JP2008279654A - Printer device, file printing instructing device, and file printing system including the sames - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer device which can easily distinguish papers delivered per a page group at a file printing. <P>SOLUTION: The printer device 3 includes the first feeding part 15, in which a A4-sized paper is set by a lengthwise orientation, the second feeding part 17, in which a A4-sized paper is set by a widthwise orientation, a selection part for alternately selecting the first feeding part 15 and the second feeding part 17 as the feeding part which feeds the papers for recording an image for every printing of the page groups when printing two or more page groups selected by a user from all pages of the file by a page-group cross printing in the printing of the file memorized in a personal computer 5, an image recording part 19 for recording the image in the paper fed from the selected feeding part, a spinning processing part which makes the image revolved by 90 degrees for recording it in an image recording part 19 if the crosswise direction of the paper fed from the selected feeding part is inconsistent with the crosswise direction of the image, and a delivery unit 41 for delivering the paper, in which the image has been recorded by the image recording part 19. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer apparatus, a file print instruction apparatus for instructing the apparatus to print a file, and a file printing system including them.

  Some copiers and multifunction machines having this function have an electronic sort function. The electronic sort means that when a plurality of copies of a document consisting of a plurality of sheets are copied, the documents are sorted into portions and discharged onto one discharge tray. According to this, the user rearranges the copied sheets. Save time and effort.

As an application of electronic sorting, by combining a copy that feeds paper set in portrait orientation and a copy that feeds paper of the same size set in landscape orientation, the copied paper can be There has been proposed an image forming apparatus having a function (cross sort) for changing the direction and discharging paper (for example, see Patent Document 1). If cross-sorting is used, for example, when four copies of a document are copied, the copied paper is discharged in the first portrait orientation, the second copy in landscape orientation, the third copy in portrait orientation, and the fourth copy in landscape orientation. The For this reason, each part can be easily distinguished even if it discharges to one discharge tray.
JP-A-10-173910

  An object of the present invention is to provide a printer device, a file print instruction device, and a file printing system including these, which can easily distinguish papers to be ejected in a predetermined unit during file printing.

  According to a first aspect of the printer apparatus of the present invention, there is provided a first paper feed unit in which paper is set vertically, and a paper having the same size as the paper set in the first paper feed unit is set in landscape orientation. When printing a file for which printing is instructed from the second paper feeding unit and the file printing instruction device, a plurality of page groups selected by the user from all the pages of the file are printed by page group cross printing. In the case of printing, a selection unit that alternately selects the first sheet feeding unit and the second sheet feeding unit for each printing of a page group as a sheet feeding unit that feeds a sheet on which an image is recorded, and the selection An image recording unit that records an image on a sheet fed from a sheet feeding unit selected by the copy unit, and a portrait and landscape orientation of a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit selected by the selection unit and a portrait and landscape orientation of the image If they do not match, the image is rotated 90 ° and recorded in the image recording unit. Comprising a rotation processing unit, and a paper discharge section paper having an image recorded thereon is discharged by the image recording unit.

  According to a first aspect of the file printing instruction apparatus according to the present invention, a first paper feeding unit on which paper is set in a vertical orientation and a paper having the same size as the paper set in the first paper feeding unit is placed in a horizontal orientation. A file printing instruction device for instructing printing of a file to a printer device having a second paper feeding unit to be set, wherein the first paper feeding unit is printed every time a page group is printed as a sheet on which an image is recorded. A display unit for displaying a setting screen for instructing the printer device to perform page group cross printing for alternately selecting paper fed from the second paper and paper fed from the second paper feeding unit; An operation unit that allows a user to select a plurality of page groups to be subjected to page group cross-printing from all the pages of the file on the setting screen displayed on the part.

  According to the first aspect of the file printing instruction apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to make a setting for printing by page group cross printing.

  A first aspect of the file printing system according to the present invention is a file printing system including a file printing instruction device and a printer device, wherein the file printing instruction device is a setting for instructing the printer device to perform page group cross printing. An operation in which a user performs an operation of selecting a plurality of page groups to be subjected to page group cross-printing from all the pages of the file on the display unit on which the screen is displayed and the setting screen displayed on the display unit. The printer device includes a first paper feeding unit in which paper is set vertically, and a paper having the same size as that of the paper set in the first paper feeding unit is set horizontally. An image is recorded when a page group cross-printing instruction is issued to the second sheet feeding unit and a plurality of page groups selected on the setting screen displayed on the display unit from the file printing instruction device. Paper to be used As a paper feeding unit for paper, a selection unit that alternately selects the first paper feeding unit and the second paper feeding unit every time a page group is printed, and paper feeding from the paper feeding unit selected by the selection unit If the vertical and horizontal orientations of the image recording unit that records an image on the paper to be printed and the paper fed from the paper feeding unit selected by the selection unit do not match the vertical and horizontal orientations of the image, the image is A rotation processing unit that rotates and records the image on the image recording unit; and a paper discharge unit that discharges a sheet on which an image is recorded by the image recording unit.

