JP2011141885A - Printing system, control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To construct a convenient printing environment which can reduce a load of an operator, flexibly meet various needs related to double-sided printing from a user and meet a POD environment. <P>SOLUTION: A user request related to a double-sided printing job as an object to be processed by a printing system provided with a printer which can carry out a double-sided printing operation on a first surface and a second surface of a printing medium can be received from the user through a user interface means. When the user request received through the user interface means is a specific user request, a series of double-sided printing operations for adjusting a printing position of the data as an object to be printed on any of the first surface and the second surface of the printing medium can be executed in the double-sided printing job as the object to be processed by the printer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus capable of duplex printing.

  In recent years, printing devices have been colorized, digitized, and speeded up, and such high-performance printing devices are becoming popular. The application of such a printing apparatus is not limited to the market mainly in the office machine field such as offices, but is also spreading to the field of the printing industry where advanced bookbinding is required. For example, as an example of this, the POD market is being studied in recent years. In the market, an operator who has contracted a print request from a customer operates the printing apparatus, and the customer creates a desired printed matter using the apparatus. And it is in the environment where a reward is obtained from a customer by delivering a printed matter as a final product as a product to the customer (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-310746 A

  In the POD market as described above, a case where various post-processing such as bookbinding and binding are required from a customer for a recording material printed by a printing apparatus is assumed. In addition, regarding the printing form of the data to be output, there may be a case where the customer requests not only single-sided printing but also double-sided printing.

  Therefore, in order to deal with such cases, the functions related to double-sided printing provided by the printing device can be handled not only at the level required in the office environment, but also in the needs required in the POD market. I think it is desirable. For example, it is considered that a printing apparatus not only having a double-sided printing function but also having a function in consideration of advanced post-processing as required in a POD environment should be provided. In other words, it is desirable to be able to provide a printing apparatus that can suppress the output of double-sided printing results that cannot be used as merchandise and can generate highly accurate double-sided printing results. As an example of this, it is desirable to be able to provide a high-accuracy double-sided image alignment function that assumes post-processing and the like.

  Examining the above considerations further, in general, in an office environment, there are few cases where a recording medium printed by a printing apparatus is bound as a product. For example, in an office environment, even if the positions of images printed on the front and back of a recording medium at the time of duplex printing are shifted, the printed matter is not handled as a product. Therefore, it is not considered as a problem without being noticed by the user.

  On the other hand, in the POD environment, it is assumed that the printed material is bound as a manual or a guide book and delivered to the customer as a product. In addition, a case in which double-sided printing is performed on the front and back of a single print medium is assumed for such a printed material to be bound. In this case, a printing result in which the printing position of the image printed on the front surface of the printing medium on the printing medium and the printing position of the back image printed on the back surface of the medium on the printing medium are shifted. Then, it is expected that the printed matter may not be used as a product. In addition, it is expected that the higher the degree of deviation (shift amount) between the printing positions of the front surface image and the back surface image, the higher the possibility. As described above, there may be a case where the positional deviation of the print result of the front and back images in double-sided printing that is not a concern in the office environment needs to be dealt with in the POD environment.

  Furthermore, when delving into the above examination, the cause of the positional deviation of the front and back images of the recording medium during double-sided printing as described above is, for example, due to the alignment accuracy of the recording material in the printing apparatus. Conceivable. For example, assuming that the specification of the product related to the positioning accuracy of the image of the recording material of the printing apparatus itself is 2 mm, in this case, it is assumed that the position of the front and back images may be shifted by a maximum of 4 mm. If the printing result is output by the printing apparatus with the product specifications such that the positions of the front and back images are shifted by 4 mm, the level is not regarded as a problem in the office environment.

  However, even in the case of such a misalignment that does not appear to be a problem in the office environment, there is a possibility that it will not be adopted as a printed product as a product in the POD environment. Also, in this way, if this level of position shift is detected by an operator when inspecting printed matter as a product in the POD environment, it is considered that there is a high possibility of reprinting. In addition, such an image misregistration phenomenon is caused by, for example, a recording material (also simply referred to as a sheet) being conveyed inside a printing apparatus, due to environmental change factors such as temperature and humidity. It may also occur due to contraction. As described above, the cause of the phenomenon as described above is considered not only an internal factor of the printing apparatus itself but also an external factor surrounding the printing apparatus.

  Looking at the actual POD environment for this situation, even when performing double-sided image printing for bookbinding, even in order to suppress the above situation from occurring, It is expected that a high level of skill and a large number of operations will be required for workers. For example, the operator finely adjusts the image position with respect to the image data submitted to the printing apparatus manually from 1 while predicting the amount of deviation based on his own rule of thumb. In addition, image alignment is performed by pre-printing or the like.

  Then, after various operations, when the image alignment operation on the front and back sides is completed, the image data that has undergone the image alignment is saved, and actual printing is performed using the saved image data. Do. It is considered that such a situation where an advanced and complicated work is required for a worker in the field in the POD environment may occur.

  In addition, as described above, the recording material alignment accuracy in the printing apparatus includes the environmental conditions such as the temperature and humidity where the printing apparatus is installed, the shrinkage of the paper during fixing, and the deviation in the paper transport path. It is thought that it changes due to multiple factors. In other words, it is expected that the amount of image misregistration varies dynamically from day to day. Therefore, even if it is assumed that the image data that has been image-aligned on the front and back sides can be saved so that it can be reused even after it has been printed, It is expected that the image data cannot be used as it is. In other words, even if the same image data is held so as to be reusable, it is expected that the image alignment operation will need to be repeated every time the data is used. From this point of view, it is considered that further reduction in the operator's workload when performing image alignment will be sought more strongly in the future.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a printing system, a job processing method, and a storage medium that can solve the above-described problems.

  In addition, the present invention can cope with the above-described problems, flexibly cope with various needs from users related to double-sided printing, such as reducing the burden on workers when performing double-sided printing, and can also be applied to the POD environment. The purpose is to be able to construct a convenient printing environment that can be used.

  Further, in a printing apparatus capable of coping with the above-mentioned assumed problems and capable of double-sided printing, the productivity of the printing apparatus and the operation of the operator can be performed even when image alignment is performed to correct the positional deviation of the image during printing. The purpose is to build a convenient printing environment that takes load reduction into consideration.

  In order to address the above-described problems, the present invention provides a printing unit that executes a duplex printing job for printing an image on a first side and a second side of a sheet, an image printing position on the first side, and the first side. A setting unit that sets a threshold value of a deviation amount between the second surface and the image print position; and a deviation amount between the image print position with respect to the first surface and the image print position with respect to the second surface. A detecting means for detecting the shift amount, and when the shift amount is smaller than the threshold value, the shift amount is not corrected without correcting a shift between the print position of the image with respect to the first surface and the print position of the image with respect to the second surface. And control means for correcting a shift between an image printing position with respect to the first surface and an image printing position with respect to the second surface.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to cope with the problems assumed in the background art. For example, in the case of double-sided printing, POD while flexibly dealing with various needs from users related to double-sided printing, such as reducing the burden on workers. It is possible to construct a convenient printing environment that can handle the environment. In addition, for example, in a printing apparatus capable of duplex printing, even when performing image alignment for correcting image misalignment at the time of printing, it is convenient considering the productivity of the printing apparatus and the reduction of the operator's workload. A printing environment can be constructed.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an entire printing system including printing apparatuses (MFPs 105 and 106) to be controlled in the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the printing apparatus used as a control object by this form. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the printing apparatus used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a processing method of a print job to be controlled in this embodiment. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a data processing method of a print job to be controlled in the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a data processing method of a print job to be controlled in this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a data processing method of a print job to be controlled in this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a data processing method of a print job to be controlled in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the further structural example of the printing apparatus used as a control object by this form. It is a figure which shows the further hardware structural example of the printing apparatus used as a control object by this form. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a control example using a sensor disposed on a sheet conveyance path of a printing apparatus to be controlled in the present embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a data processing method of a print job to be controlled in this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of control of this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of control of this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of control of this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the UI part used as a control object by this form.

  First, the outline of each embodiment of the present invention will be described. Of the embodiments described below, the first and second embodiments have a configuration for reducing the workload of an operator when performing image alignment for correcting image misalignment during printing. .

  As a specific configuration, for example, after the control unit of this embodiment starts printing of a job to be printed on both sides by the printing apparatus, the printing operation of the job is automatically stopped when a predetermined number of printings are completed. Let In addition, when the print operation of the job is stopped, a setting screen (double-sided image alignment detailed setting screen) for allowing the image print position of the job to be corrected based on an instruction from the user is displayed on the user interface unit. .

  In addition, a configuration is provided in which the print operation of the job in the print operation stop state is controlled to be resumable under image position adjustment control according to an instruction from the user input via the screen.

  In the first embodiment, a control example when processing print data of a job received via a scanner unit included in the printing apparatus will be mainly described. In the second embodiment, a control example when processing print data of a job received from a client (host computer) corresponding to an example of an external apparatus capable of data communication with a printing apparatus will be mainly described.

  In the first and second embodiments, the control for correcting the printing position deviation of the data of the job to be printed on both sides can be executed based on an instruction from the operator.

  In contrast, the third embodiment includes a detection unit that detects a printing position shift of the data of the job to be printed on both sides. Thus, when a printing position deviation is detected, control regarding correction of the printing position deviation of the job data can be automatically executed without depending on an instruction from the operator.

  In addition, as a supplementary note, as the configuration of the printing apparatus or printing system provided in the present embodiment, all the configuration requirements of the present embodiment described below including the first, second, and third embodiments will be described. Alternatively, a configuration in which a plurality of configurations, such as two, are provided and these can be selectively executed may be used. Or the structure which mounts only any one form of each form demonstrated below may be sufficient. In other words, as long as the configuration can solve the problem assumed in the above-described conventional technology, any configuration of this embodiment may be adopted, and combinations within a range where no contradiction occurs.

[First Embodiment]
<Configuration of the entire printing system>
FIG. 1 shows a printing apparatus (MFP 105, 106), a computer (103, 104), a sheet processing apparatus (108, 109), etc., provided in this embodiment including the first embodiment of the present invention and the embodiments described later. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration (an example) of an entire printing system including a printer.

  The prepress server 103 scans a paper document received from an end user by a device (scan device) having a scanning function such as the scanner 102 / MFP 105 / MFP 106, and captures it as a scanned image file. In addition, image correction such as skew correction and black spot removal of the captured data is executed.

  Also, various editing processes are performed on data of a plurality of document / image files received from an end user and data of a plurality of scanned image files scanned by a scanning device. For example, a plurality of data are merged, pages are inserted / deleted, page numbers and annotations are added, and index sheets, cover sheets, and slip sheets are inserted.

  Also, various page layout editing such as Nin1 printing and multiple printing designation and imposition processing are executed. Such various processes are controlled by the control unit of the server 103 in response to operations from the operator of the server 103.

  The configuration of the printing system may be configured by one prepress server 103 and client PC 104 as shown, or may be configured by only a plurality of client PCs without the prepress server 103.

  In the printing system shown in FIG. 1, when a paper original is copied and bound, the paper original is scanned by a scanning device such as the MFP 105 / MFP 106, and the obtained scanned image file is obtained by the printing function of the MFP 105 / MFP 106. Print.

  On the other hand, in the printing system shown in FIG. 1, when image data is printed and bound, the document / image file received from the end user is first taken into the prepress server 103 or the client PC 104. When there are a plurality of document / image files received from the end user and scanned image files scanned by the scanning device, these files are merged.

  When it is necessary to further edit the document / image file received from the end user or the scanned image file scanned by the scanning device, the following operation can be executed. For example, while checking the layout of a plurality of pages, an operator inserts a page from another file into the editing target file or deletes a page of the editing target file.

  Further, for example, the following processing can be executed in response to a request from the worker. For example, page numbers and annotations (characters and images such as watermarks and logos representing confidential information) can be added, and Nin1 printing and multiple printing (printing that lays out multiple pages on one printing surface) can be specified. . Also, various page layout editing and imposition processes such as inserting index sheets, cover sheets, slip sheets, and specifying post-processing such as stapling, punching, and Z-folding can be executed.

  Then, the document / image file and the scanned image file that have undergone these processes are transmitted from the prepress server 103 or the client PC 104 to the MFPs 105 and 106, and are printed using the printing functions of the MFPs 105 and 106.

  In this configuration, it is also possible to construct a variable printing system in which a plurality of copies of the same document are printed while replacing destinations and related data in cooperation with a database constructed on the prepress server 103 or another server (not shown). Is possible. This makes it possible to implement one-to-one marketing such as direct mail address printing and customer-specific brochures.

  In the printing industry, before entering the plate making / printing process, there is an output called a color comprehensible layout intended for presentation to an advertiser. Therefore, in order to cope with this, a digital color image processed by DTP for creating a publication using a personal computer or CEPS used for image correction or composition in a printing process can be printed by this printing apparatus. Thereby, it can comprise for the above-mentioned color comp. Note that DTP is an abbreviation for DeskTop Publishing, and CEPS is an abbreviation for Color Electronic Press System.

  In addition, assuming a POD environment, the MFP 105 or the MFP 106 is configured to be able to execute proof printing including layout confirmation corresponding to a comp, simple color confirmation, and detailed color confirmation corresponding to a proof. .

  As described above, in this configuration, it is possible to proof output to the MFP 105 or the MFP 106 in order to confirm the layout and color of the final product as necessary.

  The prepress server 103, the client PC 104, the scanner 102, the MFP 105, and the MFP 106 are connected to a network and have a data communication function. As a result, image data and control commands of jobs to be processed are transmitted and received between devices, and the received jobs can be processed.

  The paper folding machine 107 receives printed sheets for manuals and guidebooks printed from the printing apparatus (105 and 106) based on instructions from the operator input via the operation unit of the paper folding machine 107. The folding process is executed by the designated paper folding method.

  The case binding machine 108 wraps a cover sheet such as a manual or a guide book in an output document folded by the paper folding machine 107 and performs a gluing operation.

  The cutting machine 109 cuts the output document attached with the cover by the case binding machine 108. When cutting, the printing apparatus (105 or 106) enables cutting at a mark position called a registration mark that serves as a guide for a cutting position on a printed sheet. In addition, as a kind of cutting, it is comprised so that the three-way cutting which cuts three edge parts other than the glued part among the four edge parts of the case-bound printed matter is executable.

  In the present embodiment, MFPs 105 and 106 having a plurality of functions are illustrated as an example of a printing apparatus. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example, a single-function type printing apparatus such as a printing apparatus having only a function of printing print data from a computer is also applicable. Such an apparatus is called SFP (Single Function Peripheral).

<Functional Configuration of MFPs 105 and 106>
Next, the configuration of an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) will be described with reference to FIG.

  Each of the MFPs 105 and 106 includes a memory such as a hard disk capable of storing a plurality of job data to be processed. In addition, the printer unit 203 has a copy function for printing job data received from the scanner unit 201 included in the own apparatus via the memory. In addition, the printer unit 203 has a print function for printing job data received from an external device such as a computer via a communication unit via the memory. A printing apparatus (also referred to as an image forming apparatus) having such a plurality of functions.

  In general, an MFP includes a full-color device and a monochrome device. In many cases, the full-color device includes the configuration of a monochrome device, except for color processing and internal data. Therefore, here, the explanation will focus on full-color devices, and description of monochrome devices will be added as needed. In other words, the printing apparatus capable of color printing and the printing apparatus capable of monochrome printing may have any configuration as long as various controls described in this embodiment can be executed.

  FIG. 2 is an example of a block diagram of the printing apparatuses (MPFs 105 and 106) of the present embodiment. The printing apparatus of this embodiment includes a scanner unit 201 that reads a document image and performs image processing on the read image data. Further, it includes an external I / F unit 202 that transmits and receives image data and the like with a facsimile, a network connection device, and an external dedicated device. A hard disk 208 is also provided that can store image data of a plurality of jobs to be printed received from either the scanner unit 201 or the external I / F unit 202. The printer unit 203 executes print processing of data of a job to be printed stored in the hard disk 208 with respect to the print medium. The printing apparatus also includes an operation unit 204 having a display unit as an example of a user interface unit included in the printing system.

  A CPU 205 corresponding to an example of a control unit included in the printing system controls the processes and operations of various units included in the printing apparatus. The ROM 207 stores various control programs required in the present embodiment, including programs for executing various processes in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 14, 22, and 29 described later.

  The ROM 207 also stores a display control program for displaying various user interface screens on the display unit of this embodiment including the operation screens of FIGS. 6 to 11, 15 to 16, and FIGS. 26 to 28. ing. The CPU 205 reads out and executes the program in the ROM 207, thereby causing the printing apparatus to execute various operations described in the present embodiment. A program for executing an operation of interpreting PDL (page description language) code data received from an external device (103, 104, etc.) via the external I / F 202 and expanding it into raster image data (bitmap image data) Is also stored in the ROM 207. These are processed by software.

  The memory controller unit 206 controls access to the ROM 207, the RAM 208, and the HDD 209 that are connected storage devices. When memory access from each connected master device competes, arbitration is performed so as to access the slave memories selected in order according to the priority.

  A ROM 207 is a read-only memory, and stores various programs such as programs such as a boot sequence and font information, and the above programs.

  A RAM 208 is a readable / writable memory, and stores image data, various programs, and setting information transmitted from the scanner unit 201 and the external I / F 202 via the memory controller 206.

  An HDD (hard disk) 209 is a large-capacity storage device that stores the image data compressed by the compression / decompression unit 210. The HDD 209 is configured to be able to hold a plurality of data such as print data of a job to be processed. The CPU 205 controls the printer unit 203 to print job data input via various input units such as the scanner unit 201 and the external I / F unit 202 via the HDD 209. In addition, control is performed so that transmission to an external apparatus via the external I / F 202 is possible. In this way, the CPU 205 controls to execute various output processes of job target data stored in the HDD 209.

  The compression / decompression unit 210 compresses / decompresses image data stored in the RAM 208 and the HDD 209 by various compression methods such as JBIG and JPEG.

<Hardware configuration of MFP>
Next, the hardware configuration of the MFPs 105 and 106 will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, a configuration of a 1D type color MFP will be described. Note that a 4D type color MFP and a monochrome MFP are also examples of the printing apparatus of this embodiment, but a description thereof is omitted here.

  An automatic document feeder (ADF) 301 is a device that sequentially separates a bundle of documents set on a stacking surface of a document tray and conveys the document bundle onto a platen glass for scanning a document by a scanner 302.

  A scanner 302 reads an image of a document conveyed on a platen glass and converts it into image data by a CCD. A rotary polygon mirror (polygon mirror or the like) 303 makes incident light such as laser light modulated according to the image data, and irradiates the photosensitive drum 304 as reflected scanning light through a reflection mirror.

  The latent image formed by the laser beam on the photosensitive drum 304 is developed with toner, and the toner image is transferred to the sheet material attached on the transfer drum 305. A series of image forming processes is sequentially performed on yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners to form a full-color image. After the four image forming processes, the sheet material on the transfer drum 305 on which a full-color image has been formed is separated by the separation claw 306 and conveyed to the fixing device 308 by the pre-fixing conveying device 307.

  The fixing device 308 is configured by a combination of a roller and a belt, and includes a heat source such as a halogen heater, and melts and fixes the toner on the sheet material to which the toner image is transferred by heat and pressure.

  The paper discharge flapper 309 is configured to be swingable about a swing shaft, and defines the sheet material conveyance direction. When the paper discharge flapper 309 is swinging in the clockwise direction in the figure, the sheet material is conveyed straight and is discharged out of the apparatus by the paper discharge roller 310. On the other hand, when forming images on both sides of the sheet material, the paper discharge flapper 309 swings counterclockwise in the figure, and the sheet material is changed in the downward direction and sent to the duplex conveying unit.

  The double-sided conveyance unit includes a reverse flapper 311, a reverse roller 312, a reverse guide 313, and a double-sided tray 314. The reverse flapper 311 is configured to be swingable about a swing shaft, and defines the sheet material conveyance direction. When processing a double-sided printing job, the CPU 205 swings the reverse flapper 311 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. Control is performed to feed the reversing guide 313.

  Then, the reverse roller 312 is temporarily stopped in a state where the rear end of the sheet material is held between the reverse rollers 312, and then the reverse flapper 311 is swung clockwise in the drawing. In addition, the reverse roller 312 is rotated in the reverse direction. Thus, the sheet is switched back and conveyed, and the sheet is controlled to be guided to the double-sided tray 314 in a state where the trailing edge and the leading edge of the sheet are switched.

  The sheet material is once stacked on the double-sided tray 314, and then the sheet material is fed again to the registration roller 316 by the refeed roller 315. At this time, the sheet material is fed with the surface opposite to the transfer process on the first surface facing the photosensitive drum.

  Then, the second image is formed on the second surface of the sheet in the same manner as described above. Then, images are formed on both surfaces of the sheet material, and the sheet is discharged from the inside of the printing apparatus main body to the outside through the discharge roller 310 through a fixing process. The CPU 205 executes the series of double-sided printing sequences as described above, thereby enabling the printing apparatus to execute double-sided printing on each of the first and second sides of the job data sheet to be printed on both sides. .

  The sheet feeding / conveying unit includes sheet feeding cassettes 317 and 318, a paper deck 319, a manual feed tray 320, and the like serving as sheet feeding units for storing sheets required for printing processing. As units for feeding sheets stored in these paper feeding units, there are a paper feeding roller 321 and a registration roller 316.

  The sheet feeding cassettes 317 and 318 and the paper deck 319 are configured such that sheets of various sheet sizes and various materials can be set separately for each of these sheet feeding units. The manual feed tray 320 is also configured to be able to set various print media including special sheets such as OHP sheets.

  The paper feed cassettes 317 and 318, the paper deck 319, and the manual feed tray 320 are each provided with a paper feed roller 321 so that sheets can be continuously fed in units of one sheet. For example, the sheet material stacked by the pickup roller is sequentially fed out, and the feeding is prevented by the separation roller provided facing the paper feed roller 321, and the sheet material is fed one by one to the conveyance guide.

  Here, a driving force for rotating the separation roller in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction is input via a torque limiter (not shown). When only one sheet material enters the nip formed between the sheet feeding roller and the sheet material roller, the sheet material is driven to rotate in the transport direction. On the other hand, when double feed occurs, the double-fed sheet material is returned by rotating in the direction opposite to the conveying direction, and only the uppermost sheet is sent out.

  The fed sheet material is guided between the conveyance guides and conveyed to the registration rollers 316 by a plurality of conveyance rollers. At this time, the registration roller 316 is stopped, the leading edge of the sheet material hits the nip portion formed by the registration roller 316 pair, the sheet material forms a loop, and skew is corrected. Thereafter, the registration roller 316 starts rotating and conveys the sheet material in accordance with the timing of the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 304 in the image forming unit.

  The sheet material fed by the registration roller 316 is electrostatically attracted to the surface of the transfer drum 305 by the suction roller 322.

  The sheet material discharged from the fixing device 308 enters the online finisher unit (when the finisher is connected). The online finisher section includes a sample tray 323 and a stack tray 324, which are switched and discharged according to the type of job and the number of sheet materials to be discharged.

  Note that the printing apparatus of this embodiment has a shift sheet function. This function is a function of shifting a plurality of sheets stacked on the processing tray 325 in the finisher to the tray 324 by shifting the sheets for each bundle. As a result, a plurality of sheet bundles can be stacked on the tray 325 in a state of being divided into bundles.

  The printing apparatus of this embodiment also has an electronic sort function. This function stores print data consisting of a plurality of pages to be processed in all pages HDD 209, and repeats printing for the number of copies set by the user, reads the job data in page order, and causes the printer unit 203 to print the data. It is a function.

  As a result, even if a mechanical sort function using a plurality of bins is not provided, it is possible to output a plurality of copies of print results having the same page order on the tray 324.

  This embodiment also has a group sort function. The function stores in the HDD 209 all pages of a job for which a plurality of copies are set in a job consisting of a plurality of pages, and continuously reads the same page from the HDD 209 for the designated number of print copies. It is a function to print with. This is a function for repeatedly executing this for all pages.

  As a result, a plurality of copies of print results can be output to the tray 324 in a state where each page is divided. The CPU 205 controls such various functions to be executable in a job to be processed in accordance with print settings from the user from the user interface unit.

  Further, when the user sets the staple mode for the job to be output, the CPU 205 causes the finisher to process the sheet of the job as follows. For example, the printed sheets of the job from the printer unit 205 are sequentially stacked on the tray 325 until one bundle of sheets is stacked on the processing tray 325 inside the finisher.

  When all the sheets belonging to one sheet bundle are stacked on the tray 325, the sheet bundle of the job on the processing tray 325 is stapled by the stapler 326. Then, the sheet bundle of the job that has been stapled is discharged from the tray 325 to the stack tray 324. As described above, the printing system is configured to be able to provide a stapling function.

  In addition, the printing system has a punch function. For example, when punch processing is set via the user interface unit as settings related to sheet processing of a job to be printed, the CPU 205 operates as follows.

  In other words, the punching process for the recording paper of the job is executed by the puncher 327 capable of executing the punching process such as 2 holes or 3 holes. Then, control is performed so that the sheet of the job is discharged to a stack unit such as the stack tray 324 and the sample tray 323.

  The printing system also has a saddle stitch binding function by a saddle stitcher 328 provided in the finisher. The saddle stitcher 328 binds two central portions of the sheet material, and then folds the sheet material by biting the central portion of the sheet material with a roller to create a booklet like a brochure (saddle stitch bookbinding) Process).

  The sheet material bound by the saddle stitcher 328 is discharged to the booklet tray 329. The CPU 205 also determines whether or not to execute a sheet processing operation such as saddle stitch binding by the saddle stitcher 328 based on the sheet processing setting for the job to be printed as described above.

  The printing system also has an insert function by the inserter 330 provided in the finisher. For example, when processing a job in which the function is set, the CPU 205 does not pass a special sheet for a printed cover set on the insert tray 331 to the printer unit without passing it through the printer unit. It can be transported to a loading unit.

  Accordingly, the sheet insertion (intermediate insertion) processing from the inserter 330 can be executed on the sheet printed by the printer unit 203. Note that the insert tray 331 of the inserter 330 is set face-up by the user, and is fed in order from the uppermost sheet material by a pickup roller.

  Therefore, the sheet material from the inserter 330 is discharged to the stack tray 324 or the sample tray 323 as it is, and is discharged face down. When sending to the saddle stitcher 328, the face orientation is adjusted by sending it back to the puncher side and then switching back.

  The CPU 205 also determines whether or not to execute a sheet processing operation such as insert processing by the inserter 330 based on the sheet processing setting by the user for the job to be printed as described above.

<Configuration of Operation Unit of MFP 105, 106>
An operation unit 204 corresponding to an example of a user interface unit included in the printing apparatus (MFP 105, 106) of the printing system will be described with reference to FIG. The operation unit 204 includes a key input unit 402 that can accept user operations using hard keys and a touch panel unit 401 as an example of a display unit that can accept user operations using software keys (display keys).

  As shown in FIG. 5, the key input unit 402 includes an operation unit power switch 501. In response to a user operation of the switch 501, the CPU 205 controls to selectively switch between the standby mode and the sleep mode. Here, the standby mode refers to a normal operation state, and the sleep mode refers to a state in which power consumption is reduced by stopping a program in an interrupt waiting state in preparation for network printing or facsimile.

  The CPU 205 controls to accept a user operation of the switch 501 while a main power switch (not shown) that supplies power to the entire system is in an ON state.

  A start key 503 is a key for enabling the user to accept an instruction to start the type of job processing instructed by the user, such as a copy operation or a transmission operation of a job to be processed. A stop key 502 is a key for enabling the user to accept an instruction to interrupt the processing of the accepted job to the printing apparatus.

  A numeric keypad 506 is a key for making it possible for a user to execute various numerical settings. A clear key 507 is a key for canceling various parameters such as numeric values set by the user via the key 506. A reset key 504 is a key for accepting an instruction from the user to invalidate all the various settings set for the job to be processed by the user and return the setting values to the default state. A user mode key 505 is a key for shifting to a system setting screen for each user.

  Next, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a touch panel unit (hereinafter also referred to as a display unit) 401 corresponding to an example of a user interface unit provided by the printing system. The touch panel unit 401 includes a touch panel display including an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a transparent electrode pasted thereon.

  The unit 401 has a function of accepting various settings from the operator and a function of presenting information to the operator. For example, when it is detected that a portion corresponding to a display key in the effective display state on the LCD is pressed by the user, the CPU 205 follows the display control program stored in the ROM 207 in advance according to the key operation. Control the displayed operation screen. FIG. 6 is an example of an initial screen displayed on the display unit 401 when the printing apparatus is in the standby mode (there is no job to be processed by the printing apparatus).

  When the user presses the copy tab 601 on the display unit 401 illustrated in FIG. 6, the CPU 205 causes the display unit 401 to display a copy function operation screen provided in the printing apparatus. When the transmission tab 602 is pressed by the user, the CPU 205 causes the display unit 401 to display an operation screen for a data transmission (Send) function such as fax or E-mail transmission included in the printing apparatus. When the user presses the box tab 603, the CPU 205 causes the display unit 401 to display an operation screen for a box function included in the printing apparatus.

  The box function is a function that uses a plurality of data storage boxes (hereinafter referred to as boxes) that can be distinguished and used for each user that is virtually provided in advance in the HDD 209. With this function, for example, the CPU 205 controls the user so that the user can select a desired box through the user interface unit and can accept a desired operation from the user.

  For example, the CPU 205 can store document data of a job received from the scanner 201 of the printing apparatus in a box selected by the user in response to an instruction from the user input via the operation unit 204. The HDD 209 is controlled.

  The same applies to job text data from an external device (for example, the host computer 103 or 104) received via the external I / F unit 202. That is, the HDD 209 is controlled so as to be stored in a box designated by the user in accordance with the user instruction of the external device designated via the user interface unit of the external device.

  In addition, the CPU 205 causes the user to print the job data stored in the box in a desired output form, for example, by the printer unit 203 in accordance with a user instruction from the operation unit 204, or the user's desired external device The external I / F unit 202 is controlled so as to be able to transmit to. In order to enable the user to execute various box operations as described above, the CPU 205 controls the display unit 401 to display a box function operation screen in response to the user pressing the box tab 603.

  In addition, when the user presses the expansion tab 604 of the display unit 401 in FIG. 6, the CPU 205 displays a screen on the display unit 401 for setting an extended function such as scanner setting. When the system monitor key 617 is pressed by the user, a display screen for notifying the user of the state and status of the MFP is displayed on the display unit 401.

  A color selection setting key 605 is a display key for enabling a user to select in advance whether color copying, black-and-white copying, or automatic selection. A magnification setting key 608 is a key for causing the display unit 401 to display a setting screen that allows the user to execute magnification settings such as equal magnification, enlargement, and reduction. When the sorter key 609 is pressed by the user, the CPU 205 displays a screen that allows the user to input an instruction for executing any of various sheet processes such as stapling and punching that can be executed by the finisher of the system. It is displayed on the display unit 401.

  When the duplex key 614 is pressed by the user, the CPU 205 displays on the display unit 401 a screen that allows the user to set whether to execute single-sided printing or double-sided printing in the print processing of the job to be printed. Let

  In response to the user pressing the paper selection key 615, the CPU 205 displays a screen that allows the user to set the paper feed unit, sheet size, and sheet type (media type) required for the print processing of the job to be printed. 401 is displayed.

  In response to the user pressing the key 612, the CPU 205 causes the display unit 401 to display a screen for enabling the user to select an image processing mode suitable for a document image such as a character mode or a photo mode. Further, the user can operate the density setting key 611 to adjust the density of the output image of the job to be printed.

  As described above, the CPU 205 causes the display unit 401 to perform display in accordance with an instruction from the user, and performs processing according to various processing conditions in accordance with the instruction from the user received through the display. The system is controlled to be executable by the job to be processed.

  Referring to FIG. 6, the CPU 205 displays in the status display field 606 of the display unit 401 the operation status of events currently occurring in the printing apparatus, such as standby status, warming up, printing, jamming, and errors. Display for confirmation by the user.

  In addition, the CPU 205 causes the display field 607 to display information for allowing the user to confirm the print magnification of the job to be processed. Also, information for allowing the user to confirm the sheet size and paper feed mode of the job to be processed is displayed in the display field 616. Also, information for checking the number of copies of the job to be processed by the user and information for checking the number of sheets being printed during the printing operation are displayed in the display column 610. As described above, the CPU 205 causes the display unit 401 to display various types of information to be notified to the user.

  Further, when the interrupt key 613 is pressed by the user, the CPU 205 stops printing of the job being printed by the printing apparatus, and enables printing of the user's job. When the application mode key 618 is pressed, a screen for setting various image processing and layout such as page continuous shooting, cover / interleaf setting, reduced layout, and image movement is displayed on the display unit 401.

  The configuration of the printing apparatus (MFPs 105 and 106) described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 is a basic configuration common to all the embodiments of the present embodiment including the first to third embodiments.

<Example of display control when a copy function job is printed on both sides with this printer>
Next, the present printing apparatus (MFP 105, 106), which is one of the main feature points of the present embodiment, relates to an operation flow when performing double-sided printing of print data of a copy function job as a job to be processed. The description will be given with reference to FIGS. In this example, a description will be given of an example of control by the CPU 205 when print data of a processing target job received via the scanner unit 201 included in the printing apparatus is printed on both sides by the printer unit 203 via the HDD 209.

  When the double-side setting key 614 on the initial screen of the display unit 401 shown in FIG. 6 is pressed by the operator, the CPU 205 selects the display of the double-side setting key 614 (see FIG. 7) and then displays the display unit 401. Then, the screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. The CPU 205 controls the display unit 401 so that settings regarding double-sided printing of a job to be processed can be received from the user via the display of FIG. 8 displayed on the display unit 401.

  When the user presses the “single side → double side” key among the four instruction keys for instructing the printing form provided in the central portion of the screen in FIG. 8, the CPU 205 is a series of a plurality of pages to be processed. The scanner unit 201 is caused to execute a single-sided reading process for the original document job. The print data of the read job is sequentially stored in the HDD 209. In addition, the printer unit 203 executes double-sided printing for printing the print data of the job in the HDD 209 on the front and back of the sheet.

  On the other hand, when the user presses the “double-sided → double-sided” key on the screen of FIG. 8, the CPU 205 causes the scanner unit 201 to perform double-sided reading processing of a series of document jobs including a plurality of pages to be processed. The print data of the read job is sequentially stored in the HDD 209. In addition, the printer unit 203 executes double-sided printing for printing the print data of the job in the HDD 209 on the front and back of the sheet.

  On the other hand, when the user presses the “double-sided → single-sided” key on the screen in FIG. 8, the CPU 205 causes the scanner unit 201 to perform double-sided reading processing of a series of original jobs including a plurality of pages to be processed. The print data of the read job is sequentially stored in the HDD 209. In addition, the printer unit 203 is caused to execute single-sided printing for printing the print data of the job in the HDD 209 on only one side of the sheet.

  As described above, the CPU 205 controls each unit such as the scanner unit 201, the HDD 209, and the printer unit 203 so that the printing apparatus executes an operation according to the user setting related to double-sided printing.

  Under such a configuration, it is assumed that the “single side → double side” key or the “double side → double side” key is pressed by the user on the screen of FIG. 8. In this case, that is, when duplex printing is set for the job to be processed, the CPU 205 sets the display unit 401 so that the user can press the detailed setting key on the screen of FIG. Control.

  As described above, when the double-sided printing setting is made for the job to be processed, the CPU 205 enables the detailed setting related to double-sided printing to be received from the user via the user interface unit. For example, in response to the detailed setting key 801 on the screen of FIG. 8 being pressed by the operator, the CPU 205 causes the display unit 401 to display the detailed setting screen shown in FIG.

  The screen of FIG. 9 displayed on the display unit 401 by the CPU 205 is one of the feature points of this embodiment in addition to the “left and right open” key and the “up and down open” key that allow the user to set the type of duplex printing. A related “adjust front and back image” key 901 is provided. When the key 901 is pressed by the user, the CPU 205 controls the printing apparatus so that a double-sided printing result in a state in which the positions of the front and back images of the sheet are adjusted can be output in a job to be printed on both sides.

  For example, in a job for double-sided printing, the printing position on the sheet of the image of one of the two images, the front image and the back image printed on the front and back of the sheet, is printed on the other surface. Control is performed so as not to deviate more than a predetermined value from the printing position of the image to be printed on the sheet. For this purpose, for example, the image is printed on one surface of the sheet in a state where the print area of the image to be printed on the one surface is shifted in a predetermined direction by a predetermined value. A series of controls by the CPU 205 will be described later.

  When the sorter key 609 on the screen of FIG. 6 is pressed by the operator, the CPU 205 causes the display unit 401 to display the screen of FIG.

  The screen of FIG. 10 includes a “sort (per set)” key, a “group (per page)” key, and a “staple sort” key for enabling the user to set the type of finishing to be executed by the finisher. To do. As shown in this example, the CPU 205 displays on the display unit 401 a display that allows the user to set processing to be executed by a job to be processed from among a plurality of types of sheet processing that can be executed by the sheet processing apparatus included in the system. Let

  Note that the multiple types of sheet processing that can be executed by the sheet processing apparatus included in the system include sorting, stapling, punching, shifting, bookbinding, and the like.

  When the series of print settings for the job to be processed by the user is completed through the above-described display of FIGS. 6 to 10, the CPU 205 displays a display that allows the user to check the print conditions set by the user. To be executed by the unit 401. An example of this is shown in FIG. Note that the CPU 205 also allows the user to set the number of copies of the job to be processed via the numeric keypad 506.

  The example of FIG. 11 is an example in which the following settings are set by the user via the user interface unit as the printing conditions for the job to be processed.

・ Number of copies: “5” ・ Print magnification: “100%”
-Setting of single-sided printing or double-sided printing: “Double-sided printing”
-Sheet processing to be executed by the sheet processing apparatus: "staple"
・ Size and type of sheet to be used: “A4 size and plain paper”
In this way, after receiving a series of printing conditions for the job to be processed by the user and pressing the start key 503 by the user, the CPU 205 determines that the job conforms to the printing conditions of the user. The process is executed by the printing apparatus.

<Copying example for duplex copying>
Next, an example of copying when double-sided copying is performed for bookbinding such as a manual or a guide book will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example in which a product manual (guidebook) is created as a printed matter, for example, by the printing apparatus (MFP 105, 106) of the present embodiment. The printed matter is an example in the case of outputting by double-sided printing.

  Here, an example will be described in which document data having a document name “MFP user manual” is printed on both sides. The job is composed of a series of print data composed of a plurality of pages, such as the first page, the second page, the third page, the fourth page,..., And the final page is 2n pages. That is, the total number of pages is document data for 2n pages.

  Note that the printing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment can accept data of a print target job from the scanner unit 201 included in the self apparatus, and the print target job data transmitted from the external apparatus can also be received from the external I / F unit. It is configured to be able to accept via H.202.

  Under the configuration, the CPU 205 sequentially stores the data of the jobs to be processed in the HDD 209 capable of storing a plurality of job data. In addition, the CPU 205 controls the printer unit 203 to print the job data to be printed among a plurality of job data stored in the HDD 209.

  At this time, the CPU 205 performs control according to the print processing conditions from the user set through the user interface unit of this system.

  When a job to be processed is received from the scanner unit 201, the print processing conditions of the job are received from the user from the operation unit 204 of the printing apparatus. On the other hand, when a job to be processed is received from an external device, the print processing conditions of the job are received from the user via a user interface unit included in the external device.

  As described above, the present embodiment is configured such that the job processing conditions can be set by the user via the user interface unit of the apparatus serving as the transmission source of the print data of the job to be processed.

  With the configuration as described above, when the document data with the document name “MFP user manual” in FIG. 12 is input from the scanner unit 201, the CPU 205 sets the print processing conditions of the job as the operation unit 204 of the printing apparatus. Via the user. On the other hand, when the job data is input from an external device, the setting of print processing conditions for the job can be executed by the user via the user interface unit of the external device. In addition, the print condition data of the job is received via the external I / F unit 202 together with the print data of the job.

  FIG. 12 illustrates an example in which a product manual is printed as a printed material assuming a POD environment. The job is an example of print data including three types of image data. The three types of image data are content (image data of the body part), frame image data 1201 corresponding to the frame part of the content, and index image data 1202 corresponding to the index part of the content for each page.

  The job is document data to be printed on both sides. Therefore, regarding the odd-numbered page data corresponding to the page to be printed on the first surface (front surface) of the sheet, the index image 1202 is printed on the right edge of the sheet when the first surface of the sheet is viewed from the upright state. As shown, the index image data 1202 is laid out.

  In the example of FIG. 12, the data of the job (first page, third page,..., M page,..., 2n-1 page) corresponds to this. For the data of the even page corresponding to the page to be printed on the second side (back side) of the sheet, the index image 1202 is printed on the left end portion of the sheet when the second side of the sheet is viewed from the upright state. As shown, the index image data 1202 is laid out.

  In the example of FIG. 12, the data of the job (2nd page, 4th page,..., 2nth page) corresponds to this.

  The job is a printed matter output as a manual. Therefore, index images are laid out so that the index portion can be distinguished for each chapter of the print data composed of a plurality of chapters, such as Chapter 1 and Chapter 2. In the example of FIG. 12, the index image print area is also laid out so as to shift each time a chapter changes.

  More specific examples will be described. The print position of the index image of the page belonging to the predetermined chapter to be printed is one index lower than the print position of the index image of the page belonging to the chapter immediately before the chapter when the sheet is viewed in the upright state. The layout is shifted.

  For example, the print position of the index image of the page belonging to Chapter 2 is laid out by shifting one index downward from the print position of the index image of the page belonging to Chapter 1. However, the index images of the pages belonging to the same chapter are laid out so that they are all in the same position as the print position of the index image of the page belonging to the chapter.

  For example, the print position of the index image of the page belonging to Chapter 2 is laid out to be the same position as the print position of the other page index images belonging to Chapter 2. In this embodiment, when the job data in such a data format is printed on both sides of the sheet, the print position on the sheet of the index image of the page belonging to the same chapter is as much as possible on the front and back of the sheet printed on both sides. The printer has a function of printing so as not to shift. One example is the function of “adjusting the positions of the front and back images”.

  As a result of printing the job shown in FIG. 12, an example of a book-bound printed material is schematically shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B. The example of FIG. 13 is an example in which printing of the job is executed in this printing system without using the “adjust front and back image position” function that can be executed for a job to be printed on both sides. Equivalent to.

  FIG. 13A shows the printed matter in a three-dimensional projection view. When the job of FIG. 12 is printed by double-sided printing, the index image printed at the end of each page is a portion on the opposite side of the back cover portion of the printed material by binding each page into a bundle as a bookbinding product. It is reflected in the printing result as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13A shows the result of assigning an index image to each of three locations that should be distinguished from other blocks, such as Chapter 1, Chapter 2, and Chapter 3. ing.

  FIG. 13B shows a cross-sectional view of an arbitrary sheet forming an index of a portion surrounded by a dotted circle in FIG. 13A. In other words, a cross-sectional view of one sheet on which both sides of the index image have been printed on both sides of the sheet is shown.

  Further, in the example of FIG. 13B, the data itself to be processed is laid out so that the index image on the front surface and the index image on the back surface are originally printed in the print area corresponding to the same portion. This is an example. Then, an example is shown in which misalignment occurs as a result of actual double-sided printing on the front and back of the sheet.

  When double-sided printing is performed without using the “adjust front and back image position” function of the present embodiment, the front and back images are displayed as shown in FIG. Misalignment may occur. In other words, a phenomenon occurs in which the image printing position of the front-side index image 1202 printed on the front side of the sheet and the image printing position of the back-side index 1202 printed on the back side of the sheet do not exactly match. sell.

  Such a phenomenon may occur due to the accuracy of the image alignment mechanism related to the printing process of the printing apparatus. Such a positional deviation phenomenon in the printing result of the front and back images is a point that is not recognized by the user in an environment that is not an environment for creating a printed matter as a product, such as an office environment. However, for example, if a product assuming a POD environment or the like is put into practical use, it is considered that a more convenient printing environment can be provided by taking measures against the above phenomenon.

  Also, consider the situation where such front and back image misalignment is conspicuous as a printing result. For example, as shown in the example of FIG. 12, the print target job data is print data that has a high possibility of being printed in a POD environment, such as print data having an index image and printed as a manual or a guide book. I think.

  In other words, as shown in FIG. 12, in a job that requires double-sided printing of the image on the edge of the sheet, if the front and back images are misaligned, I think that misalignment may be noticeable. Furthermore, if a sheet for one bundle printed on both sides is composed of only one sheet, it is unlikely that the sheet is likely to stand out even if there is a misalignment between the front and back. .

  However, as shown in FIG. 12, when a sheet bundle for one bundle printed on both sides is composed of a plurality of sheets, if a positional deviation occurs between the front and back images for each sheet, as shown in FIG. There is a possibility that image misalignment will be conspicuous as much as it can be compared with other pages when grouped together. In other words, depending on the alignment accuracy, a case where the index 1202 is printed in a rattling shape for each page is assumed, and a case in which the result is very conspicuous when viewed by an operator may occur.

  Further, regarding the image alignment accuracy of the printing apparatus, for example, it is assumed that there is an error of 2 mm as the alignment accuracy. In this case, there is a possibility that the position of the image to be printed is shifted by 2 mm at the maximum. In this situation, when double-sided printing is performed, if the front image is shifted by 2 mm and the back image is shifted by 2 mm in the direction opposite to the position of the image on the front surface, the amount of image misalignment printed on the front side of the sheet and the back side There is a possibility that the total amount of misregistration is shifted by 4 mm.

  As described above, when the amount of deviation increases to some extent, it is considered that the product may not be a product in an environment where a printed matter is handled as a product, such as a POD environment.

  In addition, as described above, it is considered that the cause of the image misregistration in the printing result is an external factor related to environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity of the place where the printing apparatus is installed. There are also internal factors such as paper shrinkage due to heat generated at the time of fixing by the fixing unit in the printing apparatus, and paper misalignment in the paper transport path.

  In other words, there are a plurality of factors that cause an image misalignment in the printing apparatus, including an external factor and an internal factor. In addition, in relation to such a plurality of factors, the amount of image misregistration that may occur in the printing apparatus may change dynamically every day, such as every time a job is printed or every day. is there.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, a function of “adjusting the positions of the front and back images” is provided so as to cope with such a situation. In addition, the CPU 205 controls the function to be executable by the printing apparatus. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of problems as assumed in the prior art, and to reduce the work load as much as possible, such as the operator re-sequentially performing complicated operations for image alignment. It provides a mechanism that enables things to be done.

  Moreover, not only has the effect of making it possible to improve the work efficiency of the operator involved in double-sided printing, but also the productivity of the job to be processed that should be processed by the printing system can be taken into account while achieving the effect. . And it is comprised so that the effect that it will be possible to maintain high productivity is also acquired. An example of this will be described below.

<Image Print Positioning Function for Double-Sided Print Job According to User Instruction from Operation Unit 204>
In this example, in response to a user instruction input via the operation unit 204 (an example of a user interface unit) included in the printing apparatus itself according to the present embodiment, the CPU 205 performs an image printing alignment operation for a job to be printed on both sides. An example of control when the printing apparatus is executed is shown.

  A specific example will be described using the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, print data of a job composed of a plurality of pages to be printed on both sides received from the scanner unit 201 provided in the printing apparatus (MFP 105, 106, etc.) itself is targeted. Further, a description will be given of a control sequence in the case where the printer unit 203 performs duplex printing in accordance with an instruction from the operation unit 204 of the printing apparatus. The CPU 205 reads out and executes a program related to the process of the flowchart stored in advance in the ROM 207, and controls the process to be executed by the printing apparatus.

  First, in response to the user pressing the start key 503 of the operation unit 204, the CPU 205 determines in step S1401 whether the job to be printed is a job requiring double-sided printing processing. At this time, the CPU 205 uses the setting information from the operation unit 204 as a judgment material, for example, whether the job has duplex printing setting made by the duplex key 614.

  If the job to be processed is a job that does not require double-sided printing processing, the process advances to step S1414, and the CPU 205 causes the printing apparatus to execute processing other than double-sided printing processing. For example, the printer unit 203 causes the printer unit 203 to execute single-sided printing on job data input from the scanner unit 201 under the print processing conditions set via the operation unit 204 via the HDD 209.

  On the other hand, if the job to be processed is a job requiring double-sided printing, the process advances to step S1402.

  In step S1402, the CPU 205 determines whether or not the job to be printed on both sides is a job that requires a double-sided image printing alignment operation by the printing apparatus. At this time, for example, the CPU 205 has pressed the “adjust front and back images” button 901 on the screen of FIG. 9 displayed on the display unit 401, that is, the front and back images by the user via the operation unit 204. It is determined whether or not an instruction to adjust is input.

  If the job to be printed on both sides is a print job that does not require the double-sided image printing alignment operation by the printing apparatus (when the key 901 in FIG. 9 is not selected), the process advances to step S1413. In step S <b> 1413, for example, the CPU 205 causes the printer unit 203 to execute a double-sided printing operation for a job to be processed in a state where the image alignment operation is prohibited from being executed by the printing apparatus.

  As an example, normal double-sided printing is performed by the printer unit 203 on job data input from the scanner unit 201 under the print processing conditions set via the operation unit 204 without executing the processes in steps S1409 to S1411. Execute the printing operation.

  On the other hand, if the job to be printed on both sides is a print job that requires a double-sided image printing position alignment operation by the printing apparatus (when the key 901 in FIG. 9 is selected), the process advances to step S1403.

  In step S <b> 1403, the CPU 205 causes the scanner unit 201 to execute a document reading operation for a job to be printed on both sides that requires the printing alignment operation for the front and back images set in the ADF 301 of the scanner unit 201. For example, at this time, the CPU 205 feeds a series of document bundles of a plurality of pages set in the ADF 301 to the reading position of the scanner unit 201 in order from the first page, and causes the scanner unit 201 to scan.

  In addition, the read image data of the original of the job is stored in the HDD 209 sequentially from the first page. The CPU 205 causes the HDD 209 to store the job data until the last page of the job bundle is stored in the HDD 209.

  In step S1404, the CPU 205 causes the HDD 209 to read the original data of the second page of the job stored in the HDD 209 in step S1403. In addition, the original data of the second page of the job read from the HDD 209 is printed by the printer unit 203 on the second surface (back surface) of the first recording paper required for printing the job.

  In step S1405, the CPU 205 causes the HDD 209 to read the original data of the first page of the job stored in the HDD 209 in step S1403. The original data of the first page of the job read from the HDD 209 is printed by the printer unit 203 on the first surface (front surface) of the first recording paper required for printing the job.

  Note that the first recording sheet required for the job that requires the printing position alignment operation for the front and back images is a sheet that has already been fed from the sheet feeding unit in the step S1405, and the printing unit The image of the second page is printed on the second sheet of the sheet.

  Here, an example of control by the CPU 205 for the printer unit 203 when performing duplex printing in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 205 passes the sheet that has been printed on the second side of the sheet prior to printing on the first side of the sheet through the fixing unit 308, and then passes the member 309 to the duplex conveyance path 314 side. The printer unit 203 is controlled to guide.

  Further, the CPU 205 performs paper conveyance control so that the sheet is again guided to the printing unit in a state where an image can be printed on the first surface. In addition, after printing is performed on the first surface of the sheet, the sheet is discharged out of the apparatus, but the front and back of the sheet are reversed immediately before the sheet is discharged out of the apparatus.

  By executing the series of controls as described above, the sheet that has been subjected to double-sided printing on the front and back sides of the sheet, with the second side facing up and the first side facing down, in the paper discharge unit, Make it stack. The CPU 205 causes the printing apparatus to execute such a double-sided printing sequence. As a result, a plurality of sheets to be printed on both sides of a job consisting of a plurality of pages can be stacked in the sheet discharge unit in order in the order of the first page.

  Since the sequence as described above is employed, in this embodiment, control is performed so that printing on the second surface is executed prior to printing on the first surface. In other words, a printing apparatus configured to execute printing on the first surface prior to printing on the second surface in order to stack printed materials in the same print order on the paper discharge unit does not employ a configuration other than the above configuration. May be.

  For example, the process of step S1405 may be executed prior to the process of S1404. As described above, the present embodiment can be applied to a printing apparatus of any double-sided printing sequence as long as the printing apparatus can perform an image alignment operation described later.

  In addition, as described above, this embodiment incorporates a number of mechanisms for improving productivity as much as possible. One example is the start timing of the process in step S1404. As a specific example, when the processing of step S1403 is executed, there is no job being printed or a job waiting for printing in the HDD 209 in addition to the job to be printed on both sides that requires the printing alignment operation for the front and back images. The CPU 205 executes the following control.

  For example, in this case, the CPU 205 performs a series of double-sided printing operations in steps S1404 and S1405 when the data of the first page and the second page of the job that requires the printing position alignment operation of the front and back images is stored in the HDD 209. Is executed by the printer unit 203.

  The CPU 205 performs a series of storage operations for storing the print data of each page from the third page to the last page of the job in the HDD 209 in parallel (simultaneously) with the execution of the series of duplex printing operations. It is executed by the printing device. For this purpose, the respective units such as the scanner unit 201 and the HDD 209 are controlled. Such control is executed by the CPU 205 when there is no job to be printed in addition to a job that requires front and back image alignment operations as described above.

  That is, when the data of the first page and the second page of the job to be printed on both sides requiring the front and back image printing alignment operation is stored in the HDD 209, the CPU 205 performs the printing alignment operation of the front and back images as follows. The printer unit 203 is caused to execute a predetermined duplex printing operation. As this predetermined double-sided printing operation, in this embodiment, print data for the first and second pages of the job itself to be printed on both sides that require the printing alignment operation of the front and back images to be printed on each side of one sheet. Is printed on the front and back of one sheet.

  Further, the CPU 209 causes the HDD 209 to store data for the third and subsequent pages of the job during execution of the printing operation. In this way, the processing from step S1404 onward can be started without waiting for the data of all pages of the job to be printed on both sides requiring the printing position alignment operation for the front and back images to be stored in the HDD 209.

  As a result, the total time required to complete all the processes of the double-sided print job that requires the front and back image alignment operation can be shortened, and the productivity can be improved. However, in this embodiment, the above operation is adopted in order to improve productivity in this way. Therefore, the above configuration is not necessarily adopted depending on the convenience of the apparatus and user needs.

  Next, processing after step S1405 will be described. By executing the processing in step S1405, the printing of the first page and the second page of the job that requires the printing position alignment operation of the front and back images is completed. At this time, the CPU 205 prints the one sheet on which the first page image of the job is printed on the first surface of the sheet and the second page image of the job is printed on the second surface of the sheet. For example, the printer unit 205 is controlled to discharge the tray 324. After such an operation is executed by the printer unit 203, the CPU 205 stops the printing operation of the job as the process of step S1406.

  In this example, the printing operation is stopped after the first sheet of the job is discharged. However, it is not particularly limited to this. For example, an arbitrary designated number of print operations are executed in a job that requires a print position alignment operation for front and back images. Then, the printing operation is stopped. Such control can be executed by the CPU 205.

  Further, for example, the user can press the stop key 502 of the operation unit 204 during the printing operation of the job that requires the printing position alignment operation of the front and back images. In addition, when the stop key 502 is pressed, in response to a stop instruction being input by the user, the printing operation of the job requiring the printing position alignment operation for the front and back images is stopped.

  As described above, the double-sided printing operation of the job, which is an example of the image printing position alignment operation, is stopped in response to a user instruction input via the user interface unit provided in the present embodiment. Such control can be executed by the CPU 205. As described above, the printing operation may be stopped at the timing desired by the operator and after the printing for the desired number of sheets is executed.

  In step S1406, the printing operation for the job that requires the printing alignment operation for the front and back images is stopped. In response to this, the CPU 205 performs the process of step S1407. For example, the CPU 205 displays a predetermined display for enabling the user himself to execute settings related to the alignment of the front and back images of the data to be printed on both sides of the job, as an example of the user interface unit. The display unit 204 is executed. As an example of this predetermined display, in the present embodiment, the double-sided image print alignment detailed setting screen shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on the display unit 401.

  The CPU 205 includes display components as shown in FIG. 15 as display components of the screen of FIG. 15 displayed on the display unit 401 in step S1407. An example of this is the display of guidance information for a double-sided print job that requires a print alignment operation for front and back images, such as “Please check the position of the front and back sides of the print result”. In this example, the processing of steps S1404 and 1045 causes the user to check the printing result of the job itself, that is, the sheets that are printed on both sides of the first and second pages and stacked on the tray 324. It is an example.

  Therefore, the CPU 205 notifies the user to that effect. By notifying the user of such guidance information, the printing result of the first page image of the job on the first side (front side) of the sheet and 2 of the job on the second side (back side) of the sheet are displayed. The print result of the page image is checked by the user himself / herself.

  In addition, the CPU 205 can accept various execution instructions related to the positioning operation of the front and back images of the job from the user via a predetermined display executed by the display unit 401. As an example of a predetermined display for accepting these various instructions from the user, the CPU 205 causes the display unit 401 to display an operation screen having various instruction keys as shown in FIG. In the following, description will be given regarding various instruction keys on the screen of FIG.

  For example, it is assumed that a key 1501 (in this example, this key is called a surface selection key) is pressed by the user. In this case, the CPU 205 adjusts the print position of the print data corresponding to the page to be printed on the first surface of the sheet, belonging to the job data that requires the alignment of the front and back images, on the first surface of the sheet, The printing process is executed by the printer unit 203.

  In this example, the printing position on the first surface of the sheet corresponding to the page to be printed on the first surface (front surface) of the sheet is the position of the image sheet corresponding to the page to be printed on the second surface (back surface). Align to the printing position on the second side. As an operation for this, the CPU 205 causes the printing apparatus to execute image processing for shifting the printing position of the image to be printed on the first surface of the sheet.

  In other words, the printing position of the image to be printed on the second surface of the sheet is not shifted and printing on the second surface is executed. For example, when printing on the second side, printing on the second side of the sheet is executed under the same printing conditions (for example, the same printing position) as the printing process executed in step S1404.

  The CPU 205 causes the display unit 401 to display the key 1501 as a display key for enabling the user to input an instruction for causing the printing apparatus to execute the above operation. Here, a method of using the key 1501 will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, the CPU 205 executes steps S1404 and S1405 in FIG. 14 for a job to be printed on both sides consisting of print data for 2N pages that require front and back image alignment operations shown in FIG. In other words, the printer unit 203 is controlled so that the first page data of the job is printed on the first side of the sheet and the second page data of the job is printed on the second side of the sheet. FIG. 30 shows an example of the print result output by the printer unit 203 by the processing in steps S1404 and S1405.

  FIG. 30A shows the printing result on the surface of one sheet of recording paper. B of FIG. 30 shows the printing result on the back side of the recording paper. That is, in the example of FIG. 30, the print position on the first surface of the image of the first page of the job in FIG. 12 is lower than the print position on the second surface of the sheet of the second page image of the job. This is a printing result obtained by the printer unit 203 executing the double-sided printing process that is shifted to the above.

  In other words, the printing position of the second page image of the job in FIG. 12 on the second side of the sheet is shifted upward from the printing position of the first page image of the job on the first side of the sheet. The double-sided printing process is executed by the printer unit 203 and is a printing result.

  The example of FIG. 30 prints data used as a product manual as shown in FIG. 12, and is a document generated so that the index image is laid out at the right end of the sheet when the sheet is viewed from the upright state. It is data. In this way, when the image misalignment occurs when double-sided printing is performed such that the image is arranged at the edge of the sheet, as shown in FIG. 30, the image misalignment can be a conspicuous print result.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the steps S1406 and S1407 in FIG. 14, the operator of the printing apparatus actually confirms the print result. For example, the output paper having a printing result as shown in FIG. 30 is taken out from the tray 324 by the operator. In addition, the operator visually confirms the printing position relationship between the front and back images.

  Then, the operator who has confirmed the printing result of FIG. 30 is the result that the image on the first side of the sheet (the image on the front side) is shifted downward from the image on the second side of the sheet (the image on the back side). Assume that there is. In addition, from this result, if it is desired to perform double-sided printing so that the printing position of the image on the first side of the sheet (the image on the front side) is aligned with the printing position of the image on the second side of the sheet (the image on the back side), Assume that the operator makes a decision.

  In such a situation, the user presses the key 1501 on the screen of FIG. 15 at the timing of step S1407. When the key 1501 is pressed by the user, the CPU 205 aligns the print position on the second surface of the page to be printed on the second surface when printing on the first surface of the page to be printed on the first surface. Then, the printer unit 203 is caused to execute print processing.

  As a result, the double-sided printing result in which the positional deviation of the front and back images does not occur as shown in FIG. 32 can be obtained. A key 1501 is used by an operator of the printing apparatus as an operation instruction key for obtaining the above effects.

  On the other hand, it is assumed that a key 1502 (in this example, this key is called a back surface selection key) is pressed by the user. In this case, the CPU 205 causes the printer unit 203 to execute double-sided printing processing in which the print position of the print data corresponding to the page to be printed on the second side of the sheet belonging to the job data to be printed on both sides is adjusted.

  In this example, the printing position on the second surface of the image sheet corresponding to the page to be printed on the second surface (back surface) of the sheet is the position of the image sheet corresponding to the page to be printed on the first surface (front surface). Align to the printing position on the first side. As an operation for this, the CPU 205 causes the printing apparatus to execute image processing for shifting the printing position of the image of the page to be printed on the second surface of the sheet.

  In this case, printing on the first side is executed without shifting the printing position on the first side of the image of the page to be printed on the first side of the sheet. For example, when printing on the first surface of the sheet, the printer unit 203 performs printing on the first surface of the sheet under the same printing conditions (for example, the same printing position) as the printing processing executed in step S1405. To execute.

  The CPU 205 causes the display unit 401 to display the key 1502 as a display for enabling the user to input an instruction for causing the printing apparatus to execute the above series of operations. Here, a method of using the key 1502 will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, the CPU 205 executes steps S1404 and S1405 in FIG. 14 for a job to be printed on both sides consisting of print data for 2N pages that require front and back image alignment operations shown in FIG. In other words, the CPU 205 controls the printer unit 203 to print the first page data of the job on the first side of the sheet and to print the second page data of the job on the second side of the sheet. To do. FIG. 31 shows an example of the print result output by the printer unit 203 by the processes in steps S1404 and S1405.

  FIG. 31A shows the printing result on the surface of one sheet of recording paper. B of FIG. 31 shows the printing result on the back side of the recording paper. That is, in the example of FIG. 31, the print position on the second surface of the image of the second page of the job of FIG. 12 is lower than the print position on the first surface of the image of the first page of the job. This is a printing result obtained by the printer unit 203 executing the double-sided printing process that is shifted to the above.

  In other words, the printing position of the first page image of the job in FIG. 12 on the first side of the sheet is shifted upward from the printing position of the second page image of the job on the second side of the sheet. The double-sided printing process is executed by the printer unit 203 and is a printing result.

  The example of FIG. 31 also prints data used as a product manual as shown in FIG. 12, and is a document generated so that the index image is laid out at the right end of the sheet when the sheet is viewed from the upright state. It is data. In this way, when the image misalignment occurs when double-sided printing is performed such that the image is arranged at the edge of the sheet, as shown in FIG. 31, the misalignment of the image can be a conspicuous print result.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the steps S1406 and S1407 in FIG. 14, the operator of the printing apparatus actually confirms the print result. For example, the output paper having the printing result as shown in FIG. 31 is taken out from the tray 324 by the operator. In addition, the operator visually confirms the printing position relationship between the front and back images.

  Then, the operator who confirmed the printing result in FIG. 31 shows that the image on the second side of the sheet (image on the back side) is shifted downward from the image on the first side of the sheet (image on the front side). Assume that there is. In addition, from this result, if it is desired to perform duplex printing so that the printing position of the image on the second side of the sheet (the image on the back side) is aligned with the printing position of the image on the first side of the sheet (image on the front side), Assume that the operator makes a decision. In order to deal with this situation, in this example, the user can press the key 1502 on the screen in FIG. 15 at the timing of step S1407.

  Assume that the key 1502 is pressed by the user. In this case, when printing an image on the second side of the page to be printed on the second side of the sheet, the CPU 205 is aligned with the print position of the image on the first side of the page to be printed on the first side of the sheet. The printer unit 203 is caused to execute print processing for the job.

  As a result, the double-sided printing result in which the positional deviation of the front and back images does not occur as shown in FIG. 32 can be obtained. A key 1502 is also used by an operator of the printing apparatus as an operation instruction key for obtaining the above effects.

  In this example, the instruction by the key 1501 and the instruction by the key 1502 are controlled by the CPU 205 so as to have an exclusive relationship. For example, when one of the keys 1501 and 1502 is pressed by the user, the display unit 401 is controlled so that the display of the other key is grayed out or shaded. That is, selection of the other key by the user is prohibited.

  As described above, the CPU 205 performs display control on the display unit 401 so that the user cannot select both of the keys 1501 and 1502 at the same time. In other words, when a user instruction with the key 1501 is input, the CPU 205 invalidates the user instruction from the key 1502. When a user instruction by the key 1502 is input, the user instruction from the key 1501 is invalidated.

  In addition to the instructions from the keys 1501 and 1502, the CPU 205 also receives instructions from the key 1503 (referred to as the shift direction key in this example) as instructions that can be accepted from the user via the screen of FIG. We can accept from. For example, depending on which one of the key 1501 and the key 1502 is selected by the user, which of the image on the first surface (front surface) and the image on the second surface (back surface) is to be shifted is determined. CPU 205 specifies.

  Then, the user determines via the user interface unit which image on the printing surface of the sheet should be printed in the shifted state on the printing surface of the sheet. enable. As an example of this, the CPU 205 displays the display of the shift direction key 1503 as a display for enabling the user to select a desired candidate from a plurality of selection candidates corresponding to each direction in which the image can be shifted. This is executed by the display unit 401.

  In this example, as shown by a key 1503 on the screen in FIG. 15, four selection candidates (up, down, left, and right) are presented to the user as directions that can be shifted, and the user can specify a desired direction from among them. 401 is controlled by the CPU 205. Note that these four direction keys may also be controlled to be in an exclusive relationship.

  For example, when any one of these direction keys is selected, the CPU 205 performs control so that user instructions from other direction keys cannot be accepted. Alternatively, in order to enable image shift not only in the four directions of up, down, left, and right, but also in an oblique direction, these four direction keys may be controlled so that at least two direction keys can be operated by the user without making them exclusive.

  For example, when it is desired to execute printing with an image shifted in the upper right direction on the printing surface of the sheet, the user can select an up direction key and a right direction key. When it is desired to shift the image in the lower left direction, the user can select the left direction key and the lower direction key. As described above, it may be controlled so that an instruction to move in the oblique direction by combining the up and down keys and the left and right keys can be received from the user. In this way, a configuration that further enhances operability may be used.

  In addition to the instructions from the keys 1501 to 1503, the CPU 205 also receives instructions from the key 1504 (referred to as a shift amount key in this example) as instructions that can be accepted from the user via the screen of FIG. We can accept from. For example, the CPU 205 specifies which of the first surface (front surface) and the second surface (back surface) is to be shifted depending on which of the key 1501 and the key 1502 is selected by the user. To do. In addition, the CPU 205 specifies in which direction on the print surface the image of the specified surface is to be shifted based on a user instruction from the shift direction key 1503.

  Then, how much the image to be shifted is shifted on the printing surface of the sheet, and the shift amount can be determined by the user via the user interface unit. In other words, the image to be printed on the printing surface designated by the user via any of the keys 1501 to 1502 out of the first surface and the second surface of the sheet in the direction designated by the user via the key 1503. The amount of shift can be set by the user.

  As an example of this, the CPU 205 causes the display unit 401 to display the shift amount setting field 1404 as a display that allows the user to input the shift amount. In this example, as the shift amount, the operation unit 204 is controlled by the CPU 205 so that an input in units of 1 mm can be received from the user by the numeric keypad 506.

  The shift amount setting column 1404 includes two items, a vertical shift amount setting column and a horizontal shift amount setting column. The vertical shift amount setting field allows the user to specify the upward shift amount when the upward direction is designated with the key 1503, while the downward direction is designated with the key 1503. This is a setting field for making it possible to specify the downward shift amount.

  The left / right shift amount setting column allows the user to specify the shift amount in the left direction when the left direction is designated by the key 1503, while the right direction is designated when the right direction is designated by the key 1503. This is a setting field for making it possible to specify the shift amount in the direction.

  Here, as an operation based on a user instruction input via the keys 1501 to 1504, what operation is executed by the printing apparatus by the CPU 205 will be described.

  First, a first control example will be described with reference to the print result of FIG. For example, the CPU 205 performs double-sided printing in which the first page of the job in FIG. 12 is printed on the first side of the sheet and the second page is printed on the second side of the sheet through S1404 and S1405 in FIG. 203. As a result, a double-sided printing result as shown in FIG. 30 is obtained. In the example of FIG. 30, a double-sided printing result is obtained in which the printing position of the front image on the first surface of the sheet is shifted downward by 4 mm from the printing position of the back image on the second surface of the sheet. And

  The CPU 205 causes the display unit 401 to display the screen of FIG. 15 in step S1407 immediately after the printer unit 203 executes the duplex printing. Here, as shown in FIG. 30, after the user confirms the double-sided printing result in which the image printed on the first surface of the sheet is shifted downward from the image printed on the second surface of the sheet, It is assumed that the following instruction is input by the user via the screen of FIG.

  For example, an instruction “align the position of the front image to the position of the back image” is input via the key 1501 of the keys 1501 and 1502. In addition, “up” is designated as the shift direction via the key 1503. In addition, it is assumed that “4 mm” is input as the shift amount in the vertical direction setting column of the shift amount setting column 1404. It is assumed that such a series of instructions is input by the user via the screen of FIG.

  In this case, when the CPU 205 prints the page corresponding to the page (2N-1) to be printed on the first side of the sheet on the first side of the sheet in the double-sided printing of the job, The printer unit 203 is caused to execute print processing for arranging an image at a position shifted by 4 mm in the upward direction.

  The specified value means, for example, a reference value related to an engine system parameter inside the printer for adjusting the printing position of the image on the sheet, which is set at the present time. In other words, for example, it means a print processing condition parameter when the printer unit 203 executes printing on the first surface of the sheet in the process of step S1405.

  The CPU 205 causes the printer unit 203 to execute a printing process in which such an image printing position adjustment process is performed when the job data is printed on the first surface. In this example, all pages (first page, third page,..., M page,..., 2n-1 page) corresponding to the odd pages of the job consisting of a plurality of pages in FIG. Controlled.

  Further, the CPU 205 does not perform the adjustment process when printing the page corresponding to the page (2N) to be printed on the second side of the sheet on the second side of the sheet in the double-sided printing of the job of FIG. Then, the printer unit 203 executes a printing process as specified.

  In other words, the printing on the second surface is executed without executing the printing process or the like so that the 4 mm image is shifted upward from the specified value. That is, printing on the second surface of the job is executed under the same print processing conditions as when the processing of CPU step S1404 was executed.

  That is, the CPU 205 prints a page corresponding to the (2N-1) page of the job on the first side of the sheet, rather than printing a page corresponding to the (2N) page on the second side of the sheet. The printing apparatus is caused to execute the print processing of the job so that the 4 mm image is always shifted upward.

  By executing the control as described above, the print result as shown in FIG. 30 can be adopted as a printed matter as a product in a POD environment in which there is no positional deviation between the front and back images as shown in FIG. Print results can be obtained.

  Next, a second control example will be described with reference to the print result of FIG. For example, the CPU 205 performs double-sided printing in which the first page of the job in FIG. 12 is printed on the first side of the sheet and the second page is printed on the second side of the sheet through S1404 and S1405 in FIG. 203.

  As a result, a double-sided printing result as shown in FIG. 31 is obtained. In the example of FIG. 31, a double-sided printing result is obtained in which the printing position of the back image on the second surface of the sheet is shifted downward by 2 mm from the printing position of the front image on the first surface of the sheet. And

  The CPU 205 causes the display unit 401 to display the screen of FIG. 15 in step S1407 immediately after the printer unit 203 executes the duplex printing. Here, as shown in FIG. 31, after the user confirms the double-sided printing result in which the image printed on the second side of the sheet is shifted downward from the image printed on the first side of the sheet, It is assumed that the following instruction is input by the user via the screen of FIG.

  For example, an instruction “align the position of the back image to the position of the front image” is input via the key 1502 of the keys 1501 and 1502. In addition, “up” is designated as the shift direction via the key 1503. In addition, it is assumed that “2 mm” is input as the shift amount in the vertical direction setting column of the shift amount setting column 1404. It is assumed that such a series of instructions is input by the user via the screen of FIG.

  In this case, when the CPU 205 prints the page corresponding to the page (2N) to be printed on the second side of the sheet on the second side of the sheet by double-sided printing of the job, the CPU 205 moves upward from the specified value. The printer unit 203 is caused to execute a printing process for arranging an image at a position shifted by 2 mm.

  In other words, the CPU 205 performs the printing process in which the 2 mm image is shifted upward from the printing position of the image with respect to the second surface when printing is performed on the second surface of the sheet in the process of step S1404. Is executed by the printer unit 203.

  The CPU 205 causes the printer unit 203 to execute print processing that has undergone such image print position adjustment processing when the job data is printed on the second surface. In this example, all pages (second page, fourth page,..., 2n page) corresponding to even pages of a job consisting of a plurality of pages in FIG.

  In addition, the CPU 205 performs the adjustment process when printing the page corresponding to the page (2N-1) to be printed on the first side of the sheet on the first side of the sheet in the double-sided printing of the job of FIG. Instead, the printer unit 203 causes the printer unit 203 to execute a predetermined printing process.

  In other words, printing on the first surface is performed without performing printing processing or the like so that the 2 mm image is shifted upward from the specified value. In other words, printing on the first surface of the job is executed under the same print processing conditions as when the processing of CPU step S1405 was executed.

  That is, when printing the page corresponding to the (2N) page of the job on the second side of the sheet, compared to printing the page corresponding to the (2N-1) page of the job on the first side of the sheet, Control is performed so that an image of (2N) pages is always printed at a position where the printing position is shifted 2 mm upward.

  In this way, for this job, the printing apparatus executes double-sided printing that requires an image shift in printing on the second side of the first side and the second side. The CPU 205 executes the above control. As a result, the print result as shown in FIG. 32 can be obtained from the print result as shown in FIG. 31 and can be adopted as a printed matter as a product in the POD environment with the positional deviation between the front and back images suppressed.

  Note that, even when executing the control example 1 using FIG. 30 or when executing the control example 2 using FIG. 31, print data of a job to be printed on both sides that requires front and back image alignment is displayed in this system. Is stored in a memory unit.

  As an example of this, for example, the CPU 205 causes the HDD 209 provided in the printing apparatus to store print data for all pages of a double-sided printing target job that requires front and back image alignment. Further, the CPU 205 causes the printing apparatus to execute the operations of the control example 1 and the control example 2 using the print data of the job stored in the HDD 209.

  In this example, the CPU 205 uses the print data of the job of FIG. 12 in which data for all pages has already been stored in the HDD 209 by the process of step S1403 of FIG. It is executed by the printer unit 203.

  As described above, the CPU 205 actually executes double-sided printing of the first page and the second page of the job itself to be double-sided printing requiring adjustment of the printing positions of the front and back images in steps S1404 to S1405. Then, after the user confirms the printing result, various instructions related to the adjustment of the printing position in the double-sided printing of the job can be received from the user via the screen of FIG.

  In addition, the CPU 205 causes the printer unit 205 to execute the double-sided printing process in which the image printing position is adjusted according to the instruction from the user received via the screen of FIG. 15 in the double-sided printing operation of the job. ,Control.

  As described above, in this example, the actual data of the job to be printed on both sides is printed on both sides, and the position adjustment of the front and back images of the job can be executed. This not only makes it possible to solve the problems assumed in the prior art, but also has the effect of obtaining a more accurate double-sided printing result.

  In this example, the CPU 205 executes double-sided printing of the data for the first and second pages of the job to be printed on both sides, and then displays the front and back images of the job via the display in FIG. It is possible to accept instructions related to the positioning of the user from the user. Therefore, if alignment of the front and back images of the job is executed, it is more convenient to enable double-sided printing of the job from the beginning based on the adjustment instruction.

  Therefore, in this example, in order to reflect the instruction relating to the print position adjustment of the image received from the user, the instruction for enabling the double-sided printing of the job from the first page is executed again from the user interface unit. It is controlled so that it can be received from the user via As an example of this, the CPU 205 displays a display that allows the user to accept an instruction to restart the double-sided printing of the job from the first page while reflecting various instructions input via the keys 1501 to 1504. 401. That is the key 1505 (referred to as a redo setting key in this example).

  For example, the operation of Control Example 1 described using FIG. 30 and the operation of Control Example 2 described using FIG. 31 are performed by the CPU 205 when the user presses the key 1505 on the screen of FIG. This is executed by the printing apparatus. In addition, the CPU 205 causes the operation to be performed by double-sided printing of the job to be printed on both sides in FIG.

  Here, in this example, the first and second pages of the job of FIG. 12 have already been duplex printed in steps S1404 to S1405. However, this double-sided printing process corresponds to a specific double-sided printing process having a special meaning. That is, this is a double-sided printing process that is also executed so that the user can actually confirm the positional relationship between the front and back images in advance by visual observation.

  In this example, as this specific double-sided printing process, the CPU 205 performs the double-sided printing process for two pages of the first page and the second page of the job itself, which is a double-sided printing target that requires an alignment process of the front and back images. 203. Further, the CPU 205 causes the printer unit 203 to execute the specific double-sided printing process in advance before receiving an adjustment instruction from the user via the screen of FIG.

  Therefore, in this example, when the key 1505 is pressed in FIG. 15, the CPU 205 includes the first page and the second page of the job of FIG. 12 that have been printed in steps S1404 to S1405. The printer unit 203 executes double-sided printing for all pages.

  In addition, when the CPU 205 causes the printer unit 203 to perform double-sided printing for all the pages, first, the CPU 205 executes a print position adjustment process based on a user instruction received via the keys 1501 to 1504 in FIG. . In addition, the printer unit 203 is caused to execute double-sided printing of all pages belonging to the job.

  That is, in other words, the CPU 205 controls the printer unit 203 to process the job of FIG. 12 by the following series of processes using the control example 1 of FIG.

  When the first page image of the job in FIG. 12 is printed on the first side of the first sheet, the image is printed on the sheet more than when the first side is printed in step S1405. The image of the first page is printed on the first surface of the first sheet so as to be shifted by 4 mm in the direction.

  In addition, when the second page image of the job is printed on the second side of the first sheet, the image is not shifted, and when the second side is printed in step S1404. The image of the second page is printed on the second surface of the first sheet so as to be printed at the same printing position.

  In addition, when the image of the third page of the job is printed on the first surface of the second sheet, the image is more upward in the sheet than when the image is printed on the first surface in step S1405. The image of the third page is printed on the first surface of the second sheet so as to be shifted by 4 mm.

  In addition, when the image of the fourth page of the job is printed on the second surface of the second sheet, the image is not shifted, and when the second surface is printed in step S1404. The image of the fourth page is printed on the second surface of the second sheet so as to be printed at the same printing position.

  In addition, when the image of the fifth page of the job is printed on the first surface of the third sheet, the image is more upward in the sheet than when the image is printed on the first surface in step S1405. The image of the fifth page is printed on the first surface of the third sheet so as to be shifted to 4 mm.

  In addition, when the image of the sixth page of the job is printed on the second surface of the third sheet, the image is not shifted, and when the second surface is printed in step S1404. The image of the sixth page is printed on the second surface of the third sheet so as to be printed at the same printing position.

  In this way, when the double-sided processing of the job of FIG. 12 resulting in the printing result as shown in FIG. 30 is performed, image shift processing is executed for printing odd pages, while image shifting processing is performed for printing even pages. Ban. That is, the CPU 205 controls to repeat the image shift process for only the first side of the first side and the second side of the sheet until the printing of the data of the last page of the job is completed.

  Such a series of operations is executed by the CPU 205 as an operation of the control example 1 described with reference to FIG. 30 by the printing apparatus according to a user instruction from the key 1505. That is, when the CPU 205 prints the data of the 2N-1 page (odd page) of the job to be printed on both sides on the first side of the sheet, the printing apparatus performs the printing process with the image shift process on the first side. Let it run.

  In this example, the print processing of arranging the image at a position shifted by 4 mm above the print position of the image printed on the first surface of the sheet in step S1405 is performed on the sheet of the job. At the time of printing on the first surface, the printer unit 203 executes it.

  In addition, when printing the data on the 2Nth page (even-numbered pages) of the job to be printed on both sides on the second side of the sheet, the CPU 205 uses the printing apparatus to perform the printing process in which the image shift process is prohibited. Let it run. In this example, the print processing for arranging the image at the same position as the print position of the image of the image printed on the second surface of the sheet in step S1404 is performed at the time of printing on the second surface of the sheet of the job. And executed by the printer unit 203.

  In other words, the CPU 205 controls the printer unit 203 to process the job of FIG. 12 by the following series of processes using the control example 2 of FIG.

  When the second page image of the job of FIG. 12 is printed on the second side of the first sheet, the image is printed on the sheet more than when the second side is printed in step S1404. The image of the second page is printed on the second surface of the first sheet so as to be shifted by 2 mm in the direction.

  In addition, when the first page image of the job is printed on the first side of the first sheet, the image is not shifted, and the first side is printed in step S1405. The image of the first page is printed on the first surface of the first sheet so as to be printed at the same printing position.

  In addition, when the image of the fourth page of the job is printed on the second surface of the second sheet, the image is more upward in the sheet than when the image is printed on the second surface in step S1404. The image of the fourth page is printed on the second surface of the second sheet so that the image is shifted by 2 mm.

  Further, when the image of the third page of the job is printed on the first surface of the second sheet, the image is not shifted, and when the first surface is printed in step S1405. The image of the third page is printed on the first surface of the second sheet so as to be printed at the same printing position.

  In addition, when the image of the sixth page of the job is printed on the second side of the third sheet, the image is more upward in the sheet than when the image is printed on the second side in step S1404. The image of the sixth page is printed on the second surface of the third sheet so that it is shifted by 2 mm.

  In addition, when the image of the fifth page of the job is printed on the first surface of the third sheet, the image is not shifted, and when the first surface is printed in step S1405. The image of the fifth page is printed on the first surface of the third sheet so as to be printed at the same printing position.

  In this way, when the double-sided processing of the job shown in FIG. 12 resulting in the printing result as shown in FIG. 31 is performed, image shift processing is prohibited for printing odd pages, while image shifting processing is performed for printing even pages. Execute. That is, the CPU 205 controls to repeat the image shift processing for only the second side of the first side and the second side of the sheet until the printing of the data of the last page of the job is completed.

  Such a series of operations is executed by the CPU 205 as an operation of the control example 2 described with reference to FIG. 31 by the printing apparatus according to a user instruction from the key 1505. That is, the CPU 205 causes the printing apparatus to execute a printing process that has performed an image shift process when printing the 2nd page (even page) data of a job to be printed on both sides on the second side of the sheet. .

  In this example, the printing process of arranging the image at a position shifted by 2 mm above the printing position of the image printed on the second surface of the sheet in step S1404 is performed on the sheet of the job. At the time of printing on the second surface, the printer unit 203 executes it.

  In addition, when printing the data on page 2N-1 (odd page) of the job to be printed on both sides on the first side of the sheet, the CPU 205 performs the print processing, which prohibits image shift processing, as main printing. It is executed by the device. In this example, the printing process for arranging the image at the same position as the printing position of the image of the image printed on the first side of the sheet in step S1405 is performed at the time of printing on the first side of the sheet of the job. And executed by the printer unit 203.

  In addition, as mentioned above, the above-described image misalignment phenomenon during double-sided printing in a printing apparatus is due to an environmental change related to an external factor or an internal factor that affects the printer engine. . However, such a positional deviation phenomenon between the front and back images does not change periodically in a very short period such as every second or every minute. For example, this can be said to be a phenomenon that can change when there is a certain time interval from the time when the printer unit 203 is used, such as one day interval. Even if this is not the case, it is a phenomenon that does not change in a period in which one job composed of a certain number of pages is processed.

  Therefore, as an example of a mechanism for improving productivity, this embodiment is configured such that a common parameter can be used for the shift amount of an image to be used when processing one job. In other words, every time a page of an image for one job is printed, double-sided printing for jobs that require front-and-back image alignment processing with a common shift amount without changing the image shift amount. Is controlled to be executable by the printing apparatus.

  Further, as one of further mechanisms for improving productivity, the CPU 205 also executes the following control.

  For example, the result of double-sided printing of the first and second pages of the double-sided print job itself instructed to align the front and back images by the processing in steps S1404 to S1405 in FIG. Suppose you confirm. Then, as a result of the confirmation, it is assumed that the positional deviation phenomenon between the front and back images has not occurred.

  In other words, even if double-sided printing is executed in this state, it is assumed that the user determines that there is no problem as a printed material as a final product. In such a case, it is better to adopt one sheet, on which double-sided printing of the first page and the second page is executed in steps S1404 to S1405, as a printed product as a final product. Not only in terms of cost, it can be said to be a good idea. Therefore, in this example, it is configured to be able to cope with such use cases and user needs.

  As an example of this, the CPU 205 causes the printing apparatus to execute the specific double-sided printing process for enabling the user to check the print position result of the front and back images as described above. In addition, when the user determines that the front / back image alignment processing is unnecessary, the CPU 205 performs the front / back image alignment processing from the page immediately after the page printed by the specific duplex printing processing. The double-sided printing process in which the printing is prohibited can be executed by the printing apparatus.

  In addition, the CPU 205 causes the display unit 401 to display a display for enabling the printer to accept an instruction for executing this operation from the user after the specific duplex printing process is executed by the printer unit 203. Make it executable. As an example of this display, the CPU 205 causes the display unit 401 to display a key 1506 in FIG. 15 (referred to as a print continuation key in this example) on the screen in FIG.

  In addition, when the instruction is input by the user via the display, the CPU 205 prohibits the front and back image alignment processing from the page immediately after the page printed by the specific duplex printing processing. The printing process is executed by the printer unit 203. Specific examples are given below.

  For example, it is assumed that double-sided printing of the first and second pages of the job in FIG. 12 is executed in steps S1404 to S1405 on the first and second sides of one sheet of recording paper. As a result, there is no misalignment between the front and back images as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, and a proper double-sided printing result in which the images on each side are arranged at appropriate positions as shown in FIG. 32 is obtained. Suppose. In this case, it is assumed that the user determines in step S1407 that the print result itself can be adopted as the final product print.

  Then, it is assumed that the key 1506 is pressed by the user. In this case, based on a user instruction from the key 1506, the CPU 205 determines that double-sided printing should be continued without image shifting, and causes the printer unit 203 to execute double-sided printing for the job in FIG.

  In this example, double-sided printing of the first and second pages of the job itself shown in FIG. 12 is executed on the first and second sides of one sheet of recording paper as a specific double-sided printing process. Therefore, the CPU 205 employs a sheet required for specific duplex printing as one sheet of the job.

  Further, the CPU 205 prints the third page of the job of FIG. 12 on the first surface of the sheet to be used as the second sheet without image shift processing.

  Further, the fourth page of the job in FIG. 12 is printed on the second surface of the sheet without image shift processing. In addition, the fifth page of the job in FIG. 12 is printed on the first surface of the sheet to be used as the third sheet without image shift processing.

  Further, the sixth page of the job in FIG. 12 is printed on the second surface of the sheet without image shift processing.

  In this way, the printer unit 203 is controlled to execute double-sided printing of the job from the third page onward of the job in FIG. 12 to the last page (2n-1). That is, the CPU 205 prohibits image shift processing when printing the data of the 2Nth page (even-numbered page) following the page processed in step S1404 of the job to be printed on both sides on the second side of the sheet. The printing process is executed by the printing apparatus.

  In this example, the print processing for arranging the image at the same position as the print position of the image of the image printed on the second surface of the sheet in step S1404 is performed at the time of printing on the second surface of the sheet of the job. And executed by the printer unit 203.

  In addition, the CPU 205 performs image shift processing when printing the 2N-1 page (odd page) data subsequent to the page processed in step S1405 of the job to be printed on both sides on the first surface of the sheet. The prohibited printing process is executed by the printing apparatus.

  In this example, the printing process for arranging the image at the same position as the printing position of the image of the image printed on the first side of the sheet in step S1405 is performed at the time of printing on the first side of the sheet of the job. And executed by the printer unit 203. The CPU 205 controls such a series of operations to be executed by the printing apparatus when a user instruction is input via the key 1506.

  In this case as well, the print data of the job to be printed on both sides that is stored in the HDD 209 and is required to align the front and back images is used. In this example, the CPU 205 prohibits the image shift process using the print data of the third page to the last page of the job of FIG. 12 in which data for all pages has already been stored in the HDD 209 by the process of step S1403 of FIG. The duplex printing process is executed by the printer unit 203. In this way, a mechanism that takes various productivity into consideration is adopted.

  It should be noted that a mechanism that takes into account the case where the user desires to cancel the double-sided printing process of the job for some reason as a result of executing the processes of steps S1404 to S1405 is also incorporated. As an example, the CPU 205 causes the display unit 401 to display a cancel key 1507 on the screen of FIG.

  When the user instructs the job cancellation via the key 1507, the CPU 205 cancels the job and returns the state of the printing apparatus to the standby state. At this time, the CPU 205 deletes the data of all pages of the job fetched into the HDD 209 in step S1403 from the HDD 209. Thus, the convenience is further improved by adopting a mechanism that takes into account the resources and security of the apparatus.

  It should be noted that matters to be described in common in all the embodiments are added here. Any method may be adopted as the image shifting method as described above. For example, as will be described later, image data read control with respect to a memory unit that stores job data to be processed, image layout control to the image memory, or the like may be employed. Alternatively, a method of controlling the timing of actual printing in the printing unit and the timing of feeding the sheet from the paper feeding unit may be used.

  As described above, any method may be employed as a method of shifting an image in this embodiment. In other words, according to the present embodiment, the print result in a state where the image on the surface to be shifted of the first surface and the second surface of the sheet is shifted by the amount to be shifted in the direction to be shifted is displayed on the printer. What is necessary is just to be able to obtain via the part 203. For this purpose, any configuration and method may be used, and those configurations and methods are included in the present invention.

  The same applies to the printing order of printing on the first side of the sheet and printing on the second side of the sheet. That is, the printing result of the state where the image to be shifted of the first surface and the second surface of the sheet is shifted by the amount to be shifted in the direction to be shifted is sent via the printer unit 203. If it can be obtained. For this purpose, the double-sided printing on the first surface and the second surface may be executed in any order, and such order is included in the present invention.

  That is, if the printing result in which the positional deviation of the front and back images as shown in FIG. 30 and FIG. 31 occurs becomes the printing result in which the positional deviation of the front and back images is suppressed as shown in FIG. Even if included.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. In step S <b> 1408, the CPU 205 determines whether to cancel the double-sided printing target job requested by the user to align the front and back images. In this example, this determination is made based on whether or not the user has pressed the cancel key 1507 on the double-sided image printing alignment detailed setting screen shown in FIG. 15 displayed on the display unit 401 in step S1407.

  If it is determined in step S1408 that the job is not canceled, the process advances to step S1409. In step S1409, the CPU 205 determines whether or not the job for duplex printing is a job whose image printing position should be changed. In this example, this determination is made based on whether or not the user has pressed the redo setting key 1505 on the double-sided image print alignment detailed setting screen shown in FIG. 15 displayed on the display unit 401 in step S1407.

  If it is determined that the job for duplex printing is a job whose image printing position should be changed, the process advances from step S1409 to step S1411. When the processing proceeds to step S1411, the CPU 205 causes the printer unit 203 to execute double-sided printing processing including image shift processing in a double-sided printing target job that requires front and back image alignment. A specific example of the double-sided printing sequence when proceeding to step S1411 will be described.

  For example, the CPU 205 applies a specific one of the first side (front side in this example) and the second side (back side in this example) of a sheet required for a job to be printed on both sides that require front and back image alignment. Control is performed so that an image to be printed becomes an image to be shifted (also referred to as movement). In this example, the surface corresponding to the key pressed by the user among the keys 1501 and 1502 on the screen of FIG. 15 displayed on the display unit 401 is adopted as this specific surface.

  For example, when the key 1501 is selected by the user, the CPU 205 does not set the image of the page to be printed on the second side of the sheet (the back side in this example) as the image to be shifted, and the first side of the sheet (this example) Then, the image of the page to be printed on the front surface is determined as the image to be shifted.

  On the other hand, when the key 1502 is selected by the user, the CPU 205 does not set the image of the page to be printed on the first surface (front surface in this example) as the image to be shifted, and the second surface (this example). Then, the image of the page to be printed on the back side is determined as the image to be shifted.

  In addition, the CPU 205 controls to shift the image of the page to be printed on the specific surface of the job to be printed on both sides requiring the alignment of the front and back images in a specific direction. As this specific direction, in this example, a direction based on the user setting executed via the shift direction setting field 1503 of the screen of FIG. 15 displayed on the display unit 401 is adopted.

  For example, when “Up” is selected by the user in the setting field 1503, the CPU 205 causes the image of the page to be printed to be printed on the surface corresponding to the key selected by the user among the keys 1501 and 1502. At this time, control is performed so that an image is printed at a printing position corresponding to a position shifted upward of the surface.

  For example, when “down” is selected by the user in the setting field 1503, the CPU 205 displays an image of a page to be printed on the surface corresponding to the key selected by the user among the keys 1501 and 1502. Controls printing at a position shifted downward.

  For example, when “left” is selected by the user in the setting field 1503, the CPU 205 displays an image of a page to be printed on the surface corresponding to the user-selected key among the keys 1501 and 1502 on the left side of the surface. Control is performed to print at a position shifted in the direction. For example, when “right” is selected by the user in the setting field 1503, the CPU 205 displays an image of a page to be printed on the surface corresponding to the key selected by the user among the keys 1501 and 1502. Control is performed so that printing is performed at a printing position corresponding to the position shifted in the direction.

  In this example, the shift direction desired by the user can be selected from at least these four shift candidates. In addition, in this example, an oblique direction can be selected as the shift direction. For example, assume that the user selects two items “upper” and “left” in the setting field 1503.

  In this case, the CPU 205 prints the image of the page to be printed on the surface corresponding to the key selected by the user among the keys 1501 and 1502 at the print position corresponding to the position shifted in the upper left direction of the surface. To control.

  For example, it is assumed that the user selects two items “upper” and “right” in the setting field 1503. In this case, the CPU 205 prints the image of the page to be printed on the surface corresponding to the key selected by the user among the keys 1501 and 1502 at the print position corresponding to the position shifted in the upper right direction of the surface. To control.

  Further, for example, it is assumed that the user selects two items “down” and “left” in the setting field 1503. In this case, the CPU 205 prints the image of the page to be printed on the surface corresponding to the key selected by the user among the keys 1501 and 1502 at the print position corresponding to the position shifted in the lower left direction of the surface. To control. For example, it is assumed that the user selects two items “down” and “right” in the setting field 1503.

  In this case, the CPU 205 sets the image of the page to be printed on the surface corresponding to the key selected by the user among the keys 1501 and 1502 to the print position corresponding to the position shifted to the lower right of the surface. Control to print.

  In this example, since the specification is based on consideration of further improvement in user convenience, a plurality of candidate shift directions are prepared in this way. However, this configuration may not be an essential requirement as long as it has a function capable of aligning at least the front and back images.

  In addition, the CPU 205 shifts the image of the page to be printed on the specific surface of the job to be printed on both sides requiring the alignment of the front and back images in the specific direction by the specific shift amount. To control. As this specific shift amount, in this example, a shift amount based on a user setting executed via the shift amount setting field 1504 on the screen of FIG. 15 displayed on the display unit 401 is employed.

  For example, assume that the user selects “Up” via the setting field 1503 and then sets “2 mm” via the vertical shift amount field of the setting field 1504. In this case, the CPU 205 corresponds to a position where the image of the page to be printed on the surface corresponding to the key selected by the user among the keys 1501 and 1502 is shifted by “2 mm” upward on the surface. Control to print at the print position.

  Further, for example, it is assumed that “3 mm” is set through the vertical shift amount column of the setting column 1504 after “down” is selected in the setting column 1503 by the user. In this case, the CPU 205 prints a position corresponding to a position obtained by shifting the image of the page to be printed on the surface corresponding to the key selected by the user among the keys 1501 and 1502 by “3 mm” below the surface. To control printing.

  For example, assume that the user selects “left” in the setting field 1503 and then sets “4 mm” via the left / right shift amount field in the setting field 1504. In this case, the CPU 205 prints a position corresponding to a position obtained by shifting the image of the page to be printed on the surface corresponding to the key selected by the user among the keys 1501 and 1502 by “4 mm” to the left of the surface. To control printing.

  For example, assume that the user selects “Right” in the setting field 1503 and then sets “5 mm” via the left / right shift amount field in the setting field 1504. In this case, the CPU 205 prints a page corresponding to a position shifted by “5 mm” to the right of the page image to be printed on the side corresponding to the key selected by the user among the keys 1501 and 1502. To control printing.

  In this example, it is assumed that “upper” or “lower” is selected by the user via the setting field 1503, for example. In this case, the CPU 205 can accept the shift amount from the user via the vertical shift amount setting column in the setting column 1504, but invalidates the user instruction from the horizontal shift amount setting column in the setting column 1504.

  For example, in this case, the shift amount in the left-right direction is set to “0 mm” with no shift amount. On the other hand, in this example, for example, it is assumed that “left” or “right” is selected by the user via the setting field 1503. In this case, the CPU 205 can accept the shift amount from the user via the left / right shift amount setting field in the setting field 1504, but invalidates the user instruction from the up / down direction shift amount setting field in the setting field 1504.

  For example, in this case, it is set to “0 mm” with no vertical shift amount. Further, the CPU 205 controls the set value of the shift amount that can be received from the user to be a value within the limit value range. In this example, the shift amount from the user is limited so that it is “0 mm to 10 mm” both in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction. Note that the CPU 205 controls the display unit 401 to accept numerical input of the shift amount from the user via the numeric keypad 506 and to reflect the set value in the setting field 1504.

  As described above, the CPU 205 uses the display unit 401 to display various types of image alignment for various front and back images from the user of the job for a duplex printing target job that requires front and back image alignment. Control to accept instructions.

  In the example of FIG. 15, the second surface (back surface in this example) of the first surface (front surface in this example) and the second surface (back surface) of the sheet is selected by the user selection of the key 1502 on the screen in FIG. This is an example in which the setting for shifting the image to be printed is made by the user. In addition, an example in which the user has made a setting for shifting the image to be printed on the surface upward by the user setting in the setting field 1503 of the screen in FIG. Further, in the setting field 1504 of the screen in FIG. 15, “2 mm” is set by the user as the shift amount of the image to be shifted in the direction of the surface.

  As described above, the CPU 205 causes the printer unit 203 to execute the above-described specific double-sided printing processing as shown in the example of FIG. 15 so as to be able to accept a user instruction related to the alignment of the front and back images. Then, it is executed by the display unit 401.

  In addition, the printing apparatus is controlled so that the image alignment processing according to the instruction set by the user via the display is executed by double-sided printing of a job to be processed. For example, in this example, in order to cause the printing apparatus to execute such processing, the CPU 205 includes the printing apparatus that should be used to perform front and back image alignment processing, such as the HDD 209, the RAM 208, and the printer unit 203. Control various related units.

  In this example, when an image shift process (image alignment process) is performed, a specific example will be described as to which point is used as the base point for image shift. For example, when the image printing position is shifted upward by 2 mm, the CPU 205 controls to print the image at a position shifted by 2 mm upward from the reference printing position.

  For example, if the image on the surface is shifted, the reference printing position is based on the coordinate axis used in the image printing at the time of surface printing in step S1405 executed immediately before. If the back side image is to be shifted, the coordinate axis used in the image printing at the time of back side printing in step S1404 executed immediately before is used as a reference.

  For example, it is assumed that the CPU 205 prints the image for one page of A4 size on the second surface so that the image is placed at the following position in the processing of S1404 executed first. In other words, the print position of the data on the sheet when the data is printed before the image shift process is performed is shown.

  It is assumed that the print position of the data in the upper left corner of the image data for one page is expressed as a print position in the horizontal axis direction and a print position in the vertical direction (XA1 = X0, YA1 = Y0). The horizontal axis direction is the X-axis direction, and the sheet is a direction parallel to N bidirectional directions. The vertical direction is the Y-axis direction, which is a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction.

  In addition, the print position of the data in the upper right corner of the image data for one page is expressed as a print position in the horizontal axis direction and a print position in the vertical direction (XA2 = X0 + 210.0 mm, YA2 = Y0). And The print position of the lower left corner of the image data for one page is expressed by the print position in the horizontal axis direction and the print position in the vertical direction, and is (XA3 = X0, YA3 = Y0 + 297.0 mm). Suppose there is.

  In addition, the print position of the data in the lower right corner of the image data for one page is expressed by the print position in the horizontal axis direction and the print position in the vertical direction, (XA4 = X0 + 210.0 mm, YA4 = Y0 + 297.0 mm). Suppose that

  When the data for one page of A4 size is shifted by 2 mm in the upward direction and printed by the printer unit 203, the data is printed so that the following printing position is obtained on the second surface of the sheet. The position is controlled by the CPU 205.

  The print position of the data in the upper left corner of the data for one page of A4 size is expressed by the print position in the horizontal axis direction and the print position in the vertical direction, which is 2 (XB1 = XA1, YB1 = YA2 than the position of YA1). (Position corresponding to 0 mm above). The print position of the data in the upper right corner of the data is expressed by the print position in the horizontal axis direction and the print position in the vertical direction, and is 2.0 mm directly above the position of (XB2 = XA2, YB2 = YA2). Corresponding position).

  In addition, the print position of the data in the lower left corner of the data is expressed by a print position in the horizontal axis direction and a print position in the vertical direction, and is 2.0 mm directly above the position of (XB3 = XA3, YB3 = YA3). Corresponding position). The print position of the data in the lower right corner of the data is expressed by the print position in the horizontal axis direction and the print position in the vertical direction, and is 2.0 mm directly above the position of (XB4 = XA4, YB4 = YA4). Corresponding position).

  The CPU 205 controls such that the data for one page is printed on the second surface with such a printing position relationship. In practice, the image-shifted image data is generated by executing an image layout process on an image memory such as a RAM, which will be described later.

  For example, when the A4-size image data for one page is expanded from the HDD 209 to the image memory such as the RAM 208, the data write address or read address is controlled so as to have the above-described print positional relationship. Thereby, the image data subjected to the image shift process is generated. Then, an image based on the image data that has undergone the image shift processing is formed on a sheet to obtain a printing result as shown in FIG.

  As described above, the image layout process is performed on the image memory as the image shift process. Then, an image for one page based on the created image data is printed on the printing surface of the sheet. In this example, the double-sided printing result is obtained by shifting an image of a specific side of the first side and the second side of the double-sided printed sheet in a specific direction and by a specific shift amount. It is an example of the data generation method for generating an image.

  That is, as long as the method does not depart from the spirit of the present invention, any data generation method can be used to generate a double-sided printing result in which an image on a specific surface of the front and back of a sheet is shifted by a specific shift amount in a specific direction. It doesn't matter. In other words, using a specific example, from the data of a job to be printed on both sides that has been printed as shown in FIGS. Any configuration may be used as long as it is a data generation method that makes it possible to obtain a double-sided printing result as shown in FIG.

  In this example, a number of mechanisms for improving the user convenience as much as possible are adopted. One example is an operation flow when performing the processing on the step S1411 side.

  For example, in the case of YES in step S1409, as exemplified in the control example using the display of FIG. 15, a user instruction regarding the alignment of the front and back images for a job to be printed on both sides that requires front and back image alignment is given. The CPU 205 controls to accept.

  Then, in response to the setting of the alignment of the front and back images performed by the user, the CPU 205 registers the instruction content from the user in an appropriate memory such as the RAM 208 or the HDD 209, for example. Note that the CPU 205 registers the user setting information relating to the alignment of the front and back images in association with the print data of the job to be duplexed and stored in the HDD 209.

  The CPU 205 executes such work in step S1411. In addition, the CPU 205 executes the processing in step S1411 in response to the user pressing the key 1505 displayed in FIG. In addition, when executing the process of step S1411, the CPU 205 controls to return the process to the process of step S1404 through the process of step S1411.

  As described above, in this example, by returning the processing from step S1411 to step S1404, the processing of steps S1404 and S1405 is executed again. In other words, in this example, the double-sided printing process for the data of the first and second pages of the job for double-sided printing that requires the front and back images to be aligned is performed again in steps S1404 to S1405 through the process of step S1411. And run.

  In this case, the CPU 205 controls the printing apparatus to execute the alignment process according to the instruction regarding the alignment of the front and back images from the user set in step S1411 in the duplex printing. In other words, the CPU 205 performs the image shift processing based on the user request regarding the alignment of the front and back images received through the display of FIG. 15 executed by the display unit 401 on the first and second pages of the job. This is executed by double-sided printing. For example, the user request set via the display of FIG. 15 is as follows.

  First, “second side (back side)” is set as a specific side of the first side and the second side of the front and back sides of the sheet on which the job data is printed via the display key 1502 in FIG. Instructed by the user (hereinafter referred to as instruction 1).

  Further, as a specific shift direction of the image to be printed on the second surface corresponding to the specific surface on which the image is to be shifted, “up” is displayed by the user via the display key 1503 in FIG. (Hereinafter referred to as instruction 2). Further, as a specific shift image amount for shifting the image with respect to the “upper” corresponding to the second plane corresponding to the specific plane and the specific shift direction, “2 mm” is displayed via the display key 1504 in FIG. Is instructed by the user (hereinafter referred to as instruction 3).

  Then, after such instructions 1 to 3 are set by the user, the user is instructed to resume printing the job via the display key 1505 in FIG. After receiving the above instruction from the user, the CPU 205 controls the apparatus to process the double-sided print job to be processed that requires the operation of aligning the front and back images as follows.

  For example, one sheet required for the job is fed from the paper feeding unit of the printing apparatus. In addition, the first page print data and the second page print data of the job in which the print data for all the pages has already been stored in the HDD 209 in the previous step 1403 are sent from the sheet feeding unit, respectively. Control is performed so that printing is performed on each of the first surface and the second surface of the sheet.

  When the printer unit 203 executes printing on each side of the single sheet, the CPU 205 prints the first page when printing the first page of the job on the first side of the sheet. Execution of the image shift processing of the print data of the eyes is prohibited. In addition, the first page image is printed on the first surface of the sheet by the printer unit 203 without executing the shift process of the first page image. However, when the print data for the second page of the job is printed on the second side of the sheet, execution of the image shift process for the print data for the second page is permitted.

  In other words, the CPU 205 causes the image of the second page to be shifted, and then causes the printer unit 203 to transfer the image of the second page that has been subjected to the image shift processing to the second surface of the sheet. , Print. This is because the CPU 205 determines that the specific print surface of the first and second surfaces of the sheet for which the image shift processing is requested by the user is the second surface, not the first surface of the sheet, and displays the display of FIG. This is because the instruction 1 is received from the user.

  Further, the CPU 205 determines that the image should be shifted upward as the shift direction of the second page image of the job to be shifted. This reason is based on the user request of the above instruction 2. The reason why the CPU 205 determines that the shift amount of the image is “2 mm” is based on the user request of the instruction 3.

  In other words, the CPU 205 moves the second page of the second page image within the image printing area that is shifted by 2 mm upward from the image printing area for the second surface of the image of the second page performed in step S1404. Print processing is executed so that the image fits. As a specific method of the image shift processing, as described above, a method of controlling the memory reading timing or a method of controlling the printing timing may be used.

  The double-sided printing on the front and back of one sheet of the first and second pages of the job including the image shift processing based on the instructions 1 to 3 requested by the user via the display of FIG. 15 as described above. When completed, the CPU 205 returns to step S1406 again. In the processing of S1407, the display of FIG. 15 is executed again by the UI unit. In addition, the CPU 205 controls to accept a user request relating to the alignment of the front and back images again from the user via the display of FIG.

  If the user request regarding the alignment of the front and back images is received again via the display in FIG. 15, the CPU 205 returns the process to S <b> 1404 again. In addition, the CPU 205 causes the printer to execute again the image shift processing according to the user's re-request regarding the alignment of the front and back images in the double-sided printing processing for the first and second pages of the job. The unit 203 is controlled.

  In other words, this series of controls is a mechanism that allows the double-sided printing result after the front and back image alignment processing to be executed repeatedly as many times as necessary until the user is satisfied. However, it is assumed that a user request regarding image shift processing is received once from the user via the UI unit via S1404 → S1405 → S1407 → S1409, YES, and step S1411.

  In response to the operation, the CPU 205 performs the duplex printing process including the image shift process according to the user request received through the display of FIG. 15 in step S1407, from the first page to the last page of the job. A page may be automatically executed. In this way, the image alignment operation related to the image shift processing may be executed only once in the processing of one job. This may be configured to improve productivity.

  As described above, it is assumed that the double-sided printing of the first page and the second page of the job is executed based on the user request received through the display of FIG. Then, it is assumed that the user has confirmed the double-sided printing result visually, and that it is determined that it is not particularly necessary to perform the image alignment process.

  In other words, it is assumed that the positional deviation phenomenon of the front and back images has been eliminated by the double-sided printing processing including the front and back image positioning processing by the above-described series of controls (hereinafter referred to as case 1). Alternatively, it is assumed that the first page and the second page of the job are printed on both sides through the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 14 for the first time after the printing apparatus is turned on.

  In addition, it is assumed that the first double-sided result itself is the double-sided printing result desired by the user in the first place. In other words, for example, it is assumed that the phenomenon of positional deviation between the front and back images does not occur even if the image alignment process as described above is not performed (referred to as case 2).

  In the case of any of these patterns, as processing for the job to be printed on both sides, the CPU 205 gives an instruction to “continue printing as it is” from the user via the display key 1506 of FIG. 15 displayed on the UI unit. Enable reception. However, the control is performed so that the duplex printing sequence is different between the case where the user is instructed via the key 1506 under the situation of Case 1 and the case where the user is instructed via the key 1506 under the situation of Case 2. .

  This is because the situation of case 1 is a case where the printer unit 203 has executed double-sided printing processing including image shift processing based on a user instruction regarding image shift processing requested by the user via the display of FIG. It corresponds to. That is, as a result of executing this sequence, the image misalignment problem is solved.

  In other words, if this sequence is not executed, the problem of misalignment between the front and back images remains. On the other hand, the situation in Case 2 is a situation in which no user request regarding image shift processing is made through the display of FIG. In other words, this corresponds to a case where the printer unit 203 has executed double-sided printing processing that does not include image shift processing. Then, even if the control sequence for aligning the front and back images is not executed, the image misalignment problem does not occur.

  Therefore, the CPU 205 controls the double-sided print job to be processed as follows in the case of proceeding to the process of step S1411 after being instructed by the user via the key 1506 under the situation of case 1. To do.

  For example, the double-sided printing process including the same image shift process as the image shift process executed immediately before shifting to the process of step S1411 is executed for the print data of the third page to the last page of the job. The printer unit 203 is controlled.

  In other words, with the same printing conditions as the printing processing condition parameters relating to the image printing area when printing the print data for the first and second pages of the job on the front and back of one recording sheet, The double-sided printing process is executed for the data of the third page to the last page of the job. The image shift process is repeated once for each recording sheet (ie, for each pair of print data for two pages to be printed on the front and back of one sheet). This is executed by the unit 203.

  A specific example will be described. For example, this situation corresponds to a situation in which the instructions 1 to 3 are received from the user via the display of FIG. Further, this corresponds to the case where the user request received via the display of FIG. In the case of this user request, the CPU 205 prints the print condition “no image shift” when printing on the first surface of the first sheet of the first page image of the job in step S1405 immediately after the processing of step S1411. Then, the printing of the first page image is executed by the printer unit 203.

  Further, in S1404 immediately after the processing of S1411, the CPU 205 prints the second page image of the job on the second surface of the first sheet under a printing condition of “shift image by 2 mm upward”. Then, the printer unit 203 causes the printer unit 203 to print the image of the second page. In addition, this corresponds to a situation where a user request is received via the key 1506.

  In the above situation, in response to pressing of the key 1506, the following operation is performed. When printing the first page of the second page image of the third page image of the job, the printer unit 203 causes the printer unit 203 to print the third page image under the print condition of “no image shift”.

  Further, the CPU 205 prints the image of the fourth page under the printing condition “shift image by 2 mm upward” when printing the image of the fourth page of the job on the second surface of the second sheet. And executed by the printer unit 203. As described above, this job corresponds to a case where the image of the second page is shifted without executing the shift of the image of the first page of the first and second pages.

  In other words, the data of the even page (2n page) corresponding to the page to be printed on the second side of the first side and the second side of the sheet is the page on which the image shifted image is to be printed. It corresponds to. In addition, the data of the odd-numbered pages (2n-1 pages) corresponding to the pages to be printed is printed on the first surface of the first and second surfaces of the sheet without image shift processing. Corresponds to the page to be.

  In accordance with this rule, the CPU 205 executes double-side processing for shifting the third page of this job. That is, pages 1, 3, 5,..., 2n-1 of the job are the first side of the first sheet, the first side of the second sheet, the first side of the third sheet, respectively. When printing on the first side of the sheet of the first page,..., The printing is controlled so that the image shift processing is prohibited.

  In addition, pages 2, 4, 6,..., 2n of the job are the second side of the first sheet, the second side of the second sheet, the second side of the third sheet, respectively. When printing on the second surface of the last sheet on which the last page is printed, the image is printed after executing the image shift process. In addition, this image shift process is the same condition as the shift process for the second page, and the printing condition for the page corresponding to the print data for the even-numbered page is the printing condition “shift image upward by 2 mm”. An image is printed by the printer unit 203. As described above, under the condition of case 1, the CPU 205 causes the double-sided printing process reflecting the front-and-back image alignment process described above to be executed in step S1410.

  On the other hand, in the case 2 described above, the operation for aligning the front and back images is a job requested by the user via the key 901. However, the double-sided printing of the first and second pages of the job in steps S1404 and S1405 is executed by the printer unit 203, and there is no positional deviation of the front and back images from the double-sided printing result visually observed by the user in step S1406. Corresponds to the situation where the decision is made.

  That is, this corresponds to a case where the image of the first page of the first and second pages of the job is not shifted, and the image of the second page is not shifted.

  In other words, the data of the even-numbered pages (2n pages) corresponding to the pages to be printed on the first surface and the second surface of the sheet should be printed without image shift processing. Corresponds to page. In addition, data on odd-numbered pages (2n-1 pages) corresponding to pages to be printed on the first surface of the first and second surfaces of the sheet is also printed without image shift processing. Corresponds to the page to be. In accordance with this rule, the CPU 205 executes double-side processing for shifting the third page of this job. That is, pages 1, 3, 5,..., 2n-1 of the job are the first side of the first sheet, the first side of the second sheet, the first side of the third sheet, respectively. When printing on the first side of the sheet of the first page,..., The printing is controlled so that the image shift processing is prohibited.

  In addition, pages 2, 4, 6,..., 2n of the job are the second side of the first sheet, the second side of the second sheet, the second side of the third sheet, respectively. ... When printing on the second surface of the sheet of the last page, control is performed so that printing is performed in a state where image shift processing is prohibited. As described above, in the case 2, the CPU 205 causes the double-sided printing process that does not reflect the above-described front / back image alignment process to be executed in step S <b> 1410.

  As described in the above series of control flows, when the process proceeds to the process of step S1411 in FIG. 14, the CPU 205 returns to the process of step S1404 again. In addition, the CPU 205 controls to restart the processing from the printing operation for the second page of the job that requires image alignment processing of the front and back images designated via the display key 901 in FIG.

  In this way, the CPU 205 repeatedly executes a series of processes of YES → S1411 in steps S1404 → S1405 → S1406 → S1407 → S1409 until it is determined in step S1409 that the image printing position is not changed, so that execution is possible.

  That is, it is controlled so that it can be repeatedly executed until the user visually confirms the double-sided printing result and the image printing positions on the front surface and the back surface match (until the user is satisfied). However, as described above, when the re-loop process is executed (that is, when step S1404 is re-executed in one job), the CPU 205 accepts the user for the alignment of the front and back images received immediately before the process of step S1404. Causes this device to execute control in response to the request.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1409 that the image printing position is not changed, the process proceeds to step S1410. In this example, the CPU 205 determines whether or not the print continuation key 1506 of the display shown in FIG. 15 (double-sided image print alignment detailed setting screen) shown in FIG. 15 executed by the UI unit in S1407 is pressed by the user. Run based on. If a user instruction is given via the key 1506, the series of double-sided printing sequences described in Case 1 and Case 2 are executed by the printing apparatus.

  In this example, a mechanism for further improving convenience is provided. As an example of this, before proceeding to the processing of step S1410 and executing the double-sided printing sequence, the CPU 205 causes the UI unit to execute the display as shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is a double-sided image print alignment detailed setting registration screen that the CPU 205 displays by the UI unit when executing the process of step S1410.

  The “Register this setting and continue printing” key 1601 on the screen of FIG. 16 causes the double-sided printing operation of the job to be processed to continue based on the setting received from the user via the display of FIG. This is a display key for receiving an instruction to register the setting in the memory from the user.

  In this example, when the key 1601 is pressed, the CPU 205 causes the image shift process to be executed based on the processing conditions relating to the image alignment in the double-sided printing received from the user via the keys 1501 to 1504 in FIG. Specifically, as in the above-described control example, a series of duplex printing operations including image shift processing based on settings received via the keys 1501 to 1504 is performed in step S1406 when the printing operation is currently stopped. It is executed by printing a job (in this example, the job of FIG. 12).

  In addition, when the key 1601 is pressed, the CPU 205 not only causes the printer unit 203 to execute the above-described operation, but also sets processing conditions regarding the alignment of the front and back images received from the user via the keys 1501 to 1504 according to the HD 209. To register.

  In other words, the key 1601 in FIG. 16 instructs the user to register, in the storage unit, the duplex printing condition parameter that reflects the image registration result acquired through the processing flow immediately before the processing of step S1410 in FIG. It is also a display key to accept from. For example, when the key 1601 is pressed by the user, the CPU 205 sets, for example, a duplex printing condition parameter that reflects the image registration result acquired through the processing flow immediately before the processing of step S1410 in the processing of FIG. It is registered in the HDD 209.

  Then, the CPU 205 controls to use the double-sided printing process according to the processing condition parameter relating to the alignment of the front and back images when executing the double-sided printing of the job. In addition, even after the processing of this job is completed, the parameter is repeated, and control is performed so that it can be reused in processing of other jobs to be printed on both sides subsequent to this job.

  In other words, for example, in the case of a plurality of double-sided printing jobs to be processed over a certain period such as one hour or half a day, the processing condition parameter is controlled to be used in common. This is because, as assumed in the prior art, the front and back image misalignment phenomenon is caused by external factors such as humidity and room temperature that directly affect the inside of the printer. In addition, the positional shift phenomenon caused by such factors is a phenomenon that can change / occur when a certain period of time such as every other day elapses.

  In other words, the front-back image misalignment phenomenon focused on by the present embodiment is a phenomenon that is unlikely to change under a situation where a plurality of jobs are processed continuously during a certain concentrated period. Therefore, in consideration of this characteristic, in this example, the print condition parameters received from the user through the display of FIG. 15 in order to correct the positional deviation of the front and back images as described above are used for a plurality of duplex printing jobs. Keep reusable. Specifically, the CPU 205 controls to hold the printing condition parameter in a nonvolatile memory. By configuring in this way, user settings regarding image alignment are omitted as much as possible. That is, it is possible to improve convenience and productivity as much as possible.

  A “continue printing without registering this setting” key 1602 on the screen of FIG. 16 is used to continue the double-sided printing operation of the current processing target job based on the setting received from the user via the display of FIG. Display key. In addition, this is a display key for inputting an instruction not to register the setting in the memory. In this example, when the key 1602 is pressed, the CPU 205 causes the image shift process to be executed based on the processing conditions relating to image alignment in double-sided printing received from the user via the keys 1501 to 1504 in FIG.

  Specifically, as in the above-described control example, a series of duplex printing operations including image shift processing based on settings received via the keys 1501 to 1504 is performed in step S1406 when the printing operation is currently stopped. It is executed by printing a job (in this example, the job of FIG. 12). However, when the key 1602 is pressed, the CPU 205 determines that only the double-sided print job to be processed with the user settings received via the display of FIG. 15 is the job.

  In another subsequent double-sided print job, control is separately performed so that processing conditions relating to image alignment are newly received from the user via the display of FIG.

  In other words, when the key 1602 in FIG. 16 is pressed, the CPU 205 sets the processing conditions regarding the alignment of the front and back images in double-sided printing received from the user via the keys 1501 to 1504 in FIG. Registration to the HD 209 is prohibited.

  A cancel key 1603 on the screen of FIG. 16 is a display key for accepting an instruction to cancel the procedure from the user. When this key 1603 is pressed, the processing of this job is stopped. As an example of this operation, for example, the CPU 205 deletes the print data of the job (in this example, the job shown in FIG. 12) stored in the HDD 209 in the previous step S1403 from the HDD 209 for all pages.

  As described above, when the user presses the display key 1601 shown in FIG. 16 to be executed by the UI unit, the CPU 205 relates to the front and back image position adjustment in double-sided printing that has already been received from the user via the display shown in FIG. The setting value is controlled so that it can be registered in the memory.

  Moreover, the following configuration is also provided as a configuration based on this configuration. For example, when processing a plurality of double-sided print jobs in succession during a period in which the front / back image misalignment phenomenon does not occur, the CPU 205 displays the setting values registered in the memory in the display of FIG. When displaying, it is displayed as an initial value. In addition, the plurality of duplex printing jobs are processed based on the setting value reflected in the display of FIG. 15 as the initial value.

  As a result, even when a plurality of double-sided print jobs that require alignment of the front and back images exist in a concentrated manner, each job can be processed continuously while aligning the front and back images. Also, with this configuration, there is no need for the user to store the position adjusted value, and the operation can be simplified.

  Here, the configuration of the printing system described above is confirmed. In this configuration, as described above, the CPU 205 detects the data of the job to be printed on both sides requested by the user via the display key 901 shown in FIG. 9 for the front / back image alignment operation, as shown in steps S1404 and S1405 in FIG. Then, double-side printing is performed on the printer unit 203.

  And the printed matter corresponding to the double-sided printing result is actually visually confirmed by the user. In addition, the CPU 205 causes the UI unit to execute the display in FIG. 15 as a display that allows the user to accept processing conditions related to image alignment based on the double-sided printing result.

  In addition, the CPU 205 receives a processing condition related to image alignment based on the double-sided printing result of the job from the user via the display of FIG. 15 executed by the UI unit. When the processing conditions are received from the user via the display shown in FIG. 15, the CPU 205 causes the printing apparatus to shift the image based on the processing conditions received from the user via the display shown in FIG. Let it run.

  In other words, the CPU 205 uses the double-sided printing sequence including the image shift processing based on the processing conditions received from the user, and the data of the job to be printed on the double-sided side requested to be aligned by the user. The printer unit 203 executes double-sided printing.

  As described above, in this example, as information that can be used for processing a double-sided print job that is currently processed, processing related to front / back image alignment in double-sided printing received from the user via the display of FIG. The conditions are utilized (hereinafter referred to as the first utilization method). Note that the processing conditions relating to the alignment of the front and back images in double-sided printing are also referred to as “alignment information” hereinafter.

  In this example, there is a utilization method of the alignment information other than the first utilization method. As one example, the CPU 205 displays the display in FIG. 16 as a display that allows the user to receive an instruction to register the registration information set by the user in the memory unit via the display in FIG. To execute.

  In this example, when the display key 1601 shown in FIG. 16 is pressed by the user, the CPU 205 causes the HD 209 to register registration information for the duplex printing set by the user via the display shown in FIG. In addition, the CPU 205 uses the registration information registered in the HDD 209 to print another double-sided print job that follows the job that is the current processing target (in this example, a print job composed of 2n pages in total as shown in FIG. 12). Even in the case of processing, it is controlled so that it can be used. As an example of this, the CPU 205 converts a series of duplex printing operations including image shift processing based on the registration information registered in the HDD 209 to duplex printing of other duplex printing target jobs subsequent to the job. Thus, the printer unit 203 can execute it.

  As described above, in the present example, the information set by the user via the display in FIG. 15 is used as information that can be used to process another duplex printing job that is different from the currently processed duplex printing job. Use alignment information for duplex printing. Hereinafter, this is referred to as a second utilization method.

  As described above, in this example, there are at least two methods of using the first and second methods for using the registration information of the front and back images in double-sided printing received from the user via the display of FIG. In this example, when the key 1601 is pressed through the display of FIG. 16, the apparatus is controlled so that both the first utilization method and the second utilization method can be executed. On the other hand, when the key 1602 in FIG. 16 is pressed, the second utilization method is not executed, and the first utilization method is controlled to be executable by this apparatus.

  In this example, as a specification in consideration of user convenience, the CPU 205 responds to the display key 1506 of FIG. 15 executed by the UI unit being pressed by the user, and displays the display of FIG. It is executed by the UI unit. In addition, the above two instructions are selectively received from the user via the key 1601 and the key 1602 shown in FIG. The CPU 205 controls the printing apparatus to execute an operation corresponding to the received instruction.

  As an example of this, when the key 1601 is pressed, a series of double-sided printing operations including image shift processing are performed based on the information received from the user via the display of FIG. 15 (step S1406). The job for which the printing operation is stopped by is executed.

  In addition, the information is registered in the HDD 209, and a series of double-sided printing operations including an image shift process based on the information registered in the HDD 209 can be executed in a double-sided printing job other than the above job. .

  On the other hand, when the key 1602 is pressed, a series of duplex printing operations including image shift processing based on information received from the user via the display of FIG. 15 is performed in step S1406 corresponding to the job to be processed. Execute in the job that stopped. However, this information is not used in subsequent double-sided printing. In other words, registration of the information in the HDD 209 is prohibited. As described above, this system adopts a mechanism considering user convenience. However, in order to simplify the configuration, for example, the following configuration may be used.

  For example, even when the display key 1506 in FIG. 15 is pressed by the user, the CPU 205 prohibits the UI unit from executing the display in FIG. In other words, it is prohibited to accept an instruction from the key 1601 or an instruction from the key 1602 from the user via the display of FIG.

  In addition, in response to pressing of the key 1506, the following operation is performed. For example, a series of double-sided printing operations including image shift processing based on information received from the user via the display of FIG. 15 is performed in a job in which the printing operation is stopped in S1406 corresponding to the current processing target job. Let it run.

  As described above, when the key 1506 is pressed, the display of FIG. 16 may be controlled to shift to the process of step S1410 without causing the UI unit to execute the display. Thus, if the configuration can solve the problem as assumed in the prior art, any modification application can be made without departing from the spirit of the configuration.

  Returning to the description of FIG. In response to the user pressing one of the key 1601 and the key 1602 via the display of FIG. 16 executed by the UI unit, the CPU 205 proceeds to the process of step S1410. If the key 1603 is pressed, as described above, the job processing is canceled and the processing is terminated.

  In step S1410, the printer unit 203 is caused to execute the print operation of the job to be processed in accordance with the double-sided image print alignment setting received from the user via the display keys 1501-1504 in FIG. The current job to be processed is the two-page printing for the first and second pages performed in steps S1404 and S1405 immediately before the processing in step S1409, and the printing operation is performed in step S1406. This is the job shown in FIG.

  Note that the job for which the image alignment is requested by the user via the key 901 passes through at least one of the following series of processing flows before reaching the processing of S1410.

  One example of this is the processing flow of (Start) → S1401 (YES) → S1402 (YES) → S1403 → S1404 → S1405 → S1406 → S1407 → S1408 (NO) → S1409 (NO) → S1410. In this processing flow, as a result of actually performing double-sided printing on the first recording sheet of the first page and the second page of the job, the positional deviation phenomenon between the images printed on the front and back of one recording sheet occurs. It corresponds to the processing flow that can be executed when it has not occurred.

  In other words, the current state of the printing apparatus can be executed when the user can output a desired double-sided printing result by the printer unit 203 without causing the printing apparatus to execute the above-described alignment operation. This is a processing flow.

  One example other than the above processing flow is (Start) → S1401 (YES) → S1402 (YES) → S1403 → S1404 → S1405 → S1406 → S1407 → S1408 (NO) → S1409 (YES) It is a processing flow. This flow executes S1411 after (YES) in S1409.

  In addition, after the processing of S1411, S1404, S1405, S1406, and S1407 are executed again. In this processing flow, after this series of processing, (NO) in S1408, (NO) in S1409, and S1410.

  In this processing flow, as a result of actually performing double-sided printing on the first recording sheet of the first page and the second page of the job, the positional deviation phenomenon between the images printed on the front and back of one recording sheet occurs. It corresponds to the processing flow that can be executed if it occurs. In other words, the current state of the printing apparatus can be executed in a state where the above-described alignment operation needs to be executed by the printing apparatus in order to cause the printer unit 203 to output a user's desired duplex printing result. It is a processing flow.

  As can be seen from the comparison between these two processing flows, the UI indicates that there is no problem in the alignment result of the front and back images regarding the double-sided printing results in steps S1404 and S1405, regardless of which processing flow is executed. It is comprised so that it may receive from a user via a part.

  As an example of this, in this example, the CPU 205 makes a NO determination in step S1409 on the condition that any one of the keys 1601 and 1602 in the display of FIG. Transition.

  That is, regardless of which processing flow described above, the duplex printing of the first page and the second page of the job has been executed at least before the process proceeds to step S1410. In addition, the double-sided printing result of the first page and the second page is a double-sided printing result desired by the user. In other words, it is a printing result in which the problem of positional deviation between the front and back images does not occur.

  Therefore, the page to be printed in the printing process of step S1410 is the print data of the last page from the print data of the third page of the job. That is, in the example of the job in FIG. 12, the data corresponding to the number of pages obtained by subtracting the data for the first page and the second page (the total number of pages of the job in FIG. Two-sided printing for 2 pages of eyes = 2n-1) is executed.

  However, when step S1410 is executed through the former processing flow, double-sided printing is performed without executing the above-described image shift operation. However, when step S1410 is executed through the latter processing flow, the operation includes an image shift process based on the alignment information received from the user through the display of FIG. 15 acquired at the timing of the previous step S1411. The two-sided printing operation is executed. A specific example of a series of double-sided printing operations including the shift operation has been described in detail in the control example using the display of FIG. 15, and will not be described here.

  As described above, in this example, in step S1410, the CPU 205 controls the HDD 209 and the printer unit 203 so that the printing operation of the remaining pages after the third page is continued up to the image data of the last page.

  In step S1412, the CPU 205 determines whether there is a job waiting to be printed in the HDD 209 other than the job processed in step S1410. If there is a job waiting to be printed in the HDD 209, the CPU 205 returns the process from step S1412 to step S1401. If it is a double-sided print job, the same processing flow as described above is executed in the processing of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1412 that there are no remaining jobs, the CPU 205 ends the process in FIG.

<Coordinate position of image data on memory>
Next, an example of a specific example of how image shift processing is executed in a double-sided print job in which the above-described front / back image alignment request is made by the user will be described with reference to FIG. As one method for executing this image shift processing, the CPU 205 executes image layout control using an image memory.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing coordinate positions (addresses) on the RAM 208 of FIG. 2 capable of storing image data for at least two pages. In this example, the CPU 205 stores the print data of the job to be processed in the HDD 209 for all pages in both the above-described embodiment and the embodiment described later.

  In addition, the CPU 205 uses the RAM 208 when executing the image shift process as the alignment operation of the front and back images. For example, the CPU 205 first reads the image data of the first and second pages from the HDD 209 out of the job data stored in the HDD 209 in step S1403 of FIG. In addition, control is performed so as to write to the address area allocated for image printing alignment in the RAM 208.

  In FIG. 17, the X coordinate indicates an address in the horizontal direction (left and right) of the coordinate position (address) on the RAM 208, and the Y coordinate indicates an address in the vertical direction (up and down) of the coordinate position (address) on the RAM 208. As described above, the horizontal direction is a direction corresponding to a horizontal direction with respect to a sheet conveyance direction inside a printer of recording paper corresponding to a print medium. On the other hand, the longitudinal direction is a direction corresponding to a direction (vertical direction) orthogonal to the sheet conveying direction.

  In the X coordinate, X1 and X2 indicate the initial start address in the horizontal direction of the first page and the second page, respectively. In the Y coordinate, Y1 and Y2 indicate the initial value in the vertical direction of the first page and the second page, respectively. Indicates the start address. In FIG. 17, Y1 and Y2 are the same address, but they may be set to different addresses. This initial start address corresponds to the start address in the double-sided printing operation for the first and second pages executed by the printer unit 203 before executing the front / back image alignment processing (image shift processing). .

  This will be described with reference to the example of FIG. Before causing the UI unit to execute the display of FIG. 15, in steps S <b> 1404 and 1405, the CPU 205 stores these image data in the RAM 208 during the double-sided printing of the first and second pages executed by the printer unit 203. This corresponds to the storage address when

  In this example, the image shift process of the print data to be processed is performed based on the storage address when the image data is stored in the RAM 208 by the print operation executed by the printer unit 203 immediately before the image shift process is executed. Let it run.

  For example, at the processing timing of step S1411 in FIG. 14, the processing conditions related to image alignment received from the user via the display in FIG. 15 that the CPU 205 has executed on the UI unit are set as shown in FIG. Suppose that it is a condition. That is, the CPU 205 sets the setting to shift the second side (back side) image of the first side (front side) and the second side (back side) of the sheet upward by 2 mm via the display of FIG. Suppose you accept.

  Image layout control corresponding to image shift processing according to this setting is executed by the CPU 205 using the RAM 208. For example, the CPU 205 shifts the image of the second page to be printed on the second side (back side) of the sheet to the position before the address converted from 2 mm on the memory address starting from Y2 ′ indicated by the dotted line in FIG. Move to the specified position.

  In other words, when the alignment setting is performed by the user, the write start address of the image of the second page to the RAM is (X2, Y2 '). Based on this address, the write processing for one page of the data of the second page is developed in the RAM 208. When the layout of the image for one page of the image data for the second page is completed, an image based on the image data for which the memory development for the one page has been completed is formed on the second surface of the sheet.

  The above memory control and image layout are executed as image shift processing. As a result, the second page printed on the second side of the sheet before the image shift process is shifted to a print position that is shifted 2 mm above the print position on the second side as a whole after the shift process. The second page image is printed.

  If a specific example is given with reference to FIGS. 31 and 32, the CPU 205 controls the apparatus as follows. In steps S1404 and S1405 in FIG. 14, the double-sided printing result shown in FIG. This process is a process before the image shift process is executed.

  The double-sided printing result of FIG. 31 is a double-sided printing result in which the image on the second side of the sheet is shifted downward by 2 mm from the image on the first side. Such a double-sided printing result is actually visually confirmed by the user at the timing of step S1406. At this time, the CPU 205 causes the UI unit to execute the display of FIG. In addition, the CPU 205 accepts the processing conditions shown in FIG. 15 from the user via the display of FIG. 15 as the setting for the user to align the front and back images. In addition, the CPU 205 causes the apparatus to execute an image shift process according to the user setting received through the display of FIG.

  In this example, as described above, the control of the storage address of the image data in the RAM 208 and the image layout control using the RAM 208 are executed. In this example, the CPU 205 processes an image of a page corresponding to an even page to be printed on the second surface of the sheet as an image to be shifted on the RAM 208 like the image of the second page.

  However, the image of the page corresponding to the odd page to be printed on the first surface of the sheet is developed in the RAM 208 without being processed on the RAM 208 as the image to be shifted. That is, the image of the first page is not shifted, but data is developed on the RAM 208 using the same address position as that in the process of step S1405. After that, the image of the second page developed in the RAM 208 is printed on the second surface of the sheet. When the image of the first page is also developed on the RAM 208, the image of the first page developed on the RAM 208 is printed on the first surface of the sheet.

  Thus, double-sided printing in which the positional deviation phenomenon of the front and back images is eliminated as shown in FIG. 32 as a printed matter in which the positional deviation of the printed matter in which the positional deviation phenomenon of the front and back images has occurred as shown in FIG. The result can be created. In other words, in the printing result of FIG. 31, the printing position on the second surface (back surface) of the second page is shifted by 2 mm downward compared to the printing position on the first surface (front surface) of the first page. It was a printed matter in which the image of the second page was printed at the position. As a result, as shown in FIG. 32, it is possible to generate a printed matter as a double-sided printing result obtained by aligning the front and back images.

  That is, the CPU 205 sets the printing position of the first page image on the first side to the same printing position as that in FIG. 31, and the printing position of the second page image on the second side is 2 mm as a whole compared to FIG. Images are arranged on the front and back of the sheet so that the position is shifted upward.

  Thereafter, until the shift position is changed again in step S1411, the image data of the third and subsequent pages read from the HDD 209 (page 4, page 6,..., Page 2n image data) It is controlled to write to the address starting from the coordinate of Y2 ′.

  In other words, the CPU 205 sets all of the image data corresponding to the even-numbered pages of the data included in the job as image data to be subjected to image shift processing in the same manner as the image layout for the second page on the RAM 208. The image layout process is executed. However, the CPU 205 determines that all the image data corresponding to the odd-numbered pages of the data included in the job is the non-target image data for the image shift processing on the RAM 208 as in the image layout for the first page. The image layout process is executed.

  In the above control example, an image to be printed on the first side and the second side of a sheet required for printing a duplex printing job is printed without being shifted, and is printed on the second side. This is a control example of a double-sided printing operation when an image is shifted and printed. The CPU 205 receives a request for execution of position adjustment of the images on the front and back of the sheet from the user via the UI unit, and issues a request for execution of shift of the image to be printed on the second surface of the sheet from the user via the UI unit. If accepted, this printing apparatus is caused to execute this series of duplex printing operations.

  As an example of this, the CPU 205 accepts the position adjustment execution request made by the user via the display key 901 in FIG. 9. Further, a shift execution request for an image to be printed on the second side made by the user via the display key 1502 in FIG. 15 is accepted. In response to this user request, the CPU 205 controls the printing apparatus to execute the series of duplex printing operations. A series of double-sided printing operations including a shift process of an image to be printed on the second side of a sheet in a double-sided printing job is defined as a first type double-sided printing operation. In this embodiment, the CPU 205 not only enables the first type double-sided printing operation that requires this image shift processing to be executed by this printing apparatus, but also performs a double-sided printing operation that includes another type of image shift processing. Are also controlled to be executable by the printing apparatus.

  As an example, the CPU 205 prints an image to be printed on the second side of the first side and the second side of the sheet required for printing a double-sided print job without shifting, and on the first side. A double-sided printing operation for shifting an image to be printed can be executed. A series of double-sided printing operations including a shift process of an image to be printed on the first side of a sheet in a double-sided printing job is defined as a second type double-sided printing operation.

  When the CPU 205 receives a request for execution of the position adjustment from the user via the UI unit, and when it receives a request for shift of the image to be printed on the first surface of the sheet from the user via the UI unit. This series of duplex printing operations is executed by the printing apparatus. In this example, the CPU 205 receives the position adjustment execution request from the user via the display key 901 shown in FIG. 9 executed by the UI unit, and displays the key 1501 shown in FIG. 15 executed by the UI unit. An execution request for shifting the image to be printed is received on the first surface via the. In response to the user request, the CPU 205 controls the printing apparatus to execute a series of double-sided printing operations of the second type.

  In the second type double-sided printing operation including this image shift processing, for example, the CPU 205 executes image layout control using the RAM 208 as described below as the image shift processing.

  For example, after receiving the execution request from the user via the display key 901 shown in FIG. 9 executed by the UI unit, the front side (first side) via the display key 1501 shown in FIG. Assume that an instruction to shift the image printing position is received from the user. In this case, the CPU 205 executes address control so as to shift the start address of the first page indicated by (X1, Y1) in the address coordinates of the RAM 208 in FIG.

  Specifically, this corresponds to the coordinate position shifted in the direction specified by the user via the display key 1503 in FIG. 15 by the shift amount set by the user, with (X1, Y1) as the base point. The address is a writing start address of the image data for the first page. Such memory control is executed by the CPU 205 on the RAM 208. Here, the image data stored in the RAM 208 is only the image data of the first and second pages for the sake of explanation.

  However, if more area for alignment in the RAM 208 can be secured, image data of more pages is stored, and image data corresponding to the front surface or image data corresponding to the back surface is linked. It is also possible to control to shift together.

  Further, when printing is actually executed by the printer unit 203, printing is performed in units of one page for each side of the sheet. Therefore, a configuration for simultaneously writing two pages of images into the RAM 208 is not an essential requirement. In other words, the image shift processing of this embodiment can be executed even using a memory capable of storing image data for one page. Thus, the memory configuration and the image shift processing method are not particularly limited. In other words, any configuration can be used as long as it can output the data of the duplex printing job resulting in the duplex printing as shown in FIG. 30 or 31 to the duplex printing as shown in FIG. Included in the form.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, when double-sided printing is executed by the printing apparatus, the double-sided printing job to be processed is displayed via the screen of FIG. 9 displayed on the UI unit included in the printing apparatus itself. In advance, the key 901 is configured to be pressed by the user.

  In addition, when a request for adjusting the position of the front and back images is received from the user via the key 901, the CPU 205 performs double-sided printing of the data of the job itself on the printing apparatus as an alignment operation for the front and back images of the job. Let it begin.

  Further, the CPU 205 automatically stops the printing operation when printing of a desired number of pages is completed after the double-sided printing operation is started. In addition, the user can visually confirm the double-sided printing result of the printed matter output by the printing operation.

  At this time, the CPU 205 displays a double-sided image printing alignment detailed setting screen as shown in FIG. 15 on the UI unit of the printing apparatus itself. If there is misalignment in the double-sided printing result output by the printing operation, settings for correcting this misalignment can be accepted from the user himself via this setting screen. To do.

  In addition, the CPU 205 causes the printing apparatus to execute a duplex printing operation including an image shift process according to the setting received from the user for the job.

  With the configuration as described above, it is possible to cope with a problem such as that assumed in the prior art. In addition, for example, it is possible to eliminate a time loss such as an operator noticing that a positional deviation of an image has occurred in a double-sided printing result of a printed matter output by a printing apparatus after a certain amount of time has elapsed. .

  In addition, since such a phenomenon has occurred, the operator searches for data corresponding to the original master data of the printed matter from a large amount of order data groups, and reconstructs it from 1 again using a PC or the like. This series of work steps can also be omitted. For example, when a print request for a double-sided print job is made via the UI unit of the printing apparatus, the operator prints an image to be printed on the front surface (first surface) or the back surface (second surface) of the print medium in the job. It is possible to easily change the print position (particularly fine adjustment) via the UI unit.

  In other words, flexible and convenient printing considering the operability, productivity, and usability, which is also suitable for POD environments where it is assumed that the content shown in FIG. 12 is printed as a product and delivered to the customer. The environment can be constructed.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the description has mainly been given of the control example in the case where the data of the job to be processed is received from the scanner unit 201 included in the printing apparatus itself and is printed by the printer unit 203. In other words, the print execution request of the job to be processed and the image printing alignment in the duplex printing via the operation unit 204 provided in the printing apparatus itself, which is an example of the UI unit provided in the printing system. The control example when the request is received from the operator has been mainly described.

  However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example, a configuration in which the printing apparatus can accept data of a job to be printed from an external apparatus capable of data communication with the printing apparatus, such as the PC 103 or 104 in FIG. As an example, the operator of the PC 104 sends a request to execute the registration of the front and back images in a double-sided print job via the printer driver of the PC 104 having downloaded a computer program for executing printing by the printing apparatus. The configuration that can be accepted will be described.

  Note that the printing system according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to execute the control exemplified below using either the client PC 104 or the prepress server 103. That is, both the PCs 103 and 104 have the same functions and configurations. Below, it demonstrates using PC104 as a representative. In other words, all descriptions corresponding to the client PC 104 in the following description are descriptions that can be replaced with the press server 103.

<Printer driver setting screen>
A printer driver is used to proof output from a printing application of the prepress server 103 or the client PC 104 to a device (printing device) having a printing function such as the MFPs 105 and 106 and output a final product.

  A control unit (CPU) included in the PC 104 displays a print setting screen of the printing apparatus (such as the MFPs 105 and 106 in FIG. 1) on the display unit of the PC 104, which is a further example of the UI unit provided in the printing system. To display. As an example of this, a printer driver setting screen for the printing apparatus provided in the system as shown in FIG. 18 is displayed.

  The control unit of the PC 104 responds to the printer driver activation instruction of the printing apparatus by the user of the PC 104 input via the UI unit corresponding to the operation instruction unit such as the mouse / keyboard of the PC 104, and displays the screen of the PC 104. Displayed by the display unit. For example, when printing the data to be processed using the printing apparatus, the printer driver is selected in response to a print menu of general application software installed on the PC being selected by the operator of the PC. Is displayed on the display unit of the PC.

  The control unit of the PC 104 confirms that the selection candidate printing apparatus is specified by the key operation of the operator of the PC 104 via the “printer name” pull-down list box displayed in FIG. 18 executed on the display unit of the PC 104. In response, the following display control is executed. For example, the status of the printing apparatus is displayed in the “status” column of the display in FIG.

  In addition, the type of the printing apparatus (for example, the model name of the printing apparatus) is displayed in the “type” column of the display in FIG. In addition, the installation location information of the printing apparatus is displayed in the “location” column of the display of FIG.

  In addition, comment information from the administrator of the printing apparatus is displayed in the “comment” column of the display in FIG. When the “output to file” check box shown in FIG. 18 is checked by the key operation of the operator of the PC 104, the control unit of the PC 104 displays the data to be selected by the operator of the PC 104 as the printing apparatus. To output a file without printing. In this case, the operator of the PC 104 specifies the data storage location as the storage destination including the memory of the PC 104.

  The control unit of the PC 104 selects these four options via radio buttons of “all”, “current page”, “selected page”, and “page designation” belonging to the setting item “printing range” in FIG. The desired print range setting is received from the operator of the PC 104. If the operator selects “page designation”, the page number of the page to be printed is selected from the print target data composed of a plurality of pages via the edit box near the right side of the item. It can be accepted by the key operation of the person.

  The control unit of the PC 104 can accept the attribute of the document to be printed from the operator of the PC 104 via the pull-down list box of the setting item “print target” in FIG. In order to specify whether to print all pages or only odd or even pages from the print target data composed of a plurality of pages via the display setting item “print designation” pull-down list box of FIG. Can be accepted from the operator of the PC 104.

  The control unit of the PC 104 receives the number of copies of the data to be printed from the operator of the PC 104 via the setting item “number of copies” shown in FIG. When the printing apparatus executes printing of a plurality of copies, if printing is performed in units of copies instead of in units of pages, the instruction is accepted via the display setting item “print in units of copies” in FIG.

  The control unit of the PC 104 performs Nup printing (printing a plurality of pages of data for the number of pages specified by the user on the same surface of one sheet via the setting item “enlarge / reduce” in FIG. 18. The setting of the function to be received is received from the user. Also, the setting of the output paper size required for the print job is received from the user via the setting item “designation of paper size” in FIG.

  When the “property” key 1801 shown in FIG. 18 is operated by the user of the PC 104, the control unit of the PC 104 displays a setting screen for enabling the user to execute more detailed print processing condition settings. To display.

  Assume that the operator of the PC 104 completes the setting of a series of print processing conditions for the printing apparatus, and the “OK” key 1802 shown in FIG. 18 is pressed. In response to the key operation, the control unit of the PC 104 transmits the print data of the job to be processed and the series of print condition condition data from the PC 104 to the printing apparatus.

  In other words, the control unit of the PC 104 causes the printing apparatus to execute print processing of the print data according to the print processing conditions. When the “cancel” key 1803 shown in FIG. 18 is pressed, the processing of the job is terminated and the screen of the print driver is closed.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a property setting screen configuration related to page setting processing belonging to one of detailed print processing condition settings of the printer driver.

  The control unit of the PC 104 displays the screen of FIG. 19 on the display unit of the PC 104 when the display property button key 1801 of FIG. 18 executed on the display unit of the PC 104 is pressed by the operator of the PC 104. This screen is displayed as a default screen among a plurality of detailed setting screens for performing the following other settings.

  The control unit of the PC 104 makes it possible to accept various print processing conditions to be executed by printing a job to be printed through the display of FIG. 19 by a key operation from the operator of the PC 104. For example, various processing conditions such as document size / paper size / page layout (Nup printing function) / stamp / printing magnification / number of copies / printing direction are set via the display of FIG. To accept from the user for printing.

  FIG. 20 shows a display 1 that allows the user to set print processing conditions relating to the print format (for example, finishing processing, etc.) of the job data to be printed, which belongs to one of the detailed print processing condition settings of the printer driver. It is a property setting screen as an example. The control unit of the PC 104 responds to the “finish” tab key 1902 displayed in FIG. 19 being selected by the key operation by the operator of the PC 104 and displays the screen of FIG. 20 on the display unit of the PC 104.

  The control unit of the PC 104 receives various print processing conditions related to the print format in printing of a job to be printed from the operator of the PC 104 via the display of FIG. For example, whether to execute single-sided printing setting or double-sided printing by this printing apparatus, or a print processing condition for specifying the printing method is set via the display setting item “printing method” 2001 in FIG. Accept from.

  Further, for example, when executing double-sided printing, it is also possible to accept printing conditions for allowing the user to specify the binding direction. In addition, an instruction for executing various sheet processing such as stapling processing, bookbinding processing, and punching processing on the printed sheet can be received from the user via the display of FIG.

  20 displayed when the control unit of the PC 104 executes the display unit of the PC 104 includes a setting item “Adjust the images of the front and back images” 2002. The control unit instructs the printing apparatus to perform alignment processing of images printed on the front and back of the sheet in the duplex printing operation of the duplex printing job data transmitted from the PC 104 to the printing apparatus. , It is received from the user via the setting item 2002.

  In other words, when a user request from the operator of the PC 104 is received via the setting item 2002, the control unit of the PC 104 performs a series of duplex printing operations including image shift processing on a duplex printing job transmitted from the PC 104. The printing apparatus is caused to execute this data. In this embodiment, a mechanism for preventing a user's erroneous operation is employed. For example, when the setting for executing double-sided printing for a job to be processed is executed by the user of the PC 104 via the display setting item 2001 in FIG. 20, the designation is made via the setting item 2002. Allow acceptance from users.

  On the other hand, when the setting for executing single-sided printing for a job to be processed is executed by the user of the PC 104 via the setting item 2001 shown in FIG. 20, the above designation is made via the setting item 2002. It is prohibited to accept from users. In this case, the control unit of the PC 104 causes the item 2002 to be shaded / grayed out. Such prohibition control is executed by the control unit of the PC 104. By providing such a function on the side of the external device such as the PC 104, it is possible to accept a request for positioning the front and back images from the user of the external device even for a double-sided print job from the external device.

  The control unit of the PC 104 sets the setting item 2002 to an effective display state after “two-sided printing” is selected by the operator of the PC 104 via the display setting item 2001 of FIG. 20 executed on the display unit of the PC 104. The display unit of the PC 104 is controlled.

  Under this configuration, the operator of the PC 104 requests “double-sided printing” via the display setting item 2001 in FIG. 20 and requests “adjust front and back images” via the setting item 2002. In addition, it is assumed that a print start instruction is requested by the key 1802. An example of display when this setting is made is shown in FIG. In this case, the control unit of the PC 104 determines that the print job transmitted from the PC 104 to the printing apparatus is a “double-sided print job and a job that requires position adjustment of the front and back images”.

  On the other hand, the operator of the PC 104 requested “double-sided printing” via the display setting item 2001 shown in FIG. 20, but did not request “adjust front and back images” via the setting item 2002, and performed printing. Assume that a start instruction is requested by the key 1802. In this case, the control unit of the PC 104 determines that the print job transmitted from the PC 104 to the printing apparatus is a “double-sided print job and does not require position adjustment of the front and back images”.

  On the other hand, it is assumed that the operator of the PC 104 requests “single-sided printing” via the display setting item 2001 in FIG. In this case, the control unit of the PC 104 determines that the print job transmitted from the PC 104 to the printing apparatus is a “single-sided print job”. In this case, since this job is a single-sided printing job, naturally, the position adjustment of the front and back images is unnecessary.

  With the configuration as described above, in this printing system, an external device such as the PC 104 can be used to print an object to be printed using a printing method desired by the user of the external device from among a plurality of types of printing methods. Job data can be sent.

  As a result, for example, it is assumed that the printing apparatus receives a “double-sided printing job and a job that requires front and back image position adjustment” from an external device such as the PC 104. In this case, the CPU 205 of the printing apparatus processes the print data of the job by a series of double-sided printing operations that require the image shift process described above in response to a user request regarding the printing method from the external apparatus. , Controlling the printing apparatus.

  On the other hand, for example, it is assumed that the printing apparatus receives “a job that is a double-sided print job and does not require front and back image position adjustment” from an external device such as the PC 104. In this case, the CPU 205 of the printing apparatus prohibits the above-described image shift processing for the print data of the job regardless of the print result of the front and back images in response to a user request regarding the printing method from the external apparatus. The printing apparatus is controlled by a series of duplex printing operations.

  On the other hand, for example, it is assumed that the printing apparatus receives a “single-sided printing job (job that does not require position adjustment of the front and back images)” from an external device such as the PC 104. In this case, the CPU 205 of the printing apparatus processes the print data of the job by a series of single-sided printing operations in which the above-described image shift processing is prohibited in response to a user request regarding the printing method from the external apparatus. In addition, the printing apparatus is controlled.

  When all of the series of printing conditions in the PC 104 are completed and a print start request is requested by the user of the PC 104 via the “OK” key 1802, the PC 104 sends the print data to the printing apparatus. Send together.

  Data of a job to be processed from the external device such as the PC 104 (print data itself composed of a plurality of pages and print condition data) is received via the external I / F 202 of the printing device. The CPU 205 of the printing apparatus stores the data of the job to be processed received from the external apparatus in the HDD 209 or the RAM 208. At this time, all pages of print data composed of a plurality of pages included in the job data are all stored in the HDD 209. Then, the CPU 205 of the printing apparatus causes the printer unit 203 to execute a printing process according to the processing condition using the print data stored in the HDD 209.

<Image Print Positioning Function when Printing on Double-sided Print Job Printing Device from External Device>
The CPU 205 of the printing apparatus (MFP 105, 106) prints the print job data from the external apparatus (server 103, PC 104, etc.) using the printing method designated by the external apparatus from a plurality of types of printing methods. Control is performed so that the printer 203 can print.

  In the following, the printing apparatus when the printing apparatus receives data of a job for which double-sided printing is designated by the user of the external apparatus via the UI unit of the external apparatus and a request for execution of position adjustment of the front and back images is made. An example of control by the CPU 205 will be mainly described.

  Note that the printing system according to this embodiment includes a plurality of composite image forming apparatuses such as MFPs 105 and 106 as an example of a printing apparatus. These are all equivalent in terms of functions and configurations relating to the main parts described in this embodiment. In other words, the following description regarding the printing apparatus is a description of the configuration requirements of the MFP 105 and also a description of the configuration requirements of the MFP 106. This can be said in common in all the embodiments including the first embodiment.

  The printing system according to the present exemplary embodiment includes information processing apparatuses such as a server 103 and a PC 104 as an example of an external apparatus. In the following, the PC 104 will be described as a representative based on the above description. In other words, the same thing can be performed using the server 103.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the image printing alignment function at the time of printing executed by the CPU 205 of the printing apparatus (MFP 105, 106, etc.) according to this embodiment.

  In step S2201, the job data to be printed (image data to be printed and various print processing condition data set by the printer driver) transmitted from the PC 104 by the external I / F unit 202 of the printing apparatus is received. . In response to this, the CPU 205 stores the job data in the storage unit (HDD 209 or RAM 208). At this time, the CPU 205 causes the HDD 209 to store print data of jobs to be printed from the PC 104 in order from the first page to the last page, all pages.

  In step S2202, the CPU 205 analyzes the header portion of the image data received in step S2201. Based on the analysis result, it is determined whether the job is a job for which duplex printing is set.

  For example, when the operator of the PC 104 sets “single-sided printing” via the setting item 2001 of the printer driver detailed setting screen in FIG. 20 (when the setting is not set to perform double-sided printing), that fact It is described as print processing condition data in the header portion of the image data.

  In other words, the job to be processed is a “single-sided print job (a job that does not require position adjustment of the front and back images)”. In this case, the CPU 205 proceeds from the process of step S2202 to the process of step S2214. In step S2214, the CPU 205 reads the print data of the job from the HDD 209, and causes the printer unit 203 to perform single-sided printing according to the print condition data of the job. As illustrated, when the process proceeds to S <b> 2214, the CPU 205 causes the printer unit 203 to print the job data using a printing method other than double-sided printing.

  On the other hand, for example, when the operator of the PC 104 sets “double-sided printing” as illustrated in FIG. 21 via the display setting item 2001 in FIG. 20, this fact is indicated by the header portion of the image data. Are described as print processing condition data. In this case, the CPU 205 shifts from the process in step S2202 to the process in step S2203 because the job is a job to be printed on both sides.

  Further, the CPU 205 further analyzes the header portion of the received image data of the job determined to be a double-sided print job in step S2202. Based on the analysis result, it is determined whether or not the job has been set by the user to perform double-sided image printing position alignment. The CPU 205 executes such determination in step S2203.

  For example, the operator of the PC 104 sets “duplex printing” via the setting item 2001 on the display setting screen of FIG. 20, but the “adjust front and back images” instruction via the setting item 2202 Suppose that it was not. In this case, this is described as print processing condition data in the header portion of the image data of the received job. In other words, the job to be processed is a “double-sided print job that does not require position adjustment of the front and back images”.

  In this case, the CPU 205 proceeds from the process of step S2203 to the process of step S2213. In step S2213, the CPU 205 reads the print data of the job from the HDD 209, and causes the printer unit 203 to execute double-sided printing according to the print condition data of the job.

  However, in this case, as described above, the CPU 205 causes the printer unit 203 to execute the duplex printing operation in which the execution of the image shift processing (front and back image alignment operation) is prohibited as the print processing of the job. As shown in the example, when the process proceeds to step S2213, the CPU 205 causes the printer unit 203 to print the job data by the double-sided printing method that does not require image shift processing.

  On the other hand, for example, the operator of the PC 104 sets “duplex printing” via the setting item 2001 on the display setting screen in FIG. 20 and “adjusts the front and back images” via the setting item 2202. Suppose that an instruction is given. In this case, this is described as print processing condition data in the header portion of the image data of the received job.

  In other words, the job to be processed is a “double-sided print job and a job requiring position adjustment of the front and back images”. In this case, the CPU 205 shifts from the process of step S2203 to the process of step S2204 because the double-sided print job is a job that needs to be subjected to double-sided image printing position alignment.

  Through the processing in step S2204 and the processing in step S2205, the CPU 205 causes the printer unit 203 to execute a predetermined operation corresponding to the printing position adjustment operation of the double-sided printed image required for the job. Specifically, the CPU 205 performs a special (specific) double-sided printing operation as an operation corresponding to the printing position adjustment operation for the above-described double-sided printing job for which the user request for the printing position adjustment of the double-sided printed image is made. This is executed by the unit 203.

  As an example of this, the printer unit 203 causes the printer unit 203 to perform double-sided printing of print data for a predetermined number of pages to be used in the actual printing result of a double-sided printing job that requires position adjustment of the front and back images. In this example, the print data of the first page and the second page of the job are printed on the front and back sides of one sheet.

  In other words, the main configuration requirements related to both the processing of steps S2204 and S2205 in this embodiment are the same as the main configuration requirements related to the processing of steps S1404 and S1405 of FIG. 14 described in the first embodiment. It should be noted that the main structural requirements relating to the processing of steps S2905 and S2907 in FIG. 29 of the third embodiment to be described later are that the print data itself included in the job whose position adjustment is requested is used for the adjustment operation. It is equivalent to the main configuration requirements of these embodiments.

  Here, a configuration corresponding to all of the embodiments will be further described. In this embodiment, as an example of the specific double-sided printing operation required for the double-sided image printing position adjustment operation, as described above, the printing data itself of the double-sided printing job for which the user request for the double-sided image printing position adjustment has been made is actually used. The printer unit 203 is caused to execute duplex printing to be used. This point is as described in FIGS. 12 and 30 to 32. An example of the effect of this configuration is that it is possible to cope with a printing environment such as a POD environment that may require extremely severe printing accuracy.

  In other words, the actual use of the final product print data is more likely to suppress the occurrence of problems as previously assumed. Also, as in the first and second embodiments, the operator can visually check the double-sided printing result, and checking with the print data actually requested by the customer enables more accurate inspection. It becomes. This is a function that assumes such a use case.

  However, as another form of the specific double-sided printing operation required for the double-sided image printing position adjusting operation, for example, the following configuration may be adopted. For example, a series of sample image data composed of a plurality of pages dedicated to the printing position adjustment operation of a double-sided image including at least two pages of sample image data to be printed on both the first side and the second side of the sheet. The CPU 205 stores the data in advance in the HDD 209 or the like.

  Preferably, the HDD 209 individually samples the sample data according to the purpose (type) of the printed matter that can be requested as a desired product by the customer in the POD environment, such as “sample image data for product manual” or “sample image data for catalog”. Remember in advance. The CPU 205 causes the printer unit 203 to execute such double-sided printing operation using the sample data as special (specific) double-sided printing required for the printing position adjustment operation of the double-sided image.

  In other words, the CPU 205 can cause the printer unit 203 to perform duplex printing of the sample data in steps S1404 and S1405 in FIG. The same applies to steps S2204 and S2205 in FIG. 22 or steps S2905 and S2907 in FIG. 29 described later.

  Returning to the description of FIG. In step S 2204, the CPU 205 determines from the HDD 209 the second page of the print data of the job for which the user (worker) of the PC 104 has made a request to “adjust the front and back images” in the display setting item 2002 of FIG. read out. Further, the CPU 205 causes the image based on the print data of the second page to be fed from the feeding unit selected based on the paper setting designated by the user of the PC 104 via the display of FIG. Printing is performed on the second side (back side) of the sheet required for job printing. This sheet is turned upside down and conveyed again to the image forming unit.

  Next, in step S <b> 2205, the CPU 205 reads the first page of print data for the job from the HDD 209. Further, the CPU 205 prints an image based on the print data of the first page on the first side of the sheet on which the image of the second page has been printed on the second side.

  The CPU 205 completes the double-sided printing of the first page and the second page on the front and back of one sheet of the job through the processes of S2204 and S2205 described above, and then discharges the sheet to the tray 324.

  In step S2205, in response to the discharge of the first sheet required for the job onto the tray 324, the CPU 205 stops the printing operation of the job. In other words, the printing operation is stopped when the double-sided printing result in which the first page image of the job is printed on the first side of the sheet and the second page image is printed on the second side of the sheet is output. Let Here, the printing operation is stopped after the first sheet is discharged.

  However, the present embodiment is not limited to this. As an example, the CPU 205 controls the printing apparatus so that the printing operation can be stopped in response to the discharge of an arbitrarily designated number of double-side printed sheets on the tray 324 based on an instruction from the user of the job. The structure to do may be sufficient.

  In addition, for example, a configuration in which the CPU 205 controls the printing apparatus so that a stop request can be received from the user via the stop key 502 during the printing operation and the printing operation can be stopped when the request is made. But it ’s okay. In this way, the printing operation may be stopped at the number and timing desired by the operator.

  In step S2206, the CPU 205 stops the printing operation, and in step S2207, causes the display unit of the operation unit 204 of the printing apparatus to execute the display illustrated in FIG. The user request that can be accepted from the user via the display of FIG. 15 and the control operation for the printing apparatus based on the request are the same as the configuration requirements in the first embodiment. Therefore, explanation is omitted here.

  However, as described above, as an example of the UI unit provided in the printing system according to the present embodiment, not only the operation unit 204 is applicable, but also an external device (an information processing device such as the server 103 or the PC 104) that is a transmission source of the print job. This also applies to the UI part of). For example, the print job to be controlled exemplified here is a print job received from the PC 104.

  Therefore, a configuration may be adopted in which the control unit of the PC 104 is mainly controlled so that the display unit of the PC 104 executes the display of FIG. In this case, the CPU 205 transmits notification information for notifying the external apparatus that the specific double-sided printing operation is completed to the PC 104 via the external I / F unit 202.

  When receiving the information from the printing apparatus, the control unit of the PC 104 causes the display unit of the PC 104 to execute the display in FIG. 15 based on the received information. When performing such a control operation, a user request of the PC 104 (respective requests received via the keys 1501 to 1507) received via the display of FIG. 15 executed on the display unit of the PC 104 is notified to the printing apparatus. A control command is transmitted from the PC 104 to the printing apparatus.

  Then, the CPU 205 that has received the command executes processing according to the user request of the PC 104 received from the display of FIG. 15 received from the PC 104 in the flowchart of FIG. Similarly, the display in FIG. 16 that can be executed at the timing of step S2210 in FIG.

  In addition, a user request (keys 1601 to 1603) is received from the operator of the PC 104 via the display of FIG. 16 via the display of FIG. As described above, the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 22 may be configured to be executable using the display unit of the external apparatus corresponding to the transmission source of the print job for which the user request for the double-sided image alignment is made.

  In the control operation exemplified here, the double-sided printing result of the job discharged to the tray 324 is visually confirmed by the operator at the timing of step S2207. Therefore, this worker needs to remove the printed material from the tray 324. In other words, the operator of the job is likely to exist in front of the printing apparatus. Therefore, assuming this situation, in the following, although it is a job from the PC 104, a description will be given with a control example in which the display in FIG. 15 and the display in FIG. 16 can be executed by the display unit of the operation unit 204 of the printing apparatus. To do.

  In step S2208, the CPU 205 determines whether a request for canceling the job has been received from the user via the display key 1507 of FIG. When the job cancellation request is received, the CPU 205 proceeds from step S2208 to step S2212. The job canceling process in this example is the same as that in the first embodiment. For example, if the CPU 205 determines YES in step S2208, the CPU 205 deletes the print data of the job received from the PC 104 from the all-page HDD 209.

  If the cancel request for the job has not been made, the CPU 205 advances the process from step S2208 to S2209. In step S2209, the CPU 205 determines whether or not a job redo request has been received from the user via the display key 1505 in FIG.

  In other words, it is determined whether or not a request for changing the print position of the image for the sheet of the job has been received. When the request is made, the CPU 205 proceeds from step S2209 to the processing on the S2211 side. Then, the process returns to step S2204 again. The main operations related to this configuration requirement are the same as those in the first embodiment, except that the print data read from the HDD 209 and subjected to reprinting is the first page and second page print data from the PC 104. Equivalent to configuration requirements. In other words, the configuration of the first embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the configuration of processing data from the scanner unit 201 while processing the data from the external device in the present embodiment.

  When the process proceeds from step S2209 to step S2211, the CPU 205 executes the image shift process for the job. The configuration requirements related to the image shift processing are the same as those in the first embodiment except that the image shift target data is print data from the PC 104 as described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  When the process in step S2211 ends, the process returns to step S2204, and control is performed so that the printing operation for the first second page starts again. Thereafter, the flow from step S2211 to step S2209 is repeated until it is determined in step S2209 that the image printing position is not changed. That is, the process is repeated until the user visually checks the double-sided printing result and the image printing positions on the front surface and the back surface match. The configuration requirements related to the operation are the same as those in the first embodiment except that the data to be processed is print data from the PC 104 as described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2209 that the image printing position is not changed, the CPU 205 proceeds to the process in step S2210. For example, when the print continuation key 1506 is pressed by the user via the display of FIG. 15, the CPU 205 shifts the processing from step S2209 to S2210.

  Here, the CPU 205 causes the display unit of the operation unit 204 to execute the display of FIG. Various control operations related to these, including operations based on instructions from the display keys 1601 to 1603 in FIG. 16, except that the data to be processed is print data from the PC 104. Since all are the same, explanation is omitted.

  In step S2210, in accordance with the double-sided image printing alignment setting in step S2209, the printing operation for the remaining pages after the third page is continued up to the image data for the final page. The configuration requirements related to the operation are the same as those in the first embodiment except that the data to be processed is print data from the PC 104 as described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In step S2212, it is determined whether there are remaining jobs. If it is determined that there are remaining jobs, the process returns to step S2202. On the other hand, if there are no remaining jobs, the process ends. The configuration requirements related to the operation are the same as those in the first embodiment except that the data to be processed is print data from the PC 104 as described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the first embodiment described above is performed using an external device (such as the server 103 or the PC 104) capable of transmitting print data to be printed by the printing device to the printing device. It is configured so that the same control as can be executed.

  Thereby, in addition to the effect that the effect illustrated in the first embodiment can be achieved by the present printing system, the above effect can be achieved even when a print job from an external apparatus is processed. There is an effect. As described above, the convenience can be further improved than the convenience of the first embodiment.

[Third Embodiment]
In the control examples of the first and second embodiments, the operator visually confirms the double-sided printing result by the specific double-sided printing operation executed by the CPU 205 as the position adjustment operation of the front and back images in the double-sided printing job. The configuration to be explained was explained.

  In other words, the CPU 205 controls to accept a specific print position correction instruction from the operator via at least one of the key 901 in FIG. 9 and the setting item 2002 in FIG. However, this embodiment is not limited to this.

  For example, a configuration requirement may be provided in consideration of the viewpoints of high productivity / high operability / automation that can be required together with printing accuracy in a POD environment. One example will be described below. In the following example, the printing device is controlled by the CFPU 205 so that the confirmation operation by the operator is omitted and the printing device itself detects and corrects misalignment using a specific sensor unit provided in the printing device. The structure to perform is demonstrated.

<Functional configuration of MFP>
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a configuration of an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected about the location same as the structure (FIG. 2) of MFP concerning the said 1st, 2nd embodiment. In other words, all the constituent requirements related to points other than those described in the following description are the same as those of the printing apparatus of the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

  A configuration corresponding to a main difference from the printing apparatuses (MFPs 105 and 106) described in the first and second embodiments is that the printing apparatus includes a sensor unit 211 and a position correction unit 212. The sensor unit 211 has a sensor 332 as a mechanical mechanism shown in FIG. 24, and obtains detection information related to a sheet actually conveyed inside the printer unit 203 from the sensor 332. Based on information from the sensor 332 installed on the sheet conveyance path, the sensor unit 211 detects an image printing position shift of the print result and notifies the CPU 205 of the detected position shift amount.

  As an example of this, for example, the sensor unit 211 may detect an image on the first side of an image on the first side of a sheet printed on the printer unit 203 by the specific double-sided printing operation described in the previous embodiment. The print position is detected. The sensor unit 211 detects the image printing position on the second surface of the image on the second surface of the sheet that has been duplex printed on the printer unit 203 by the specific duplex printing operation.

  These results are informationized as digital data so that the CPU 205 can use the results. The sensor unit 211 compares the image print position information on the first surface with the image print position information on the second surface. And based on this comparison result information, the sensor unit 211 determines how much the image of which side of the first surface and the second surface of the sheet is shifted in which direction from the image of the other surface. ,Check.

  Then, the CPU 205 is notified of the digital information indicating the confirmation result. In addition, the information obtained by quantifying the degree of misalignment and the degree of misalignment (the amount of misalignment) is hereinafter referred to as a misregistration amount.

  The position correction unit 212 is controlled by the CPU 205 as a unit for automatically adjusting the image printing positions on the front and back surfaces during duplex printing. As an example of this, for example, the position correction unit 212 is configured to detect a positional deviation amount detected by the sensor unit 211 and a positional deviation based on a user setting received in advance from a user via a UI unit provided by the printing system. Compare with tolerance.

  The CPU 205 also stores in advance, in the HDD 209, digital data that is an allowable positional deviation value received from the operator in a state that is digitized so that it can be compared with the positional deviation amount. In other words, the CPU 205 causes the HDD 209 to pre-register at least the misalignment tolerance value data before the printing apparatus accepts a double-sided print job that requires front and back image alignment.

  Also, for example, a value corresponding to the positional deviation amount in the actual double-sided printing result output to the printer unit 203 by the specific double-sided printing operation from the sensor unit 211 is the positional deviation allowable value pre-registered in the HDD 209. It is assumed that the value corresponding to is exceeded.

  In this case, the CPU 205 prohibits the UI unit from executing the display of FIG. 15 or the display of FIG. In other words, the CPU 205 automatically performs a series of duplex printing operations including image shift processing without receiving an explicit correction instruction from the operator via the display keys 1501 to 1507 in FIG. 203.

  However, in the image shift processing in the configuration, the CPU 205 uses the information from the sensor unit 211 (information that allows the CPU 205 to check how much the image on which surface is shifted in which direction). The shift process of the image based on is performed. Note that a specific method of the image shift process is to adjust the start address position of the front or back image data stored in the RAM 208.

  In other words, the configuration requirements of the data processing method itself related to the image shift processing are all the same as the configuration requirements in the description of the first embodiment, and are omitted here.

  On the other hand, for example, a value corresponding to the positional deviation amount in the actual double-sided printing result output to the printer unit 203 by the specific double-sided printing operation from the sensor unit 211 is the positional deviation tolerance registered in the HDD 209 in advance. It is assumed that the value corresponding to the value is not exceeded. In this case, the CPU 205 prohibits execution of the above-described image shift process.

  In other words, the printer unit 203 executes a series of double-sided printing operations that do not require image shift processing as printing operations for a job to be processed. In this case, naturally, the CPU 205 prohibits the UI unit from executing the display of FIG. 15 or the display of FIG. In other words, the CPU 205 prohibits automatic image shift processing without receiving an explicit correction instruction from the operator via the display keys 1501 to 1507 in FIG.

<Hardware configuration of MFP>
Next, the hardware configuration of the MFP according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected about the same location as the structure (FIG. 3) of MFP based on the said 1st, 2nd embodiment.

  A sensor 332 of FIG. 24 provided in the sensor unit 211 of FIG. 23 is installed on the conveyance path from the fixing device 308 to the paper discharge flapper 309, and the horizontal direction of the predetermined image on the sheet material on which the image has been fixed. Detects the amount of displacement from the fiducial mark placed on the.

<Sensor arrangement>
FIG. 25A shows an example of the arrangement of the sensors 332 on the paper conveyance path. As shown in FIG. 25A, the sensor 332 is arranged above the sheet material on which the image is fixed, which is conveyed from the paper discharge roller 2501 in the fixing device 308. The sensor 332 is a two-dimensional sensor and is arranged to be perpendicular to the sheet material conveyance direction.

  FIG. 25B is an arrangement diagram of the sheet material and the reference mark as viewed from above the sheet material conveyance path. In B of FIG. 25, the reference mark 2502 is arranged beside the paper conveyance path, and at the position detection timing, exactly matches the position where the reference image of the sheet material (for example, the manual index 1202 in this embodiment) arrives. is set up.

  The position of the reference mark 2502 may be arranged at a position where another sheet image of the sheet material such as a manual frame 1201 or a sheet edge of the sheet material arrives. If no image suitable for alignment is found in the image printed on the sheet material, a test chart for alignment may be printed first and placed at the position of the reference image on the test chart. .

  In other words, as described above, the printing apparatus may be controlled by the CPU 205 so that the printer unit 203 can execute the duplex printing process using the sample image data registered in the HDD 209 as the specific duplex printing operation. .

<Explanation of UI control related to setting allowable range of double-sided image printing alignment>
Next, UI control related to the setting of the allowable range of double-sided image printing alignment for setting the above-described misregistration allowable value will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 26 to 28. The CPU 205 also executes the following main control operations.

  When the user presses the user mode key 505 of the operation unit 204 shown in FIG. 5 corresponding to an example of the UI unit of this system, the CPU 205 displays the display shown in FIG. 26 on the display unit of the operation unit 204. Execute. As an example, for example, a user mode screen as shown in FIG. 26 is displayed on the display unit.

  The display in FIG. 26 includes a common specification setting key 2601 for receiving an instruction from the user to cause the UI unit to execute a display that allows the user to execute various settings related to the common specifications of the printing apparatus (MFP 105, 106, etc.). For example, when the user presses the key 2601, the CPU 205 causes the display unit of the operation unit 204 to execute the display shown in FIG.

  When the “close” key 2602 is pressed, the CPU 205 ends the setting of the user mode. In this case, the CPU 205 ends the display of FIG. 26 and returns the display of the operation unit 204 to the basic screen.

  When the common specification setting key 2601 is pressed by the user via the display of FIG. 26, the CPU 205 causes the display unit of the operation unit 204 to execute the display of FIG. FIG. 27 shows a common specification setting screen of this example. The display in FIG. 27 that the CPU 205 causes the UI unit to execute is provided with a double-sided image print alignment setting key 2701.

  The key 2701 is a display key for receiving an instruction from the user to cause the UI unit to execute a display that allows the user to set an allowable range for double-sided image printing alignment. When the user presses the “close” key 2702 shown in FIG. 27, the CPU 205 closes the common specification setting screen shown in FIG. 27 and controls the display unit to return to the user mode screen shown in FIG. .

  Here, for example, it is assumed that the user has pressed down the double-sided image printing alignment setting key 2701 of the display shown in FIG. 27 that is executed by the CPU 205 on the display unit of the operation unit 204. In this case, in response to the key operation, the CPU 205 causes the UI unit to execute a display that allows the user to set the allowable range for double-sided image printing alignment.

  As an example of this display, the CPU 205 causes the display unit of the operation unit 204 to execute the display of FIG. FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of a double-sided positional deviation allowable range setting screen. A display setting item 2801 in FIG. 28 is an allowable range setting display section. The CPU 205 enables the user to accept the maximum allowable amount of positional deviation of the image to be printed on the front and back sides of the sheet of the duplex print job via the setting item 2801.

  In other words, the relative printing position deviation between the image printing position of the image printed on the first side of the sheet of the duplex printing job and the image printing position of the image printed on the second side of the sheet can be set to any value. Allow the range or accept the allowable range from the user.

  For example, the setting value received from the user via the item 2001 is the amount of deviation of the print position of the front and back images of the sheet actually printed on both sides by the printer unit 203 in the specific double-sided printing operation acquired from the sensor unit 211. It is assumed that the amount of deviation corresponds to a value exceeding. In this case, the CPU 205 permits execution of the image shift process. That is, in this case, the CPU 205 automatically permits the printer unit 203 to execute a series of double-sided printing operations including an image shift process as a printing operation of print data of a double-sided print job to be processed. .

  On the other hand, the deviation amount of the printing position of the front and back images of the sheet actually double-sided printed by the printer unit 203 in the specific double-sided printing operation acquired from the sensor unit 211 is received from the user via the item 2001. It is assumed that the deviation amount corresponds to the following value. In this case, the CPU 205 prohibits execution of the image shift process. In other words, in this case, the CPU 205 automatically prohibits the printer unit 203 from executing a series of double-sided printing operations including an image shift process as a printing operation of print data of a double-sided print job to be processed. .

  In other words, the printer unit 203 executes a series of double-sided printing operations in which execution of the image shift processing is prohibited as print data printing operations of the double-sided print job to be processed. That is, even if there is a deviation in the printing position of the front and back images in the actual double-sided printing result, the degree of deviation (deviation amount) is equal to or less than the deviation amount corresponding to the value input via the item 2001. If it is, it is permitted to execute the double-sided printing operation as it is. In this case, the image printing position alignment operation is not executed.

  As assumed in the prior art, a shift amount of 2 mm or more is not adopted as a printed matter as a product in an environment where printing accuracy is very severe such as a POD environment. However, even in such an environment, even if a minute positional deviation that is not noticeable as a print appearance, such as a positional deviation of 2 mm or less, occurs in a double-sided printed material, the printed material can be used as a product sufficiently. It is a mechanism that can respond flexibly to needs.

  In other words, the mechanism prevents the double-sided printing operation from being repeatedly executed more than necessary. In other words, this is a mechanism for preventing unnecessary wasteful use of resources and preventing meaningless reduction in productivity. As described above, this embodiment is configured to be able to respond to various use cases and user needs as flexibly as possible.

  In this example, the range in which the positional deviation is allowed is “0 mm to 10 mm”. That is, the CPU 205 prohibits a value exceeding 10 mm from being accepted from the user via the setting item 2801. Further, the value received via the setting item 2801 corresponds to the above-described positional deviation allowable value. The CPU 205 causes the HDD 209 to register the setting value received from the user in advance as described above.

  Also, in this example, the item 2801 is an allowable value that is a judgment standard for sorting the stack tray 324 and the sample tray 323 when the image printing position deviation amount is in the range where there is no problem. When set using, the set value is displayed. Reference numeral 2802 denotes a setting key which is a display key for setting and registering the allowable value displayed on the allowable range setting display unit 2801 in the HDD 209. Reference numeral 2803 denotes a cancel key for canceling the setting and returning to the common specification setting screen of FIG.

  The user setting accepted through the display of FIG. 28 shows the display content when 1 mm is set as the allowable range of positional deviation. In the case of this setting, the CPU 205 determines that the deviation is within the allowable range if the deviation between the image printing position on the front surface and the image printing position on the back surface is within 1 mm. In this case, the CPU 205 causes the sheet printed on both sides by the printer unit 203 to be discharged to the tray 324 so as to be adopted as the final product.

  On the other hand, when the image printing position deviation exceeds 1 mm, the CPU 205 determines that the image is out of the allowable range. In this case, the CPU 205 discharges the sheet printed on both sides by the printer unit 203 to a tray 323 corresponding to a stacking unit different from the tray 324 so as not to be adopted as a final product. In this way, the CPU 205 can perform a series of double-sided printing operations in a double-sided printing sequence that automatically corrects the positional deviation between the front and back images so that the printed material to be adopted can be distinguished from the printed material that should not be adopted. Is executed by the printing apparatus.

  In FIG. 28, when the setting key 2802 is pressed, the allowable range is set and the screen changes to the common specification setting screen. By pressing the “close” key 2702 and the “close” key 2602 in succession, the user mode screen changes to the standby screen. It returns and the setting of the allowable range is completed. The CPU 205 executes a series of UI controls for enabling the printing apparatus to execute the double-sided printing operation with the automatic correction function for the front and back images as described above.

<Explanation when processing a double-sided print job with the front and back image automatic correction function>
Control of CPU 205 when image printing alignment operation is automatically executed by the printing apparatus (MFP 105, 106, etc.) according to the present embodiment in double-sided printing of a double-sided printing job without any intervention by the operator. An example of the operation will be described below.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the CPU 205 in the above operation. This program data is also stored in the HDD 209 or the ROM 207 in the same manner as the other flowcharts (FIGS. 14 and 22). The CPU 205 reads the program of these processes from the memory unit as appropriate and refers to it.

  In the following example, all the processes are the same as those in the first embodiment except for the processes in steps S2903, S2906, S5908, S2909, and S2911. Therefore, the configuration requirements not described below are all the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, and are omitted here.

  If the start key 503 is pressed, it is determined in step S2901 whether or not double-sided copying is performed. If it is not set to perform duplex copying, the process advances to step S2914 to execute copying other than duplex copying. On the other hand, if it is set to perform duplex copying, the process proceeds to step S2902.

  In step S2902, it is determined whether it is set to perform double-sided image printing position alignment. If it is not set to perform double-sided image printing position alignment, the process advances to step S2913 to execute normal double-sided copying. On the other hand, if it is set to perform double-sided image printing position alignment, the process advances to step S2903.

  In step S2903, the permissible range of the front and back image print position deviation amount at the time of duplex copying, which is set via the misregistration amount allowable range setting screen of FIG. 28, is read. This is a value that is read as a judgment standard for inspecting whether or not the image printing position is within a range that causes no problem as a result of double-sided printing using the sensor 332 and for sorting the stack tray 324 and the sample tray 323.

  In step S2904, the original set on the ADF 301 is scanned in order, and the read image data is stored in the RAM 208.

  In step S2905, the second page corresponding to the back side of the first sheet is printed. In step S2906, the output image after fixing of the second page is measured by the sensor 332, and the distance from the reference mark 2502 to the tip of the index 1202 at the predetermined detection timing is measured via the CPU 205 to the RAM 208 as the positional deviation amount of the back surface. Remember.

  In step S2907, the first page corresponding to the first surface is printed. In step S 2908, the sensor 332 measures the distance from the reference mark 2402 to the tip of the index 1202 at the predetermined detection timing for the output image after fixing the first page. The measured value is stored in the RAM 208 as a surface displacement amount.

  In step S2909, the CPU 205 determines the image printing position between the front and back surfaces based on the image printing position deviation amount on the first back surface measured in step S2806 and the image printing position displacement amount on the first front surface measured in step S2903. Calculate the amount of deviation. Further, the calculated image printing position deviation amount is compared with the allowable range value set in advance in step S2901.

  If the image printing position deviation amount is within the allowable range, the process proceeds to step S2910 and printing of the remaining pages is continued. The printing result at this time is discharged to the stack tray 324.

  On the other hand, if the image printing position deviation amount exceeds the allowable range, the process proceeds to step S2911, and the printing result at this time is discharged to the sample tray 323. Then, the image data of either the front surface or the back surface stored in the RAM 208 is shifted by coordinates corresponding to the positional deviation amount between the front surface and the back surface calculated by the CPU 205.

  After shifting the image data of one of the front side and the back side, the process returns to step S2905, and control is performed so that copying is performed again from the first page. Thereafter, the flow returning from step S2911 to step S2905 is repeated until the image printing position deviation amount on the front and back surfaces converges within the allowable range in step S2909.

  If it is determined in step S2909 that the image print position deviation amount exceeds the allowable range and the image print position is set to match, in step S2910, the remaining pages after the third page are performed according to the shift control in step S2909. Continue the printing operation.

