JP2012213870A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sort a sheet to be discharged, without depending on a mechanism changing the discharge position of the sheet.SOLUTION: The sheet 11 is discharged onto a tray 15 which is determined that a set value is different between a print job executed just before (a final job in which the sheet 11 is finally discharged onto the tray 15) and a target job, so that a user can recognize the sheet 11 after being printed based on the difference of the set value between both print jobs. Accordingly, the sheet 11 in each print job can be sorted without depending on the mechanism, etc. changing the discharge position of the sheet 11.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for sorting discharged sheets in a printing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing apparatus, when discharging printed sheets onto a tray, a technique for sorting discharged sheets by shifting the sheet discharge position for each job is known.

JP-A-3-205260

  However, in the above technique, a mechanism for changing the sheet discharge position is required, which increases the size and cost of the apparatus.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for sorting discharged sheets without using a mechanism for changing the discharge position of the sheets.

  A printing apparatus disclosed in this specification includes an acquisition unit that acquires a print job, and sets the print job acquired by the acquisition unit as a target job according to the setting value related to the print condition associated with the target job. Whether the setting value is different between the target job and a job execution unit to print, a stacking unit on which discharged sheets are stacked, and a final job that is a print job in which the sheets are finally discharged onto the stacking unit. A determination unit configured to determine; and a discharge unit configured to discharge the printed sheet of the target job to the stacking unit determined to have a different setting value by the determination unit.

  The printing apparatus includes a plurality of the stacking units, and the determination unit selects one stacking unit having a different setting value between the final job and the target job from the plurality of stacking units, The discharge unit may discharge the printed sheet of the target job to the stacking unit selected by the determination unit.

  In the printing apparatus, the printing condition includes setting values of a plurality of setting items, and the determination unit includes the plurality of settings between the final job and the target job among the plurality of stacking units. A configuration may be used in which stacking units having different setting values of at least one setting item among the items are selected.

  In the printing apparatus, the priority order of the plurality of setting items is determined, and the determination unit determines the setting value of the setting item with the higher priority order among the plurality of setting items, It is determined whether there is a stacking unit having a setting value different from that of the target job, and when there is a different stacking unit, a determination process for selecting the stacking unit is performed. However, the determination processing may be performed for setting values of lower setting items.

  The printing apparatus may include a rank setting unit that determines the priority based on a user instruction.

  In the printing apparatus, when the determination unit includes a plurality of stacking units having different setting values between the final job and the target job, a stacking unit having the largest number of setting items having different setting values is selected. The structure to select may be sufficient.

  In the printing apparatus, when there is a stacking unit in which the setting values of a plurality of predetermined setting items of the final job match each other, the determination unit selects from among stacking units in which the setting values of the final job match each other. A configuration may be adopted in which a stacking unit having the set value different from that of the target job is selected.

  In the printing apparatus, the job execution unit is a print job acquired after the target job when there is no stacking unit having a different setting value between the final job and the target job. A print job in which a stacking unit having a different setting value exists between the print job and the final job is executed before the target job, and the discharge unit is a printed sheet of the previously executed print job. May be discharged to stacking units having different set values.

  The printing apparatus includes a detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a sheet on the stacking unit, and the job execution unit does not have a stacking unit having a different setting value between the final job and the target job, When there is no stacking unit on which the sheets are not stacked, the detection unit executes the target job after detecting that the sheet is removed from the stacking unit, and the discharging unit A configuration may be adopted in which the printed sheet of the target job is discharged to the stacking unit where it is detected that the toner is removed.

  The printing apparatus may be configured such that the setting item is at least one of the sheet size, the sheet type, the presence / absence of double-sided printing, color / monochrome, and aggregate printing.

  The present invention can be realized in various modes such as a printing apparatus, a printing method, a computer program for realizing the functions or methods of these apparatuses, and a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded.

  According to the present invention, since the sheet is ejected to the placement unit where the setting value is determined to be different between the final job in which the sheet is finally ejected by the placement unit and the target job, the user can print both print jobs. The printed sheets can be discriminated based on the difference between the setting values. Therefore, it is possible to sort sheets for each print job without using a mechanism for changing the sheet discharge position.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic internal configuration of a printing apparatus according to Embodiments 1 to 4. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of a printing apparatus according to first to fourth embodiments. Flowchart of job execution processing in the first embodiment Flowchart of job execution processing in the second embodiment Table showing examples of setting value information in the second and third embodiments Flowchart of job execution processing in the third embodiment 10 is a flowchart illustrating a part of job execution processing according to the fourth embodiment. Table showing an example of setting value information in the fourth embodiment Table showing an example of setting value information in the fourth embodiment Table showing an example of setting value information in the fourth embodiment

<Embodiment 1>
Next, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Internal configuration of printing device)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic internal configuration of the printing apparatus 10.
The printing apparatus 10 includes a plurality of supply trays 12 on which sheets 11 such as paper and OHP plastic sheets are stacked. The sheets 11 stacked on each supply tray 12 are sent to the printing unit 13 one by one. The printing unit 13 prints an image on the sheet 11 by, for example, an electrophotographic method.

  The printing apparatus 10 includes four trays 15 (an example of a stacking unit) on which printed sheets 11 can be stacked, which are a first tray 15A, a second tray 15B, a third tray 15C, and a fourth tray 15D. . In the following description, when the four trays are distinguished from each other, the suffix 15 is specified by adding suffixes A to D, and when generically referred to without distinction, the suffix 15 is added. Shall not. The sheet 11 on which an image has been printed by the printing unit 13 is transferred to any one of the four trays 15A to 15D by a discharge unit 18 having a roller 16 that conveys the sheet 11, a flipper 17 that switches the conveyance path, and the like. To be discharged.

(Electrical configuration of printing device)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 10.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 10 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, and an NVRAM (nonvolatile memory) 24. The ROM 22 stores a program for executing various operations of the printing apparatus 10 such as a job execution process described later, and the CPU 21 (an example of a job execution unit, a determination unit, and an order setting unit) reads the program read from the ROM 22. Control each part according to The RAM 23 is a volatile memory used as a work area for the CPU 21 and a print job storage area, and the NVRAM 24 is a nonvolatile memory for storing various setting values.

  Further, the printing apparatus 10 includes a network interface 26, a printing unit 13, a discharge unit 18, an operation unit 27, and a display unit 28. The network interface 26 (an example of an acquisition unit) is connected to a network line 30 such as a LAN, and communicates with the terminal device 35 and the like connected on the network line 30 to exchange print jobs. The operation unit 27 includes a plurality of buttons and accepts input of various instructions by the user. The display unit 28 includes a display, a lamp, and the like, and displays various messages and setting screens.

  Furthermore, the printing apparatus 10 detects the presence or absence of the sheets 11 stacked on the respective trays 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D, and outputs four detection signals according to the respective results (an example of a detection unit). ).

(Job execution processing)
Next, the operation of job execution processing for executing a print job will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of job execution processing.

  This job execution process is executed under the control of the CPU 21 while the printing apparatus 10 is powered on. When starting the job execution process, the CPU 21 first determines whether a print job is registered in the queue configured on the RAM 23 (S101). When the CPU 21 receives a print job transmitted from the terminal device 35 or the like via the network interface 26, the CPU 21 registers the print job in a queue. If no print job is registered in the queue (S101: NO), S101 is repeated and the process waits until a print job is registered.

  Further, when a print job is registered in the queue (S101: YES), the CPU 21 prints one of the earliest registered one or a plurality of print jobs registered in the queue as a processing target. A job (hereinafter referred to as a target job) is set (S102).

  Subsequently, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the sheet size set in the target job (an example of setting items related to printing conditions) is different from the sheet size set in the print job executed immediately before (S103). The sheet size is a setting item (“A4”, “B5”, etc.) that specifies the size of the sheet 11 to be used, and the value set in the terminal device 35 is transmitted to the printing apparatus 10 together with the print job.

  The NVRAM 24 of the printing apparatus 10 registers the size of the sheets 11 stacked on each supply tray 12, and when executing a print job, the sheets from the supply tray 12 on which the sheets 11 of the set sheet size are stacked are registered. 11 is sent out. Note that the print job executed immediately before is one of the last jobs that are the last print jobs for discharging the sheets to the trays 15 </ b> A to 15 </ b> D, and the setting value is stored in the NVRAM 24. . The NVRAM 24 further stores information for specifying the tray 15 on which the printed sheet 11 of the immediately preceding print job is discharged.