  According to the first aspect of the file printing system of the present invention, page group cross printing can be performed.

  According to a second aspect of the printer apparatus of the present invention, there is provided a first paper feed unit in which paper is set vertically, and a paper having the same size as the paper set in the first paper feed unit is set horizontally. When a file for which printing is instructed from the second paper feeding unit and the file printing instruction device is printed by file cross printing, the file feeding unit feeds the paper on which the image is recorded. A selection unit that alternately selects the first sheet feeding unit and the second sheet feeding unit, and an image recording unit that records an image on a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit selected by the selection unit; If the vertical and horizontal orientations of the paper fed from the paper feeder selected by the selection unit do not match the vertical and horizontal orientations of the image, the image is rotated by 90 ° and recorded in the image recording unit. And a sheet on which an image is recorded by the image recording unit is discharged. It comprises a part, a.

  According to a second aspect of the file printing instruction apparatus according to the present invention, a first paper feeding unit on which paper is set vertically and a paper of the same size as the paper set on the first paper feeding unit are placed horizontally. A file print instructing apparatus for instructing printing of a file to a printer device including a second paper feeding unit to be set, from the first paper feeding unit every time a file is printed as a sheet on which an image is recorded. A display unit for displaying a setting screen for instructing the printer device to perform file cross printing for alternately selecting a sheet to be fed and a sheet fed from the second sheet feeding unit; and And an operation unit that allows a user to select a plurality of files to be subjected to file cross printing on the displayed setting screen.

  According to the second aspect of the file print instruction apparatus according to the present invention, the user can make settings for printing by file cross printing for a plurality of files selected by the user.

  A second aspect of the file printing system according to the present invention is a file printing system including a file printing instruction device and a printer device, wherein the file printing instruction device is a setting screen for instructing the printer device to perform file cross printing. A display unit on which is displayed, and an operation unit on which a user selects a plurality of files to be subjected to file cross printing on a setting screen displayed on the display unit. A first paper feeding unit in which paper is set vertically, a second paper feeding unit in which paper of the same size as the paper set in the first paper feeding unit is set horizontally, and When file cross-printing is instructed for a plurality of files selected on the setting screen displayed on the display unit from the file printing instruction device, paper for recording an image is supplied. The sheet feeding unit to be fed is fed from the selection unit that alternately selects the first sheet feeding unit and the second sheet feeding unit every time the file is printed, and the sheet feeding unit selected by the selection unit. If the vertical and horizontal orientations of the image recording unit that records the image on the paper and the paper fed from the paper feeding unit selected by the selection unit do not match the vertical and horizontal orientations, the image is rotated by 90 °. A rotation processing unit for recording on the image recording unit, and a paper discharge unit for discharging the paper on which the image is recorded by the image recording unit.

  According to the second aspect of the file printing system of the present invention, the user can perform file cross printing on a plurality of files selected by the user.

  According to the first aspect of the printer apparatus of the present invention, the first paper feeding unit and the second paper feeding unit are alternately selected every time a page group is printed, so that the vertically set paper is fed. Each time a page group is printed, there is a case where an image is recorded on the paper and discharged and a paper set in landscape orientation is fed and the image is recorded on the paper and discharged. It is repeated alternately (page group cross printing). Therefore, according to the first aspect of the printer apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to easily distinguish the discharged paper on a page group basis in printing one file. If the vertical and horizontal orientations of the paper fed from the selected paper feeding unit do not match the vertical and horizontal orientations of the image, the image is rotated 90 ° and recorded in the image recording unit, so that the image protrudes from the paper. Can be prevented.

  According to the second aspect of the printer device of the present invention, since the first paper feeding unit and the second paper feeding unit are alternately selected every time the file is printed, the vertically set paper is fed. Each time a file is printed, the image is recorded on the paper and discharged, and the horizontally loaded paper is fed and the image is recorded on the paper and discharged. It will be repeated (file cross printing). Therefore, according to the second aspect of the printer apparatus of the present invention, the discharged paper can be easily distinguished on a file basis. If the vertical and horizontal orientations of the paper fed from the selected paper feeding unit do not match the vertical and horizontal orientations of the image, the image is rotated 90 ° and recorded in the image recording unit, so that the image protrudes from the paper. Can be prevented.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a file printing system 1 according to the present embodiment. The file printing system 1 includes a printer device 3 and a plurality of personal computers 5 connected to the printer device 3 via a LAN. The printer device 3 is a multifunction machine having functions of copying, facsimile, scanner, and printer. The printer device 3 is not limited to a multifunction machine, and may be a single printer.

