JP2014019579A - Printer, control method for the same, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform a process of insertion of various types of tab sheets so that tab stops of the tab sheets are aligned while reducing occurrence of left over the tab sheets.SOLUTION: A printer comprises: a plurality of paper feeding means for feeding various types of tab sheets; holding means for holding tab stop information of tab sheets to be fed, counted corresponding to each of the paper feeding means; a first identifying means for identifying, on the basis of the tab stop information corresponding to each of the paper feeding means held by the holding means, paper feeding means to lastly feed tab sheets in the first set as paper feeding means to firstly feed tab sheets in the subsequent set, after the tab sheets are inserted respectively by the paper feeding means in the first set; second identifying means for identifying, based on the tab stop information, the plurality of paper feeding means to feed tab papers that have tab stops succeeding the tab stops of a predetermined number of tab sheets to be fed from the paper feeding means identified by the first identifying means; and paper feeding control means for continuously feeding various types of tab sheets in number of sets determined by sequentially switching the paper feeding means on the basis of the identification results of the first and the second identifying means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing control method, and a program.

  A conventional printing apparatus has a function of inserting an index sheet (also referred to as a tab sheet) for the purpose of clarifying a chapter or section heading of a printed matter. Normally, index paper is stored in a paper feed stage in units of a set with a certain number of divisions. For this reason, it is necessary to perform “cueing” in which excess index sheets are discharged out of the apparatus to a discharge tray different from the discharge tray for the printed matter of the main body at the break of the job or the cut of the copy.

  In addition, there is a type in which a plurality of types of index sheets are inserted into the printed material of the main body in a consistent order (see, for example, Patent Document 1). For example, it is a case where the visibility is improved by grouping the division positions with a plurality of index sheets of different colors, such as a product 300 shown in FIG.

  Here, an example is assumed in which three types of six-divided sets of index sheets 10010, 10020, and 10030 are inserted in a consistent order when they are stored in the respective paper feed cassettes. For the text 10100, the first type of index paper is inserted into the first division 10040 and the second division 10050. Next, the third division 10060 and the fourth division 10070 are inserted into the second type of index paper. Finally, the fifth division 10080 and the sixth division 10090 are inserted into the third type of index sheet.

  As a result, a product 300 in which a plurality of types of index sheets are inserted in a consistent order is obtained. However, the surplus index sheets 10110, 10120, and 10130 when the index sheets are inserted in a consistent order are generated at the stage when the index sheets are inserted into the text. For this reason, an index sheet having the same division position as the division position of the inserted index sheet is generated as a surplus index sheet, and the index sheet is wasted.

JP 2006-248672 A

  When a plurality of types of index sheets are inserted in a consistent order with respect to the printed material of the main text, when the first type of index sheets are inserted, the second and third types of index sheets at the same division position are inserted. It becomes unnecessary. Therefore, a large amount of surplus index paper may be generated for each copy. In the output example shown in FIG. 15, the surplus index sheets 10110, 10120, and 10130 are generated more than the index sheets to be used, and the waste is large.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to perform tab sheet insertion processing in which tab positions of a plurality of types of tab sheets are continuous while suppressing generation of excessive tab sheets. It is to provide a mechanism that can do this.

The printing apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.
A plurality of paper feeding means for feeding different types of tab paper, a holding means for holding tab position information of the tab paper to be fed counted for each paper feeding means, After each tab sheet is inserted from the sheet feeding means, the sheet feeding means whose tab position information of each sheet feeding means held by the holding means is the last number to be fed in the set is the first tab sheet in the next set. A first specifying unit that specifies a sheet feeding unit to be fed, and a tab that is a tab position that is continuous with a tab position of a tab sheet fed by a predetermined number of sheets from the sheet feeding unit specified by the first specifying unit. Each of the plurality of paper feeding units that should feed paper is identified based on the identification results of the second identifying unit that identifies based on the tab position information, the first identifying unit, and the second identifying unit. Different types of tab paper for the number of sets set by sequentially switching the paper source And feed control means for feeding paper continuously, characterized in that it comprises a.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform tab sheet insertion processing in which tab positions of a plurality of types of tab sheets are continuous while suppressing generation of excessive tab sheets.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the printing apparatus which shows this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the digital copying machine shown in FIG. 1. It is a top view explaining the structure of the operation part shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen displayed on the liquid crystal display panel illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen displayed on the liquid crystal display panel illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen displayed on the liquid crystal display panel illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen displayed on the liquid crystal display panel illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen displayed on the liquid crystal display panel illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen displayed on the liquid crystal display panel illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI screen displayed on the liquid crystal display panel illustrated in FIG. 3. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling the printing apparatus. It is a figure explaining the structure of the tab sheet of this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the tab sheet insertion process of this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the tab sheet insertion mode process of this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the conventional tab sheet insertion process.

Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Description of system configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In this example, a sheet post-processing device capable of feeding tab sheets is connected, and a printed sheet can be generated by inserting printed sheets (sheets) and tab sheets. In this example, a digital copying machine using an electrophotographic system will be described as a printing apparatus.

In FIG. 1, a digital copying machine 100 includes a reader unit 101 for reading an image from a document and a printer unit 108 for forming an image on a sheet. The reader unit 101 is a device for automatically and sequentially scanning a bundle of documents.
The printer unit 108 stores the image data read by the reader unit 101 on a storage device, and is read out at a predetermined timing and transferred to the printer unit 108 to form and output an image on a sheet.

Reference numeral 102 denotes an operation panel, which performs various settings and adjustments, confirmation of device status, and the like. Reference numeral 104 denotes a side paper deck which can hold a large amount of paper for printing. Reference numerals 103A to 103C denote cassette paper feeders (cassette paper feed stages), which can hold sheets of various sizes in each stage. Further, the cassette paper feeders 103A to 103C are configured to be capable of feeding paper with different types of index paper (tab paper) described later.
In the present embodiment, a configuration example is shown in which one set of six tab sheets having different tab positions is shown, but the tab positions and the number of tabs are not limited to this. The cassette paper feeding devices 103A to 103C are a plurality of paper feeding units that feed different types of tab paper, and tab position information of the tab paper to be fed that is counted in association with each paper feeding unit will be described later. It is held in the RAM 202.
A finisher (sheet post-processing device) 109 can perform various finishing processes such as a staple process, a punch process, and a bookbinding process. In addition, the discharge trays 106 and 107 except for the respective discharge trays 105 of the finisher 109 are configured to be lifted and lowered as necessary. By sorting the discharge trays 106 and 107, the sheet sorting process can be performed. Is possible. Note that the sheet feeding means 103A to 103C is configured to be able to feed the same type of tab sheets in which a predetermined number of sheets and one set of tab positions are continuous.

Next, a control configuration 200 of the digital copying machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the digital copying machine 100 shown in FIG.
2, the digital copying machine 100 includes a CPU 201 that performs various data processing based on a control program described later. A ROM 205, a RAM 202, an operation unit 102, an external I / F processing unit 204, an image processing unit 206, a storage device 207, a reader unit 101, and a printer unit 108 are connected to the CPU 201 via a system bus 210.
The CPU 201 controls the operation unit 102, external I / F processing unit 204, image processing unit 206, storage device 207, reader unit 101, and printer unit 108 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 205. The ROM 205 is divided into a data ROM, a font ROM, and a program ROM, and stores data, programs, fonts, and the like read by the CPU 201.
The RAM 202 functions as a work area for the CPU 201.

  The operation unit 102 includes a display unit, displays an operation screen, and receives an instruction from the user. Details of the operation unit 102 will be described later with reference to FIG. The storage device 207 stores image data read by the reader unit 101 or image data input from an external device via the external I / F processing unit 204. The storage device 207 stores a program read by the CPU 201.

The image processing unit 206 performs predetermined image processing on the image data stored in the storage device 207 as necessary. Further, the image processing unit 206 performs an electronic sort process for rearranging a plurality of image data stored in the storage device 207 in a desired order.
This realizes a sort process in place of the sort process for changing the paper discharge tray as the paper discharge destination. The image processing unit 206 performs a process for enlarging or reducing the image. Further, the image processing unit 206 performs an image cutout process for cutting out a part of the image data, an image rotation process for rotating the image data to a desired angle, an image movement process for moving the image data in a predetermined direction, and the like. It is possible.

  The external I / F processing unit 204 transmits and receives data to and from external devices (including a PC device and a server device not shown). When PDL data is input from an external device, image data is stored in the storage device 207 by performing RIP processing on the RAM 202, read out at a predetermined timing, and an image is formed on a sheet by the printer unit 108. And output.

