JP2019005953A - Printer and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a printer which includes a job cancellation function and can conveniently utilize an un-printed sheet having being fed at the time of job cancellation, and the like.SOLUTION: A printer 2 includes: a print mechanism 224 feeding a sheet from paper feed ports 221A, 221B and 221C and performing printing onto the sheet fed; and a control part 21 controlling the print mechanism 224. The control part 21, when receiving a cancel command during printing of a first job, determines whether or not printing of a second job is performed on an un-printed and fed sheet being the sheet having been fed from the paper feed port and not yet printed based on paper quality of the sheet used for the first job and paper quality of the sheet set to the second job subsequent to the first job, and causes the print mechanism 224 to perform the printing of the second job on the un-printed and fed sheet when determining to perform the printing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus or the like having a job cancel function, and more particularly to a printing apparatus or the like that can conveniently use unprinted paper that has been fed when canceling a job.

Conventionally, in a printer that performs printing at high speed, control is performed so that paper is fed into the apparatus before printing so that printing can be performed immediately. For this reason, some sheets following the sheet being printed already exist between the paper feed port and the printing unit.

Therefore, if a job cancel instruction is given during printing, there is a possibility that blank sheets that have not yet been printed remain in the printer, and these sheets may be wasted.

In relation to such a problem, Patent Document 1 described below describes an invention that suppresses waste paper discharge by printing a subsequent print job on unprinted paper remaining in a printer casing. .

JP 2005-319638 A

In the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, an unprinted paper sheet that has not been printed and a paper sheet of a subsequent print job are the same only in the paper size and paper discharge direction. To print.

However, such control does not take into account the paper feed port or the type of printed matter specified at the time of the print request, and it is desirable to have a technology that is more convenient for the user and can make more effective use of paper. It is.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus having a job cancellation function, which can conveniently use unprinted paper that has been fed at the time of job cancellation. It is.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing mechanism in which a printing apparatus feeds a sheet from a sheet feeding port and performs printing on the fed sheet, and the printing mechanism. A control unit that controls the quality of the paper used for the first job and the first job following the first job when a cancel instruction is received during printing of the first job. The second job is printed on an unprinted sheet that has been fed from the sheet feeding port and has not yet been printed based on the quality of the sheet set for two jobs. If the printing mechanism determines that printing is to be performed, the printing mechanism is caused to print the second job on the unprinted paper feed.

According to this aspect, it is possible to effectively utilize unprinted paper feed without impairing user needs.

Further, in the above invention, a preferable aspect is that the control unit performs the unprinted paper feed when the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed matches the paper quality set in the second job. It is determined that the second job is to be printed.

According to this aspect, it is possible to effectively utilize unprinted paper feed without impairing user needs.

In the invention described above, it is preferable that the control unit matches the paper quality and paper size of the unprinted paper feed with the paper quality and paper size set in the second job. If it is, it is determined that the second job is printed on the unprinted paper feed.

According to this aspect, it is possible to effectively utilize unprinted paper feed without impairing user needs.

Furthermore, in the above invention, a preferable aspect thereof is that the control unit matches the paper size of the unprinted paper feed with the paper size set in the second job, and the second job includes the paper size. If automatic paper quality selection is set to automatically select paper quality, it is determined that the second job is printed on the unprinted paper feed.

According to this aspect, it is possible to effectively utilize unprinted paper feed without impairing user needs.

Furthermore, in the above invention, a preferable aspect thereof is that the control unit matches the paper size of the unprinted paper feed with the paper size set in the second job, and the second job includes the paper size. If automatic selection of plain paper is selected to automatically select the paper quality from plain paper, the unprinted paper feed is selected if the unprinted paper quality is plain paper. The second
It is determined that the job is to be printed.

According to this aspect, it is possible to effectively utilize unprinted paper feed without impairing user needs.

In the invention described above, it is preferable that the control unit match the unprinted paper size with the paper size set in the second job, and the unprinted paper size. When the paper quality and the paper quality set for the second job are different, the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed is plain paper or recycled paper, and the paper quality set for the second job is plain paper Alternatively, if it is recycled paper, it is determined that the second job is printed on the unprinted paper feed.

  According to this aspect, unprinted paper feed can be used more effectively.

In order to achieve the above object, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing mechanism in which a printing apparatus feeds a sheet from a sheet feeding port and performs printing on the fed sheet, and the printing mechanism. A control unit that controls the first job and the second job when the second job following the first job is received before printing of the received first job is started. It is determined whether or not to change the setting contents of at least one of the first job and the second job based on the setting contents related to the paper of two jobs, and if it is determined to change, the first job And changing the setting contents of at least one of the second jobs.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to quickly perform processing when canceling a job.

In the invention described above, it is preferable that the control unit automatically sets a predetermined paper quality as the setting content in the first job and automatically sets the paper quality as the setting content in the second job. When the paper quality automatic selection to be selected is set, the setting content corresponding to the paper quality of the second job is changed to the predetermined paper quality set in the first job, and the control unit If a condition other than the paper quality is satisfied when a cancel instruction is received during printing of the first job, the printing mechanism has already been fed from the paper feed port and has not yet been printed. The second job is printed on an unprinted paper that is the paper.

According to this aspect, processing at the time of job cancellation can be performed quickly, and unprinted paper feed can be used effectively.

Further, in the above invention, one preferable aspect thereof is that the control unit sets any one of plain paper types as the setting contents in the first job, and sets the paper as the setting contents in the second job. Is set to the first job, the setting content corresponding to the paper quality of the second job is set to the first job. When the control unit receives a cancel instruction during printing of the first job and the condition other than the paper quality is satisfied, the control unit has already fed the paper from the paper feed port. In addition, the second job is printed on an unprinted sheet that is the sheet that has not yet been printed.

According to this aspect, processing at the time of job cancellation can be performed quickly, and unprinted paper feed can be used effectively.

In order to achieve the above object, according to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for a printing apparatus that feeds a sheet from a sheet feeding port and performs printing on the fed sheet. When a cancel instruction is received during printing, the quality of the paper used for the first job and the first
Based on the quality of the paper set in the second job following the job, the first paper is fed to the unprinted paper feed, which is the paper that has been fed from the paper feed port and has not yet been printed. It is determined whether or not two jobs are to be printed, and if it is determined that printing is to be performed, the second job is printed on the unprinted paper feed.

In order to achieve the above object, according to still another aspect of the present invention, in a control method of a printing apparatus that feeds a sheet from a sheet feeding port and performs printing on the fed sheet, the received first When the second job following the first job is received before the printing of the job is started, the first job and the second job are set based on the setting contents related to the paper of the first job and the second job. It is determined whether to change the setting contents of at least one of the two jobs, and when it is determined to change, the setting contents of at least one of the first job and the second job are changed. .

Further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments of the invention described below.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram according to an embodiment of a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an unprinted paper feed process. It is the flowchart which illustrated the procedure of the setting change process.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, such an embodiment does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals or reference symbols.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram according to an embodiment of a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The printer 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. When the printer 2 receives a job cancel instruction, the printer 2 has already been fed from the paper feed port 221 and has not yet been printed. When there is no paper (hereinafter referred to as unprinted paper feed), the unprinted paper feed is performed based on the paper feed port 221 set in the subsequent print job (hereinafter referred to as the subsequent job) (second job). To determine whether to print the subsequent job. This realizes effective use of unprinted paper feed, which is convenient for the user.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printer 2 is, for example, an inkjet printer that executes printing on a sheet in accordance with a print request from a host device such as the host computer 1 or an operation on the printer 2. The printer 2 has a function of feeding a plurality of sheets following the sheet being printed to the conveyance path 222 in advance and printing at high speed. Although not shown, the printer 2 has a function of receiving data from an integrated or separate facsimile receiving apparatus and printing the contents of the facsimile.

The host computer 1 is communicably connected to the printer 2 and makes a print request to the printer 2 based on a user operation or the like. The host computer 1 is composed of a personal computer or the like, and includes an application for generating graphics and characters to be printed, a printer driver for the printer 2 (both not shown), and the like.

The print request is made by transmitting print data generated by the printer driver from the host computer 1 to the printer 2. Here, one print request is referred to as a print job, and various print conditions are set for each print job. These setting items include “paper feed slot”, “paper size”, “paper ejection direction”,
And “paper quality”.

The “paper feed port” is an item for designating which paper feed port 221 of the plurality of paper feed ports 221 included in the printer 2 is to be fed, and “paper size” is the size of the paper used for printing (
A4, A3, etc.), and “discharge direction” is an item that specifies the paper orientation (vertical or horizontal, in this case, the same as the paper feed direction) when discharging printed paper. “Paper quality” is an item for designating the type (plain paper, recycled paper, etc.) according to the material of the paper.

The contents of these setting items are set (designated) by a user operation or the like on the interface screen provided by the printer driver, and the setting contents are included in the print data.

Note that the “paper feed port” can be set to “automatic paper feed port”, and if it is set in this way, an appropriate paper feed is performed on the printer 2 side based on other setting contents. Select the mouth 221. Further, “paper size” and “paper discharge direction” can be unspecified, and if they are set in this way, appropriate ones are appropriately selected on the printer 2 side. Further, “paper quality” can be set to “paper quality auto” or “plain paper auto”, and when it is set in this way, an appropriate paper quality is selected on the printer 2 side. There are a plurality of types of plain paper depending on the color and paper thickness, and each of them is one “paper quality”. Accordingly, plain paper has a plurality of paper qualities, and these are collectively referred to as “plain paper”. “
When “plain paper auto” is set, the printer 2 selects an appropriate paper quality from “plain paper”.

  Hereinafter, a specific example of plain paper will be described.

The ordinary paper includes, for example, ordinary 1, ordinary 2, letterhead, colored paper, printed paper, thick paper 1, thick paper 2, thick paper 3, and thick paper 4. Recycled paper may be included in plain paper. The thickness of the normal system 2 is larger than the thickness of the normal system 1. As for thick papers 1 to 4, the thickness of thick paper 4, thick paper 3, thick paper 2 and thick paper 1 is larger in this order. Note that the user can preset the paper to be included in the plain paper system in the printer 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 2 includes a control unit 21 and a printing mechanism 22. The control unit 21 is a controller that controls each unit of the printer 2 and has a hardware configuration of CPU, RAM, ROM, NVRAM, ASIC (Application Specific Integrate).
d Circuit).

