JP2007328169A - Paper feeding control method for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer having a paper feeding control part capable of feeding paper in parallel from a plurality of paper feeding parts, wherein a paper feeding operation can be performed even when the paper ejection destination specified by an external apparatus control part at the feeding time is changed to other one in the case an instruction to feed the paper is given in such a state that the paper is stopped as a fed-out paper in the paper feeder, and a printing operation can be started again without causing the waste of paper and burdens on an apparatus operator. <P>SOLUTION: In reply to the instruction to feed the paper in such the state that the paper is stopped as the fed-out paper in the paper feeder, and when the paper ejection destination specified by the external apparatus control part at the paper feeding time is changed to other one, the paper ejection destination is confirmed, and when it is possible to eject the paper to the changed destination, the effect is transmitted, and the printing operation is started again. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a paper feed control method for a printing apparatus.

  1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 show a conventional printing apparatus. In the block diagram of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, 1 is a printing apparatus, 2 is an external apparatus for instructing printing to the image forming system 4, 3 is a control unit of the external apparatus 2, 4 is an image forming system, and 6 is paper. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on the screen, 7 is a control unit of the image forming apparatus 6, 5 is a print control unit for starting the image forming apparatus 6, 8 is a paper feeding unit for feeding paper and paper fed , 9 is a control unit of the paper feeding device 8, and 10 is connected to a front stage of the paper feeding device 8, and is an additional paper feeding unit for feeding paper. And an additional sheet feeder having a conveyance path for conveying the fed sheet to the image forming apparatus 6, 11 is a control unit of the additional sheet feeder 10, and 12 is a sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus 6. A paper discharge device having a paper discharge unit 13 is a control unit of the paper discharge device 12.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the printing apparatus 1. 14 is an upper sheet feeding unit, 15 is a lower sheet feeding unit, 16 is an additional upper sheet feeding unit, 17 is an additional lower sheet feeding unit, 18 is an upper sheet discharging unit, 19 is a lower sheet discharging unit, and 20 is a photosensitive drum, Reference numeral 21 denotes a conveyance outlet of the additional sheet feeding device 10, and 22 denotes a sheet of the first print JOB shown in a printing example described later, and two sheets are loaded. Reference numeral 23 denotes a second printing JOB sheet in which four sheets are loaded. Reference numeral 24 denotes a conveyance path for the first printing JOB sheet 22. Reference numeral 25 denotes a conveyance path for the second printing JOB sheet 23.

  FIG. 3 shows a timing chart showing a state shift in this printing example. When printing is started, the external device control unit 3 issues a start instruction to the print control unit 5, and the print control unit 5 issues a start instruction to the image formation control unit 7. In response to the activation instruction, the image formation control unit 7 activates the photosensitive drum 20 and the like, and the image forming apparatus 6 starts shifting from the print standby state to the print activation state.

  When the image forming apparatus 6 shifts to the print activation state and the print control unit 5 also shifts to the print activation state, the external apparatus control unit 3 issues a print instruction to the print control unit 5, and the print control unit 5 performs the image formation control unit 7. Instruct the printer to print. As an example, a case will be described in which a print instruction is issued for a total of five sheets of three first print jobs and two second print jobs. When receiving the print instruction, the image formation control unit 7 instructs the paper feed control unit 9 to feed the first print job and the second print job. The paper feed control unit 9 instructs the additional paper feed control unit 11 to feed the second print job. First, the paper feed controller 9 designates the lower paper feeder 15 to feed the first sheet of the first print job, feeds it to the image forming apparatus 6. An image is formed on the sheet by the image forming apparatus 6 and discharged to the upper discharge section 18 in the discharge apparatus 12.

  Assuming that the printing process is performed on the second sheet loaded in the lower sheet feeding unit 15 subsequent to the sheet feeding, and the sheet in the lower sheet feeding unit 15 runs out, the third sheet Printing cannot be performed because no paper is loaded. Further, considering the case where more sheets than the stack number are discharged to the upper discharge unit 18 after discharging the second sheet of the first printing JOB to the upper discharge unit 18, the sheet cannot be discharged. On the other hand, the additional paper feed control unit 11 first feeds paper from the additional lower paper feed unit 17 to perform the first sheet of the second printing JOB, and transports the paper to the transport outlet 21 of the additional paper feeding device 10 as a delivery paper. Stop and wait, and perform the paper feeding and conveying process for the second paper loaded in the additional lower paper feeding unit 17.

  However, the third printing of the first printing JOB cannot be executed because no paper is loaded, and the first and second sheets of the second printing JOB are sent to the conveyance outlet 21 of the additional paper feeder 10. In a state of being stopped as a sheet, the external device control unit 3 issues a stop instruction to the print control unit 5, and the image forming apparatus 6 is shifted to a print standby state by the stop instruction from the print control unit 5.

  In the above state, the sheet that is insufficient to execute the remaining print job is the third sheet of the first print job. Therefore, a sheet is loaded into the lower sheet feeding unit 15 and reprinting is started. The external device control unit 3 instructs the print control unit 5 to print the third sheet of the first print job. At this time, since the upper discharge unit 18 cannot discharge the sheet, the discharge destination is changed to the lower discharge unit 19, and the third printing of the first print job is executed.

  After that, when paper feeding is performed and a delivery instruction is issued from the state where it is stopped as a delivery paper at the transport outlet 21 of the additional paper feeder 10, the delivery destinations of the first and second sheets of the second print job are also sent to the lower delivery unit 19 Although the change is made, if the designation of the paper discharge destination is different from the paper discharge destination at the time of paper feed, the additional paper feed control unit 11 does not permit change of the paper discharge destination at the time of execution of execution, and therefore sets an error.

  FIG. 5 shows a processing flowchart in the print activation state in the additional paper feed control unit described above. In the print activation state, the additional paper feed control unit 11 checks whether there is a paper feed instruction (S1). Next, when there is a paper feed instruction, it is confirmed whether there is paper feed (S2). If there is paper feed, paper feed processing is executed (S3). If there is no paper feed, an error is set (S4). Next, it is confirmed whether there is a sending instruction and there is a sending sheet (S5). Next, when there is a delivery instruction and there is a delivery sheet, it is confirmed whether or not the delivery destination designation at the time of feeding and the delivery destination at the time of delivery are the same (S6). When the paper discharge destination designation at the time of paper feeding and the paper discharge destination at the time of sending are the same, the sending is executed (S7). If the paper discharge destination designation at the time of paper feeding is different from the paper discharge destination at the time of sending, an error is set (S8). Then, it is confirmed whether or not there is a stop instruction (S8). If there is a stop instruction, the process shifts to a print standby state. If there is no stop instruction, the process returns to the paper feed process. In the printing example described above, an error is set because the paper discharge destination instruction at the time of paper feeding and the paper discharge destination instruction at the time of sending are different.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a configuration in which preliminary paper feeding is performed halfway through a paper feeding path in a system printer having a long paper feeding path, but the above-described problems are not mentioned.

Japanese Patent No. 2854471

  In the above printing example, the first and second prints of the first print job are executed, and the third print of the first print job is not executed because no paper is loaded, and the second print job is not executed. The first sheet and the second sheet are fed and stopped at the transfer outlet 21 of the additional sheet feeding device 10 as output sheets. Further, the first and second sheets of the first print job are discharged to the upper discharge unit 18, no paper is set in the lower supply unit 15, and more sheets than the number of stacked sheets are discharged to the upper discharge unit 18. In this case, the print control unit 5 instructs the external device control unit 3 that the paper cannot be discharged.

