JP2020082463A - Printing device and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To increase a possibility that convenience of two-sided printing is improved.SOLUTION: A printing device is configured to include: a receiving part that receives a printing job; and a printing control part that, when users of two printing jobs that have been received continuously are different, completes the whole two-sided printing for the printing job that has been received first, then performs printing of the printing job that has been received second, and when users of two printing jobs that have been received continuously are the same and predetermined conditions are satisfied, performs printing for one side of a printing medium for the printing job that has been received second in a process of conveying, for reversal, a printing medium on which one side of the printing job that has been received first has been printed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a printing device and a printing method.

Conventionally, in double-sided printing, a method of printing double-sided printing media one by one (usually referred to as double-sided printing in this specification) is used because one side of the printing medium is printed and one side is already printed. There is known a method of printing one side of another print medium in the process of being conveyed to another side (referred to as continuous double-sided printing in this specification) (for example, Patent Document 1). When performing double-sided printing on a plurality of print media, continuous double-sided printing requires a shorter printing time than normal double-sided printing.

JP, 2009-86398, A

However, when continuous double-sided printing is performed across print jobs, the completion of all double-sided printing of the preceding print job is delayed due to the printing time of the subsequent print job and the like. In such a case, for example, when the user of the preceding print job (creator of the print job) and the user of the succeeding print job are different, the user of the preceding print job is the succeeding print job of another user. Have to wait for his print job to complete. Also, even if the users of two consecutive print jobs are the same, the user must wait for the completion of the preceding print job for the succeeding print job. However, in order to reduce the total time from the start of printing of the preceding print job to the completion of printing of the subsequent print job, continuous double-sided printing is desirable even between print jobs.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for increasing the possibility of improving the convenience of double-sided printing.

A printing apparatus for achieving the above object terminates all double-sided printing of a previously received print job when the receiving unit that receives the print job and the user of two print jobs that are continuously received are different. Prints the print job received later, and when the users of two print jobs received consecutively match and the predetermined condition is satisfied, one side of the print job received first is printed. And a print control unit that prints one side of the print medium of a print job received later in the process in which the print medium is conveyed for reversing.

In the case of this configuration, when the users of the print jobs that are continuously received are different, the printing apparatus completes all double-sided printing of the print job that is received first, and then prints the print job that is received later. That is, continuous double-sided printing is not performed between print jobs of different users. Therefore, the completion of double-sided printing of the preceding print job will not be delayed due to the printing of the subsequent print job. As a result, the user of the preceding print job does not have to wait for the completion of printing of the preceding print job of another user for the subsequent print job. In addition, when the users of the print jobs received consecutively match and the predetermined condition is satisfied, the printing apparatus conveys the print medium on which one side of the preceding print job is printed for reversing. In the process of printing, one side of the print medium of the subsequent print job is printed. That is, continuous double-sided printing is performed when print jobs of the same user satisfy a predetermined condition. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which continuous double-sided printing is not performed between print jobs even if the conditions are satisfied, the total required time from the start of printing of the preceding print job to the completion of printing of the subsequent print job can be shortened. it can. Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to increase the possibility that the convenience of double-sided printing is improved.

Further, the print job instructing to print on the Nth print medium (N is an integer of 1 or more) is the print job received previously, and the print job instructing to print on the (N+1)th print medium is , The print job received later, and the condition is that after printing the side to be printed first of both sides of the N-th print medium, the conveyance of the N-th print medium is performed for printing the side to be printed later. It is predicted that the completion of the printing or the completion of the drying, whichever is later, is not earlier (same or later) than the completion of the printing of the first printing side of the both sides of the (N+1)th print medium. It may be configured.

That is, after the printing side is printed on the front side of the N-th printing medium, the completion of conveyance of the N-th printing medium for printing the side to be printed later or the completion of drying, whichever is later, When it is predicted that the printing of the front side of the (N+1)th print medium will not be completed earlier than that, the preceding print job and the subsequent print job are continuously double-sided printed.
After printing the side to be printed on the front side of the Nth print medium until the side to be printed later is ready for printing, the drying of the Nth print medium is completed and the side to be printed later It is necessary to complete the transport for printing. Therefore, there is always a certain period of time between the printing of the surface to be printed on the Nth printing medium and the start of printing of the surface to be printed later. In the present configuration, it is assumed that printing of the N+1th sheet to be printed first is performed during the period, and printing of the N+1th sheet to be printed can be completed during the period. When predicted, the preceding print job and the subsequent print job are continuously duplex printed. If it is as expected, the Nth print medium has been dried and conveyed, but the N+1th print medium is not yet printed on the side to be printed, There is no delay in the start of printing on the side to be printed after the eye print medium (waiting longer than necessary). From the above, according to this configuration, the total required from the start of printing of the preceding print job to the completion of printing of the succeeding print job without waiting for the completion of double-sided printing of the preceding print job more than necessary. The time can be shortened compared to the case where continuous double-sided printing is not performed between print jobs.

Further, completion of printing on the side to be printed first on both sides of the N+1th printing medium is predicted based on the time required for printing on the side to be printed on the first printing medium of the N+1th sheet, The time required for printing the side to be printed on the front side of the medium is the moving distance of the print head, the moving speed of the print head, and the transport time of the print medium when printing the side to be printed on the front side of the N+1th print medium. The configuration may be calculated based on

Depending on the print content (document, photo, etc.) printed on the surface printed on the (N+1)th sheet, the time required for printing on the surface printed on the (N+1)th sheet may be different. If the print data of the surface to be printed on the (N+1)th sheet can be acquired, the movement distance of the print head when printing using the print data is performed based on the print data (even if the print media of the same size are printed, The moving distance may vary depending on the content). Further, by dividing the movement distance of the print head by the movement speed of the print head (the movement speed is predetermined according to the printing apparatus), when printing the surface to be printed on the N+1th sheet, The time required to move the print head can be acquired. Also, based on the transport time of the print medium (predetermined according to the printing device) and the time required to move the print head when printing the surface to be printed on the (N+1)th sheet , N+1th sheet can be calculated for the required printing time for the surface to be printed first. Therefore, in the case of this configuration, the print required time is calculated according to the print content to be printed on the N+1th sheet to be printed first, and the print required time is used to calculate the difference between the preceding print job and the subsequent print job. It is possible to determine whether to perform continuous double-sided printing.

Further, the completion of printing on the side to be printed first on both sides of the N+1th sheet (N≧2) of the print medium is the time required for printing on the side to be printed later on the side of the N−1th sheet of print medium. The printing time required for the surface to be printed after the (N-1)th printing medium is N-1. It may be calculated based on the moving distance of the print head, the moving speed of the print head, and the transport time of the print medium when printing the surface to be printed after the first print medium. ..

That is, in the case of this configuration, when N≧2, the completion of printing on the surface to be printed on the N+1th printing medium is determined by the time required for printing on the surface to be printed after the (N-1)th printing medium and N+1 sheets. Forecasting is based on the sum of the required printing times of the surface to be printed on the tip of the eye print medium. If N≧2 and it is already determined that the N−1th sheet and the Nth sheet included in the preceding print job are continuously double-sided printed, the surface to be printed ahead of the N+1th printing medium Is printed subsequent to the printing of the surface to be printed after the (N-1)th sheet. Therefore, as in the present configuration, the required print time according to the print content of the surface to be printed after the (N-1)th sheet is calculated, and the required print time for the side to be printed after the (N-1)th sheet and the (N+1)th sheet It is possible to determine whether or not to perform continuous double-sided printing between the preceding print job and the subsequent print job based on the sum of the required printing times of the surfaces to be printed first.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing unit. The schematic diagram which shows a conveyance path. 6 is a timing chart illustrating a drying required time and a transportation time. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of print job data. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating conditions for determining a double-sided printing method. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of two consecutive print jobs. The timing chart which shows the example of double-sided printing. The timing chart which shows the example of double-sided printing. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of two consecutive print jobs. The timing chart which shows the example of double-sided printing. The timing chart which shows the example of double-sided printing. The flowchart of double-sided printing confirmation processing.

Here, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
(1) Configuration of printing device:
(2) Double-sided printing confirmation process:
(3) Other embodiments:

(1) Configuration of printing device:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The printing apparatus 1 includes a processor 10, a storage unit 20, a UI (User Interface) 30, a communication unit 40, and a printing unit 50. The processor 10 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and the CPU can execute various programs recorded in the ROM or the like to control each unit of the printing apparatus 1. The processor 10 may be composed of a single chip, or may be composed of a plurality of chips. Further, for example, the ASIC may be adopted instead of the CPU, or the CPU and the ASIC may cooperate with each other.

The UI unit 30 includes a touch panel type display, various keys and switches, and the like. The processor 10 can acquire the operation content of the user via the UI unit 30. Further, the processor 10 can display various information on the display of the UI unit 30 to notify the user.

The communication unit 40 includes a communication interface circuit for communicating with another device connected to the printing apparatus 1 in a wired or wireless manner according to various communication protocols. The processor 10 can receive print job data (including print data) from another device connected via the communication unit 40.

The printing unit 50 includes an actuator, a sensor, a drive circuit, a mechanical component, and the like for executing printing on various print media by the serial inkjet method. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the schematic configuration of the printing unit 50 and the transport path of the print medium. As shown in FIG. 2, the printing unit 50 includes a carriage 501, a print head 502, a support base 503, a cassette 504, and a paper discharge tray 505.

The carriage 501 reciprocates in the main scanning direction along a guide shaft (not shown) provided so as to extend in the main scanning direction. The main scanning direction is parallel to the depth direction of the paper surface of FIG. The print head 502 is mounted on the carriage 501 and ejects ink onto a print medium conveyed on a support 503. On the support base 503, the print medium is conveyed in a direction from the right side to the left side of the paper surface. The carriage 501 moves in the main scanning direction, and in the process of movement, the print head 502 ejects ink onto the print medium to form an image on the print medium.

The cassette 504 accommodates a print medium and is detachably mounted inside the housing 100 of the printing apparatus 1. The printing unit 50 of the present embodiment has a configuration including two cassettes 504, but of course, the number of cassettes 504 may be one, or may be three or more. In addition to the cassette 504, a paper feed tray mounted outside the housing 100 may be provided. The housing 100 is formed with an opening (paper discharge port 506) for discharging the print medium. The paper discharge tray 505 (stacker) is attached to the lower part of the paper discharge port 506 and holds the printed print medium discharged from the paper discharge port 506 of the housing 100.

The printing unit 50 of this embodiment can perform single-sided printing and double-sided printing. In the case of single-sided printing, the print medium placed in the cassette 504 is fed (T1), conveyed on the support table 503 from the right side to the left side of the paper surface of FIG. 2, and ejected to the paper ejection tray 505 (T2). .. An image is formed on the print medium by the print head 502 while being conveyed on the support 503 at T2. In this case, the print surface is discharged face up with the print surface facing up. In single-sided printing, face-down (printing surface is on the lower side) discharge is performed by transporting the print medium in the order of T3 and T4 after T1 and T2 described above in the present embodiment. T3 is to switch back the print medium partially ejected from the paper ejection port 506 and convey the lower conveyance path of the support base 503 from the left side to the right side of FIG. T4 is to reverse the front and back of the print medium and convey it on the support base 503 from the right side to the left side of the paper surface of FIG.

In the case of double-sided printing, either normal double-sided printing or continuous double-sided printing is selected in this embodiment. Ordinary double-sided printing is a method of sequentially performing double-sided printing on print media one by one. In the case of normal double-sided printing, the above steps T1, T2, T3, and T4 are sequentially performed for each print medium. An image is formed on the print medium by the print head 502 while being transported on the support 503 (T2, T4). One of the two sides of each print medium is stacked on the paper discharge tray 505 in a state where the side printed later faces upward (face-up).

Continuous double-sided printing is a method in which one side of a print medium is printed, and then one side of another print medium is printed in the process of transporting the print medium printed on one side for reversing. For example, when the print data of all four pages is printed on two print media by continuous double-sided printing, in the present embodiment, it is performed as follows. That is, T1 is performed for the first print medium, T2 is performed for the first print medium, T1 is performed for the second print medium, and T3 is performed for the first print medium. T2 for the second print medium is performed, T4 for the first print medium is performed, T3 for the second print medium is performed, and T2 for the second print medium is performed. T4 is implemented. When continuous double-sided printing is performed on the same number of print media under the same conditions, the total time required to complete double-sided printing on all the print media can be shortened as compared with normal double-sided printing.