  The printer apparatus 3 includes a control unit 11, an image reading unit 13, a first paper feeding unit 15, a second paper feeding unit 17, an image recording unit 19, a display unit 21, an operation unit 23, a modem 25, an NCU 27, a ROM 29, The RAM 31, the image memory 33, the codec 35, the LAN interface 37, and the like are connected to each other via a bus 39. The control unit 11 is realized by a CPU, for example, and controls the above hardware configuring the printer device 3 and executes software necessary for the operation of the printer device 3. The image reading unit 13 reads an image (character, figure, photograph, etc.) with a CCD or the like and outputs it as image data.

  The first paper feed unit 15 is a paper feed cassette in which paper is set vertically, and feeds the vertically oriented paper P <b> 1 to the image recording unit 19. The second paper feed unit 17 is a paper feed cassette in which paper of the same size as that of the paper set in the first paper feed unit 15 is set horizontally, and feeds the horizontally oriented paper P2 to the image recording unit 19. Make paper. The paper here is A4 size, but other sizes (for example, B5 size) may be used as long as the same size can be set vertically and horizontally. The first paper feeding unit 15 may be constituted by a single paper feeding cassette or a plurality of paper feeding cassettes. The same applies to the second paper feeding unit 17.

  The image recording unit 19 is an electrophotographic printer or the like, and returns image data output from the image reading unit 13 or image data from another facsimile apparatus received by facsimile communication to the image, and the image is recorded. The paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit 41. When printing a file stored in the personal computer 5, the image recording unit 19 converts the print data sent from the personal computer 5 into bitmap data, and records the image formed on the paper to be discharged. The paper is discharged onto the paper 41. A sheet on which an image is recorded by the image recording unit 19 is a first sheet feeding unit 15, a second sheet feeding unit 17, or another sheet feeding unit in which A3 size or B4 size sheet is set (not shown). ). The paper discharge unit 41 is specifically a paper discharge tray.

  The display unit 21 displays the operating state of the printer device 3, the name of the other party, various setting contents, and the like. The display unit 21 is realized by an LCD, a CRT, or the like. The operation unit 23 includes keys (such as a numeric keypad, a start key, a reset key, and various function keys) necessary for operating the printer device 3.

  The modem 25 has a function of a facsimile modem for normal facsimile communication. The modem 25 is directly connected to the NCU 27. The NCU 27 detects not only the function of controlling the connection between the telephone line connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and the printer device 3, but also the function of sending dial pulses according to the telephone number of the communication partner and the incoming call. It has a function.

  The ROM 29 is realized by a flash memory or the like, and stores software necessary for the operation of the printer device 3. The RAM 31 is realized by SRAM, DRAM, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when the software is executed or stores application software or the like.

  The image memory 33 is realized by a DRAM or the like, and temporarily stores image data to be transmitted, received image data, image data output from the image reading unit 13, and the like. The codec 35 encodes and compresses the image data and decodes the encoded and compressed image data. The LAN interface 37 is an interface through which the printer device 3 is communicably connected to the LAN. This LAN is connected to a plurality of personal computers 5 and is connected to the Internet via a router 45.

  The personal computer 5 functions as a file print instruction device that instructs the printer device 3 to print a file. The personal computer 5 includes a storage unit 51, a display unit 53, an operation unit 55, and a control unit 57. The storage unit 51 stores files, various programs, and the like, and functions thereof are realized by a hard disk drive, a semiconductor memory, or the like. The display unit 53 opens a file stored in the storage unit 51, displays various sites sent from the Internet, and a setting screen for instructing the printer device 3 to perform page group cross printing and file cross printing. Is displayed. The function of the display unit 53 is realized by a liquid crystal display, a CRT, or the like. The operation of the personal computer 5 is executed by the user through the operation unit 55, and the function is realized by a keyboard or a mouse. On the setting screen displayed on the display unit 53, an operation for selecting a plurality of page groups to be subjected to page group cross printing and an operation for selecting a plurality of files to be subjected to file cross printing are executed by the operation unit 55. Is done. The control part 57 controls the memory | storage part 51, the display part 53, and the operation part 55, and the function is implement | achieved by CPU.

  In the present embodiment, the file stored in the storage unit 51 of the personal computer 5 is specifically a document file or an image file. The document file is, for example, one created with word processing software or drawing software, or one downloaded from the Internet. The image file is, for example, one taken with a digital camera or downloaded from the Internet.

  File printing in the present embodiment will be described using the personal computer 5A as an example. When printing a file stored in the storage unit 51 of the personal computer 5 </ b> A, the user designates the file and clicks “print” displayed on the display unit 53. As a result, the printer driver of the personal computer 5A is activated, and the print screen shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display unit 53 of the personal computer 5A. “Cross printing” in the lower left of the screen is a button for switching to a screen for setting cross printing. Cross printing uses both the paper fed from the first paper feed unit 15 and the paper fed from the second paper feed unit 17 when printing a file stored in the storage unit 51. It means printing.

