JP2007011575A - Print system, information processor, printer, its control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable printing to be performed always from the first tab paper sheet when the printing is performed using a plurality of sets of tab paper sheets, each of which sets consists of a plurality of tab paper sheets. <P>SOLUTION: When printing is performed using a plurality of sets of tab paper sheets, each of which sets consists of a plurality of tab paper sheets, remaining tab paper sheets are automatically discharged at the end of the printing, whereby it is made possible for the next printing to be started with the first tab paper sheet of a plurality of sets of tab paper sheets. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is a printing system that performs printing on a printing apparatus from application software on an OS, and in particular, a printing system, information processing apparatus, and printing apparatus related to printing on a sheet of a plurality of sheets such as a tabbed sheet. And a control method thereof.

  There is software called a printer driver as software for performing printing processing from an application operating on an OS (Operating System) of a computer to a printing apparatus such as a printer. A paper cassette is selected, a color processing method is set, and a paper discharging method is provided. Numerous settings such as selection are possible. When performing printing, there are a method for selecting a paper feed cassette and a method for selecting a paper type as a method for selecting a paper to be used for printing. The method for selecting a paper feed cassette includes an automatic paper feed mode for automatically specifying a paper feed cassette from the paper size used for printing, and a paper feed cassette selection mode for specifying by selecting a paper feed cassette. In the method of selecting a paper type, a paper feed cassette in which the selected type of paper is set is automatically selected. As the paper type, plain paper, thick paper, thin paper, tab paper, and the like are prepared, and it is possible to perform paper conveyance control, color processing control, and the like according to the selected paper type.

In addition, a technique is known in which the number of tab paper banks is compared with the count value when the tab paper is fed, and when tab paper is generated, it is fed by that number and shifted when discharged. (See Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-106961 A

  For example, when tab paper is selected as the paper type, a printer that supports tab paper printing can be transported without causing paper jams, printed normally, and discharged even if tabs are attached. . However, when printing is started from the first tab sheet, there is no problem with multiple sheets of tab sheets, such as tab sheets. In some cases, printing is performed from fractional sheets of paper, and the expected print result may not be obtained.

  Therefore, in the present invention, when printing on a sheet of a plurality of sheets such as tab paper, a means for determining whether or not a fraction is generated by printing is provided, and the tab of the fraction is displayed at the end of printing. A means for discharging the paper is provided. Accordingly, an object is to always enable printing from the first tab sheet.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing system according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A printing system comprising a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus connected via a communication medium,
A paper type setting means for setting a paper type used for printing in the printing apparatus;
Discriminating means for discriminating the paper type set by the paper type setting means;
A tab sheet print setting unit configured to set tab sheet printing when the sheet type is tab sheet as a result of the determination by the determination unit;
In the tab sheet print setting means, the operator can set the number of tab sheets in one set.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing system according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An information processing apparatus connected to a printing apparatus via a communication medium,
A paper type setting means for setting a paper type used for printing in the printing apparatus;
Discriminating means for discriminating the paper type set by the paper type setting means;
A tab sheet print setting unit configured to set tab sheet printing when the sheet type is tab sheet as a result of the determination by the determination unit;
In the tab sheet print setting means, the operator can set the number of tab sheets in one set.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing system according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A printing apparatus capable of printing using a plurality of sets of specific sheets of a plurality of sheets,
A paper type setting means for setting a paper type used for printing;
Discriminating means for discriminating the paper type set by the paper type setting means;
As a result of determination by the determination unit, a specific sheet print setting unit configured to set a specific sheet print when the sheet type is a specific sheet;
In the specific sheet print setting means, the operator can set the number of tab sheets in one set.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing system according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A printing system control method comprising a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus connected via a communication medium,
A paper type setting process for setting a paper type used for printing in the printing apparatus;
A discriminating step for discriminating the paper type set in the paper type setting step;
A tab sheet print setting step for setting tab sheet printing when the sheet type is tab sheet as a result of the determination in the determination step;
In the tab sheet print setting step, the operator can set the number of tab sheets in one set.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing system according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A method for controlling an information processing apparatus connected to a printing apparatus via a communication medium,
A paper type setting process for setting a paper type used for printing in the printing apparatus;
A discriminating step for discriminating the paper type set in the paper type setting step;
A tab sheet printing setting step for setting tab sheet printing when the sheet type is tab sheet as a result of the determination in the determining step;
In the tab sheet print setting step, the operator can set the number of tab sheets in one set.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing system according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A control method of a printing apparatus capable of printing by using a plurality of sets of specific sheets of a plurality of sheets,
A paper type setting process for setting the paper type used for printing;
A discriminating step for discriminating the paper type set in the paper type setting step;
As a result of the determination in the determination step, there is a specific paper print setting step for setting specific paper printing when the paper type is specific paper,
In the specific sheet print setting step, the operator can set the number of tab sheets in one set.

