JP2001100468A - Printer and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer capable of preventing the occurrence of paper- curling and toner-peeling, and also, capable of distinguishing papers such as a glossy paper and a recycled paper, etc., as for the printer using various types of recording papers. SOLUTION: The printer is provided with plural paper feeding parts, and the paper is set by using not only information on the presence or absence of the paper in a paper feeding cassette and the paper size, but also, information on the type of paper such as a normal paper, a thick paper and an OHP paper, etc., and even in the case an host equipment such as a personal computer is connected to the printer through a net work, the information on the printer connected to the net work is obtained from the host equipment, and then, printing is executed in accordance with the paper size and also the type of the paper set in the printer.

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 system for performing printing using various types of paper such as plain paper and cardboard.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printing apparatus is directly connected to a host device such as a personal computer or connected via a network line such as a LAN (local area network), and performs a printing process in accordance with print data supplied thereto.
On the other hand, many types of paper have been developed today, and the printing apparatus also performs printing processing using various types of paper. For example,
The printing apparatus is provided with an optional paper feeding unit, and performs printing in accordance with print data on thick paper such as postcards, OHP (overhead projector) paper, or colored paper in addition to plain paper.

In such a printing apparatus using many types of papers, for example, an operator inputs a command or operates an operation panel to set a paper type such as plain paper / thick paper / OHP paper. .
Further, the type of paper is automatically determined from information on the paper size provided in the paper cassette, and the transfer current and the fixing temperature are adjusted.

[0004]

However, the above conventional method has the following problems. That is, a local printing system is effective when the operator manages the paper to be printed as described above. However, in an environment in which a plurality of host devices are connected to a network and share a printing device such as a printer, it is not possible to determine that the paper set in the specified printing device is the specified paper type. For this reason, an incorrect designation is requested to the printing apparatus, which causes problems such as paper curl and toner peeling.

In a conventional monochrome printing apparatus (monochrome page printer), plain paper / thick paper / OHP and the like are classified to adjust transfer current and fixing temperature as described above. In a printing apparatus (color page printer), it is necessary to identify glossy paper and recycled paper in terms of color matching, but there is a problem that this cannot be dealt with.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a printing apparatus capable of identifying glossy paper or recycled paper without causing paper curl or toner peeling.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper type specifying means for specifying a paper type for each paper feed cassette, and a paper type specified by the paper type specifying means. Paper type information reading means for reading out the information, printing condition setting means for setting printing conditions based on the information read by the paper type information reading means, and printing based on the printing conditions set according to the printing condition setting means. This can be attained by providing a printing apparatus comprising a printing means for performing printing.

The paper type specified by the paper type specifying means is, for example, plain paper, cardboard, or O.
Paper such as HP, and is specified automatically from each paper feeding unit or by manual setting. Further, the paper type information reading means reads the information based on, for example, information supplied from a host device or the like, and sets the printing conditions by the printing condition setting means.

With this configuration, it is possible to always set the correct paper type based on the information indicating the type of paper stored in the paper feed cassette, to prevent paper curl and the like, and to prevent paper peeling.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a paper type name storing means for storing a name designated for each paper type, and a paper type name stored in the paper type name storing means are provided. Paper type name reading means to be read, printing condition setting means for setting printing conditions based on the paper type name information read by the paper type name reading means, and printing based on the printing conditions set according to the printing condition setting means This can be achieved by providing a printing device comprising:

This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the name of the paper type is described in the paper type name storage means and the printing conditions are set from the name of the paper type. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to always set the correct paper type based on the information indicating the type of the paper stored in the paper feed cassette, prevent paper curl and the like, and prevent paper separation.

Further, it is also possible to add a function of converting the paper type information obtained from the paper feed cassette into an arbitrary character string specified by the user and enabling recognition based on logical information. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the paper type is, for example, plain paper, cardboard, or OHP paper.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the paper type specifying means has a table for storing a paper type for each paper feed cassette. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the printing condition setting means sets the printing conditions in consideration of, for example, information on the paper size in addition to the paper type information.