  When “cross printing” in the screen of FIG. 2 is clicked, the screen is switched to the cross printing screen shown in FIG. There are three types of cross printing: cross sort printing, page group cross printing, and file cross printing. Cross-sort printing is printing described in the background art section, and a description thereof is omitted. Therefore, the page group cross printing will be described first.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the radio button next to “page group cross” is clicked on the cross print screen and then “decision” is clicked, the page group cross print screen is displayed as shown in FIG. .

  The page group cross printing targets one file stored in the storage unit 51, and the user selects a plurality of page groups to be printed from all the pages of the file. As shown in FIG. 6, in this example, pages 1 to 3, pages 4 to 8, pages 10 to 11, and pages 15 to 18 are selected. “Pages 1 to 3”, “pages 4 to 8”, “pages 10 to 11”, and “pages 15 to 18” are one page group.

  The above is the setting of the page group cross printing on the personal computer 5A. The screens shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are setting screens for instructing the printer device 3 to perform page group cross printing. As described above, on this setting screen, the user performs an operation of selecting a plurality of page groups to be subjected to page group cross printing from all the pages of the file. When the selection of the page group is completed and “OK” is clicked, the file to be subjected to page group cross printing is converted into print data by the printer driver, and the print data is displayed together with the page group cross print command in FIG. The data is transmitted from the personal computer 5A shown to the printer apparatus 3 via the LAN. Then, page group cross printing is executed.

  Execution of page group cross printing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the execution of the page group cross printing, the control unit 11, the first paper feeding unit 15, the second paper feeding unit 17, the image recording unit 19, the ROM 29, the RAM 31, the image memory 33, and the discharge unit of the printer device 3 shown in FIG. A paper section 41 or the like is used.

  When the page group cross printing command described above is transmitted from the personal computer 5A to the printer device 3 (step S1), the print data transmitted together with this command is edited (step S3). Specifically, a page group selected by the user as a printing target is extracted from the print data, and the printing order is assigned to the extracted page group. The order of printing is counted from the left of the input page group in the page group selection shown in FIG. In this example, “pages 1 to 3”, “pages 4 to 8”, “pages 10 to 11”, and “pages 15 to 18” are extracted and printed in this order. . Note that the process of step S3 may be performed by the printer driver of the personal computer 5A.

  n = 1 is stored (step S5). n is a number assigned to the nth page group to be printed. The second paper feed unit 17 is selected (step S7). This is because, as will be described later, a sheet set in a vertical orientation is used as the sheet of the page group to be printed first. If it is desired to use a paper set in landscape orientation as the paper of the first group of pages to be printed, the setting for selecting the first paper supply unit 15 may be made in step S7.

  Printing of the first page group is started (step S9). In this example, printing of the first to third pages is started. It is determined whether the first paper feed unit 15 has been selected (step S11). Since the second paper feed unit 17 is selected in step S7, step S11 is No, and the first paper feed unit 15 is selected (step S13).

  Whether the print data of the first page group is converted to bitmap data, and whether the vertical and horizontal orientations of the image formed thereby match the vertical and horizontal orientations of the paper fed from the selected paper feed unit Determination is made (step S15). If they do not match, the image is rotated by 90 ° and then recorded on paper. This prevents the image from protruding from the paper.

  In the printing of the first page group, since the first paper supply unit 15 in which A4 size paper is set in the vertical orientation is selected, as shown in FIG. 1, the portrait-oriented A4 size paper P1 is selected. Is fed to the image recording unit 19. If the print data transmitted from the personal computer 5A is data of the content to be printed in the portrait A4 size, step S15 is Yes and the image is fed from the first paper feed unit 15 without rotating the image by 90 °. The recorded paper is recorded and discharged to the paper discharge unit 41 (step S17).

  In this example, the paper on which the image of the first page is recorded, the paper on which the image of the second page is recorded, and the paper on which the image of the third page is recorded are discharged to the paper discharge unit 41 in this order. . Thus, in the paper discharge unit 41, as shown in FIG. 8A, three vertically oriented A4 sheets are stacked.

  The process n ← n + 1 is executed (step S19). Since n = 1, n = 2. It is determined whether n> k (step S21). k is the number of page groups. In this example, k = 4. Therefore, it is determined No in step S21, and the process returns to step S9 to start printing the second page group. In this example, printing of the fourth to eighth pages is started.

  It is determined whether the first paper feed unit 15 has been selected (step S11). In printing the first page group, since the first paper feed unit 15 is selected, the answer is Yes, and the second paper feed unit 17 is selected (step S23).

  Selection of step S7, step S11, step S13, and step S23 is performed by the selection part comprised by the control part 11, ROM29, and RAM31 shown in FIG. When the page group cross printing is performed, the selection unit sets the first sheet feeding unit 15 and the second sheet feeding unit 17 as a sheet feeding unit that feeds a sheet on which an image is recorded. It has a function to select alternately.