In the present embodiment, continuous double-sided printing may not be applicable depending on the setting value for double-sided printing set in the printing apparatus 1, the type of print medium to be printed, and the like. When continuous double-sided printing is not applicable, double-sided printing is usually performed by the double-sided printing method. For example, in the printing apparatus 1, when the setting value of the setting item of the operation sound reduction mode is set to ON, continuous double-sided printing is not applicable. Even if the operation sound reduction mode is off, continuous double-sided printing is not applicable in the following cases. For example, the size of the print medium capable of continuous double-sided printing is predetermined based on the relationship between the length of the transport path and the length of the print medium in the transport direction. In the case of the present embodiment, for example, a print medium of A4 size or smaller is the size of the print medium capable of continuous double-sided printing. Therefore, in the present embodiment, continuous double-sided printing is not applicable to print media having a size larger than A4. Further, in the present embodiment, even if the size of the print medium is A4 or smaller, if the method of feeding the print medium is different (for example, cassette and rear sheet feeding), if the size of the print medium is different, When the paper type (paper quality) is different, and/or at least one of the cases, continuous double-sided printing is not applicable. Specifically, for example, A4 plain paper and postcards are not applicable to continuous double-sided printing. That is, in the present embodiment, the operation sound reduction mode is off, and the N-th sheet (N is an integer of 1 or more) and the N+1-th sheet are the same sheet size of A4 or smaller, the same sheet type, and the same sheet feeding method. In the case of printing, the Nth sheet and the N+1th sheet are treated as a combination capable of continuous double-sided printing.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the transport rollers arranged on the transport paths T1 to T4 shown in FIG. The print medium picked up by the feeding roller 56 from the cassette 504 is conveyed by being sandwiched between the intermediate roller 51 and the driven roller 51a and also sandwiched between the intermediate roller 51 and the driven roller 51b. The print medium conveyed in accordance with the rotation of the intermediate roller 51 is eventually sandwiched between the first transport roller 52 and its driven roller 52a, also sandwiched between the first discharge roller 53 and its driven roller 53a, and the second discharge roller 54. The driven rollers 54a are sequentially sandwiched and conveyed in accordance with the rotations of the first conveying roller 52, the first discharging roller 53, and the second discharging roller 54.

After the trailing edge of the print medium passes through the first discharge roller pair (53, 53a), the second discharge roller 54 rotates in the reverse direction with the print medium sandwiched by the second discharge roller pair (54, 54a). Then, the print medium enters the transport path below the support base 503 from the rear end side. The print medium is sandwiched between the second discharge roller pair (54, 54a), and also sandwiched between the second transport roller pair (second transport roller 55 and its driven roller 55a) and the second discharge roller 54 and the second discharge roller 54. It is transported according to the rotation of the transport roller 55. The print medium transported by the rotation of the second transport roller 55 is eventually sandwiched between the intermediate roller 51 and the driven roller 51a. Further, as the intermediate roller 51 rotates, the print medium is reversed along the outer periphery of the intermediate roller 51, sandwiched between the intermediate roller 51 and the driven roller 51b, and then the first transport roller pair (52, 52a) The sheet is discharged from the sheet discharge port 506 via the first discharge roller pair (53, 53a) and the second discharge roller pair (54, 54a).

It should be noted that the illustration of other rollers and conveying parts is omitted in FIG. Conveying parts such as the driven rollers 53a, 54a, 55a that are on the downstream side of the print head 502 and contact the printing surface may be so-called star wheels that make point contact with the printing medium.

