JP2010005905A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively utilize a recording medium by enabling printing laid out separately for each recording medium also in a print job which uses the different recording medium when concentrated printing such as nesting of a plurality of print jobs is carried out. <P>SOLUTION: The recorder is equipped with a means which stores the received plurality of print jobs, a means which designates information on the recording medium for recording the print job by the print job, a means which classifies the print jobs for each medium to record, a means which changes over at least two or more recording media, a means which carries out laying-out for each classification, and a means which records to the recording medium by controlling the recording medium change-over means to the recording medium designated by the print job according to the layout. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an aggregation control method for each medium in a recording apparatus that aggregates and records a plurality of recording data on a plurality of media larger than a recording medium designated by the recording data.

  In recent years, the image quality of printers has increased year by year. In addition, the types and sizes of media that can be printed are diversified. For example, wide-type high-quality ink jet printers using roll paper such as A1 and B0 are also becoming popular. In the past, what has been requested by an offset printer is starting to be used as the final output from the printer. This may be a POP at a store or a replica of a work of art. In general, an ink jet recording apparatus includes a carriage on which a recording head and an ink tank are mounted, a transport mechanism that transports recording paper, and a control circuit that controls these. In such a recording apparatus, ink is ejected while serially scanning a recording head having a plurality of ejection openings for ejecting ink droplets in the direction (main scanning direction) perpendicular to the recording paper conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction). On the other hand, the recording operation is executed by intermittently conveying the recording paper by an amount equal to the recording width of the recording head while ink is not ejected from the recording head. Recording media that are recorded as final output products are often expensive. Therefore, there are cases where the recording medium is switched and used, for example, for layout confirmation with an inexpensive recording medium and final output with printing on an expensive medium. In addition, non-standard size POPs and artworks are often printed to a size suitable for the purpose. In such a case, printing is performed on a recording medium such as a fixed form or roll paper larger than the print size.

  Aggregate printing technology is known as a means for effectively using a recording medium of a printer (with less margin). In this method, a plurality of print jobs are laid out according to the size of a recording medium by a printer. For example, a method of imposing four pages of A4 original on A2 paper corresponds to this.

The following proposal has been made as a method for aggregating a plurality of print jobs in a shared environment in which a network is used to print to an arbitrary printer from an arbitrary location. A method has been proposed in which an identification code is added to a print image and a plurality of print images are collectively printed according to the number of print images to be formed on a single recording sheet (see Patent Document 1). A nesting technique is also known as means for effectively using a recording medium by aggregating a plurality of print jobs (see Non-Patent Document 1). In this method, the length and width of a print job are compared with the width (width) of a recording medium, and an image is rotated or non-rotated to be printed so as to increase the use efficiency of the recording medium.
JP 2005-111934 A Hewlett-Packard Japan WEB page Large format printer HP Designjet 4000 series

  A case will be described in which a plurality of jobs are collected and printed on a recording medium designated by a print job according to a conventional technique. If the recording medium designated by the first received print job is the same as the recording medium designated by the job received thereafter, a plurality of print jobs can be collected and printed. However, when a print job that is different from the first print job is received, consolidated printing by the previous print job starts. In the worst case, it occurs when a print job designating alternately different recording media is received. In this case, there is a problem that aggregate printing cannot be performed across a plurality of jobs.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention has the following configuration.

  In a recording apparatus capable of laying out and collectively recording a plurality of print jobs, means for storing a plurality of print jobs, means for designating information of a recording medium for recording the print jobs in the print job, and print job For each recording medium, means for switching at least two or more recording media, means for performing layout for each classification, and recording medium switching means for a recording medium designated by a print job according to the layout And means for recording on the recording medium.

  Further, the recording apparatus according to the second invention of the present invention has the following configuration.

  That is, the recording apparatus according to the first invention is characterized by comprising means for starting aggregate recording when a print job is not received for a certain period of time.

  Furthermore, a recording apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention has the following configuration.

  That is, the recording apparatus according to the first invention comprises means for managing the time during which a print job has not been received for a certain period of time for each medium, and means for starting, for each medium, aggregated recording of the medium that has not been received for a certain period of time It is characterized by doing.

  Furthermore, a recording apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention has the following configuration.

  That is, the recording apparatus according to the first invention is characterized by comprising means for predicting the recording time for each recording medium after layout and means for controlling the order of the recording media to be recorded according to the recording time.

  Furthermore, a recording apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention has the following configuration.

  That is, the recording apparatus according to the first invention is characterized in that it includes a command for starting a collective recording in a print job.

  Furthermore, a recording apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention has the following configuration.

  That is, the recording apparatus according to the first invention is characterized by comprising means for starting aggregate recording of all the media in response to an aggregate recording start command included in the print job.

  Furthermore, a recording apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention has the following configuration.

  That is, the recording apparatus according to the first invention is characterized by comprising means for managing an aggregate recording start command for each medium and means for starting aggregate recording for the medium specified by the aggregate recording start command.

  Furthermore, a recording apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention has the following configuration.

  That is, the recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes means for managing an aggregate recording start command included in a print job for each medium and means for starting aggregate recording on a medium including the aggregate recording start command. Features.

  Furthermore, a recording apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the invention has the following configuration.

  That is, in the recording apparatus according to the first invention, means for rotating the recording data of the print job and means for executing the layout so that unused portions of the recording medium are minimized in consideration of rotation and non-rotation of the recording data. It is characterized by comprising.

  Furthermore, a recording apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention has the following configuration.

  That is, the recording apparatus according to the first invention is characterized by comprising means for controlling the order of the recording media so that it does not take time for the switching operation of the recording media.

  By practicing the present invention, the recorded image of the print job is analyzed by a printer, and the image characteristics are classified. Print jobs can be managed for each classification, and can be laid out and printed within the size of the recording medium. Without specifying the number of images to be consolidated on one sheet, even in a print job with different recording media, printing laid out for each recording medium can be performed. By doing so, it is possible to effectively use the recording medium.

  Next, details of the present invention will be described in accordance with the description of the embodiments.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the following examples.

  FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are block diagrams showing configurations of a controller unit and an engine unit of an ink jet recording apparatus that performs aggregation control in this embodiment.

  First, the configuration and operation of the controller unit in FIG. 1 will be described. Reference numeral 101 denotes a CPU. Reference numeral 108 denotes a USB interface. Reference numeral 109 denotes an IEEE 1394 interface. Reference numeral 122 denotes a local area network interface. Reference numerals 120, 121, and 123 denote host computers that transmit recording data to the recording apparatus. In particular, the computer 123 is a group of one or more computers connected to the network. Reference numeral 102 denotes a memory controller. A ROM 105 stores a control program, various constant data, and the like. Reference numeral 104 denotes a RAM for storing command signals and image information received from the host computers 120 to 123. The CPU 101 controls the recording operation based on the information stored in these memories. Reference numeral 107 denotes an operation panel. An operation panel interface 106 controls the operation panel 107. Reference numeral 110 denotes a large-capacity secondary storage device HDD capable of storing a plurality of image data and the like. Print jobs input from the computers 120, 121, and 123 are stored in the RAM 104 or the HDD 110 via the various interfaces 108, 109, and 122. The CPU 101 performs command interpretation of the stored print job information, generation of image information, and analysis of image information. Image analysis results and image information are stored in the HDD 110. After storing a plurality of recorded images in the HDD 110, the CPU 101 determines the layout of the recorded images on the recording medium. Based on the layout information, the recorded image stored in the HDD 110 is input to the image data processing block 111. Here, the input data is separated into ink colors (four colors of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow in this embodiment) by the color conversion unit. Thereafter, the binarization unit converts the multivalued image data into binary data for each ink color, and outputs it to the engine (FIG. 2). The RAM 112 is a memory used in the image information processing block. In addition, transmission and reception of various commands and status information between the controller and the engine are performed via the image data processing block 111 as in the case of image data.