  When the sheet size of the target job is different from the previous print job (S103: YES), the CPU 21 uses the same tray 15 as the tray 15 from which the previous print job was discharged as the discharge destination of the printed sheet 11 of the target job. Is selected (S104). Further, when the sheet size of the target job is the same as that of the immediately preceding print job, or when the setting value of the immediately preceding print job is not stored (S103: NO), the type of the sheet 11 of the target job (related to the printing condition) It is determined whether an example of the setting item is different from the type of the sheet 11 of the immediately preceding print job (S105).

  The type of the sheet 11 is a setting item for designating the material of the sheet 11 to be used (plain paper, cardboard, OHP film, etc.) and the color of the sheet 11 to be used (white, blue, yellow, etc.). The value set in the apparatus 35 is transmitted to the printing apparatus 10 together with the print job. The NVRAM 24 of the printing apparatus 10 registers the types of sheets 11 stacked on each supply tray 12. When executing a print job, the sheets 11 from the supply tray 12 on which the set types of sheets 11 are stacked are registered. Is sent out.

  When the type of the sheet 11 of the target job is different from the type of the sheet 11 of the previous print job (S105: YES), the CPU 21 proceeds to S104 and prints the previous print as the discharge destination of the printed sheet 11 of the target job. The same tray 15 as the tray 15 from which the job is discharged is selected.

After selecting the discharge destination tray 15 in S104, the CPU 21 executes the target job (S106). Here, after the printing unit 13 prints an image based on the target job on the sheet 11, the target job is deleted from the queue. Then, the CPU 21 discharges the printed sheet 11 by the discharge unit 18 to the tray 15 selected as the discharge destination (S107).
Further, at this time, the CPU 21 displays the setting value of the immediately preceding print job stored in the NVRAM 24 and the information of the discharge destination tray 15, the setting value of the target job executed in the immediately preceding S 106 and S 107, and its discharge. Replace with the information of the previous tray 15. Thereafter, the CPU 21 returns to S101 and repeats the same processing.

  When the size or type of the sheet 11 is different between the target job and the print job executed immediately before by the above processing (S103 to S106), the printed sheet 11 of the target job is different from the previous print job. It is discharged to the same tray 15. Therefore, when the immediately preceding print job is not removed from the tray 15, the sheet 11 of the target job is stacked on the sheet 11 of the immediately preceding print job. In this case, the user can easily distinguish the sheet 11 of the target job from the sheet 11 of the immediately preceding print job based on the difference in size or type between the two.

  In S105, the CPU 21 determines that the type of the sheet 11 of the target job is the same as the type of the sheet 11 of the previous print job, or the setting value of the previous print job is not stored (S105: NO), it is determined based on the detection signals of the tray sensors 29A to 29D whether there is at least one empty tray 15 on which no sheets 11 are stacked (S108). When there is an empty tray 15 (S108: YES), one empty tray 15 is selected as the discharge destination of the printed sheet 11 of the target job (S109).

  Note that a priority order for selecting a discharge destination is determined in advance for each of the trays 15A to 15D. For example, the trays 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D are determined in order from the highest priority. When there are a plurality of empty trays 15 in S109, the CPU 21 selects the tray 15 with the highest priority from among them. Note that the priority order of the tray 15 may be fixed, or may be arbitrarily set by the user using the operation unit 27 and the set priority order may be stored in the NVRAM 24.

  After selecting the empty tray 15 in S109, the CPU 21 proceeds to S106 to execute the target job, and discharges the printed sheet 11 to the selected empty tray 15 in S107. Further, the setting value of the immediately previous print job stored in the NVRAM 24 and the information of the discharge destination tray 15 are replaced with the setting value of the target job and the information of the discharge destination tray 15. Thus, in the above processing (S103: NO, S105: NO, S108: YES, S109, S106), the size and type of the sheet 11 of the target job are the same as the print job executed immediately before, and the empty tray 15 is set. If it exists, the printed sheet 11 of the target job is discharged to the empty tray 15. Therefore, the user can distinguish between the printed sheet 11 of the target job and the sheet 11 stacked on the other tray 15.

  If the empty tray 15 does not exist in S108 (S108: NO), the CPU 21 determines whether the next print job exists in the queue (S110). The next print job here refers to a print job registered earliest among print jobs registered after the current target job.

  If the next print job exists (S110: YES), the CPU 21 cancels the setting of the target job for the print job that is the current target job, and sets the next print job as the target job (S111). , Return to S103. As a result, when the size or type of the sheet 11 of the next print job is different from the previous print job, the next print job is executed before the print job in which the setting of the target job is canceled, and the next print job is executed. The printed sheet 11 of the print job is discharged to the same tray 15 as the previous print job. If the size and type of the sheet 11 of the next print job are the same as the previous print job, the same processing is performed for the next print job of the print job.

  If the next print job does not exist (S110: NO), the CPU 21 displays a message prompting the user to remove the sheets 11 stacked on any tray 15 on the display unit 28 (S112). .

  Subsequently, the CPU 21 determines based on the detection signals from the tray sensors 29A to 29D whether the empty tray 15 exists, in other words, whether the sheet 11 stacked on any tray 15 has been removed (S113). . If there is no empty tray 15 (S113: NO), it is determined whether there is a print job newly registered in the queue after the processing of S110 (S114). If a new print job is not registered (S114: NO), the process returns to S113, and the same processing is repeated until the sheet 11 is removed from the tray 15 or a new print job is registered.

  If a new print job is registered in the queue (S114: YES), the CPU 21 cancels the setting of the target job for the print job that is the current target job, and sets the new print job as the target job. (S115), the process returns to S103, and the same processing is repeated thereafter.

  As a result, when the size or type of the sheet 11 of the new print job is different from the previous print job, the new print job is executed before the print job in which the setting of the target job is canceled, and a new print job is created. The printed sheet 11 of the print job is discharged to the same tray 15 as the previous print job.

  Further, when there is an empty tray 15 in S113, that is, when the sheets 11 stacked on any tray 15 are removed (S113: YES), the CPU 21 selects the empty tray 15 in S109. Then, the process proceeds to S106 to execute the target job, and the printed sheet 11 is discharged to the selected empty tray 15 in S107.

(Effect of Embodiment 1)
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the tray 15 that has been determined to have a different setting value between the print job executed immediately before (the last job that finally ejected the sheet 11 on the tray 15) and the target job. Since the sheet 11 is discharged, the user can distinguish the printed sheet 11 based on the difference in the set values between the two print jobs. Therefore, it is possible to sort the sheets 11 for each print job without using a mechanism for changing the discharge position of the sheets 11.

  Further, when the set values are the same between the immediately preceding print job and the target job, the printed sheet 11 of the target job is not discharged to the tray 15, so the user cannot distinguish between the sheets 11 of both print jobs. The situation can be made difficult to occur.

  Further, since the CPU 21 determines whether to discharge the printed sheet 11 of the target job on the tray 15 based on the setting values of the two setting items, the size and type of the sheet 11, the user sets these two settings. A printed sheet can be identified based on a difference in setting values of items.

  In addition, when the setting value is the same between the immediately preceding print job and the target job, the print job is acquired after the target job, and the setting value is different between the printing job and the immediately preceding print job. The print job is executed before the target job, and the printed sheet 11 of the print job executed first is discharged to the tray 15 from which the previous print job was discharged. By changing the execution order of print jobs in this way, it is possible to continue discharging print jobs with different setting values.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the present embodiment, a plurality of setting items related to printing conditions are given priority. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of job execution processing, and FIG. 5 is a table showing an example of setting value information. In the following second to fifth embodiments, the configuration of the printing apparatus 10 is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and thus the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, as setting items for selecting the discharge destination tray 15, sheet size (“A4”, “B5”, etc.), sheet type (“plain paper”, “thick paper”, “for OHP”, etc.), duplex printing Five setting items are used (“single side”, “double side”), color (“color”, “monochrome”, etc.), and aggregate printing (“1 in 1”, “2 in 1”, “4 in 1”, etc.).

  Note that the collective printing is to collect and print images for a plurality of pages on one page of the sheet 11. For example, when the set value of the aggregate printing is “2 in 1”, the images for two pages are aggregated and printed on one page of the sheet 11. In addition, when the set value of the aggregate print is “1 in 1”, an image for one page is printed on one page of the sheet 11 and the aggregate print is not performed.

  In addition, a priority order is set for these setting items. In this case, the sheet size, sheet type, double-sided printing, color, and aggregate printing are arranged in order from the highest priority. The priority order of the setting items may be fixed, or the user may arbitrarily specify the priority order using the operation unit 27, and the CPU 21 may store the designated priority order in the NVRAM 24.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 21 stores in the NVRAM 24 setting value information in which the setting values of the setting items of the final job, which is the print job in which the sheet 11 is finally discharged to each tray 15, is recorded. Yes. Further, when it is detected that the printed sheet 11 has been removed from each tray 15, the CPU 21 deletes each setting value of the last job on the tray 15 from the setting value information.

