JP2001162909A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance throughput of a printer by shortening the stopping time of the printer between jobs. SOLUTION: The printer comprises a buffer 12 for storing a received job, a section 14 for storing the control command of the job, a section 15 for comparing a previously received job control command with a job control command received anew, and a managing section 16 for rearranging the processing order of jobs such that jobs matching in the designation of the control command are performed continuously based on the comparison results at the command comparing section 15. Jobs matching in the designation of the control command can be performed continuously by rearranging the processing order of jobs not yet processed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing apparatus such as a page printer, if there is an unprocessed job in a receiving buffer, the job is processed and printed in the order in which it is received regardless of the content. Is performed.

For example, a job existing in the reception buffer is a first job for printing on the first medium for L pages, and a second job for printing on the second medium for M pages. Job and a third job that prints on the third medium for N pages, the first medium to the L-th page are printed on the first medium from the first page to the L-th page according to the print data of the first job. After printing is performed, printing is performed on the second medium from the first page to the Mth page in accordance with the print data of the second job, and thereafter,
Printing is performed on the third medium from the first page to the Nth page according to the print data of the third job.

[0004]

However, in the conventional printing apparatus, when the type of medium is different for each job, the time during which the printing apparatus stops between jobs becomes longer, and the throughput is reduced. Will drop.

That is, in a printing apparatus, a plurality of types of printing paper, sheets, and other media are usually stored in a plurality of paper trays. For example, A3-size paper is stored in a first paper tray, A4-size paper is stored in a second paper tray, and a transparent resin sheet for OHP is stored in a third paper tray.
When the paper is stored in the paper tray, the transport path of the medium is switched according to the type of the medium required for each job.
One of the first to third paper trays is selected, a medium is fed from the selected paper tray, and sent to the image forming unit.

In order to improve the overall throughput of the printing apparatus, in one job, a medium is fed for the next page while printing is performed for the previous page, that is, a backup is performed. Paper is fed, and the time during which the printing apparatus stops between pages is made as short as possible. If the media type is the same for a plurality of jobs, feeding of the media for the next job is started and preliminary By doing so, the time during which the printing apparatus stops between jobs is made as short as possible.

However, when the type of medium differs for each job, it is not only necessary to switch the transport path between jobs, but also to select another paper tray and It is necessary to feed the medium for this.

Particularly, in a small-sized printing apparatus, since the transport path from the paper tray to the image forming section is short, the switching position of the transport path is set near the image forming section. Therefore, most of the time when printing is performed on the medium for one page in the image forming unit, the medium has passed the switching position, and thus printing on the medium for one page is completed. Then, the transport path cannot be switched until the medium is discharged from the image forming unit.

Therefore, if the type of medium is different for each job and it is necessary to switch the transport path, if one job is completed and the next page of medium is discharged from the image forming unit, the next job is performed. Can not feed the medium.

When switching the transport path, it is necessary to mechanically move a member constituting a part of the side wall of the transport path. Further, when the printing apparatus includes an electrophotographic image forming unit, when the type of medium, for example, the material and size of the medium is different, it is necessary to change the temperature of the fixing device or the like in accordance with the difference. In this case, if the set temperature of the fixing device or the like is changed, it takes a long time until the temperature reaches the set temperature and stabilizes.

As described above, when the type of medium is different for each job, the conveyance path cannot be switched until one job is completed and the medium of the last page is discharged from the image forming unit. Therefore, it takes time to switch the transport path, and if the temperature of the fixing device is changed, it takes a long time until the temperature reaches the set temperature and stabilizes. The time during which the printing device stops is lengthened, and the throughput is reduced.

When the printing device is a tandem type color printing device and the designation of the printing color is different for each job, the time for stopping the printing device between jobs becomes longer. Thus, the throughput is further reduced.

That is, in a tandem type color printing apparatus, usually, electrophotographic image forming units of each color of yellow, magenta, cyan and black are arranged in series in the medium transport direction. Each of the image forming units,
Each color image formed by each image forming unit is sequentially arranged along the medium transport path, and is sequentially superimposed on the medium or the transfer unit to become a color image.

In the above-described color printing apparatus, color printing is not always performed, but black and white printing, that is, printing using only black toner is often performed when a document is created. Note that printing may be performed using toner of one or two colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan as needed.

