JP2010264672A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem in operability such that in a printer in which a plurality of roll papers can be set, in such a state that one roll paper is fed, the bar cords of the other roll papers can not be read and the paper kind can not be predetermined, so that the roll papers can not be replaced and for replacing the other roll papers, it is necessary to release the feeding state of the fed roll paper and it is necessary that a user is aware of when printing is completed, because it is necessary that the user waits until printing is completed, when printing is performed. <P>SOLUTION: In such a state that one roll paper is fed, the other roll papers can be replaced. When the roll paper is run out during printing, the other roll papers are fed to specify a roll paper type. As the specification result, when the predetermined roll paper type coincides with the printed roll paper type, printing is continued. When the predetermined roll paper type does not coincide with the printed roll paper type, printing is stopped as an error. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, and more particularly to a printing system that develops information transferred from a host computer to a printer through an interface circuit into image information and prints on recording paper.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing system that performs printing on continuous paper (hereinafter referred to as roll paper) using an ink jet method includes a host computer that generates print data and a printer that prints print data input from the host computer. The printer includes a print data input unit from a host computer, an image development unit that develops input print data into an image, a conveyance unit that conveys roll paper, a printing unit that prints on roll paper, and the like.

  In a printer in such a printing system, the format of print data input from a host computer is input in a language format describing the arrangement and expression method of characters and images, the type and size of recording paper to be used, and the like. The language of the input print data is analyzed and image development is performed in a bitmap format, and the developed image is printed on a roll paper using a recording member such as an inkjet head by conveying the recording paper.

  With the recent increase in image quality, functionality, and size of printers, the volume of print data has increased, and a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk is built in so that it can handle large volumes of data internally. Printers are appearing. In particular, when printing on roll paper, long printing such as banner printing is possible, and the longer the image to be printed, the larger the print data, so a hard disk is useful.

  In such a printer, the hard disk is not only used as a print data processing buffer but also used as a device for realizing various functions with added value. For example, when printing a plurality of copies of print data, only one copy of the print data is output from the host computer to the printer and stored in the hard disk, and printing is performed by reading the number of copies from the hard disk. In addition, when printing fails due to a paper jam or the like during printing, it is also used for re-reading the print data from the hard disk and printing again. Furthermore, there are the following uses as another use. If the type of roll paper set in the printer and the type of roll paper specified by the print data are different, the printer stops abnormally because it cannot be printed normally. However, if the stopped state continues for a long time, it becomes impossible to print subsequent print data that matches the type of roll paper set in the printer. In such a case, instead of stopping abnormally, the process is suspended and the print data is temporarily saved in the hard disk (hereinafter, such print data is referred to as suspended data). Then, there is a method of avoiding a state in which the printer cannot be used by printing subsequent print data first (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  When a new roll paper is set in the printer, the type of the roll paper is associated with the roll paper when the user inputs the type from the operation unit of the printer. The type of input roll paper is used for subsequent image formation and conveyance control. When removing a roll paper to which the type has been input from the printer, a pattern for specifying the type (hereinafter referred to as a barcode) is printed on the leading edge of the roll paper, thereby maintaining the correspondence between the roll paper and the type. When the roll paper on which the barcode is printed is set in the printer, the paper type is automatically set by the printer reading the barcode, so that the user can omit input for setting the type. The barcode is read by scanning the roll paper with a sensor provided on a carriage integrated with the inkjet head.

  Further, some printers capable of printing roll paper are configured so that a plurality of roll papers can be set. In such a printer, when printing on a plurality of roll papers having different roll paper widths and types, it is possible to print on an appropriate roll paper without replacing the roll paper. In addition, if a plurality of roll papers having the same width and type are set, there is an advantage that a large amount of printing can be performed on a plurality of roll papers at a time. There is a selection prohibition / permission setting means for each of the paper feed stages, and when there is no paper during printing, the other paper is set to be permitted and the same size is switched, and if it is prohibited, a paper out error is generated. There are some (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-29123 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-207299

