JP2002284439A - Residual paper quantity control device, and printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a residual paper quantity control device capable of correctly grasping residual quantity of each roll of paper so as to prevent paper shortage in the middle of printing even when printing processes are conducted to plural rolls of paper while exchanging the roll of paper. SOLUTION: This residual paper quantity control device is for controlling residual paper quantity of rolls of paper to which printing is performed by means of a printing device. It is provided with a non-volatile memory in which paper discriminating information for discriminating plural rolls of paper and residual quantity data indicating residual quantity of each roll are stored, a paper information obtaining means to obtain paper information for discriminating the roll of paper when it is set in a paper feeding mechanism, a paper specifying means to specify the set roll of paper using the paper information, a consumed quantity obtaining means S5 to obtain consumed quantity data to indicate length of paper consumed in the printing process, and a residual paper quantity data renewing means S6 to renew residual paper quantity data corresponding to the roll of paper specified by the specifying means based on the consumed quantity data. When the roll of paper set on the paper feeding mechanism is exchanged, residual paper quantity data of each roll of paper is stored in the non-volatile memory.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper remaining amount management device for managing the remaining amount of a plurality of continuous sheets used in a printing device, and a printing device having a paper remaining amount management function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a printing apparatus for large-size paper using large-size roll paper as continuous paper, when printing a large image such as A0 width × several meters long, it is necessary to accurately determine the remaining amount of paper. The paper may run out during printing. When paper runs out, printing up to the point where the paper has run out is usually discarded, and new roll paper is replaced and printing is restarted from the beginning. There is a problem that time, paper, ink, etc. are lost. Especially in large format printing,
Frequently, special and expensive paper such as glossy paper, film, cloth, etc. is handled. Such paper is expensive compared to plain paper, so that wasteful use is a great loss. In the present specification, a material using a material other than paper, such as a cloth or a synthetic resin film, is simply referred to as a paper.

Conventionally, as a method for allowing a user to recognize that the remaining amount of paper in a printing apparatus as described above has become small, for example, a sensor for detecting that the roll paper diameter has become smaller than a predetermined value is provided. There is a method of issuing a warning of running out or the like, a method of detecting the amount of paper used from the feed amount of the paper transport system, calculating the total amount of continuous paper used, and notifying the user.

[0004]

However, in the actual use condition of the printing apparatus, there is a problem that the above-mentioned conventional method is not very useful for preventing paper shortage during printing. For example, in the method of detecting the remaining amount of paper from the roll paper diameter, the relationship between the paper diameter and the remaining amount is not constant depending on the type of paper, so that it only gives a rough indication of the paper exhaustion. It is not possible to accurately determine whether there is a sufficient remaining amount necessary for the printing process.

In the method of calculating the total amount of continuous paper and notifying the user, it is necessary for the user to subtract the total amount of use from the entire length of the roll paper for obtaining the remaining amount of paper. In the case where printing is performed on a plurality of roll papers while replacing the roll paper, a problem occurs in that information on the amount of use of each roll paper is lost at the time of replacement and the remaining amount of paper cannot be determined at all. In recent years, in the field of large-format printing, printing on a wide variety of papers is often performed using a single printing device along with the flow of high-mix low-volume production. Not a target.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to accurately grasp the remaining amount of paper in each roll paper even when performing printing processing on a plurality of roll papers while replacing the roll paper, thereby helping to prevent running out of paper during printing. An object of the present invention is to provide a paper remaining amount management device and a printing device.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a paper remaining amount management device for managing the remaining amount of continuous paper (for example, roll paper) to be printed by a printing device, Non-volatile storage means for storing sheet identification information for identifying a plurality of continuous sheets and remaining paper data indicating the remaining amount of each sheet; Paper information acquisition means for acquiring paper information for identifying paper, paper identification means for identifying continuous paper set using the paper information, and usage data indicating the length of paper used in the printing process And a paper remaining amount data updating unit that updates the paper remaining amount data in the storage unit corresponding to the continuous paper specified by the paper specifying unit based on the used amount data. Set on paper mechanism Kamizanryou data of each successive sheet even when the continuous paper is exchanged that is configured to gradually stored in the storage means.

According to such means, even if the paper is exchanged, the remaining amount of each continuous paper is continuously recorded, so that various kinds of printing are performed on a plurality of continuous papers. However, the remaining amount of each continuous sheet can be accurately grasped, thereby preventing the sheet from running out during printing.

Preferably, the print size is determined based on the reception of the print data, and the remaining amount of the continuous paper set for the printing process is set to the length required for printing based on the remaining paper data stored in the storage means. It is preferable to include a discriminating unit for discriminating whether or not there is, and a notifying unit for notifying a user that there is no necessary length based on the discrimination result of the discriminating unit.

[0010] With this configuration, the user can determine whether or not there is a remaining amount of paper required for printing based on the notification content.
It is possible to reliably prevent running out of paper in the middle of printing without performing complicated processing such as calculating the length of paper required for printing and comparing the remaining amount of paper.

More specifically, the paper information obtaining means obtains, as the paper information, paper width data indicating a paper width, use information indicating whether used or unused, and type information indicating a type of continuous paper. When there are a plurality of continuous papers corresponding to the paper information, the paper specifying means displays and outputs information on the plurality of continuous papers to a user and prompts the user to select any one of the continuous papers. It is preferable that the paper is specified.

Generally, the replacement of paper set in a printing apparatus is performed for the purpose of changing the paper width or paper type or changing to a new continuous paper with a small amount of remaining paper. Paper can be specified. Therefore, the continuous paper set by the above configuration can be specified to some extent by collecting the minimum necessary information. In the case where the continuous paper cannot be specified, the continuous paper can be specified reliably and easily by giving the user a list of candidates.

Here, the paper width data can be obtained by automatic measurement using a sensor, or can be obtained by inputting measured value data from a printing apparatus equipped with such a sensor. Information and type information can be obtained by key input from the user.

[0014] Preferably, the remaining paper data corresponding to the plurality of continuous papers stored in the storage means can be displayed or printed out. With such a configuration, the user can easily grasp the usage status of the entire continuous paper and manage consumables.

A printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus provided with the above-described paper remaining amount management device, and when the continuous paper set in the paper feeding mechanism is removed, the continuous paper is removed. An identification information printing unit that prints paper identification information capable of identifying the paper; the paper information acquisition unit acquires the paper identification information; and the paper identification unit identifies a continuous paper based on the paper identification information. It is configured as follows.

According to such means, it is possible to specify the paper accurately and reliably by printing the paper identification information and specifying the continuous paper based on the paper identification information. The printing of the paper identification information may be performed at a position where the print image can be cut off at the margin, such as the leading edge of continuous paper.

A printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus provided with the above-described paper remaining amount management device, and when the continuous paper set in the paper feed mechanism is removed, the continuous paper is removed. Paper information printing means for printing remaining paper data of paper, paper remaining amount obtaining means for obtaining the remaining paper data printed on the continuous paper when continuous paper is set in the paper feeding mechanism, Paper remaining amount registering means for registering the remaining paper amount data in the storage means as remaining paper amount data of continuous paper set in the paper feeding mechanism when remaining paper amount data is acquired by the remaining paper amount acquiring means; Was provided.

With such a configuration, for example, even when continuous paper is shared and used by a plurality of printing apparatuses, it is possible to manage remaining paper data of a plurality of papers.

[0019]

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

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

The printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is, for example,
Large-sized roll paper is intermittently transported by a paper transport mechanism having pinch rollers and the like as continuous paper, and a print head equipped with a large number of nozzles is moved in a direction perpendicular to the paper transport direction (called a scan direction). This is an inkjet printing apparatus that performs printing on large-size paper by discharging ink from nozzles while scanning.

The printing apparatus 1 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10 for performing overall control of the apparatus,
A program ROM (Read Only Memory) 11 in which a control program and control data executed by 10 are recorded;
A non-volatile memory 12 as storage means for recording the remaining amount data of the roll paper, a print engine 13 having an ink-jet type print head and performing a printing process according to the supplied pixel data, , A communication interface 15 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the host computer 21 via the network 20, and having an operation key and a display unit to perform data input related to paper remaining amount management and various setting operations in print processing. The operation panel 16, a transport mechanism for transporting the paper for pulling out the roll paper to perform printing, a transport motor 17 for driving the mechanism, and a print head, a paper detection sensor, and a paper cutting knife are mounted and moved in the scanning direction. Carriage that performs print scanning, paper width detection, and paper cutting And and a like carriage drive motor 18. Further, the printing apparatus 1 is provided with a paper feed mechanism capable of setting one or a plurality of roll papers, and printing is performed on any of the roll papers set in the paper feed mechanism.