  After step S23, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the print data of the second page group is converted into bitmap data, and the vertical and horizontal orientations of the image formed thereby match the vertical and horizontal orientations of the paper fed from the paper feed unit. Is judged. In the printing of the second page group, the second paper feeding unit 17 in which A4 size paper is set horizontally is selected. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, a horizontally oriented A4 size paper P2 is fed to the image recording unit 19. As described above, since the print data transmitted from the personal computer 5A is data of the content to be printed in the portrait A4 size, step S15 is No, and the image is rotated by 90 ° (step S25).

  The rotation process in step S25 is performed by a rotation processing unit including the control unit 11, the ROM 29, the RAM 31, and the image memory 33.

  Processing for rotating an image by 90 ° will be described in comparison with processing for not rotating. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a process (A) that does not rotate an image and a process (B) that rotates an image by 90 °. “1” in the image memory 33 is an address of black data, and “0” is an address of white data. As shown in (A), when an image is recorded on the vertically oriented paper P1, data is read from the image memory 33 in the horizontal direction from the top {(1) (2) (3) (4)}. Then, together with the read data, a command to record the image by operating the print head in the same direction and order as this read is sent to the image recording unit 19. As a result, an image that has not been rotated is recorded on the vertically oriented paper P1. The cross hatching in the figure indicates black.

As shown in (B), when an image is recorded on landscape paper P2, data is read from the image memory 33 in the vertical direction from the left {(1) (2) (3)}. Then, together with the read data, a command to record the image by operating the print head in the order {(1) (2) (3)} from the bottom in the horizontal direction is sent to the image recording unit 19. As a result, the image rotated by 90 ° is recorded on the landscape paper P2.
The processing that does not rotate the image and the processing that rotates the image by 90 ° can be executed, for example, depending on whether or not the flag “IsRotatePrint” is set in the function “PRN_OnePage ()”. That is, when the flag “IsRotatePrint” is “False”, processing for not rotating the image is performed, and when “True”, processing for rotating the image by 90 ° is performed.

  The rotated image is recorded on a sheet fed from the second sheet feeding unit 17 and is ejected to the sheet ejection unit 41 (step S17). In this example, the paper on which the image of the fourth page is recorded, the paper on which the image of the fifth page is recorded, the paper on which the image of the sixth page is recorded, the paper on which the image of the seventh page is recorded, the eighth The paper on which the page image is recorded is sequentially discharged to the paper discharge unit 41. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8B, the paper discharge unit 41 discharges five A4 sheets in the horizontal direction on the three A4 sheets in the vertical direction.

  Similarly, the third page group and the fourth page group are printed. In the printing of the third page group, as shown in FIG. 8C, two vertically oriented A4 sheets are discharged on five horizontally oriented A4 sheets. In the printing of the fourth page group, as shown in FIG. 8D, four landscape-oriented A4 sheets are discharged on two portrait-oriented A4 sheets.

  When the fourth page group is printed, n = 5 in step S19, Yes in step S21, and page group cross printing ends.

  As described above, in the page group cross printing, the first paper feeding unit 15 and the second paper feeding unit 17 are alternately selected every time the page group is printed. When the image is recorded on the paper and discharged (that is, when the paper is discharged vertically), the horizontally set paper is fed and the image is recorded on the paper. The case where the sheet is discharged (that is, the sheet is discharged horizontally) is repeated alternately every time the page group is printed. Therefore, if page group cross printing is performed, the discharged sheets can be easily distinguished on a page group basis in the printing of one file.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in this example, the page group is composed of a plurality of continuous pages, but may be composed of a plurality of discontinuous pages. For example, if “1 · 3” is input instead of “1-3” in FIG. 6, one page group is constituted by the first page and the third page. Moreover, although all the page groups are composed of a plurality of pages, they may be composed of one page.

  Next, file cross printing will be described. The above-described page group cross printing is printing in which, in the printing of one file, a paper set in a portrait orientation and a paper set in a landscape orientation are alternately used for image recording in units of page groups. On the other hand, file cross printing is printing in which a vertically set paper and a horizontally set paper are alternately used for recording an image for each file in printing a plurality of files.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the radio button next to “file cross” is clicked on the cross print screen and then “decision” is clicked, the screen is switched to the file cross print screen as shown in FIG. On the screen, a file F1 that is one of the objects of file cross printing is displayed. The file F1 is a file designated when displaying the print screen of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the user operates the “file selection” tab to select another file to be subjected to file cross printing from the files stored in the storage unit 51 of the personal computer 5A. In this example, file F2 and file F3 are selected as the other files. In page group cross printing, since one file is targeted, the number of pages in the file must be two or more. On the other hand, since file cross printing targets a plurality of files, the number of pages in the file may be one page or two or more.

  10 and 11 is a setting screen for instructing the printer 3 to perform file cross printing. As described above, on this setting screen, the user performs an operation of selecting a plurality of files to be subjected to file cross printing.

  The settings for file cross printing on the personal computer 5A are as described above. When “OK” is clicked, the files F1, F2, and F3 to be subjected to file cross printing are converted into print data by the printer driver. The print data is transmitted together with the file cross print command from the personal computer 5A to the printer device 3 via the LAN, and the file cross print is executed.

  Execution of file cross printing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Similar to the execution of the page group cross printing, in the execution of the file cross printing, the control unit 11, the first paper feeding unit 15, the second paper feeding unit 17, the image recording unit 19, and the like shown in FIG. A ROM 29, a RAM 31, an image memory 33, a paper discharge unit 41, and the like are used.

  When a file cross printing command is transmitted from the personal computer 5A to the printer apparatus 3 (step T1), n = 1 is stored (step T3). n is a number assigned to the nth file to be printed. The order in which the files are printed is the order in which the files are selected in FIGS. In this example, printing is performed in the order of file F1, file F2, and file F3.

  The second paper supply unit 17 is selected (step T5). The reason for this selection is the same as the reason described in step S7 in FIG. Printing of the first file is started (step T7). In this example, printing of the file F1 is started. Then, similarly to step S11, it is determined whether the first paper feeder 15 has been selected (step T9). Since the second paper feed unit 17 is selected in step T5, step T9 is No and the first paper feed unit 15 is selected (step T11).

  The print data of the first file is converted into bitmap data, and it is determined whether the vertical and horizontal orientations of the image formed thereby match the vertical and horizontal orientations of the paper fed from the selected paper feed unit. (Step T13). This is the same processing as in step S15. If they do not match, the image is rotated by 90 ° and then recorded on the paper.

  In the printing of the first file, since the first paper supply unit 15 is selected, the vertically oriented A4 size paper P1 is supplied to the image recording unit 19. If the print data transmitted from the personal computer 5A is the data of the content to be printed in the A4 size in the vertical direction, Step T13 is Yes, and the paper is fed from the first paper feed unit 15 without rotating the image by 90 °. The recorded paper is recorded and discharged to the paper discharge unit 41 (step T15).

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 13A, a file F1 made up of five A4 sheets is stacked with the sheets oriented vertically.

  Similar to step S19, the process of n ← n + 1 is executed (step T17). Since n = 1, n = 2. Then, similarly to step S21, it is determined whether or not n> k (step T19). In file cross printing, k is the number of selected files. In this example, k = 3. Therefore, it is determined No in step T19, and the process returns to step T7 to start printing the second file. In this example, printing of the file F2 is started.

  Then, similarly to the page group cross printing, it is determined whether or not the first paper supply unit 15 has been selected (step T9). Since the first paper supply unit 15 has been selected, the answer is Yes, and the second paper supply unit 17 is selected (step T21).

  The selection of step T5, step T9, step T11, and step T21 is performed by a selection unit that includes the control unit 11, the ROM 29, and the RAM 31. In the case of printing by file cross printing, the selection unit alternately turns the first paper feeding unit 15 and the second paper feeding unit 17 every time a file is printed as a paper feeding unit that feeds a sheet on which an image is recorded. Has a function to select.

  Proceed to step T13. In this step, the print data of the second file is converted into bitmap data, and whether the vertical / horizontal orientation of the image formed thereby matches the vertical / horizontal orientation of the paper fed from the paper feeder. To be judged. In the printing of the second file, since the second paper feeding unit 17 is selected, the landscape-oriented A4 size paper P2 is fed to the image recording unit 19. The print data transmitted from the personal computer 5A is data of contents to be printed in the portrait A4 size. Therefore, Step T13 is No, and the image is rotated by 90 ° (Step T23). This is the same process as step S25.

  The image rotated in step T23 is recorded on the paper fed from the second paper feed unit 17 and discharged to the paper discharge unit 41 (step T15). In this example, as shown in FIG. 13B, the three A4 sheets on which the file F2 is printed are stacked in a horizontal direction on the five A4 sheets on which the file F1 is printed. Yes.

  Similarly, the third file is printed and discharged. In this example, as shown in FIG. 13C, the file F3 made up of one sheet is discharged on the three A4 sheets on which the file F2 is printed with the sheet oriented vertically.

  When the third file is printed, n = 4 in step T17, and in this example, step T19 is Yes, so that file cross printing ends.

  As described above, in the file cross printing, the first paper feeding unit 15 and the second paper feeding unit 17 are alternately selected every time the file is printed, so that the vertically set paper is fed. When an image is recorded on the paper and discharged (that is, when the paper is discharged vertically), a horizontally set paper is fed and the image is recorded on the paper and discharged. The case where the paper is printed (that is, the case where the paper is discharged horizontally) is alternately repeated every time the file is printed. Therefore, according to the file cross printing, the discharged sheets can be easily distinguished on a file basis.

  Although the case where a plurality of files stored in one personal computer 5A are printed by file cross printing has been described, file cross printing can also be performed by a plurality of personal computers 5. For example, when a print command is issued in the order of file B stored in the personal computer 5B shown in FIG. 1, file A stored in the personal computer 5A, and file C stored in the personal computer 5C, the paper discharge unit 41 In this case, vertical A4 paper (file B) is discharged, horizontal A4 paper (file A) is discharged thereon, and vertical A4 paper (file C) is discharged thereon. In this case, the operation for selecting a plurality of files by the user described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 is not necessary.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart when file cross printing is performed by a plurality of personal computers 5. About the same process as the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 12, description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same number. When file cross-printing is performed with a plurality of personal computers 5, no setting is required on the personal computer 5, and the first paper feeding unit 15 and the second paper feeding unit 15 each time a file is printed in the order in which the printer device 3 receives a file print command. The paper feeding units 17 are selected alternately.

  The flow will be described using the above example in which a print command is given in the order of file B, file A, and file C. When a print command for file B is transmitted from the personal computer 5B to the printer device 3 (step U1), it is determined whether or not the paper feed unit selected in the most recent file printing is the second paper feed unit 17 (step U3). . Since it is determined whether the paper feeding unit selected in the most recent file printing is the first paper feeding unit 15 or the second paper feeding unit 17, in step U3, it is determined whether or not it is the first paper feeding unit 15. Good.

  In this example, it is assumed that the second paper feeding unit 17 is selected. Accordingly, the determination at Step U3 is Yes, and the first paper feeder 15 is selected (Step T11). Then, printing of the file B is started (step U5). After the processing of step T13 and step 15, the A4 paper on which the file B is printed is discharged vertically to the paper discharge unit 41.

  Next, when a print command for file A is transmitted (step U1), since the paper feed unit selected in the most recent file printing (here, printing of file B) is the first paper feed unit 15, No in step U3. Is determined, and the second paper feeding unit 17 is selected (step T21). Then, printing of the file A is started (step U5). Here, the processes of step T13, step T23, and step T15 are performed, and the landscape A4 sheet on which the file A is printed is discharged onto the portrait A4 sheet on which the file B is printed.

  File C is processed in the same manner. As described above, the A4 paper in the vertical direction on which the file B is printed, the A4 paper in the horizontal direction on which the file A is printed, and the A4 paper in the vertical direction on which the file C is printed are stacked on the paper discharge unit 41 in order from the bottom.

  In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which a file to be instructed to perform page group cross printing or file cross printing from the personal computer 5 to the printer device 3 is stored in the storage unit 51 of the personal computer 5. However, a file to be instructed for page group cross printing or file cross printing is a portable storage medium (for example, a USB memory) attached to the personal computer 5 or a file server (not shown) connected to the LAN shown in FIG. ) Etc. may be stored.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the file printing system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the printing screen displayed on the personal computer which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the cross printing screen displayed on the personal computer which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which page group cross printing is selected on the cross printing screen illustrated in FIG. 3. It is a figure which shows an example of the page group cross print screen displayed on the personal computer which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where an example of a plurality of page groups is selected on the page group cross printing screen illustrated in FIG. 5. It is a flowchart explaining execution of an example of page group cross printing in the present embodiment. It is a figure explaining the state of the paper discharged by performing an example of page group cross printing in this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which file cross printing is selected on the cross printing screen illustrated in FIG. 3. It is a figure which shows an example of the file cross print screen displayed on the personal computer which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state where an example of a plurality of files is selected on the file cross print screen illustrated in FIG. 10. It is a flowchart explaining execution of an example of file cross printing in this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the state of the paper discharged by executing an example of file cross printing in the present embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining execution of the other example of the file cross printing in this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the process which does not rotate an image, and the process which rotates an image 90 degree | times.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... File printing system, 3 ... Printer apparatus, 5, 5A, 5B, 5C ... Personal computer (file printing instruction apparatus), 11 ... Control part, 13 ... Image reading part, 15. ... First feeding unit 17... Second feeding unit 19... Image recording unit 21... Display unit 23. ..NCU, 29 ... ROM, 31 ... RAM, 33 ... Image memory, 35 ... Codec, 37 ... LAN interface, 39 ... Bus, 41 ... Discharge unit, 45: Router, 51: Storage unit, 53: Display unit, 55: Operation unit, 57: Control unit, P1: Vertical paper, P2: Horizontal paper

Claims (6)