  Next, the configuration and operation outline of the engine unit shown in FIG. 2 will be described. Reference numeral 209 denotes a band memory control block. The engine unit is connected to a controller (FIG. 1) via a band memory control block 209. 201 is a CPU. A ROM 203 stores a control program, an updatable control program, a processing program, various constant data, and the like. Reference numeral 202 denotes a RAM. The command signal and image information received by the controller (FIG. 1) are stored. The CPU 201 accesses the RAM 202 and controls the recording operation based on information stored in these memories. Reference numeral 207 denotes a carriage motor control circuit. Reference numeral 208 denotes a carriage motor. It is controlled by a carriage motor control circuit 207. Reference numeral 204 denotes a paper transport motor control circuit. Reference numeral 205 denotes a paper feed motor. It is controlled by the paper transport motor control circuit 204. Reference numeral 206 denotes a paper transport mechanism. Reference numeral 211 denotes a recording head control block. A recording head 212 is controlled by the recording head control block 211 and discharges ink. A carriage 220 includes a 211 recording head control block and a 212 recording head. The recording head carriage motor 208 scans in the main scanning direction. The CPU 201 can record a desired image on the recording medium by controlling the band memory control block 209 and the recording head control block 211 based on various information stored in the RAM 202 and driving the recording head 212.

  FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the recording apparatus. In this embodiment, an example is given in which two types of recording media can be set in the form of roll paper, but there is no limitation on the type of recording medium such as the number of types, only roll paper, or a combination of cut paper and trawl paper. Absent. Reference numeral 901 denotes a roll paper of the recording medium A. Reference numeral 902 denotes a roll paper of the recording medium B. These roll papers are controlled exclusively by the recording medium control circuit 221 and used exclusively. Reference numeral 903 denotes a recording medium switching roller of the recording medium A. Reference numeral 904 denotes a recording medium switching roller for the recording medium B. Reference numerals 905 and 906 denote recording medium conveyance rollers driven by a motor 205 controlled by a paper conveyance control circuit 204. Reference numeral 907 denotes a carriage including the printhead and printhead control circuit 220 shown in FIG. This carriage is controlled by a carriage motor control circuit 207 and records on a recording medium while scanning in the main scanning direction (depth: Z direction). Reference numeral 908 denotes a cut portion of the recording medium, and reference numeral 909 denotes a sharp blade. During the recording operation, the recording medium is located outside the paper discharge area. When recording is completed, the recording medium is cut while moving in the Z direction. Reference numeral 910 denotes a cover for protecting the recording medium. The recording medium can be exchanged by raising this cover.

  A print job classification method, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In S301, a print job sent from the computer 120, 121, 123 is received. In step S302, interpretation of a print job command and generation of image data are performed. In step S303, the time until the next print job is received is counted. If the next print job is received before the predetermined time is reached, the process proceeds to print job reception in S301. If the next print job is not received within the predetermined time, the process proceeds to S304. In S304, layout is started for each recording medium. At that time, the layout is performed so that the size of the recording medium can be effectively used in consideration of the rotation of the image. Next, in S305, a recording time is predicted for each recording medium. The prediction of the recording time can be easily calculated from the recording mode and the recording area. The order is determined so that recording is performed from a medium having a short recording time. In S306, printing is started according to the order of recording media having a short recording time determined in S305. FIG. 4 shows a print job received by the recording apparatus including the passage of time. Job 1 is received first, then job 2, job 3, and job 4 are received sequentially. The recording area and the number of recordings of each job are indicated by 401-404. Reference numeral 401 denotes that the print job 1 has a recording area having a shape close to a square, and four of them are recorded. Similarly, reference numeral 402 denotes that job 2 records two sheets in a horizontally long rectangular recording area. Reference numeral 403 denotes that job 3 records eight sheets in a horizontally long rectangular recording area. Reference numeral 404 denotes that job 4 records two sheets in a vertically long rectangular recording area. Reference numeral 405 indicates that since the job is not received until the nesting recording start time after job 4, the layout work of S305 is started from the reception waiting state of S304. Further, each job is classified into the recording medium A and the recording medium B according to the command interpretation result of S302 in the flow shown in FIG. For example, job 2 and job 3 are print jobs for recording medium A, and job 1 and job 4 are print jobs for print medium B. FIG. 5 shows the layout result performed in S304. Reference numeral 501 denotes a recording medium A. Reference numeral 502 denotes a recording medium B. Layout is performed for each recording medium. A layout is implemented so that the recording medium is effectively used in job 2 and job 3 to the recording medium A. In that case, it is also considered to rotate the recording data. In this embodiment, job 2 is arranged side by side as it is, and job 3 is rotated 90 degrees. One sheet is laid out next to job 2 and the remaining six sheets are arranged below job 2. Similarly, the layout of the jobs 1 and 4 to the recording medium B is performed so that the recording medium is effectively used in consideration of the rotation. Job 1 has a layout in which four sheets are arranged side by side, and job 4 is rotated 90 degrees and arranged horizontally below job 1. In S305, the recording time for each recording medium is calculated as follows. Data indicating the recording time per unit area is prepared in advance for each recording medium and recording mode. This may be registered in advance in the ROM 105 or may be transmitted as a command from the computer. The recording time for each recording medium can be calculated from the recording area after the layout of each recording medium and the information on the recording medium and the recording mode. For example, when the recording times per unit area of the recording medium A and the recording medium B are the same, the recording medium B shown in 502 has a smaller recording area than the recording medium A 501 in the example of FIG. I understand. In this case, it is determined that the recording time of the recording medium 502 is shorter, and control is performed so that the recording medium B is printed first and then the recording medium A is printed. When the recording time per unit area of the recording medium B is four times that of the recording medium A, the recording medium A is printed first because the recording medium A 501 has a shorter recording time. Next, the recording medium B is controlled to be printed. Actually, the recording medium switching mechanism is controlled from the recording medium switching control circuit 221, and printing is performed after switching to the recording medium A or B.

  A description will be given using a recording apparatus having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing in the second embodiment. In step S601, a print job sent from the computer 120, 121, or 123 is received. In step S602, the print job command is interpreted and image data is generated, and is recorded in the HDD S606. In step S603, it is determined whether a command for starting printing is included in the command in step S602. If the command to start printing is not valid, the process proceeds to a print job reception step in S601. If the print start command is valid, the integrated layout S604 of the recording media designated by the same print job command is started. In step S605, printing is started based on the information laid out in step S604. When printing is completed, the process returns to step S601. FIG. 7 shows a print job received by the recording apparatus including the passage of time. Job 1 is received first, then job 2, job 3, and job 4 are received sequentially. Reference numerals 701 to 704 denote the recording area and the number of recordings of each job. Reference numeral 701 denotes that the print job 1 has a recording area having a shape close to a square, and four of them are recorded. Similarly, 702 indicates that job 2 records two sheets in a horizontally long rectangular recording area. Reference numeral 703 denotes that job 3 records eight sheets in a horizontally long rectangular recording area. Reference numeral 704 denotes that job 4 records two sheets in a vertically long rectangular recording area. Further, each job is classified into the recording medium A and the recording medium B according to the command interpretation result of S602 in the flow shown in FIG. For example, job 2 and job 3 are print jobs for recording medium A, and job 1 and job 4 are print jobs for print medium B. As shown in FIG. 7, since the print start command is invalid for the first job 1 received, the print operation is not started with the image data recorded in the HDD 110 as it is. Job 2 stores the image data but does not start the printing operation because the print start command is invalid as in job 1. Job 3 performs a layout operation on recording medium A and executes printing because the print start command is valid. Job 4 executes the layout work on recording medium B and executes printing because the print start command is valid. FIG. 8 shows a result of performing the layout work similar to that of the first embodiment and an output result. The output order follows the order in which the print start command is received, and first the recording medium A 801 and then the recording medium B 802 are output.

  A case where a print start command can be issued independently in the recording apparatus having the same configuration as that of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S1001, it is determined whether data has been received from the host computers 120, 121, and 123. If no data is received, the reception state is maintained as it is. When the data is received, the process advances to step S1002 to determine whether the received data is a print job or a print start command. This print start command also includes information on the medium on which printing is to be started. It may be a single medium or a plurality of media. If the received data is a print job, the process proceeds to the print job processing in step S1003. The processing after S1003 is the same as that in the second embodiment. If it is a print start command in S1002, the integrated layout of the recording media designated by the start command in S1007 is started. The processing after S1007 is the same as that in the second embodiment.

  In the recording apparatus having the same configuration as that of the second embodiment, an example in which recording is started first when the recording medium switching time is short will be described. The print job recording start instruction may be included in the job or may be a print start command alone. The operation of switching from the state in which the recording medium B in FIG. 9 can be transported to the state in which the recording medium A can be transported will be described. First, the recording medium B 902 is rotated counterclockwise and wound up to the 904 recording medium switching mechanism. Next, the roller of the recording medium switching mechanism 903 is rotated, the recording medium A 901 is sent to the paper conveying roller 905, and the state is switched to a state where recording can be started. Here, an operation when a recording start command is received in a state where the recording medium A and the recording medium B are received as print jobs will be described. When a recording start command with a recording medium designation is received, printing is performed after the layout of the designated recording medium and the recording medium are switched. When a recording start command is received that does not specify a recording medium, the state of the recording medium switching mechanism is first confirmed. Taking the state of FIG. 9 as an example, since the recording medium B 902 can be conveyed by the paper conveying roller 905, recording can be started immediately. In this case, the layout and recording of the recording data on the recording medium B are performed first, and then the layout and recording of the recording medium A are performed.

  In the above embodiment, an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus has been described. However, an apparatus having a different recording method such as electrophotography may be used.

  The form of the recording system according to the present invention is not limited to one provided as an image output unit of an information processing apparatus such as a computer or a word processor, or a facsimile apparatus having a communication function combined with a reading apparatus. It may be a device or the like.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a controller unit in the recording apparatus according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an engine unit in the recording apparatus according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention. It is a flowchart of the recording operation in Example 1 of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the reception condition of the job in Example 1 of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the layout result for every classification in Example 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart of the recording operation in Example 2 of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the reception condition of the job in Example 2 of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the layout result for every classification in Example 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the recording device in Example 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart of the recording operation in Example 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 CPU
102 Memory controller 103 Bus bridge 104 RAM
105 ROM
106 Operation Panel Interface 107 Operation Panel 108 USB Interface 109 IEEE 1394 Interface 110 HDD (Hard Disk)
111 Image Data Processing Block 112 Image Data Processing Block RAM
120 Host computer 1
121 Host computer 2
122 LAN (Network) Interface 123 Host Computer 3
201 CPU
202 RAM
203 ROM
204 Paper transport motor control circuit 205 Paper transport motor 206 Paper transport mechanism 207 Carriage motor control circuit 208 Carriage motor 209 Band memory control block 210 Band memory control block memory 211 Print head control block 212 Print head 220 Carriage 221 Recording medium switching control circuit 222 Recording medium switching mechanism 401 Recording area, recording number and classification of job 1 402 Recording area, recording number and classification of job 2 403 Recording area, recording number and classification of job 3 404 Recording area, recording number and classification of job 4 405 Layout start point 501 Recording medium A
502 Recording medium B
701 Recording area, recording number and classification of job 1 702 Recording area, recording number and classification of job 2 703 Recording area, recording number and classification of job 3 704 Recording area, recording number and classification of job 4 801 Recording medium A
802 Recording medium B
901 Recording medium A
902 Recording medium B
903 Recording medium switching mechanism 904 Recording medium switching mechanism 905 Recording medium conveyance roller 906 Recording medium conveyance roller 907 Carriage 908 Cut part 908 Recording medium cutter part 909 Recording medium cutter blade 910 Recording medium protective cover

Claims (10)

In a recording apparatus capable of laying out and collectively recording a plurality of print jobs,
Means for storing a plurality of print jobs;
Means for designating information of a recording medium for recording the print job by the print job;
Means for classifying print jobs by medium for recording;
Means for switching between at least two recording media;
Means for laying out each classification;
A recording apparatus comprising: means for controlling the recording medium switching unit on a recording medium designated by a print job according to the layout and recording the recording medium on the recording medium. The storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a unit that starts aggregate recording when a print job is not received for a certain period of time. Means for managing the time during which a print job has not been received for a certain period of time for each medium;
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit that starts aggregated recording of media that have not been received for a certain period of time for each medium. Means for predicting the recording time for each recording medium after the layout;
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit that controls the order of recording media to be recorded according to the recording time. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a command for starting aggregate recording as data received by the recording apparatus. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit that starts aggregate recording of all the media in response to an aggregate recording start command. Means for managing an aggregate recording start command for each medium;
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unit that starts aggregate recording on a medium specified by the aggregate recording start command. Means for managing an aggregate recording start command included in a print job for each medium;
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for starting aggregate recording on a medium including the aggregate recording start command. Means for rotating print job record data;
2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for executing the layout so that unused portions of the recording medium are minimized in consideration of rotation and non-rotation of the recording data.   3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for controlling the order of recording media so that time is not required for the switching operation of the recording media.

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