The non-volatile memory 12 is, for example, an NVRAM (non-volatile random access memory) configured to be able to hold data even when power is turned off by a backup battery.
ss Memory) and EEPROM (Electric Erasable Progr)
ammable ROM).

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the flow of storing the remaining amount data of the plurality of roll papers R1 to Rn in the nonvolatile memory 12.

The printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment has a normal printing function of printing on roll paper set on the basis of print data transmitted from the host computer 21 and a remaining paper amount management apparatus. Multiple roll papers R1
It is provided with a paper remaining amount management function for managing each remaining paper amount data of Rn. The paper remaining amount management function includes a CPU 10, a non-volatile memory 12, a program ROM 11 in which a control program and control data for managing the remaining amount of paper are stored, and an operation panel on which an input operation is performed by a user in processing for managing the remaining amount of paper. 16 or the like.

In the nonvolatile memory 12, a paper remaining amount data table capable of storing remaining paper amount data of roll paper exceeding the number that can be set in the paper feeding mechanism is constructed. The remaining paper data table includes, for each roll paper, a paper registration number as paper identification information for identifying each paper by, for example, a serial number, remaining paper data indicating the remaining paper as paper information, and a paper type. , And sheet width data indicating the width of the sheet are stored in association with each other.

Then, when a printing process is performed on any one of the roll papers Rn and a printed matter X of a certain length is generated,
The data of the used amount of the paper is detected from the driving amount of the transport motor 17, and the used amount is subtracted from the remaining amount data of the paper corresponding to the roll paper Rn in the remaining amount data table, thereby obtaining the remaining amount of the paper. The quantity data is updated automatically. When the roll paper of the paper feed mechanism is replaced, first, paper information (for example, paper width data, paper type data, and whether or not the paper is unused) is used to identify the newly set roll paper. After the collection of the usage information, the type of the roll paper registered in the nonvolatile memory 12 or the new roll paper not yet registered is specified based on the paper information and the like. Processing is performed.

The paper remaining amount management function includes data on the remaining amount of paper of all roll papers registered in the nonvolatile memory 12 and other data such as a registration number, paper width, and paper type. 15 to the host computer 21 for display on the screen of the computer 21, or by converting the data based on a key operation from the operation panel 16 into pixel data and outputting it to the engine interface 14. These data can be printed out on roll paper.

Hereinafter, the remaining paper amount management processing will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a print control process executed by the CPU.

This print control process is a process started by a print process request from the host computer 21.

When the print control process is started, first,
In step S1, the drawing data sent from the host computer 21 is received and, for example, drawing size data described in a header portion at the beginning of the drawing data, or if there is no drawing size data, all drawing data The print drawing size is calculated based on

Next, in step S2, the calculated print drawing size is compared with the remaining amount data of the currently set roll paper stored in the nonvolatile memory 12, and the drawing to be printed is It is determined whether or not it fits in the remaining portion of the paper. That is, the process in step S2 functions as a determination unit that determines whether the remaining amount of paper is sufficient. Then, as a result of this determination processing, if it is determined that the drawing cannot be accommodated in the remaining amount of the roll paper, the process proceeds to step S3, and if it is determined that the drawing can be accommodated, the process jumps to step S5.

As a result, if the process proceeds to step S3 because the remaining amount of the roll paper is insufficient, the paper identification stored in the paper remaining amount data table of the nonvolatile memory 12 corresponding to the currently set roll paper is performed. Paper registration number as information, paper remaining amount and paper type as paper information, current date and time, and comment such as "Please change to what kind of roll paper" should be printed on the leading edge of the roll paper. . That is, the identification information printing means is configured by the printing processing of the paper registration number in step S3, and the paper information printing means is configured by the printing processing of the remaining paper amount and the paper type.

Next, when the process proceeds to step S4, a subroutine of a roll paper exchange process is performed in the step, and the process proceeds to step S5. The details of the roll paper exchange process will be described later. In this process, a roll paper sufficient for the print drawing is newly set, and the roll paper, which is the roll paper, is specified. It has become.