When receiving a print request such as when print data is received from the host computer 1, the control unit 21 controls the print mechanism 22 to print an image to be printed under the print conditions according to the contents set in the print job. On the paper. With respect to the paper to be used, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the above-described settings of the “paper feeding port”, “paper size”, “paper ejection direction”, and “paper quality” are set.
An appropriate paper feed port 221 is selected (determined), and paper is fed therefrom for printing.

In addition, as described above, since the printer 2 feeds paper before printing, if a print job is canceled during printing, unprinted paper feed is carried in the transport path 222 of the printer 2 (inside the machine or in the housing).
However, the control unit 21 determines whether or not to print the subsequent job on the unprinted paper feed based on the setting contents of the subsequent job that has received the print data. The printing process or the paper discharge process is executed based on the above. Note that these unprinted paper feed processes (hereinafter referred to as
The unprinted paper feed process) is executed by the cooperative operation of a program that instructs the process, a CPU that operates according to the program, a ROM that stores the program, a RAM, an NVRAM, and the like.

The printing mechanism 22 performs printing on a sheet or the like (printing medium) according to an instruction from the control unit 21. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing mechanism 22 includes a plurality of paper feed ports 221, a conveyance path 222, and a conveyance unit 223.
And a printing unit 224 and the like.

In the present embodiment, three paper feed ports 221 are provided (221A, 221B, 221C).
), And paper cassettes 3 (3A, 3B, 3C) for storing various types of paper are respectively inserted. At the time of printing, the paper is fed from one of the paper feed ports 221, and the fed paper is conveyed to the transport path 222.
It is conveyed along.

The transport unit 223 includes a transport roller, a driving source thereof, a transmission device, and the like. The transport unit 223 transports the paper fed from the paper feed port 221 to the printing position, and then transports the printed paper to be discharged. Note that unprinted paper feed exists in the conveyance path 222 from the paper feed port 221 to the printing position.

The printing unit 224 performs printing on the paper conveyed to the printing position. In the present embodiment, the printing unit 224 includes a print head that includes a plurality of nozzles that eject ink, a carriage that includes the print head and moves in the sub-scanning direction, and the like.

In the printer 2 according to the present embodiment having the configuration as described above, when a print request is received, the control unit 21 determines a paper feed port 221 suitable for the print request, and feeds and prints from there. However, there is a feature in the unprinted paper feed process when the print job is canceled during the printing, and the specific contents will be described below.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the unprinted paper feed process. The control unit 21 receives an instruction to cancel a print job during printing (hereinafter referred to as job cancel). At that time, if print data of a subsequent job has been received, the unprinted paper feed process starts. To do. Note that job cancellation is performed by an operation unit (not shown) of the host computer 1 or the printer 2.
The control unit 21 receives the signal.

First, the control unit 21 determines whether or not there is unprinted paper feed (step S1 in FIG. 2).
. When processing a print job that is being printed (hereinafter referred to as the current job) (first job), the control unit 21 has already fed up to how many sheets of the current job and has printed up to what number of sheets. Therefore, based on the information, it can be determined whether there is unprinted paper feed.

If there is no unprinted paper supply as a result of the determination (N in step S1 in FIG. 2).
o) The control unit 21 ends the unprinted paper feed process.

As a result of the determination, if there is unprinted paper feed (if any) (Yes in step S1 in FIG. 2).
The control unit 21 determines whether the subsequent job is a predetermined print job type (hereinafter referred to as a job type) (step S2 in FIG. 2). Here, the predetermined job type is a print job that only needs to be printed regardless of the form of the paper, and includes, for example, a status sheet indicating the status of the printer 2 and a received facsimile print. is there. Control unit 2
1 determines the determination from the header information of the subsequent job.

If the result of this determination is that the succeeding job is not a predetermined job type (No in step S2 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 selects the succeeding job based on the settings for the “paper feeding port” of the succeeding job. It is determined whether to print on an unprinted paper feed.

Specifically, the control unit 21 sets “feeding port automatic” for the “feeding port” of the subsequent job.
Is determined (step S5 in FIG. 2).

As a result, if the setting for the “paper feeding port” of the subsequent job is not “automatic paper feeding port” (No in step S5 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 is set to the subsequent job. It is determined whether or not the paper feed port 221 matches the paper feed port 221 for unprinted paper feed (current job) (step S6 in FIG. 2).

As a result of the determination, if the paper feed port 221 of the subsequent job matches the paper feed port 221 of the unprinted paper feed (Yes in step S6 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 prints the subsequent job on the unprinted paper feed. Then, the printing mechanism 22 is caused to print the succeeding job with respect to the unprinted paper feed (step S18 in FIG. 2). Specifically, the unprinted paper feed positioned upstream of the printing position of the transport path 222 is sequentially supplied by the transport unit 223 to the printing position.
24 executes printing.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination, if the paper feed port 221 of the subsequent job does not match the paper feed port 221 of the unprinted paper feed (No in step S6 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 It is determined that printing is not performed on the paper, and the printing mechanism 22 discharges the unprinted paper as white paper (unprinted) (step S19 in FIG. 2). Specifically, the transport unit 223 sequentially discharges unprinted paper feed located in the transport path 222 from the printer 2.

Next, returning to step S5, if the setting for the “paper feeding port” of the subsequent job is “automatic paper feeding port” (Yes in step S5 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 performs the subsequent operation. Settings other than “Paper slot” set in the job, that is, “Paper size”, “Eject direction”,
Whether the subsequent job is to be printed on the unprinted paper feed is determined based on the setting content of “paper quality”.

Specifically, the settings of “paper size”, “discharge direction”, and “paper quality” of the subsequent job are all the contents of unprinted paper feed (current job) (paper size, paper discharge direction, and paper quality). ) (Yes in step S7, Yes in S8, Yes in S9) in FIG. 2, the control unit 21 determines that the subsequent job is to be printed on the unprinted paper feed, and the printing mechanism 22 receives the unprinted data. The subsequent job is printed for the paper feed (step S18 in FIG. 2).

Also, when the settings for “paper size”, “paper discharge direction”, and “paper quality” do not match the contents of unprinted paper feed (current job), the settings are “unspecified” If the content is selectable with a degree of freedom, the control unit 21 edits the subsequent job, determines that the subsequent job is to be printed on the unprinted paper feed, and sends the unprinted feed to the printing mechanism 22. The subsequent job is printed on the paper (step S18 in FIG. 2).

Specifically, when the “paper size” of the subsequent job does not match the content of the unprinted paper feed (current job) (No in step S7 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 sets “ It is determined whether or not the setting content for “paper size” is “unspecified” (step S10 in FIG. 2).
). When the setting content is “undesignated” (Yes in step S10 in FIG. 2), the control unit 2
No. 1 executes enlargement / reduction processing for subsequent jobs so as to match the size of unprinted paper feed (FIG. 2).
Step S11). In the enlargement / reduction process, the control unit 21 determines the size of the image drawn by the print job.
Enlarge or reduce to fit the size of the unprinted paper feed. After the enlargement / reduction process, the process proceeds to step S8. The enlargement / reduction processing can be performed when the subsequent job is a print job for printing data received by facsimile.

On the other hand, when the setting content of “paper size” is not “unspecified” (step S10 in FIG. 2).
No), the control unit 21 determines that the subsequent job is not printed on the unprinted paper feed, and the printing mechanism 22
Then, the unprinted paper is discharged as white paper (step S19 in FIG. 2).

Further, when the “paper discharge direction” of the subsequent job does not match the content of the unprinted paper feed (current job) (No in step S8 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 sets the “paper discharge direction” of the subsequent job. It is determined whether or not the setting content for “direction” is “undesignated” (step S12 in FIG. 2). When the setting content is “undesignated” (Yes in step S12 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 executes a rotation process on the subsequent job so as to match the printing direction of the unprinted paper feed ( Step S13 in FIG. In the rotation process, the control unit 21 rotates the direction of the image drawn by the print job so as to match the direction of unprinted paper feed. After the rotation process, the process proceeds to step S9.

On the other hand, when the setting content of “paper discharge direction” is not “undesignated” (No in step S12 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 determines that the subsequent job is not printed on the unprinted paper feed, and the printing mechanism. In FIG. 2, the unprinted paper is discharged as blank paper (step S19 in FIG. 2).

If the “paper quality” of the subsequent job does not match the content of the unprinted paper feed (current job) (No in step S9 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 determines the “paper quality” of the subsequent job. It is determined whether or not the setting content is “automatic paper quality” (step S14 in FIG. 2). The setting is “
If “automatic paper quality” is set (Yes in step S14 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 matches the “paper quality” setting of the subsequent job with the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed (step S17 in FIG. 2). after that,
The control unit 21 determines that the subsequent job is printed on the unprinted paper feed, and causes the printing mechanism 22 to print the subsequent job on the unprinted paper feed (step S18 in FIG. 2).

On the other hand, when the setting content of the subsequent job is not “automatic paper quality” (No in step S14 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 sets the setting content for “paper quality” of the subsequent job to “plain paper auto”. (Step S15 in FIG. 2). When the setting content is “plain paper auto” (Yes in step S15 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 determines whether the unprinted paper type is plain paper (FIG. 2). Step S16). If the unprinted paper type is plain paper (Yes in step S16 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 adjusts the “paper quality” setting of the subsequent job to the unprinted paper quality (FIG. 2). Step S17). Thereafter, the control unit 21 determines that the subsequent job is printed on the unprinted paper feed, and causes the printing mechanism 22 to print the subsequent job on the unprinted paper feed (step S18 in FIG. 2).

If the set content is not “plain paper auto” in step S15 (step S in FIG. 2)
15), or when the unprinted paper feed is not plain paper in step S16 (FIG. 2).
In step S16, No), the control unit 21 determines that the subsequent job is not printed on the unprinted paper feed, and causes the printing mechanism 22 to discharge the unprinted paper as blank (step S19 in FIG. 2).

In this case, that is, when a specific paper quality is set for the succeeding job and it is different from the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed, if both paper quality is plain paper, the succeeding job is not printed. It may be determined that printing is to be performed on paper, and the printing mechanism 22 may be caused to execute printing of a subsequent job with respect to unprinted paper feed.

In the same case, if both papers are plain paper or recycled paper, it is determined that the subsequent job is printed on the unprinted paper feed, and the printing mechanism 22 prints the subsequent job on the unprinted paper feed. You may make it perform.

Next, when the subsequent job is a specific job type in step S2 (Yes in step S2 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 determines whether or not the number of unprinted paper feeds is equal to or greater than the number of subsequent jobs. Judgment is made (step S3 in FIG. 2). If the result of this determination is that the number of unprinted paper feeds is less than the number of subsequent jobs (No in step S3 in FIG. 2), the process proceeds to step S5.

On the other hand, if the number of unprinted paper feeds is equal to or greater than the number of subsequent jobs (step S3 in FIG. 2).
Yes), the control unit 21 determines the “paper size”, “paper discharge direction”, and “paper quality” of the subsequent job.
Is set to the unprinted paper feed (step S4 in FIG. 2), the subsequent job is determined to be printed on the unprinted paper feed, and the printing mechanism 22 prints the subsequent job on the unprinted paper feed. (Step S18 in FIG. 2). Note that when the settings of the “paper size” and “discharge direction” of the subsequent job are set to the unprinted paper supply, the control unit 21 enlarges / reduces and rotates the image drawn in the subsequent job as necessary. Run.

If the succeeding job is a received facsimile print, the succeeding to the unprinted paper feed only when the “substitute output” function is turned on (operated) in the printer 2. Job printing may be executed.

Here, “substitute output” means that the image of the facsimile print job is reduced and printed on a paper having a size smaller than the original size, and the image of the facsimile print job is enlarged to be larger than the original size. This means printing on large size paper.

As described above, when the succeeding job is printed on the unprinted sheet feed (S18) or the unprinted sheet feed is discharged (S19), the unprinted sheet feed process ends.

Next, processing performed when the control unit 21 receives a print job will be described. This process is a process for changing the settings related to paper in advance for a received print job so that a subsequent job can be immediately printed on an unprinted paper feed when a job cancel occurs (hereinafter, referred to as “job cancel”). This is called setting change processing). The setting change process may not be performed.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the setting change process. First, the control unit 21
Waiting for one print job to be received (No in step S21 in FIG. 3) When one print job is received (Yes in step S21 in FIG. 3), the received print job (hereinafter referred to as a received job) (first job) Print job received immediately before (second job) (hereinafter referred to as the preceding job) (first
It is determined whether printing of (job) has not been started (step S22 in FIG. 3). If there is no preceding job, and if printing has already started even if there is a preceding job (No in step S22 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 does not change the setting and does not change the next print job. Wait for reception (to S21).

If there is a preceding job that has not started printing (Yes in step S22 in FIG. 3), the control unit 2
1 determines whether or not to change the setting based on the setting contents of the “paper feeding port” of the received job and the preceding job.

Specifically, the control unit 21 determines whether or not the setting for at least one of the “paper feeding port” of the received job and the preceding job is “automatic paper feeding port” (FIG. 3). Step S23).

As a result, if the setting for “paper feeding port” of the subsequent job is not “automatic paper feeding port” (No in step S23 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 does not change the setting and performs the next. Waiting for reception of a print job (to S21).

When the setting for the “paper feed port” of any print job is “automatic paper feed port” (Yes in step S23 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 is set to the subsequent job. "
It is determined whether or not to change the setting based on the setting contents other than the “paper feeding port”, that is, the setting contents of “paper size”, “paper discharge direction”, and “paper quality”.

Specifically, if the settings of “paper size”, “paper discharge direction”, and “paper quality” of the preceding job and the received job are all the same (Yes in step S24 in FIG. 3, Yes in S25).
, S26), the control unit 21 sets the “paper feed port” of the preceding job and the received job to a specific paper feed port suitable for the setting contents of “paper size”, “paper discharge direction”, and “paper quality”. Set to 221. That is, the setting contents of the “paper feed port” of the preceding job and the received job are matched to the same paper feed port 221 (step S34 in FIG. 3). For example, both “sheet feeding ports” are “sheet feeding ports 221A”.
The setting is changed to. If the setting content of either the preceding job or the reception job is a specific paper feeding port 221 that is not “automatic paper feeding port”, the setting content of the “paper feeding port” of the other print job is changed to that feeding job. Align with paper mouth 221. After the setting change, the process returns to step S21.

In addition, when the settings for “paper size”, “paper discharge direction”, and “paper quality” do not match in both print jobs, if the settings are “unspecified”, the selection is flexible. If the contents are possible, the control unit 21 determines to change the setting contents to match the setting contents of both “sheet feeding ports”.

Specifically, when the “paper size” of the received job and the preceding job does not match (No in step S24 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 determines at least the received job and the preceding job.
It is determined whether or not the setting content for any “paper size” is “unspecified” (step S27 in FIG. 3). The setting content is “Unspecified” for at least one of the print jobs.
(Yes in step S27 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 performs processing for matching the paper sizes of the received job and the preceding job (step S28 in FIG. 3). Specifically, if the setting content of one of the print jobs is not “undesignated”, the control unit 21 sets the setting content of “paper size” of the other print job to the paper set in the print job. Fit to size.
Also, if the setting contents of both print jobs are “unspecified”, the control section 21 changes the setting contents of “paper size” of both print jobs to a specific same paper size. If the paper size after the setting change does not match the size of the image drawn by the print job, the control unit 21
As appropriate, the size of the image is enlarged or reduced so as to fit the set paper size. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S25.

On the other hand, if the setting content of “paper size” is not “unspecified” for any print job (No in step S27 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 does not change the setting and does not change the next print job. Wait for reception (to S21).

If the “ejection direction” of the received job and the preceding job does not match (No in step S25 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 selects at least one “ejection” of the received job and the preceding job. It is determined whether or not the setting content for “paper direction” is “undesignated” (step S29 in FIG. 3). When the setting content is “unspecified” for at least one of the print jobs (Yes in step S29 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 performs a process of matching the paper discharge directions of the received job and the preceding job (FIG. 3). 3 step S30). Specifically, if the setting content of one of the print jobs is not “unspecified”, the control unit 21 sets the “paper discharge direction” of the other print job.
Is set to the paper discharge direction set for the print job. In addition, the control unit 21
If the setting contents of both print jobs are “undesignated”, the setting contents of “discharge direction” of both print jobs are changed to the same specific discharge direction. If the paper discharge direction after the setting change does not match the direction of the image drawn by the print job, the control unit 21 rotates the image direction so as to match the set paper discharge direction as appropriate. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S26.

On the other hand, if the setting content of “discharge direction” is not “undesignated” for any print job (No in step S29 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 does not change the setting and does not change the next print job. Is received (to S21).

In addition, when the settings of “paper quality” of the preceding job and the received job do not match (FIG. 3).
In step S26, the control unit 21 determines whether at least one of the “paper quality” setting contents of the received job and the preceding job is “paper quality automatic” (step S31 in FIG. 3). ). When the setting content is “automatic paper quality” for at least one of the print jobs (Yes in step S31 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 performs processing for matching the paper quality of the received job and the preceding job (in FIG. 3). Step S33). Specifically, if the setting content of one of the print jobs is not “automatic paper quality”, the control unit 21 sets “paper quality” of the other print job.
Match the settings in to the paper quality set for the print job. In addition, the control unit 21
If the setting contents of both print jobs are “paper quality automatic”, the setting contents of “paper quality” of both print jobs are changed to the same specific paper quality.

Thereafter, the control unit 21 sets the “paper feeding port” of the preceding job and the received job to “paper size”, “
A specific paper feed port 221 suitable for the setting contents of “paper discharge direction” and “paper quality” is set. That is, the setting contents of the “paper feed port” of the preceding job and the received job are matched to the same paper feed port 221 (
Step S34 in FIG. After the setting change, the process returns to step S21.

On the other hand, when the setting content of “paper quality” is not “automatic paper quality” for any print job (No in step S31 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 sets “paper quality” for both print jobs.
Is set to “plain paper auto” or “paper quality” is set to “plain paper auto” for one print job and “print quality auto” is set for the other print job. It is determined whether the setting content of “paper quality” is set to a specific paper quality of plain paper (step S32 in FIG. 3).

When any one of the conditions is satisfied (Yes in step S32 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21
Processing for matching the paper quality of the received job and the preceding job is performed (step S33 in FIG. 3). Specifically, if the setting content of any print job is not “plain paper auto”, the control unit 21
The setting content of “paper quality” of the other print job is matched with the paper quality set for the print job. In addition, if the setting content is “plain paper auto” for both print jobs, the control unit 21 changes the “paper quality” setting content of both print jobs to the same paper quality of plain paper. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S34, and the process is performed in the same manner as described above.

On the other hand, when none of the conditions in step S32 is satisfied (No in step S32 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 does not change the setting and waits for reception of the next print job (to S21).

  As described above, the setting change process when a print job is received is executed.

If the printer 2 is a device that only feeds paper of the same size in the same paper discharge direction, the control unit 21 determines the paper quality set for the subsequent job when the job is canceled. Based on the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed, it may be determined whether the subsequent job is printed on the unprinted paper feed. If it is determined that the subsequent job is to be printed on the unprinted paper feed, the control unit 21
Causes the printing mechanism 22 to execute the printing in the same manner as described above.

The determination based on the paper quality is performed in the same manner as the processing described based on steps S9 and S14-S17 in FIG. Further, when the paper quality set for the subsequent job and the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed are both plain paper quality or recycled paper, the control unit 21 prints the subsequent job on the unprinted paper feed. to decide.