With this configuration, the paper size information is also taken into consideration when setting the printing conditions, so that more accurate printing conditions can be set. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper type specifying unit for specifying a paper type for each paper feed cassette, and a paper type information reading unit for reading information on the paper type specified by the paper type specifying unit. A printing apparatus comprising: printing condition setting means for setting printing conditions based on information read by the paper type information reading means; and printing means for performing printing based on printing conditions set in accordance with the printing condition setting means. This can be achieved by providing a printing system including a host device having a printer driver that receives supply of paper type information from the printing apparatus and creates print data suitable for color matching.

In this embodiment, in a host device such as a personal computer, a printer driver creates print data corresponding to a printing condition using the above-mentioned paper type information. Therefore, with such a configuration, it is possible to not only prevent the curl of the paper and the like, but also to effectively perform the color matching and the like.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paper type name storing means for storing a name designated for each paper type, and a paper type name stored in the paper type name storing means. Paper type name reading means to be read, printing condition setting means for setting printing conditions based on the paper type name information read by the paper type name reading means, and printing based on the printing conditions set according to the printing condition setting means Achieved by providing a printing system including a printing device including printing means for performing printing, and a host device having a printer driver that receives supply of paper type information from the printing device and creates print data suitable for color matching. it can.

Also in this embodiment, in a host device such as a personal computer, a printer driver creates print data corresponding to printing conditions by using the above-mentioned paper type information, so that color matching and the like can be performed effectively.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the sixth or seventh aspect, the paper type is, for example, plain paper, cardboard, or OHP paper. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the sixth aspect, the paper type specifying means has a table for storing a paper type for each of the paper feed cassettes.

According to a tenth aspect, in the invention of the sixth or seventh aspect, the printing condition setting means sets the printing conditions in consideration of, for example, paper size information in addition to the paper type information. is there.

With this configuration, the paper size information is also taken into account when setting the printing conditions, so that more accurate printing conditions can be set.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is an external view of a printing apparatus according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 8 denotes a main body of the printing apparatus, which includes an operation panel (not shown), a paper discharge unit 9, and a paper feed cassette 10. Reference numerals 11 and 12 shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the internal configuration of the printing apparatus having the above configuration. In the figure, the printing device 3 is a page printer as described above, and the printing device used in this example is a so-called tandem type color printer.
In FIG. 1, a printing apparatus 3 includes a paper supply / conveyance mechanism 1.
5, an image forming unit 16 having a plurality of image forming units,
The fixing device 17 is provided. Paper supply / transport mechanism 15
Is composed of a paper feed cassette 18 in which paper P is loaded and stored, and a paper transport system 19.

Further, as described above, the optional paper feeder 1
1 is provided with a paper feed cassette 21, and the optional paper feed device 12 is provided with a paper feed cassette 22. Also,
The paper stored in each of the paper feed cassettes 21 and 22 is a paper of a different paper type. For example, the paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 18 is assumed to be A4 size plain paper. The stored paper P ′ is B4 size thick paper, and the paper P ″ stored in the paper cassette 22 is A4 OHP paper.

The paper P stored in the paper cassette 18, the paper P ′ stored in the paper cassette 21, and the paper P ″ stored in the paper cassette 22 are supplied to the corresponding paper feed rollers 23 to 25, respectively. The sheet P, P ′, or P ″ conveyed to the sheet conveyance path is driven out of the corresponding sheet feed cassette by driving, and the sheet P, P ′, or P ″ is set on standby for feeding the sheet P in accordance with the toner image. The sheet is transported to the roll 27 and enters a standby state. Thereafter, the toner is conveyed onto the conveyor belt 28 at a timing coincident with a toner image formed on a photosensitive drum described later.

While the paper P, P ′, or P ″ moves on the transport belt 28, the toner of each color is applied to the paper P on the transport belt 28 by the image forming units 30, 31, 32, and 33. The image is transferred and color-transferred to the sheet P, etc. Thereafter, a heat fixing process is performed by the fixing device 17, and the sheet P, etc. are carried out of the apparatus.

The fixing device 17 comprises a heat roll 17a and a pressure roll 17b.
For example, while being conveyed between the roller a and the pressing roller 17b, the color toners of a plurality of colors transferred to the paper P or the like are melted and printed on the paper P or the like.

On the other hand, the image forming section 16 is composed of four image forming units 30 to 33 of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) as described above. It is arranged in. Yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are image forming units that perform color printing by subtractive color mixture, and black (K) image forming unit 33 is an image forming unit that is used for monochrome printing.

Each of the image forming units 30 to 33 has exactly the same structure except for the color of the developer contained in the developing container.
In this configuration, a developing device and a transfer device are sequentially arranged. Where 4
The configuration will be described using the image forming unit 32 for cyan as an example of the image forming units 30 to 33. The peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 35 is made of, for example, an organic photoconductive material.
6a, print head 36b, developing device 36c, transfer device 36d
Are sequentially arranged. The photoreceptor drum 35 rotates in the direction of the arrow, and first charges the peripheral surface of the photoreceptor drum 35 uniformly by applying a charge from the charger 36a. Next, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 35 by optical writing based on print information from the print head 36b, and the developing device 36c
A toner image is formed by the developing process according to (1). At this time, the toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 35 is based on cyan (C) toner stored in the developing container 36c. The toner image thus formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 35 reaches the transfer position with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 35 in the direction of the arrow, and is transferred on the transport belt 28 by the transfer unit 36d. The toner image is transferred to P or the like.

Further, the toner image transferred onto the upper surface of the sheet P or the like is conveyed in the direction of the arrow along with the movement of the conveyor belt 28, and the other image forming units 30 and 3 having the same configuration as described above.
The color printing based on the subtractive color mixture is performed together with other yellow (Y) and magenta (M) toners sequentially transferred by No. 1.

The paper P or the like on which color printing has been performed as described above is guided to the paper discharge unit by the transport rolls 38 and discharged to the paper discharge unit 9 by the paper discharge rolls 39. FIG. 3 shows a system configuration when the printing apparatus having the above configuration is connected to a network. In FIG. 1, a network 1 is connected to a host device (host computer) 2 such as a personal computer, and a printing device 3 which is a page printer. The printing apparatus 3 has an interface controller (hereinafter, referred to as an I / F controller) 4 and a printer engine 6 therein. The I / F controller 4 and the printer engine 6 have a video interface (hereinafter, referred to as a video I / F). ) 5.

The print data created by the host computer 2 is sent to the printing device 3 through the network 1. The print data supplied to the printing device 3 is I / O
Input to the F controller 4. The I / F controller 4 analyzes the print data supplied from the host computer 2 and converts the data into bitmap data corresponding to, for example, paper P or the like one-to-one. The printer engine 6 has a video I / F
The bitmap data created by the I / F controller 4 is supplied via the interface 5 and print processing is performed on the paper P or the like.

On the other hand, information on the printing apparatus 3 side, particularly information on the printer engine 6, follows the reverse route to the above, is sent to the I / F controller 4 through the video I / F 5, and is sent to the host computer 2 through the network 1. Sent. Particularly, in a page printer, the information of the paper set in the apparatus is important, and in the apparatus of the present example having a plurality of paper feeding units, the status of all paper feeding apparatuses needs to be constantly monitored by the host computer 2. .

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the information of the paper feed unit output from the printer engine 6. It should be noted that, in the description of FIG. 2, the sheet feeding from the sheet feeding cassette 18 provided in the apparatus main body shown in FIG. The paper is assumed to be a second paper feed and a third paper feed, respectively. In the area of the "sheet feeding device" shown in the figure, the first sheet feeding, the second sheet feeding, and the third sheet feeding are shown separately.

On the other hand, the area of "presence / absence of apparatus" shown in the figure shows the installation state of the apparatus corresponding to each of the paper feeding units. Indicates whether there is a paper feed unit provided. In this example, since the fixed paper feed unit exists in the main unit, the status is “fixed”. In addition, the second paper feed and the third paper feed are “Yes” when the corresponding optional paper feeder is set, and
If no optional paper feeder is set, it is “absent”. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 described above,
Since the optional sheet feeding device is set, both the second sheet feeding and the third sheet feeding are “present”.

Next, the area of "presence / absence of paper cassette" indicates whether or not a paper cassette is set in the corresponding paper supply unit. In this example, the paper feed cassettes 18, 21, and 22 are set in all of the first to third paper feeds, and all of them are "present".

The "paper presence / absence" area indicates whether or not paper is set in each of the paper cassettes 18, 21, and 22. Then, for example, the paper feed cassette 18
If the sheet P is set in the sheet feeding area, the corresponding first sheet feeding area is "present", and if the sheet P 'is set in the sheet feeding cassette 21, the corresponding second sheet feeding area is also "present". If the sheet P "is set in the sheet feeding cassette 22, the corresponding third sheet feeding area is also" present ".

In the "paper size" area, the numbers of the paper sizes stored in the paper cassettes 18, 21 and 22 are set. The contents of the paper size number will be described later. The sheet size number is set by a method described later.

Further, in the "paper type" area, the numbers of the paper types stored in the respective paper feed cassettes 18, 21 and 22 are set. The specific contents of this paper type number will be described later, and this paper type number is also set by a method described later.

Next, the paper size number will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the paper size number and the paper size corresponding to the number. In the figure, for example, a paper size number “1” means A4 size paper, and the paper is set vertically (vertically). Further, the paper size number “2” means B4 size paper, and this is a case where the paper is set vertically (vertically). Further, the paper size number “3” means A4 size paper, and the paper is set horizontally (landscape).

Hereinafter, as shown in the figure, the paper size corresponding to the paper size number and the setting direction are shown. The paper size number "0" is undefined. Here, the setting of the paper size numbers is performed, for example, by the following method. That is, (a) the side regulating side plate and the rear end regulating side plate for aligning and loading the paper in the paper cassette are slidable. When the side plate is slid and the paper is loaded, the side regulating position is linked to the side plate position. The actuator provided on the side of the cassette, which moves by moving, moves to a position (selectively) to actuate a micro switch or a sensor provided on the side of the apparatus main body, whereby the size of the loaded paper is reduced. Identify.

As another method, there is provided a mechanism for setting the size of the paper loaded in the cassette by operating the (b) dial by operating the dial. Is moved to a position where the sensor on the main body is selectively activated, and the controller on the main body recognizes the size.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the paper type number and the paper type of the paper corresponding to the number. For example, a paper type number “0” means plain paper, a paper type number “1” means thick paper, and a paper type number “2” means OHP paper. Further, after the paper type number is “3”, the user sets the paper type. Therefore, information of the paper type is written in the area in accordance with the setting of the user.

The "transfer current / fixing temperature" shown in FIG.
Area is a setting area for the transfer current and the fixing temperature for the paper type. The transfer current is a current supplied to the transfer unit 36d shown in FIG. 2 described above, and the fixing temperature is a temperature set on the heat roll 17a of the fixing unit 17 described above. Therefore, for example, in the case of thick paper, a relatively large transfer current is set, and a relatively high fixing temperature is set.

Here, the paper type number of the paper is set by, for example, the following method. That is, first, (a) the operator rotates and sets the dial according to the type of paper to be loaded in the cassette, and the actuator moves in conjunction with the rotation to selectively operate the sensor on the main unit side. As a result, the above-described I / F controller 4 identifies the paper type of the paper loaded in the loaded cassette and sets a corresponding number.

In the case of OHP paper, for example, the operator does not set a dial or the like, but identifies the type of paper loaded in the cassette with a sensor and automatically sets the OHP paper.
It is also possible to generate a signal indicating that it is paper. Further, if the reflectance of light to paper such as a reflection type photo sensor is strictly identified, normal plain paper and transparent paper such as OHP paper can be identified.

Paper quality such as high quality paper and recycled paper can also be identified by strictly identifying the amount of reflected light from the photosensor. Further, the thickness of the sheet can also be identified from the magnitude of the amount of transmitted light of the transmission type photo sensor.