  The sheet that is insufficient to execute the remaining print job from the above state is the third sheet of the first print job. Therefore, a sheet is loaded into the lower sheet feeding unit 15 and reprinting is started. The external device instructs the print control unit to print the third sheet of the first print job by changing the discharge destination to the lower discharge unit 19 when the upper discharge unit 18 cannot discharge the sheet, and the three sheets of the first print job. Eye printing is performed. After that, when paper feeding is performed and a delivery instruction is issued from the state where it is stopped as a delivery paper at the transport outlet 21 of the additional paper feeder 10, the delivery destinations of the first and second sheets of the second print job are also sent to the lower delivery unit 19 If the paper discharge destination is different from the paper discharge destination at the time of paper feeding, it is determined that an error has occurred because the change of the paper discharge destination at the time of sending is not permitted, and the second print job is not instructed to be printed. There was a problem. In this case, an error such as a paper detection error on the conveyance path is caused, and it is necessary to remove the paper on the conveyance path, which wastes paper. In addition, the operation of the apparatus operator such as sheet removal is required, which is a burden on the apparatus operator.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has a sheet feeding unit for feeding sheets and a conveyance path for conveying the fed sheets to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on the sheets. A paper feed device, a paper feed control unit capable of feeding paper in parallel from a plurality of paper feed units, a print control unit for activating the image forming apparatus, and a paper discharge device for discharging printed paper. In a printing apparatus having an image forming system and an external apparatus for instructing the image forming system to print, there is no sheet in the sheet feeding unit, and the sheet is stopped as a delivery sheet in the sheet feeding apparatus It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus capable of reprinting even when the paper discharge destination designated for printing from the control unit of the external apparatus is changed at the time of paper feeding in response to a sending instruction from the printer.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the control method of the printing apparatus is configured as follows. That is, a printing apparatus including an image forming system and an external device that issues a print instruction to the image forming system, the image forming system including: an image forming apparatus; and a print control unit that controls operation of the image forming apparatus; A sheet feeding device having a plurality of sheet feeding units and a plurality of conveyance paths for conveying sheets from the sheet feeding unit to the image forming apparatus, and sheet feeding control for instructing sheet feeding in parallel from the plurality of sheet feeding units And a paper discharge device having a plurality of paper discharge units for discharging printed paper, the paper is no longer in the paper supply unit designated by a print job from an external device, and the paper supply When a paper re-feed instruction is issued from the paper feed control unit in a state where paper already fed from the printer is waiting on the transport path, the paper discharge initially specified in the print job from the external device Even if the department is changed To continue printing.

  According to the present invention, there is no sheet in the sheet feeding unit, and the sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit is waiting on the conveyance path, that is, the sheet is stopped as a delivery sheet in the sheet feeding device. Even when the paper discharge destination designated for printing from the external device control unit is changed at the time of paper feeding according to the sending instruction from the printer, it is possible to provide a printing device capable of reprinting without wasting paper or burdening the device operator .

  In the printing example described above, two sheets are wasted for convenience. However, in the case of a sheet feeding device that feeds sheets from a larger number of sheet feeding units and has a longer conveying path, the number of wasted sheets increases. In addition, the burden on the apparatus operator for removing the paper increases. The effect of the present invention increases as the printing apparatus has a larger scale.

  In response to a delivery instruction when there is no paper in the paper feed unit and the paper fed from the paper feed unit is waiting on the transport path, the paper discharge destination designated for printing by the external device control unit at the time of paper feed is The object of providing a printing device that can be reprinted without waste of paper and the burden on the device operator even when changed is realized with the same configuration as before.

  4 and 6 show the printing apparatus 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing a state shift in the printing example of the present invention.

  The first and second prints of the first print job are executed, and the third print of the first print job is not executed because no paper is loaded, and the first and second print jobs are not executed. The second sheet is fed, and is stopped as a delivery sheet at the transfer outlet 21 of the additional sheet feeder 10. Further, the first and second sheets of the first print job are discharged to the upper discharge unit 18, no paper is set in the lower supply unit 15, and more sheets than the number of stacked sheets are discharged to the upper discharge unit 18. The printing control unit 5 notifies the external device control unit 3 that the paper cannot be discharged.

  The sheet that is insufficient to execute the remaining print job from the above state is the third sheet of the first print job. Therefore, a sheet is loaded into the lower sheet feeding unit 15 and reprinting is started. The external device instructs the print control unit to print the third sheet of the first print job by changing the discharge destination to the lower discharge unit 19 when the upper discharge unit 18 cannot discharge the sheet, and the three sheets of the first print job. Eye printing is performed. After that, when paper feeding is performed and a delivery instruction is issued from the state where it is stopped as a delivery paper at the transport outlet 21 of the additional paper feeder 10, the delivery destinations of the first and second sheets of the second print job are also sent to the lower delivery unit 19 The specified sequence is the same as in the prior art.

