JP2003145885A - Printer and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer and a printing method in which print efficiency can be prevented from lowering by eliminating drawbacks of prior art and performing print operation continuously even if the sheet size is different so long as the possibility of collapse of a stack is low. SOLUTION: A print size acquiring means acquires a first print size and a second print size following to first print, and a print size comparing means compares the first print size with the second print size. If collapse of a stack does not take place, a print control means controls the operation to perform second print operation continuously to first print operation thus realizing a printer where the print efficiency can not be lowered.

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 method for directly printing digital data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a printing machine for printing a large amount of printed matter, printed printing paper is discharged to an attached stocker and then sent to post-processing such as a bookbinding process.
Here, the printing machine can print on various sizes of paper. Therefore, when a large amount of A3 printing paper is ejected after a large amount of A4 printing paper is ejected and printing paper of different sizes is accumulated in the stocker, a collapse of the printing paper is likely to occur. . In order to prevent such an accident, when printing paper is piled up, it is desirable to continue printing with a uniform paper size as much as possible. If the paper sizes are uniform, even if a large amount of printing paper is accumulated in the stocker, it is possible to prevent the stacking of the paper. Also, to prevent a stacking accident, if the previously printed paper is stuck in the stocker, the stocker may be stuck before printing on a paper of a size different from the previously printed paper. Some printing machines have a function of urging the user to take out the paper.

[0003]

Many of the printing presses that have hitherto been used are plate printing presses, that is, printing presses that apply a colorant such as ink to a plate that forms a printed image. Therefore, in order to print on a paper of a size different from the paper that was printed earlier, the plate that was printed earlier had to be replaced, and the printing press was inevitably stopped during the plate replacement time. . Therefore, it was possible to take time to take out the paper accumulated in the stocker while the printing machine was stopped. However, without a plateless printing machine that has recently become popular, that is, without a plate that forms a printed image,
In the case of a printing machine that prints by forming a print image with a colorant directly on the plate cylinder and then transferring it to the paper, there is virtually no time to replace the plate, so to remove the paper that has accumulated in the stocker. You just have to stop the press just to take the time. In particular, since a plateless printing machine often prints a small lot of booklets, stopping the operation of the printing machine directly leads to a reduction in printing efficiency.

Since such a problem occurs because there is only one stocker in the printing machine, depending on the printing machine,
Others have multiple stockers so that sheets of different sizes can be stored in each stocker. However, when a plurality of stockers are provided, it is necessary to specify which stocker and which size of paper is to be stored. Even if the size is different, for example, A
After the accumulation of 3 sheets, A4 sheets can be accumulated. There was also a request to use the stocker as effectively as possible so that two stockers would not have to be used if such paper accumulation could occur.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art, and even if the paper size is different, if the possibility of stacking collapse is small, printing is performed continuously to achieve printing efficiency. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus and a printing method that can prevent the deterioration of the printing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a printing method which, when having a plurality of stockers, do not need to specify the stockers for accumulating sheets one by one and can use the stockers effectively. Is to provide.

[0007]

In order to solve such a problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a printing apparatus capable of printing the contents represented by a plurality of print data on sheets of different sizes. A print size acquisition unit that acquires a first print size during the first printing and a second print size during the second printing that performs printing after the first printing, the first print size and the first print size. Print size comparison means for comparing two print sizes, and print control means for stopping the second printing when the second print size is larger than the first print size as a result of the comparison by the print size comparison means. Is characterized by having.

In the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the print size acquisition unit acquires the first print size and the second print size for printing after the first printing, and the print size comparison unit acquires the first print size. And the second print size are compared. As a result, when the second print size is larger than the first print size, the print control unit stops the second print in order to prevent the stacked print sheets from being collapsed. That is, when stacking does not occur, the second printing can be continuously performed after the first printing, so that it is possible to provide a printing apparatus that does not reduce printing efficiency.

The invention according to claim 2 is the printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print size acquisition means sets the second print size after the second printing as the first print size. It is characterized in that the first printing and the second printing are repeated until the second printing is stopped by the print control means based on the acquired result and the comparison result by the print size comparing means.

In the printing apparatus according to the second aspect, the print size acquisition unit acquires the second print size after the second printing as the first print size, and based on the result of the comparison by the print size comparison unit. Since the first printing and the second printing are repeatedly performed until the second printing is stopped by the second printing, even if the second printing size changes, stacking does not occur and printing efficiency can be reduced. It is possible to provide a non-printing device. The invention according to claim 3 is the printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print control unit has the second print size larger than the first print size and the first print size and the second print size. Stopping the second printing when the difference from the print size is a predetermined value or more,
Is characterized by.

In the printing apparatus according to the third aspect, the print control means has the second print size larger than the first print size,
When the difference between the first print size and the second print size is equal to or larger than the predetermined value, the second print is stopped. That is, when the difference in print size is not large, the second printing can be performed continuously after the first printing, assuming that stacking does not occur, and thus a printing apparatus that does not reduce printing efficiency is provided. Can be provided.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is the printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first print size and the second print size acquired by the print size acquisition means are the first print size.
The paper size is specified in the print data for performing the printing and the print data for performing the second printing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus, the print size acquisition unit sets the paper size specified in the print data for the first printing and the print data for the second printing as the first paper size.
The print size and the second print size are acquired. That is, since the second printing is stopped based on the difference in paper size, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus that does not reduce printing efficiency.

The invention according to claim 5 is the printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first print size and the second print size acquired by the print size acquisition means are the first
The expression size is represented by the print data for printing and the print data for the second printing.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the print size obtaining means sets the first representation size of the print image based on the print data for the first printing and the print data for the second printing.
The print size and the second print size are acquired. That is, since the second printing is stopped based on the difference in the expression size of the print image, it is possible to provide the printing apparatus that does not reduce the printing efficiency.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the print control means is provided in a storage unit provided in the printing apparatus when stopping the second printing. It is characterized by confirming that there is a sheet on which the first printing is performed.

In the printing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the printing control means confirms whether or not the paper sheet by the first printing remains in the storage section provided in the printing apparatus, and then stops the second printing. Therefore, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus that does not reduce printing efficiency.

In addition, according to the invention of claim 7, there is provided a printing method in a printing apparatus capable of printing the contents represented by a plurality of print data on papers of different sizes, the first printing The step of acquiring the first print size of the first print size, the step of acquiring the second print size at the time of the second print in which printing is performed after the first print, the first print size and the second print size
As a result of comparing the print size and comparing the first print size with the second print size, stopping the second print when the second print size is larger than the first print size. And are characterized by having.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for obtaining a first print size and a second print size for printing after the first print, and comparing the print sizes with the first print size. Compare with the second print size. as a result,
When the second print size is larger than the first print size, there is a step of stopping the second print in order to prevent stacking of the accumulated print paper. That is, when stacking does not occur, the second printing can be continuously performed after the first printing, so that it is possible to provide a printing method that does not reduce printing efficiency.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the printing method according to the seventh aspect, the step of replacing the second print size with the first print size after the second printing, It is characterized in that the first printing and the second printing are repeated until the second printing is stopped based on the result of the comparison between the first printing size and the second printing size. .

The printing method according to claim 8 includes the step of replacing the second printing size with the first printing size after the second printing, thereby providing the first printing size and the second printing size. Since the first printing and the second printing are repeatedly performed until the second printing is stopped based on the result of the comparison of 1. It is possible to provide a printing method that does not reduce efficiency.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the contents represented by the plurality of print data can be printed on the papers of different sizes, and the plurality of storage units for storing the printed papers of different sizes are provided. And a print size acquisition unit that acquires a first print size at the time of the first print and a second print size at the time of the second print that performs printing after the first print, and the first print. A second print size from the plurality of storage units based on a comparison between the first print size and the second print size by the print size comparison unit that compares the size and the second print size. And a paper discharge control unit that determines a storage unit that is a storage destination of the printed paper that has been subjected to the above.

In the printing apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the print size acquisition unit acquires the first print size and the second print size for printing after the first printing, and the print size comparison unit acquires the first print size. And the second print size are compared, and on the basis of the result, the paper discharge control unit determines the storage unit that is the storage destination of the printed paper on which the second printing has been performed. Therefore, when the printing apparatus has a plurality of storages, it is not necessary to specify the storages for accumulating sheets one by one. When the sheets do not collapse, the printed sheet on which the second printing has been performed can be stored in the same storage section for the printed sheet on which the first printing has been performed. With these, the storage section can be effectively used,
It is possible to provide a printing apparatus that does not reduce printing efficiency.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the print size acquisition means is
The plurality of first print sizes are acquired according to the number of the plurality of storage units, and the print size comparison unit determines the first print size and the second print size according to the number of the plurality of storage units. When the second print size is larger than each of the plurality of first print sizes, the second print size is determined based on the comparison.
And a print control means for stopping the printing of.