If it is determined in step S2 that the remaining amount of roll paper is sufficient, or if the roll paper is replaced in step S4 and the process proceeds to step S5, the process proceeds to step S5 based on the print data received from the host computer 21. The pixel data is output to the print engine 13 and the print drawing is printed on roll paper. Further, in step S5, usage data indicating the length of the paper used in the printing process is obtained based on the print data or the driving amount of the transport motor 17. That is, this processing functions as a usage amount acquisition unit that acquires the usage amount data of the paper. Then, when printing is performed to the end, the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S6, based on the used amount data acquired in step S5 and the remaining amount data of the currently set roll sheet in the remaining amount data table of the nonvolatile memory 12, the amount of used paper is calculated from the remaining amount of paper. The value obtained by subtracting the amount is registered as new paper remaining amount data in the corresponding area of the paper remaining amount data table, and the paper remaining amount data is updated. That is, the process in step S6 functions as a paper remaining amount data updating unit.

Next, in step S7, it is determined based on the updated paper remaining amount data whether the remaining amount of paper is shorter than a predetermined length for determining that the roll paper has run out. If so, the process proceeds to step S8, and if it is determined that the paper is not out of paper, the print control process is terminated as it is, and the process waits until the next print request is made.

When it is determined that the paper has run out and the process proceeds to step S8, the data of the currently set roll paper in the remaining paper data table of the non-volatile memory 12 is deleted at this step, and the roll paper replacement process of step S9 is performed. The print control process is terminated.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the roll paper exchange subroutine processing performed in steps S4 and S9 of FIG.

When this roll paper exchange subroutine is called, first, in step S11, the process stands by while displaying a message for requesting the exchange of roll paper on the display of the operation panel 16. That is, this step S1
The message display process 1 functions as a notifying unit for notifying the user that the remaining amount of paper is insufficient. In addition, as the notification means, a notification display on the display unit of the operation panel 16 or
Various modes such as this light emission and sound notification are possible.

Then, when the user replaces the roll paper and mounts the next roll paper, and a signal indicating this is output from the sensor or a key operation input from the operation panel 16 is performed, the carriage is moved. Scanning is performed to detect the paper width.

Next, in step S12, a message prompting the user to specify the roll paper mode (new or continuous) is displayed on the display of the operation panel 16, and the key input from the operation panel 16 is waited. Here, the user operates the key on the operation panel 16 to perform “new” if the replaced roll paper is an unused roll paper or “continue” if the replaced roll paper is a used roll paper.
Select and specify.

When the user makes a selection designation, the determination process of step S13 is performed. If "continue" is selected, the process proceeds to step S14, and if "new" is selected, the process proceeds to step S21. .

Here, "continue" is selected and step S
If the process has proceeded to 14, the paper information input process is performed from the operation panel 16 in this step. This input process is a process of allowing the user to input information known such as a paper registration number and a paper type. When the enter key or the like is operated after the input of the paper information, the next step S is performed.
Move to 15.

In step S15, it is determined whether or not any paper information has been input in the input processing in step S14. If no paper information has been input, the process proceeds to step S17. If any paper information has been input, the process proceeds to step S17. Shifts to step S16.

That is, the processing of detecting the paper width in step S11, the processing of inputting the use information indicating whether or not the paper is unused in step S12, and the processing of inputting the paper information such as the paper type and the paper registration number in step S14 are performed by the CPU 10. Function as paper information acquisition means.

In step S16, based on the input paper information and the paper width data acquired in step S11, a data search of the remaining paper data table in the nonvolatile memory 12 is performed, and the search result is displayed on the operation panel. It is displayed on the display unit or the display screen of the host computer 21.
Then, control goes to the next step S18.

If the process has proceeded to step S17, based on the paper width data obtained in step S11, the corresponding paper width is selected from the data registered in the remaining paper data table of the nonvolatile memory 12. The data of the roll paper is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel or the display screen of the host computer 21. Then, control goes to the next step S18.

In step S18, a paper selection input process for allowing the user to select paper using the operation panel 16 is performed. Here, if there is a corresponding paper in the roll paper information displayed in step S16 or step S17, the user selects the roll paper using the selection key and the enter key, and fixes the roll paper. If there is not, the enter key is directly operated without performing the paper selection and the paper selection input processing is completed. If the sheet is selected, the process proceeds to step S20, while if there is no selected sheet, the process proceeds to step S19.