  When printing on multiple sheets of paper, such as tab paper, insert a blank sheet and discharge the fractions so that no fractions appear at the end of printing. It is possible to print from the first tab sheet of the set and prevent an unexpected print result.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the constituent elements described in this embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printer control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, as long as the functions of the present invention are executed, a single device or a system composed of a plurality of devices can be connected via a network such as a LAN or WAN. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a system in which processing is performed.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer, which is a document processing in which figures, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets), etc. are mixed based on a document processing program stored in the ROM 3 program ROM or the external memory 11. The CPU 1 generally controls each device connected to the system bus 4. The ROM 3 program ROM or external memory 11 stores an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS) which is a control program for the CPU 1 and is used in the font ROM or external memory 11 of the ROM 3 for the above document processing. Font data and the like to be stored are stored, and various data used when the document processing is performed is stored in the data ROM of the ROM 3 or the external memory 11.

  The RAM 2 functions as a main memory and work area for the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls key input from a keyboard (KB) 9 or a pointing device (not shown). A CRT controller (CRTC) 6 controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 10. The disk controller (DKC) 7 is a hard disk (HD) or floppy (registered trademark) disk (which stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, a printer control command generation program (hereinafter referred to as a printer driver), etc. FD) or the like is controlled. A printer controller (PRTC) 8 is connected to the printer 1500 via a predetermined bidirectional interface 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1500. The CPU 1 executes, for example, an outline font rasterization process on the display information RAM set on the RAM 2 to enable WYSIWYG on the CRT 10. The CPU 1 opens various windows registered based on commands instructed by a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing. When executing printing, the user can open a window relating to print settings, and set the print processing method for the printer driver, including printer settings and print mode selection.

  In the printer 1500, the printer CPU 12 outputs to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13 or a control program stored in the external memory 14. An image signal as information is output. Further, the control program of the CPU 12 and the like are stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13. The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data used when generating the output information, and the ROM 13 data ROM is used on the host computer in the case of a printer without the external memory 14 such as a hard disk. Information to be stored is stored. The CPU 12 can communicate with the host computer via the input unit 18, and is configured to be able to communicate information in the printer and the like with the host computer 3000. The RAM 19 functions as a main memory and work area for the CPU 12. Further, the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The RAM 19 is used as an output information expansion area, environment data storage area, NVRAM, and the like. Access to the external memory 14 such as the hard disk (HD), floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD), and IC card is controlled by a disk controller (DKC) 20. The external memory 14 is connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like. The operation unit 1501 is provided with operation switches and operation panels such as an LED display. Further, the external memory 14 described above is not limited to one device (HD, FD, IC card), and is provided with at least one and interprets an optional font card and a printer control language having a different language system in addition to a built-in font. A plurality of external memories storing programs may be connected. Further, the external memory 14 may have NVRAM or the like and store printer mode setting information from the operation unit 1501.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a typical printing system in a host computer 3000 in which a printing apparatus such as a printer is directly connected to the host computer 3000 via a serial interface, a parallel interface, or the like, or connected via a network. . The application 201, the graphic engine 202, the printer driver 203, and the system spooler 204 exist as files stored in the external memory 11, and when executed, are loaded into the RAM 2 and executed by the OS and modules using the modules. It is a program module. Further, the application 201 and the printer driver 203 can be added to the HD of the external memory 11 via the HD or FD of the external memory 11 or a CD-ROM (not shown) or a network (not shown). . The application 201 stored in the external memory 11 is loaded into the RAM 2 and executed. When printing is performed from the application 201 to the printer 1500, the graphic that is similarly loaded into the RAM 2 and executable. Output (drawing) is performed using the engine 202. Similarly, the graphic engine 202 loads the printer driver 203 prepared for each printing apparatus from the external memory 11 to the RAM 2, and converts the output of the application 210 into a printer control command using the printer driver 203. The converted printer control command is output to the printer 1500 via the interface 21 via the system spooler 204 loaded into the RAM 2 by the OS, and is printed.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a user interface of a printer driver that issues a print instruction by selecting a paper type. First, in the printer driver shown in FIG. 3, “General”, “Details”, “Page Settings”, “Finish”, “Paper Feed”, “Print Quality”, and “Device Settings” can be selected as setting tab screens. On this “paper feed” tab screen, it is possible to select “designate by paper feeder” or “designate by paper type” as a paper designation method. When “Specify by paper type” is selected, printing is performed from paper types such as “regular paper”, “recycled paper”, “colored paper”, “OHP paper”, “tab paper”, etc., registered in advance The paper type to be selected can be selected. At this time, when “tab sheet” which is a set of a plurality of sheets is selected, “tab sheet setting” displayed as a button in FIG. 3 can be further selected. FIG. 4 shows a UI displayed when the “tab sheet setting” button in FIG. 3 is selected. This tab sheet setting UI is used to register the number of tabs in one set and to set whether or not to automatically eject a fraction when printing is completed with a fraction. In the example of FIG. 3, 2 to 10 tab sheets can be selected as one set, and here, 5 sheets are set as the number of tab sheets in one set. Is set to discharge automatically.