In the printing apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the print size acquisition means acquires a plurality of first print sizes according to the number of a plurality of storage units, and the print size comparison means determines each of the plurality of first print sizes. By comparing the second print size with the second print size, the second printing is stopped when the second print size is larger than each of the plurality of first print sizes, so that the stacking does not occur in each of the plurality of storage units and the printing efficiency is reduced. It is possible to provide a printing device that does not cause the printing.

Further, in the invention according to claim 11, in the printing apparatus according to claim 10, the print size obtaining means stores the second print size after the second printing in the plurality of storage parts. Of the first print size and the first print size until the second print is stopped by the print control unit based on the result of the comparison by the print size comparison unit. It is characterized by repeating printing of 2.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the second printing size after the second printing is determined according to the number of storage units.
Of the second print size based on the result of the comparison between the first print size and the second print size.
Since the first printing and the second printing are repeatedly performed until the printing of is stopped, even if the second printing size changes, stacking does not occur in each of the plurality of storage units and printing efficiency is reduced. It is possible to provide a printing device that does not cause the printing.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the first print size and the second print size acquired by the print size acquisition means perform the first printing. The paper size is specified in the print data and the print data for the second printing.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the print size acquisition means includes the print data for performing the first printing and the second print data.
The paper size specified as the print data for performing the printing is acquired as the first print size and the second print size. By carrying out a comparison based on them, the storage section which is the storage destination of the printed sheet on which the second printing has been performed is determined.
It is possible to provide a printing apparatus that can effectively use the storage unit and does not reduce printing efficiency.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the ninth aspect, the first print size and the second print size acquired by the print size acquisition means are:
The expression size is represented by the print data for the first printing and the print data for the second printing.

In the printing apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, the print size acquisition means includes the print data for the first printing and the second print data.
The expression size of the print image based on the print data for printing is acquired as the first print size and the second print size. By carrying out a comparison based on them, the storage section which is the storage destination of the printed sheet on which the second printing has been performed is determined.
It is possible to provide a printing apparatus that can effectively use the storage unit and does not reduce printing efficiency.

[0032] In addition, in the invention according to claim 14, in the printing apparatus according to claim 9, the print size acquisition means is a printing source of the printed paper stored in each of the plurality of storage units. The print size of each data is
The feature is that it is acquired as the print size.

In the printing apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect, the print size acquisition means acquires, as the first print size, the size of each print data that is the printing source of the printed paper stored in each of the plurality of storage units. By comparing the plurality of first print sizes with the second print size to determine the storage unit that is the storage destination of the printed paper on which the second printing has been performed, the storage unit can be effectively used, It is possible to provide a printing apparatus that does not reduce printing efficiency.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the contents represented by a plurality of print data can be printed on sheets of different sizes, and a plurality of storage sections for storing printed sheets of different sizes are provided. A printing method in a printing apparatus having: a step of acquiring a first print size at the time of first printing; and a second step of performing printing after the first printing
To obtain a second print size when printing the
Based on the step of comparing the print size and the second print size and the comparison of the first print size and the second print size,
A step of deciding an accommodating section that is an accommodating destination of the printing paper on which the second printing has been performed, from the plurality of accommodating sections.

A printing method according to a fifteenth aspect includes a step of acquiring a first print size and a second print size for printing after the first printing, and the first print size is compared by the first print size. And a second print size are compared with each other, and based on the result, a storage unit which is a storage destination of the printed paper on which the second printing is performed is determined. Therefore, when the printing apparatus has a plurality of storages, it is not necessary to specify the storages for accumulating sheets one by one.
When the sheets do not collapse, the printed sheet on which the second printing has been performed can be stored in the same storage section for the printed sheet on which the first printing has been performed. As a result, the storage section can be effectively used, and a printing method that does not reduce printing efficiency can be provided.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the printing method according to the fifteenth aspect, the plurality of first print sizes are acquired according to the number of the plurality of storage units, and the plurality of storage units are stored. Each of the first print size and the second according to the number of copies
A step of stopping the second printing when the second printing size is larger than each of the plurality of first printing sizes based on the comparison with the printing size.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the printing method, a plurality of first print sizes are obtained according to the number of a plurality of storage units, and the plurality of first print sizes are respectively compared with the second print size. Since the second printing is stopped when the second print size is larger than each of the plurality of first print sizes, it is possible to provide a printing method in which stacking does not occur in each of the plurality of storage units and printing efficiency is not reduced. You can

Further, the invention according to claim 17 is the printing method according to claim 16, wherein the second print size after the second printing corresponds to the number of the plurality of storage sections. The first print size is acquired as the first print size, and the first print size is determined based on the comparison between the first print size according to the number of the plurality of storage units and the second print size. And the second printing are repeated.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the printing method according to the seventeenth aspect, the second printing size after the second printing is set to the first printing size according to the number of the plurality of storage units.
Of the second print size based on the result of the comparison between the first print size and the second print size.
Since the first printing and the second printing are repeatedly performed until the printing of is stopped, even if the second printing size changes, stacking does not occur in each of the plurality of storage units and printing efficiency is reduced. It is possible to provide a printing method that does not cause it.

[0040]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a printing system using a printing apparatus of the present invention. The printing system 100 includes a controller 1, a digital printing machine 2, and an image processing terminal 4, and the controller 1 and the image processing terminal 4 are connected by a network 3. Further, the controller 1 and the digital printing machine 2 are connected by a communication line CL.

The image processing terminal 4 creates page data PD for printing a printed matter including a plurality of pages or book data BD including a plurality of page data PD. The controller 1 receives the page data PD or the book data BD created by the image processing terminal 4 via the network 3. The controller 1 performs rasterization processing on the received page data PD or book data BD. The controller 1 sends the print data RPD representing the print image obtained as a result to the communication line C.
It transmits to the digital printing machine 2 connected by L.

The digital printing machine 2 prints under the control of the controller 1. The digital printing machine 2 includes a control unit 2
1, a stocker 22, a detection unit 23 in addition to a paper feed unit, a transport path, and a printing unit (not shown). The control unit 21 controls the entire digital printing machine 2. The print data RPD transmitted from the controller 1 via the communication line CL is received by the control unit 21, converted into binary halftone data, and then transmitted to the printing unit. When a sheet fed from a sheet feeding unit (not shown) is fed to the printing unit via the transport path, the printing image is transferred to the printing unit by the printing unit, which is represented by hatching. The printed paper 24 is further stored in the stocker 22 via the transport path. Further, the control signal CD transmitted via the communication line CL is also received by the control unit 21 in the same manner, and each unit of the digital printing machine 2 is controlled. Further, the control unit 21 notifies the controller 1 of the state of the digital printing machine 2 by transmitting a status signal SD via the communication line CL.

The stocker 22 is for accommodating printed paper 24 that has been printed by a printing unit (not shown). The stocker floor of the stocker 22 is painted black for determination by the detection unit 23 described later.

Further, the stocker 22 is provided with a detector 23. The detector 23 includes a light emitter 231 and a light receiver 23.
2 and the light emitted by the light emitter 231 is reflected on the stocker floor of the stocker 22 or the printed paper 24. Since the stocker floor of the stocker 22 is black, the illuminance of the reflected light differs depending on whether the printed sheets 24 are accumulated on the stocker 22 or not. Therefore, the reflected light received by the light receiver 232 is different. Detects the change in the illuminance of such reflected light, and the detection unit 23 causes the stocker 22 to
It is possible to detect the presence or absence of the printed paper 24 in. The detection unit 23 communicates information regarding the presence or absence of the printed paper 24 to the control unit 21 via the communication line 25. For example,
If the printed sheets 24 are piled up in the stocker 22, “1” is displayed. If they are not piled up, “0” is set.
Communicates with the controller 21. The control unit 21 adds the information to the status signal SD transmitted via the communication line CL to notify the controller 1 of the presence or absence of the printed paper 24 in the stocker 22. The method of detecting the printed paper 24 in the stocker 22 by the detection unit 23 is not limited to this example, and a detection unit for performing transmission type detection instead of the reflection type detection as described above may be provided. .