That is, the processing of steps S16 to S18 causes the CPU 10 to function as a paper specifying unit for specifying the roll paper that is currently set.

If the result of the determination in step S18 is that there is no selected paper and the process proceeds to step S19, the roll paper that is currently set is recognized as having been used by another printing apparatus, and the non-volatile memory is used. The roll paper is newly registered in the 12 remaining paper data tables.

That is, a new paper registration number is set corresponding to the roll paper, and the data of the paper type and the remaining amount of the roll paper is input using the operation panel 16, and these data are stored in the remaining paper. Register in the quantity data table.
The user inputs the data of the paper type and the remaining amount of paper manually based on the data printed on the leading edge of the roll paper. Then, the registered table data is set as the data of the currently set roll paper (current paper), and the subroutine processing ends.

That is, the input processing of the remaining paper data in step S19 is performed by the remaining paper amount obtaining means, and the registration processing of the remaining paper data in the remaining paper data table in step S19 is performed by the remaining paper registration means. Make up.

On the other hand, when the paper is selected in step S18 and the process proceeds to step S20, the table data of the selected roll paper is set as the data of the currently set roll paper, and this subroutine processing is terminated. I do.

Further, the roll paper is replaced with an unused roll paper, and it is determined that the roll paper is "new" in the determination processing of step S13.
When the process proceeds to step S21, in step S21,
This unused roll paper is newly registered in the remaining paper data table of the nonvolatile memory 12. That is, a new paper registration number is set corresponding to the roll paper, and data of the paper type of the roll paper is input using the operation panel 16 and registered in the data table. Also, since the length of unused roll paper is determined by the paper type,
The paper length of the unused roll paper is determined based on the paper type data and registered as remaining paper data, and the data acquired in step S11 is registered as paper width data. Then, the table data registered here is set as the data of the currently set roll paper, and the subroutine processing ends.

As described above, according to the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the printing process is performed on a plurality of roll papers while exchanging the papers by using the roll papers exceeding the number that can be set in the paper feeding mechanism. However, since the remaining paper data of the plurality of roll papers is continuously recorded in the remaining paper data table of the non-volatile memory 12, the remaining paper of each roll paper can be accurately grasped. It is possible to prevent running out of paper in the middle.

When the print data is received, the length required for printing is automatically compared with the remaining amount of roll paper. If the remaining amount of roll paper is small, the process for replacing the roll paper is automatically performed. Message is displayed on the display section of the operation panel 16 so that the user can perform complicated processing such as calculating the length of paper required for printing and comparing the remaining amount of paper with the remaining amount of paper. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the paper from running out during printing.

When the roll paper is replaced, the paper width is automatically detected, and usage information indicating whether the roll paper is unused or used, and information on the paper type are provided to the user. Since the roll paper is input and the roll paper is specified from these, the roll paper can be easily specified without error.

Further, by printing out all data stored in the remaining paper data table of the nonvolatile memory 12 or displaying and outputting the data on the display screen of the host computer,
This is very convenient because the user can easily grasp the usage status of the entire continuous paper and manage consumables.

When the roll paper is replaced, the paper registration number is printed on the leading edge of the paper, and when the roll paper is used again,
You can also specify the paper by entering this paper registration number, so if there is a roll of paper that has a similar use situation and is difficult to distinguish, use the paper identification method by entering this paper registration number. It is possible to specify the paper without any problem.

When the roll paper is replaced, the remaining paper data is printed on the leading edge of the paper, and when the roll paper is used in another printing apparatus, the roll paper and the remaining paper data can be newly registered. With this configuration, even when roll paper is used by a plurality of printing apparatuses, the remaining amount of paper can be managed, and shortage of paper during printing can be prevented.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described as a printing apparatus having a paper remaining amount managing function. However, the paper remaining amount managing apparatus can be configured separately from the printing apparatus as an option of the printing apparatus. In this case, examples of the paper information acquisition unit that acquires the paper width data of the roll paper and the usage amount acquisition unit that acquires the paper length used in the print processing include, for example, the paper width data detected by the printing apparatus and the paper width. The usage amount data may be transmitted to the remaining paper amount management device side by data communication or the like and acquired.