A first paper feed unit in which paper is set vertically;
A second paper feed unit in which a paper of the same size as the paper set in the first paper feed unit is set horizontally;
When printing a file for which printing has been instructed from the file printing instruction apparatus, when printing a plurality of page groups selected by the user from all the pages of the file by page group cross printing, the paper on which the image is recorded is printed. A selection unit that alternately selects the first sheet feeding unit and the second sheet feeding unit for each printing of a page group,
An image recording unit for recording an image on a sheet fed from a sheet feeding unit selected by the selection unit;
If the vertical and horizontal orientations of the paper fed from the paper feeding unit selected by the selection unit do not match the vertical and horizontal orientations of the image, the rotation processing unit rotates the image by 90 ° and records it on the image recording unit When,
A printer unit that discharges a sheet on which an image is recorded by the image recording unit. A printer apparatus including a first paper feeding unit in which paper is set vertically and a second paper feeding unit in which paper of the same size as the paper set in the first paper feeding unit is set horizontally. A file printing instruction device for instructing file printing to a file,
Each time a page group is printed as a sheet for recording an image, page group cross printing is performed in which a sheet fed from the first sheet feeding unit and a sheet fed from the second sheet feeding unit are alternately selected. A display unit on which a setting screen for instructing the printer apparatus is displayed;
An operation unit that allows a user to select a plurality of page groups to be subjected to page group cross-printing from all the pages of the file on the setting screen displayed on the display unit. File printing instruction device. A file printing system including a file printing instruction device and a printer device,
The file print instruction device includes:
A display unit on which a setting screen for instructing the printer device to perform page group cross printing is displayed;
On the setting screen displayed on the display unit, an operation unit is provided that allows the user to select a plurality of page groups to be subjected to page group cross printing from all the pages of the file,
The printer device includes:
A first paper feed unit in which paper is set vertically;
A second paper feed unit in which a paper of the same size as the paper set in the first paper feed unit is set horizontally;
A sheet feeding unit that feeds a sheet on which an image is recorded when a page group cross printing instruction is issued from the file printing instruction apparatus to a plurality of page groups selected on the setting screen displayed on the display unit A selection unit that alternately selects the first sheet feeding unit and the second sheet feeding unit for each printing of a page group;
An image recording unit for recording an image on a sheet fed from a sheet feeding unit selected by the selection unit;
If the vertical and horizontal orientations of the paper fed from the paper feeding unit selected by the selection unit do not match the vertical and horizontal orientations of the image, the rotation processing unit rotates the image by 90 ° and records it on the image recording unit When,
A file printing system comprising: a paper discharge unit that discharges paper on which an image is recorded by the image recording unit. A first paper feed unit in which paper is set vertically;
A second paper feed unit in which a paper of the same size as the paper set in the first paper feed unit is set horizontally;
When printing a file for which printing has been instructed from a file printing instruction apparatus by file cross printing, the first paper feeding unit and the paper feeding unit for each file printing are used as a paper feeding unit for feeding a sheet on which an image is recorded. A selection unit that alternately selects the second paper feed unit;
An image recording unit for recording an image on a sheet fed from a sheet feeding unit selected by the selection unit;
If the vertical and horizontal orientations of the paper fed from the paper feeding unit selected by the selection unit do not match the vertical and horizontal orientations of the image, the rotation processing unit rotates the image by 90 ° and records it on the image recording unit When,
A printer unit that discharges a sheet on which an image is recorded by the image recording unit. A printer apparatus including a first paper feeding unit in which paper is set vertically and a second paper feeding unit in which paper of the same size as the paper set in the first paper feeding unit is set horizontally. A file printing instruction device for instructing file printing to a file,
The printer performs file cross printing in which a sheet fed from the first sheet feeding unit and a sheet fed from the second sheet feeding unit are alternately selected every time a file is printed as a sheet for recording an image. A display unit on which a setting screen for instructing the device is displayed;
A file printing instruction apparatus comprising: an operation unit that allows a user to select a plurality of files to be subjected to file cross printing on a setting screen displayed on the display unit. A file printing system including a file printing instruction device and a printer device,
The file print instruction device includes:
A display unit on which a setting screen for instructing the printer to perform file cross printing is displayed;
An operation unit that is operated by the user to select a plurality of files to be subjected to file cross printing on the setting screen displayed on the display unit,
The printer device includes:
A first paper feed unit in which paper is set vertically;
A second paper feed unit in which a paper of the same size as the paper set in the first paper feed unit is set horizontally;
When a file cross printing instruction is issued from the file printing instruction apparatus to a plurality of files selected on the setting screen displayed on the display unit, a paper feeding unit that feeds a sheet on which an image is recorded is provided. A selection unit that alternately selects the first sheet feeding unit and the second sheet feeding unit for each file printing;
An image recording unit for recording an image on a sheet fed from a sheet feeding unit selected by the selection unit;
If the vertical and horizontal orientations of the paper fed from the paper feeding unit selected by the selection unit do not match the vertical and horizontal orientations of the image, the rotation processing unit rotates the image by 90 ° and records it on the image recording unit When,
A file printing system comprising: a paper discharge unit that discharges paper on which an image is recorded by the image recording unit.

Images