In order to prevent the photosensitive drum of the image forming section from being worn, the toner from deteriorating, and the transfer means, the belt conveyor and the like from being worn, the image forming section of a color not used is The printing medium is retracted to a retracted position from a print position facing a medium conveyance path or a transfer unit.

Therefore, when a different color is designated for each job, the unused image forming units are retracted to the retreat position between jobs, and the used color image forming units are moved to the printing position. Need to be moved to
In this case, while printing is performed on the one-page medium in the image forming unit, printing on the one-page medium is completed, and until the medium is ejected from the image forming unit. Cannot be retracted to the retracted position. Therefore, the medium cannot be fed for the next job until one job is completed and the medium of the last page is discharged from the image forming unit. Further, the image forming unit includes:
The operation is time-consuming because it is mechanically moved between the printing position and the retracted position.

As described above, since the time during which the printing apparatus is stopped between jobs becomes longer, the throughput is reduced.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the conventional printing apparatus, and can shorten the time during which the printing apparatus stops between jobs, thereby improving the throughput. The purpose is to provide.

[0019]

For this purpose, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, a receiving buffer for storing a received job, a control command storage unit for storing a control command of the job, and A control command comparing unit that compares the received job control command with a newly received job control command, and processing of a job whose designation by the control command matches based on the comparison result by the control command comparing unit And a job processing management unit that rearranges the order of job processing so that the job processing is performed continuously.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a receiving interface for receiving a job from a host computer, an image input device, or the like (not shown). Reference numeral 12 denotes a receiving buffer for storing the job received by the receiving interface 11. All jobs that have not been processed are stored in the reception buffer 12. In the present embodiment, the printing device is connected to a host computer, an image input device, and the like via a communication line such as a telephone line, but can be integrally attached to the host computer, the image input device, and the like.

The job includes print data and control commands. The print data is data for printing on a medium, and the control command includes a type of the medium,
For example, it consists of commands to specify the material, size, etc. of the medium, whether to perform color printing or black-and-white printing, that is, to specify the printing color and other printing styles. . Further, the reception buffer 12
Is formed by a semiconductor memory such as a RAM or a memory device such as a magnetic disk or a magnetic tape.

As the medium, a plurality of types of printing papers and sheets are used. For example, A3 size paper, A
4-size paper, OHP transparent resin sheets, and the like are each stored in a paper tray (not shown) as a medium storage location.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a control command reading unit for reading a control command of the job stored in the reception buffer 12, and reference numeral 14 denotes a control command storage for storing the control command read by the control command reading unit 13. The control command storage unit 14 is a RAM
, And a memory device such as a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, or the like.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a control command comparing unit for comparing the control command of the already received job with the control command of the newly received job. Reference numeral 16 denotes a control command comparing unit based on the comparison result in the control command comparing unit 15. A job processing management unit for determining the processing order of each job and storing the determined order so as to minimize the time during which the printing apparatus stops with the job and not to significantly reduce the throughput. It is. The job processing management unit 16
In order to store the determined order, a memory device such as a semiconductor memory such as a RAM or a magnetic disk or a magnetic tape is provided.

Reference numeral 17 denotes the job processing management unit 16
The job reading unit 18 reads the print data and the control command of the job stored in the reception buffer 12 in accordance with the order determined by the job reading unit 17, receives the print data of the job read by the job reading unit 17, and analyzes the print data. A print data editing unit 19 for editing receives a control command of the job read by the job reading unit 17 and analyzes the control command.

A control unit 20 controls the entire printing apparatus. The control unit 20 also controls the image forming unit 21 based on the print data edited by the print data editing unit 18 and the control commands analyzed by the control command analysis unit 19. And a control unit that controls the tray switching processing unit 22.

The control unit 20 includes one or more CPUs.
(Central Control Unit). To improve the overall throughput of the printing device, in one job,
Preliminary paper feeding is performed while the previous page is being printed, so that the time during which the printing apparatus stops between pages is shortened as much as possible. If the media type is the same for a plurality of jobs, feeding of the media for the next job is started and preliminary Then, the time during which the printing apparatus stops between jobs is shortened as much as possible.

The control unit 20 switches the transport path by the tray switching processing unit 22 and changes the temperature of a fixing device (not shown) according to the type of the medium. When the type of medium is different for each job and it is necessary to switch the transport path, the medium is fed for the next job after the previous job is completed and the medium of the last page is sent from the image forming unit 21. It is not discharged until the switching of the conveyance path and the temperature change of the fixing device and the like are completed.