  However, the printing system described above has the following problems. If you want to replace another roll paper (referred to as roll paper 2) while a single roll paper (referred to as roll paper 1) is being fed with a printer that can set multiple roll papers, roll paper 2 It is necessary to read the barcode to identify the type of In order to read the barcode, it is necessary to feed the roll paper 2 and read the barcode with a reading sensor mounted on the carriage. However, since the roll paper 1 has already been fed, the roll paper 2 cannot be fed. As a result, in order to replace the roll paper 2, it is necessary to release the paper feed state by discharging or rewinding the roll paper 1. In particular, when the roll paper 1 is being printed, the roll paper 1 cannot be released until the printing is completed, and therefore the roll paper 2 is replaced after the printing is completed. For this reason, the user has to be aware of when printing will end, which is problematic in terms of usability. Although it is possible to cancel the printing of the roll paper 1 and cancel the paper feeding state, in that case, the paper and ink that have been printed halfway are wasted, which is not an effective solution.

  For this reason, the present invention intends to achieve each of the above objects by providing a printing system having the configuration shown in the following corresponding items (1) to (6).

  (1) In a printing system comprising a printer having a plurality of roll paper trays and a host application for displaying the status of the printer or instructing the printer to operate, one roll paper in the plurality of roll paper trays A paper feeding unit that feeds roll paper from a tray; a replacement unit that can exchange roll paper in another roll paper tray while the roll paper is fed by the paper feeding unit; and the paper feeding unit When the roll paper runs out during printing by the printing means, the printing means for printing on the roll paper fed by the paper feeding means, Feeding the roll paper exchanged in another roll paper tray by the paper feeding means, specifying the roll paper style by the roll paper style specifying means, and the printing means If the roll paper format matches the discriminating means for discriminating whether or not it matches the roll paper format that has been printed more, printing continues on the roll paper fed from the other roll paper tray A printing system comprising: a continuous printing unit that performs printing, and a print canceling unit that displays an error indicating that the roll paper has run out and stops printing if the roll paper formats do not match.

  (2) An informing means for informing the user that the roll paper in another roll paper tray can be exchanged in a state where the roll paper is fed by the paper feeding means. The printing system according to claim 1.

  (3) The replacement means further comprises holding means for holding the leading edge of the roll paper by being sandwiched between paper feed rollers when the leading edge of the roll paper set in the roll paper tray is inserted. The printing system described in.

  (4) The roll paper form specifying means specifies the roll paper form by reading a barcode recorded on the roll paper for specifying the paper type. Printing system.

  (5) The print canceling means urges the user to replace the roll paper so that the roll paper style matches, and makes a determination on the replaced roll paper by the determining means. The printing system described.

  (6) The host application further includes a generation unit that generates print data including designation of a roll paper format, and the printer further includes an operation unit that receives an operation instruction from a user, and a storage unit that stores the print data. And a holding unit for holding printing when the roll paper format designated by the print data and the roll paper format fed by the paper feeding unit do not match, and processing of the print data is performed by the host Sending the print data from the application to the printer, printing instructions from the host application or the operation unit for the print data stored in the storage unit, or a state where printing is suspended by the suspension unit The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system is started by an operation of releasing by the operation unit. .

  According to the present invention, when the paper is fed from one roll paper tray and the paper runs out during printing, the paper is fed from another roll paper tray and the barcode is read. Then, if the paper format obtained by analyzing the barcode matches the format of the paper that was being printed, printing is continued with another roll paper, and if it is different, printing is stopped. As a result, if the user sets roll paper of the correct style in a plurality of roll paper trays, printing can be performed continuously, and a large amount of printing can be performed at once. Also, if a roll paper of an unintended style is set by mistake, printing will not be continued, and the roll paper and ink will not be wasted. Furthermore, since the user is informed that a roll paper in another roll paper tray can be replaced while a roll paper tray is being fed, the user can replace the roll paper by operating according to the instructions of the printer, There is an effect that a user-friendly printer can be provided. In addition, when the user inserts the leading edge of the roll paper from the roll paper tray, the leading edge of the roll paper is held to be in a paper feed standby state. At this point, the user can leave the printer and perform other operations. The effect is that you can concentrate on. Further, since the barcode is read as a method for specifying the roll paper style, there is an effect that the roll paper style can be specified with a simple configuration. In addition, when a roll paper with a different style from the roll paper in the paper feeding state is set, the user is prompted to replace it with the correct roll paper. The effect is that you can continue. Furthermore, the print data processing is started by sending print data from the host application and by printing instructions from the host application or the operation unit of the printer for the print data stored in the printer. In addition, it is also started by a hold release operation by the host application or the operation unit of the printer of the print data whose print is held due to the roll paper format mismatch. Accordingly, it is possible to continuously print on a plurality of roll paper trays corresponding to various handling methods related to print data, and there is an effect that a more convenient printing system can be provided.

The perspective view which shows the structure of the printing system of the 1st-3rd Example. The figure which showed the outline | summary of the structure of the printer of the 1st-3rd Example. The figure which showed the outline | summary of the structure of the printer of the 1st-3rd Example. Flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment The figure which showed the panel display screen of the paper exchangeability of 1st Example The figure which showed the panel display screen of the paper replacement | exchange procedure of the 1st-3rd Example. The figure which showed the barcode pattern of the 1st-3rd Example. Flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment The figure which showed the panel display screen which urges | exchanges the paper of the 2nd-3rd Example Flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment The figure which showed the host display screen of the pending job list of the 3rd example The figure which showed the outline | summary of the structure of the printer of the 1st-3rd Example.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a printer, which prints on printing paper based on information input from the outside or information previously held inside. 2 is a host computer (hereinafter referred to as a host), and 3 is a network hub. A plurality of hosts 2 are connected to the printer 1 via the network hub 3 and the network cable 4, and transfer print data and information for controlling the printer 1 (hereinafter referred to as a print job) to the printer 1. 5 is an upper roll paper, and 6 is a lower roll paper, on which a paper wound on a roll can be set. Reference numeral 7 denotes a main cover which is opened when roll paper is fed or when a print head or a cutter unit described later is replaced. The figure shows a closed state. A release lever 8 is a lever for pressing a roller, which will be described later, against the platen to fix the upper roll paper 5 or the lower roll paper 6 or removing it when the upper roll paper 5 or the lower roll paper 6 is clogged away from the platen. It is. An operation key 9 is a member for performing various settings relating to the operation of the printer 1 or performing operations when the printer 1 is used alone. Reference numeral 10 denotes a display panel for displaying the status of the printer 1 and setting contents when operation settings of the printer 1 are performed using the operation keys 9. The type of paper to be printed and the print image quality can also be set with the operation keys 9 and the display panel 10. Reference numeral 53 denotes an ink tank cover, which opens or replaces an ink tank described later.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the printer 1. In FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a controller unit 14 and an engine unit 15. The controller unit 14 receives a print job from the host 2, performs processing such as analysis of the print job, and generates print data in a format that can be printed by the engine unit 15. In addition, the input of the operation key 9 is accepted, the operating environment of the printer 1 is set, the status of the printer 1 is displayed on the display panel 10, and the display for prompting the user to operate the operation key 9 is performed. . The engine unit 15 feeds paper, prints the print data generated by the controller unit 14 and discharges it. When an abnormality such as paper jam or out of paper occurs in the engine unit 15, the controller unit 14 is notified, and the controller unit 14 displays that the abnormality has occurred on the display panel 10 or performs processing for notifying the host 2. Do.

  Next, the internal configuration of the controller unit 14 will be described. 18 is a controller microcomputer, 19 is a system memory, 20 is an interface circuit (hereinafter referred to as I / F circuit), 21 is a reception buffer, 22 is an image processing circuit, 23 is controller memory, and 24 is a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD). It is.

  Next, the operation in the block diagram of FIG. 2 will be described. The controller microcomputer 18 controls all control such as analysis of the print job input from the outside, image processing, and conversion processing to bitmap. The flow of print data is as follows. The print job input from the host 2 is stored in the reception buffer 21 via the I / F circuit 20, and the controller microcomputer 18 is notified from the I / F circuit 20 that the print job has been received. The print job includes various setting information such as image data and paper size and type. The controller microcomputer 18 analyzes the received print job and instructs the image processing circuit 22 and the engine unit 15. The image data stored in the reception buffer 21 is subjected to image processing by the image processing circuit 22 to become a bitmap format, stored in the controller memory 23, and then sent to the engine unit 15.

  A print job input from the outside can also be stored in the HDD 24. The HDD 24 includes a temporary storage area and a permanent storage area, each having a predetermined capacity. The temporary storage area is used as a volatile area for temporarily storing a print job waiting to be printed, and can store a print job until there is no more free space. The print job stored in the temporary storage area is deleted when printing is completed. When print jobs waiting for printing are accumulated and there is no more free space, it is no longer possible to receive print jobs from the host 2 and the printer 2 waits for transfer of print jobs from the host 2. The permanent storage area is used as a non-volatile area for permanently storing a print job, and this can also store a print job until there is no more free space. The print job stored in the permanent storage area remains stored even after printing is completed. If the stored jobs are accumulated and there is no more free space, no more print jobs can be stored.

  The flow of print data when using the HDD 24 is as follows. The process up to the point where it is stored in the reception buffer 21 is the same as when the HDD 24 is not used. The data stored in the reception buffer 21 is transferred to the HDD 24 and stored therein. If the print job setting in the host 2 is set to leave the print job even after printing is completed, the print job is stored in the permanent storage area of the HDD 24. On the other hand, when the print job is set to be deleted after printing is completed, it is stored in the temporary storage area of the HDD 24. Here, the operation when the print job is set to be deleted after the printing is completed will be described. Printing is performed by reading a print job stored in the HDD 24 and sending the image data to the engine unit 15 via the image processing circuit 22 and the controller memory 23. After printing is completed, the print job is deleted from the temporary storage area of the HDD 24.

  The operation contents of the operation key 9 are input to the controller microcomputer 18 and appropriate processing is performed according to the input contents. Further, when a printing situation or an error occurs from the engine unit 15, the contents are notified to the controller microcomputer 18, displayed on the display panel 10, or notified to the host 2.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the engine unit 15 and shows an image when the printer 1 is viewed from the side. The upper roll paper 5 is in the paper feeding state and the lower roll paper 6 is in the retracted state. It shows a case. In the figure, 11 is a carriage, 12 is a cutter unit, and 13 is a platen. 41 is an engine microcomputer, 42 is an engine memory, 43 is a carriage motor, 44 is a print head, and 45 is a head driver. 46 is a roller, 47 is an LF motor, 48 is a paper feed sensor, 49 is a paper discharge sensor, 50 is a cutter motor, 51 is a solenoid, 52 is a program memory, 53 is an ink tank cover, 54 is an ink tank, and 55 is an ink tube. It is. In this embodiment, it is assumed that there are six ink tanks 54 and ink tubes 55. Reference numeral 56 denotes an upper roll paper feed roller, and 57 denotes a lower roll paper feed roller. In the paper feed roller, a broken line in the figure shows a state in which the roll paper is released and a solid line shows a state in which the roll paper is held. 58 is an insertion sensor for upper roll paper, and 59 is an insertion sensor for lower roll paper. A bar code sensor 60 is integrated with the carriage 11.

  The operation in the block diagram of FIG. The engine microcomputer 41 controls all control such as feeding and discharging of the upper roll paper 5 and lower roll paper 6 and control of the print head 44. The bitmap sent from the controller unit 14 is stored in the engine memory 42.

  The upper roll paper 5 is mounted on the printer 1 when the user inserts the leading end of the upper roll paper 5 into the paper feed unit, which is detected by the upper roll paper insertion sensor 58 and is fed by the upper roll paper feed roller 56. This is done by pinching. Similarly, the loading of the lower roll paper 6 to the printer 1 is detected by the lower roll paper insertion sensor 59 when the user inserts the leading end of the lower roll paper 6 into the paper feed unit, and the lower roll paper feed roller 57 is inserted. This is done by sandwiching the paper. The upper roll paper 5 and the lower roll paper 6 have a single paper feed path before the platen 12, and the carriage 11, the roller 46, the paper feed sensor 48, and the paper discharge sensor 49 are the upper roll paper 5 and the lower roll paper 6. It has become shared. In the following description, either the upper roll paper 5 or the lower roll paper 6 will be referred to as roll paper. The roll paper is fed and discharged by driving the LF motor 47 and rotating the roller 46. Whether paper feeding and paper discharge are operating normally is determined by detecting the presence or absence of roll paper by the paper feed sensor 48 and paper discharge sensor 49. Since the paper feed paths for the upper roll paper 5 and the lower roll paper 6 are shared, both roll papers are not fed simultaneously. For example, when the upper roll paper 5 is fed while the lower roll paper 6 is in the paper feeding state, the lower roll paper 6 needs to be retracted. The lower roll paper 6 in the figure shows a retracted state, and the front end of the paper is located at a position that is separated from the upper and lower roll shared portions of the paper feed path. By being positioned in this way, it does not interfere with the feeding of the upper roll paper 5. When feeding roll paper, the barcode sensor 60 reads the barcode pattern printed on the leading edge of the roll paper. FIG. 7 shows an image of the barcode pattern. The barcode pattern is composed of a pattern indicating the form and state of the paper, and the type of paper can be specified by reading the barcode pattern. The barcode pattern is not printed when the roll paper is new, but when the roll paper is set in the printer and the user sets the paper type, the barcode pattern corresponding to the set information is removed. Sometimes prints on top of paper.

  The print head 44 is integrated with the carriage 11 and is driven by a head driver 45. Six colors of ink are supplied from the ink tank 54 to the print head 44 through the ink tube 55. The carriage 11 reciprocates in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface and the printing paper transport direction by the carriage motor 43, and prints on the roll paper by the print head 44. When printing is completed, the cutter unit 12 integrated with the carriage 11 is lowered by the cutter motor 50, and the roll paper is cut by driving the carriage 11 in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface and the conveyance direction of the printing paper. During feeding and printing of roll paper, the main cover 7 and the release lever 8 are locked in a closed state by the solenoid 51, and the main cover 7 cannot be opened or the release lever 8 cannot be released. When the paper feed sensor 48 and the paper discharge sensor 49 detect that the roll paper is jammed, printing is stopped and the controller unit 14 is notified.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention. These flowcharts are program diagrams showing a program flow built in the system memory 19 of FIG. 2 and the program memory 52 of FIGS. 3 and 12 and processed by the controller microcomputer 18 and the engine microcomputer 41. The controller microcomputer 18 and the engine microcomputer 41 cooperate to execute a control operation according to the program flow.

  The flow of FIG. 4 shows processing when a print job is received from the host 2. As a precondition, the upper roll paper of the printer 1 has a small amount of plain paper, and the lower roll paper is coated with a coated paper. As shown in FIG. Assume that the roll paper is in the retracted normal state. In the print job, plain paper is designated as the paper type. Below, it demonstrates along each step of a flow.

  In S101, it is monitored whether or not a print job has been received from the host 2. If a print job is received, the print job is analyzed in S102. Here, plain paper is designated as the paper type, and plain paper is set on the upper roll paper 5, so printing on the upper roll paper 5 is started in S 103. In S104, the display panel 10 displays that the lower roll paper 6 can be replaced. A display image is shown in FIG. In S105, it is confirmed whether or not the user has pressed the OK key (not shown) of the operation key 9. If it is pressed, the process proceeds to S107, and the replacement procedure of the lower roll paper 6 is displayed on the display panel 10. A display image is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the remaining amount of the upper roll paper 5 is small, and there is a possibility that the remaining amount is insufficient to print the print job being printed to the end. In that case, when the user presses the OK key (not shown) of the operation key 9 on the display screen of FIG. 5, the lower roll paper 6 is replaced with plain paper according to the procedure displayed on the display screen of FIG. Can do. When the user inserts the leading end of the lower roll paper 6 into the paper feed unit and the paper is detected by the lower roll paper insertion sensor 59, the paper is sandwiched and held by the lower roll paper feed roller 57 in S108. Thereafter, the user's operation is not necessary, and the user can leave the printer. In step S109, the process waits for the end of printing. If the upper roll paper 5 runs out in step S110 before printing is completed, the lower roll paper 6 holding the leading edge of the paper is fed in step S108. FIG. 3B shows a state when it is detected that the upper roll paper 5 has run out. The absence of paper is detected when the upper roll paper insertion sensor 58 no longer detects paper. Thereafter, the paper is conveyed in the paper feeding direction and discharged. FIG. 12C shows a state where the lower roll paper 6 is fed. During feeding, the barcode is read at S112. If the barcode can be read, the process proceeds from S113 to S114, where the barcode is analyzed to specify the type of paper. In S115, it is determined whether the specified paper type matches the paper type (plain paper) of the upper roll paper 5 that has been printed. If they match, in S116, subsequent printing is performed. In step S117, the process waits for the end of printing, and the flow of the present embodiment ends. If the paper types do not match in S115, the display panel 10 is displayed to replace the lower roll paper 6 with plain paper in S118, and the user is prompted to replace the paper. When the user replaces the lower roll paper 6 in S119, the process returns to S111 and repeats the processes after S112.

  When printing is finished in S106 without the OK key being pressed in S105, the flow of this embodiment is finished.

  In this embodiment, printing is started on the roll paper whose paper type specified in the received print job matches the type of paper that has been set. During printing, the unused roll paper can be replaced. If there is not enough paper remaining during printing, the paper will run out before printing is completed, but the user may set the next roll paper in advance to complete printing. it can. When the roll paper is set, the leading edge of the paper is held between the paper feed rollers, and after that, the user leaves the user's hand and feeds the paper at an appropriate timing, so the user needs to wait in front of the printer. Disappears. Since roll paper can be set independently of printing, it does not affect the print job being printed. When the roll paper runs out during printing, the replaced roll paper is fed, and the barcode is read during feeding to identify the type of roll paper being fed. If the specified type of roll paper matches the type of roll paper that has been printed, printing can be continued, so the continuation is printed on the supplied roll paper. If the user mistakenly sets a different type of paper, the user does not continue printing and prompts the user to replace the roll with the correct type so that improper printing is not performed. . If the user replaces the roll paper with the correct type, subsequent printing can be performed.

  If the operation of this embodiment is not executed, another roll paper cannot be replaced during printing. If the user is about to run out of paper during printing, the user does not wait until the paper runs out. Will not be. Further, if the user leaves the printer without noticing that paper is likely to run out, printing stops when the paper runs out. For this reason, when the user thinks that the printing has been completed and goes to the printer, the printing is not yet completed, and more time is spent until the printing is completed. Further, if another roll paper is not fed when the paper runs out, it is impossible to start the subsequent printing, so that it takes time to complete the printing. Furthermore, if the barcode is not read when another roll paper is fed, the type of paper cannot be determined, and it is impossible to determine whether or not to continue printing. As a result, it takes more time to complete printing. Therefore, the present embodiment is effective in shortening the time until printing is completed, shortening the time required for user operation, and preventing inappropriate printing.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention. Since the configuration of the printing system is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. These flowcharts are program diagrams showing a program flow built in the system memory 19 of FIG. 2 and the program memory 52 of FIG. 3 and processed by the controller microcomputer 18 and the engine microcomputer 41. The controller microcomputer 18 and the engine microcomputer 41 cooperate to execute a control operation according to the program flow.

  The flow of FIG. 8 shows processing when print job A is received from the host 2 and print job B is received during printing. As preconditions, plain paper is set on the upper roll paper of the printer 1 and coated paper is set on the lower roll paper. As shown in FIG. 3A, the upper roll paper is in a feeding state and the lower roll paper is retracted. It shall be in a normal state. In print job A, plain paper is designated as the paper type, and in print job B, glossy paper is designated as the paper type. Below, it demonstrates along each step of a flow.

  In S201, it is monitored whether the print job A is received from the host 2, and when the print job A is received, the print job is analyzed in S202. Here, plain paper is designated as the paper type, and plain paper is set in the upper roll paper 5, so printing starts on the upper roll paper 5 in S <b> 203. In step S204, it is monitored whether the print job B is received. If the print job B is received, the process proceeds to step S206. If printing of the print job A is finished in S205 without receiving the print job B, the flow of this embodiment is finished. In step S206, the print job B is analyzed. Here, glossy paper is designated as the paper type, but since the coated paper is set on the lower roll paper 6 that is not being printed, the display panel 10 is configured to replace the lower roll paper 6 with glossy paper in S207. To display. A display image is shown in FIG. In S208, it is confirmed whether or not the user has pressed the OK key (not shown) of the operation key 9. If it is pressed, the process proceeds to S209, and the replacement procedure of the lower roll paper 6 is displayed on the display panel 10. The display image is the same as that in FIG. 6 in the first embodiment. When the user inserts the leading end of the lower roll paper 6 into the paper feed unit and the paper is detected by the lower roll paper insertion sensor 59, the paper is sandwiched and held by the lower roll paper feed roller 57 in S210. Thereafter, the user's operation is not necessary, and the user can leave the printer. In step S211, the process waits until printing of the print job A is completed. After printing, it is necessary to feed the lower roll paper 6 for printing the print job B. Before that, the upper roll paper 5 is retracted in S212. FIG. 12D shows a state in which the upper roll paper 5 is retracted. As shown in the figure, the leading edge of the upper roll paper 5 is positioned away from the upper and lower roll shared portions of the paper feed path. By positioning in this way, it can be prevented from interfering with the feeding of the lower roll paper 6. In S213, the lower roll paper 6 is fed. During feeding, the barcode is read in S214. If the barcode can be read, the process proceeds from S215 to S216, and the barcode is analyzed to identify the type of paper. In step S217, it is determined whether the specified paper type matches the paper type (glossy paper) specified in the print job B. If they match, the print job B is printed in step S218. In step S219, the process waits until the end of printing, and the flow of the present embodiment ends. If the paper types do not match in S217, the display panel 10 is displayed to replace the lower roll paper 6 with the coated paper in S220, and the user is prompted to replace the paper. When the user replaces the lower roll paper 6 in S221, the process returns to S213 and repeats the processes from S214.

  In this embodiment, when the print job A is received and the next print job B is received during printing, the roll paper of the type specified in the print job B is not set, so the user can replace the roll paper. Prompt. The replacement is performed on the roll paper not used for printing. The user sets the print job A that is not using roll paper for printing the print job B in advance during printing of the print job A so that the print job B to be printed can be printed after the print job A is printed. Can be kept. When the roll paper is set, the leading edge of the paper is held between the paper feed rollers, and after that, the user leaves the user's hand and feeds the paper at an appropriate timing, so the user needs to wait in front of the printer. Disappears. Since roll paper can be set independently of printing, it does not affect the print job being printed. When printing of the print job A is completed, the replaced roll paper is fed, and the barcode is read during feeding to identify the type of roll paper being fed. If the specified roll paper type matches the roll paper type specified in print job B, printing is possible, so print job B is printed on the supplied roll paper. If the user mistakenly sets a different type of paper, the user does not continue printing and prompts the user to replace the roll with the correct type so that improper printing is not performed. . If the user replaces the roll paper with the correct type, subsequent printing can be performed.

  If the operation of this embodiment is not executed, another roll paper cannot be exchanged during printing, and the user must wait until the printing of the print job A is completed. Further, if another roll paper is not fed when the printing of the print job A is completed, the printing of the printing job B cannot be started, so that it takes time to complete the printing. Furthermore, if the barcode is not read when another roll paper is fed, the type of paper cannot be determined, and it is impossible to determine whether or not to continue printing. As a result, it takes more time to complete printing. Therefore, this embodiment is also effective in shortening the time until printing is completed, shortening the time required for user operation, and preventing inappropriate printing.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention. Since the configuration of the printing system is the same as in the first and second embodiments, description thereof is omitted. This flowchart is a program diagram showing a program flow built in the system memory 19 of FIG. 2 and the program memory 52 of FIGS. 3 and 12 and processed by the controller microcomputer 18 and the engine microcomputer 41. The controller microcomputer 18 and the engine microcomputer 41 cooperate to execute a control operation according to the program flow.

  The flow of FIG. 10 shows processing when a hold release operation for the print job B held in the HDD 24 is performed during reception of print job A from the host 2 and printing. As preconditions, plain paper is set on the upper roll paper of the printer 1 and coated paper is set on the lower roll paper. As shown in FIG. 3A, the upper roll paper is in a feeding state and the lower roll paper is retracted. It shall be in a normal state. In print job A, plain paper is designated as the paper type, and in print job B, glossy paper is designated as the paper type. Below, it demonstrates along each step of a flow.