The printed paper 24 is generated as a result of the control unit 21, the paper feed unit, the conveyance path, and the printing unit (not shown) repeatedly operating and printing the print image represented by the print data RPD on a plurality of papers. Product. This printed paper 2
4 is the print data RP when printing the print data RPD.
If the size of the print image represented by D is "A4", it is the "A4" size printed paper 24a, and if the size of the print image is "A3", it is the "A3" size printed paper 24b. Is. Alternatively, “A4” when the print size is “A4” in the setting of the page data PD
If the print size is printed paper 24a and the print size is "A3" in the page data PD setting, "A"
It is a printed paper 24b of 3 "size. Note that the printed sheets 24 stacked in the stocker 22 may be distinguished from each other by inserting a slip sheet between the printed sheets 24a and 24b.
It is desirable to shift the storage positions of the printed sheets 24a and 24b.

In the signal line 25, the detector 23 is connected to the stocker 22.
It is used to send information to the control unit 21 as to whether or not the printed paper 24 is stored in.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the controller 1. The controller 1 is a generally used personal computer, and includes a CPU 11, a display unit 12, an input unit 13, a network I / F 14, a media drive 15, a storage unit 16, a memory 17, and a communication line CL. . The CPU 11 realizes the function of the controller 1 by controlling the entire controller 1 and particularly executing a program recorded in the media disk 18 inserted in the media drive 15 in the memory 17. The display unit 12 displays information necessary for the operation of the controller 1. The input unit 13 includes a mouse and a keyboard, and is used by the operator to input instructions to the controller 1. The network I / F 14 is for connecting the controller 1 and the network 3. Network I / F 14
The controller 1 receives page data PD or book data BD from the image processing terminal 4 connected to the network 3 via. It is also possible to download a program that realizes the function of the controller 1 from a server (not shown). Further, when the digital printing machine 2 is connected to the controller 1 via the network 3, the print data RPD and the control signal CD are transmitted to the digital printing machine 2 via the network I / F 14 to perform digital printing. The status signal SD transmitted from the machine 2 is received. The media drive 15
It is used to read the program recorded on the media disk 18. The program read by the media drive 15 realizes the function of the controller 1. When the controller 1 is operated offline with the image processing terminal 4, the page data PD or the book data BD created by the image processing terminal 4 is recorded on the media disk 18, and the media disk 18 is recorded by the media drive 15. Subsequent processing may be performed by reading. The storage unit 16 stores the program read by the media drive 15.
The storage unit 16 also stores page data PD, book data BD, and print data RPD. The communication line CL is
It is connected to the digital printing machine 2 and is used especially for transmitting the print data RPD and the control signal CD to the control unit 21 and for receiving the status signal SD transmitted from the digital printing machine 2.

The memory 17 is a work area for the CPU 11 to execute the program stored in the storage unit 16. As a result of the program being executed by the CPU 11, the print size acquisition unit 17 in the memory 17
1. The functions of the print size comparison unit 172 and the paper feed control unit 173 are realized.

The print size acquisition unit 171 acquires the print sizes of at least two print data RPDs and stores the print sizes. The print size acquisition unit 171 includes a print image size acquisition unit 1711 and a page size acquisition unit 1712 in order to acquire the print size.

The print image size acquisition unit 1711 generates a print image represented by print data RPD created as a result of rasterizing the page data PD created by the image processing terminal 4 by the RIP unit (not shown) of the controller 1. Get the size. The print image size acquisition unit 1711 acquires the size in the XY directions of the area occupied by the print image represented by the print data RPD.

The page size acquisition unit 1712 acquires the page size designated by the page data PD or the book data BD created by the image processing terminal 4. When the operator of the image processing terminal 4 specifies the paper size for printing the page data PD or the book data BD, the paper size information is stored in the page data PD or the book data BD. The page size acquisition unit 1712
The paper size information stored in the page data PD or book data BD designated in this way is acquired.

The print size acquisition unit 171 is the print image size acquisition unit 1711 and / or the page size acquisition unit 1.
By using the function 712, the print size of the print data RPDF previously printed (hereinafter referred to as the previous print size SF
And the print size of the print data RPDB to be printed later (hereinafter referred to as the post print size SB), and the print size is stored.

The print size comparison unit 172 compares the first print size SF and the second print size SB acquired by the print size acquisition unit 171. Based on the result of comparing these print sizes, the print control unit 173 determines whether or not the continuous operation of the digital printing machine 2 is possible.

The print control unit 173 uses the print data RPDF.
By determining whether or not to print the print data RPDB continuously after the printing, the availability of continuous operation of the digital printing machine 2 is determined. Further, the print control unit 173 informs the operator of the controller 1 of the digital printing machine 2
A message is displayed to instruct whether or not the continuous operation is possible. Furthermore, when determining whether or not the continuous operation of the digital printing machine 2 is possible, the print control unit 173 makes a determination by the detection unit 23 of the digital printing machine 2 based on the presence or absence of a pile of printed paper 24 in the stocker 22. That is, stocker 2
If the printed sheets 24 are not piled up in the sheet 2, there is no possibility that the printed sheets 24 will be piled up. Therefore, the controller 1 does not perform a specific control on the continuous operation of the digital printing machine 2. However, if the detection unit 23 notifies the stocker 22 that the printed sheets 24 are piled up, the controller 1 causes the print size acquisition unit 171, the print size comparison unit 172, and the print control unit 173 to operate. , And controls the continuous operation of the digital printing machine 2.

The print control unit 173 also includes an allowance table 1731. The allowance table 1731 stores a plurality of allowances for the difference resulting from the comparison between the first print size SF and the second print size SB. Depending on the type of paper, the strength, or the number of printed papers 24, even if there is a difference as a result of the comparison between the first print size SF and the second print size SB in the print size comparison unit 172, if there is some difference, In this case, the printed sheets 24 having different sheet sizes do not collapse in the stocker 22, so that the digital printing machine 2 can continuously print the preceding print data RPDF and the subsequent print data RPDB. Therefore, the print control unit 173 uses the allowable value table 17
By referring to one of the plurality of allowable values stored in 31, the comparison result of the print size comparing unit 172 shows that the difference between the first print size SF and the second print size SB is If it is within the range, the previous print data R
It is decided to continuously print the post print data RPDB after the PDF. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the allowable value table 1731. The allowable value table 1731 may be configured by an arbitrary numerical value input by the operator of the controller 1.

As described above, the controller 1 determines 1) whether the continuous operation of the digital printing machine 2 is possible. 1) The first print size SF of the print data RPDF to be printed first and the print data RPDB to be printed later. Obtaining the subsequent print size SB 2) Comparing the preceding print size SF and the subsequent print size SB 3) If the result of the comparison is within the allowable value, the preceding print data R
It is determined to continuously print the post print data RPDB after the PDF. 4) Also, when the printed paper 24 is not stored in the stocker 22 of the digital printing machine 2, the determinations of 1) to 3) are performed. It has a function of executing the printing of the post print data RPDB without waiting.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the printing system 100, particularly the controller 1 and the digital printing machine 2.

In step S1, the controller 1
Receives the page data PD or book data BD created by the image processing terminal 4 and rasterizes the print data to create print data RPD, which is printed by the digital printing machine 2. The print data RPD used for the printing performed in step S1 is the first print data RPDF because it is used for the first printing in the printing system 100.

In step S2, the print size acquisition unit 17
1 acquires the print size from the previous print data RPDF. The print size acquisition unit 171 is the print image size acquisition unit 1.
By causing the 711 or the page size acquisition unit 1712 to function, the preprint size SF can be acquired from the preprint data RPDF. Here, the print size acquisition unit 171 uses the print image size acquisition unit 1711 to determine the X of the area occupied by the print image represented by the previous print data RPDF.
It is assumed that the size in the Y direction is acquired and stored as the first print size SF.

When the print size acquisition unit 171 functions the page size acquisition unit 1712 to acquire the preceding print size SF, the page size acquisition unit 1712 determines the page data P that is the rasterization processing source of the preceding print data RPDF.
The D or book data BD is analyzed and the description about the page size stored therein is searched. The print size acquisition unit 171 may acquire and store the content of the description of the page size retrieved by the page size acquisition unit 1712 as the previous print size SF.