In this embodiment, the control unit 20 is provided independently, but includes a reception interface 11, a reception buffer 12, a control command reading unit 13, a control command storage unit 14, a control command comparison unit 15, a job It can also be formed integrally with the process management unit 16, the job reading unit 17, the print data editing unit 18, and the control command analysis unit 19.

The image forming section 21 performs printing on a medium based on a command from the control section 20. When the image forming unit 21 is an electrophotographic image forming unit including a photosensitive drum or the like, an image on the photosensitive drum is transferred to a medium by a transfer unit such as a transfer belt or a transfer drum.
In addition to the electrophotographic image forming section,
An image forming unit of a thermal transfer type or the like can also be used.

The tray switching section 22 switches between a transport path including a belt conveyor and the like and a paper tray based on a command from the control section 20. The switching of the transport path is performed by driving a drive source such as an electromagnet and moving a member constituting a part of the side wall of the transport path. The switching of the paper tray is performed by selectively driving a roller that carries out the medium from the paper tray.

Next, the operation of the printing apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a view for explaining an improvement in the throughput according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the printing device, a job from a host computer, an image input device or the like is received by the reception interface 11 (FIG. 1) and stored in the reception buffer 12. Then, the control command reading unit 13 reads the control command of the job, and sends the control command to the control command storage unit 14 and the control command comparison unit 15.

When printing is performed, that is, when a job reading instruction is issued from the control unit 20 to the job reading unit 17, the job reading unit 17 accesses the job processing management unit 16 and The job stored in the reception buffer 12 is read in accordance with the processing order of the job stored in the job buffer 16.

When the job reading unit 17 finishes reading the job, the control command stored in the control command storage unit 14 is deleted, that is, cleared, and the control command of the job read by the job reading unit 17 is The print data of the job is analyzed by the control command analysis unit 19 and edited by the print data editing unit 18.

The control unit 20 performs printing based on the print data edited by the print data editing unit 18 and the control commands analyzed by the control command analysis unit 19.

On the other hand, when printing is not performed, that is, when the job reading command is not issued from the control unit 20 to the job reading unit 17, the control command storage unit 14 performs the processing in the reception buffer 12. It is determined whether there are two or more missing jobs. If the number of unprocessed jobs is two or more, the control command comparison unit 15
The control command stored in the control command storage unit 14 is accessed, and the control command of a newly received and read job is compared with the control command of a job that has already been received and has not been processed.

Based on the comparison result by the control command comparing unit 15, the job processing managing unit 16 determines that the newly read job and the medium type designation match among the unprocessed jobs. It is determined whether or not there is a job to be performed, and if there is a job whose specification of the medium type matches, the job processing order is rearranged so that the newly read job is executed next to the job. In addition, if there is no job in which the newly read job and the medium type designation match among the unprocessed jobs, the processing order of the jobs is not rearranged. Subsequently, the control command of the newly read job is stored in the control command storage unit 14.

For example, the type of the medium specified by the control command of the first job matches the type of the medium stored in the first paper tray, and the type of the medium specified by the control command of the second job is When the type matches the type of the medium stored in the second paper tray,
When the type of the medium specified by the control command of the newly read job matches the type of the medium stored in the first paper tray, the order of the job processing is as shown in FIG.
As shown in, the first job → the second job →
From the order of newly read jobs, the jobs are rearranged in the order of first job → newly read job → second job.

In this case, before the processing order is rearranged, the type of medium differs for each job, and it is necessary to switch the transport path. Therefore, processing (feeding, printing, and discharging) of one job is not performed. After the completion, the medium of the last page is ejected from the image forming unit 21, and the medium cannot be fed for the next job until the switching of the conveyance path is completed. When the printing apparatus includes an electrophotographic image forming unit, the medium cannot be fed for the next job until the temperature of the fixing device or the like reaches the set temperature and stabilizes.

On the other hand, after the order of processing is rearranged, the designation of the type of medium is the same for a plurality of jobs, so that while the last page is being printed for the previous job, It is possible to start the feeding of the medium for the next job and perform the preliminary feeding, thereby shortening the time during which the printing apparatus stops between jobs.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, before the processing order is rearranged, the printing apparatus is stopped twice between jobs, whereas the processing order is rearranged. After that, the printing device is only stopped once between jobs,
The total amount of time to stop can be reduced. As a result, the throughput of the printing device can be improved.

If the number of unprocessed jobs in the reception buffer 12 is one or less, the control command comparing unit 15 determines the control command of the newly read job and the number of unprocessed jobs. Do not compare with control commands. Then, the control command of the newly read job is stored in the control command storage unit 14.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the order of the processing of the unprocessed jobs is rearranged, so that the processing of the jobs having the same media type designation by the control command is continuously performed. So you can
Not only does the frequency of switching the transport path decrease, but also the frequency of changing the temperature of the fixing device and the like decreases accordingly.

Therefore, the time during which the printing apparatus stops between jobs can be shortened, and the throughput of the printing apparatus can be improved.

Further, as the number of times of switching the transport path decreases, the number of times of mechanically moving a member constituting a part of the side wall of the transport path decreases. Therefore, the durability of the printing device can be improved.

Next, the flowchart will be described. Step S1 A job is received. Step S2: Read a control command. Step S3: It is determined whether a job reading command has been issued. If a job reading command has been issued, step S4
If not, the process proceeds to step S7. Step S4 Read the job. Step S5: The control command is cleared. Step S6 Printing is performed. Step S7: It is determined whether or not two or more jobs have not been processed. If the number of unprocessed jobs is two or more, step S8 is performed. If the number of unprocessed jobs is one or less, step S1 is performed.
Proceed to 1. Step S8: Compare the control commands. In step S9, it is determined whether there is a job in which the specification of the medium type matches. If there is a job with the same type of medium, the process proceeds to step S10, and if not, the process proceeds to step S11. Step S10: The order of the job processing is rearranged. Step S11: Save the control command and end the process.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about what has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing, reference numeral 24a denotes an image forming unit for forming a yellow image, 24b denotes an image forming unit for forming a magenta image, 24c denotes an image forming unit for forming a cyan image, and 24d denotes a black image. Image forming unit, 2
Reference numeral 3 denotes an image forming unit driving / non-driving control unit that controls driving / non-driving of the image forming units 24a to 24d.
Each of the image forming units 24a to 24d prints on a medium based on a command from the control unit 20.

The image forming unit drive / non-drive control unit 23
Are based on instructions from the control unit 20,
4d is switched between driving and non-driving, and the image forming unit 24
a to 24d are placed at the printing position by a drive source such as an electromagnet as the drive is performed, and are placed at the retracted position by the drive source as the drive is not performed.

In the present embodiment, each of the image forming units 24a to 24d is composed of an electrophotographic image forming unit which contains yellow, magenta, cyan and black toners and includes a photosensitive drum and the like. . In this case, the image on the photosensitive drum is transferred to the medium by a transfer unit such as a transfer belt or a transfer drum. In addition to the electrophotographic image forming unit, an image forming unit such as an ink jet type or a thermal transfer type may be used.

In the printing apparatus of the present embodiment, that is, in the tandem type color printing apparatus,
The image forming units 24a to 24d are arranged in series in the medium transport direction. Then, each of the image forming units 24a
To 24d are sequentially arranged along the medium transport path, and the images of the respective colors formed by the image forming units 24a to 24d are sequentially superimposed on the medium or the transfer unit to become color images.

In the color printing apparatus, color printing is not always performed, but black and white printing, that is, printing using only black toner is often performed when a document is created. Note that printing may be performed using toner of one or two colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan as needed.

Then, the photosensitive drum is worn,
In order to prevent the toner from deteriorating and the transfer means and the belt conveyor from being worn out, the image forming portion of the color not used is retracted from the printing position facing the medium conveyance path or the transfer means to the retracted position. It is supposed to be.

In order to improve the overall throughput of the printing apparatus, the control unit 20 controls the
Preliminary paper feeding is performed while the previous page is being printed, so that the time during which the printing apparatus stops between pages is shortened as much as possible. Also, if the color designations for a plurality of jobs match, while the last page is being printed for the previous job, feeding of the medium for the next job is started and preliminary Then, the time during which the printing apparatus stops between jobs is shortened as much as possible.

Next, the operation of the printing apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

When a different color is designated for each job for a plurality of jobs, the image forming units of the unused colors are retracted to the retracted position between jobs, and
It is necessary to move the image forming unit of the color to be used to the printing position. In this case, the image forming units 24a (FIG. 4) to 24d
While printing is performed on the one-page medium in the above, the image forming units 24a to 24d are operated until the printing on the one-page medium is completed and the medium is discharged from the image forming units 24a to 24d. It cannot be retracted to the retracted position. Therefore, until one medium is completed and the medium of the last page is discharged from the image forming units 24a to 24d, the medium cannot be fed for the next job. Further, since the image forming units 24a to 24d are mechanically moved between the printing position and the retracted position, it takes a long time for the operation.

Accordingly, the time during which the printing apparatus stops between jobs becomes longer, and the throughput decreases.

Therefore, the control section 20 sends the job reading section 17
If no job reading command has been issued, the control command storage unit 14 determines whether or not there are two or more jobs in the reception buffer 12 that have not been processed. If the number of unprocessed jobs is two or more, the control command comparing unit 15 accesses the control commands stored in the control command storage unit 14 and controls the newly read job control commands. Is compared with the control command of the job that has not been performed.

The job processing management unit 16 determines, based on the comparison result by the control command comparison unit 15, a job whose processing has not been performed and whose newly specified job matches the color specification. It is determined whether there is a job, and if there is a job whose color specification matches, the order of the job processing is rearranged so that the newly read job is executed next to the job. If there is no job that has not been processed and whose color specification matches the newly read job, the processing order of the jobs is not rearranged. Subsequently, the control command of the newly read job is stored in the control command storage unit 14.

For example, when four colors are specified by the control command of the first job and only black is specified by the control command of the second job, four colors are specified by the control command of the newly read job. In this case, the order of job processing is from the first job → the second job → the newly read job to the first job → the newly read job → the second job. Can be sorted.

As described above, in the present embodiment, by rearranging the order of processing of unprocessed jobs, it is possible to continuously perform processing of jobs having the same color designation. The number of times the image forming units 24a to 24d are moved is reduced accordingly.

Therefore, the time during which the printing apparatus stops between jobs can be shortened, and the throughput of the printing apparatus can be improved.

Since the number of times the image forming units 24a to 24d are moved is reduced, the durability of the printing apparatus can be improved.

Next, the flowchart will be described. Step S21 A job is received. Step S22: Read a control command. Step S23: to judge whether a job reading command has been issued. If a job reading command has been issued, step S
If not, the process proceeds to step S27. Step S24 The job is read. Step S25: The control command is cleared. Step S26 Printing is performed. Step S27: It is determined whether or not two or more jobs have not been processed. If the number of unprocessed jobs is two or more, the process proceeds to step S28. If the number of unprocessed jobs is one or less, the process proceeds to step S31. Step S28: Compare the control commands. In step S29, it is determined whether there is a job whose color specification matches. If there is a job with the same color specification, the process proceeds to step S30; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S31. Step S30: The order of the job processing is rearranged. Step S31: Save the control command and end the process.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be variously modified based on the gist of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

[0072]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in a printing apparatus, a reception buffer for storing a received job and a control command storage for storing a control command of the job are provided. Unit, a control command comparison unit that compares the control command of the already received job with the control command of the newly received job, and the designation by the control command based on the comparison result by the control command comparison unit matches. And a job processing management unit that rearranges the order of job processing so that job processing to be performed is performed continuously.

In this case, by rearranging the order of processing of unprocessed jobs, it is possible to continuously perform the processing of the job specified by the control command. The number of times the temperature of the fixing device or the like is changed or the image forming unit is moved can be reduced accordingly.

Accordingly, the time during which the printing apparatus stops between jobs can be shortened, and the throughput of the printing apparatus can be improved.

Further, since the number of times of switching the transport path and moving the image forming unit is reduced, the durability of the printing apparatus can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an improvement in throughput according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 reception buffer 14 control command storage unit 15 control command comparison unit 16 job processing management unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A reception buffer for storing a received job, a control command storage unit for storing a control command of the job, and a control of a previously received job. A control command comparison unit that compares the command with a control command of a newly received job;
(D) a job processing management unit that rearranges the order of job processing based on the result of comparison by the control command comparison unit so as to continuously perform processing of jobs whose specifications are matched by the control command. Printer. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job processing management unit rearranges the processing order of the jobs so that the processing of the jobs having the same media type designation by the control command is continuously performed. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job processing management unit rearranges the processing order of the jobs so that the processing of the jobs having the same color designation by the control command is performed continuously.