Similarly, when the printer 2 is an apparatus that only feeds paper of the same size in the same paper discharge direction, the control unit 21 is set as a preceding job and a received job when a print job is received. It may be determined whether or not to perform a setting change process for matching both setting contents based on the paper quality that is present. In this case, the determination based on the paper quality is performed in steps S26 and S3 in FIG.
1, the same processing as that described based on S32 is performed.

As described above, in the printer 2 according to the present embodiment and its modification, if the print data of the subsequent job is received when the job is canceled during printing of the current job, Based on the set content of the “paper feed port”, it is determined whether or not to print the subsequent job on the unprinted paper feed, and if it is determined to perform the printing, the printing is executed. Therefore, the paper can be effectively used while satisfying the user's request.

More specifically, if the same paper feeding port 221 as that for unprinted paper feeding is set in the subsequent job,
It can be determined that the subsequent job is printed on the unprinted paper feed, and the paper can be effectively used while satisfying the user's request.

If “Automatic Feeding Port” is set for the succeeding job, if the conditions other than “Feeding Port” are satisfied, it is determined that the succeeding job is printed on the unprinted paper feed, and the paper Can be used effectively and user convenience is improved.

If the conditions other than “paper feed port” satisfy the conditions of “paper size” and “paper discharge direction”, it is determined that the subsequent job is printed on the unprinted paper feed, and the user request can be satisfied. .

If the “paper size” of the subsequent job is set to “unspecified”, the image data (printing range) of the subsequent job is enlarged or reduced so as to correspond to the unprinted paper feed, and the condition is satisfied. Judge. Therefore, it is possible to increase opportunities for utilizing unprinted paper.

If the “paper size” of the subsequent job is designated and does not coincide with the unprinted paper feed, the unprinted paper feed is discharged. Thereby, it is possible to prevent printing which is not desired by the user.

In addition, when the subsequent job is a print job for printing data received by facsimile, the enlargement or reduction process can be performed to use unprinted paper feed that does not hinder the user.

If the “ejection direction” of the subsequent job is set to “undesignated”, the image data of the subsequent job is rotated so as to correspond to unprinted paper feed, and it is determined that the condition is satisfied. Therefore, it is possible to increase opportunities for utilizing unprinted paper.

In addition, when the number of unprinted paper feeds is equal to or greater than the number of subsequent jobs, it is possible to increase the opportunities for using unprinted paper by printing the subsequent jobs on the unprinted paper feed.

Furthermore, if the number of unprinted paper feeds is equal to or greater than the number of subsequent jobs, and if the job type of the subsequent jobs is a print job that prints a status sheet, the subsequent job is printed on the unprinted paper feed so that the user It is possible to utilize unprinted paper feed without deteriorating the convenience.

Furthermore, when the number of unprinted paper feeds is equal to or greater than the number of succeeding jobs, the job type of the succeeding job is a print job for printing data received by facsimile, and the proxy output function is activated. In this case, by printing the subsequent job on the unprinted paper feed, the unprinted paper feed can be utilized without deteriorating the convenience for the user.

Also, when the printer 2 is a device that only feeds paper of the same size in the same paper ejection direction, when the job is canceled, the paper quality set for the subsequent job and the unprinted paper feed Based on the paper quality, it is determined whether or not the subsequent job is printed on the unprinted paper feed. Thereby, unprinted paper feed can be utilized without impairing user needs.

In particular, if the paper quality set for the succeeding job matches the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed, printing the succeeding job on the unprinted paper feed will enable unprinted paper feed that does not cause any problems. Can be used.

Also, if the paper size set for the subsequent job matches the paper size of the unprinted paper feed, if the “paper quality” of the subsequent job is set to “paper quality auto”, the subsequent job is not printed. Judge to print on paper. As a result, unprinted paper feed can be more utilized without impairing user needs.

Also, if the paper size set for the subsequent job matches the paper size of the unprinted paper feed, the “paper quality” of the subsequent job is set to “plain paper auto” and the unprinted paper feed If the paper quality is plain paper, it is determined that the subsequent job is printed on the unprinted paper feed. As a result, unprinted paper feed can be more utilized without impairing user needs.

Furthermore, if the paper size set for the subsequent job matches the paper size for unprinted paper feed, and the paper quality set for the subsequent job is different from the paper quality for unprinted paper feed, both paper quality If it is plain paper, it can be determined that the subsequent job is printed on the unprinted paper feed.
Thereby, the unprinted paper feed can be effectively utilized.

Furthermore, if the paper size set for the subsequent job matches the paper size for unprinted paper feed, and the paper quality set for the subsequent job is different from the paper quality for unprinted paper feed, both paper quality If it is plain paper or recycled paper, it can be determined that the subsequent job is printed on unprinted paper. Thereby, the unprinted paper feed can be effectively utilized.

In addition, when the next print job is received before printing of the preceding job is started, the setting contents of both print jobs are appropriately set based on the contents set for both print jobs.
change. As a result, printing using unprinted paper feed at the time of job cancellation can be processed quickly.

Specifically, if the “paper quality” of one of the print jobs is set to “paper quality auto” and a specific paper quality is set to the other print job, the former “paper quality” is set to the latter. Change to a specific paper quality. As a result, when there is a job cancellation during the printing of the preceding print job of both, printing on the unprinted paper feed can be performed quickly.