Next, details of the operation unit 102 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the operation unit 102 illustrated in FIG. 2.
In FIG. 3, the operation unit 102 includes a plurality of hard keys including a numeric keypad 7050 for inputting numerical values and a start key 7060 for instructing operation start, and a liquid crystal display panel 7010. A touch panel sheet is pasted on the liquid crystal display panel 7010, an operation screen for performing various settings is displayed, and operations are received from the user via the touch panel sheet. Here, the liquid crystal display panel 7010 displays an initial operation screen for performing copying. On this initial operation screen, set contents, soft keys including a double-sided key 7030, a finishing key 7020, and an application mode key 7040 are displayed.

In this embodiment, in order to insert a specific sheet including index sheets (tab sheets) including a set of a plurality of sheets with respect to a document, which paper feed stage is fed for each page of the document. A cover / interleaf mode is provided.
The cover / interleaf mode will be described with reference to FIGS.
4 to 9 are views showing examples of user interface screens displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 7010 shown in FIG. Note that the first set of tab sheets may be configured to determine the insertion order of the tab sheets to be fed based on the setting by the user. Furthermore, the insertion order of the tab sheets may be configured so that the user can specify the information by identifying the sheet feeding unit that feeds the tab sheets to be used.

  An application mode screen 800 shown in FIG. 4 is an example of a screen that is transitioned by pressing an application mode key 704 on the copy initial display screen shown in FIG. The application mode screen 800 is provided with soft keys for specifying a processing mode related to a copy function such as bookbinding processing and reduced layout, including a cover / interleaf key 801.

  An insertion sheet type selection screen 900 shown in FIG. 5 is an example of a screen that is transitioned by pressing a cover / interleaf key 801 of the application mode screen 800 shown in FIG. The insertion sheet type selection screen 900 is a screen for designating the type of insertion sheet such as a cover sheet, a slip sheet, a chapter sheet, and an index sheet. Here, the continuous index sheet key 901 is a soft key for designating a mode for performing a process of inserting a plurality of types of index sheets in a consistent order.

  The insertion page designation screen 1000 shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a screen that is changed by pressing the continuous index paper key 901 shown in FIG. The insertion page designation screen 1000 is a screen displaying a list of how many insertion sheets of which paper feed stage are inserted behind the designated page of the document. An additional key 1002 shown in FIG. 6 is a soft key for setting how many sheets of an original page are inserted from which paper feed stage and how many sheets are inserted.

  A detail / edit key 1003 is a soft key for re-editing the insertion sheet setting already in the insertion position list 1001. An erase key 1004 is a soft key for selecting and deleting an insertion sheet setting already in the insertion position list 1001.

  An add screen 1100 shown in FIG. 7 is an example of a screen that is transitioned by pressing an add key 1002 on the insertion page designation screen 1000. On the add screen 1100, a manuscript page position specification 1101 for inserting an insertion sheet, a number of insertion sheets 1102 to be inserted, and a paper feed stage specification 1104 for feeding the insertion sheets are possible. By pressing the OK key 1103, the insertion sheet setting is added to the insertion position list 1001 shown in FIG.

The index sheet saving mode setting screen 1200 shown in FIG. 8 is an example of a screen that is changed by pressing the next key 1005 shown in FIG.
The index sheet saving mode is a mode that enables output of the number of deliverables that is equal to or greater than the number of index sheets set in the paper feed stage while minimizing surplus index sheets. The index paper saving mode ON / OFF display area 1202 is switched by pressing a saving mode button 1201. The index sheet saving mode may not be set to ON depending on the insertion sheet setting set in the above-described insertion sheet position list 1001. A saving mode button 1201 is used as a setting key for setting a mode for saving tab sheets to be discharged by enabling the control shown in FIG. 11 described later. If the saving mode is not valid, the first control for feeding the tab sheet from the sheet feeding means selected by the user is performed (S105). If the saving mode is valid, the tab sheet is saved. Control 2 is performed.

  When the index sheet saving mode cannot be turned ON, the number of times of switching the index sheet type in the insertion sheet setting is equal to or more than the index sheet type to be used. In this case, it is determined that the index sheet saving mode cannot be set, the index sheet saving mode ON / OFF display 1202 is grayed out, and the index sheet saving mode cannot be set.

A shift width setting screen 1300 shown in FIG. 9 is an example of a screen that is changed by pressing the next key 1203 shown in FIG. The shift width setting screen 1300 is a screen for setting a moving amount 1302 for moving the index image in order to print an image to be printed on the index portion included in the document on the index portion.
Normally, it is sufficient to move the index image by about 12 mm for an A4 size index sheet. However, on the shift width setting screen 1300, the amount of movement can be changed from 0 to 25 mm. In FIG. 9, an OK key 1301 is a soft key for saving the insertion sheet setting set in the insertion sheet position list 1001 to the storage device 207 and reflecting it in the copy job. Is complete.

Here, the index sheet division number setting screen 1410 shown in FIG. 10 is an example of a screen that is changed by pressing the index number input key 1303 shown in FIG. The division number setting screen 1410 is an operation screen for setting the number of index divisions of the index paper set in the paper feed tray.

  Here, by operating the minus key 1412 and the plus key 1413, an input is made to an area 1411 indicating the number of divisions of the index sheet. After inputting the number of divisions of the index sheet, when the close key 1414 is pressed, the screen shifts to the screen shown in FIG. 9, and the number of divisions of the insertion sheet setting is determined. Alternatively, the index sheet may be divided by setting an index sheet in the paper feed stage and setting the division number in accordance with the paper registration of the paper feed stage.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. This example is a print processing example when the index sheet saving mode is set when the continuous index sheet mode is specified. Each step is realized by the CPU 201 loading a control program stored in the ROM 205 or the storage device 207 into the RAM 202 and executing it.
In this embodiment, after inserting tab sheets from each sheet feeding unit in the first set, the tab position information of each sheet feeding unit held by the holding unit becomes the last number to be fed in the set. The paper means is specified as the paper feeding means that should feed the tab paper first in the next set. This will be referred to as a first specific process for the sake of explanation.
Further, the tab position information includes a plurality of sheet feeding units that should feed tab sheets that are tab positions that are continuous with the tab positions of the tab sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit identified by the first specific process. Identify based on. This will be referred to as a second specific process for the sake of explanation.
In accordance with the procedure of the flowchart described below, the CPU 201 switches the cassette sheet feeding devices 103A to 103C in order based on the identification results of the first identification process and the second identification process, and sets the number of types. Feed control for feeding different tab sheets continuously. At that time, the CPU 201 sets the excess tab sheets from any of the cassette sheet feeding devices 103A to 103C to a specific sheet discharge destination so that the tab positions of the tab sheets to be fed in the first set and the last set are continuous. Execute control to eject paper.
In step S <b> 100, when the CPU 201 confirms that the user presses the start key 706 of the operation unit 102, the copy job in which the insertion sheet setting of the continuous index sheet mode and the index sheet saving mode is started.
In step S <b> 101, the reader unit 101 sequentially reads the originals placed on the platen, so that the CPU 201 writes the image data into the storage device 207, reads the written image data at a predetermined timing, and sends it to the printer unit 108. send.
In S102, the CPU 201 secures the index sheet total output sheet counter S and the sheet number counter area for each index sheet type in the storage device 207 and initializes them with “0”.

Further, the CPU 201 secures an area for storing the current index number of the index paper set in the paper feed tray in the storage device 207 and initializes it with “0”. Here, for the sake of convenience, there are three types of index sheets, the total sheet number counter for the index sheet is S, the sheet number counter for each type of index sheet is A, B, C, and the current index sheet for the sheet feed stage. The numbers are I1, I2, and I3. Next, in step S103, the CPU 201 sequentially reads the original image read in step S101, and starts printing processing according to the insertion sheet setting.
In step S104, the CPU 201 reads the insertion sheet setting from the storage device 207, and determines whether the job is in the index sheet saving mode. If the CPU 201 determines that the index sheet saving mode is not selected, the process corresponding to the conventional continuous index sheet mode is executed in S105, and the process is terminated. That is, the CPU 201 feeds index paper to be inserted into the printed material from one paper feed stage designated by the user, inserts it into the printed material, and removes extra index paper that does not need to be inserted into the printed material with a specific discharge. Control is performed so that paper is discharged onto a tray (for example, the paper discharge tray 105).

  On the other hand, when the CPU 201 determines that the index sheet saving mode is set in S104, the CPU 201 determines whether or not there is a break in the copy in S106. If the CPU 201 determines that there is a break between copies, the process advances to step S107, and the CPU 201 secures an output sheet counter area for each type of index sheet in the storage device 207 and initializes it with “0”. Further, the CPU 201 initializes the total output sheet number counter S of index sheets with “0”. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that there are three types of index sheets, and the respective sheet quantity counters are N, M, and L. Then, the CPU 201 advances the process to S108.