In the present embodiment, the transport from the start of unloading from the cassette 504 by the feeding roller 56 to the time before the leading edge of the print medium reaches the first transport roller pair (52, 52a) is T1. Further, the conveyance from the time when the front end of the print medium reaches the first conveyance roller pair (52, 52a) to the time when the print medium is switched back by the second discharge roller 54 is T2. In addition, from the switchback by the second discharge roller 54 to the point before the switchback front end of the print medium (the rear end before switchback) contacts the outer circumference of the intermediate roller 51 through the second transport roller pair (55, 55a). The transport of is designated as T3. Further, after the front end of the print medium after the switchback is sandwiched between the intermediate roller 51 and the driven roller 51a, the rear end of the print medium after the switchback is separated from the second discharge roller pair (54, 54a) and the discharge port 506. The transport from the sheet to the sheet discharge is T4.

The print medium is intermittently conveyed while it is passing below the print head 502. That is, at T2 and T4, the conveyance of the print medium by a predetermined distance and the ink ejection by the print head 502 accompanying the movement of the carriage 501 along the main scanning direction are alternately repeated. In the case of a serial inkjet printer, the movement distance of the print head 502 (the carriage 501 having the print head 502) may vary depending on the content to be printed on the print surface of the print medium. Therefore, the length of time required for T2 (printing required time) differs depending on the print content of the surface of the print medium that is to be printed first, and the length of time required for T4 (printing required time) is printed after the print medium. Depends on the printed contents of the surface.

Specifically, when the entire print surface of the print medium is blank (when nothing is printed), the length of time T2 (printing required time) is the conveyance of the print medium from the start point to the end point of T2. Equal to time When the printing surface of the print medium is not a blank sheet, the time T2 is the time obtained by adding the time for moving the print head 502 to stop the transportation of the print medium and move the print head 502 to the above-described transport time (head moving time). (The time required for printing). The same applies to T4. That is, when the printing surface of the print medium is blank, the length of time T4 (required printing time) is equal to the transport time of the print medium from the start point to the end point of T4. When the printing surface of the print medium is not blank, the length of time obtained by adding the time for stopping the transportation and moving the print head 502 for ink ejection (head movement time) to the above-described transportation time is T4. (The time required for printing).

The transport speed of the print medium at T2 and T4 is predetermined in the printing apparatus. Since the length of the print medium in the transport direction differs depending on the size of the print medium, the transport time at T2 and T4 is uniquely determined according to the size of the print medium (length in the transport direction). The head moving time is calculated by dividing the moving distance of the print head 502 for performing printing based on the print data on the printing surface of the print medium by the moving speed of the print head 502. The moving speed of the print head 502 is predetermined according to the printing apparatus (and according to the print quality and the like). The movement distance of the print head 502 is calculated by converting the print data into data in a format suitable for printing by the printing unit 50 based on the print data. For example, the processor 10 calculates the moving distance of the print head 502 by performing decompression processing, resolution conversion processing, color conversion processing, halftone processing, rearrangement processing, etc. on the print data that has been stored in a compressed state. It should be noted that, after the ink ejection of an arbitrary band is completed, the movement to the ink ejection start position (the position in the main scanning direction) of the next band can be performed within the transportation time of the print medium. Therefore, the movement distance of the print head 502 without ink ejection during the intermittent conveyance period of the print medium is excluded from the movement distance of the print head 502 for calculating the head movement time.

Next, the time required for drying the print medium having one side printed will be described. A print medium on which only one side has been printed is likely to swell due to water content of ink or the like and to be curved. When printing is performed on the other surface of the curved print medium in this way, the print quality may deteriorate due to the print medium approaching the print head 502 more than allowable, and paper jams or the like may occur. A transport error may occur. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is controlled so that the printing on the other side is performed after the drying of the print medium on which only one side is printed is completed. The time required for drying may vary depending on the content printed on the printing surface of the print medium. For example, in the present embodiment, the required drying time according to the type of the printing medium, the size of the printing medium, the ratio of the image element area occupying the printing surface, the printing density, the temperature, the humidity, etc. is stored in advance in the ROM or the like. Is recorded as. The image element area may be, for example, an area such as a figure, a table, a graph, a photograph, or an illustration (a character area without a background or a blank area does not have to be treated as an image element area). As the print density, for example, an ink discharge amount per unit area of the image element region may be assumed.

In the present embodiment, the required drying time recorded in the required drying time table is the time required for further drying after the period T2 ends. That is, the time required from the start of the period T3 to the completion of drying is recorded in the required drying time table. Therefore, when it is assumed that the drying is completed before the period T2 ends, the required drying time recorded in the required drying time table is 0. The processor 10 acquires the type of print medium, the size of the print medium, the ratio of the image element area in the print surface, and the print density based on the print data. Further, the processor 10 acquires temperature and humidity from a thermometer and a hygrometer (not shown). The processor 10 acquires the required drying time corresponding to these acquired parameters from the required drying time table.

Further, at T3, the transport time from the switchback of the print medium, which is the start point of T3, to the end point of T3 until the transport of the print medium is completed is uniquely determined according to the size of the print medium. That is, since the transport speed of the print medium at T3 is predetermined according to the printing apparatus, the length of the transport time at T3 is uniquely determined according to the size of the print medium (length in the transport direction).

As shown in the upper part of FIG. 4, when the required drying time≦the transport time, the length of the period T3 is the transport time itself. In addition, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 4, when the required drying time>conveyance time, in the present embodiment, the processor 10 stops the conveyance of the print medium in a state where the print medium reaches the end point of T3. Wait for the required drying time. In this case, the required drying time is the length of the period T3.

As shown in FIG. 1, the storage unit 20 stores print data 20a of each page included in print job data received from an external device such as a PC via the communication unit 40. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of print job data. The print job data includes a control data section and a print data section, as shown in FIG. The print data section follows the control data section. The control data section includes information such as a job ID, a single-sided/double-sided flag designating single-sided printing or double-sided printing, a print layout (allocation), the number of print copies, a job creator (user), and the like. The print data section includes print data for each page to be printed in page order. Information such as the size of the print medium (for example, A4, A3, etc.) on which the print data of each page is printed, the type of print medium (for example, plain paper, glossy paper, etc.) is associated with each page, and the print job data ( , For example, the print data section).

The print data 20a for each page is stored in the storage unit 20 in a compressed state. The data size of the print data of each page in the compressed state may be different for each page (for example, different depending on the photographic image, the occupancy ratio of the blank portion, etc.). The print data 20a is discarded from the storage unit 20 when it is no longer necessary to retain it for jam recovery. Jam recovery is a printing method that includes a page that failed to print without requesting the external device, such as the PC, which is the source of the print job data, to resend the print data when printing fails due to a paper jam during printing. This is a function to restart printing from the medium. Therefore, for example, in the case of double-sided printing, the print data of the pages respectively assigned to both sides of the print medium is printed until the printing on both sides of the print medium is completed and the discharge is completed (until the possibility that a paper jam will occur). The print data of the page held in the storage unit 20 and allocated to both sides of the print medium when the paper discharge is completed is discarded.

The various programs executed by the processor 10 include a print control program 11 as shown in FIG. The print control program 11 determines a double-sided printing method (normal double-sided printing, continuous double-sided printing) and implements a function of executing the double-sided printing by the determined method, so that the reception section 11a and the print control section 11b are combined. I have it.

The receiving unit 11a is a program module that causes the processor 10 to realize a function of receiving a print job. The processor 10 receives the print job data from an external device such as a PC via the communication unit 40 by the function of the receiving unit 11a, and stores the print data 20a included in the print job data in the storage unit 20. When the storage area of the storage unit 20 for accumulating the print data 20a becomes FULL, the processor 10 transmits the print data transmitted from the external device until the print data is discarded and the storage area becomes empty as described above. Do not receive.

When the users of two print jobs that are continuously received are different, the print control unit 11b finishes all double-sided printing of the print job that is received first, and then prints the print job that is received later to continue printing. If the users of the two received print jobs match and the predetermined condition is satisfied, one side of the previously received print job is conveyed in the process of transferring the printed print medium for reversing, It is a program module that causes the processor 10 to realize a function of printing one side of a print medium of a print job received later.