In the present invention, in response to a delivery instruction from a state where the paper is stopped as a delivery paper at the transport outlet 21 of the additional paper feeder 10, the delivery destination designated at the time of delivery is confirmed, and if delivery is possible, delivery is executed.
According to the present invention, there is no sheet in the sheet feeding unit, and the sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit is waiting on the conveyance path, that is, the sheet is fed out from the state where the sheet is stopped as the sheet to be fed in the sheet feeding device. Even if the paper discharge destination specified for printing from the external device control unit is changed during feeding, reprinting is possible, so an error such as a paper detection error on the conveyance path is detected, and the paper on the conveyance path is removed. There is no need to waste paper, and there is no need for the operation of the device operator to remove the paper, thereby eliminating the burden on the device operator.

  FIG. 6 shows a processing flowchart in the print activation state in the additional paper feed control unit in the present invention. In the print activation state, the additional paper feed control unit 11 checks whether there is a paper feed instruction (S1). Next, when there is a paper feed instruction, it is confirmed whether there is paper feed (S2). If there is paper feed, paper feed processing is executed (S3). If there is no paper feed, an error is set (S4). Next, it is confirmed whether there is a sending instruction and there is a sending sheet (S5). Next, it is confirmed whether or not the paper discharge destination at the time of sending can be discharged (SA). If the paper discharge destination at the time of sending is paper dischargeable, the sending is executed (S7). If the paper discharge destination at the time of sending out cannot be discharged, an error is set (S8). Then, it is confirmed whether or not there is a stop instruction (S8). If there is a stop instruction, the process shifts to a print standby state. If there is no stop instruction, the process returns to the paper feed process. In the printing example described above, the paper discharge destination instruction at the time of paper feeding is different from the paper discharge destination instruction at the time of transmission. In the present invention, the designated paper discharge destination is confirmed at the start of the transmission, and if the paper can be discharged, the transmission is executed. To do.

It is a block diagram showing a printing apparatus. It is a schematic block diagram of a printing apparatus. It is a timing chart showing a state shift in a conventional printing example. It is a timing chart showing a state shift in a printing example of the present invention. It is a process flowchart in the printing starting state of the conventional additional paper-feed control part. It is a process flowchart in the printing starting state of the additional sheet feeding control unit of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 is a printing device, 2 is an external device, 3 is an external device control unit, 4 is an image forming system, 5 is a printing control unit, 6 is an image forming device, 7 is an image forming control unit, 8 is a paper feeding device, and 9 is Paper feed control unit, 10 is an additional paper feed device, 11 is an additional paper feed control unit, 12 is a paper discharge device, 13 is a paper discharge control unit, 14 is an upper paper feed unit, 15 is a lower paper feed unit, and 16 is an additional Upper paper feeding unit, 17 is an additional lower paper feeding unit, 18 is an upper paper feeding unit, 19 is a lower paper feeding unit, 20 is a photosensitive drum, 21 is a transport outlet, 22 is a paper for the first printing job, and 23 is a first printing job. The paper for the two-print job, 24 is the paper transport path for the first print job, and 25 is the paper transport path for the second print job.

Claims (1)

An image forming system and a printing apparatus including an external device that issues a print instruction to the image forming system, the image forming system including: an image forming apparatus; a print control unit that controls an operation of the image forming apparatus; A sheet feeding unit having a plurality of conveyance paths for conveying sheets from the sheet feeding unit to the image forming apparatus, a sheet feeding control unit instructing sheet feeding in parallel from the plurality of sheet feeding units, In a printing apparatus comprising a paper discharge device having a plurality of paper discharge units for discharging printed paper,
In the state where there is no paper in the paper feed unit designated by the print job from the external device and the paper already fed from the paper feed unit is waiting on the transport path, the paper feed control unit re-feeds the paper. A paper feed control method for a printing apparatus, characterized in that, when a paper instruction is issued, reprinting is continued even when a paper discharge unit initially designated by a print job from the external device is changed.

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