  In S301, it is monitored whether the print job B is received from the host 2, and when the print job B is received, the print job is analyzed in S302. Here, glossy paper is designated as the paper type and does not match the paper type of either the upper roll paper 5 or the lower roll paper 6 and is held in the HDD 24. Next, whether or not the print job A is received from the host 2 is monitored in S304, and when the print job A is received, the print job is analyzed in S305. Here, plain paper is designated as the paper type, and plain paper is set on the upper roll paper 5, so printing on the upper roll paper 5 is started in S 306. During printing, when the user performs a hold release operation for the print job B held in S307, the print job B is analyzed again in S308. The hold release operation can be performed by any of the host 2, the display panel 10, and the operation key 9, but here it is assumed that the operation is performed by the host 2. An operation screen image at the host 2 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, a list of jobs held on the HDD 24 is displayed, and when a hold release button is pressed for a job to be released, a hold release command is transmitted to the printer 1. When the printer 1 receives the hold release command, the printer 1 releases the hold state of the target job and performs analysis again. Since the processing after S308 is the same as the processing after S206 in the flow of FIG. 8 in the second embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

  In this embodiment, when the hold of the print job B that has been put on hold is canceled during the printing of the print job A, the type of roll paper designated by the print job B is not set. Prompt the user to replace the roll paper. The subsequent operation is the same as in the second embodiment. This embodiment is also effective in shortening the time until completion of printing, shortening the time required for user operation, and preventing inappropriate printing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 Host computer 3 Network hub 4 Network cable 5 Upper roll paper 6 Lower roll paper 7 Main cover 8 Release lever 9 Operation key 10 Display panel 11 Carriage 12 Cutter unit 13 Platen 14 Controller part 15 Engine part 18 Controller microcomputer 19 System memory DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Interface circuit 21 Reception buffer 22 Image processing circuit 23 Controller memory 24 Hard disk drive 41 Engine microcomputer 42 Engine memory 43 Carriage motor 44 Print head 45 Head driver 46 Roller 47 LF motor 48 Paper feed sensor 49 Paper discharge sensor 50 Cutter motor 51 Solenoid 52 Program memory 53 Ink tank cover 54 Ink tank 55 Ink Tube 56 Upper roll paper feed roller 57 Lower roll paper feed roller 58 Upper roll paper insertion sensor 59 Lower roll paper insertion sensor 60 Barcode sensor

Claims (6)

  In a printing system comprising a printer having a plurality of roll paper trays and a host application for displaying the status of the printer or instructing the printer to operate, rolls from one roll paper tray in the plurality of roll paper trays A paper feeding means for feeding paper, an exchange means capable of exchanging roll paper in another roll paper tray while the roll paper is fed by the paper feeding means, and paper feeding by the paper feeding means Roll paper format specifying means for specifying the roll paper format, printing means for printing on the roll paper fed by the paper feed means, and when the roll paper runs out during printing by the printing means, A roll paper exchanged in another roll paper tray is fed by a paper means, a roll paper style is specified by the roll paper style specifying means, and the printing means is used. When the roll paper format matches with the discriminating means for discriminating whether or not it matches the roll paper format that has been printed, printing is continued on the roll paper fed from the other roll paper tray. A printing system comprising: a continuous printing unit; and a printing cancellation unit that displays an error indicating that there is no roll paper and stops printing when the roll paper formats do not match.   And a notifying unit for notifying a user that the roll paper in another roll paper tray can be exchanged in a state in which the roll paper is fed by the paper feeding unit. The printing system according to 1.   2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the replacement unit further includes a holding unit that holds the leading end of the roll paper by being sandwiched between the paper feed rollers when the leading end of the roll paper set in the roll paper tray is inserted. Printing system.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the roll paper format specifying unit specifies a roll paper format by reading a barcode recorded on the roll paper for specifying a paper type.   2. The printing according to claim 1, wherein the print canceling unit prompts the user to replace the roll paper so that the roll paper forms match, and the determination unit determines the replaced roll paper. system.   The host application further includes a generation unit that generates print data including designation of a roll paper format, and the printer further includes an operation unit that receives an operation instruction from a user, a storage unit that stores the print data, And a holding unit for holding printing when the roll paper format specified by the print data and the roll paper format fed by the paper feeding unit do not match, and processing of the print data is performed by the host application from the host application. Sending the print data to a printer, printing instructions for the print data stored in the storage unit by the host application or the operation unit, or a state in which printing is suspended by the suspension unit is the host application or the operation The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system is started by an operation of releasing by means.