JP2005081749A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer which does not have to do wasteful printing due to a user's unintended printing or have to make the user perform an operation again. <P>SOLUTION: A backing-sheet detecting means, which detects whether or not sheets placed in at least two paper feed trays are backing sheets, is arranged, and a specified sheet is transferred to an output means when detected. When the specified sheet is not detected, alarm information for issuing an alarm about the nondetection of the specified sheet is output. When the user makes a printing request, for example, in the case where the backing sheet is not set in the paper feed tray though the user wants to do the printing by using the backing sheet, after that, the printer requests the user to make a choice among alternatives. Thus, a printing method can be changed only by making the choice, even if a printing setting is not changed by the user himself/herself. Consequently, the problems of the wasteful use of the sheet and the unintended printing are easily solved than in a first operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is a printing apparatus having a plurality of paper feed trays and equipped with a function for detecting whether or not the paper placed on the paper feed tray is a back paper (reused paper (paper already printed on the back)). About.

Various printing apparatuses that print an image formed from image data on paper, such as a copying machine (copying machine), a facsimile machine, and a printer, are widely used.
In such a printing apparatus, in recent years, backing paper has been increasingly used from the viewpoint of saving resources in efforts to deal with environmental problems.
Conventionally, for printing devices with a back paper detection function, a method has been proposed in which a sensor is provided in the paper feed unit to detect whether the loaded paper is plain paper or back paper, and the result is used to control printing. ing.
JP-A-11-305604 JP 10-312091 A

In Patent Document 1, printing is specified on the back paper. However, when the back paper is not in the paper feed cassette due to the detection of the back paper, the paper is automatically printed on the normal paper. It describes a technique for automatic switching, such as automatically printing one side on a backing paper when it is not included.
In this way, normal paper and backing paper are automatically used properly, so incorrect printing and resources such as double-sided printing on the backing paper or large amounts of single-sided printing on plain paper by user operation Is prevented from being wasted.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, when the back paper is set in the paper feed cassette, the fact that the back paper is set is displayed on the external device, and the back paper is set in all the paper feed cassettes. In some cases, a technique is described in which double-sided printing is disabled and an external device is displayed so that plain paper is fed into a paper feed cassette, or double-sided printing is prohibited and cannot be selected.

In the technique described in Patent Document 1, for example, when the user is trying to print on the back paper, the back paper is automatically printed on plain paper because it is not set in the paper feed cassette. On the other hand, since it is different from the user's will, useless printing is performed.
Similarly, when double-sided printing is specified but plain paper is not included, printing is automatically performed on one side of the back paper one by one.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 2, if double-sided printing is specified but back paper is inserted, double-sided printing is canceled or plain paper is displayed in the paper feed cassette when double-sided printing is disabled. The However, the user's will may be to print on one side of the backing paper if plain paper is not present. Even in such a case, the user has to restart the operation from the beginning. It will take.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus that does not need to perform unnecessary printing due to unintended printing by the user and does not require the user to redo the operation.

In the invention described in claim 1, at least two paper feed trays on which paper is placed, and a back paper detection means for detecting whether or not the paper placed in the paper feed tray is a back paper, Print data acquisition means for acquiring image data to be printed, paper specification information acquisition means for acquiring paper specification information for specifying plain paper or backing paper, and output for outputting an image formed from the acquired image data to paper And a transfer unit that transfers the sheet to the output unit when the sheet specified by the acquired sheet specifying information is detected by the back sheet detecting unit, and a sheet specified by the acquired sheet specifying information. Is detected by the backing paper detection means, the printing apparatus is provided with warning means for outputting warning information to that effect, thereby achieving the object.
In the invention according to claim 2, in the printing apparatus according to claim 1, when the paper designation information designates a backing paper and the backing paper is not detected by the backing paper detection means, the warning means includes: Information for displaying that there is no backing paper is output as warning information.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the paper designation information designates a backing paper, and the backing paper is not detected by the backing paper detection means, and plain paper is detected. In this case, the warning means outputs information for displaying a choice of whether to print one side at a time on plain paper, double-sided printing on plain paper, or replenishing the backing paper as warning information. .
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, when the paper designation information designates double-sided printing of plain paper and the plain paper is not detected by the backing paper detection means, the warning is issued. The means is characterized in that information for displaying that there is no plain paper is output as warning information.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the paper designation information designates double-sided printing of plain paper, and the plain paper is not detected by the backing paper detection means. When the warning is detected, the warning means outputs, as warning information, a display for displaying an option of printing one side at a time on the back paper or supplying plain paper.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the printing apparatus according to the third or fifth aspect further comprises selection information acquisition means for acquiring selection information selected corresponding to the warning information output from the warning means, The transfer unit transfers a sheet corresponding to the acquired selection information to the output unit.

  According to the present invention, when the paper designated by the paper designation information is not detected by the backing paper detection means, warning information is output to warn to that effect. No need to go or redo the user.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, taking a printer apparatus connected to an external apparatus such as a personal computer as an example.
FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration example of a printer apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a printer controller unit, a paper feed tray, a backing paper detection unit, a transfer unit, and an output unit.

The printer controller unit print data acquisition means for acquiring image data to be printed, paper specification information acquisition means for acquiring paper designation information for designating plain paper or backing paper, and when the paper designated by the paper designation information is not detected It functions as warning means for outputting warning information to that effect, and selection information acquisition means for acquiring selection information selected corresponding to the output warning information.
That is, the printer controller unit is connected to an external device (including a network connection) such as a personal computer (personal computer), and is supplied with image data to be printed, paper to be printed, and print format. Control information (paper designation information) for designating (single-sided printing or double-sided printing) is acquired. Then, by controlling each part of the paper feed tray, back paper detection means, transfer means, and output means, a control signal (paper designation indicating whether to form an image to be printed from the acquired image data or to use the back paper (Information) to print on the back paper.
In addition, when there is no paper designated by the control signal, the printer controller unit outputs warning information to that effect to the external device, and acquires selection information selected corresponding to this warning and supplied from the external device. It is like that. The printer controller unit obtains the selection information acquired from the external device, for example, when the selection information instructing printing on each side of the backing paper is issued in response to the warning when there is no plain paper in the duplex printing designation, Each unit is controlled so that an image based on image data is printed on one side.

  When applied to a facsimile machine as a printing apparatus, the printer controller unit is connected to a personal computer or the like, and is connected to another facsimile machine connected to a telephone line network or a facsimile network as an external terminal. In this case, the printer controller unit obtains image data from an external device, obtains paper designation information and selection information from the input unit of the facsimile apparatus, and obtains warning information from the display unit ( Output to a liquid crystal display screen).

  In addition, when applied to a copying apparatus as a printing apparatus, the printer controller unit acquires image data from an image reading unit that reads a document placed on the document placing unit, and receives sheet designation information and selection information from the copying apparatus. Paper designation information is acquired by input from the input unit, and warning information is output to a display unit (liquid crystal display screen or the like) of the copying machine.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer device includes a plurality of paper feed trays on which various types of paper such as paper of different sizes and plain paper and backing paper are placed.

Each of these paper feed trays is provided with a back paper detecting means for detecting whether the paper placed on the paper feed tray is a back paper or plain paper.
The backing paper detection means detects whether the backing paper or the plain paper based on a detection signal from a reflection type photo sensor disposed below the paper feed tray. That is, when N (for example, 10) reflection type photosensors are arranged below the paper feed tray and n (N> n, for example, 8) or more of them output black portion detection signals. The back paper detecting means detects that the back paper is placed on the paper feed tray, and detects that the plain paper is placed when less than n output black detection signals.

Note that the back paper detection means is not only used when the reflective photo sensor is arranged below the paper feed tray, but also with the described surface of the back paper facing up so that the presence of the back paper can be easily recognized. In the case of the paper feed tray to be placed and the transfer means, a reflection type photo sensor is arranged above the paper feed tray.
Further, the present invention is not limited to these methods, and other methods may be used to detect whether the paper placed on the paper feed tray is the back paper or the plain paper.

The transfer means transfers the paper from the paper feed tray on which the back paper is set or the plain paper is set to the output means in accordance with a signal for controlling whether to use the back paper or the plain paper from the printer controller unit. It is like that.
The output means outputs the image formed by the printer controller unit to the paper transferred by the transfer means.

The operation of the printer apparatus according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described.
(1) First Operation FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the first operation.
This first operation is an operation performed when an external device requests printing on the back paper.
When image data to be printed and paper designation information for designating the back paper are supplied from the external device, the printer controller unit accepts a print request (step 21).
Then, the printer controller unit controls each backing paper detection means to detect the backing paper (step 22), and determines whether or not the backing paper is set in the paper feed tray (step 23).
If the paper size is defined, the back paper is detected for the lease paper feed tray in which the designated size paper is placed (the same applies to the following operations). .

If the back paper is set in the paper feed tray (step 23; Y), the printer controller unit controls the transfer means to transfer the back paper from the detected tray to the output means, and controls the output means. The image of the acquired image data is printed on the back paper (step 26).
On the other hand, when the back paper is not set in the paper feed tray (step 23; N), the printer controller unit outputs warning information for displaying that the back paper is not set to the external device (step 24). ). The warning information may be predetermined predetermined code information indicating that the backing paper is not set, or may be image information to be displayed on the display unit of the external device (the following operations are also the same).
FIG. 3 shows an example of a warning screen that is displayed on the display unit of the external device and warns that the backing paper is not set in the paper feed tray.

  In the external apparatus displaying the warning information, a new print setting screen is displayed, and the set new print settings (such as paper designation) are supplied to the printer controller unit (step 25), and the printer controller unit is supplied. Printing is executed based on the settings (step 26).

As described above, when the backing paper is not set in the paper feed cassette by the first operation, for example, "No backing paper is set!" By indicating that there is no backing paper, the user can recognize that there is no backing paper and perform unintended printing (printing on plain paper wastefully), or the user can This eliminates the problem of taking time and effort.
In other words, if you want to print using the backing paper, but the backing paper is not set in the paper feed tray, you can know when the user issues a print request. If not set, double-sided printing can be selected again, so that the problem of wasteful use of paper or unintended printing can be solved.

(2) Second Operation The second operation is a modification of the first operation, and is another operation in the case where printing with a backing paper is requested from an external device.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the second operation.
When image data to be printed and paper designation information for designating the back paper are supplied from the external device, the printer controller unit accepts a print request (step 41).
Next, the printer controller controls each backing paper detection means to detect the backing paper (step 42), and determines whether the backing paper is set in the paper feed tray (step 43).

When the back paper is set in the paper feed tray (step 43; Y), the printer controller unit controls the transfer means according to the first selected print setting and removes the back paper from the detected tray. The image of the image data transferred to the output means and acquired by controlling the output means is printed on the backing paper (step 49).
On the other hand, if the back paper is not set in the paper feed tray (step 43; N), the printer controller unit displays a warning for displaying that the back paper is not set, and the user's options for the warning. The warning information is output to the external device (step 44).

FIG. 5 illustrates a warning screen displayed on the display unit of the external device in the second operation.
As shown in FIG. 5, by outputting warning information, is a warning that there is no backing paper on the display unit of the external device, and (a) whether printing is performed on plain paper as it is (one side at a time)? (B) Is double-sided printing on plain paper? (C) Is the backing paper set in the paper feed tray? , Choices are displayed.

When the user selects any one of the options on the warning screen displayed on the display unit of the external device, selection information for specifying the selected item is supplied from the external device to the printer controller unit, and the printer controller The section determines which option has been selected from the selection information (step 45).
When the selection information is (a), the printer controller unit controls the transfer means to transfer plain paper and executes single-sided printing with plain paper (step 46).
On the other hand, if the selection information is (b), the printer controller unit controls the transfer unit to transfer plain paper, and executes double-sided printing with plain paper (step 47).
If the selection information is (c), the printer controller unit controls the backing paper detection means to determine whether the backing paper is set in the paper feed tray (step 48). When the selection information is set (step 48). Y), printing is performed under the first selected condition (step 49).

As described above, in the second operation, as in the first operation, when the back paper is not set, the external device indicates that the back paper is not inserted and prints one side at a time on plain paper. By displaying options such as whether to perform double-sided printing on plain paper or set the backing paper before executing, printing that was not intended by the user or troublesome reworking operations We propose a method for solving this problem.
In other words, if you want to print using the backing paper, but the backing paper is not loaded in the paper feed tray, when the user issues a print request, you will be prompted to select from the options. Even if you do not change the print settings yourself, you can change the printing method by simply selecting it. This eliminates the problem of wasteful use of paper and unintentional printing than the first operation. Is done.

(3) Third Operation This third operation is another operation when double-sided printing is supplied from an external device.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the third operation.
This first operation is an operation performed when an external device requests printing on the back paper.
When the image data to be printed and the paper designation information for designating the back paper are supplied from the external device, the printer controller unit accepts the print request (step 61).
Then, the printer controller unit controls each backing paper detection means to detect plain paper (step 62), and determines whether plain paper is set in the paper feed tray (step 63).

If plain paper is set in the paper feed tray (step 63; Y), the printer controller unit controls the transfer means to transfer plain paper from the detected tray to the output means, and controls the output means. The image of the acquired image data is printed on both sides of the plain paper (step 26).
On the other hand, if plain paper is not set in the paper feed tray (step 63; N), the printer controller unit outputs warning information for displaying that plain paper is not loaded to the external device (step 24). .
FIG. 7 illustrates a warning screen that is displayed on the display unit of the external device and warns that plain paper is not set in the paper feed tray.

  In the external apparatus displaying the warning information, a new print setting screen is displayed, and the set new print settings (such as paper designation) are supplied to the printer controller unit (step 65), and the printer controller unit is supplied. Printing is executed based on the settings (step 66).

As described above, when the plain paper is not set in the paper feed cassette by the third operation, at the stage of printing designation, for example, “no plain paper is set!” By indicating that there is no plain paper, the user can recognize that there is no plain paper and perform unintended printing (printing one side of the back paper), or the user can It can solve the problem that it takes time and effort.
In other words, if you want to perform double-sided printing, but plain paper is not set in the paper feed tray, you can know when the user issues a print request, so paper is fed or only the back paper is set. Then, since it is possible to select one-side printing or the like again, it is possible to solve the problem of wasteful use of paper by misprinting (double printing) or unintended printing.

(4) Fourth Operation The fourth operation is a modification of the second operation, and is another operation when double-sided printing is requested from an external device.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the fourth operation.
When image data to be printed and paper designation information for designating double-sided printing on plain paper are supplied from the external device, the printer controller unit accepts a print request (step 81).
Next, the printer controller unit controls each backing paper detection means to detect plain paper (step 82), and determines whether plain paper is set in the paper feed tray (step 83).

When the back paper is set in the paper feed tray (step 83; Y), the printer controller unit controls the transfer means according to the first selected print setting to remove plain paper from the detected tray. The image of the image data transferred to the output means and acquired by controlling the output means is printed on both sides of the plain paper (step 88).
On the other hand, when plain paper is not set in the paper feed tray (step 83; N), the printer controller unit displays a warning for displaying that plain paper is not set and a user's option for the warning. The warning information is output to the external device (step 84).