As described above, the identification of the paper can be automatically recognized without the intervention of the operator, and the printer engine 6 can select the transfer current and the fixing in addition to the plain paper / thick paper / OHP paper. If there is another condition necessary for adjusting the temperature or the like, the designation is also included.

On the other hand, the I / F controller 6 reads out the contents of the various settings of the printer engine 6 via the video I / F 5, and creates a paper feed table. Also, a paper type table is created for paper type management.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the configuration of a sheet feeding table formed in the I / F controller 4. 4 is basically the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 4 described above, but the information shown in FIG. 4 is not necessarily held in the table, but the information shown in FIG. Is stored as a table (or memory). In the same drawing, from the first paper supply to the third paper supply, an area of “paper feeder”, an area of “presence or absence of paper feed cassette”, and an area of “presence or absence of paper”
, An area corresponding to the “paper size”, and information corresponding to the area corresponding to the “paper type” are written. Further, the above information is the same as the content described with reference to FIG.
“Paper feeder” set in each area up to the third paper feed,
The same information as that in FIG. 4 described above is written in the information of “presence of paper feed cassette”, “presence of paper”, “paper size”, and “paper type”.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the data structure set in the paper type table. The paper type table created in the I / F controller 6 is basically the same as that in FIG. In the above configuration, the processing operation of this example will be described below.

First, the registration process by the user will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a registration process of a paper type and the like by a user. In the figure, paper type number "0"
Since the specification of the printer engine 6 is fixedly handled, it is checked whether it is within this range (step (hereinafter referred to as S) 1). Here, when the paper type number is equal to or more than "3" (S1 is NO), it is determined whether or not the specified contents of the printer engine 6 are to be changed (S2). At the same time as notifying the printer engine 6, the paper type table is rewritten (S3).

If a user-specified name has been set (S4), the content is described and recorded in the paper type table (S5). The contents of the paper type table are written into a memory (not shown) (for example, a non-volatile memory), and become default values of the I / F controller 4.

Next, when the host computer 2 issues a paper feed state confirmation request via the network 1, the I / F controller 4 sends the information stored in the paper feed table and the paper type table to the host computer 2. Therefore,
For example, in the printer monitor program of the host computer 2, the responded data is displayed, and the printer driver determines the paper type in detail based on the response data. Therefore, for example, it is possible to make settings for obtaining optimal color matching.

That is, since the I / F controller 4 stores the paper type and its user-specified name, it is possible to specify the optimum combination of the paper size and the paper type.
This designation is achieved by the host computer 2 sending over the network 1 using a command of the following form.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of the I / F controller 4 when receiving the paper feed designation command. First, when a paper feed is specified, it is determined whether or not the paper feeder is directly specified (step (hereinafter referred to as ST) 1). Here, if the paper feeder is directly specified (YES in ST1), the paper feeder is specified to the printer engine 6 (S2). For example, when the paper cassette 18 connected to the main body is designated together with the print data supplied from the host computer 2, the paper P is unloaded from the designated paper cassette 18 and the printing process is performed on the paper P. Apply.

On the other hand, when there is no designation of the paper feeder (S
T1 is NO), then it is determined whether there is a paper type designation (ST
3). For example, when the paper type is specified (YES in ST3), it is first determined whether a paper type number is specified (ST3).
4). Here, when the paper type number is designated (ST4 is Y
ES), the above-mentioned I / F controller 6 is searched, and a paper feed cassette having the same paper size and paper type number is selected (ST5).

Next, it is determined whether there is a sheet cassette meeting the conditions (ST6). When there is a sheet cassette that meets the above conditions, the sheet cassette is designated to the printer engine (ST2). For example, when the host computer 2 specifies B4 size thick paper together with the print data, the paper size number is “2” and the paper type number is “1”. Therefore, the printer engine 6
Specifies the paper feed cassette 21 from the above conditions. For example, when the host computer 2 specifies A4-size OHP paper, the paper size number is “3” and the paper type number is “2”. Therefore, the printer engine 6 specifies the paper feed cassette 22 based on the above conditions.

If the optional paper type designation is not set (NO in ST3), the paper size is checked for all paper types (ST7). This processing will be described later.