  The actual flow of control in the printer driver when designation by the paper type is selected as the paper feeding method and tab paper is selected as the paper type on the printer driver setting screen shown in FIGS. The control flow will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the printer driver is instructed to start printing (S501), the printer driver user interface determines whether or not tab paper is selected as the paper type (S502). The print data is transferred to the printing apparatus, and normal printing processing is performed (S503). If it has been selected, the page counter M that counts the number of pages of print data is initialized (S504), and then the print data delivered from the application software is stored in a page by the printer driver. (S505) and the number of stored pages is counted by the page counter M (S506). When the saving of all pages is completed (S507), the number of pages added by the page counter M is calculated to calculate the number of tab sheets N that is a multiple of the number N of tab sheets. Is obtained (S508). For example, when printing 12 pages of print data on a single tab sheet of 5 sheets, if 3 sheets are added and the print data is 15 pages, the number of tab sheets in one set is a multiple of 5 sheets. It becomes. That is, in this case, at the end of printing, three fractions are generated on the tab sheet, and these three sheets become the fractional number P to be automatically discharged. Next, blank data corresponding to the fractional number P obtained in this process is generated (S510 to S511), and when all are completed (S509), the print data from the application software saved by the printer driver and the fractional number P are obtained. The blank paper data is transferred to the printing apparatus to execute printing (S512).

  In other words, in the above example, three sets of five tab sheets are used for 12 pages of print data, and a total of 15 tab sheets are used. According to the control flow of the printer driver shown in FIG. 5, print data for three blank pages is generated for the three tab sheets generated. As a result, the print data of 3 blank pages is added to the original print data of 12 pages, and the total of 15 pages of print data is obtained. It will be printed and ejected from the printer.

  As a result, no fraction is generated by printing on the tab sheet, and printing on the next tab sheet can be performed from the first page of the tab sheet set.

  In the above embodiment, the blank tab data is discharged by printing the blank page data, but of course, it may be realized by a page break instruction for the number of sheets. In this case, the paper is simply discharged without print data due to the page break. In addition, the number of tab sheets is acquired by registering the number of tab sheets in one set using the printer driver UI, but the number of tab sheets set / registered on the printing apparatus side is acquired through communication between the printer driver and the printing apparatus. It doesn't matter.

  Further, the printing apparatus alone may be provided with all the configurations of the present invention, and in that case, the setting of the number of tabs and whether to discharge the fractional tab sheets are set from the operation panel of the printing apparatus.

  The present invention is a system comprising an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer and a printing apparatus such as a printer. This is a printing system that enables printing on various printing apparatuses by incorporating software (printer driver or the like) for printing on the printing apparatus into an operating system (OS) on the information processing apparatus. A feature of the present invention resides in the control of a printer driver that performs printing on a specific sheet that is a set of a plurality of sheets such as a sheet with a tab. A specific sheet 1 set number acquisition unit that acquires the number of one set of specific sheets that are one set of a plurality of sheets, and a print number calculation unit that calculates the total number of specific sheets required for printing. The specific sheet 1 set number acquisition unit and the print number calculation unit obtain the fractional number generated by printing, and instruct the printing apparatus to discharge the specific number of sheets after printing. This has a function of preventing the next printing from being started from a specific sheet of fractions.