Further, by transmitting the above-mentioned paper usage data and paper width data from a plurality of printing apparatuses to a single remaining paper amount management apparatus, a plurality of printing apparatuses can be transmitted. Even when the roll paper is shared, the remaining amount management of these roll papers can be performed collectively.

In addition, when the roll paper is replaced, the process of printing the paper information or the like on the leading end of the roll paper is not performed, and the roll paper is specified by detecting the width of the roll paper and inputting the use information and the paper type information. It may be performed.

The present invention can be applied not only to an ink jet printing apparatus but also to various printing apparatuses for printing on continuous paper such as roll paper.

[0067]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even when printing on multiple continuous papers while replacing continuous paper, the remaining amount of each continuous paper can be accurately grasped,
It is possible to prevent running out of paper during printing, and
Even when continuous paper is shared by a plurality of printing apparatuses, there is an effect that the remaining amount of paper can be accurately managed.

Also, the length of paper required for printing and the remaining amount of paper are compared to notify the user if the remaining amount of paper is small. There is an effect that the processing can be performed without paying much attention to whether or not it is sufficient.

Further, there is an effect that the apparatus can recognize the set continuous paper at the time of replacing the continuous paper by a simple and easy operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a flow of storing remaining amount data of a plurality of roll papers in a nonvolatile memory.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a print control process executed by a CPU of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a roll paper replacement subroutine process performed in steps S4 and S9 of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 printing apparatus 10 CPU 11 program ROM 12 nonvolatile memory 13 print engine 14 engine interface 15 communication interface 16 operation panel 17 transport motor 18 carriage drive motor 21 host computer R1 to Rn roll paper

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A paper remaining amount management device for managing the remaining amount of continuous paper on which printing is performed by a printing apparatus, comprising: paper identification information for identifying a plurality of continuous papers; Non-volatile storage means for storing the amount data; sheet information obtaining means for obtaining sheet information for identifying the continuous sheet when the continuous sheet is set in the sheet feeding mechanism of the printing apparatus; Paper specifying means for specifying continuous paper to be set using information; usage obtaining means for obtaining usage data indicating the length of paper used in the printing process; and the paper specifying means based on the usage data Means for updating the remaining paper data in the storage means corresponding to the continuous paper specified by the control means, and the paper of each continuous paper even when the continuous paper set in the paper feed mechanism is replaced. Remaining data up A paper remaining amount management device stored in a storage unit. 2. A print size is determined based on reception of print data, and the remaining amount of continuous paper set for print processing is a length required for printing based on remaining amount data stored in the storage means. 2. The paper remaining amount management according to claim 1, further comprising: a discriminating means for discriminating whether or not there is a required length based on a discrimination result of the discriminating means. apparatus. 3. The paper information acquiring means acquires, as the paper information, paper width data indicating a paper width, use information indicating whether the paper is used or unused, and type information indicating a type of continuous paper. When there are a plurality of continuous sheets corresponding to the above-mentioned sheet information, the specifying means specifies and outputs the information on the plurality of continuous sheets to the user and allows the user to select any one of the continuous sheets. The paper remaining amount management device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to perform the operation. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remaining paper data corresponding to a plurality of continuous papers stored in said storage means can be displayed or printed out. Paper remaining amount management device. 5. A printing apparatus comprising the paper remaining amount management device according to claim 1, wherein the continuous paper set in the paper feed mechanism is removed when the continuous paper is removed. An identification information printing unit that prints paper identification information capable of identifying the paper; the paper information acquisition unit acquires the paper identification information; and the paper identification unit identifies a continuous paper based on the paper identification information. A printing device characterized in that the printing device is configured to perform the printing. 6. A printing apparatus comprising the paper remaining amount management device according to claim 1, wherein the continuous paper set in the paper feed mechanism is removed when the continuous paper is removed. Paper information printing means for printing remaining paper data of the paper; paper remaining amount obtaining means for obtaining the remaining paper data printed on the continuous paper when continuous paper is set in the paper feeding mechanism; Paper remaining amount registering means for registering the remaining paper amount data in the storage means as remaining paper amount data of continuous paper set in the paper feeding mechanism when remaining paper amount data is acquired by the remaining paper amount acquiring means; A printing apparatus comprising: