JP2003326810A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform printing in the page order initially intended by a user even a sheet cannot be discharged to a specified sheet discharge port and the face is altered by changing the sheet discharge port. <P>SOLUTION: The printer having a means for selecting another sheet discharge port when a sheet cannot be discharged to a specified sheet port under specified sheet undischargeable conditions is provided with a data spool means capable of spooling the data of a document, and a page scheduling means performing printing while altering the page print order when a sheet cannot be discharged to a specified sheet port under specified conditions and the face is required to be altered for discharging the sheet to a sheet discharge port selected by the selecting means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus having a function of changing page scheduling in accordance with face settings that can be output at a sheet discharge port when the sheet discharge port is changed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the progress of office automation in office processing, the number of jobs, drawings, etc. printed by transferring data from a host computer to a printing device is increasing.

The environment in which a plurality of computers and printing devices are connected to a network is also increasing, and not only printing devices that can only perform monochrome and single-sided printing, but also color printing devices and double-sided printing. It is equipped with a printing device capable of feeding and ejecting paper,
The number of printing apparatuses equipped with a unit for double-sided printing and a plurality of bins for sorting documents has increased. Then, due to the paper feeding / discharging mechanism of the printing apparatus, the printed surface on which printing has been completed is face down (printed on the left in FIG. 4 in the case of one side), or conversely, the surface of a young page of a document. Is printed face up (if one side, see Fig. 4
As shown in the right), a face is designated by the model, and printers with different face printing mechanisms are used together.

[0004]

In the conventional printing apparatus, the printing apparatus having the various mechanisms as described above is used in a mixed manner in the network. If a large number of sheets have been ejected to the ejection outlets, such as the paper ejection tray and bin, and the number of sheets that can be stacked in the ejection outlet is exceeded and the paper cannot be ejected to the ejection outlet, The same PDL (PrintingD)
If you use the EscrisionLanguage) without having model-dependent information, you cannot select the paper type that cannot be printed at the specified output port when the output port is selected due to the function or configuration of the model. If the paper cannot be ejected to the paper ejection port as a result of performing settings for each paper such as plain paper, thick paper, OHT paper, high gloss paper, etc., there are restrictions on the stapling device needle direction, and only from a certain direction. If you specify the face to the paper exit and the stapling directions do not match because you cannot hit the staples, the paper ejection roller will malfunction and the paper will be ejected to the specified paper ejection port. If it is not possible, the reversing device that physically reverses the paper in order to print with the specified face when ejecting fails, and if the specified face cannot be ejected to the exit, If you cannot print to the paper exit with the specified face and continue printing, the paper exit will be changed automatically, or if you change the paper exit yourself, face down to face up There is a drawback in that the order of the pages on the printing surface is different from the one intended by the user at first due to the change to the paper mouth, and the output papers must be rearranged by the user himself. In addition, in order to print as intended, it is necessary to change the print settings from the host computer, select another paper ejection port and print again, which is a disadvantage that it takes time.

According to the present invention, a discharge port checking means for determining whether or not discharge is possible to a specified discharge port according to a predetermined condition, and another discharge port is selected when the discharge is impossible. In the printing apparatus having the selecting unit, it is impossible to discharge to the designated discharge port due to the predetermined condition, and it is necessary to change the face when discharging to the discharge port selected by the selecting unit. In the case of occurrence of a problem, the data spooling means capable of spooling the document data and the page scheduling means for changing the printing order of the pages to perform printing saves the user the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of printing. The purpose is to print the pages on the print side in the order originally intended by the user even when the face is changed by changing to a discharge port other than the user's designation. Also, during double-sided printing, spooling of data is not performed, and scheduling is performed to change the print order for the front / back sides, eliminating the need for reprinting due to user interruption of printing, and changing to a paper ejection port other than that specified by the user. Is
Even when the face is changed, it is intended that the pages on the printing surface are first printed in the order intended by the user.

Further, in the case where the discharge port from which the paper is to be discharged cannot be discharged because the paper is full, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of the printing by the user is eliminated, and the paper is changed to a discharge port other than the one designated by the user. Even when is changed, the purpose is to print the pages on the printing surface in the order originally intended by the user.

Further, when the paper cannot be discharged to the discharge port specified by the user due to the restriction of the device depending on the type of paper, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of printing by the user is eliminated, and the discharge port is changed to a discharge port other than the one specified by the user. Even when the face is changed, the page order on the print surface is first printed in the order intended by the user.

Further, when it is not possible to discharge the sheet to the sheet discharge port designated by the user due to the regulation of the direction of the staple of the stapling device, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of the printing by the user is eliminated, and the sheet discharge port other than that designated by the user is changed. Even when the face is changed, the page order on the print surface is first printed in the order intended by the user.

Further, when the sheet cannot be ejected to the ejection port designated by the user due to a device failure, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of the printing by the user is eliminated, and the ejection port other than the one designated by the user is changed to change the face. Even in the case of printing, it is intended that the pages on the printing surface are printed first in the order intended by the user.

Further, when the sheet cannot be discharged to the discharge port designated by the user due to a failure of the reversing device for reversing the face at the time of discharging the sheet, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of printing by the user is eliminated, and other than the designation by the user. Even if the face is changed to the discharge port and the face is changed, the page order of the print surface is first printed in a line as intended by the user.

Further, when it is not possible to discharge to the discharge port specified by the user due to a failure of the stapling device at the time of discharge, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of printing by the user is eliminated, and the discharge port is changed to one other than specified by the user. Even when the face is changed, the page order on the print surface is first printed in the order intended by the user.

Further, when the paper cannot be ejected to the paper ejection port designated by the user due to a failure of the paper ejection roller guided to the paper ejection port, the trouble of reprinting due to interruption of printing by the user is eliminated, and the paper ejection port other than the user's designation is eliminated. (F) Even if the face is changed due to the change, the order of the pages on the print surface is first printed in the order intended by the user.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, a discharge port checking means for determining whether discharge is possible to a specified discharge port under a predetermined discharge impossible condition, and another discharge port if the discharge is impossible. In a printing apparatus having a selection unit for selecting, it is impossible to discharge to the designated discharge port due to the predetermined condition, and the face is changed when discharging to the discharge port selected by the selection unit. The printing apparatus is characterized by having a data spooling means capable of spooling document data and a page scheduling means for changing the printing order of pages and printing when the necessity arises.

Further, the above-mentioned scheduling means is a printing apparatus characterized in that during double-sided printing, the spooling of data is not performed, but the scheduling for changing the printing order of the front side / back side is performed.

Further, the above-mentioned predetermined non-dischargeable condition is a printing apparatus characterized in that the discharge port for discharging the paper is full of paper.

Further, in the printing apparatus, the above-mentioned predetermined non-dischargeable condition is a restriction on the function or structure of the apparatus.

Further, the above-mentioned regulation is a regulation of the apparatus according to the type of paper.

Further, the regulation described above is a regulation of the apparatus according to the direction of the staple of the stapling apparatus.

Further, the above-mentioned predetermined non-deliverable condition is a printing apparatus characterized by a failure of the apparatus.

Further, the above-mentioned apparatus failure is a printing apparatus characterized in that it is a failure of the reversing device for reversing the face during paper ejection.

Further, the above-mentioned apparatus failure is a printing apparatus characterized in that it is a failure of the stapling apparatus at the time of paper discharge.

Further, the above-mentioned apparatus failure is a printing apparatus characterized in that it is a failure of a paper discharge roller guided to a paper discharge port.

[0024]

With the above-described structure, the present invention has a sheet discharge port checking means for determining whether or not the sheet can be discharged to a specified sheet discharge port according to a predetermined condition, and when the sheet discharge is impossible, In a printing apparatus having a selection unit for selecting another sheet discharge port, it is impossible to discharge to the designated sheet discharge port due to the predetermined condition, and the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge port selected by the selection unit. When a face needs to be changed at this time, the user's printing can be performed by having a data spooling means capable of spooling the document data and a page scheduling means for changing the printing order of the pages for printing. Eliminates the trouble of reprinting due to interruption, and even if the face is changed by changing to a paper ejection port other than the user's designation, the page order on the print side should be printed first in the order intended by the user. Is possible.

Further, during double-sided printing, spooling of data is not performed, and scheduling is performed to change the printing order of the front side / back side, thereby eliminating the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of printing by the user, and ejecting sheets other than those designated by the user. Even when the mouth is changed and the face is changed, the pages on the print surface can be printed first in the order intended by the user.

Further, in the case where the discharge port for discharging the paper cannot be discharged due to the full load of the paper, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of the printing by the user is eliminated, and the paper is changed to a discharge port other than that designated by the user. Even when is changed, it is possible to print in the order of pages on the print surface first as the user intended.

Further, when the paper cannot be discharged to the discharge port specified by the user due to the restriction of the device depending on the type of paper, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of printing by the user is eliminated, and the discharge port is changed to a discharge port other than the user's specification. Even when the face is changed, it is possible to print the pages on the print surface in the order originally intended by the user.

Further, when it is not possible to discharge the paper to the discharge port designated by the user due to the regulation of the direction of the staples of the stapling device, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of the printing by the user is eliminated, and the discharge port is changed to a discharge port other than the designation by the user. Even when the face is changed, it is possible to print the pages on the print surface in the order originally intended by the user.

Further, when the sheet cannot be ejected to the ejection port designated by the user due to a device failure, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of the printing by the user is eliminated, and the ejection port other than the one designated by the user is changed to change the face. Even in this case, the pages on the printing surface can be printed first in the order intended by the user.

Further, when the sheet cannot be ejected to the sheet ejection port designated by the user due to a failure of the reversing device for reversing the face at the time of sheet ejection, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of the printing by the user is eliminated, and other than those designated by the user. Even if the face is changed to the discharge port and the face is changed, it is possible to print in the order of pages on the print surface in the order originally intended by the user.

Further, when the sheet cannot be ejected to the ejection port designated by the user due to a failure of the stapling device at the time of ejection, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of printing by the user is eliminated, and the ejection port other than the one designated by the user is changed. Even when the face is changed, it is possible to print the pages on the print surface in the order originally intended by the user.

Further, when the paper cannot be ejected to the paper ejection port designated by the user due to a failure of the paper ejection roller leading to the paper ejection port, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of printing by the user is eliminated, and the paper ejection port other than the user's designation is eliminated. Even if the face is changed due to the change in F, it is possible to print the page on the print surface in the order originally intended by the user.

[0033]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Embodiment 1) First, a configuration example of a laser beam printer will be described as an example of an output device to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied, showing a system configuration including a host computer 1 (1001), a laser beam printer 1030, and a communication line 1002 connecting both of them. Is.

103 in the laser beam printer 1030
A laser beam printer control unit 1 controls the operation of the entire printer. In the control unit, the host I / F unit 1032 that controls input / output with the host computer controls the operation of the control code, the input / output buffer (1033) for transmitting and receiving data from each communication unit, and the operation of the entire control unit. CPU 1034, program ROM 10 containing a program that describes the operation of the CPU
35, the control code, RAM 1036 used as a work memory for calculation of data required for data interpretation and printing, print data processing, and image information generation for generating various image objects from the settings of data received from the host computer Unit 1037, a bitmap image transfer unit 1038 for expanding the image object into a bitmap image, and transferring the expanded bitmap image to the printer engine.
A printing apparatus engine unit 1039 that actually prints on paper and an engine I / F unit 104 that connects the control unit and the engine unit
0, an operation panel 1037 for operating the printing apparatus, a panel I / F unit 10 connecting the control unit and the operation panel 1041
42, a system including an external memory 1043 used to store print data and information of various printing devices, a memory I / F unit 1044 connecting the control unit and the external memory, and a system bus 1045 connecting each unit. ing. Further, in the program ROM, when data needs to be spooled by changing the face by changing the discharge port, one side / both sides of the spooled data,
A data spool management unit 1060 that manages information such as page information and storage addresses, a discharge port check unit 1061 that checks face-up and face-down of each discharge port, other information, and error failures.
Each program of the page scheduling unit 1062 for changing the face and determining the printing order according to one side / both sides is incorporated.

FIG. 2 shows an engine unit 1039 of the laser beam printer of this embodiment. Laser beam printer 1
As shown in FIG. 2, reference numeral 030 denotes a housing 2001, and the housing 2001 relates to each mechanism for configuring the engine 1039 and each printing process processing (for example, paper feeding processing) by each mechanism. An engine control unit 1046 for controlling, and a printer controller 1031 (see FIG.
(Shown in FIG. 2) is built in.

As each mechanism for constructing the engine unit 1039, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum by operating a laser beam, the electrostatic latent image is visualized, and the visualized image is printed on a printing paper. An optical processing mechanism for performing transfer, a fixing processing mechanism for fixing the toner image transferred onto the printing paper, a paper feeding processing mechanism for the printing paper, and a transportation processing mechanism for the printing paper are provided.

The optical processing mechanism includes a laser scanner section 202.
2 has a laser driver 2006 for turning on / off a laser beam emitted from a semiconductor laser (not shown) according to image data supplied from the printer controller 1031. The laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser is It is swung in the scanning direction by the rotary polygon mirror 2007. The laser light oscillated in the main scanning direction is reflected by the reflection mirror 20.
It is guided back to the photosensitive drum 2005 via 08,
The photosensitive drum 2005 is exposed in the main scanning direction.

At this time, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 2005, which was previously uniformly charged by the primary charger 2023, by scanning exposure with laser light, and the latent image is supplied from the developing device 2020. The toner is visualized as a toner image by the generated toner (K (black) toner is used as the toner in the present embodiment). next,
The toner image on the photosensitive drum 2005 is transferred to the transfer charger 2025.
Is transferred to the printing paper 2027 that is fed by the paper feeding processing mechanism in synchronization with the sub-scanning direction.

The photosensitive drum 2005 and the developing device 2
020 is housed in a drum unit 2004 that is detachable from the housing 2001.

The reflection mirror 2008 is a semi-transmissive mirror, and the beam detector 2009 is provided on the back side thereof.
The beam detector 2009 detects the laser beam, and the detection signal is the printer controller 1031.
Given to. The printer controller 1031 generates a horizontal synchronization signal that determines the exposure timing in the main scanning direction based on the detection signal of the beam detector 2009, and the horizontal synchronization signal is output to the printer controller 1031. A cleaner 2024 removes the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 2005. Reference numeral 2021 denotes a pre-exposure lamp, which removes electricity from the photosensitive drum 2005.

On the other hand, the fixing processing mechanism is provided with a heater for overheating the toner image transferred onto the printing paper. The heater controls the temperature by a signal from the engine control unit 1046 so that a predetermined fixing temperature can be obtained.
While waiting for printing, the control to reduce the power is also performed).

The paper feeding mechanism for the printing paper is the printing paper 2
A cassette 2010 containing 027 and a paper feed tray 201
The printing paper No. 9 and the printing paper of the reverse paper feeding unit 2011 are selectively fed.

The cassette 2010 is mounted in the housing 2001, and the cassette 2010 is provided with a size detection mechanism for electrically detecting the size of the printing paper according to the moving position of the partition plate (not shown). ing. Cassette 20
From the top, the uppermost printing sheet accommodated is conveyed to the sheet feeding roller 2013 by rotating the cassette sheet feeding clutch 2012 one by one. The cassette paper feed clutch 2012 is composed of a cam which is driven to rotate intermittently by a driving means (not shown) for each paper feed, and one print paper is fed every time the cam makes one rotation.

The paper feed roller 2013 conveys the print paper to a position where the leading end of the print paper corresponds to the registration shutter 2014, and the registration shutter 2014 presses the released print paper and releases it to feed the print paper. The resist shutter 2014 is used to stop and release the shutter.
Is controlled so as to be synchronized with the sub-scanning of the laser light. The cassette 2010 is configured such that a predetermined number of optional cassettes (not shown) can be stacked and mounted according to size.

On the other hand, the manual feed tray 2019 is provided in the housing 2001, and the manual feed tray 20 is set by the user.
The printing paper mounted on the sheet 19 is fed toward the registration shutter 2014 by the paper feed roller 2015.

On the other hand, the print sheet transport processing mechanism transports the print sheet, the pressure of which is released by the resist shutter 2014, toward the photosensitive drum 2005.
And the printing paper discharged from the fixing device 2017 to the housing 20.
01 each flapper 2030, 2031 and each conveyance roller 2032 for guiding to the paper discharge tray FD formed in the upper part
2033, and a drive unit (not shown) for driving each of the transport rollers 2032 and 2033. Flapper 2
031 can switch the discharge destinations of the discharge tray FD formed on the upper part of the housing 2001 and the discharge tray FU formed on the side surface of the housing 2001, and face down printing (printing). The surface of the young page of the finished document is printed face down). When performing, the face-up printing (printing is performed with the front side of the young page of the document facing up) on the FD. When performing, the paper is discharged to the FU. The FD and FU output ports (output trays) are equipped with full-load sensors (2050, 2051) that check the stacking amount of paper to prevent paper jams due to too many output paper sheets. ing.

It is also possible to perform double-sided printing by switching the flapper 2030. 2011
Is a reverse sheet feeding unit, and the engine transport roller 20
34, 2035, 2036, and a flapper 2037. When performing double-sided printing and printing face down (printing on the discharge tray FD so that the front surface is at the bottom in the drawing and the back surface is at the top in the drawing), the printing paper 2027 is printed from the back surface first, and then the cassette 2010. When the paper is fed from (arrow), the back side is printed (arrow), and the flapper 2030
Is guided to the reverse sheet feeding unit by the conveying rollers 2038 and 2034 (arrow). When a sensor (not shown) detects the trailing edge of the printing paper 2027, the printing paper 2027
Causes the transport roller 2034 to rotate in the reverse direction, and the flapper 203
By switching No. 7, the conveyance roller 2035 stores the sheet in the reverse sheet feeding unit in parallel with the sheet feeding cassette 2011. The side printed on the printing paper at this time (back side)
Is looking up. Next, reverse the paper feed unit 2
When 011 is designated, the transfer charger 202 is passed again through the transport roller 2036 and the paper feed roller 2013 (arrow).
5, the surface is printed through the fixing device 2017 (arrow),
By switching the flappers 2030 and 2031, the paper is discharged from the paper discharge tray FD (arrow (10)). In addition, when performing double-sided printing and printing face-up (when discharging to the discharge tray FU, the surface is
In the case of printing so that the back surface comes to the upper side in the figure, the front surface is printed first, the reverse sheet feeding unit 2011 discharges the sheet, the back surface prints, and the reverse sheet feeding unit 2011 discharges the sheet tray FU (arrow ( 11)) will be discharged.

An operation panel 2002 for constituting the panel section 1041 is attached to the housing 2001. The operation panel 2002 is provided with a switch group for instruction input operation, an LED display for displaying information, and an LCD display. In addition, the printer controller 10
An external memory unit 204 for configuring an external memory unit 1043 used for storing print data and the like by 31.
0 is attached.

Next, the operation of the printer controller in the above system configuration will be described below. When execution of printing is designated by the user in the host computer, the control code and data transmitted from the host computer via the communication line 1002 are transmitted, and via the host I / F unit 1032. It is stored in the RAM 1036 via the input buffer 1033. C
The PU 1034 processes data in the image information generation unit 1037 according to the program written in the program ROM 1036, and generates image information for each one (image object) such as a figure, a character, and image data. At this time, first, the discharge check unit 1061 checks the information of the tray to be discharged, and if no problem is found at the discharge destination, the page scheduling unit 1062 prints the order of pages according to the order in which the data is sent. While the image information of all the image objects in one page to be printed next is generated, the bitmap image expansion transfer unit 1038 expands the bitmap information to be actually printed, and the expanded bitmap image Will be sent to the printer engine unit 1039 and will be ejected from the designated ejection port.

In the case of double-sided printing, when printing is performed face down, the image on the back side is first expanded into a bitmap image to be actually printed by the bitmap image expansion transfer unit 1040, and the expanded back side image is printed. The bitmap image is sent to the printer engine unit 1036, fed from the cassette, and discharged to the reversal sheet feeding unit 2011 in FIG. Subsequently, the front side image is transferred to the bitmap image development and transfer unit 103.
Expanded to the bitmap image to be actually printed in 8,
The developed bitmap image of the front surface is sent to the printing apparatus engine unit 1039, fed from the reverse sheet feeding unit 2011, and discharged to the sheet discharge port FD in FIG.

Next, the paper discharge check unit 1060, the data spool management unit 1061, the page scheduling unit 10
The operation and process of 62 will be described in detail.

First, a conventional example in which print data for one side is sent from a host computer to a printer will be described. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a document print execution process in a conventional printer controller, and FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a discharge designation / discharge port check process.

First, when the print execution is started (4001), it is checked whether the discharge of all the documents (collection of pages) to be printed is completed, and if it is completed (4002)
YES), and the printing process ends 4003. If it is not completed (NO in 4002), the document to be printed next is selected (4004), and it is checked whether or not the paper can be discharged to the designated discharge port (4005). Here, when the check of the discharge designation / discharge port is started (10001), if there is no designation specified by the host, the discharge port with the default setting value of the model is first selected (1000).
2). Here, it is checked whether or not the designated sheet discharge port exists due to the current configuration, and if a non-printable sheet discharge port that does not exist is designated (NO in 10003), it is not checked. It is checked whether or not the sheet discharge port of No. remains, and if there is no sheet discharge port (NO in 10006), the sheet discharge port cannot be selected, and error processing (10009) is performed. If another paper exit remains (YE at 10006)
For S), another sheet ejection port is selected (10008), and 10
The process from 003 is repeated to determine the paper discharge port for discharging the paper. Further, when a discharge outlet capable of outputting from the designated discharge outlet is designated (YES in 10003), printing is performed on the designated discharge outlet by the full load detection sensors 2050 and 2051. Check if the loaded paper is full and cannot eject any more, and if it is not full (1000
If NO in 4), the sheet can be ejected, and the sheet ejection designation / ejecting port check ends (10005). When it is impossible to discharge the paper due to full loading (YES in 10004), it is checked whether or not there is another paper ejection opening that has not been checked. Since the mouth cannot be selected, error processing (10009) is performed. If another paper exit remains (YE at 10006)
For S), another sheet ejection port is selected (10008), and 10
The process from 003 is repeated to determine the paper discharge port for discharging the paper. Next, returning to the processing of FIG. 4, each page of the selected document is scheduled (4006). According to the scheduling, select the page to be printed first (40
07), image information / bitmap image for the page is generated (4008), a paper discharge destination is set and transferred to the engine (4009), and the engine prints the transferred image and the specified paper discharge destination. Eject the paper. Then, the printing completion of all pages in the document is checked, and if printing is not completed (NO in 4010), 4008 and 4009 are repeated, and if printing of all pages is completed (YE in 4010).
S), the process from 4002 is repeated.

For example, when the paper is not full and there is no error in the paper discharge port, 4 pages (1 Page, 2 Page) on one side.
e, 3 Page, 4 Page) data is shown in FIG. 5 (left in the figure, FD, one side indicates designation by the host computer. The same applies to the figures showing the data below). When sent from the host computer to the printer as shown in
(The left side in the figure, FD, one side indicates designation by the host computer, and the FD described under each page indicates the discharge destination according to the scheduling result of each page. In the drawings showing scheduling and printing, ). As described above, printing is performed in order, and in face-down FD printing, the print surface on which toner is placed faces downward as shown in the left side of FIG. Further, in the case of discharging the sheet to the face-up FU, the data is sent from the host computer to the printer as shown in FIG. 8 and the scheduling is performed as shown in FIG. 9 in consideration of the order of the discharged sheets. In the face-up FU printing, the printing surface on which the toner is placed faces upward, and the sheet is ejected. However, even if the data is to be discharged to the FD and the data shown in FIG. 5 is sent, if the FU is selected as the paper discharge port as a result of the above process due to the full load, the page The arrangement is scheduled in the same manner as the designation of FD, and is printed as shown in FIG. Then, the print result is contrary to the user's intention,
The page order is page as shown on the left in Figure 7.
l, Page2, Page3, and Page4, and the order of the printing surface is pag toward the FU as shown in FIG.
e4, Page3, Page3, Page.

Next, an embodiment according to the present invention will be shown.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a document print execution processing step in the printer controller according to the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a sheet discharge designation / sheet discharge check processing step.

First, when the print execution is started (13001), it is checked whether all the documents (collection of pages) to be printed have been discharged, and if they have been discharged (1300).
If YES in 2), the printing process is ended 13003. If it has not been completed (NO in 13002), the document to be printed next is selected (13004), and it is checked whether or not the document can be discharged to the designated discharge port (13005).

When the paper discharge designation / paper discharge port check is started (14001), the paper discharge port specified by the host is selected, or if there is no designation, the paper discharge port with the default setting value of the model is first selected. , The face of this paper exit is RAM1036
(In the present embodiment, the face of the paper discharge port is face-down in the case of FD and face-up in the case of FU due to the mechanism of the printer). (14002). Here, it is checked whether or not the designated sheet discharge port exists due to the current configuration. If a non-outputtable sheet discharge port that does not exist is designated (NO in 14003), it is not checked. It is checked whether or not the sheet discharge port remains (NO in 14006), and therefore the error process (14009) is performed because the sheet discharge port cannot be selected. If another sheet ejection port remains (YES in 14006), another sheet ejection port is selected (14008), and 14003 is selected.
The process from the above is repeated to determine the paper discharge port to discharge the paper.
Further, when a discharge outlet capable of outputting from the designated discharge outlet is designated (YES in 14003), printing is performed on the designated discharge outlet by the full load detection sensors 2050 and 2051. Check if the loaded paper is full and cannot discharge any more, and if it is not full (14004: N
O) can eject the paper, so the face of the paper ejection port is R
The image is saved in the AM 1036 (14010), and the checking of the discharge designation / discharge port is completed (14005). If it is impossible to discharge the paper due to full loading (YES in 14004), it is checked whether there is any other unchecked paper discharge port. If there is no remaining discharge port (NO in 14006), the paper discharge is performed. Since the mouth cannot be selected, error processing (14009) is performed. When other paper exit remains (YE at 14006
For S), select another discharge port (14008), 140
The process from step 03 is repeated to determine the paper discharge port to discharge the paper. When the discharge port that is not full is determined, the face of the discharge port that is finally determined is saved in the RAM 1036 (1
4010), and the check of the discharge designation / discharge port is completed.

Next, returning to the process of FIG. 13, the face of the first paper ejection port stored in the process of FIG. 14 is compared with the finally determined face of the paper ejection port. (YES in 13006), the print data for one document is stored in the secondary storage device of the external memory unit 1043 (13007). Saving of print data starts (1
5001), first, it is checked whether or not the data of all pages have been saved. If not, (15)
(No in 002), select the data of the page to be saved next (15005), save the page data in the external memory unit (15006), and repeat the processing from 15002 until the data of all pages are saved. , If the data of all pages are saved (YES in 15002),
By registering that the document data is stored in the external memory 1043 in the schedule change management unit management unit 1060,
The storage of print data ends (15004). Next, each page of the selected document is scheduled (1
3006). Here, when the face is changed, the schedule change management unit 1060 is referred to and scheduling is performed so that the data sent from the host computer from the external memory unit 1043 is read in the reverse order.

For example, FD has been specified, but it is full,
When the discharge port cannot be selected and printing is performed by changing to the discharge port of the FU, four pages (1Page, 2Page, 3Page, 4Page) on one side are printed as in the conventional embodiment.
When the data of e) is sent from the host computer to the printer as shown in FIG. 5, the print surfaces are overlapped in order from the younger side of the page, as in the case of being output to the FD.
Scheduling is performed so that the data is printed in the order shown in FIG. That is, in the conventional example, assuming that the data is output face-up, data is sent from the host computer in the reverse order, so that the page scheduling unit prints the page with a young page even if the data is printed in the order of the data. Printing was performed so that the layers overlap in order from one side. In the present invention, by reading the data in reverse order from the data stored in the external memory unit 1043,
Printing from the last page is performed in the same way as when data is input when face-up is specified in the FU from the host computer, and the paper is discharged and the page order is changed to the FD as in the right of FIG. It is possible to make it the same as when the paper is discharged.

According to the scheduling, the page to be printed first is selected (13007), image information / bitmap image for the page is generated (13008), the paper discharge destination is set and transferred to the engine (13009). , Prints the transferred image and discharges it to the specified discharge destination. Then, the printing completion of all pages in the document is checked, and if printing is not completed (N in 13010,
O), 13008, 13009 are repeated, and if printing of all pages is completed (YES in 13010), 13002
Repeat the process from.

In this way, the print result is F
Even when the paper ejection port is changed to U and a paper ejection with a different face is selected, the page arrangement is as shown in FIG.
As shown on the right, the order of the print side is page, Page2, P
It is possible to use age3 and Page4.

Next, the case of double-sided printing will be described. In the normal double-sided printing process, when face-down printing is performed on the FD, double-sided printing data is sent from the host computer as shown in FIG. 17, printing is performed from the back side, and scheduling and printing are performed as shown in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG.
9 is printed in a form in which the young side of the page faces downward. Also, when printing on the FU face up,
Double-sided printing data is sent from the host computer as shown in FIG. 20, printing is performed from the front side, scheduling and printing are performed as shown in FIG. 21, and as a result, the FU
22 and the example, the print is performed with the young side of the page facing upward as shown in FIG.

In the conventional printing apparatus, as in the case of the one-sided embodiment, the FD is designated face down, but it becomes full, and the discharge port cannot be selected, and the FU is changed to the discharge port for printing. In such a case, if printing is performed with the same scheduling as it is, only the discharge port is changed as in FIG. 18, so scheduling and printing are performed as shown in FIG. 23, and as a result, the FU is discharged. As shown in Fig. 24, the paper tray is out of order,
The pages will not be printed in order.

In the present embodiment, by performing the same processing for one side as described above, it is possible to print the data designated by the FD in the same printing side on the FU even when printing on both sides. Is. In this case, FD
Is full and is printed from FU, the process is
Although it is the same as the processing in FIG. 13, FIG. 14, and FIG. 15 described above, since the face is changed in double-sided printing,
When the registration is made in the schedule change management unit 1060 in No. 5 (15003), the reverse printing is registered at the same time as the case where the front side and the back side are printed on the face-down discharge port FD. As a result, the scheduling and printing are performed as shown in FIG. 25, and the data is read out by reversing the page arrangement in the same manner as in the case of the one side and
Printing is performed in the same manner as in No. 2, and it is possible to perform printing in the same sequence as when the sheets are discharged face down in the FD.

Further, in the case of double-sided printing, as can be seen from the drawing of FIG. 24, if the paper is output to the paper ejection ports having different faces, the front and back sides will be reversed and the paper will be ejected in an overlapping manner. In the same manner as in the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to print in the same page order as the designation to the paper ejection port initially designated by the user by simply changing the printing on the front and back sides of the page without outputting the whole in reverse order. Is. In this case, face-down printing is performed for the face-up discharge tray FU, and face-up printing is performed for the face-up discharge tray FD. The processing process in this case is shown in FIG.
3 is the same as the process of FIG. 14, and the process corresponding to FIG. 15 is different only in FIG. When print data storage is started (31001), first, it is checked whether or not double-sided printing is performed. In the case of double-sided printing (31002: YES), unlike the case of single-sided printing, all data is stored in the secondary storage device. Since the page data is not saved and the face is changed in double-sided printing, the schedule change management unit 1060
When the registration is performed (31003), the printing on the front surface and the back surface is reversed as compared with the case where the face is not changed and the printing is performed as it is, and the storage of the print data is completed (31004). In the case of single-sided printing, since it is not double-sided printing (NO in 31002), the same processing as in FIG. 15 is performed as it is. Other processes are the same as the above. By performing printing in this manner, scheduling and printing are performed as shown in FIG. 32, and as a result, the discharge tray that is normally printed face-up as in FIG. 33 is the same as FD that is face-down discharged. As described above, printing is performed face down.

In the above-described structure, when paper cannot be ejected due to the paper being fully loaded in the paper ejection port from which the paper is to be ejected, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of printing by the user is eliminated, and the paper ejection port other than that designated by the user is eliminated. Even if the face is changed due to the change in F, it is possible to print the page on the print surface in the order originally intended by the user.

In the present embodiment, the printer automatically selects the paper discharge destination, but the same applies when the user manually changes the paper discharge destination from the panel or printer management software on the network. It is clear that the same effect can be obtained by performing the processing of.

(Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 1 of the present invention, an example in which the face is changed by full load detection for checking the amount of paper loaded in the discharge tray has been described.
Even when the discharge port is changed due to the function of the printer or the restriction on the mechanism and the face is changed, the same processing can be performed.

The configuration of the printer is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, but as compared with FIG. 1, a paper ejection device section for managing the operation of the paper ejection device is provided in 1047 as shown in FIG. A paper discharge device can be connected to the main body for use. FIG. 3 shows a paper discharge device 3001 of the laser beam printer of this embodiment. The paper discharge device 3001 includes a housing 2
The sheet discharging device 3 can be attached to and detached from the part indicated by FU of 001.
001 is a discharge bin 1 (3
002), paper ejection bin 2 (3003), paper ejection bin 3 (30
04), paper discharge bin 4 (3005), paper discharge pin 5 (300
6), holding the paper discharge pin 6 (3007),
Reference numeral 30 is a conveyance roller for ejecting the paper sent from the engine unit to each bin. Also, 3050-3
Reference numeral 055 denotes a flapper that switches the conveyance direction of the printed paper. For example, when the flappers of 3050 and 3054 are switched as indicated by the dotted lines, the conveyed print sheets face up and the discharge bin 3004 is ejected.
Will be led to. The ejection pin 6 (3007) is
Used as a bin when ejecting special paper such as thick paper and OHT. Further, by feeding the printing paper to this bin, it is also possible to eject the paper to the ejection bins 1 to 5 in a face down manner. In this case, first, 3050, 3051
Is set as indicated by the solid line, the sheet is once sent to 3007, and after passing the flapper of 3051, the sheet is returned by rotating the conveying roller of 3022 in the reverse direction.
By setting the flapper 3051 as shown by the dotted line, the paper is turned upside down, and by switching the flapper 3054 as shown by the dotted line, it is possible to print face down. In this way, by operating the respective flappers, it is possible to print face-up and face-down on the respective discharge bins 3002 to 3006.

Staple devices (3010, 3011, 3012, 3) capable of stapling documents discharged to the respective discharge bins 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are provided.
013, 3014) is attached. Each of the stapling devices has a structure that does not affect the discharge to other discharge pins because the staple is directly performed in each discharge bin.

Thick paper such as thick paper or OHT is often difficult to pass through the conveying path in a paper discharge device having a complicated mechanism. In the present embodiment, in the paper ejection device 3001, thick paper and OHT can be ejected only to the bin 6 or the paper ejection tray FU when the paper ejection device is not mounted. Further, the direction of the staple at the time of stapling is such that the staple is struck from the top to the bottom as shown in FIG.

Here, in the conventional printing apparatus, when the paper discharge device 3001 is used, when the thick paper or the OHT paper specifies FD, or when the paper discharge bins 1 to 5 are specified, printing is attempted. In such a case, since the conventional printing apparatus cannot eject the paper, the paper has to be ejected to the ejection pin 6 as it is, and the data for the ejection port for ejecting facedown is received as in the first embodiment. , Will be discharged to the face-up discharge port.

The printing apparatus of this embodiment is the same as the processing of FIGS. 13 and 15 of the first embodiment, and is different from FIG. 14 only in the processing corresponding to FIG. By the processing of 13005, when the check of the discharge designation / discharge port is started in FIG. 26 (26001), if the discharge port designated by the host is not designated, it is discharged according to the default setting value of the model. First, the paper outlet is selected, and the face of the paper ejection port is set to the RAM 1036 (in the second embodiment, the face of the paper ejection port is face down in the case of FD on the mechanism of the printer.
In the case of FU when the paper ejection device is not installed, or when the paper is ejected to the paper ejection bin 6, the face is up. Further, when the paper is ejected to the paper ejection bins 1 to 5, the print surface is designated by the face. There is a face-down with the print side facing up and a face-up with the print side facing up). Save to (2600
2). Here, it is checked whether the specified discharge port and face can be printed in the current configuration, and if a non-existent discharge port and face that cannot be output are specified (for example, face down 26003 with the discharge bin 6 etc.
Is NO), it is checked whether or not there is another discharge port that has not been checked, and if there is no discharge port (26006).
If NO, the paper discharge port cannot be selected, so error processing (26009) is performed. If another sheet ejection port remains (YES in 26006), another sheet ejection port is selected (26
008), and the processes from 26003 are repeated to determine the paper discharge outlet to discharge the paper. In addition, when a discharge port that can output to the specified discharge port is specified (2600
If YES in step 3), the type of the specified paper is further checked to see if a paper type that cannot be discharged to the discharge port is set, and if it is possible to discharge on the paper type (26004). If the answer is NO, the sheet can be discharged, so the face of the sheet discharge port is stored in the RAM 1036 (26010), and the sheet discharge designation / check of the sheet discharge port is completed (26005). If it is not possible to eject the specified paper of the paper type due to restrictions such as the transport route (YES in 26004), it is checked whether or not there is another paper ejection port that has not been checked. If not (2600
If NO in 6), the discharge port cannot be selected, and therefore error processing (26009) is performed. If another sheet ejection port remains (YES in 26006), another sheet ejection port is selected (2
6008) The processes from 26003 are repeated to determine the paper discharge outlet to discharge the paper. When the paper outlet that can eject the paper specified by the paper type is decided, the face of the finally decided paper ejection port (if either face can be specified, the user's designation takes precedence) The data is stored in the RAM 1036 (26010), and the check of the discharge designation / discharge port is completed. Other processes are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In the above configuration, when the sheet cannot be ejected to the ejection port designated by the user due to the restriction of the apparatus depending on the type of the sheet, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of the printing by the user is eliminated, and the ejection other than the user's designation is performed. Even when the face is changed to the paper mouth, it is possible to print in the order of pages on the print surface in the order originally intended by the user.

Further, in the conventional printing apparatus, when stapling is designated for a document while the sheet discharging apparatus 3001 is used, the sheet discharging bins 1 to 5 are designated by face-up and printing is performed. Otherwise, conventional printing devices
Since it is necessary to eject the sheets as they are, and when printing is performed with the face-down designation as in the first embodiment, the sheets are ejected to the face-up sheet ejection port as shown in FIG. The way you hit is changed.

The printing apparatus of this embodiment is the same as the processing of FIGS. 13 and 15 of the first embodiment, and is different only in the processing corresponding to FIG. 14, and is shown in FIG. By the processing of 13005, in FIG. 29, when the discharge designation / discharge port check is started (29001), if the discharge port designated by the host is not designated, it is discharged according to the default setting value of the model. First, the paper outlet is selected, and the face of the paper ejection port is set to the RAM 1036 (in the second embodiment, the face of the paper ejection port is face down in the case of FD on the mechanism of the printer.
In the case of FU when the paper ejection device is not installed, or when the paper is ejected to the paper ejection bin 6, the face is up. Further, when the paper is ejected to the paper ejection bins 1 to 5, the print surface is designated by the face. There is a face-down with the print side facing up and a face-up with the print side facing up). Save to (2900
2). Here, it is checked whether or not printing is possible with the designated paper ejection port, and if a non-existent non-outputtable paper ejection port is designated (for example, face down with the paper ejection bin 6 or the like 29
If NO in 003), it is checked whether or not there is another discharge port that has not been checked.
If NO in 006), the discharge port cannot be selected, and therefore error processing (29009) is performed. If another sheet ejection port remains (YES in 29006), another sheet ejection port is selected (29008), the processes from 29003 are repeated, and the sheet ejection port to be ejected is determined. In addition, when a paper discharge port that can output to the specified paper discharge port is specified (2
If YES in 9003), the designation of the designated staple is further checked, and it is checked whether or not a discharge port that cannot perform stapling is set. If it is possible to perform stapling (NO in 29004), Since paper is possible, the face of the discharge port is stored in the RAM 1036 (29010), and the discharge designation / check of the discharge port is completed (29005). If stapling is not possible (2
(YES in 9004), it is checked whether or not there is another discharge port that has not been checked. If there is no discharge port (NO in 29006), it is not possible to select the discharge port, and error processing is performed (29009). I do. If another sheet discharge port remains (YES in 29006), another sheet discharge port is selected (29008), and the processes from 29003 are repeated to determine the sheet discharge port to be discharged. When the discharge port through which the specified paper of the paper type can be discharged is determined, the face of the finally determined discharge port (if either face can be specified, the designation by the user is prioritized) is stored in the RAM 1
The data is saved in 036 (29010), and the check of the discharge designation / discharge port is completed. Other processes are the same as those in the first embodiment.

In the above structure, when it is not possible to discharge the sheet to the sheet discharge port designated by the user due to the regulation of the direction of the staple of the stapling device, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of the printing by the user is eliminated, and the other than the user designated. Even if the face is changed to the discharge port and the face is changed, it is possible to print in the order of pages on the print surface in the order originally intended by the user.

In the present embodiment, the printer automatically selects the paper discharge destination, but the same applies when the user manually changes the paper discharge destination from the panel or printer management software on the network. It is clear that the same effect can be obtained by performing the processing of.

Further, it is obvious that the same effect can be obtained by performing the same processing as when the paper discharge destination is changed due to restrictions on printer functions and mechanisms other than the above.

(Embodiment 3) In Embodiment 2 of the present invention, an example is shown in which the designation by the user is erroneous and the face is changed due to the limitation of the function and mechanism of the printer. If a failure causes a face change, it can be treated similarly.

The configuration of the printer is the same as that of the second embodiment, but the transport rollers, the stapling device, and the mechanism of the portion for reversing the face are provided with a failure detection device (not shown), and a failure occurs, It is possible to detect when the roller cannot rotate or staple cannot be performed, and when the mechanism for reversing the face does not move.

The printing apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as the processing of FIGS. 13 and 15 of the first embodiment, and is different from FIG. 14 only in the processing corresponding to FIG. By the processing of 13005, when the check of the discharge designation / discharge port is started in FIG. 30 (30001), the discharge port designated by the host is discharged according to the default setting value of the model if there is no designation. First, the paper outlet is selected, and the face of the paper ejection port is set to the RAM 1036 (in the second embodiment, the face of the paper ejection port is face down in the case of FD on the mechanism of the printer.
In the case of FU when the paper ejection device is not installed, or when the paper is ejected to the paper ejection bin 6, the face is up. Further, when the paper is ejected to the paper ejection bins 1 to 5, the print surface is designated by the face. There is a face-down with the print side facing up and a face-up with the print side facing up). Save to (3000
2). Here, it is checked whether the specified discharge port and face can be printed in the current configuration, and if a non-existent discharge port and face that cannot be output are specified (for example, face down 30003 with the discharge bin 6
No), it is checked whether or not there is another discharge port that has not been checked, and if there is no discharge port (30006).
If the answer is NO, the paper discharge port cannot be selected, so error processing (30009) is performed. If another sheet discharge port remains (YES in 30006), another sheet discharge port is selected (30
008), and the processing from 30003 is repeated to determine the paper discharge port for discharging paper. In addition, when a discharge port that can output to the specified discharge port is specified (3000
If YES in 3, the printer further checks for a failure on the transport path to the discharge port, and if there is no failure and the sheet can be discharged (3
(0004: NO) allows paper ejection, so the face of the paper ejection port is stored in the RAM 1036 (30010),
Finishing the paper ejection specification / paper ejection port check (3000
5). If paper cannot be ejected due to a failure of the conveyance roller, the stapling device, the mechanism for reversing the face, etc. on the conveyance path (YES in 30004), is there another ejection port that has not been checked yet? Is checked, and if no sheet remains (NO in 30006), the paper discharge port cannot be selected, so error processing (30009) is performed. If another sheet discharge port remains (YES in 30006), another sheet discharge port is selected (30008) and the process from 30003 is repeated to determine the sheet discharge port to discharge the sheet. At the time when the discharge port without failure is determined, the face of the finally determined discharge port (if either face can be designated, the designation by the user is prioritized) is stored in the RAM 1036 (300
10) The discharge designation / discharge port check is completed.

With the above configuration, and when the paper cannot be ejected to the ejection port designated by the user due to a failure of the ejection roller leading to the ejection port, the user does not have to reprint due to interruption of the printing. Even when the face is changed by changing to the discharge port other than the designation of, it is possible to print in the order of pages on the print surface in the order originally intended by the user.

Further, when the sheet cannot be ejected to the ejection port designated by the user due to a failure of the stapling device at the time of ejection, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of printing by the user is eliminated, and the ejection port other than the one designated by the user is changed. Even when the face is changed, it is possible to print the pages on the print surface in the order originally intended by the user.

Further, when the sheet cannot be ejected to the sheet ejection port designated by the user due to a failure of the reversing device for reversing the face at the time of sheet ejection, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of the printing by the user is eliminated, and other than the user designated. Even if the face is changed to the discharge port and the face is changed, it is possible to print in the order of pages on the print surface in the order originally intended by the user.

In the present embodiment, the printer automatically selects the paper discharge destination, but the same applies when the user manually changes the paper discharge destination from the panel or printer management software on the network. It is clear that the same effect can be obtained by performing the processing of.

Also, in the case of failures other than the above, if it is possible to recognize in which transport path the failure occurs, it is obvious that the same effect can be obtained by performing the same processing.

[0090]

As described above, according to the present invention having the above-described structure, the present invention has a sheet discharge outlet checking means for determining whether or not the sheet can be discharged to a designated sheet discharge outlet according to a predetermined condition. When it is impossible, in a printing apparatus having a selection unit for selecting another sheet discharge port, it is impossible to discharge the sheet to the designated sheet discharge port according to the predetermined condition, and the sheet is selected by the selection unit. A data spooling unit that can spool document data and a page scheduling unit that changes the print order of pages and prints when the face needs to be changed when the face is discharged to the discharge port. By having it, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of printing by the user is eliminated, and even when the face is changed to a paper ejection port other than the user's designation, the page order of the printing surface was originally intended by the user. Print in line It accounted if possible a.

Further, when it is not possible to discharge the paper due to the paper being fully loaded in the paper discharge port from which the paper is to be discharged, the time and effort for reprinting due to the interruption of the printing by the user is eliminated, and the paper is changed to a paper discharge port other than the user's designated Even when is changed, the page order on the printing surface can be printed first in the order intended by the user.

Further, during double-sided printing, spooling of data is not performed, and scheduling is performed to change the printing order of the front side / back side, thereby eliminating the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of printing by the user, and discharging sheets other than those designated by the user. Even if the face is changed to the mouth and the face is changed, it is possible to print the page on the printing surface in the order originally intended by the user.

Further, when the paper cannot be discharged to the discharge port specified by the user due to the restriction of the device depending on the type of paper, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of printing by the user is eliminated, and the discharge port is changed to a discharge port other than the one specified by the user. Even if the face is changed, the page order on the print surface can be printed in the order originally intended by the user.

Further, when it is not possible to discharge the sheet to the sheet discharge port designated by the user due to the regulation of the direction of the staple of the stapling device, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of the printing by the user is eliminated, and the sheet discharge port other than the user designated is changed. Even if the face is changed, it is possible to print the page on the printing surface in the order originally intended by the user.

Further, when the sheet cannot be ejected to the ejection port designated by the user due to a failure of the apparatus, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of the printing by the user is eliminated, and the ejection port other than the one designated by the user is changed to change the face. In this case, it is possible to print the pages on the printing surface first in the order intended by the user.

