the clients 30 and 40 can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Further, in the above embodiment, only when the manual sheet feeding device (MPF) is designated, the printing standby state is unconditionally set, and another printing operation is performed until the user instructs the completion of sheet setting. Although it is possible to execute printing in response to a request, the presence or absence of paper is automatically detected, and if paper is not loaded, the printer is placed in a print standby state, and printing is resumed after paper is detected. You may.

Further, in the above embodiment, when a print request specifying a cassette paper feeder (CPF) has not been loaded with the paper specified by the print request, an error occurs, and another print request is issued. Although the printer is not accepted, the printer may be placed in a print standby state without entering an error state, and if there is another print request in which a loaded sheet is designated, the print request may be executed first.

[0079]

According to the first or sixth aspect of the present invention, even when a specific sheet is set or the sheet runs out during printing, an error occurs until the sheet is set or replenished. In this state, a print job in which another type of paper is designated does not continue to be in a print-disabled state, so that printing efficiency is improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first aspect
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), when a paper is exhausted in the paper feeder, a message to that effect is displayed, so that the user can quickly grasp whether or not the paper needs to be replaced and its timing. it can.

According to the invention described in claim 3, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), printing based on a plurality of print requests such as a print control system using a network, etc. The user can accurately grasp the type of paper to be set and its timing even in an environment where the operations are performed in parallel.

According to the invention described in claim 4 or 7,
The user does not need to wait for a print job using another paper feeding device until the paper setting is completed, and the printing efficiency is improved.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, even when paper is not set in the manual paper feeder or when it is desired to reduce the cost of the paper to be used, alternative printing without using the preprint paper can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a computer system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the printing apparatus 14 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a print control process executed by a CPU 11;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing CPF processing executed by CPUs 11 and 21;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating MPF-related processing executed by CPUs 11 and 21;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a print control system 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the print server 20 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a client 30 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 shows a print control screen 35a and a spool file 33a.
FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a network print control process executed by the CPU 21.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 print control system 10 computer system 11 CPU 12 input device 13 RAM 14 printing device 15 display device 16 storage device 16a storage medium 17 bus 20 print server 21 CPU 22 input device 23 RAM 24 printing device 25 display device 26 storage device 26a storage medium 27 bus 28 communication device 30 client 31 CPU 32 input device 33 RAM 33a spool file 35 display device 35a print control screen 36 storage device 36a storage medium 37 bus 38 communication device 40 client

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takayasu Watanabe 2-229 Sakuragaoka, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Tokyo Office (72) Inventor Eiji Hatano 2-229 Sakuragaoka, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Casio Computer Stock (72) Inventor Naoki Fukumoto 2-229 Sakuragaoka, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Tokyo Office (72) Inventor Makoto Tsurumi 2-229 Sakuragaoka, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Casio Computer F-term in Tokyo office (reference) 2C061 AP01 CQ23 CQ34 HH05 HJ03 HN17 HQ17 HR04 HV13 HV32 2C087 AA14 AB01 AB06 BD08 CB18 DA01 DA11 5B021 BB01 EE01 KK03 NN16 PP04 9A001 BB04 CC02 CC08 JJ12 JJ12

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A printing control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus capable of printing on a sheet by setting different sheets on a plurality of sheet feeding apparatuses. Determining means for determining whether or not the request is a print request using the manual sheet feeding device to be set; and, if the determining means determines that the request is a print request using the manual sheet feeding device, the sheet feeding device Until the paper supply to the printer is completed, the print request is kept in a standby state, and if there is another print request specifying the loaded paper,
A print control unit that executes printing based on the print request. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display control means for performing display control of a message prompting supply of the paper when the print control means is in a paper supply waiting state. Control device. 3. A printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a printing control unit configured to perform printing in parallel on a page basis based on a plurality of printing requests using the plurality of paper feeding devices, wherein the determining unit uses a manual paper feeding device. 2. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination as to whether or not the request is a print request is made on a page-by-page basis after the discharge of the previous page is confirmed. 4. A printing control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus capable of printing on a sheet by setting different sheets on a plurality of sheet feeding apparatuses. A printability determining unit that determines whether printing on the specified paper is possible; and a print request when the printability determination unit determines that printing on the specified paper is not possible. And a print control unit for executing printing based on the print request when there is another print request specifying loaded paper. 5. A printing control device for controlling a printing device capable of printing on a plurality of paper feeders by setting different papers in the plurality of paper feeders, wherein a predetermined format of the preprinted paper is printed in advance. Storage means for storing overlay data replacing print data; determining means for determining whether or not the preprint paper can be used in response to a print request designating the preprint paper; If it is determined that the paper cannot be used, the overlay data stored in the storage unit is superimposed on the print data based on the print request and provisionally printed on the paper set in another paper feeding device. A print control device, comprising: temporary printing means; 6. A storage medium storing a computer-executable program for controlling a printing apparatus capable of printing on a sheet by setting different sheets on a plurality of sheet feeders, When a print request is received, a computer-executable program code for determining whether the print request is to use a manual paper feeder for manually setting paper, and printing using the manual paper feeder If it is determined that the request is a request, the print request is set to a standby state until the supply of the paper to the paper feeding device is completed, and if there is another print request specifying the loaded paper, A storage medium storing a program including: a computer-executable program code for executing printing based on the print request. 7. A storage medium storing a computer-executable program for controlling a printing apparatus capable of printing on a sheet by setting different sheets on a plurality of sheet feeders, When a print request is received, a computer-executable program code for determining whether or not printing on a sheet specified by the print request is possible, and printing on the specified sheet is not possible Is determined, the print request is set to a print standby state, and if there is another print request specifying the loaded paper, a computer-executable program code for executing printing based on the print request is provided. A storage medium storing a program including: