JP2012133261A - Printing system and control method for printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system for exerting job control in a system to which a printer is connected.SOLUTION: A first job composed of first data printed using a color recording agent and second data printed using a transparent recording agent is input to the printing system connected to the paper ejection part of a first printer used for printing with a color recording agent and the paper feed part of a second printer slower than the first printer and configured to print using a color recording agent and a transparent recording agent. In a case where the first printer has been processing the second job when the first job is printed, the printing system conveys to the second printer a paper on which the first data has been transferred and fixed using a color recording agent after the completion of processing of the second job by the first printer, and selects whether to transfer and fix again the second data using a transparent recording agent by the second printer or to transfer and fix the first data and second data using a color recording agent and a transparent recording agent by using only the second printer without waiting for the completion of processing of the second job to perform printing.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system in which a plurality of printing apparatuses are connected to perform printing output by performing printing in cooperation.

  In recent years, there has been proposed an image processing apparatus that performs printing using a transparent toner (clear toner), which is a kind of special color recording agent.

  The entire coat that prints clear toner on the entire printable area of the printing paper is printed with clear toner on the entire surface of the paper after printing with colored toners such as CMYK toner. Glossiness can be given to the entire surface of the paper.

  In addition, the partial coat printed with the clear toner on the designated area of the printable area of the printing paper should be partially printed with the clear toner on the paper after printing with the colored toner. Thus, it is possible to provide a glossiness and a decorative effect partially to the paper.

  When printing is performed using such clear toner, various expressions can be made, and the added value of the printed output is improved.

  In order to execute printing using the clear toner, a mechanism for fixing the color toner image and the clear toner image to the paper by one fixing after transferring the toner such as CMYK as the color toner and the clear toner to the paper. It is incorporated in an image processing apparatus. As a result, an output product using clear toner is created.

  However, a problem occurs when a configuration for performing printing using clear toner is added. For example, a problem relating to the toner loading amount occurs. More specifically, in the image processing apparatus, the amount of toner that can be fixed by fixing once per unit area of the printing target paper is limited (loading amount limitation). Therefore, in an area where CMYK toner is frequently used, there is a problem that the clear toner cannot be used sufficiently in order to suppress the toner amount within the applied amount limit.

  Therefore, it has been proposed to connect an image processing apparatus that performs printing using colored toner and an image processing apparatus that performs printing using clear toner, and to construct an image processing system that creates an output product using clear toner ( Patent Document 1). For example, for a user who uses clear toner, an image processing apparatus that performs transfer and fixing using colored toner and performs printing (an apparatus in the previous stage) and an image processing apparatus that performs transfer and fixing using clear toner and performs printing ( There is provided an image processing system to which a subsequent apparatus is connected. With such a configuration, it is possible to sufficiently use both CMYK toner and clear toner for the print target.

  Further, there is a method of maximizing the operation time of one printer by scheduling a print job execution for a plurality of printers (Patent Document 2).

JP2008-145595 JP 2006-59357 A

  In such a printing system, the output from the preceding apparatus becomes the input to the subsequent apparatus as it is. In this case, it is ideal that the prints coincide with each other without causing misregistration when printing on the same paper. However, since two printing apparatuses are used, there is a high possibility that plate misregistration occurs at the printing position on the same printing paper.

  That is, there is a problem that image misregistration of images output by different connected printing apparatuses is significantly more noticeable than when an image is formed by a single conventional printing apparatus. For example, when connecting a device that performs printing using CMYK toner to the front-stage device and a device that performs printing using clear toner to the subsequent-stage device, a color image printed using CMYK toner and clear toner are used. In some cases, the misregistration is conspicuous between the printed clear images.

  Further, there is a problem that it is difficult to correct such plate misregistration as compared with a conventional printing apparatus. Although it is possible to automatically detect misregistration by installing an internal sensor in a single printing device, misregistration between independent printing devices cannot be corrected using the internal sensor of each device. .

  Further, every time the combination of the front-stage apparatus and the rear-stage apparatus is changed, misregistration occurs. Therefore, there is a problem that the frequency of correcting misregistration increases. Furthermore, when an existing printing apparatus is connected when configuring this system, it is difficult to provide a new means for correcting misalignment such as a sensor later for the configuration. In the first place, it is technically difficult to completely avoid such a printing position shift between the two printing apparatuses. As a result, there is a possibility that misregistration on the same sheet may remain even if correction is performed using any means in this system.

  In such a case, if the latter apparatus using clear toner is configured to be able to add colored toner and clear toner simultaneously, the problem of misregistration can be solved. In such a case, priority is given to the reduction of misregistration over the amount of loading described in the above background, and the printed matter may be created only by the latter stage apparatus that performs printing using the clear toner.

  However, when the printing speed of the front-stage apparatus is faster than that of the rear-stage apparatus, for example, when the front-stage apparatus has four photosensitive drums and the rear-stage apparatus has one photosensitive drum, the printed matter is generated only by the rear-stage apparatus. Doing so reduces productivity.

  Specifically, since the photosensitive process of CMYK toner and clear toner is performed five times on one photosensitive drum of the latter apparatus, the productivity is higher than the case where the photosensitive process is performed using both the former apparatus and the latter apparatus. It drops to about 1/5.

  On the other hand, if the number of photosensitive drums in the subsequent apparatus that performs printing using clear toner is also five, productivity can be maintained, but this is not suitable because of a redundant and costly configuration.

  Therefore, in a system in which printing is performed by connecting two devices, it is necessary to switch between printing using both connected devices or printing using only the latter device in consideration of productivity. is there.

  And in order to switch the printing apparatus to be used, it can be assumed that the technique of patent document 2 is used. However, there is no disclosure of switching an apparatus used for printing in consideration of the properties of a print job using clear toner.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a printing system according to the present invention has a discharge speed of a first printing apparatus that performs printing using a colored recording agent and a printing speed slower than that of the first printing apparatus. A printing system to which a paper feeding unit of a second printing apparatus that performs printing using an agent and a transparent recording agent is connected, the first data printed using the colored recording agent, and the transparent recording agent Input means for inputting a first job composed of second data to be printed,
When the first printing apparatus is processing the second job different from the first job when printing the first job input by the input means, the first printing apparatus After the processing of the second job is completed, a sheet on which the first data is transferred and fixed using the colored recording agent is conveyed to a second printing apparatus, and the second sheet is fed. In the printing apparatus, the first printing method in which the second data is transferred and fixed again using the transparent recording agent, or only the second printing apparatus without waiting for the end of the processing of the second job. A second printing method for transferring and fixing the first data and the second data using the colored recording material and the transparent recording material, and selected by the selection means. Printing means for printing with a different printing method;
It is characterized by having.

  Print jobs are controlled using a printing system that connects a printing device that performs printing using a colored recording agent, a transparent recording agent that prints slower than the printing device, and a printing device that performs printing using a colored recording agent. It becomes possible to carry out efficiently.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printing system to which the present invention is applicable. It is the figure which showed the flow of the printing process in the printing system which can apply this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of determining a printer to be used in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method for determining a printer to be used for the clear toner job according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method for determining a printer to be used for a non-clear toner job according to a first exemplary embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of determining a printer to be used in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method for determining a printer to be used for a clear toner job according to a second exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method for determining a printer to be used for a non-clear toner job according to a second exemplary embodiment. It is a block diagram of the printing apparatus comprised by four photosensitive drums. It is a block diagram of the printing apparatus comprised by one photosensitive drum.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the embodiment, a special color recording material is used as the second recording material, and a system using clear toner for this recording material will be described. Further, for example, in addition to the clear toner, other transparent recording agents such as light toner, special color toner such as red and green, and transparent ink may be used.

  The clear toner is a transparent recording agent having a feature of adding a transparent image. In addition, when clear toner is used, it is possible to express a glossy feeling and glossiness different from printing performed using only colored toner.

  As an example of a printing apparatus, a multi-function multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as MFP) that realizes a plurality of functions such as copying, printer, and FAX will be described as an example. Any device can be used.

  The first embodiment will be described as one method for efficiently controlling print jobs in a system that performs printing using clear toner.

  This system includes a printing apparatus (ordinary printing apparatus) that performs printing using a colored recording agent, which is a first recording agent, as a first printing apparatus, and a clear toner and colored toner as a second printing apparatus in a subsequent stage. In this system, a printing apparatus (clear toner printing apparatus) that performs printing using a printer is combined.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system in this embodiment. The MFP 101 as the first printing apparatus and the MFP 121 as the second printing apparatus are connected via the network 120.

  The first MFP 101 performs printing using the first recording agent. The first MFP 101 can switch between a CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color recording agent (color toner) or K (monochrome toner) as a first recording agent.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the MFP 101 has a structure in which a printer 112 has four photosensitive drums and CMYK color developing machines, and CMYK color toner printing and K (monochrome toner) printing are the same. Or it can be performed at approximately the same speed.

  Similarly, the second MFP 121 performs printing using the second recording agent. The second MFP can be used by switching between clear toner, clear toner and CMYK color toner, clear toner and K (monochrome toner), CMYK color toner, and K (monochrome toner) as the second recording agent. Is possible. As shown in FIG. 10, the MFP 121 has a structure in which a printer 125 has a developing unit for each color of clear toner and CMYK in the printer 125, and the productivity varies depending on the number of colors to be added. When printing is performed only with clear toner or only with K (monochrome toner alone), printing is performed in one color, and productivity is the same as or almost the same as that of the MFP 101. When the clear toner and K (monochrome toner) are printed, the printing is two colors, and the productivity is about 1/2 that of the MFP 101. When the CMYK colored toner is printed, the printing is four colors, and the productivity is about ¼ that of the MFP 101. When the clear toner and the CMYK colored toner are printed, the printing is five colors, and the productivity is about 1/5 that of the MFP 101.

  Therefore, it can be said that the printing speed of the printer 125 having such a configuration is slower than the printing speed of the printer 112.

  The paper discharge unit 114 of the printer 112 in the first MFP 101 and the paper supply unit 126 of the printer 125 in the second MFP 121 are connected via a connection unit 136. Accordingly, the sheet discharged from the first MFP 101 can be automatically fed to the second MFP 121.

  The paper discharge unit 114 of the printer 112 in the first MFP 101 and the paper supply unit 142 of the finisher 109 are connected via a connection unit 141. Therefore, it is possible to output the paper discharged from the first MFP 101 without passing through the second MFP 121.

  If the sheets that have been printed by the first MFP 101 are stacked on the connection unit 136 in order after the printing is completed, the second MFP 121 feeds paper from a plurality of sheets stacked on the connection unit 136. The paper discharged at the bottom of the stacked paper must be removed. In this case, there is a risk that the paper feeding will not be successful, jamming may occur, and the printing order may not be consistent.

  Therefore, the connection unit 136 controls the timing of paper discharge and paper feed as follows. Printing by the printer 112 of the first MFP 101 is completed, and one sheet of paper printed with colored toner is discharged to the paper discharge unit 114 and conveyed to the connection unit 136 as it is. Then, before the printing by the printer 112 of the first MFP 101 is completed and the newly printed paper is discharged to the paper discharge unit 114, the second MFP 121 feeds the paper placed on the connection unit 136. To do. As a result, a plurality of sheets are not stacked on the connection unit 136. In this way, the sheet is conveyed from the first MFP 101 to the second MFP 121.

  The PC 138 is connected to the first MFP 101 via the network 137. The driver 139 in the PC 138 recognizes the first MFP 101 and the second MFP 121 as one printing system that uses CMYK colored toner and clear toner, and transmits print data. This print data includes data necessary for generating intermediate language data, which will be described later, and data indicating what kind of post-processing (finishing processing, etc.) is performed on the printed matter after printing these intermediate language data. Is included.

  Further, when printing with clear toner, the print data includes data instructing a clear toner printing method. The instruction content is any one of data for instructing “minimization of clear toner misregistration”, data for instructing “clear toner printing without restriction on applied amount”, and data for instructing “print with priority on speed”. is there. The user gives one of these instructions via the UI and designates the printing method.

  In the system shown in FIG. 1, printing using colored toners of CMYK and printing using clear toner can be executed with a single instruction.

  The clear toner image printed by the second MFP 121 can be printed on the entire surface of the paper. It is also possible to designate specific color data at the time of print processing or copy processing, and print with clear toner only on the designated portion, or print with clear toner only on a specific object.

  The first MFP 101 using CMYK colored toner will be described in detail. The network I / F 119 receives print data and transmits raster images and control data described later. The controller 102 includes a CPU 103 and an image processing unit 111. The interpreter 104 of the CPU 103 interprets the PDL portion of the received print data and generates intermediate language data (normal) 105. The soft renderer 107 generates a raster image (normal) 110 from the generated intermediate language data (normal) 105. In the case of a color print job, there is a CMYK image version of a raster image (normal) 110. In the case of a monochrome print job, there is only a K (monochrome toner) image version of a raster image (normal) 110. The image processing unit 111 performs image processing for printing on the raster image (normal) 110 and the image read by the scanner 116. The target image is an image to be printed by the printer 112. A printer 112 connected to the controller 102 is a printer that performs printing using CMYK colored toner on the fed paper according to output data from the controller 102. The printer 112 includes a paper feeding unit 113 that feeds paper used for printing and a paper discharge unit 114 that discharges paper on which output data is formed. As described above, the paper discharge unit 114 is connected to the paper feed unit 126 of the MFP 121 via the connection unit 136 and to the paper feed unit 142 via the connection unit 141. The CPU 103 controls which connection unit is used. The finisher 109 has functions such as sorting and stapling. The paper supplied from the paper supply unit 142 of the finisher 109 is subjected to processing designated by the user such as sorting and stapling, and then output using the paper output unit 143. There are a plurality of paper discharge trays from which the paper discharge unit 143 outputs paper, and it can be changed for each job. The display device 115 displays a UI indicating an instruction to the user and the state of the first MFP 101. The scanner 116 is a scanner including an auto document feeder. The scanner 116 irradiates a plurality of or one original image with a light source (not shown), forms an original reflection image on a solid-state image sensor such as a CCD sensor with a lens, and outputs a raster-like image reading signal from the solid-state image sensor. Get as data. The input device 117 is an interface for receiving input from the user. The storage device 118 stores data processed by the controller 102. When the MFP 121 performs CMYK colored color printing or K (monochrome toner) printing, the first MFP 101 transmits a raster image (normal) 110 to the second MFP 121 via the network 120.

  When the print data includes an instruction to print using clear toner, the interpreter 104 generates intermediate language data (clear) 106 in addition to the intermediate language data (normal) 105. As an example of the data format of the intermediate language data, a “named profile” used for instructing printing using clear toner for a specified portion is used. Processing using this data format will be described. When a specific character string is associated with an input color using an application, a named profile corresponding to the character string is selected. Therefore, when a specific character string is made to correspond to the clear toner in the driver 139 of the PC 138, the corresponding named profile is selected, and the clear toner can be instructed to the portion where printing using the clear toner is desired. It becomes. The interpreter 104 creates intermediate language data (clear) 106 by extracting only the part designated to be cleared and creating a layer. The soft renderer 107 converts the intermediate language data (clear) 106 into a raster image (clear) 108. The first MFP 101 transmits the raster image (clear) 108 generated as described above to the second MFP 121 via the network 120. Although a named profile has been cited as a method for instructing a portion where printing using clear toner is desired, any raster image 108 (clear) instructing printing using clear toner can be generated. Good.

  In addition, the first MFP 101 transmits control data 140 to the second MFP 121 via the network 120. Here, the control data 140 is information such as the number of sheets set by the user via the driver 139, the paper size, the media type, the finisher setting, and the clear toner setting.

  Next, the second MFP 121 using clear toner will be described in detail. The network I / F 135 is connected to the network I / F 119 via the network 120, and transmits and receives data between the first MFP 101 and the second MFP 121. The controller 122 includes a CPU 123 and an image processing unit 124. A printer 125 connected to the controller 122 is a printer capable of printing on paper using clear toner and CMYK colored toner. The printer 125 includes a paper feeding unit 126 that feeds paper and a paper discharge unit 127 that discharges paper on which output data is formed. The paper feeding unit 126 feeds paper used for printing. The paper feed unit 126 is connected to the paper discharge unit 114 of the first MFP 101 via the connection unit 136, and can automatically feed the paper discharged from the first MFP 101. . This paper feeding method has been described above. The finisher 128 has functions such as sorting and stapling. The paper discharge unit 127 of the printer 125 and the paper supply unit 129 of the finisher 128 are connected, and after performing processing designated by the user such as sorting and stapling, the output is performed using the paper discharge unit 130. There are a plurality of paper discharge trays from which the paper discharge unit 130 outputs paper, and it can be changed for each job. Since the display device 131, the scanner 132, the input device 133, and the storage device 134 are the same as those in the first MFP 101, description thereof is omitted.

  The second MFP 121 receives from the first MFP 101 one or both of the raster image (clear) 108 and the raster image (normal) 110 and control data 140 associated therewith. The image processing unit 124 performs processing on one or both of the raster image (clear) 108 and the raster image (normal) 110, and controls the printer 125 and the finisher 128 using the control data 140. .

  In the data flow described above, either or both of the raster image (clear) 108 and the raster image (normal) 110 are transmitted from the controller of the first MFP 101 to the controller of the second MFP 121. This is because the intermediate language data is rendered in the first MFP 101. If there is a renderer in the controller of the second MFP 121, intermediate language data is transmitted from the first MFP 101 to the second MFP 121, and the raster image (clear) 108 and the raster image (normal) 110 are transmitted by the second MFP 121. Either or both may be generated. In this case, intermediate language data to be sent to the second MFP 121 is not rendered in the first MFP 101.

  In the following description, clear data is rendered in the MFP 101. A flow when print processing is executed from the PC 138 using the driver 139 in the system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  A program relating to the processing from step S201 to step S209, step S213 to step S218, and step S223 is stored in the storage device 118 of the first MFP 101, and is called by the RAM (not shown) and executed by the CPU 103. A program relating to the processing from step S210 to step S212 is stored in the storage device 134 of the second MFP 121, and is called by a RAM (not shown) and executed by the CPU 123. The same applies to steps S219 to S222 and steps S224 to S226.

  First, in step S201, the controller 102 acquires print data sent from the PC 138. As described above, for example, when sending print data, the PC 138 associates a portion of the print data desired to be printed with clear toner with the named profile, thereby instructing printing with a clear toner for a specific color or object. Is possible.

  Further, as described above, when printing is performed using clear toner, the print data includes data indicating a clear toner printing method. The content of the instruction is any one of data for instructing “minimization of clear toner misregistration”, data for instructing “clear toner printing without restriction on the applied amount”, and data for instructing “print with priority on speed”. .

  Next, the CPU 103 refers to a named profile or the like in the print data, and determines whether or not it is data for which printing is instructed by the clear toner (hereinafter referred to as a clear job) in step S202.

  If it is not a clear job, the interpreter 104 creates intermediate language data (normal) 105 in step S203. In step S204, the soft renderer 107 performs rendering to create a raster image (normal) 110. In step S205, the CPU 103 determines whether to use the printer 112 for printing the job. For the determination, the use status of the printer 112 and the printer 125 based on the type of job and the preceding print job is used. Details of step S205 will be described later. If it is determined that the printer 112 is to be used, the image processing unit 111 executes image processing in step S206. In step S207, the printer 112 outputs data obtained by performing image processing on the raster image (normal) 110 using CMYK colored toner or K (monochrome toner). Finally, in step S208, the sheet discharged by the printer 112 is fed to the finisher 109. Then, the finisher 109 performs processing such as sorting in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 103 and outputs a sheet. Further, according to an instruction from the CPU 103, a paper discharge tray to be output is selected for each job. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S205 that the printer 112 is not used, the process proceeds to step S209. In step S209, the CPU 103 transmits the control data 140 and the raster image (normal) 110 to the controller 122 of the second MFP 121 via the network I / F 119. In step S <b> 210, the image processing unit 124 of the second MFP 121 executes image processing on the raster image (normal) 110 based on the control data 140. In step S211, the printer 125 outputs data obtained by performing image processing on the raster image (normal) 110 using CMYK colored toner or K (monochrome toner). Finally, in step S212, the sheet discharged by the printer 125 is fed to the finisher 128. Then, in accordance with the instruction of the CPU 123 based on the control data 140, the finisher 128 performs processing such as sorting and outputs paper. Further, according to an instruction from the CPU 123, a paper discharge tray to be output is selected for each job.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S202 that the clear data including the print instruction using the clear toner is included in the print data, the process proceeds to step S213. Therefore, the interpreter 104 generates intermediate language data (normal) 105 and intermediate language data (clear) 106. In step S214, the soft renderer 107 renders the intermediate language data (normal) 105 to generate a raster image (normal) 110 that is the first print data. The soft renderer 107 renders the intermediate language data (clear) 106 to generate a raster image (clear) 108 as second print data. In step S215, the CPU 103 determines whether to use the printer 112 for printing the job. This determination process is the same as the determination process in step S205, and details will be described later. If it is determined that the printer 112 is to be used, in step S216, the CPU 103 transmits the control data 140 and the raster image (clear) 108 to the controller 122 of the second MFP 121 via the network I / F 119. Next, in step S217, the image processing unit 111 performs image processing on the raster image (normal) 110. In step S218, the printer 112 outputs data obtained by performing image processing on the raster image (normal) 110 using CMYK colored toner or K (monochrome toner). In step S 219, the second MFP 121 refers to the control data 140 and feeds the discharged CMYK color toner or K (monochrome toner) printed paper via the connection unit 136. . In step S <b> 220, the image processing unit 124 performs image processing for clear printing on the raster image (clear) 108 based on the control data 140. In step S221, the printer 125 prints a raster image (clear) on the fed paper using clear toner. Finally, in step S222, the sheet discharged by the printer 125 is fed to the finisher 128. Then, in accordance with the instruction of the CPU 123 based on the control data 140, the finisher 128 performs processing such as sorting and outputs paper. Further, according to an instruction from the CPU 123, a paper discharge tray to be output is selected for each job. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S215 that the printer 112 is not used, the process proceeds to step S223. In step S <b> 223, the CPU 103 transmits the control data 140, the raster image (normal) 110, and the raster image (clear) to the controller 122 of the second MFP 121 via the network I / F 119. In step S224, based on the control data 140, the image processing unit 124 of the second MFP 121 executes image processing on the raster image (normal) 110 and the raster image (clear) 108. In step S225, the printer 125 outputs data obtained by performing image processing on the raster image (normal) 110 and the raster image (clear) 108 using CMYK colored toner or K (monochrome toner) and clear toner. . Finally, in step S226, the paper discharged by the printer 125 is fed to the finisher 128. Then, in accordance with the instruction of the CPU 123 based on the control data 140, the finisher 128 performs processing such as sorting and outputs paper. Further, according to an instruction from the CPU 123, a paper discharge tray to be output is selected for each job.

  As described above, various jobs can be printed by efficiently using the printing capabilities of the first MFP 101 and the second MFP 121.

  When the intermediate language data (normal) 105 or the intermediate language data (clear) 106 is transmitted to the second MFP 121, steps S 204 and S 214 are executed by the controller 122 of the second MFP 121.

  Next, details of the determination processing in step S205 and step S215 in the flow of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S301, the CPU 103 determines whether or not the job is a clear job in which printing is instructed by the clear toner with reference to a named profile or the like in the print data.

  If it is determined that the job is a clear job, in step S302, the CPU 103 determines whether the clear job is a clear job in which misregistration should be considered. The determination is performed using data specifying the clear toner printing method included in the print data. If data specifying “minimization of clear toner misregistration” is included, misregistration is considered. It is determined that the job is a job. In the case of a job in which misregistration is to be considered, misregistration can be suppressed by printing both the raster image (normal) 110 and the raster image (clear) 108 using only the printer 125. Therefore, if it is determined that the job is to take account of misregistration, the CPU 103 sets the job to be processed as a job that does not use the printer 112 in step S307. If it is determined that the job need not consider misregistration, the process proceeds to step S303. In step S <b> 303, the CPU 103 determines whether the clear job is a job to be printed with no application amount limitation. Judgment is performed using data specifying the clear toner printing method included in the print data. If data specifying "clear toner printing without application amount restriction" is included, there is no application amount restriction. It is determined that the job is to be printed. If the job is to be printed with no restriction on the applied amount, the raster image (normal) 110 is printed by the printer 112, and the raster image (clear) 108 is printed by the printer 125. It is possible to print without any restrictions. Therefore, when it is determined that the job is to be printed without restriction on the applied amount, the CPU 103 sets the processing target job as a job using the printer 112 in step S306. If it is determined that the job does not need to be printed with no limit on the applied amount, the process proceeds to step S304.

  In step S304, the CPU 103 compares whether the print end time when printing is performed using both the printer 112 and the printer 125 is earlier than the print end time when printing is performed using only the printer 125. judge. If there is no pre-printed job, K (monochrome toner) and clear toner are printed using the printer 112 and the printer 125 compared to printing using the printer 125 alone. The printing is completed in about half the time. If there is no job printed in advance, a job that prints CMYK colored toner and clear toner is approximately 1/2 when the printer 112 and the printer 125 are used, compared to printing using the printer 125 alone. Printing is completed in time 5. In these cases, the print end time is earlier when the printer 112 and the printer 125 are used. Further, in order to perform clear toner printing, the use of the printer 125 is indispensable. If the most recent preceding job occupies the printer 125, printing is performed after the job ends and the preceding job does not exist, so there is no preceding job. The same judgment is acceptable. In the following, “the printer A (only) is occupied” means that only the printer A processes the job and the printer B connected to the printer A does not process the job.

  A case where only the printer 112 is occupied by the latest preceding job will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, the job to be processed is referred to as a first job, and the immediately preceding preceding job is referred to as a second job. The first job is composed of first data and second data. The first data is data that is printed using colored toner, and the second data is printed using clear toner. This is the data to perform.

  The estimated time for printing the processing target job using both the printer 112 and the printer 125 is A seconds. The estimated time for printing the job to be processed using only the printer 125 is B seconds. As described above, the time relationship between A and B varies depending on whether the job to be processed is a job that prints K (monochrome toner) and clear toner or a job that prints CMYK colored toner and clear toner. . The estimated time when the printer 112 is occupied by the latest job and the printer 125 is not occupied is C seconds. In this case, the estimated time from the start of printer occupation by the most recent print job to the end of printing of the processing target job using both the printer 112 and the printer 125 is A + C. That is, when printing is performed using both the printers 112 and 125 after waiting for the end of the most recent job, the processing time is A + C.

  On the other hand, the estimated time from the start of occupation of the printer by the most recent print job to the end of printing of the processing target job using only the printer 125 is B. That is, when printing is performed using only the printer 125 without waiting until the most recent job is completed, the processing time is B.

  FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the case of B <A + C. FIG. 4A shows the time taken when both the printer 112 and the printer 125 are used for printing. FIG. 4B shows the time required for printing using only the printer 125. As is apparent from these drawings, when B <A + C, the printing end time is earlier when printing is performed by the printer 125 than when both the printer 112 and the printer 125 are used for printing.

  FIGS. 4C and 4D illustrate the case of B> A + C. FIG. 4C shows the time taken when both the printer 112 and the printer 125 are used for printing. FIG. 4D shows the time required for printing using only the printer 125. As is clear from these figures, when B> A + C, the printing end time is earlier when printing is performed by both the printer 112 and the printer 125 than when only the printer 125 is used for printing.

  As shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, when it is determined that the print end time is faster when printing is performed using both the printer 112 and the printer 125 than when only the printer 125 is used. In step S306, the process proceeds to step S306.

  The CPU 103 sets the job to be processed as a job using the printer 112.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, if it is not determined that the processing time is faster when both printers are used, the process proceeds to step S307. The CPU 103 sets the job to be processed as a job that does not use the printer 112.

  On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S301 that the job is a clear job, the process proceeds to step S305. In step S305, the CPU 103 compares and determines whether the print end time when printing using only the printer 112 is earlier than the print end time when printing using only the printer 125 is performed. If there is no job printed in advance, the printing time of a job for printing K (monochrome toner) is almost the same regardless of whether printing is performed by the printer 112 or the printer 125. In such a case, based on a preset value preset in the system, it is determined whether or not it is determined that “printing by the printer 112 has a shorter print end time”. If there is no job that has been printed in advance, a job that prints CMYK colored toner takes about ¼ time when the printer 112 is used compared to when the printer 125 prints. Printing ends. In these cases, the print end time is earlier when the printer 112 is used. If the most recent preceding job occupies both the printer 112 and the printer 125, the job ends and the printing starts after there is no preceding job. The determination is the same as when there is no job. When the printer 125 is occupied, the printing speed of the printer 112 is equal to or higher than that of the printer 125. Therefore, the printing end time is faster when printing is performed using the printer 112.

  A case where only the printer 112 is occupied by the latest preceding job will be described with reference to FIG. The estimated time for printing the processing target job using the printer 112 is A seconds. The estimated time for printing the processing target job using the printer 125 is B seconds. As described above, the time relationship between A and B varies depending on whether the job is for printing K (monochrome toner) or CMYK colored toner. The estimated time when the printer 112 is occupied by the latest job and the printer 125 is not occupied is C seconds.

  In this case, the time required to print using the same printer after finishing the printing by the most recent print job, that is, the printing of the processing target job using only the printer 112 from the start of the printer occupation by the most recent print job. The expected time until the end of is A + C.

  On the other hand, if a processing target job is processed using the printer 125 without waiting for the end of printing by the most recent print job, from the start of printer occupation by the most recent print job to the end of printing of the processing target job using the printer 125. The expected time is B.

  FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the case of B <A + C. FIG. 5A shows a case where a print target job is printed using the printer 112 after waiting for the end of the most recent print job. FIG. 5B shows a case where a print target job is printed using the printer 125. As is clear from these figures, when the processing time is B <A + C, the printing end time is earlier when printing is performed by the printer 125 than when the printer 112 is used for printing.

  On the other hand, (c) and (d) of FIG. 5 illustrate the case of B> A + C. FIG. 5C shows a case where a print target job is printed using the printer 112 after waiting for the end of the most recent print job. FIG. 5D shows a case where a print target job is printed using the printer 125. As is apparent from these drawings, when B> A + C, it is better to wait for the end of the most recent print job and print the print target job with the printer 112 than to use the printer 125 for printing. The print end time is early.

  Therefore, if it is determined that the print end time when printing is performed using the printer 112 is earlier than the print end time when printing is performed using only the printer 125, the process proceeds to step S306. Here, the CPU 103 sets the processing target job as a job that also uses the printer 112.

  Therefore, the processing target job selected to proceed to S306 is transferred and fixed by using the color recording agent in the printer 112 as the first printing apparatus. Then, the fixed sheet is conveyed to the printer 125 as the second printing apparatus, and is transferred onto the conveyed sheet using a transparent recording agent and fixed again.

  If it is not determined that printing using the printer 112 is early, the process proceeds to step S307. Here, the CPU 103 sets the processing target job as a job that does not use the printer 112.

  Therefore, the processing target job selected to proceed to S307 does not use the printer 112 as the first printing apparatus, but uses the color recording agent and the transparent recording agent with the printer 125 as the second printing apparatus. The image is transferred onto and fixed.

  In this case, paper used for printing is fed from a paper feed stage unique to the printer 125.

  The above is the details of step S205 and step S215, and it is determined whether to use the printer 112 based on the characteristics of the clear toner job, the difference in productivity between the two printers, and the difference in printable toner type. It becomes possible to do.

  According to this embodiment, efficient job control is performed in a system in which a first printing apparatus using CMYK colored toner and a second printing apparatus using special color toner such as CMYK colored toner and clear toner are connected. Can do. That is, the print job can be efficiently printed according to the occupation state of the printing press by the latest print job. Further, it is possible to perform job control in consideration of the plate misregistration and the amount of loading unique to the clear toner job.

  Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described below.

  In the first embodiment, a printing apparatus that performs printing is selected in consideration of only the occupation state of the printing apparatus by the latest preceding print job. In this embodiment, a printing apparatus that performs printing is selected in consideration of the occupation status of the printing apparatus by a plurality of preceding print jobs. The target print job is divided and printed according to the status of the preceding job. At that time, the printed material (paper) corresponding to the divided job is discharged to the same paper discharge tray, and the printed material (paper) corresponding to the other job is printed on the printed material corresponding to the divided job. Do not output in between.

  In the system of the present embodiment, the flow when executing print processing from the PC 138 using the driver 139 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, details of the determination processing in step S205 and step S215 in the flow of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S601, the CPU 103 refers to a named profile or the like in the print data and determines whether the job is a clear job for which printing is instructed by clear toner.

  If it is determined that the job is a clear job, in step S602, the CPU 103 determines whether the clear job is a clear job in which misregistration should be considered. The determination method is the same as in step S302. Therefore, if it is determined that the job should take account of misregistration, the CPU 103 sets the job to be processed as a job that does not use the printer 112 in step S607. If it is determined that the job need not consider misregistration, the process proceeds to step S604. In step S <b> 604, the CPU 103 determines whether the clear job is a job to be printed with no application amount limitation. The determination method is the same as in step S304. If it is determined that the job is to be printed with no application amount limitation, in step S <b> 606, the CPU 103 sets the processing target job as a job using the printer 112. If it is determined that the job does not need to be printed without the application amount limitation, the process proceeds to step S604.

  In step S604, the CPU 103 determines whether the print end time when printing using both the printer 112 and the printer 125 is earlier than the print end time when printing using only the printer 125 is performed. . If there is no job printed in advance, a job for printing K (monochrome toner) and clear toner is about 1 when the printer 112 and the printer 125 are used, compared to printing with the printer 125 alone. Printing ends in the time of / 2. If there is no job printed in advance, a job that prints CMYK colored toner and clear toner is approximately 1/2 when the printer 112 and the printer 125 are used, compared to printing using the printer 125 alone. Printing is completed in time 5. In these cases, the print end time is earlier when the printer 112 and the printer 125 are used.

  Next, consider a case where both or either of the printer 112 and the printer 125 are occupied by the preceding job group. The estimated time for printing the job to be processed using both the printer 112 and the printer 125 is A seconds. The estimated time for printing the job to be processed using only the printer 125 is B seconds. As described above, the time relationship between A and B varies depending on whether the job is for printing K (monochrome toner) and clear toner, or the job for printing CMYK colored toner and clear toner. The estimated time that the printer 112 and the printer 125 are occupied by the preceding job group is D seconds.

  The estimated time when only the printer 112 is occupied by the preceding job group and the printer 125 is not occupied (the time when the printer 112 performs processing and the printer 125 does not perform any processing) is E seconds.

  On the contrary, the preceding job group occupies only the printer 125 and the estimated time when the printer 112 is not occupied (the time when the printer 125 is processing and the printer 112 is not performing any processing) is F seconds. And

  Let X be a job group that uses only the printer 112, and let m be the total print time required to print the job group. A job group that uses only the printer 125 is Y, and a total printing time required to print the job group is n. Job group X and job group Y can be processed simultaneously. When m> n, the time taken to process the job group X using only the printer 112 is longer than the time required to process the job group Y using only the printer 125, so only the printer 125 is used. The time to do is gone. If m <n, the time for processing the job group Y that uses only the printer 125 is longer than the time for processing the job group X that uses only the printer 112, so only the printer 112 is used. Time runs out.

  That is, when m> n, E = mn and F = 0 (can be expressed as F = 0 because there is no working time only for the printer 125). In the case of m <n, F = n−m and E = 0 (there is no time for the printer 112 to operate, so it can be expressed as F = 0).

  In order to perform clear toner printing, the use of the printer 125 is indispensable. When E = 0, in which only the printer 125 is processed, all jobs are finished and there is no preceding job. After that, printing will be performed. Therefore, the determination is the same as when there is no preceding job.

  A case of E ≠ 0 (a situation where only the printer 112 does not have time to work expressed by F = 0) will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 7, there are cases where the respective predicted times are divided. For example, the predicted time E in FIG. 7A is generated by two preceding jobs, and E = E1 + E2.
The other divided prediction times are expressed in the same manner.

  The estimated time from the start of printer occupation by the preceding print job to the end of printing of the processing target job using both the printer 112 and the printer 125 is E + D + A.

  On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 7B, the estimated time from the start of printer occupation by the preceding print job to the end of printing of the processing target job using only the printer 125 is B + D. If the processing target job is processed within the time E when the preceding job 1 is processed by the printer 112, the estimated time B + D becomes B.

  In this case, the relationship between the prediction times is B <E, the relationship between the processing times is B + D <E + D + A, and B <E + D + A, so the direction of the code does not change. Therefore, a change in which the expected time until the end of printing of the processing target job using only the printer 125 is B is not considered.

  FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the case of B + D <E + D + A. FIG. 7A shows a case where both the printer 112 and the printer 125 are used for printing for a processing target job. FIG. 7B shows a case in which the job to be processed is printed using only the printer 125. As can be seen from these figures, when B + D <E + D + A, the print end time is longer when the processing target job is divided and printed by the printer 125 than when both the printer 112 and the printer 125 are used for printing. Is early.

  FIGS. 7C and 7D show the case of B + D> E + D + A. FIG. 7C shows a case where both the printer 112 and the printer 125 are used for printing for a job to be processed. FIG. 7D shows a case in which the job to be processed is printed using only the printer 125. As is clear from these figures, when B + D> E + D + A, the printing end time is longer when printing is performed by both the printer 112 and the printer 125 than when only the printer 125 is used for printing for the job to be processed. Is early.

  If it is determined that the print end time is faster for both the printer 112 and the printer 125 than the printer 125 is used for the processing target job, the process proceeds to step S606. In step S606, the CPU 103 sets the job to be processed as a job using the printer 112.

  If it is not determined that the print end time is shorter when both the printer 112 and the printer 125 are used than when only the printer 125 is used for the processing target job, the process proceeds to step S607. In step S <b> 607, the CPU 103 sets the processing target job as a job that does not use the printer 112.

  On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S601 that the job is a clear job, the process proceeds to step S605. In step S <b> 605, the CPU 103 determines whether the print end time when printing is performed using only the printer 112 is earlier than the print end time when printing is performed using only the printer 125. If there is no job printed in advance, the printing time of a job for printing K (monochrome toner) is almost the same regardless of whether printing is performed by the printer 112 or the printer 125. In such a case, based on a preset value preset in the system, it is determined whether or not it is determined that “printing by the printer 112 has a faster print end time”. If there is no job that has been printed in advance, a job that prints CMYK colored toner takes about ¼ time when the printer 112 is used compared to when the printer 125 prints. Printing ends. In these cases, the print end time is earlier when the printer 112 is used.

  Next, consider a case where either or both of the printer 112 and the printer 125 are occupied by the preceding job group. The estimated time for printing the processing target job using the printer 112 is A seconds. The estimated time for printing the processing target job using the printer 125 is B seconds. As described above, the time relationship between A and B varies depending on whether the job is for printing K (monochrome toner) or CMYK colored toner. The definitions of the predicted times E, D, and F are the same as in step S604.

  When E = 0 and F = 0, printing is performed after all jobs are completed, so the same determination as when there is no preceding job is made. When F ≠ 0 (that is, E = 0), the printing speed of the printer 112 is equal to or higher than that of the printer 125. Therefore, the printing end time is faster when printing is performed using the printer 112 having a free time.

  A case where E ≠ 0 (that is, F = 0) will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 8, the predicted time B in FIG. 8B is caused by two jobs. The predicted time B is indicated by B = B1 + B2. On the other hand, in the case of FIG. 8A, from the time when the printer 112 starts to be occupied by the preceding print job, the preceding print job ends and the processing of the processing target job is completed at the same printer 112 as it is. The expected time is E + D + A.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, the estimated time from when the printer 112 starts to be occupied by the preceding print job until the printing of the processing target job itself using the printer 125 is B and Become.

  In such a case, the relationship between the prediction times is indicated by B <E. This is because the job to be processed is processed in the printer 125 in B time before the preceding job 1 is processed in the printer 112 in E time. At this time, the relationship of the time required for the processing is B + D <E + D + A and B <E + D + A, so the direction of the sign does not change.

  Therefore, when the printer 125 is used, the case where the time required for processing the printing of the processing target job is B and the case where it is E are similarly handled.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the case of B + D <E + D + A. FIG. 8A shows a case where the printer 112 is used for printing for a job to be processed. FIG. 8B shows a case where the printer 125 is used for printing for a job to be processed.

  As is clear from these figures, when B + D <E + D + A, the printing end time is faster for the processing target job when printing is performed by the printer 125 than when the printer 112 is used for printing. FIGS. 8C and 8D show a case where B + D> E + D + A. FIG. 8C shows a case where the printer 112 is used for printing for a job to be processed. FIG. 8D shows a case where a job to be processed is printed using the printer 125.

  As is clear from these figures, when B + D> E + D + A, the printing end time is earlier for the processing target job when printing is performed by the printer 112 than when the printer 125 is used for printing.

  As described above, when it is determined that the print end time when the printer 112 is used for the processing target job is earlier than the print end time when the printer 125 is used, the process proceeds to step S606. In step S <b> 606, the CPU 103 sets the processing target job as a job using the printer 112.

  If it is not determined that the print end time when the printer 112 is used for the processing target job is earlier than the print end time when the printer 125 is used, the process advances to step S607. In step S607, the CPU 103 sets the processing target job as a job that does not use the printer 112.