Further, when the sheet cannot be ejected to the sheet ejection port designated by the user due to a failure of the reversing device for reversing the face at the time of sheet ejection, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of the printing by the user is eliminated, and other than those designated by the user. Even if the face is changed to the discharge port and the face is changed, it is possible to print in the order of pages on the print surface first as the user intended.

Further, when the sheet cannot be ejected to the ejection port designated by the user due to a failure of the stapling device at the time of ejection, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of printing by the user is eliminated and the ejection port other than the one designated by the user is changed. Even if the face is changed, it is possible to print the page on the printing surface in the order originally intended by the user.

Further, when the paper cannot be ejected to the paper ejection port designated by the user due to a failure of the paper ejection roller guided to the paper ejection port, the trouble of reprinting due to the interruption of printing by the user is eliminated, and the paper ejection port other than the user's designation is eliminated. (F) Even if the face is changed due to the change, the order of pages on the printing surface can be printed first in the order intended by the user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a laser beam printer to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an engine unit of a laser beam printer to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a paper discharge device unit of a laser beam printer to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a page print execution processing procedure in a conventional printer controller.

FIG. 5 is a diagram simulating a data flow when a single-sided print mode and a face-down discharge port are set.

FIG. 6 is a diagram simulating a flow of scheduling / printing to a face-down discharge port when setting a single-sided print face-down discharge port.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a paper ejection port, a paper ejection tray, and paper when printing is performed from the face-down and face-up paper ejection ports.

FIG. 8 is a diagram simulating a data flow when a single-sided print mode and a face-up discharge port are set.

FIG. 9 is a diagram simulating the flow of scheduling / printing to the face-up paper ejection port when setting the one-sided printing and face-up paper ejection port.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a paper ejection designation / paper ejection opening check processing in a conventional printer controller.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a laser beam printer to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing a sheet discharge port, a sheet discharge tray, and a sheet when printing is performed from a face-up sheet discharge port in a conventional laser beam printer.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a page print execution processing procedure in the printer controller of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure of paper discharge designation / paper discharge port check processing in the printer controller of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of print data storage processing in the printer controller of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram simulating the flow of scheduling / printing to the face-up paper ejection port when setting the one-sided printing and face-down paper ejection port in the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically showing a data flow when setting a discharge port for double-sided printing and face-down.

FIG. 18 is a diagram simulating the flow of scheduling / printing to the face-down discharge port when setting the discharge port for double-sided printing and face-down.

FIG. 19 is a diagram schematically illustrating a sheet discharge port, a sheet discharge tray, and a sheet when printing is performed from a face-down sheet discharge port.

FIG. 20 is a diagram simulating a data flow when setting a discharge port for double-sided printing and face-up.

FIG. 21 is a diagram simulating the flow of scheduling / printing to the face-up discharge port when setting the discharge port for double-sided printing and face-up.

FIG. 22 is a diagram schematically showing a paper ejection port, a paper ejection tray, and paper when printing is performed from a face-up paper ejection port.

FIG. 23 is a diagram schematically showing a flow of scheduling / printing to a face-up paper ejection port when setting a paper ejection port for double-sided printing and face-down in a conventional laser beam printer.

FIG. 24 is a diagram schematically showing a sheet discharge port, a sheet discharge tray, and a sheet when printing is performed from a face-up sheet discharge port in a conventional laser beam printer.

FIG. 25 is a diagram schematically showing a flow of scheduling / printing to a face-up paper ejection port when setting a paper ejection port for double-sided printing and face-down according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing the processing steps of the paper discharge designation / paper discharge port check processing in the printer controller of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram schematically showing a sheet of paper and staples printed from the face-up paper ejection port when the face-up paper ejection port is set.

FIG. 28 is a diagram schematically showing a sheet of paper and staples printed from the face-up paper ejection port when the face-down paper ejection port is set in the conventional laser beam printer.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart showing the processing steps of the paper discharge designation / paper discharge port check processing in the printer controller of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a flow chart showing the processing steps of the paper discharge designation / paper discharge port check processing in the printer controller of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing the processing steps of print data storage processing in the printer controller of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a diagram simulating the flow of scheduling / printing to the face-up discharge port when setting the discharge port for double-sided printing and face-down according to the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a diagram schematically showing a paper ejection port, a paper ejection tray, and paper when printing is performed from a face-up paper ejection port according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1001 host computer 1002 communication line 1030 laser beam printer 1031 Printer controller 1032 Host I / F section 1033 I / O buffer 1034 CPU 1035 Program ROM 1036 RAM 1037 image information generation unit 1038 Bitmap image expansion / transfer unit 1039 Printer engine unit 1040 Engine I / F section 1041 operation panel section 1042 Panel I / F section 1043 External memory unit 1044 Memory I / F section 1046 Engine control unit 1055 system bus 1060 Data spool management unit 1061 Paper ejection check section 1062 page scheduling unit 2001 housing 2002 operation panel 2003 Control board storage 2004 drum unit 2005 Photosensitive drum 2006 laser driver 2007 rotating polygon mirror 2008 reflective mirror 2009 beam detector 2010 cassette 2011 Reverse Paper Feed Unit 2012 Paper feed clutch 2013 paper feed roller 2014 Registration shutter 2015 Paper feed roller 2016 Transport roller 2017 fixer 2019 paper feed tray 2020 developer 2021 pre-exposure lamp 2022 Laser scanner section 2023 Primary charger 2024 cleaner 2025 Transfer charger 2027 printing paper 2028 Registration shutter 2029 Paper feed roller 2030 flapper 2031 flapper 2032 Conveyor roller 2033 Conveyor roller 2034 Transport roller 2035 Conveyor roller 2036 Conveyor roller 2037 flapper 2038 Conveyor roller 2040 External memory unit 2050 full load sensor 2051 full load sensor

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A paper ejection port checking means for judging whether or not a paper can be ejected to a designated paper ejection port under a predetermined paper ejection impossible condition,
In a printing apparatus having a selection unit for selecting another sheet discharge port when the sheet discharge is impossible, it is impossible to discharge the sheet to the designated sheet discharge port under the predetermined condition, and the selection unit When it is necessary to change the face when ejecting paper to the selected paper ejection port, data spooling means capable of spooling document data, and a page for printing by changing the print order of pages A printing apparatus having a scheduling means. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the scheduling unit described above does not perform spooling of data during double-sided printing, but performs scheduling for changing a printing order of front side / back side. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined non-deliverable condition is that the paper outlet is full of paper. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined non-deliverable condition is a function or structural restriction of the apparatus. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the regulation is a regulation of the apparatus according to the type of paper. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the regulation is a regulation of the apparatus according to the direction of the staple of the stapling apparatus. 7. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined non-deliverable condition is a device failure. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the failure of the apparatus described above is a failure of a reversing apparatus that reverses a face during paper ejection. 9. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the failure of the apparatus described above is a failure of the stapling apparatus during paper ejection. 10. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the failure of the apparatus described above is a failure of a discharge roller that leads to a discharge port.