  When the CPU 21 starts the job execution process shown in FIG. 4, it first determines whether a print job is registered in the queue (S201). If it is not registered (S201: NO), it repeats S201, and the print job is Wait for registration. If a print job is registered (S201: YES), the earliest registered print job is set as the target job (S202).

  Subsequently, the CPU 21 sets 1 to the counter P indicating the priority order of the setting items (S203). Then, based on the setting value information, it is determined whether or not there is a tray 15 in which the setting value of the setting item of the Pth priority of the target job is different from the setting value of the same setting item of the final job (S204). If the tray 15 exists (S204: YES), the tray 15 is selected as a discharge destination (S205).

  Here, when there are a plurality of trays 15 in which the set value of the target job is different from the set value of the final job, the tray 15 having the highest priority is selected. Here, the tray 15 from which the setting value of the last job is deleted from the setting value information, that is, the empty tray 15 is not selected.

  In addition, when there is no tray 15 in which the setting value of the P-th setting item of the target job is different from the setting value of the same setting item of the final job (S204: NO), the counter P has a maximum value of 5. It is determined whether there is (S206). If the counter P is not 5 (S206: NO), 1 is added to the counter P (S207), the process returns to S204, and the same processing is repeated for the setting item with one lower priority.

  Subsequently, when the counter P is 5 (S206: YES), that is, when all the setting values of the target job match the setting values of the last job of all the trays 15, the empty tray 15 It is determined whether it exists (S208). When there is an empty tray 15 (S208: YES), the empty tray 15 is selected as a discharge destination (S209).

  If the empty tray 15 does not exist (S208: NO), the CPU 21 displays a message prompting the user to remove the sheets 11 stacked on any tray 15 (S210). Then, it is determined whether or not the empty tray 15 is detected (S211). If the empty tray 15 is detected (S211: YES), that is, if the sheet 11 is removed from any tray 15, S209 is detected. To select the empty tray 15 as the paper discharge destination.

  After selecting the discharge destination tray 15 in S205 or S209, the CPU 21 executes the target job (S212). Then, the printed sheet 11 is discharged to the discharge destination tray 15 (S213), the setting value information regarding the tray 15 is updated (S214), and the process returns to S201.

  For example, when the setting value information is in the state shown in FIG. 5 and the setting values of the setting items of the target job are “A4”, “thick paper”, “single-sided”, “color”, and “1 in 1” in the order of priority, First, the set value of the sheet size with the highest priority is compared between the final job of each tray 15 and the target job, and the sheet sizes of the target job and the final job of the four trays 15A to 15D are compared. The third tray 15C having a different setting value is selected as the discharge destination.

  In addition, when the setting value information in FIG. 5 is updated with the setting value of the target job, the setting value of the next target job is “A4”, “plain paper”, “single side”, “monochrome”, “1 in 1”. Since there is no tray 15 with a different priority setting for the sheet size with the highest priority, the setting values for the sheet types with the lower priority are compared. Of the four trays 15A to 15D, the second tray 15B having the higher priority order is selected as the discharge destination among the trays 15B and 15D having different set values of the sheet type of the target job and the final job.

(Effect of Embodiment 2)
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the sheet 11 is discharged to the tray 15 in which it is determined that the setting value is different between the final job and the target job that lastly discharged the sheet 11 to the tray 15. The user can distinguish the printed sheet 11 based on the difference in setting values between print jobs.

  Also, when there are different trays by determining whether there is a tray 15 having different setting values between the final job and the target job for the setting values of the setting items with higher priority among the plurality of setting items. Judgment processing (S204) for selecting the tray is performed, and when there is no different tray, judgment processing is performed for the setting value of the setting item that is one order lower in priority.

  Thereby, for example, if the priority order of the setting items such that a difference appears more markedly between the printed sheets 11 of the final job and the target job is set higher, the boundary between the printed sheets 11 of both print jobs is determined. The tray 15 that can be easily grasped by the user can be preferentially selected.

  Moreover, since the priority order of the setting items can be set based on the user's instruction, a priority order convenient for the user can be set.