  The job to be processed that is a job that uses the printer 112 in step S606 proceeds to step S608, and is divided into jobs as necessary.

  When the processing target job is not a clear toner job and the predicted time F in step S605 is divided by the predicted time D, the processing target job is divided according to the divided time of the predicted time F. For example, assume that the predicted time F is composed of F1 and F2 (where F1 is processed first), and the predicted print time A of the processing target job is A> F1 and A <F1 + F2. In this case, the processing target job is divided into a job related to F1 and a job related to A-F1. This is illustrated in FIG. 8D, in which the processing target job A shown in FIG. 7C is divided. At the time of division, the CPU 103 causes the printed matter (paper) corresponding to the processing target job that has been divided and processed to be discharged to the same discharge tray after being discharged. Then, the job control information generated from the print data is corrected so that the printed material (paper) corresponding to another job is not discharged between the printed materials corresponding to the divided jobs. When the paper discharge destination is the paper discharge unit 130, the control data 140 is corrected. If the job to be processed is a clear toner job, printing cannot be performed in parallel with the preceding job, so job division is not performed.

  The processing target job determined as a job that does not use the printer 112 in step S607 proceeds to step S609 and is divided into jobs as necessary.

  When the predicted time E of step S604 or S605 of the processing target job is divided by the predicted time D, the processing target job is divided according to the divided time of the predicted time E. For example, it is assumed that the predicted time E is composed of E1 and E2 (where E1 is processed first), and the predicted print time B of the processing target job is B> E1 and B <E1 + E2. In this case, the processing target job is divided into a job related to E1 for processing and a job related to B-E1 for processing. This is illustrated in FIG. 7B, in which the processing target job A shown in FIG. 7A is divided. The relationship between the prediction times is E1 = B1 and B−E1 = B2. At the time of division, the CPU 103 causes the printed matter (paper) corresponding to the divided job to be discharged to the same paper discharge tray after paper discharge. Then, the job control information generated from the print data is corrected so that the printed material (paper) corresponding to another job is not discharged between the printed materials corresponding to the divided jobs. When the paper discharge destination is the paper discharge unit 130, the control data 140 is corrected.

  The above is the details of step S205 and step S215, and it is determined whether to use the printer 112 based on the characteristics of the clear toner job, the difference in productivity between the two printers, and the difference in printable toner type. It becomes possible to do. In addition, job division is also performed to optimally process the processing target job.

  According to this embodiment, efficient job control is performed in a system in which a first printing apparatus using CMYK colored toner and a second printing apparatus using special color toner such as CMYK colored toner and clear toner are connected. Can do. That is, the print job can be efficiently printed according to the occupation state of the printing press by the preceding print job group. Further, it is possible to perform job control in consideration of the plate misregistration and the amount of loading unique to the clear toner job.

(Other examples)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (11)

The second printing that performs printing using the colored recording agent and the transparent recording agent, and the discharge speed of the first printing device that performs printing using the colored recording agent and the printing speed is slower than that of the first printing device. In a printing system to which the paper feeder of the device is connected,
Input means for inputting a first job composed of first data printed using the colored recording agent and second data printed using the transparent recording agent;
When printing the first job input by the input unit, the first printing apparatus is processing a second job different from the first job,
After the processing of the second job is completed in the first printing apparatus, the sheet on which the first data is transferred and fixed using the colored recording agent is conveyed to the second printing apparatus, A first printing method in which the second data is transferred by using the transparent recording agent and fixed again in the second printing apparatus that feeds the paper;
The first data and the second data are transferred and fixed by using only the second printing apparatus and the colored recording material and the transparent recording material without waiting for the end of the processing of the second job. Selecting means for selecting one of the two printing methods;
Printing means for printing by the printing method selected by the selection means;
A printing system comprising:   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the first printing apparatus includes a plurality of photosensitive drums, and the second printing apparatus includes one photosensitive drum.   The selection means compares the processing time required for printing the first data input by the input means with the first printing device with the processing time required for printing with the second printing device. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising a comparison unit.   The selection means is a job in which the job input by the input means is not data that should not take into account misregistration between the first data and the second data, and limits the amount of the transparent recording material applied during printing. The printing system according to claim 3, wherein the comparison is performed by the comparison unit when the job is not considered. Dividing means for dividing the first job input by the input means;
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the job divided by the dividing unit is printed using both or one of the first printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus. The second printing that performs printing using the colored recording agent and the transparent recording agent, and the discharge speed of the first printing device that performs printing using the colored recording agent and the printing speed is slower than that of the first printing device. In a control method of a printing system to which a paper feeding unit of an apparatus is connected,
An input step of inputting a first job composed of first data printed using the colored recording agent and second data printed using the transparent recording agent;
When printing the first job input in the input step, the first printing apparatus is processing a second job different from the first job;
After the processing of the second job is completed by the first printing apparatus,
A sheet on which the first data is transferred and fixed using the colored recording agent is conveyed to a second printing apparatus, and the second printing apparatus fed the sheet uses the transparent recording agent to perform the first printing. The first printing method in which the data of 2 is transferred and fixed again;
The first data and the second data are transferred and fixed by using only the second printing apparatus and the colored recording material and the transparent recording material without waiting for the end of the processing of the second job. A selection step for selecting one of the two printing methods;
A printing step for printing with the printing method selected in the selection step;
A control method for a printing system, comprising:   The method of controlling a printing system according to claim 6, wherein the first printing apparatus includes a plurality of photosensitive drums, and the second printing apparatus includes a single photosensitive drum.   In the selection step, the processing time required for printing the first data input in the input step by the first printing device is compared with the processing time required for printing by the second printing device. The method according to claim 6, further comprising a comparison step.   The selection step is a job in which the job input in the input step is not data that should take into account the misregistration between the first data and the second data, and the amount of application of the transparent recording material is limited during printing. The printing system control method according to claim 8, wherein when the job is not considered, the comparison in the comparison step is performed. A dividing step of dividing the first job input in the input step;
The printing system control method according to claim 6, wherein the job divided in the dividing step is printed using both or one of the first printing apparatus and the second printing apparatus.   A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 6.

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