JP2012121246A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device that measures substantially accurate printing time corresponding to the actual printing operation, without wasting consumable supplies such as printing paper and toner.SOLUTION: The printing device 1 includes: an image developing unit 127 for developing an image data from a printing job when the printing job is received from an upper device 2; an information storage 122 that has recorded printing-paper processing time from a start of feeding the printing paper till a completion of discharging paper; and a time measuring unit 124 for measuring the printing time required from a start of image developing till the completion of discharging paper without printing images on the printing paper, on the basis of image developing time by the image developing unit 127 and the printing-paper processing time recorded in the information storage 122.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, and more particularly to a printing apparatus that receives a print job from a host device such as a PC (personal computer) and prints on a print sheet based on the print job.

  Conventionally, designers of printer drivers that create print data on a host device such as a PC or designers of printer controllers installed in printers measure the printing time with actual printing operations when checking the printing speed performance. Had confirmed by doing. A printed material is generated by the printing operation at this time, but since this printed material is not necessary, there is a problem that consumables such as printing paper and toner are wasted.

  In order to avoid the waste of consumables as described above, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that can measure the image development time without using consumables such as printing paper and toner. Proposed. The image forming apparatus includes a development time measuring unit that measures a processing time from when print data is input until it is developed as an image, and a measurement result display unit that displays a result measured by the development time measuring unit. ing. As a result, it is possible to check the processing time from the start of processing of a certain page of print data to the end of the development of the image of that page in the frame buffer.

JP 2001-341386 A

  However, in actual printing operations, there is a time during which image development processing for developing image data from a print job and printing paper conveyance processing for conveying printing paper from a paper feed tray to a paper discharge tray are processed in parallel. There is a problem that an accurate printing time corresponding to an actual printing operation cannot be measured only by measuring the image development time as in the technique described in Patent Document 1.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and printing that can measure a substantially accurate printing time corresponding to an actual printing operation without wasting consumables such as printing paper and toner. An object is to provide an apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a first technical means of the present invention is a printing apparatus that receives a print job from a host device and prints an image on a print sheet based on the print job, and prints from the host device. An image expansion unit that expands image data from the print job when the job is received, a print sheet processing time recording unit that records a print sheet processing time from the start of feeding the print sheet to the completion of the discharge; Based on the image development time by the image development means and the printing paper processing time recorded in the printing paper processing time recording means, the printing time required from the start of image development to the completion of paper discharge without printing an image on the printing paper is obtained. The printing time measuring means for measuring is provided.

  According to the second technical means, in the first technical means, a print paper processing time recording print job in which a predetermined printing condition is designated is executed, so that the print paper is fed as a paper feed tray as the print paper processing time. A printing paper processing time measuring means for measuring a printing paper conveyance time to be conveyed from the paper feed tray to a paper discharge tray and a minimum continuous paper feeding waiting time from the start of feeding the previous page to the start of feeding the next page, The processing time recording means records the printing paper transport time measured by the printing paper processing time measuring means and the minimum continuous paper feed waiting time for each print job for recording the printing paper processing time. Is.

  A third technical means includes a plurality of paper feed trays and a plurality of paper discharge trays in the second technical means, and the print paper processing time recording print job includes the predetermined print condition as: A combination of a paper feed tray and a paper discharge tray is designated.

  The fourth technical means is the printing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the printing time measuring means refers to the printing paper processing time recording means based on a printing condition of a print job received from the host apparatus. The printing paper conveyance time and the continuous paper feed minimum waiting time corresponding to the printing conditions are acquired.

  According to a fifth technical means, in the fourth technical means, the continuous paper feeding obtained from the print paper processing time recording means in the image development time for the image development means to develop the print job received from the host apparatus into image data. If the waiting time is less than the minimum waiting time, the printing time measuring unit starts counting the printing paper conveyance time acquired from the printing paper processing time recording unit after the image developing unit completes the development of the first page of image data. The printing paper conveyance time starts counting after the minimum continuous waiting time has elapsed after the image development means has completed the development of the image data for the second and subsequent pages.

  According to a sixth technical means, in the fourth technical means, the continuous paper feeding obtained from the print paper processing time recording means by the image development means for developing the print job received from the host apparatus into image data. When longer than the shortest waiting time, the printing time measuring means starts counting the printing paper conveyance time acquired from the printing paper processing time recording means after the image development means completes development of the image data of each page. It is characterized by.

  A seventh technical means is the first technical means according to any one of the first to sixth technical means, wherein the normal printing mode for performing normal printing using printing paper and the printing paper processing time are measured, and the measurement result is obtained as the printing paper. A mode switching means for switching between a printing paper processing time recording mode for recording in the processing time recording means and a printing time measuring mode for measuring the printing time without using printing paper by the printing time measuring means is provided. Is.

  According to an eighth technical means, in any one of the first to seventh technical means, discharge of each page included in the print job received from the host apparatus is completed based on the measurement result by the printing time measuring means. Is provided with a paper discharge timing notification means for notifying the host apparatus of the above timing.

  According to a ninth technical means, in the eighth technical means, the paper discharge timing notification means discriminates the last page and notifies the host device of the discriminated completion timing of the discriminated final page. It is a thing.

  According to a tenth technical means, in any one of the first to ninth technical means, the printing time recording means for recording the printing time measured by the printing time measuring means, and the printing time recording means. A printing time notifying unit for notifying the printing time is provided.

  According to the present invention, since the printing time based on the image development time and the printing paper processing time can be measured without using printing paper, actual printing can be performed without wasting consumables such as printing paper and toner. A substantially accurate printing time corresponding to the operation can be known by a simple process.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the printing paper processing time preservation | save table stored in an information storage part. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation example in printing paper processing time recording mode. It is a figure which shows an example of time passage in printing operation of a printer when printing time measurement mode is designated. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing for recording a printing paper processing time by designating a printing paper processing time recording mode in the printer. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing when measuring a printing time by specifying a printing time measurement mode for a printer. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the process of the printing part in printing paper measurement mode.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to a printing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, a single-function printer having a print function will be described as a representative example. However, the present invention is an MFP (Multi-function printer) having a plurality of functions such as a print function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and a scanner function. (Function Peripheral).

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a printer). The printer 1 communicates with an external host device 2, receives print job data from the host device 2, and transmits a status notification data to the host device 2, a CPU, a main memory, and the like. And a mode switching unit 13 for performing switching setting to each mode (normal printing mode, printing paper processing time recording mode, printing time measurement mode) designated from the host device 2 or the operation panel 14. An operation panel 14 having a touch panel for receiving an operation input by the user and a display unit for making various notifications to the user, a paper feed tray 15 for feeding printing paper for printing an image, A printing unit 16 that prints image data developed from the print job data by the main control unit 12 on printing paper fed from the tray 15; And a discharge tray 17 for discharging the print unit 16 print sheet on which the image data is printed (printed material).

  The host device 2 is typically a personal computer or a workstation that generates print job data to be printed from document data created by an application or the like and instructs printing. The communication control unit 11 communicates with the host apparatus 2 via a communication means such as a network, and receives print job data and transmits status notification data. Here, for example, means such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection or a parallel interface may be used as the communication means.

  The main control unit 12 analyzes a job information such as a command for designating a paper feed tray and a paper discharge tray included in the print job data, various setting information, and FIG. An information storage unit 122 that stores a printing paper processing time storage table, a setting processing unit 123 that processes setting data according to the mode switching setting from the mode switching unit 13, and a printing paper processing time in the printing paper processing time recording mode. In the printing time measurement mode, the time measuring unit 124 that measures the printing time, the sheet feeding tray processing unit 125 that processes the sheet feeding tray designation command analyzed by the job information analyzing unit 121, and the job information analyzing unit 121 A paper discharge tray processing unit 126 for processing the paper discharge tray designation command analyzed in step S3, and image data from the print job data in the buffer memory ( And an image expansion section 127 to expand the Shimese not).

  The main feature of the present invention is to measure a substantially accurate printing time corresponding to an actual printing operation without wasting consumables such as printing paper and toner. As a configuration for this, when the printer 1 receives a print job from the host apparatus 2, the printer 1 starts image feeding unit 127 that corresponds to an image developing unit that develops image data from the print job, and starts feeding paper. An information storage unit 122 corresponding to a printing paper processing time recording unit that records a printing paper processing time until paper discharge is completed, an image development time by the image development unit 127, and a printing paper processing time recorded in the information storage unit 122 And a time measuring unit 124 corresponding to a printing time measuring unit that measures a printing time required from the start of image development to the completion of paper discharge without printing an image on a printing paper.

  In addition, the printer 1 executes a print job for recording a printing paper processing time in which predetermined printing conditions are specified, thereby printing paper for conveying the printing paper from the paper feed tray to the paper discharge tray as the printing paper processing time. A printing paper processing time measuring unit that measures the conveyance time and the minimum continuous paper feeding waiting time from the start of feeding the previous page to the start of feeding the next page is provided. This printing paper processing time measuring means is realized by the time measuring unit 124. Then, the information storage unit 122 stores a print paper processing time storage table in which the print paper conveyance time and the continuous paper feed minimum waiting time measured by the time measurement unit 124 are recorded for each print job for recording the print paper processing time. Store.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing paper processing time storage table stored in the information storage unit 122. The printing paper processing time storage table is generated by executing the printing paper processing time recording mode in the printer 1. That is, by actually executing a print job for recording the printing paper processing time and conveying the printing paper, the printing paper conveyance time and the minimum continuous paper feeding waiting time are measured and recorded in the printing paper processing time storage table. In this print paper processing time recording print job, for example, a combination of a paper feed tray and a paper discharge tray is designated as a predetermined print condition. A specific operation example of the printing paper processing time recording mode will be described with reference to FIG.

  Here, the mode switching unit 13 includes a normal printing mode for performing normal printing using printing paper, a printing paper processing time recording mode for measuring the printing paper processing time and recording the measurement result in the printing paper processing time storage table, The time measuring unit 124 switches the printing time measurement mode in which the printing time is measured without using printing paper. The user can specify the printing paper processing time recording mode for the printer 1 by switching the mode switching unit 13 from the host device 2.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an operation example in the printing paper processing time recording mode. As shown in FIG. 3A, the printer 1 is equipped with a plurality of paper feed trays 1 to 4 and a plurality of paper discharge trays 1 to 3. A4 size paper is set in the paper feed tray 1, A4 size paper is set in the paper feed tray 2, A3 size paper is set in the paper feed tray 3, and B4 size paper is set in the paper feed tray 4. The paper discharge tray 1 is a paper discharge tray that does not require post-processing such as stapling and does not take time for paper discharge processing. The paper discharge trays 2 and 3 are paper discharge trays that require a longer time for paper discharge processing than the paper discharge tray 1 because post-processing such as stapling is performed.

  A print job for recording the printing paper processing time is generated by the host device 2, and is composed of, for example, blank paper data of two or more pages of A4 size, and a combination of a paper feed tray and a paper discharge tray is used as a printing condition. It is specified. In the example of FIG. 3B, the print paper processing time recording print job X includes an automatic paper feed tray and a paper discharge tray as a paper discharge tray for a print job of two or more A4 size white paper. One combination is specified. It is assumed that the sheet feeding tray 1 is selected in advance when automatic sheet feeding is designated as the sheet feeding tray. When the print job X for printing paper processing time recording transmitted from the host device 2 is executed by the printer 1, two or more pages of A4 size print paper are fed from the paper feed tray 1 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 1. However, since the print job is a blank sheet, the sheet is discharged in a state where nothing is printed on the printing sheet.

  Similarly, the print paper processing time recording print job Y includes a combination of a paper feed tray 2 as a paper feed tray and a paper discharge tray 2 as a paper discharge tray for a print job of two or more A4 size white paper. Is specified. When the printing paper processing time recording print job Y transmitted from the host apparatus 2 is executed by the printer 1, two or more pages of A4 size printing paper are fed from the paper feed tray 2 and discharged to the paper discharge tray 2. However, since the print job is a blank sheet, the sheet is discharged in a state where nothing is printed on the printing sheet.

  In any of the above-described print jobs, nothing is printed on the printing paper and the paper is discharged as white paper, so that the printing paper can be reused. In other words, even if this print job is executed, printing paper and toner are not consumed, and useless printed matter is not generated.

  Note that the print job used in the print paper processing time recording mode is not limited to a blank page job of two pages or more, and may be a normal document job of two pages or more. In other words, when print job data consisting of two or more pages of document data is input and the print paper processing time recording mode is specified, the print paper feed processing is performed without developing the print job data into image data. Only to run. In this case as well, as described above, nothing is printed on the printing paper and the paper is discharged as it is.

As described above, the printing paper processing time is measured by switching the printer 1 from the normal printing mode to the printing paper processing time recording mode and executing the printing paper processing time recording print job. Recorded in the time storage table. As shown in FIG. 3C, in the case of a print paper processing time recording print job X, the print paper transport time X ₁ from the start of paper feed from the paper feed tray 1 to the completion of paper discharge to the paper discharge tray 1 a continuous feed shortest waiting time X ₂ when continuous sheet paper to the next sheet in the shortest is stored respectively in the print sheet processing time storage table.

Similarly, in the case of the print job Y for recording the print paper processing time, the print paper transport time Y ₁ from the start of paper feed from the paper feed tray 2 to the completion of paper discharge to the paper discharge tray 2 and the next paper a continuous feed shortest waiting time Y ₂ when continuous sheet paper in the shortest is stored respectively in the print sheet processing time storage table. Note that the continuous feed minimum waiting time X ₂ and Y ₂ are considered to be almost the same time in any case because they are the fastest time of the printer 1. Measurement close to operation can be performed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of time passage in the printing operation of the printer 1 when the printing time measurement mode is designated. When the printer 1 is switched to the print time measurement mode, the time measurement unit 124 stores the print sheet processing time storage table stored in the information storage unit 122 based on the print conditions of the print job received from the host apparatus 2. The printing paper conveyance time and the continuous paper feeding minimum waiting time corresponding to the printing conditions are acquired with reference to the print conditions. For example, as the printing conditions described above, automatic paper feed tray, if the sheet discharge tray 1 is designated to the paper discharge tray, printing paper processing time printing sheet transporting time of the recording print job X X ₁ a continuous supply paper shortest waiting time X ₂ is obtained. In the print time measurement mode, the print job transmitted from the host device 2 may be composed of one or more pages of desired image data.

As in the above example, the print job received from the host device 2, the continuous feed shortest waiting time X ₂ is obtained and the print paper conveyance time X ₁ from the printing paper processing time storage table. As shown in FIG. 4A, the print job received from the apparatus 2 is developed into image data by the image development unit 127. The image development time by the image development unit 127 is the minimum continuous paper feed waiting time X. If more than _2, the time measuring unit 124 starts counting of the print paper conveyance time X ₁ after the image developing section 127 expansion of the image data of the first page is completed, the image developing section 127 of the second page and subsequent It starts counting after the elapse of continuous feed shortest waiting time X ₂ of the print paper conveyance time X ₁ after expansion of the image data is completed.

A specific description will be given based on FIG. When transmission of print job data is started from the host device 2, the main control unit 12 of the printer 1 reads the print job data from the communication control unit 11, and the image development unit 127 starts image development of page 1 (t0). ). When the image development of page 1 is completed (t1), the main control unit 12 transmits a print request for printing the image on the printing paper to the printing unit 16. At this time, the printing paper transport time X ₁ and the continuous paper feeding minimum waiting time X ₂ acquired from the printing paper processing time storage table are also transmitted to the printing unit 16. Then, in accordance with an instruction from the time measuring unit 124, print unit 16, actual printing operation in response to the print request starts counting of the print paper conveyance time X ₁ without, printing paper conveyance time X ₁ When the time has elapsed (t4), the time measurement unit 124 is notified that the discharge of page 1 has been completed.

Next, when image development on page 1 is completed (t1), the image development unit 127 of the main control unit 12 immediately starts image development on page 2. When the image development of page 2 is completed (t2), the main control unit 12 transmits a print request for page 2 to the printing unit 16. At this time, according to an instruction from the time measuring unit 124, print unit 16, for continuous feed shortest waiting time X ₂ when it receives a print request page 2 has not elapsed, continuous feed shortest waiting time X ₂ after the lapse of (t3), starts counting the pages 2 printing paper conveyance time _{X 1} (t3), the print paper conveyance time _{X 1} has elapsed (t5), as the paper discharge completion page 2, time measuring unit 124 Notify

  In this way, the time measuring unit 124 measures the printing time from the start of image development to the completion of paper discharge without printing the image on the printing paper. In the case of the example in FIG. 4A, the time measurement unit 124 measures the image development start timing t0, the image development completion timing (or paper feed start timing) t1, and the paper discharge completion timing t4 for page 1, and similarly. For page 2, image development start timing t1, image development completion timing t2, paper feed start timing t3, and paper discharge completion timing t5 are measured. Based on these timing information, it is possible to calculate the printing time from the start of image development of page 1 to the completion of discharge of page 2 or the printing time from start of image development of each page to the completion of discharge. For example, when t0 is used as a reference, the printing time from the start of image development on page 1 to the completion of discharge of page 2 is t5, the printing time from the start of image development on page 1 to the completion of discharge is t4, and image development on page 2 The printing time from the start to the completion of paper discharge can be obtained as t5-t1.

  Here, the printing time of the printer that is actually measured for performance evaluation is the time from when the print button is pressed by the application of the host device (PC) or the like until the completion of the discharge of the final page. This printing time is the time from the start of reception of print job data to the completion of discharge of the final page. Therefore, measure the time from when the print button is pressed on the host device until image development starts on the printer, and the time from the start of print job data reception to the start of image development on the printer. By doing so, it is possible to calculate the time from when the print button is pressed in the host device until the completion of the discharge of the last page and the time from the start of receiving the print job data to the completion of the discharge of the last page.

In the above description, the print sheet conveyance time and the minimum continuous paper feed waiting time are transmitted to the print unit 16 to notify the time measurement unit 124 of the discharge completion timing of each page from the print unit 16. The time measuring unit 124 may count the printing paper conveyance time and the continuous paper feeding minimum waiting time. For example, in the case of FIG. 4A, the time measuring unit 124 calculates the printing paper transport time X ₁ (and the continuous paper feeding minimum waiting time X ₂ ) from the time when the print request is transmitted from the main control unit 12 to the printing unit 16. Count to obtain the discharge completion timing of each page.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4 (B), when the image expansion time by the image expansion section 127 is longer than the continuous feed shortest waiting time X _2, time measuring unit 124, the image developing section 127 of the image data of each page starts to count the printing paper sheet discharging time X ₁ after expansion has been completed.

A specific description will be given based on FIG. When transmission of print job data is started from the host device 2, the main control unit 12 reads the print job data from the communication control unit 11, and the image development unit 127 starts image development of page 1 (t0). When the image development of page 1 is completed (t0), the main control unit 12 transmits a print request for printing the image on printing paper to the printing unit 16. At this time, the printing paper transport time X ₁ and the continuous paper feeding minimum waiting time X ₂ acquired from the printing paper processing time storage table are also transmitted to the printing unit 16. Then, in accordance with an instruction from the time measuring unit 124, print unit 16, actual printing operation in response to the print request starts counting of the print paper conveyance time X ₁ without, printing paper conveyance time X ₁ When the time has elapsed (t4), the time measurement unit 124 is notified that the discharge of page 1 has been completed.

Next, when image development on page 1 is completed (t1), the image development unit 127 of the main control unit 12 immediately starts image development on page 2. When the image development on page 2 is completed (t3), the main control unit 12 transmits a print request for printing the image on the printing paper to the printing unit 16. Then, in accordance with an instruction from the time measuring unit 124, print unit 16, because it already has continuous feed shortest waiting time X ₂ has passed when it receives a print request of a page 2, page 2 in response to the print request starts counting of the print paper conveyance time X ₁ (t3), the print paper conveyance time X ₁ has elapsed (t5), as the paper discharge completion page 2, and notifies the time measurement unit 124.

  Here, the printer 1 includes a discharge timing notification unit that notifies the upper apparatus 2 of the discharge completion timing of each page included in the print job received from the upper apparatus 2 based on the measurement result by the time measurement unit 124. Prepare. This paper discharge timing notification means is realized by the main control unit 12 and the communication control unit 11. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the upper apparatus 2 is notified of the discharge completion timing t4 for page 1 and the discharge completion timing t5 for page 2 with reference to t0.

  The paper discharge timing notifying unit may determine the last page and notify the upper device 2 of the completion timing of discharging the determined final page. For example, when the main control unit 12 receives a discharge completion notification of the current page from the print unit 16, it determines whether or not there is a next page. Can be identified as a page. Then, by notifying the higher level apparatus 2 of the result of this determination, the higher level apparatus 2 determines that the print time measurement has been completed up to the last page, and ends the print time measurement mode for the print job transmitted from the higher level apparatus 2. Let

  The printer 1 also includes a printing time recording unit that records the printing time measured by the time measuring unit 124 and a printing time notification unit that notifies the printing time recorded in the printing time recording unit. The printing time recording unit is realized by the information storage unit 122, and the printing time notification unit is realized by the operation panel 14. As shown in the example of FIG. 4, the printing time of the printer 1 can be measured by using the printing time measurement mode without using consumables such as printing paper. The measurement result is recorded in the information storage unit 122. deep. Then, when the user operates the operation panel 14, the measurement result recorded in the information storage unit 122 is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 14, and the user confirms the printing time of the printer 1 on the operation panel 14. can do.

  In the example of FIG. 3B described above, the printing paper processing time (printing paper conveyance time and continuous paper feed minimum waiting time) is set as a printing condition according to the paper size and the combination of the paper feed tray and paper discharge tray. Measured and recorded in advance for each print job. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, based on the actual print job in which the paper size and the combination of the paper feed tray and the paper discharge tray are designated, the time required for image development of this print job is measured and the print is performed. The paper discharge timing is detected by acquiring the print paper processing time corresponding to the print conditions of the job and actually counting it. In this way, the main control is performed without actually counting the print paper processing time. The paper discharge timing may be calculated by calculation in the unit 12.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 4A, the discharge timing t4 of page 1 is calculated by adding the printing paper transport time X1 to the image development time (t1-t0) of page 1, and the discharge of page 2 The paper timing t5 can be calculated by adding the continuous paper feeding minimum waiting time X2 and the printing paper transport time X1 to the image development time (t1-t0) of page 1. In the case of the example of FIG. 4B, it can be obtained in the same manner. In this case, the discharge timing t4 of page 1 is set to the printing paper transport time X1 in the image development time (t1-t0) of page 1. The paper discharge timing t5 of page 2 can be calculated by adding the printing paper transport time X1 to the image development time (t3-t1) of page 2.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing for specifying the printing paper processing time recording mode in the printer 1 and recording the printing paper processing time. In this example, it is assumed that the normal print mode is set as default. First, the printer 1 determines whether or not the printing paper processing time recording mode is specified by the mode switching unit 13 based on a user operation or the like (step S1), and determines that the printing paper processing time recording mode is specified. If YES (YES), the printing paper processing time recording mode is entered (step S2).

  The main control unit 12 determines whether or not print sheet processing time recording print job data has been received from the host device 2 via the communication control unit 11 (step S3), and print sheet processing time recording print job data. When it is determined that the job information is received (hereinafter simply referred to as print job data) (in the case of YES), the job information analysis unit 121 of the main control unit 12 analyzes the job information from the print job data. Based on the analysis result, the paper feed tray processing unit 125 designates the paper feed tray, the paper discharge tray processing unit 126 designates the paper discharge tray, and the time measuring unit 124 specifies the designated paper feed tray and the discharge tray. The printing paper conveyance time from the start of paper feeding to the completion of paper ejection when the printing paper is actually conveyed between the paper trays is measured (step S4). Then, the printing paper transport time measured by the time measuring unit 124 is stored in the printing paper processing time storage table of the information storage unit 122 (step S5).

  If it is determined in step S3 that the main control unit 12 has not received print job data (NO), the process shifts to a print job data reception waiting state in step S3.

  Next, the time measuring unit 124 measures the shortest continuous feed waiting time from the start of feeding the previous page to the start of feeding the next page (step S6), and the measured continuous feed minimum waiting time is stored in the information storage unit. The data is stored in the print paper processing time storage table 122 (step S7). Then, the printer 1 finishes the printing paper processing time recording mode because the measurement and storage processing of the necessary printing paper processing time is completed, returns to step S1, and shifts to a standby state (step S8).

  In step S1, when it is determined that the printing paper processing time recording mode is not designated (NO), the main control unit 12 performs control so as to execute normal printing processing in the normal printing mode (step S9). .

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing when the printing time measurement mode is designated for the printer 1 and the printing time is measured. In this example, it is assumed that the normal print mode is set as default. First, the printer 1 determines whether or not the printing time measurement mode is specified by the mode switching unit 13 based on the user's operation or the like (step S11), and determines that the printing time measurement mode is specified (YES) (YES) In this case, the main control unit 12 notifies the printing unit 16 of the start of the printing time measurement mode (step S12).

  Next, the main control unit 12 determines whether or not print job data has been received from the host device 2 (step S13). If it is determined that print job data has been received (in the case of YES), the main control unit 12 determines the print job data. A combination of a paper feed tray and a paper discharge tray is specified from the printing conditions, and based on the specified tray combination, a print paper processing time (print paper transport time and continuous paper feed) is stored from the print paper processing time storage table of the information storage unit 122. (Minimum waiting time) is acquired (step S14). Since the printing paper processing time varies depending on the paper size, the printing paper processing time may be acquired based on the combination of the specified paper size and the tray by specifying the paper size from the printing conditions. In this case, in the printing paper processing time storage table shown in FIG. 2 described above, printing paper processing time (printing paper transport time and continuous paper feed minimum waiting time) corresponding to the combination of paper size and tray can be stored. That's fine. If it is determined in step S13 that print job data has not been received (NO), the process shifts to a print job reception waiting state in step S13.

  Next, the image expansion unit 127 expands the print image for one page from the print job data (step S15), and after the expansion of the print image for one page is completed, the print request is sent to the print unit 16 and acquired in step S14. The printing paper processing time (printing paper conveyance time and continuous paper feeding minimum waiting time) is notified (step S16). Here, the main control unit 12 determines whether or not there is a discharge completion notification from the printing unit 16 (step S17), and determines that there is a discharge completion notification from the printing unit 16 (in the case of YES), communication. The upper apparatus 2 is notified of the completion of paper discharge via the control unit 11 (step S18). If it is determined in step S17 that there is no paper discharge completion notification from the printing unit 16 (NO), the process proceeds to a paper discharge completion notification waiting state in step S17.

  Next, the main control unit 12 determines whether or not there is a next page (step S19). If it is determined that there is a next page (in the case of YES), the main control unit 12 returns to step S15 and goes from step S15 to step S19. Repeat the process. In step S16, the printing paper processing time (printing paper conveyance time and continuous paper feeding minimum waiting time) is notified to the printing unit 16 when the first page is requested for printing. It is only necessary to notify the request, and it is not necessary to notify the printing paper processing time again. If it is determined in step S19 that there is no next page (in the case of NO), the print job is terminated, and thus the main control unit 12 determines whether or not there is a final page discharge completion notification from the print unit 16. Is determined (step S20).

  In step S20, if the main control unit 12 determines from the printing unit 16 that there is a final page discharge completion notification (in the case of YES), the main control unit 12 outputs the final page to the host device 2 via the communication control unit 11. The paper completion is notified (step S21). In step S20, if the main control unit 12 determines from the printing unit 16 that there is no final page discharge completion notification (NO), the main control unit 12 shifts to a final page discharge completion notification waiting state in step S20.

  Thereafter, the main control unit 12 determines whether or not the user has instructed the end of the printing time measurement mode (step S22). When the end of the printing paper measurement mode is instructed (in the case of YES), the printing paper measurement is performed. The mode is terminated, and the printing unit 16 is notified of the end of the printing paper measurement mode (step S23), and the process returns to step S11. If it is determined in step S22 that the user has not instructed the end of the print sheet measurement mode (NO), the process returns to step S13 to continue the print sheet measurement mode and shift to a waiting state for receiving the next print job. .

  In step S11, when the printing time measurement mode is not designated (NO), the main control unit 12 performs control so that normal printing processing is executed in the normal printing mode (step S24).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing of the printing unit 16 in the printing paper measurement mode. First, the printing unit 16 determines whether or not there is a print time measurement mode start notification from the main control unit 12 (step S31). If it is determined that there is a start notification (in the case of YES), the main control unit 12 determines. It is determined whether or not the print paper conveyance time and the continuous paper feed minimum waiting time are notified together with the print request (step S32).

  Next, in step S32, when it is determined that there is a print request notification (in the case of YES), it is determined whether or not the minimum continuous feed waiting time has elapsed (step S33). If it is determined in step S32 that there is no print request notification (NO), the process shifts to a print request notification waiting state in step S32. In step S33, since the minimum continuous paper feed waiting time is not counted for the first page, it is determined that the continuous paper feed minimum waiting time has passed (YES). Then, the printing unit 16 starts counting the printing paper conveyance time (step S34), and then starts counting the shortest continuous paper feed waiting time (step S35).

  Thereafter, the printing unit 16 determines whether or not the current page printing paper conveyance time has elapsed so as to be substantially the same as the paper discharge completion time in actual printing (step S36), and the current page printing paper conveyance. When it is determined that the time has elapsed (in the case of YES), the main control unit 12 is notified of the completion of discharging the current page (step S37). If it is determined in step S36 that the printing paper conveyance time for the current page has not elapsed (in the case of NO), the process proceeds to a waiting state in step S36.

  Then, the printing unit 16 determines whether or not there is a print time measurement mode end notification from the main control unit 12 (step S38). If it is determined that there is no print time measurement mode end notification (NO), step S32 is performed. Returning to step S32, the processes from step S32 to step S38 are repeated. If it is determined in step S38 that there is an end notification of the printing time measurement mode (in the case of YES), the process returns to step S31.

  In step S31, when there is no notification of the start of the print time measurement mode from the main control unit 12 (NO), normal print processing is executed in the normal print mode (step S39).

  Here, if NO in step S38, the process proceeds to step S32. In this step S32, the print unit 16 waits for notification of a print request for the second and subsequent pages from the main control unit 12. At this time, only the print request is notified from the second page onward, and the print paper conveyance time and the continuous paper feed minimum waiting time are not notified. In the next step S33, the elapse of the minimum continuous paper feed waiting time is determined in response to the notification of the print request for the second and subsequent pages. The printing paper conveyance time is counted after the shortest waiting time has elapsed.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to measure the printing time based on the image development time and the printing paper processing time without using the printing paper, so that consumables such as printing paper and toner are not wasted. It is possible to know a substantially accurate printing time corresponding to an actual printing operation by a simple process.
Further, since the printing paper is not actually conveyed for the measurement of the printing time, it is possible to prevent the measurement of the printing time from being failed due to an error caused by paper conveyance such as no paper or paper jam.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing apparatus (printer), 2 ... Host apparatus, 11 ... Communication control part, 12 ... Main control part, 13 ... Mode switching part, 14 ... Operation panel, 15 ... Paper feed tray, 16 ... Printing part, 17 ... Ejection Paper tray 121... Job information analysis unit 122. Information storage unit 123. Setting processing unit 124. Time measuring unit 125. Paper feed tray processing unit 126.

Claims (10)

A printing device that receives a print job from a host device and prints an image on a print sheet based on the print job,
An image expansion unit that expands image data from the print job when a print job is received from the host device, and a print sheet process that records a print sheet processing time from the start of feeding the print sheet to the completion of the discharge Based on the time recording means, the image development time by the image development means, and the printing paper processing time recorded in the printing paper processing time recording means, from the start of image development to the completion of discharge without printing an image on the printing paper A printing apparatus comprising: a printing time measuring means for measuring a printing time required for the printing.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a printing job for recording a printing paper processing time in which predetermined printing conditions are specified is executed, whereby the printing paper is discharged from a paper feed tray to a paper discharge tray as the printing paper processing time. A printing paper processing time measuring means for measuring a printing paper conveyance time to be conveyed and a continuous paper feeding minimum waiting time from the start of feeding the previous page to the start of feeding the next page, and the printing paper processing time recording means The printing apparatus is characterized in that the printing paper transport time measured by the printing paper processing time measuring means and the minimum continuous paper feed waiting time are recorded for each printing job for recording the printing paper processing time.   The printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of paper feed trays and a plurality of paper discharge trays, wherein the print paper processing time recording print job includes: a paper feed tray as the predetermined print condition; A printing apparatus, wherein a combination of discharge trays is designated.   4. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing time measuring unit refers to the printing paper processing time recording unit based on a printing condition of a print job received from the host apparatus and corresponds to the printing condition. A printing apparatus that acquires a printing paper conveyance time to be performed and a continuous paper feed minimum waiting time.   5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image expansion time for the image expansion unit to expand the print job received from the host apparatus into image data is equal to or shorter than the minimum continuous paper feed waiting time acquired from the print paper processing time recording unit. In this case, the printing time measuring means starts counting the printing paper conveyance time acquired from the printing paper processing time recording means after the development of the image data of the first page is completed by the image developing means, and the image developing The printing apparatus is characterized in that the printing paper conveyance time starts counting after the minimum continuous paper feed waiting time has elapsed after the development of image data for the second and subsequent pages is completed by the means.   5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image expansion time for the image expansion means to expand the print job received from the host apparatus into image data is less than the continuous paper supply minimum waiting time acquired from the print paper processing time recording means. If it is long, the printing time measuring means starts counting the printing paper conveyance time acquired from the printing paper processing time recording means after the development of the image data of each page is completed by the image developing means. Printing device.   7. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a normal printing mode for performing normal printing using printing paper, the printing paper processing time is measured, and the measurement result is recorded in the printing paper processing time recording unit. A printing apparatus comprising: a mode switching unit that switches between a printing paper processing time recording mode for recording on a printing time and a printing time measurement mode for measuring a printing time without using printing paper by the printing time measurement unit.   8. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge completion timing of each page included in the print job received from the host apparatus is determined based on a measurement result by the printing time measurement unit. A printing apparatus comprising: a discharge timing notification means for notifying a host apparatus.   9. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the paper discharge timing notifying unit determines a final page and notifies the host device of a discharge completion timing of the determined final page.   10. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a printing time recording unit that records a printing time measured by the printing time measuring unit and a printing time recorded in the printing time recording unit are notified. A printing apparatus comprising: a printing time notification means.

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