  The specific sheet 1 set number acquisition unit is set by the user using an input unit provided in the user interface of the printer driver. Alternatively, it is possible to acquire the number of one set of specific sheets set on the printing apparatus side via a communication unit (serial interface, parallel interface, LAN, WAN, etc.) connecting the printing apparatus and the printer driver.

  The fractional number of sheets can be discharged by generating blank sheet data for the fractional number of sheets by the printer driver, or by sending a paper discharge command for instructing discharge of the fractional number of sheets. Whether or not the fractional number of sheets is discharged can be determined by a setting by the user interface of the printer driver.

[Other Embodiments]
The above is the description of the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and may be configured to achieve the functions shown in the claims or the functions of the configurations of the embodiments. Anything is applicable.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and store the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium and program storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  The storage medium for supplying the program code is, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD + R, DVD + RW. Magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, etc. can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a typical print data generation method in a host computer. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer driver UI that instructs a paper feeding method based on a paper type. FIG. 10 is a printer driver UI diagram for performing detailed settings when tab paper is selected as the paper type. It is a flowchart of the control flow which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention.

Claims (16)

A printing system comprising a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus connected via a communication medium,
A paper type setting means for setting a paper type used for printing in the printing apparatus;
Discriminating means for discriminating the paper type set by the paper type setting means;
A tab sheet print setting unit configured to set tab sheet printing when the sheet type is tab sheet as a result of the determination by the determination unit;
In the tab sheet print setting means, an operator can set the number of tab sheets in one set.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the tab sheet print setting unit can further set whether or not to discharge a tab sheet that is a fraction when printing is completed. An information processing apparatus connected to a printing apparatus via a communication medium,
A paper type setting means for setting a paper type used for printing in the printing apparatus;
Discriminating means for discriminating the paper type set by the paper type setting means;
A tab sheet print setting unit configured to set tab sheet printing when the sheet type is tab sheet as a result of the determination by the determination unit;
An information processing apparatus, wherein the tab sheet print setting means allows an operator to set the number of tab sheets in one set.   4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the tab sheet print setting unit can further set whether or not to discharge a tab sheet that is a fraction when printing is completed. A printing apparatus capable of printing using a plurality of sets of specific sheets of a plurality of sheets,
A paper type setting means for setting a paper type used for printing;
Discriminating means for discriminating the paper type set by the paper type setting means;
As a result of determination by the determination unit, a specific sheet print setting unit configured to set a specific sheet print when the sheet type is a specific sheet;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific sheet print setting means allows an operator to set the number of tab sheets in one set.   6. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the specific sheet print setting unit can further set whether or not to discharge a specific sheet that is a fraction when printing is completed.   The printing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the specific sheet is a tab sheet. A printing system control method comprising a printing apparatus and an information processing apparatus connected via a communication medium,
A paper type setting process for setting a paper type used for printing in the printing apparatus;
A discriminating step for discriminating the paper type set in the paper type setting step;
A tab sheet print setting step for setting tab sheet printing when the sheet type is tab sheet as a result of the determination in the determination step;
A method for controlling a printing system, wherein an operator can set the number of tab sheets in one set in the tab sheet print setting step.   9. The control method for a printing system according to claim 8, wherein the tab sheet print setting step can further set whether or not to discharge a tab sheet that is a fraction at the end of printing. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus connected to a printing apparatus via a communication medium,
A paper type setting process for setting a paper type used for printing in the printing apparatus;
A discriminating step for discriminating the paper type set in the paper type setting step;
A tab sheet printing setting step for setting tab sheet printing when the sheet type is tab sheet as a result of the determination in the determining step;
A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, wherein an operator can set the number of tab sheets in one set in the tab sheet print setting step.   11. The control method for an information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein in the tab sheet print setting step, it is further possible to set whether or not to discharge a tab sheet that is a fraction when printing is completed. A control method of a printing apparatus capable of printing by using a plurality of sets of specific sheets of a plurality of sheets,
A paper type setting process for setting the paper type used for printing;
A discriminating step for discriminating the paper type set in the paper type setting step;
As a result of the determination in the determination step, there is a specific paper print setting step for setting specific paper printing when the paper type is specific paper,
A method for controlling a printing apparatus, characterized in that an operator can set the number of tab sheets in one set in the specific sheet print setting step.   13. The method of controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the specific paper print setting step can further set whether or not to discharge a specific paper as a fraction when printing is completed.   14. The method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the specific sheet is a tab sheet.   A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 8.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 15.

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