On the other hand, when the paper type number is not set (ST4: NO), the case is based on the user-specified name.
A name is searched in the paper type table (ST8). And
It is determined whether there is a matching name (ST9), and if there is a matching name (YES in ST9), the paper type number having that name is stored (ST10). If there is no matching name, all paper types are searched as in the case where no paper type is specified (ST7).

Next, the paper type number obtained by the above processing,
A paper feed unit that matches the paper size specified by the command and has the paper is searched from the paper feed table (ST5). If there is no paper feed unit that meets the conditions, an error display indicating that there is no designated paper feed is performed by the printer monitor program of the host computer 2 based on the operation panel and status response (ST11).

By the above processing, printing can be performed on a sheet specified by the optimum printing conditions in which the sheet type number and the sheet size match and the sheet is present. That is, the printer engine 6 sets the optimum transfer current and fixing temperature according to the paper type, and performs the printing process. Therefore, paper curl and peeling do not occur.

In addition, even when performing color matching, the printer driver simultaneously registers the content of the color matching through the network 1 through the plain paper / thick paper / O
Information such as HP paper is confirmed, and optimal color matching can be performed. <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As described in the description of the related art, the automatic sheet feeding operation is basically set based on the sheet size, the sheet size is searched, and the printing process is performed on the sheet of the corresponding size. However, even paper of the same size includes plain paper, colored paper, thick paper, OHP paper, and the like. Even if the paper size is the same, printing may be performed on unintended paper. Thus, the present example is to solve the above problem. Hereinafter, the processing of this example will be specifically described.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation. First, the power of the printing apparatus is turned on and the hardware circuit is checked (step (hereinafter referred to as STP)).
1). Next, it is determined whether or not the operation of the printing apparatus 3 is possible (STP2). Here, if the operation of the printing apparatus 3 is not possible (NO in STP2), a printer error is notified (STP3). On the other hand, if the operation of the printing apparatus 3 is possible (STP2: YES), the initial setting of the internal circuit is performed (STP4).

Next, each paper feed port is checked, and if there is a paper feed port, it is determined whether or not the document size can be detected (YES in STP5, STP6). If STP6 is YES), it is determined whether or not paper type detection is possible (STP7). If both can be detected, paper size information and paper type are set according to the detection result (S
TP8).

On the other hand, if any of the above determinations (STP5 to STP7) is NO, the paper size and paper type are set from the operation panel (STP9). The setting is performed as described above, and the printing is enabled (STP1
0).

Next, when print data is supplied (STP
11 is YES), it is determined whether or not automatic sheet feeding is performed (ST).
P12). Here, when automatic paper feeding is not performed (STP1
2 is NO), normal printing is performed (STP13). On the other hand, if automatic paper feeding is to be performed (STP12: YES), it is determined whether or not a paper size is set (STP14). If not, normal printing is performed (STP15). On the other hand, if the paper size is set (STP14 is set), the paper type setting is determined (STP16). If the paper type is not set, the paper type is set to plain paper (STP
17).

On the other hand, if the paper type is set, it is determined whether the paper is present (STP16 is set, STP1 is set).
8). Here, if the corresponding sheet does not exist (STP18
Is NO), an error is issued (STP19), and the process waits until the corresponding sheet is replenished (STP20 is NO). After that, when the corresponding paper is replenished, the error is cleared (S
If TP20 is YES, it is determined whether the corresponding paper type exists (STP22). Here, if there is no corresponding paper type, an error is issued (STP23), and the process waits until the corresponding paper is replenished (NO in STP24).

Thereafter, when the paper is replenished, the error is cleared (STP23: YES), and the printing process is performed using the paper of the designated paper size and paper type (STP23).
P25).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the automatic paper feeding operation is performed by checking both the paper size setting and the paper type to prevent printing on different paper types even with the same paper size. It is.

[0071]

As described above, according to the present invention, paper type information as well as paper size information can be obtained from a paper feed cassette. For example, when a printing apparatus connected to a network is shared, paper type specification and This is to prevent the actual paper from being different, and to prevent paper curl and paper peeling.