Also, if the “paper quality” of either print job is set to “plain paper auto” and the other print job is set to plain paper, the former “paper quality” is set to the latter. Change the paper quality. As a result, when there is a job cancellation during the printing of the preceding print job of both, printing on the unprinted paper feed can be performed quickly.

  In this embodiment, an example in which a CPU (processor) executes each process has been described.

Here, in this specification, the CPU may be composed of one or a plurality of CPUs, or may be composed of one or a plurality of integrated circuits (for example, ASIC). Also,
The CPU may be configured by a combination of one or more CPUs and one or more integrated circuits.

The protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but covers the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Host computer, 2 ... Printer, 3 (3A, 3B, 3C) ... Paper cassette, 21 ... Control part, 22 ... Printing mechanism, 221 (221A, 221B, 221C) ... Paper feed port,
222: conveying path, 223 ... conveying section, 224 ... printing section.

Claims (11)

A printing mechanism that feeds paper from the paper feed slot and prints on the fed paper;
A control unit for controlling the printing mechanism,
When the control unit receives a cancel instruction during printing of the first job, the control unit determines the quality of the sheet used for the first job and the sheet set for the second job following the first job. Based on the paper quality, it is determined whether or not to print the second job on the unprinted paper feed that is the paper that has been fed from the paper feed port and has not yet been printed. If it is determined to perform the printing, the printing mechanism causes the printing mechanism to print the second job on the unprinted paper feed. In claim 1,
The control unit determines to print the second job on the unprinted paper feed when the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed matches the paper quality set for the second job. Characteristic printing device. In claim 1 or 2,
When the paper quality and paper size of the unprinted paper feed and the paper quality and paper size set in the second job match, the control unit applies the second print paper to the unprinted paper feed. A printing device that determines that a job is to be printed. In claim 1,
The control unit performs automatic paper quality selection indicating that the paper size of the unprinted paper feed matches the paper size set in the second job, and the paper quality should be automatically selected for the second job. If it is set, the printing apparatus determines to print the second job on the unprinted paper feed. In claim 1,
The control unit automatically matches the paper size of the unprinted paper feed and the paper size set in the second job, and automatically selects the paper quality from the plain paper quality for the second job. If the plain paper automatic selection to be performed is set and the quality of the unprinted paper feed is plain paper, it is determined that the second job is printed on the unprinted paper feed. Characteristic printing device. In claim 1,
The control unit matches the paper size of the unprinted paper feed with the paper size set for the second job, and sets the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed and the paper quality set for the second job. If the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed is plain paper or recycled paper and the paper quality set in the second job is plain paper or recycled paper, the paper is not printed. It is judged that printing of the said 2nd job is performed. The printing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. A printing mechanism that feeds paper from the paper feed slot and prints on the fed paper;
A control unit for controlling the printing mechanism,
The control unit performs a second operation following the first job before printing of the received first job is started.
When receiving a job, it is determined whether to change the setting contents of at least one of the first job and the second job based on the setting contents of the first job and the second job regarding the paper. If it is determined that the setting is to be changed, the setting content of at least one of the first job and the second job is changed. In claim 7,
The control unit sets a predetermined paper quality as the setting content in the first job, and the second job
When the paper quality automatic selection to automatically select the paper quality of the paper is set as the setting content in the job, the setting content corresponding to the paper quality of the second job is set in the first job. Change to the predetermined paper quality,
When the control unit receives a cancel instruction during printing of the first job and the condition other than the paper quality is satisfied, the control unit has already fed the paper from the paper feed port and is still printing. A printing apparatus that causes the second job to be printed on an unprinted sheet that is the sheet on which printing is not performed. In claim 7,
The control unit automatically selects one of the plain paper types as the setting content for the first job, and automatically selects the paper quality of the plain paper as the setting content for the second job. When the plain paper automatic selection to be performed is set, the setting content corresponding to the paper quality of the second job is changed to the paper quality set for the first job,
When the control unit receives a cancel instruction during printing of the first job and the condition other than the paper quality is satisfied, the control unit has already fed the paper from the paper feed port and is still printing. A printing apparatus that causes the second job to be printed on an unprinted sheet that is the sheet on which printing is not performed. A control method for a printing apparatus that feeds paper from a paper feed slot and performs printing on the fed paper.
When a cancel instruction is received during printing of the first job, based on the paper quality of the paper used for the first job and the paper quality of the paper set for the second job following the first job, It is determined whether or not to print the second job on an unprinted sheet that has been fed from the sheet feeding port and has not yet been printed. In this case, the control method is characterized in that printing of the second job is performed on the unprinted paper feed. A control method for a printing apparatus that feeds paper from a paper feed slot and performs printing on the fed paper.
When the second job following the first job is received before printing of the received first job is started, the first job and the second job are used to set the first job based on the setting contents regarding the paper. It is determined whether or not to change the setting contents of at least one of the job and the second job, and when it is determined to change, the setting contents of at least one of the first job and the second job are changed. A control method characterized by that.

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