A step S3 decides whether or not the controller 1 newly receives the page data PD or the book data BD. If the controller 1 receives page data PD or book data BD different from the page data PD or book data BD previously printed from the image processing terminal 4 via the network 3, the controller 1 receives the page data PD or book data BD. The page data PD or the book data BD is rasterized to create print data RPD. The print data RPD used for printing in the processing of step S3 and subsequent steps is the post-print data RPDB because it is printed after the pre-print data RPDF previously printed in step S1. Controller 1 newly adds page data PD or book data B
If D is received, the process proceeds to step S4. If not received, the process ends.

In step S4, the controller 1 confirms whether or not the printed sheets 24 are accumulated in the stocker 22 of the digital printing machine 2. The print control unit 173 issues a control signal CD to the control unit 21 of the digital printing machine 2 via the communication line CL in order to confirm the state of the stocker 22. The control unit 21 of the digital printing press 2 that has received the control signal CD receives the signal emitted by the detection unit 23 via the signal line 25. If the signal emitted by the detection unit 23 is "1", the printed sheets 24 have accumulated in the stocker 22,
If it is "0", the control unit 21 determines that the printed sheets 24 have not accumulated in the stocker 22. The status of the stocker 22 is transmitted to the controller 1 by adding the information to the status signal SD issued by the control unit 21.

If the printed sheets 24 have not accumulated in the stocker 22, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the print size acquisition unit 171 sets the previous print size SF stored in step S2 to 0. This is the stocker 22
Since the printed paper 24 has not been accumulated in step S3, step S3
This is because the printing based on the print data RPDB created in step 1 is substantially the earliest printing. When the process of step S5 is completed, the process proceeds to step S12 to print the post print data RPDB.

When the printed sheets 24 are piled up in the stocker 22, the processing from step S6 is executed. In step S6, the print size acquisition unit 171 acquires the post print size SB from the post print data RPDB. The print size acquisition unit 171 can acquire the post print size SB from the post print data RPDB by causing the print image size acquisition unit 1711 or the page size acquisition unit 1712 to function. Here, as in step S1, the print size acquisition unit 171 acquires, by the print image size acquisition unit 1711, the size in the XY directions of the area occupied by the print image represented by the post print data RPDB as the post print size SB and stores it. I shall.

When the print size acquisition unit 171 functions the page size acquisition unit 1712 to acquire the post print size SB, the page size acquisition unit 1712 determines the page data P that is the rasterization processing source of the post print data RPDB.
The D or book data BD is analyzed and the description about the page size stored therein is searched. The print size acquisition unit 171 may acquire and store the content of the description of the page size retrieved by the page size acquisition unit 1712 as the post print size SB.

In step S7, the print controller 173
Reads out the allowable value C from the allowable value table 1731. The operator of the controller 1 is the digital printing machine 2
The allowable value to be referred to when comparing the first print size SF and the second print size SB from the plurality of allowable values stored in the allowable value table 1731 in consideration of the type and strength of the paper used in Select C. The allowable value C is X
It is composed of an allowable value Cx in the direction and an allowable value Cy in the Y direction.

Steps S8 and S9 are the first print size SF.
And the post print size SB are compared. In step S8, the size of the first print size SF in the X direction is compared with the size of the second print size SB in the X direction. This comparison can be performed by calculation such as the following equations (1) and (2). Formula (1) SFx− (SBx + Cx) ≧ 0 where Formula (1) is the first print size SF and the second print size S.
It is an equation for comparing the sum of the allowable values Cx in the B and X directions. If the calculation result of Expression (1) is positive or 0, it means that the size of the first print size SF in the X direction is sufficiently larger than the size of the second print size SB in the X direction. Move. If the result is negative, the first print size SF is smaller than the second print size SB, and there is a possibility of stacking failure.
Move to 0.

Expression (2) | SFx−SBx | ≦ Cx In Expression (2), when the sizes of the first print size SF and the second print size SB in the X direction are compared, the difference is the allowable value in the X direction. It is an expression for determining whether or not it is within the range of Cx. If the result of the calculation of Expression (2) is smaller than Cx or 0, the post print size SB is the pre print size S.
Even if it is larger than F, it is determined that there is no possibility of stacking, and the process proceeds to the determination in step S9. If the result is larger than Cx, it is determined that there is a possibility of stacking, and the process proceeds to step S10. First print size SF X
If the size in the direction and the size in the X direction of the post print size SB satisfy the expressions (1) and (2), the process proceeds to step S9. It should be noted that the size in the X direction of the first print size SF and the size in the X direction of the second print size SB may be compared using only formula (1) or formula (2).

A step S9 compares the size of the first print size SF with the size of the second print size SB in the Y direction. Also in step S9, the following equations (3) and (4)
Thus, it is possible to compare the sizes of the first print size SF and the second print size SB. Formula (3) SFy− (SBy + Cy) ≧ 0 and Formula (4) | SFy−SBy | ≦ Cy As shown in the formulas (3) and (4), the comparison directions of Formula (1) and Formula (4) are as follows. It is only different from 2). Therefore, as a result of comparison between the equations (3) and (4), if there is no possibility of collapse, the process proceeds to step S12, and if there is possibility of collapse, the process proceeds to step S10. In this case as well, the size of the first print size SF in the Y direction and the size of the second print size SB in the Y direction may be compared using only formula (3) or formula (4).

In step S10, the print controller 17
The display unit 12 displays a message to the operator of the controller 1 to instruct the operator of the controller 1 to take out the accumulated printed paper 24 from the stocker 22 of the digital printing machine 2. As a result of the comparison in step S8 or step S9, if it is determined that the post-print size SB is larger than the pre-print size SF, if the printing process of the post-print data RPDB is continued, the printed sheets 24 are collapsed. May occur. Therefore, the print control unit 173
A message such as "Please remove the printed paper that has been accumulated in the stocker of the printing press" is displayed on the display unit 12, and the operator of the controller 1 causes the stocker 22
It prompts the user to remove the printed paper 24 that has accumulated.

When the message in step S10 is displayed, the print controller 173 confirms the state of the stocker 22 via the controller 21 of the digital printing machine 2 (step S11). If the printed paper 24 remains in the stocker 22, there is still a possibility of stacking. Therefore, the print control unit 173 returns to the process of step S10 without performing the print process of the post print data RPDB. Therefore, as long as the printed paper 24 remains in the stocker 22, the print processing of the post print data RPDB is not performed, and thus the stacking does not occur. In addition, the printed paper 24 by the operator of the controller 1
It is possible to secure the take-out time.

When it is determined in step S11 that there is no printed paper 24 in the stocker 22, the print control unit 173 stops the display on the display unit 12, and proceeds to step S5 to print size acquisition unit. 171 sets the stored previous print size SF to “0”. That is,
If the printed paper 24 is taken out from the stocker 22, the printed paper 24 generated by the printing process of the post print data RPDB becomes the first printed paper 24 for the stocker 22, and the first print size SF does not exist. This is because

In step S12, the controller 1
Indicates that there is no possibility that the printed sheets 24 will collapse due to the determination of the print control unit 173, and the post print data RP
Print the DB. The CPU 11 of the controller 1 transmits the post print data RPDB to the digital printing machine 2 via the communication line CL, and the control unit 21 of the digital printing machine 2 causes the paper feeding unit, the transport path, and the printing unit (not shown) to function. The post print data RPDB is printed.

When the printing of the post print data RPDB is completed, the pre print size SF stored in the print size acquisition unit 171 is replaced with the post print size SB (step S
13). That is, in the process of step S12, if the printed paper 24 is accumulated in the stocker 22 due to the print processing of the post print data RPDB, the print size of the printed paper 24 is set as the previous print size SF for the next print processing. This is because it is handled. Step S13
When the process of (1) is completed, the process returns to step S3, and the printing process in the printing system 100 is repeatedly executed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for specifically explaining the operation of the printing system 100 according to the flowchart of FIG. Here, the type of paper that can be used in the digital printing machine 2 in the printing system 100 of FIG. 1 is “A3w”,
These are “A3” and “A4”. It should be noted that the type of paper “A3w” is slightly larger than the size of “A3” in the x and y directions.

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a state in which printing is performed based on the print data RPD1 in the printing system 100 as the first printing. Here, the area occupied by the print image represented by the print data RPD1 is “A3
w "size. At the time of FIG. 5 (a),
Since there is no accumulated printed paper 24 in the stocker 22 of the digital printing machine 2, the printing of the print data RPD1 is the earliest printing. Therefore, the controller 1 executes the printing, and Printed paper 24a of "A3w" size accumulates. At this time, the print size acquisition unit 1
The previous print size SF stored in 71 is SFx = 318 (mm), SFy = 469, like the “A3w” size.
(Mm).

FIG. 5B shows the print data RPD2.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which printing based on is performed. Here, it is assumed that the area occupied by the print image represented by the print data RPD2 has the “A3” size. At the time of FIG. 5B, since the printed sheets 24a of “A3w” size are accumulated in the stocker 22 of the digital printing machine 2, the controller 1 sets the print data RPD1 as the previous print data RPDF and the print data RPD2. Is used as the post-print data RPDB, and the processes after step S3 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 are executed. At this time, the post print size SB stored in the print size acquisition unit 171 is the same as the “A3” size, S
Bx = 297 (mm) and SBy = 420 (mm) are stored. Note that the allowable value C is set to 0 for both Cx and Cy in order to simplify the description. Print size comparison unit 17
2 compares the first print size SF and the second print size SB.
In this case, SF> SB, so that the controller 1 performs printing based on the print data RPD2, resulting in “A3”.
The printed paper 24b of the size is accumulated on the printed paper 24a of the stocker 22. Then, since SF> SB, the previous print size SF stored in the print size acquisition unit 171 is replaced with the subsequent print size SB. That is, the previous print size S
F is SFx = 297 (mm), SFy = 420 (mm)
Is replaced by.

FIG. 5C further shows print data RPD3.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which printing based on is performed. Here, it is assumed that the area occupied by the print image represented by the print data RPD3 has an “A4” size. At the time of FIG. 5C, “A3” is displayed in the stocker 22 of the digital printing machine 2.
Printed paper 24a of "w" size and printed paper 24b of "A3" size are piled up. The controller 1 sets the print data RPD2 to the previous print data RPDF, the print data R
The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is performed using PD3 as the post print data RPDB. Even in this case, since SF> SB, the controller 1 prints the print data RP.
D3 printing is executed, and "A4" size printed paper 24
c is accumulated on the printed paper 24b of the stocker 22.
Also in FIG. 5C, since SF> SB, the previous print size SF is the same as the area occupied by the print image represented by the print data RPD3, SFx = 210 (mm), SFy = 29.
7 (mm).

FIG. 5D is a diagram showing a state in which an attempt is made to print based on the print data RPD4. Here, it is assumed that the area occupied by the print image represented by the print data RPD4 has the “A3w” size again. Figure 5
At the time of (d), the printed sheets 24a, 24b, and 24c are accumulated in the stocker 22 of the digital printing machine 2. The controller 1 sets the print data RPD3 to the first print data RPDF and the print data RPD4 to the second print data RP.
As the DB, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is executed as before. At this time, the previous print size SF is "A
4 ”size, the print size acquisition unit 171
Since the print size SB becomes the “A3w” size after being acquired, SF <SB. Therefore, when printing based on the print data RPD4 is performed in a state where the printed sheets 24a, 24b, and 24c are accumulated in the stocker 22, the printed sheet 24
There is a possibility that the stacking will occur. Therefore, the print control unit 173 displays on the display unit 12 an instruction to take out the printed sheets accumulated in the stocker 22, and the detection unit 23 of the stocker 22 indicates that the printed sheets 24 have been taken out. Printing of the print data RPD4 is stopped until is detected.

As described above, the printing system 1 shown in FIG.
At 00, the controller 1 and the digital printing machine 2 shown in FIG. 2 operate as in the flow chart shown in FIG. Can provide a printing apparatus and a printing method capable of preventing a decrease in printing efficiency by performing continuous printing.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of another printing system using the printing apparatus of the present invention. The printing system 200 includes a controller 20
1, a digital printing machine 202 and an image processing terminal 204, and a controller 201 and an image processing terminal 20.
4 is connected by the network 203. Further, the controller 201 and the digital printing machine 202 are connected by a communication line CL.

The image processing terminal 204 has the same function as the image processing terminal 4 described with reference to FIG. The controller 201 controls the page data PD or the book data B transmitted from the image processing terminal 204.
Rasterize processing is performed on D. The print data RPD representing the print image obtained as a result is stored in the controller 2
01 is transmitted to the digital printing machine 202 connected by the communication line CL. Further, the controller 201, as will be described later, stores the printed paper 2024 in one of the stockers 2023 in order to store the printed paper 2024 in the selector 2022.
Control the behavior of.

The digital printing machine 202 includes the controller 2
Printing is performed under the control of 01. Digital printing machine 202
In addition to the control unit 2021, the paper feeding unit, the printing unit, the selector 2023 and a plurality of stockers 2024 are provided. The control unit 2021 controls the entire digital printing machine 202. The print data RPD transmitted from the controller 201 via the communication line CL is received by the control unit 2021.
After being converted into binary halftone data, it is transmitted to the printing unit. The paper fed from the paper feed unit is supplied to the printing unit via the conveyance path 2022, and the print image represented by the mesh is transferred to the paper. The printed paper 2025 to which the print image is transferred by the printing unit is further conveyed from the printing unit through the conveyance path 2022, and the stocker 20 selected by the selector 2023.
It is stored in any one of 24. In addition, the control signal CD transmitted via the communication line CL is also similarly controlled by the control unit 202.
1 is received, and each part of the digital printing machine 202 is controlled. Further, the control unit 2021 notifies the controller 201 of the state of the digital printing machine 202 by transmitting a status signal SD via the communication line CL.

The selector 2023 is the controller 201.
2021 which has received the control signal CD transmitted from
Printed paper 2 printed by the printing unit under the control of
A stocker 2024 that stores 025 is selected. The printed paper 2025 is transported from the printing unit by the transport path 2022, and the stocker 2024 selected by the selector 2023.
It is stored in any one of.

The stocker 2024 is used by the digital printing machine 20.
2 and a plurality of them are provided, and printed sheets 2025
To store. A unique identification code is assigned to each stocker 2024 for distinction. For example, stocker 2
When the number of 024 is two, the identification codes “a” and “b” are added. Also, unless otherwise specified, the stocker 2024 uses the identification code in order.
Like the stocker 22 described with reference to FIG. 1, a detection unit 2026 is attached to the stocker 2024, and the printed sheet 2 in the stocker 2024 is connected via the signal line 2028.
The storage status of 025 is transmitted to the control unit 2021.

The printed sheet 2025 is printed by the control unit 2021.
This is a product generated as a result of the print image represented by the print data RPD being printed on a plurality of sheets by the paper feeding unit and the printing unit repeatedly operating. This printed paper 2025 is
When printing the print data RPD, if the size of the print image represented by the print data RPD is “A4”, it is the printed sheet 2025a of “A4” size, and if the size of the print image is “A3”. For example, it is the printed sheet 2025b of "A3" size. Alternatively, page data PD
If the print size is "A4" in the setting of
The printed sheet 2025a has a size of "4" and the printed sheet 2025b has a size of "A3" when the print size is "A3" in the setting of the page data PD. It should be noted that the printed paper 2025 is divided into two for distinction.
Insert a slip sheet between 025a and 2025b,
It is desirable to shift the storage positions of a and 2025b.

The signal line 2027 is used by the control unit 2021 to control the selector 2023. Control unit 20
21 is a selector 2 for the control signal via the signal line 2027
The selection of the stocker 2024 is performed by the selector 2023 by transmitting the data to the stocker 023.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the controller 201. The controller 201 is a generally used personal computer, and has a CPU 21.
1, display unit 212, input unit 213, network I / F
214, a media drive 215, a storage unit 216, a memory 217, and a communication line CL. The configuration of the controller 201 is the same as that of the controller 1 described with reference to FIG.

The memory 217 is a work area for the CPU 211 to execute the program stored in the storage unit 216. As a result of the program being executed by the CPU 211, the functions of the print size acquisition unit 2171, the print size comparison unit 2172, and the paper discharge control unit 2173 are realized in the memory 217.

The print size acquisition unit 2171 is connected to the stocker 2
First print size SF and second print size SB for each 024
For each of the above, and the print size is stored respectively. The print size acquisition unit 2171 includes a print image size acquisition unit 1711 and a page size acquisition unit 21712 in order to acquire the print size.

The print image size acquisition unit 21711 generates a print image represented by the print data RPD created as a result of rasterizing the page data PD created by the image processing terminal 204 by the RIP unit (not shown) of the controller 201. Get the size. The print image size acquisition unit 21711 acquires the size in the XY directions of the area occupied by the print image represented by the print data RPD.

The page size acquisition unit 21712 acquires the page size specified by the page data PD or book data BD created by the image processing terminal 204. The operator of the image processing terminal 204 selects page data P
When the paper size for printing D or book data BD is designated, the paper size information is stored in page data PD or book data BD. The page size acquisition unit 21712 acquires the paper size information stored in the page data PD or book data BD thus designated.

The print size acquisition unit 2171 uses the functions of the print image size acquisition unit 21711 and / or the page size acquisition unit 21712, so that the stocker 2
For each 024, the print size of the print data RPDF that is printed first (hereinafter, referred to as the first print size SF) and the print size of the print data RPDB that is printed later (hereinafter referred to as the post print size SB) are acquired. Stores each print size.

Since the function of the print size comparison unit 2172 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 2, the description will be omitted.

The paper discharge control unit 2173 compares the preprint size SF of the preprint data RPDF acquired by the print size acquisition unit 2171 with the postprint size SB of the postprint data RBDB in the print size comparison unit 2172. The selector 2023 is controlled via the control unit 2021 of the digital printing machine 202 based on the
The stocker 2024 that stores 25 is selected. Therefore, the paper discharge control unit 2173 includes a counter i and a stocker register n. The counter i is the stocker 2024.
Stores the number of selections of. Every time the paper discharge control unit 2173 newly selects the stocker 2024, “1” is added to the counter i. The stocker register n stores printed paper 202.
This is for storing the selection number value of the stocker 2024 that stores the number 5. That is, when the value stored in the stocker register n is “1”, the paper ejection control unit 2173 sets the stocker selection number value to “1” and sets the stocker 2024.
The stocker 2024a corresponding to the first identification code of is a stocker for storing the printed paper 2025. If the value stored in the stocker register n is "2", the selection number value of the stocker is also "2".
Reference numeral 73 designates the stocker 2024b corresponding to the second identification code of the stocker 2024 as the storage destination of the printed paper 2025. Further, the paper discharge control unit 2173 stores the number of stockers m. The number of stockers m is the number of stockers 2024 provided in the digital printing machine 202. Further, the print control unit 2173 displays to prompt the operator of the controller 201 to instruct whether or not the continuous operation of the digital printing machine 202 is possible.

The discharge control unit 2173 uses the allowable value table 2
1731 is provided. The allowance value table 21731 stores a plurality of allowance values for the difference generated as a result of the comparison between the first print size SF and the second print size SB, and is similar to the allowance table 1731 described in FIG. By referring to one of the plurality of allowable values stored in the allowable value table 21731, the print size comparison unit 217
As a result of comparison of 2, the first print size SF and the second print size SB
If the difference is within the range of the allowable value referred to, the paper discharge control unit 2173 determines that the selector 2 of the digital printing machine 202 has
023 is controlled to store the first print data RPDF and the second print data RPDB in the same stocker 2024.

As described above, the controller 201 determines 1) whether the continuous operation of the digital printing machine 202 is possible. Obtaining the subsequent print size SB 2) Comparing the preceding print size SF and the subsequent print size SB 3) If the result of the comparison is within the allowable value, the preceding print data R
After the PDF, the post print data RPDB is stored in the same stocker 2
It has a function of storing in 024.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the printing system 200, particularly the controller 201 and the digital printing machine 202. In step S101, "1" is set in the counter i and the stocker register n of the paper ejection control unit 2173. This means that the printing system 200 always uses one stocker 2024 for storing the printed paper 2025.

In step S 102, the controller 201 receives the page data PD or book data BD created by the image processing terminal 204 and rasterizes the data to create print data RPD, which is printed by the digital printing machine 202. . The print data RPD used for the printing performed in step S102 is the first print data RPDF because it is used for the first printing in the printing system 200. Step S102
Is the earliest printing, so all of the plurality of stockers 2024 of the digital printing machine 202 are printed paper 2025.
Is not stored. Therefore, the paper ejection control unit 2173 issues a control signal CD in accordance with the stocker register n, and the control unit 2021 of the digital printing machine 202 selects the selector 202.
3 is operated to select the stocker 2024 and set it as the storage destination of the preprint data RPDF. For example, in the earliest printing, the digital printing machine 202 causes the stocker 2
024a and 2024b, since the stocker register n is set to “1”, the paper ejection control unit 2173 operates the selector 2023 to store the stocked paper 2025 as the storage destination of the printed paper 2025 in accordance with the identification code order. Select 2024a.

In step S103, the print size acquisition unit 2171 stores the print size of the printed matter stored in the stocker 2024 as the stocker-specific destination print size SFn. The method of acquiring the stocker-specific destination print size SFn by the print size acquisition unit 2171 can be performed in the same manner as in step S2 of the flowchart shown in FIG. To identify the destination print size SFn for each stocker, the paper discharge control unit 21 is used.
This can be done by referring to the stocker register n of 73. For example, when the first print data RPDF is printed as the first print, “1” is stored in the stocker register n. Therefore, the stocker-specific destination print size SFn
Becomes "SF1". In this way, the previous print data RPD
The print size of F is stored in the print size acquisition unit 2171 as the stocker-specific destination print size SFn.

The operations of steps S104 to S106 are as follows.
Step S3 and steps S6 to S7 in FIG.
Since the operation is similar, the description is omitted.

Steps S107 and S108 are respectively the stocker-specific destination print size SFn and the post-print size SB.
Compare with. The print size acquisition unit 2171 stores the stocker-specific destination print size SFn for each stocker 2024. Therefore, steps S107 and S
In 108, by performing the calculation according to the equations (1), (2) and (3), and (4) used in the processes of steps S8 and S9 of FIG. By comparing the print size SB with the print size SB, the stocker 2024 as the storage destination of the post print data RPDB is determined in the subsequent step.

If the conditions of steps S107 and S108 are satisfied, that is, if the difference between the post printing size SB and one of the stocker-specific destination printing sizes SFn is within the allowable value C, the process proceeds to step S116. In step S116, the paper discharge control unit 2173 changes the stocker register n so that the stocker-specific destination print size SF that satisfies the conditions of steps S107 and S108.
The stocker 2024 corresponding to
It is designated as the storage destination of the printed sheet 2025 of B. For example,
When the stocker-specific destination print size SFn that satisfies the conditions of steps S107 and S108 is "SF1", the paper discharge control unit 2173 determines that the stocker-specific destination print size S
Printed paper 2025 on stocker 2024 corresponding to F1
The stocker register n is changed to “1” in order to store the data in the storage container. Similarly, when the stocker 2024 corresponding to the stocker-specific destination print size SF2 is the storage destination of the printed paper 2025, the stocker register n is changed to "2". Then, in accordance with the change of the stocker register n, the paper ejection control unit 2173 issues a control signal CD and operates the selector 2023 of the digital printing machine 202 to specify the storage destination stocker 2024 of the printed paper 2025. .

Thereafter, in step S118, the CPU 2
11 transmits the post print data RPDB to the digital printing machine 202 to execute printing. At this time, the printed paper 2025 on which the post print data RPDB is printed is
In step S116, the paper is ejected to the stocker 2024 designated by the paper ejection control unit 2173.

In step S119, the stocker-specific destination print size SFn stored in the print size acquisition unit 2171 is replaced with the post print size SB. That is, in the process of step S118, the post print data RPD
If the printed sheet 2025 is accumulated in any of the stockers 2024 by the print processing of B, the printed sheet 2025
This is because the print size of 25 is handled as the stocker-specific destination print size SFn for the next print process. When the process of step S119 is completed, step S1
Returning to 04, the printing process in the printing system 200 is repeatedly executed.

As a result of the comparison in S107 or S108,
Destination print size SFn and post print size S for each stocker
If the difference in B is outside the range of the allowable value C, step S
Go to 109. The process from step S109 is for changing to a stocker for newly storing printed sheets, which is different from the stocker for storing printed sheets in the previous steps. When the printed sheet 2025 of the post print data RPDB that does not correspond to the condition of step S107 or step S108 is stored in any of the plurality of stockers 2024 in which the printed sheet 2025 is already stored, collapse occurs. there is a possibility. This is a process to prevent it.

In step S109, the paper discharge control unit 2173.
Adds "1" to the counter i. That is, every time the paper discharge control unit 2173 newly selects the stocker 2024, the counter i is incremented by “1”.

In step S110, the numerical value of the counter i is compared with the stocker number m provided in the digital printing machine 202. If "i≤m" as a result of the comparison, the process proceeds to step S111, and the numerical value of the counter i is written in the stocker register n.

In step S112, the paper discharge control unit 2
173 is a stocker 202 corresponding to the stocker register n in which the value of the counter i is written in step S110.
In order to select 4, the selector 2023 is operated. By writing the value of the counter i in the stocker register n, one new stocker 2024 used in the digital printing machine 202 is newly added. Therefore, the paper ejection control unit 2173 determines that the post print data RPDB that does not correspond to the condition of step S107 or step S108.
In order to select the new stocker 2024 corresponding to the stocker register n as the storage destination of the printed paper 2025 on which is printed, the selector 2023 is operated. For example, if the digital printing machine 202 has stockers 2024a and 2024b.
When the counter i becomes “2” and “2” is written in the stocker register n, the paper discharge control unit 217
3 operates the selector 2023 so that the printed paper 2025 is stored in the stocker 2024b having the identification code corresponding to the stocker register n. Selector 202
If the stocker 2024 to be the storage destination of the printed paper 2025 of the post-print data RPDB is determined by operating No. 3, the process proceeds to step S117, and the print size acquisition unit 2171 causes the newly selected stocker 2024 to be stored. The print size SFn for each stocker is acquired as “0”. That is, as in step S5 of FIG. 4, the post print data RP
When the new stocker 2024 is selected as the storage destination of the printed paper 2025 on which the DB is printed, the subsequent print data R
The printed paper 2025 generated by the PDB printing process is
The first printed sheet 20 for the new stocker 2024
This is because the first print size SF does not exist.

Then, in step S118, the CPU 2
11 transmits the post print data RPDB to the digital printing machine 202 to execute printing. At this time, the printed paper 2025 on which the post print data RPDB is printed is
In step S112, the sheet is stored in the stocker 2024 designated by the sheet discharge control unit 2173.

As a result of the comparison between the counter i and the stocker number m in step S110, if "i>m", the paper discharge control unit 2173 executes the process from step S113.

In step S113, the paper discharge controller 217
3 is printed paper 2025 from all stockers 2024
A message to instruct to take out
To prompt intervention of the operator of the controller 201. If the comparison result of the counter i and the stocker number m in step S110 is “i> m”, the number of stocker selections exceeds the number of stockers, that is, the newly selectable stocker 2024 is the digital printing machine 20.
2 means that it does not exist. Therefore, the paper ejection control unit 2173 instructs the operator of the controller 201 to print the printed paper 2025 from all the stockers 2024.
Is displayed to instruct to take out the item, and step S1
After 07 or the condition of step S108 is not met, the print processing of the print data RPDB is temporarily suspended.

In step S114, the paper discharge control unit 2
173 is a printed sheet 20 from all stockers 2024.
It is determined whether 25 has been taken out. The detection units 2026 respectively installed in the plurality of stockers 2024 are provided with the printed sheets 20 stored in the respective stockers 2024.
The presence / absence of each of the stockers 20 is detected by the control unit 2021.
24 states are transmitted. The detection unit 2026 detects that the printed paper 2025 remains in any of the stockers 2024.
As long as it is detected by the
The state of 113 is continuously maintained. When each of the detection units 2026 detects that the printed sheets 2025 are not stored in all the stockers 2024, the control unit 2021 issues a status signal SD based on the notification and outputs the status to the paper discharge control unit. 2173.

Printed paper 2 from all stockers 2024
If 025 is taken out, the process proceeds to step S115, and the paper discharge control unit 2173 sets "1" to the counter i and the stocker register n again. That is, since all the printed sheets 2025 have been removed from each of the plurality of stockers 2024, the paper discharge control unit 2173 issues the control signal CD in accordance with the stocker register n to cause the control unit 2021 of the digital printing machine 202 to select the selector 2023. By the operation, the stocker 2024 to which the identification code corresponding to the stocker register n is added is selected and set as the storage destination of the printed paper 2025 of the post print data RPDB. For example, the digital printing machine 202 may be the stocker 2024.
a and 2024b, all stockers 20
The printed paper 2025 is taken out from the paper 24 and the paper ejection control unit 2173 sets “1” in the stocker register n.
The stocker 2024a is selected as the storage destination of 25.

If the printed paper 2025 is taken out from the stocker 2024, the post print data RPDB
Since the printed sheet 2025 generated by the printing process of No. 2 becomes the first printed sheet 24 with respect to the stocker 2024, and the preceding print size SF does not exist, the step S
In step 117, the print size acquisition unit 2171 uses the stocker-specific print size SFn of the selected stocker 2024.
Is acquired as “0”, and thereafter, in step S118, the CPU 211 executes printing by transmitting the post print data RPDB to the digital printing machine 202. At this time, the printed paper 2025 on which the post-print data RPDB has been printed is output from the paper ejection control unit 21 in step S115.
73 is stored in the designated stocker 2024.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for specifically explaining the operation of the printing system 200 according to the flowchart of FIG. Here, the types of paper that can be used in the printing machine 2 in the printing system 200 of FIG. 8 are the same as those described in FIG.
w ”,“ A3 ”, and“ A4 ”.

FIG. 9A is a diagram showing a state in which printing is performed based on the print data RPD11 in the printing system 200 as the first printing. Here, the area occupied by the print image represented by the print data RPD11 is “A
4 "size. At the time of FIG. 9A,
Since there is no accumulated printed paper 2025 in any of the plurality of stockers 2024 of the printing machine 202, the printing of the print data RPD11 is the first printing. Therefore, the paper discharge control unit 2173 sets the counter i = 1, the stocker register n = 1, and the stocker number m = 2. As a result of the controller 201 performing printing, printed sheets 2024a of "A4" size are stored in the stocker 2024a.

FIG. 9B shows the print data RPD1.
It is a figure for showing the state where printing based on 2 was performed. Here, it is assumed that the area occupied by the print image represented by the print data RPD12 is "A3" size. At the time of FIG. 9B, “A4” is displayed in the stocker 2024a of the printing machine 202.
Since the printed paper 2025a of the size is stored,
The controller 201 uses the print data RPD11 as the pre-print data RPDF and the print data RPD12 as the post-print data RPDB, and executes the processes from step S104 shown in the flowchart of FIG. At this time, since the stocker-specific destination print size SFn stored in the print size acquisition unit 2171 is the stocker register n = 1, it is SF1 corresponding to the stocker 2024a,
The same value as the size of the area “A4” occupied by the print image represented by the print data RPD11 is stored. Further, the post print size SB stored in the print size acquisition unit 2171 is “A
The same value as the "3" size is stored. The allowable value C is set to 50 (mm) for both Cx and Cy. The print size comparison unit 2172 compares the stocker-specific first print size SF1 with the second print size SB. Since SF1 <SB here,
When performing printing based on the print data RPD12, the discharge control unit 2173 determines that the printed paper 2025 based on the post print data RPDB cannot be stacked on the printed paper 2025a that has been stacked in the stocker 2024a. ,
The controller 201 moves to step S109.
The paper discharge control unit 2173 adds "1" to the counter i and compares it with the stocker number m. Since “i ≦ n”, the paper discharge control unit 2173 sets the stocker register n to “2” and operates the selector 2023 to set the storage destination of the printed paper 2025 discharged from the printing unit according to the stocker identification code order. Change to stocker 2024b. After that, the controller 201 executes printing of the print data RPD12 by the process of step S117, and the printed paper 2025b generated as a result is stored in the stocker 2024b. In step S119, since the stocker-specific destination print size SFn is the stocker register n = 2, the stocker register n = 2 corresponds to SF2, which corresponds to the stocker 2024b. Is stored.

FIG. 9C further shows print data RPD1.
6 is a diagram showing a state in which printing based on No. 3 is performed. FIG. Here, it is assumed that the area occupied by the print image represented by the print data RPD13 has an “A3w” size. FIG. 9 (c)
At this time, the stocker 2024a of the printing machine 202 has the “A4” size printed paper 2025a and the stocker 2024a.
A printed sheet 2025b of "A3" size is stored in 24b. The controller 201 uses the print data RP
The area occupied by the print image represented by D11 and the print data RPD12 is the stocker-specific destination print size SFn,
The area occupied by the print image represented by the print data RPD13 is set as the post print size SB, and the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is executed. In this case, SF1 <SB and SF2 <SB, but the stocker-specific print size SF
"A3" size of 2 is X = 297 (mm), Y = 4
In contrast to 20 (mm), the “A3w” size, which is the post print size SB, is X = 318 (mm), Y = 469.
(Mm) and both are within the range of the allowable value C, the storage destination of the printed paper 2025c is the stocker 2024b corresponding to the stocker-specific print size SF2.
The controller 201 executes printing of the print data RPD13, and the printed paper 2025c generated as a result is accumulated on the printed paper 2025b of the stocker 2024b.

FIG. 9D is a diagram showing a state in which printing based on the print data RPD14 is performed. Here, the area occupied by the print image represented by the print data RPD14 is
It is again assumed to be "A4" size. Controller 2
In FIG. 8, 01 indicates the area occupied by the print image represented by the print data RPD11 and print data RPD13 as the destination print size SFn for each stocker, and the area occupied by the print image represented by the print data RPD14 as the post print size SB. The operation shown in the flowchart is executed. At this time, since SF1 ≧ SB, the discharge control unit 217
3 operates the selector 2023 to set the stocker 2024a corresponding to the stocker-specific print size SF1 as the storage destination of the printed paper 2025d of the print data RPD14. The controller 201 executes printing of the print data RPD14, and the printed sheet 2025d of “A4” size is
It is accumulated on the printed paper 2025a in the stocker 2024a.

FIG. 9E is a diagram showing a state where printing is performed based on the print data RPD15. It is assumed that the area occupied by the print image represented by the print data RPD15 has the "A3" size again. Controller 201
Print data RPD14 in the same manner as in FIGS. 4C and 4D.
8 and the area occupied by the print image represented by the print data RPD13 is the previous print size SFn for each stocker, and the area occupied by the print image represented by the print data RPD15 is the post print size SB, and the operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. Run. Even in this case, SF1 <SB
However, since SF2 ≧ SB, the discharge control unit 2
173 operates the selector 2023 to set the stocker 2024b corresponding to the stocker-specific destination print size SF2 as the storage destination of the printed paper 2025e of the print data RPD15 by the controller 201.
The printing of No. 5 is executed.

As described above, the printing system 2 shown in FIG.
7, the controller 201 and the printing machine 202 shown in FIG. 7 operate as in the flow chart shown in FIG. 8 to change the storage destination of the printed paper to change the paper size when the paper size is different. It is possible to provide a printing apparatus and a printing method capable of preventing a decrease in printing efficiency by performing printing continuously when the possibility of stacking is small even if the difference is different.

Even if the printed paper 2025 is not taken out from all the stockers 2024, if the printed paper 2025 is taken out from any of the stockers 2024, the paper discharge control unit 2173 sets the stocker 2024 as a storage destination. Alternatively, the selector 2023 may be operated.

[Modification] The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above description. Although the controller and the digital printing machine have been described as being separate in the description of the embodiment, they may be integrated. Further, the present invention may be implemented in a form in which the image processing terminal has the same function as the controller and controls the digital printing machine via the network. In addition, when comparing the first print size and the second print size, the print control unit refers to the allowable value table based on the type of the paper loaded in the digital printing machine 2 without requiring the operator to specify. You may

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a printing system 100.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a controller 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a permissible value table 1731.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing system 100, particularly the controller 1 and the printing machine 2.

5 is a printing system 10 according to the flowchart of FIG.
It is a figure for explaining operation of 0 concretely.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of a printing system 200.

7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a controller 201. FIG.

FIG. 8: Printing system 200, in particular controller 201
6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing machine 202.

FIG. 9 is a printing system 20 according to the flowchart of FIG.
It is a figure for explaining operation of 0 concretely.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,201 controller 2,202 printing machine 3,203 network 4,204 Image processing terminal 11,211 CPU 12,212 Display 13, 213 Input section 14,214 External network I / F 15,215 Media drive 16,216 storage unit 17,217 memory 18,218 Media Disc 21, 2021 control unit 2022 transport path 2023 selector 22,2024 Stocker 23, 2026 Detector 24,2025 printed paper 100, 200 printing system 171, 2171 Print size acquisition unit 172, 2172 Print size comparison section 173 Print control unit 2173 Paper ejection control unit 1711, 21711 Print image size acquisition unit 1712, 21712 Page size acquisition unit 1731, 21731 Allowable amount table BD book data CD control signal CL communication line i counter m Stocker number n Stocker register PD page data RPD print data Print data after RPDB RPDF pre-print data Print size after SB SF destination print size SFn Stocker destination print size

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A printing apparatus capable of printing the contents represented by a plurality of print data on papers of different sizes, the first print size at the time of the first print, and after the first print. Print size acquisition means for acquiring the second print size at the time of the second printing for printing, print size comparison means for comparing the first print size and the second print size, and comparison by the print size comparison means As a result, a printing control unit that stops the second printing when the second printing size is larger than the first printing size. 2. The print size acquisition unit acquires the second print size after the second printing as the first print size, and the print control is performed based on a result of comparison by the print size comparison unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first printing and the second printing are repeated until the second printing is stopped by means. 3. The print control means, when the second print size is larger than the first print size and the difference between the first print size and the second print size is a predetermined value or more, 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing of No. 2 is stopped. 4. The first print size and the second print size acquired by the print size acquiring means are paper sizes specified in the print data for performing the first printing and the print data for performing the second printing. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The first print size and the second print size acquired by the print size acquisition means are expression sizes based on the print data for performing the first printing and the print data for performing the second printing. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is a printing apparatus. 6. The printing control means, when stopping the second printing, causes the printing device to perform a first operation in a storage unit provided in the printing device.
2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is confirmed that there is a sheet on which the above-mentioned printing has been performed. 7. A printing method in a printing apparatus capable of printing contents represented by a plurality of print data on sheets of different sizes, wherein a first print size at the time of first printing is acquired. A step, a step of acquiring a second print size at the time of the second printing in which printing is performed after the first printing, and a step of comparing the first print size and the second print size,
As a result of the comparison between the first print size and the second print size, the second printing is stopped when the second print size is larger than the first print size. . 8. A step of replacing the second print size with the first print size after the second printing, and the first print size.
The first printing and the second printing are repeated until the second printing is stopped based on the result of the comparison between the printing size and the second printing size. The printing method according to item 7. 9. A printing apparatus capable of printing the contents represented by a plurality of print data on papers of different sizes and having a plurality of storage units for storing printed papers of different sizes. And a print size acquisition unit that acquires a first print size during the first printing and a second print size during the second printing that is performed after the first printing, and the first print size and the second print size. And a print size comparing unit that compares the first print size and the second print size by the print size comparing unit based on the comparison between the first print size and the second print size. And a discharge control unit that determines a storage unit that is a storage destination of the printing apparatus. 10. The print size acquisition unit acquires a plurality of the first print sizes according to the number of the plurality of storage units, and the print size comparison unit according to the number of the plurality of storage units. Print control means for stopping the second printing when the second print size is larger than each of the plurality of first print sizes based on a comparison between each of the first print sizes and the second print size. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the printing apparatus is a printing apparatus. 11. The print size acquisition unit acquires the second print size after the second printing as the first print size according to the number of the plurality of storage units, and the print size comparison unit. 11. The printing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first printing and the second printing are repeated until the second printing is stopped by the print control unit based on the result of the comparison according to. 12. A first method obtained by the print size obtaining means.
10. The print size and the second print size are paper sizes specified in the print data for performing the first printing and the print data for performing the second printing, respectively.
Printing device. 13. A first method obtained by the print size obtaining means.
The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the print size and the second print size are expression sizes based on the print data for performing the first print and the print data for performing the second print. 14. The print size acquisition means acquires, as a first print size, a print size of each print data that is a print source of the printed paper stored in each of the plurality of storage units. The printing device according to claim 9. 15. Printing in a printing device having a plurality of storage units capable of printing the contents represented by a plurality of print data on different-sized papers and storing printed papers of different sizes. Method,
A step of obtaining a first print size at the time of the first printing, and a first
To obtain a second print size at the time of the second printing in which printing is performed after printing, a step of comparing the first print size and the second print size, and the first print size and the second print size. A printing method in a printing apparatus, the method further comprising: determining a storage unit that is a storage destination of the printing paper on which the second printing has been performed from the plurality of storage units. 16. A plurality of the first print sizes are obtained according to the number of the plurality of storage units, and a comparison is made between the first print size and the second print size according to the number of the plurality of storage units. 16. The printing method in the printing apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising the step of: stopping the second printing when the second printing size is larger than each of the plurality of first printing sizes. . 17. The second print size after the second printing is acquired as the first print size according to the number of the plurality of storage units, and the first print size according to the number of the plurality of storage units is acquired. Based on the comparison between each print size and the second print size,
The first print and the second print are stopped until the second print is stopped.
17. The printing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the printing of is repeated.