  Further, when selecting the discharge destination tray 15, it is determined whether or not the setting value is different for the tray 15 on which the sheet 11 has already been stacked, and if there is no tray 15 having a different setting value, the empty tray 15 is selected. select. In other words, if the printed sheets 11 are discharged first from the empty tray 15, there is a high possibility that the options of the tray 15 that can discharge the sheet 11 of the target job are reduced at an early stage. On the other hand, in the above process, the tray 15 on which the sheets 11 are stacked is preferentially selected as the discharge destination, so that the empty tray 15 is likely to remain, and therefore the tray 15 that can discharge the printed sheets 11 in a sorted state. You can leave choices.

  If there is no tray 15 having different setting values between the final job and the target job, and there is no tray 15 on which the sheets 11 are not stacked (S206: YES, S208: NO), the tray 15 After it is detected that the sheet 11 has been removed (S211: YES), the printed sheet 11 of the target job is discharged to the tray 15 (S209, S213). Thereby, it is possible to continue sorting the print jobs.

<Embodiment 3>
Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the present embodiment, an example in which the tray 15 having the largest number of setting items having different setting values is selected when selecting the discharge destination tray 15 is shown.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of job execution processing. Since most of the job execution processing of FIG. 6 is the same as that of FIG. 3, the same processing as that of FIG. In this embodiment, five setting items such as sheet size, sheet type, double-sided printing, color, and consolidated printing are used as setting items for selecting the discharge destination tray 15, and the priority order of the setting items is not determined. .

  After setting the target job in the job execution process of FIG. 6 (S102), the CPU 21 has a tray 15 in which the setting value of at least one setting item of the target job is different from the setting value of the corresponding setting item of the final job. It is determined based on the set value information described above (S301). If the tray 15 exists (S301: YES), the tray 15 having the largest number of setting items with different setting values is selected from the trays 15 as the discharge destination (S302). When there are a plurality of trays 15 having the largest number of setting items having different setting values, the one having the highest priority is selected from among the trays 15.

  For example, if the setting value information is in the state shown in FIG. 5 and the setting values of the setting items of the target job are “A4”, “plain paper”, “single side”, “color”, and “1 in 1” in this order, in each tray 15A to 15D. The number of setting items with different setting values is 2, 1, 3, and 2, respectively. Accordingly, in this case, the third tray 15C having the largest number of setting items having different setting values is selected as the discharge destination. As described above, since the tray 15 having the largest number of setting values different between the target job and the final job is selected, there is a high possibility that the user can easily recognize the difference in the sheets 11 between the two print jobs.

  After selecting the tray 15 in S302, the CPU 21 executes the target job (S106), and discharges the printed sheet 11 to the tray 15 selected as the discharge destination (S107). Then, the set value information regarding the tray 15 is updated (S303), and the process returns to S101. If there is no tray 15 in which the setting value of the target job is different from the setting value of the final job in S301 (S301: NO), it is determined in S108 whether there is an empty tray 15, and hereinafter FIG. In general, the same processing is performed.

  That is, if there is no empty tray 15 (S108: NO), if there is a next job (S110: YES), the CPU 21 sets the next job as a target job (S111) and returns to S301. If the next job does not exist (S110: NO), a message prompting the user to remove the sheet 11 is displayed on the display unit 28 (S112), and then the sheet 11 is removed from the tray 15 or a new one is displayed. Wait until a print job is registered (S113, S114). If a new print job is registered (S114: YES), the new print job is set as the target job (S115), and the process returns to S301. If there is an empty tray 15 in S108 (S108: YES), or if a sheet is removed from the tray 15 in S113 (S113: YES), the empty tray 15 is selected as the discharge destination ( In S109, the target job is executed (S106), and the printed sheet 11 is discharged to the discharge destination (S107). Then, after the set value information is updated (S303), the process returns to S101.

(Effect of Embodiment 3)
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when there are a plurality of trays having different setting values between the final job and the target job, the tray having the largest number of setting items having different setting values is selected (S302). . This makes it easier for the user to distinguish between the borders of the sheets 11 between print jobs.

  If there is no tray 15 having a different setting value between the final job and the target job (S301: NO), the print job is acquired after the target job, and between the print job and the final job. In step S111 or S115, the print job including the trays 15 having different setting values is executed before the target job (S111 or S115), and the printed sheet 11 is discharged to the tray 15. Thereby, it is possible to continue sorting the print jobs.

<Embodiment 4>
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the present embodiment, an example in which the discharge destination tray 15 is preferentially selected from the trays 15 whose setting values of the final job match each other is shown.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a part of job execution processing in the present embodiment, and FIGS. 8 to 10 are tables showing examples of setting value information. In the job execution process of FIG. 7, some processes are the same as some processes in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, as setting items for selecting the discharge destination tray 15, five setting items of sheet size, sheet type, duplex printing, color, and consolidated printing are used in order of priority.

  In the job execution process shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 21 first determines whether a print job is registered in the queue (S401), and if not registered (S401: NO), repeats S401 to register the print job. Wait to be done. If a print job is registered (S401: YES), the earliest registered print job is set as the target job (S402).

  Subsequently, the CPU 21 determines whether or not there is a tray 15 in which the setting values of the upper three setting items of the final job match in the setting value information described above (S403). When there are trays 15 in which the setting values of the upper three setting items match each other (S403: YES), trays in which at least one setting value is different between the final job and the target job. 15 is determined (S404).

  Then, when there is a tray 15 having a different set value (S404: YES), the CPU 21 selects the tray 15 as a discharge destination (S405). If there are a plurality of trays 15 having different setting values, the tray 15 with the highest priority is selected from them. Subsequently, the CPU 21 proceeds to S212 in FIG. 4 to execute the target job, discharges the printed sheet 11 to the selected tray 15, and then updates the set value information.

  Further, the CPU 21 determines in S403 that there is no tray 15 in which the setting values of the upper three setting items match each other (S403: NO), or if there is no tray 15 having a different setting value in S404 ( In S404: NO), the process proceeds to S203 in FIG.

  For example, in the setting value information shown in FIG. 8, the setting values for the top three setting items, sheet size, sheet type, and duplex printing, are the same between the second tray 15B and the fourth tray 15D. Assuming that the setting value of the target job is “A4”, “plain paper”, “double-sided”, “color”, and “1 in 1”, the trays 15 having different setting values between the final job and the target job are the second tray 15B and the fourth tray. It becomes tray 15D. Therefore, the second tray 15B having the highest priority among these trays 15B and 15D is selected as the discharge destination. After executing the target job, as shown in FIG. 9, the setting value of the final job for the second tray 15B of the setting value information is replaced with the setting value of the target job.

  Here, it is assumed that the target job is executed by the job execution process of FIG. 4 with the setting value information in the state of FIG. Then, for the uppermost sheet size, since the setting value (“A4”) matches between the target job and the final job in all trays 15, the first tray having different setting values for the next lower sheet type. 15A is selected as the discharge destination. In this case, the setting value information is as shown in FIG. 10 because the setting value of the last job for the first tray 15A is replaced with the setting value of the target job.

  In the setting value information of FIG. 10, the setting values of the upper two setting items of the sheet size and the sheet type are the same among all trays 15. As described above, generally, the setting values set for the print job are often biased. Therefore, when the job execution process as shown in FIG. 4 is repeated, the setting values of the setting items in the setting value information start from the top. It is considered that there is a high possibility that the tray 15 that is biased toward a part of the values and that can be selected as the discharge destination is limited.

  On the other hand, in the job execution process of this embodiment, the tray 15 in which the top three setting items of the final job match each other is preferentially selected as the discharge destination, and the target job in which the setting values of those setting items are executed Therefore, it is possible to suppress the bias of the setting values included in the setting value information. For example, in the setting value information of FIG. 10, the sheet type setting value is “plain paper” only, whereas in the setting value information of FIG. 9, two types of “thick paper” and “plain paper” remain. Yes. Accordingly, it is possible to leave many trays that can be selected as discharge destinations for print jobs to be executed later.

  In the above-described embodiment, the determination is made as to whether or not there is a tray 15 in which the setting values of the top three setting items match each other. However, the number of setting items can be appropriately changed by two or more. For example, first, it may be determined whether there is a tray 15 in which the setting values of the top five setting items match each other, and if not, the same determination may be made for the top four setting items.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the above-described determination is performed for the top three setting items in the priority order. However, a predetermined number of setting items may be determined regardless of the priority order. For example, it may be determined whether there is a tray 15 in which the setting values of four or more setting items among the five setting items match each other.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

(1) The setting values related to the printing conditions associated with the print job are not limited to those described above, and can be changed as appropriate. It is. For example, the presence / absence of binding margins / margins and their dimensions, the presence / absence / arrangement of headers / footers and their contents, the darkness of printing, the presence / absence of watermarks, and the contents thereof can be used.

(2) In the above embodiment, the printing apparatus 10 having the printer function for acquiring and executing the print job transmitted from the terminal apparatus 35 by the network interface 26 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, The present invention can also be applied to a printing apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile machine.

  For example, in the case of a copier, a reading unit reads a document in accordance with settings input from the operation unit by a user, acquires read data, and prints the read data as a print job. In the facsimile apparatus, facsimile data is acquired by a facsimile interface, and the facsimile data is printed as a print job.

(3) In the above embodiment, a message is displayed on the display unit 28 to notify the user that the sheet 11 should be removed from the tray 15. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be provided and notified to the user by voice. Further, a signal for displaying a similar message may be transmitted to the terminal device 35 that is the transmission source of the print job via the network interface 26.

(4) In the above embodiment, the four mounting trays are shown as the mounting portion. However, according to the present invention, the number of mounting portions can be appropriately changed to two, three, five or more. . Further, the number of placement units may be one, and in this case, for example, the job execution process of FIG. 3 may be executed by omitting the process of selecting the tray 15 in S104 and S109.

(5) In the above embodiment, the job execution unit, the determination unit, and the order setting unit are all realized by the same CPU. This circuit can be configured.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printing apparatus, 11 ... Sheet, 15 ... Tray, 18 ... Ejection part, 21 ... CPU, 26 ... Network interface, 29 ... Tray sensor

Claims (10)

An acquisition unit for acquiring a print job;
A job execution unit that prints on a sheet according to a setting value relating to a print condition associated with the target job, using the print job acquired by the acquisition unit as a target job;
A stacking unit for stacking discharged sheets;
A determination unit that determines whether the set value is different between a final job that is a print job in which a sheet is finally discharged to the stacking unit and the target job;
A discharge unit that discharges a printed sheet of the target job to the stacking unit that is determined by the determination unit to have a different setting value;
A printing apparatus comprising: The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
A plurality of the loading sections;
The determination unit selects one stacking unit having a different setting value between the final job and the target job from the plurality of stacking units,
The discharge unit discharges the printed sheet of the target job to the stacking unit selected by the determination unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 2,
The printing condition includes setting values of a plurality of setting items,
The determination unit is configured to select a stacking unit in which a setting value of at least one setting item among the plurality of setting items is different between the final job and the target job from the plurality of stacking units. The printing apparatus according to claim 3.
The plurality of setting items have priorities defined,
The determination unit determines whether there is a stacking unit having a setting value different between the final job and the target job for the setting value of the setting item having the higher priority among the plurality of setting items. A printing apparatus that performs a determination process for selecting a stacking unit when a different stacking unit exists, and performs the determination process for a setting value of a lower priority setting item when a different stacking unit does not exist. The printing apparatus according to claim 4,
A printing apparatus comprising a rank setting unit that determines the priority order based on a user instruction. The printing apparatus according to claim 3.
The determination unit selects a stacking unit having the largest number of setting items having different setting values when there are a plurality of stacking units having different setting values between the final job and the target job. . The printing apparatus according to claim 3.
When there are stacking units in which setting values of a plurality of predetermined setting items of the final job match each other, the determination unit determines whether the target job is selected from the stacking units in which the setting values of the final job match each other. A printing apparatus that selects a stacking unit having a different set value. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The job execution unit is a print job acquired after the target job when there is no stacking unit having a different setting value between the final job and the target job. A print job including a stacking unit having a different setting value from the job is executed before the target job;
The printing apparatus is configured to discharge the printed sheets of the previously executed print job to the stacking units having different setting values. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of sheets on the stacking unit;
When there is no stacking unit having the set value different between the final job and the target job and there is no stacking unit on which the sheet is not stacked, the job execution unit performs detection by the detection unit. Executing the target job after it is detected that a sheet has been removed from the stacking unit;
The discharge unit discharges a printed sheet of the target job to a stack unit where it is detected that the sheet is removed. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The printing apparatus, wherein the setting item is at least one of the sheet size, the sheet type, the presence / absence of double-sided printing, color / monochrome, and aggregate printing.

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