FIG. 9 illustrates a warning screen displayed on the display unit of the external device in the fourth operation.
As shown in FIG. 9, by outputting warning information, a warning that plain paper does not exist on the display unit of the external device, and (a) whether single-sided printing is performed on the back paper? (B) Is plain paper set in the paper feed tray? Choices are displayed.

When the user selects any one of the options on the warning screen displayed on the display unit of the external device, selection information for specifying the selected item is supplied from the external device to the printer controller unit, and the printer controller The section determines which option has been selected from the selection information (step 84).
When the selection information is (a), the printer controller unit controls the transfer means to transfer the back paper and executes single-sided printing on the back paper (step 86).
On the other hand, if the selection information is (b), the printer controller unit controls the backing paper detection means to determine whether plain paper has been set in the paper feed tray (step 87), and if it has been set (step 87; Y) Printing is performed under the first selected condition (step 88).

As described above, when the plain paper is not set by the fourth operation, the external device indicates that no plain paper is inserted and prints one side at a time on the back paper or after setting the plain paper. This eliminates the problem of displaying options such as whether to execute, printing unintended by the user, and troublesome operations such as redoing the operation.
In other words, if you want to perform duplex printing but plain paper is not loaded in the paper feed tray, when the user issues a print request, you will be prompted to select from the options, so you can set the print settings yourself. Even if it is not changed, the printing method can be changed by simply selecting it. Therefore, the paper is used more easily than in the third aspect, and misprinting (double printing) is wasted, or unintended printing is performed. The problem is solved.

1 is a configuration diagram when a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a printer apparatus. It is a flowchart showing about the 1st operation in this embodiment. In this embodiment, it is explanatory drawing which illustrated the warning screen which warns that the back paper is not set to the paper feed tray displayed on the display part of an external device. It is a flowchart showing about the 2nd operation in this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which illustrated the warning screen displayed on the display part of an external device in 2nd operation | movement of this embodiment. It is a flowchart showing the 3rd operation in this embodiment. In this embodiment, it is explanatory drawing which illustrated the warning screen which warns that the plain paper is not set to the paper feed tray displayed on the display part of an external device. It is a flowchart showing the 4th operation in this embodiment. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a warning screen displayed on the display unit of the external device in the fourth operation of the embodiment.

Claims (6)

At least two paper feed trays on which paper is placed;
A backing paper detection means for detecting whether or not the paper placed in the paper feed tray is a backing paper;
Print data acquisition means for acquiring image data to be printed;
Paper designation information acquisition means for acquiring paper designation information for designating plain paper or backing paper,
Output means for outputting an image formed from the acquired image data to paper;
A transfer means for transferring the paper to the output means when the paper specified by the acquired paper specification information is detected by the backing paper detection means;
Warning means for outputting warning information to warn that if the paper specified by the acquired paper specification information is not detected by the backing paper detection means;
A printing apparatus comprising: When the paper designation information designates a backing paper and the backing paper is not detected by the backing paper detection means,
The warning means outputs information for displaying that there is no backing paper as warning information.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. When the paper designation information designates a back paper, and the back paper is not detected by the back paper detection means, and plain paper is detected,
2. The warning means outputs, as warning information, information for displaying an option of printing one side at a time on plain paper, duplex printing on plain paper, or replenishing a backing paper. The printing apparatus as described in. When the paper designation information designates double-sided printing of plain paper and the plain paper is not detected by the backing paper detection means,
The warning means outputs information for displaying that there is no plain paper as warning information.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. When the paper designation information designates plain paper duplex printing, and the plain paper is not detected by the back paper detection means, and the back paper is detected,
The warning means outputs, as warning information, a display for displaying an option of printing one side at a time on the back paper or replenishing plain paper.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. Selection information acquisition means for acquiring selection information selected corresponding to the warning information output from the warning means,
The transfer means transfers paper corresponding to the acquired selection information to the output means;
The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the printing apparatus is a printer.

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