Further, by having a function of converting the paper type information obtained from the paper feed cassette into a logical name, various paper types can be managed by user-friendly information, and processing on the host computer can be performed. It is valid.

Further, since the paper type information is provided for each paper feeding device, it is possible to search for the paper feeding device under the conditions of both the paper size and the paper type when the paper feeding is designated, so that different paper sizes having the same paper size can be searched. For example, it is possible to use different types of paper, such as recycled paper for temporary printing for print confirmation, high quality paper for monochrome printing, and glossy paper for color printing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a printing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration when a printing apparatus is connected to a network.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating information on a paper feed unit output from a printer engine.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a paper size number and a paper size corresponding to the number.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a paper type number and a paper type of a paper corresponding to the number.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a sheet feeding table.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a paper type table.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating registration processing of a paper type and the like by a user.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process of the I / F controller 4 when a paper feed designation command is received.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 network 2 host device (host computer) 3 printing device 4 I / F controller 5 video I / F 6 printer engine 9 paper discharge unit 10 paper feed cassette 11, 12 optional paper feed unit 15 paper supply / transport mechanism 16 image forming unit Reference Signs List 17 Fixing device 17a Heat roll 17b Pressure contact roll 18 Paper feed cassette 19 Paper transport system 21, 22 Paper feed cassette 23-25 Paper feed roller 27 Standby roll 28 Transport belt 30-33 Image forming unit 35 Photoconductor drum 36a Charger 36b Printing Head 36c Developing unit 36d Transfer unit 38 Transport roll 39 Discharge roll

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Makoto Suzuki 2-229 Sakuragaoka, Higashiyamato-shi, Tokyo Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Tokyo Office F-term (reference) 2H027 DC02 DC19 EC02 EC20 ED03 ED06 ED08 ED17 ED24 ED25 EE07 EE08 EF08 EF06 EJ08 EJ15 ZA08 2H032 AA05 BA27 BA28 CA01 CA11 2H033 AA02 AA47 AA48 CA16 CA17 CA30 CA48 5B021 AA01 EE01 KK03

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A paper type specifying unit for specifying a paper type for each paper feed cassette; a paper type information reading unit for reading information on the paper type specified by the paper type specifying unit; A printing condition setting means for setting printing conditions based on the obtained information, and printing means for performing printing based on the printing conditions set according to the printing condition setting means. 2. A paper type name storing means for storing a name designated for each paper type, a paper type name reading means for reading out the paper type name stored in the paper type name storing means, and a paper type name reading Printing condition setting means for setting printing conditions based on information of the paper type name read by the means, and printing means for performing printing based on the printing conditions set according to the printing condition setting means. Printing device. 3. The paper type is plain paper, cardboard, or OHP.
3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is paper. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper type specifying unit has a table for storing a paper type for each of the paper feed cassettes. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing condition setting unit sets printing conditions in consideration of paper size information in addition to the paper type information. 6. A paper type specifying means for specifying a paper type for each paper feed cassette, a paper type information reading means for reading information of the paper type specified by the paper type specifying means, and a reading by the paper type information reading means. A printing condition setting means for setting printing conditions based on the received information, a printing device for performing printing based on printing conditions set according to the printing condition setting means, supply of paper type information from the printing device And a host device having a printer driver for generating print data suitable for color matching. 7. A paper type name storing means for storing a name designated for each paper type, a paper type name reading means for reading out the paper type name stored in the paper type name storing means, and a paper type name reading A printing apparatus comprising: printing condition setting means for setting printing conditions based on information on the paper type name read by the means; printing means for performing printing based on printing conditions set in accordance with the printing condition setting means; A printing system, comprising: a host device having a printer driver that receives supply of paper type information from the device and creates print data suitable for color matching. 8. The paper type is plain paper, cardboard, or OHP.
The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the printing system is paper. 9. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the paper type specifying unit has a table for storing a paper type for each of the paper feed cassettes. 10. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein said printing condition setting means sets printing conditions in consideration of paper size information in addition to said paper type information.