In step S108, the CPU 201 reads the insertion sheet setting from the storage device 207, and determines whether the sheet type of the next page to be processed is an index sheet. If the CPU 201 determines that the sheet is an index sheet, the process proceeds to step S109. If the CPU 201 determines that the sheet is not an index sheet, the process proceeds to step S113, and the printing process is continued.
In step S109, the CPU 201 determines whether it is the first copy of the job. If the CPU 201 determines that it is the first copy, the process proceeds to S110. If it is determined that it is not the first copy, the process proceeds to S117.

First, processing when it is determined that the job is the first copy of the job will be described.
In step S110, the CPU 201 determines whether or not it is necessary to discharge the surplus index sheet to the index sheet feeding stage that is currently being fed. Whether or not the extra index sheets need to be discharged is determined from the total output number counter S of index sheets inserted in the job from the index sheet feed number counter (AorBorC (A for convenience of description) to be fed now). Yes)))

  That is, if (S−A) = 0, the CPU 201 determines that there is no need to discharge the surplus index paper, and proceeds to S112. On the other hand, if the CPU 201 determines that the relationship of (S−A)> 0 is established, the process proceeds to step S <b> 111, and the CPU 201 sets the (S−A) sheets from the sheet feeding stage to be currently fed as surplus index sheets, and the body text. Control is performed so that the paper is discharged to a paper discharge tray different from the paper discharge tray that outputs. Further, the CPU 201 updates the index number of the paper feed stage that has discharged the surplus index paper here with the index number that can be output next.

  In S112, the CPU 201 increments the index sheet total output sheet counter S initialized in S102 and the counter sheet feeding sheet counter area (A or B or C) currently being fed by “1”. When feeding the first type of index paper, A is incremented by “1”. When feeding the second type of index paper, B is incremented by “1”. When the third type of index paper is fed, C is incremented by “1”.

  In step S <b> 113, the CPU 201 controls to feed the sheet of the currently processed page including the index sheet from the sheet feeding stage, send it to the printer unit, perform the printing process, and discharge the sheet. In S130, the current index number (I1, I2, I3) of the paper feed tray fed by the CPU 201 is updated. Specifically, when the index paper of the third division is fed from the paper feed stage 2, the CPU 201 updates the current index number of the paper feed stage 2 to which the index paper is fed to 4. In addition, when the index paper of the fifth division is fed from the paper feed stage 3, the CPU 201 updates the current index number of the paper feed stage 3 to which the index paper is fed to 6. Thereby, the CPU 201 can recognize the state of the index paper set in each paper feed stage.

Next, the processing when it is determined in S109 that the processing is other than the first copy of the job, specifically, the processing for the second and subsequent copies will be described.
If the CPU 201 determines in S109 that the process is other than the first copy, the process proceeds to S117.
In step S117, the CPU 201 compares the output number counter N of the index sheet of the copy being processed with the sheet supply number counter A for each type of index sheet, and determines whether the relationship (N <A) holds. To do. If the CPU 201 determines that the relationship (N <A) is established, the process proceeds to S118. If the CPU 201 determines that the relationship (N <A) is not established, the CPU 201 checks the paper feed tray in S118. For each paper feed stage, a search is made with reference to the index number that can be output next. In the search method, the index number to be output next is acquired from the total output sheet number counter S of the index sheet, and compared with the division number indicated by the current index number (I1, I2, I3) of each paper feed stage. By doing. For example, when the value of the total output sheet counter S of the index sheet is 3, the index number of the index sheet to be fed next is 4. Therefore, the CPU 201 searches for a paper feed stage having an index number of 4 among the current index numbers (I1, I2, and I3) of the respective paper feed stages.

  Next, in S119, the CPU 201 designates the paper feed tray searched in S118 as the paper feed tray of the index paper feed source. In S120, the CPU 201 increments the index sheet output number counter N by “1” (N ++), and the printing process is continued in S113. Then, the CPU 201 repeats the same processing for the index sheet types for the index sheet output counter areas M and L until (M> B, L> C) in S121 to S124 and S125 to S128.

  In step S114, the CPU 201 reads the insertion sheet setting from the storage device 207, and determines whether the processing page is an index sheet to be inserted last in the copy. If the CPU 201 determines that the index sheet is to be inserted last in the copy, the process advances to step S115, and the CPU 201 calculates surplus index sheets in the same manner as in step S111, and is different from the paper discharge tray that outputs the text. Paper is discharged to the paper output tray.

In step S116, the CPU 201 determines whether the printing process for the job has been completed. If it is determined that the printing process has not ended, the process returns to step S106.
As described above, although the order of the index types to be inserted is different for each copy in the same job, it is possible to minimize the surplus index sheets by matching the grouping by a plurality of index sheets.
For example, FIG. 12 shows a case where two sets of 6 index sheets 4011, 4012, and 4013 having different colors are placed on the cassette 4001, the cassette 4002, and the cassette 4003, respectively. As shown in the output example shown in FIG. 13, the first copy first inserts the first and second divided index sheets 5002 from the cassette 4001 and discharges two extra tab sheets from the cassette 4002. The third and third divided index sheets 5003 are inserted. Then, after discharging four surplus tab sheets from the cassette 3, the fifth and sixth divided index sheets 5004 are inserted. Here, at the end of the first copy, the process of the second copy is started without discharging the surplus index paper.
In the second copy, insertion is performed while searching for the division number (index number) to be inserted next from the cassette. First, the first and second divided index sheets 5013 are inserted from the cassette 4003, the third and fourth divided index sheets 5011 are inserted from the cassette 4001, and the fifth and sixth divided indexes from the cassette 4002 are inserted. Insert paper 5012). In the third copy, first the first and second divided index sheets are inserted from the cassette 4002, then the third and fourth divided index sheets are inserted from the cassette 4003, and the fifth and sixth divided sheets are inserted from the cassette 4001. Insert a split index sheet. In the fourth copy, after inserting the first and second divided index sheets from the cassette 4001, the third and fourth divided index sheets are inserted from the cassette 4002, and the fifth and sixth divided sheets from the cassette 4003 are inserted. Insert the index paper. In this way, the index sheet is inserted while searching for the division number to be inserted next from each cassette.
According to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, in the case of the index sheet 602 when the index sheet saving mode is OFF, only the output corresponding to the number of index sheet sets can be output. However, the index sheet 601 when the index sheet saving mode is ON can output a product more than the index sheet set, and can greatly reduce the waste of the excess index sheet.

  Each process of the present invention can also be realized by executing software (program) acquired via a network or various storage media by a processing device (CPU, processor) such as a personal computer (computer).

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

101 Computer 105 Print Device 302 Print Management Device 304 Device Information Management Device

Claims (7)

A plurality of paper feeding means for feeding different types of tab paper;
Holding means for holding tab position information of the tab sheet to be fed, which is counted in correspondence with each sheet feeding means;
After the tab sheets are inserted from the respective sheet feeding units in the first set, the sheet feeding unit whose tab position information of each sheet feeding unit held by the holding unit is the last number to be fed in the set is set to the next set. First specifying means for specifying the sheet feeding means that should first feed the tab sheet,
Based on the tab position information, a plurality of sheet feeding units that should feed tab sheets having tab positions that are continuous with the tab positions of the tab sheets fed by a predetermined number of sheets from the sheet feeding unit identified by the first identifying unit. A second specifying means for specifying,
Paper feeding that continuously feeds different types of tab sheets for the number of sets set by sequentially switching the paper feeding means based on the identification results of the first specifying means and the second specifying means Control means;
A printing apparatus comprising:   The apparatus further includes a discharge unit that discharges excess tab sheets from any of the sheet feeding units to a specific sheet discharge destination so that the tab positions of the tab sheets to be fed in the first set and the last set are continuous. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first set determines a tab sheet insertion order to be fed based on a setting by a user.   4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the insertion order is specified by information for identifying a sheet feeding unit that feeds a tab sheet to be used.   2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the sheet feeding units feeds the same type of tab sheets in which a predetermined number of tabs form a set of tab positions are continuous. A control method for a printing apparatus comprising a plurality of paper feeding means for feeding different types of tab sheets,
A holding step for holding tab position information of the tab sheet to be fed, which is counted in association with each sheet feeding unit, in the holding unit;
After the tab sheets are inserted from the respective sheet feeding units in the first set, the sheet feeding unit whose tab position information of each sheet feeding unit held by the holding unit is the last number to be fed in the set is set to the next set. And a first specifying step for specifying the sheet feeding means to feed the tab sheet first,
Based on the tab position information, a plurality of sheet feeding means to feed tab sheets that are tab positions that are continuous with the tab positions of the tab sheets fed by the predetermined number of sheets from the sheet feeding means identified in the first identifying step. A second identification step identified by
A paper feed control step of successively feeding different types of tab sheets for the number of sets set by sequentially switching the paper feed units based on the identification results of the first specific step and the second specific step; ,
A control method for a printing apparatus, comprising:   A program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling a printing apparatus according to claim 6.

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