  In step S2912, if there are remaining jobs and copy processing is to be continued, the process returns to step S2902, and the operation is performed from the initial screen of the operation unit 204 during standby shown in FIG. On the other hand, if there are no remaining jobs, the process ends.

  As is clear from the above description, the CPU 205 can accept the user request via the double-sided image printing alignment setting key in advance when performing double-sided printing by the printing apparatus. In addition, after the printing operation is started, the desired number of pages is printed, and the front and back image printing position deviation amount on the actually printed sheet is detected using the sensor unit. If the allowable range is exceeded, double-sided image printing alignment is automatically executed by the printing apparatus.

  On the other hand, if it is within the allowable range, double-sided image printing alignment is prohibited and double-sided printing is continued. Thereby, the above-mentioned effect can be produced without the intervention operation by the operator as in the previous embodiment. In this way, the operator does not need to perform double-sided image printing position alignment, and the operator's workload can be greatly reduced. That is, the effect exemplified in the first and second embodiments is further improved.

  In the third embodiment, the control example in which the print data from the scanner unit 201 is printed on both sides according to the print start request from the operation unit 204 has been described. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, as described in the second embodiment, the present invention can be similarly applied when processing print data from an external apparatus. In particular, for example, it goes without saying that the present invention can be similarly applied to a printing operation via a printer driver on the client PC 104.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a job is processed using a printing apparatus capable of duplex printing, the printing is performed so that the printing position of the second surface of the sheet is shifted in a predetermined direction with respect to the printing position of the first surface. Control is performed mainly by the control unit of the apparatus and / or the host computer.

  In addition, when a job is processed using the printing apparatus, data to be printed on the second surface of the sheet is set in a predetermined direction with respect to the print position of the first surface of the sheet and with a predetermined shift amount. A first mode for printing is provided. Further, a second mode is provided in which data to be printed on the second surface of the sheet is printed on the second surface of the sheet without depending on any of the predetermined direction and the predetermined shift amount. Further, the control unit and / or the host computer of the printing apparatus controls so that the first mode and the second mode can be selectively executed.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the first mode and the second mode are controlled by the control unit and / or the host computer of the printing apparatus so as to be selectable for each job to be printed on both sides.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the operation mode of either the first mode or the second mode is changed via the print setting screen of the computer in which the operation unit of the printing apparatus or the printer driver of the printing apparatus is installed. It is configured so that the user can decide.

  In addition, the present embodiment is configured such that the operation mode to be executed out of the first mode and the second mode can be determined in advance by the user as an initial setting of the printing apparatus via the user interface as described above. ing.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the operation mode to be executed in the first mode and the second mode is determined by using the image position detection sensor or the like included in the printing apparatus as described above, It is configured so that it can be automatically determined.

  In addition, in this embodiment, after the double-sided printing process (for a predetermined page of a job to be printed on both sides) is executed, the first mode is changed manually via the user interface or the information from the sensor. It is configured so that it can be automatically selected based on.

  In addition, the present embodiment is configured such that the predetermined direction can be a direction based on an instruction from the user set through the user interface as described above.

  In addition, the present embodiment is configured such that the predetermined shift amount can be set to a shift amount based on an instruction from a user set through the user interface as described above.

  Furthermore, the configuration of the first to third embodiments of the present embodiment may be further applied to further include a configuration that can exhibit the effect in the following POD environment. The following configuration can also be called a specification that takes into account the situation assumed in the POD environment. This is because, for example, in the POD environment, it is assumed that how to efficiently process a large amount of print jobs and improve the productivity of the entire system is an important environment.

  As a specification considering such a situation, the box function provided in the above-described printing apparatus is utilized. The CPU 205 controls the printing apparatus so that the print position adjustment function for the front and back images can be used in the double-sided print job to be processed by the box function.

  For example, it is assumed that the user presses a box tab 603 for selecting the box function of the display of FIG. 6 executed by the display unit of the operation unit 204 by the CPU 205. Then, in response to the key operation, the CPU 205 displays a box selection screen (not shown) on the display unit of the operation unit 204.

  As described above, the printing apparatus having this configuration includes a plurality of data storage boxes in the HDD 209. In addition, the CPU 205 controls a desired box from the plurality of boxes so that the user can select the desired box via the UI unit. As an example of this, the CPU 205 receives selection of a desired box from the user via the box screen (not shown).

  In addition, when the user selects a desired box via the UI unit, the CPU 205 selects a desired job from among a plurality of job data to be printed already stored in the box. Display enabling selection is executed by the UI unit.

  As an example of this, it is assumed that, for example, one of the plurality of boxes is selected by the user via the box selection screen (not shown). In response to the user operation, the CPU 205 displays a document selection screen that allows the user to select desired document data from among a plurality of document data stored in the box selected by the user. To display. An example of this display is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 33, one box selected by the user is configured to be able to store data for a plurality of independent jobs each consisting of a plurality of pages. In the example of FIG. 33, five pieces of document data are stored, and each job is an example of 50 pages of document data.

  Actually, these data are stored in the HDD 209 as described above. In addition, as described above, each box can store not only job data received via the scanner unit 201 but also job data from an external device received via the external I / F unit 202. it can.

  The CPU 205 controls the user to select a desired job via the document selection column displayed in FIG. 33 executed on the display unit of the operation unit 204. For example, it is assumed that “job 1” is selected by the user via the display of FIG. In this case, the CPU 205 controls what processing is to be executed by the printing apparatus as processing for the data of the job 1 by the user himself / herself through the UI unit. An example is shown in FIG.

  For example, suppose that the apparatus is to execute printing as processing for job data selected by the user via the document selection field. In this case, the CPU 205 receives a print execution request from the user via the “print” key displayed in FIG. 34 that the CPU 205 causes the display unit of the operation unit 204 to execute.

  On the other hand, for example, let us assume that this apparatus is to execute transmission to an external apparatus as processing for data of a job selected by a user via a document selection field. In this case, the CPU 205 accepts a transmission execution request from the user via the “transmission” key displayed in FIG. 34 that the CPU 205 causes the display unit of the operation unit 204 to execute.

  In such a configuration, for example, it is assumed that the “print” key displayed in FIG. 34 is selected by the user. In this case, the CPU 205 controls to accept a print condition for the job data selected by the user via the document selection field from the user via the UI unit. An example of this is shown in FIG. Through the display of FIG. 35, the CPU 205 sets various printing conditions (setting of finishing, setting of output paper size, setting of application mode, etc.) for box function job data selected by the user. Accept from the user.

  In this embodiment, the print position adjustment function for the front and back images can be used for such box function job data. As an example of this, for example, it is assumed that a request for execution of double-sided printing is received via the “double-sided printing” key of the display of FIG. Then, the CPU 205 causes the display unit of the operation unit 204 to execute the display of FIG.

  Further, it is assumed that the key 1801 is pressed by the user via the display of FIG. Then, the CPU 205 accepts a request regarding the alignment of the front and back images by double-sided printing of the job selected from the box from the user via the UI unit. That is, the display as shown in FIG. 9 is caused to be executed by the display unit of the operation unit 204. Here, a mechanism in which all the above-described embodiments are applied is provided.

  An example of this is shown in FIG. When the CPU 205 receives a double-sided print execution request from the user via the display unit of the operation unit 204 by operating the “double-sided print” key shown in FIG. 35, the CPU 205 displays the screen of FIG. Display on the screen.

  In the above-described embodiment, the image of the second surface (back surface) of the first surface (front surface) of the print medium (in this embodiment, referred to as a sheet, recording material, or paper) should be shifted. The surface can be selectively determined.

  In addition, the direction in which the image to be shifted is shifted can be selectively determined from a plurality of options (for example, four directions, up, down, left, and right).

  In addition, the shift amount of the image to be shifted can be selectively determined. In the first and second embodiments, the three types of determination items related to the image shift (three items of the print surface to be shifted, the direction to be shifted, and the shift amount) are shown in the first and second embodiments. The user himself / herself can be determined through 15 displays. In other words, this configuration can be defined as a user manual adjustment mode for aligning front and back images in duplex printing.

  On the other hand, in the third embodiment, the CPU 205 itself can automatically determine these three items using the sensor unit 221. In other words, this configuration can be defined as an automatic adjustment mode for aligning front and back images in double-sided printing.

  In any of the first to third embodiments described above, specific double-sided printing is executed by the printer unit 203 in order to align the front and back images. One example thereof is a double-sided printing operation that uses print data to be printed that should be actually subjected to position adjustment of the front and back images. Furthermore, as another method, a double-sided printing operation using sample data for front and back image alignment adjustment stored in advance in the HDD 209 is used. In this way, a specific duplex printing operation can be selectively executed.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, these control sequences are configured to be selectable by the user. As an example, the user can accept a desired user request from among a plurality of user requests listed below via the display of FIG. 36 that the CPU 205 causes the display unit of the operation unit 204 to execute.

  For example, assume that the user presses the “adjust front and back image position” key shown in FIG. In response to accepting the user request by the key, the CPU 205 causes the display of both the “manual” key and the “automatic” key to be displayed near the right side of the key to be in an effective display state.

  In addition, the display of both the “use print target data” key and the “use sample data” key to be displayed at the bottom of the screen is also brought into an effective display state. The CPU 205 executes display control corresponding to such key operations on the display unit of the operation unit 204.

  Then, it is assumed that the user selects the “Adjust front and back image position” key shown in FIG. 36 and presses the “Manual” key shown in FIG. When the two user requests are accepted, the CPU 205 displays the print data of job 1 including the document data of a total of 50 pages to be printed on both sides selected from the box via the display of FIG. The processing is performed in the control sequence of the first embodiment.

  In addition to this user request, it is further assumed that a user request by the “use data to be printed” key is received from the user. In this case, the CPU 205 causes the printer unit 203 to perform double-sided printing using the print data for the first and second pages of the job 1 as a specific double-sided printing operation in the same control sequence as in the first embodiment. The device is controlled to execute.

  On the other hand, assume that the “use sample data” key is pressed. In this case, the CPU 205 performs a double-sided printing operation according to the same control sequence as in the first embodiment. That is, the apparatus is controlled to cause the printer unit 203 to perform double-sided printing using sample data for position adjustment of front and back images for two pages registered in advance in the HDD 209.

  Note that the control executed by the CPU 205 in this case is the same as the configuration requirements in the first embodiment except that the data to be processed is print data stored in a box. Therefore, the description here is omitted.

  However, strictly speaking, when executing the same control sequence as in the first embodiment, the data of the box is already stored in the HDD 209. Therefore, the CPU 205 executes a program in which the process of S1403 in FIG. 14 is omitted.

  As an example of this, the CPU 205 reads a series of program data including a program code corresponding to steps S1404 to S1412 in FIG. For example, after the user completes the above setting via the display of FIG. 36, the CPU 205 causes the display unit of the operation unit 204 to re-execute the display of FIG.

  Further, it is assumed that a print execution request is received from the user by the “print start” key displayed in FIG. In response to the operation, the CPU 205 reads out and executes this program, and causes the printing apparatus to start processing of job 1 according to the program corresponding to the control sequence according to the user request received through the display of FIG.

  If the same operation as that of the third embodiment is to be executed for the job 1, the operation is performed as follows. For example, assume that the “adjust front and back image position” key in the display of FIG. 36 is selected and the “automatic” key in FIG. 36 is pressed. When the two user requests are accepted, the CPU 205 displays the print data of job 1 including the document data of a total of 50 pages to be printed on both sides selected from the box via the display of FIG. The processing is performed in the control sequence of the third embodiment.

  In addition to this user request, it is further assumed that a user request by the “use data to be printed” key is received from the user. In this case, the CPU 205 causes the printer unit 203 to perform double-sided printing using the print data for the first and second pages of the job 1 as a specific double-sided printing operation in the same control sequence as in the third embodiment. The device is controlled to execute.

  On the other hand, assume that the “use sample data” key is pressed. In this case, the CPU 205 performs a double-sided printing operation according to the same control sequence as in the third embodiment. That is, the apparatus is controlled to cause the printer unit 203 to perform double-sided printing using the sample data for position adjustment of the front and back images for two pages registered in the HDD 209 in advance.

  The control executed by the CPU 205 in this case is the same as the configuration requirements in the third embodiment except that the data to be processed is print data stored in the box. Therefore, the description here is omitted.

  However, strictly speaking, when executing the same control sequence as in the third embodiment, the data in the box is already stored in the HDD 209. Therefore, the CPU 205 executes a program in which the process of step S2904 in FIG. 29 is omitted.

  As an example of this, the CPU 205 reads out a series of program data including program codes corresponding to steps S2903 and S2905 to S2912 in FIG. For example, after the user completes the above setting via the display of FIG. 36, the CPU 205 causes the display unit of the operation unit 204 to re-execute the display of FIG.

  Further, it is assumed that a print execution request is received from the user by the “print start” key displayed in FIG. In response to the operation, the CPU 205 reads out and executes this program, and causes the printing apparatus to start processing of job 1 according to the program corresponding to the control sequence according to the user request received through the display of FIG.

  With the above configuration, the user can select a desired control sequence from the plurality of control sequences described in the first to third embodiments. In addition, the configuration can be applied to box function data. That is, the various effects described above can be further improved.

  If sample data is not registered in the HDD 209, the CPU 205 disables the display of the “use sample data” key shown in FIG. That is, the CPU 205 prohibits acceptance of a user request by the key operation.

  Similarly, it is assumed that the printing apparatus is a type of printing apparatus that does not include at least one of the sensor 332 having the mechanical configuration shown in FIG. 24 and the sensor unit 211 shown in FIG. In this case, the CPU 205 disables the display of the “automatic” key in the display of FIG. That is, the CPU 205 prohibits acceptance of a user request by the key operation.

  By further providing the above-described configuration, it is possible to prevent user erroneous operation and device malfunction in the above configuration. That is, the above-described effect can be further improved.

  Moreover, you may employ | adopt the structure which develops these structures further for POD environments. For example, in a POD environment, it can be said that how efficiently a large number of print jobs are processed is important. A mechanism that assumes such a situation is adopted.

  As an example of this, for example, in the present embodiment, the box function has a multiple job continuous printing function. This function is a function that allows the user to select a plurality of desired job data from the HDD 209 in which data of a plurality of independent jobs is stored via the UI unit of this embodiment.

  In addition, the data of a plurality of jobs selected by the user via the UI unit can be printed continuously and collectively by the printer unit 203 simply by the user inputting a print execution start request. It is a function to do. Such an operation is controlled by the CPU 205 so as to be executable by the printing apparatus. Therefore, in this example, the above-described control sequence can be executed by the continuous printing function. One example will be described below.

  For example, the CPU 205 allows the user to select document data of a plurality of jobs via the document selection column displayed in FIG. 33 executed on the display unit of the operation unit 204. For example, it is assumed that a total of three jobs, job 1, job 3, and job 4, are selected by the user via the display of FIG. In this case, the CPU 205 controls the screen in a display form in which the user can identify the job selected and the selection order of the jobs selected by the user. An example of this display control is shown in FIG. As shown in the display of FIG. 37, assume that job 3 is selected after job 1 is selected, then job 4 is selected, and a total of three jobs are selected. Each job is a job consisting of a total of 50 pages.

  When the three jobs are selected by the user via the display in FIG. 37 and the “print” key in the display in FIG. 37 is pressed, the CPU 205 displays the display in FIG. Let the department execute. When the “duplex print” key in the display in FIG. 35 is pressed, the CPU 205 causes the display unit in the operation unit 204 to execute the display in FIG.

  In addition, the above-described user requests can be accepted through the display of FIG. 36 executed by the CPU 205 on the display unit. Then, after the user completes the above-described various settings via the display of FIG. 36, the CPU 205 causes the display unit of the operation unit 204 to re-execute the display of FIG.

  Further, it is assumed that a print execution request is received from the user by the “print start” key displayed in FIG. In response to the operation, the CPU 205 prints processing for job 1, job 3, and job 4 according to the program corresponding to the control sequence according to the user request received via the display of FIG. It is executed by the device. As a specific example, the CPU 205 processes these jobs in the following procedure.

  (Procedure 1) A print execution request is received from the UI unit by the “print start” key displayed in FIG. In response to this, the CPU 205 reads the print data of the first and second pages of job 1 from the HDD 209. In addition, as a specific double-sided printing operation, the printer unit 203 causes the printer unit 203 to perform double-sided printing of the first page and the second page of the job 1 on both sides of one sheet required for the double-sided printing of the job 1.

  (Procedure 2) The user visually checks the double-sided printing result of the sheet printed by the printer unit 203 by the specific double-sided printing operation according to the control sequence of the first embodiment. Alternatively, the sensor 221 detects the double-sided printing result of the sheet according to the control sequence of the third embodiment. As a result, the image to be printed on the second surface of the sheet needs to be shifted downward by 2 mm. In this case, the plurality of jobs are processed as follows.

  (Procedure 3) When printing the image of the page corresponding to the odd-numbered page to be printed on the first side of the first page to the 50th page of the job 1 without the image shift, Printing on the first side is executed. When printing an even-numbered page image to be printed on the second side of the first page to the 50th page of job 1, the image is shifted 2 mm upward and printing on the second side is executed. Let In other words, the CPU 205 performs “a series of duplex printing operations including a printing position adjustment process for shifting an image to be printed on the second side of the first side and the second side of the sheet required for printing job 1 by 2 mm”. The printing apparatus is controlled to execute from the first page to the last page of job 1.

  (Procedure 4) When the above-described series of printing operations for job 1 is completed, control is performed to shift to printing of the second job selected after job 1, that is, job 3, as shown in the display of FIG. However, at this time, a print execution request by the “print start” key displayed in FIG. 35 is not accepted from the user. In other words, the CPU 205 causes the printer unit 203 to automatically start processing of the job 3 without receiving a print start request from the user after the series of duplex printing operations of the job 1 is completed. Specifically, the CPU 205 reads the print data of job 3 from the HDD 209. Further, the print data of job 3 is processed by double-sided printing. However, in this case, the same processing as that for job 1 is performed. In other words, the CPU 205 executes “a series of double-sided printing operations including a printing position adjustment process for shifting an image to be printed on the second surface of the sheet required for printing job 3 by 2 mm” from the first page to the last page of job 3. The printing apparatus is controlled to execute up to (page 50).

  (Procedure 5) When the above-described series of printing operations for job 3 is completed, as shown in the display of FIG. 37, control is performed so as to shift to the printing process of the third job selected after job 2, that is, job 4. In this case, however, a print execution request is not accepted from the user by the “print start” key displayed in FIG. In other words, the CPU 205 causes the printer unit 203 to automatically start processing of the job 4 without receiving a print start request from the user after the series of duplex printing operations for the job 3 is completed.

  Specifically, the CPU 205 reads the print data of job 4 from the HD 209. The print data of job 4 is processed by double-sided printing. However, at this time, the same processing as in job 1 and job 3 is performed. In other words, the CPU 205 performs “a series of double-sided printing operations including a printing position adjustment process for shifting an image to be printed on the second side of the sheet required for printing of job 4 by 2 mm” from the first page of job 4 to the last page. The printing apparatus is controlled to execute up to (page 50).

  The CPU 205 causes the printing apparatus to execute the above-described operations (procedure 1) → (procedure 2) → (procedure 3) → (procedure 4) → (procedure 5). In other words, a total of three jobs, job 1, job 3, and job 4, can be automatically and continuously collected at once while printing processing is performed on the front and back images, and printing is enabled.

  Note that in (Procedure 2), the control sequence according to the first embodiment states that “the image shift is not necessary as the determination result based on the double-sided printing results of the first and second pages of job 1”. The user confirmed visually. Alternatively, the information from the sensor unit 211 indicates that “the image shift is not necessary as the determination result based on the double-sided printing results of the first and second pages of the job 1” according to the control sequence of the third embodiment. Assume that the CPU 205 makes an automatic determination. As described above, if it is not necessary to perform the image shift, the following processing is performed.

  (Procedure 3 ') When printing the image of the page corresponding to the odd-numbered page to be printed on the first surface of the first page to the 50th page of the job 1, there is no image shift. Then, printing on the first surface is executed. Even when an image of a page corresponding to an even-numbered page to be printed is printed on the second side of the first page to the 50th page of the job 1, the first side without any image shift. Execute printing on. In other words, the CPU 205 reads “a series of images that do not require print position adjustment processing (no image shift) for all images to be printed on either the first side or the second side of the sheet required for printing job 1. The “duplex printing operation” is executed by the printing apparatus. However, double-sided printing has already been completed for the first and second pages of job 1 without any problem. Therefore, in this procedure, the CPU 205 causes the printer unit 203 to execute the series of duplex printing operations from the third page to the last page of job 1.

  (Procedure 4 ') When the series of printing operations for job 1 is completed, control is performed to shift to printing of the second job selected after job 1, that is, job 3, as shown in the display of FIG. However, at this time, a print execution request by the “print start” key displayed in FIG. 35 is not accepted from the user.

  In other words, the CPU 205 automatically causes the printer unit 203 to start processing for job 3 without receiving a print start request from the user after completion of the series of duplex printing operations for job 1. Specifically, the CPU 205 reads the print data of job 3 from the HD 209. The print data of job 3 is processed by double-sided printing. However, in this case, the same processing as that for job 1 is performed.

  In other words, the CPU 205 executes “a series of double-sided printing operations in which an image to be printed on either the first side or the second side of the sheet is not subjected to the printing position adjustment process (without image shift)” in job 3. The printing apparatus is controlled to execute from the page to the last page (page 50).

  (Procedure 5 ′) When the above-described series of printing operations for job 3 is completed, as shown in the display of FIG. 37, control is performed to shift to the printing process of the third job selected after job 2, that is, job 4. . In this case, however, a print execution request by the “print start” key shown in FIG. 35 is not accepted from the user.

  In other words, the CPU 205 automatically causes the printer unit 203 to start processing the job 4 without receiving a print start request from the user after the series of duplex printing operations for the job 3 is completed. Specifically, the CPU 205 reads the print data of job 4 from the HD 209. The print data of job 4 is processed by double-sided printing. However, at this time, the same processing as in job 1 and job 3 is performed.

  In other words, the CPU 205 executes “a series of double-sided printing operations in which an image to be printed on either the first side or the second side of the sheet is not subjected to the printing position adjustment process (without image shift)”. The printing apparatus is controlled to execute from the page to the last page (page 50).

  The CPU 205 causes the printing apparatus to execute the operations of (procedure 1) → (procedure 2) → (procedure 3 ′) → (procedure 4 ′) → (procedure 5 ′) as described above. In other words, a total of three jobs, job 1, job 3, and job 4, can be collectively and continuously printed at once without executing the print position adjustment processing for the front and back images. .

  The functions as described above can also be provided by this printing system. It should be noted that, even when the sample data registered in the HDD 209 is used without using the data of the first and second pages of the job 1 as the specific duplex printing, the same thing can be executed. However, in this case, since the data is not used for adjustment, both the position adjustment and the position adjustment are not performed. Start processing.

  Except for the configuration requirements described in the control example related to the box function described with reference to FIGS. 33 to 37, all the configuration requirements are the same as the configuration requirements described in the previous embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  As described above, the data of a plurality of jobs selected by the user via the UI unit can be continuously and collectively printed by the printer unit 203 only by the user inputting a print execution start request. Has a continuous printing function. In addition, when the function is executed, the above-described control sequence is made executable. As a result, productivity can be improved further than the productivity in the first to third embodiments because a large amount of double-sided printing jobs that require position adjustment of the front and back images can be processed automatically in a single operation. It is possible to make it. It is possible to construct a convenient printing environment that can be used effectively in a POD environment that is assumed to be an environment for processing such a large number of jobs. That is, the effects exemplified in all the embodiments described above can be further improved.

  In this way, by incorporating various mechanisms, it is possible to solve problems that are assumed in the prior art in advance, and to meet various user needs such as reducing the burden on the operator when performing double-sided printing. It becomes possible to construct a convenient environment that is flexible. Further, for example, in a printing apparatus capable of double-sided printing on a recording material (also simply referred to as a sheet), an operator's workload is reduced when performing image alignment for correcting image misalignment during printing. Various effects can be obtained.

[Other Embodiments]
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, and a printer), and a device (for example, a copying machine and a facsimile device) including a single device. You may apply to.

  Needless to say, the object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a system or apparatus with a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments. In this case, the above functions are realized by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like is used. be able to.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer. For example, an OS (operating system) running on a computer performs part or all of actual processing based on an instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by the processing. Needless to say, it is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized. Is also included. That is, after the program code is written in the memory, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and is realized by the processing. This is also included.

101 Network 102 Scanner 103 Prepress Server 104 Client PC
105 MFP
106 MFP
107 Paper folding machine 108 Case binding machine 109 Cutting machine 201 Scanner unit 202 External I / F
203 Printer 204 Operation Unit 205 CPU
206 Memory controller 207 ROM
208 RAM
209 HDD
210 Compression / Expansion Unit 211 Sensor Unit 212 Position Correction Unit 401 Touch Panel Unit 402 Key Input Unit

Claims (6)

Printing means for executing a duplex printing job for printing an image on a first side and a second side of a sheet;
Setting means for setting a threshold of a deviation amount between an image printing position on the first surface and an image printing position on the second surface;
Detecting means for detecting a shift amount between an image printing position with respect to the first surface and an image printing position with respect to the second surface;
When the deviation amount is smaller than the threshold value, the deviation between the printing position of the image with respect to the first surface and the printing position of the image with respect to the second surface is not corrected, and the deviation amount is larger than the threshold value. A printing system comprising: control means for correcting a shift between an image printing position on the first surface and an image printing position on the second surface.   The said control means correct | amends the shift | offset | difference of the printing position of the image with respect to the said 1st surface and the printing position of the image with respect to the said 2nd surface based on the said deviation | shift amount. Printing system.   The control means shifts an image printing position on one of the first surface and the second surface, thereby shifting an image printing position on the first surface and an image on the second surface. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the shift of the printing position is corrected.   The setting means sets a threshold value of a deviation amount between an image printing position with respect to the first surface and an image printing position with respect to the second surface in accordance with a user instruction. 4. The printing system according to any one of items 1 to 3. A control method for a printing system having printing means for executing a double-sided printing job for printing an image on a first side and a second side of a sheet,
A setting step of setting an upper limit value of a deviation amount between the print position of the image with respect to the first surface and the print position of the image with respect to the second surface;
A detecting step of detecting a shift amount between an image printing position with respect to the first surface and an image printing position with respect to the second surface;
When the deviation amount is smaller than the upper limit value, the deviation between the printing position of the image with respect to the first surface and the printing position of the image with respect to the second surface is not corrected, and the deviation amount is larger than the upper limit value. And a control step of correcting a shift between an image printing position with respect to the first surface and an image printing position with respect to the second surface.   The program for making a computer perform each process of the control method of Claim 5.

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