When receiving the print job data transmitted from the external device, the processor 10 sequentially analyzes the control data portion and the print data portion, and stores the print data in order from the first page in the storage portion 20 by the function of the receiving portion 11a. In addition, the processor 10 sequentially performs a print preparation process for converting the print data for one page, which has been completely received, into data of a format suitable for printing by the printing unit 50, and after the print preparation process (after conversion). The printing unit 50 is caused to perform printing based on the data of. Specifically, the print preparation processing includes, for example, steps such as decompression processing of compressed print data, resolution conversion processing, color conversion processing, halftone processing, and rearrangement processing. Even during printing, reception and storage of unreceived print data and print preparation processing are performed in parallel.

Here, of the both surfaces of the print medium, the surface to be printed first and the surface to be printed later will be described. In the case of face-up in which the printed surface is discharged upward, after printing on both sides, the side printed after the both sides is discharged upward (the surface printed first is the lower side). Therefore, when performing double-sided printing by allocating one page to each side of a plurality of print media, print data of odd pages in ascending order on the side to be printed first, and even pages in ascending order on the side to be printed later. By controlling to print the data, the printing surface of 2N pages printed later on the Nth printing medium and the printing surface of (2N+1) pages printed earlier on the N+1th printing medium are The sheets are stacked on the sheet discharge tray 505 while being in contact with each other. Therefore, by controlling in this way, it is not necessary to replace the print media that have been double-sided printed and that are stacked on the paper discharge tray 505 in order of pages.

In the case of face-down with the printed side facing down, after printing on both sides, the side printed first on both sides is discharged toward the upper side (the side printed later is the lower side). To be done. Therefore, when performing double-sided printing by allocating one page to each side of a plurality of print media, even-numbered pages of print data are printed in ascending order on the surface to be printed first and odd-numbered pages are printed on the side to be printed later in ascending order. By controlling to print the data, the printing surface of the 2N-th page printed on the N-th printing medium and the printing surface of the (2N+1)-th page printed later on the N+1-th printing medium are The sheets are stacked on the sheet discharge tray 505 while being in contact with each other. In the present embodiment, in the case of double-sided printing, face-up discharge will be described. Further, the following description will be made by taking an example in which a plurality of pages are not assigned to one side of the print medium and one page is assigned to one side for printing.

The processor 10 uses the function of the print control unit 11b to print data of the surface to be printed on the front of the Nth print medium (in the present embodiment, one page is assigned to one page and face-up, so odd-numbered pages are printed). After receiving (and accumulating) a part of the data (corresponding to the data), the printing of the N-th page is completed and the N-th printing medium is conveyed to the paper exit 506 as shown at T2 in FIG. During the period (hereinafter, referred to as a determination period), the determination for determining the double-sided printing method is performed a plurality of times.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the conditions for determining the double-sided printing method. When printing on the Nth print medium and printing on the N+1th print medium are performed by the same print job, if both Condition 1 and Condition 2 are satisfied, the Nth and N+1th sheets are consecutively double-sided. The processor 10 determines that printing is performed (a), and if at least one of the conditions 1 and 2 is not satisfied, continuous double-sided printing is not performed on the Nth sheet and the N+1th sheet (b). Here, the condition 1 is that the print data of the (N+1)th sheet has been received within the determination period. Condition 2 is that the N-th sheet and the N+1-th sheet are a combination capable of continuous double-sided printing.

Next, double-sided printing when printing on the Nth print medium and printing on the (N+1)th print medium are performed by different print jobs will be described. If the user of the preceding print job including the printing on the Nth sheet and the subsequent print job including the N+1th sheet are the same, and if all of Condition 1, Condition 2 and Condition 3 are satisfied, as shown in (c). The processor 10 determines that the Nth and N+1th sheets are continuously double-sided printed. Here, the condition 3 is that the completion of conveyance after printing of the surface to be printed on the Nth sheet and the completion of drying are not earlier than the completion of printing on the surface to be printed on the N+1th sheet. It is expected.

Even if the user of the preceding print job and the user of the subsequent print job are the same, if at least one of condition 1, condition 2 and condition 3 is not satisfied, as shown in (d) and (e), N The processor 10 determines that the continuous printing of the first and N+1th sheets is not performed. If the Nth and N+1th sheets are not continuously double-sided printed, the double-sided printing of the subsequent print job is started after all the double-sided printing of the preceding print job is completed.

As shown in FIG. 7, the condition 3 in the case where the preceding job is a job to perform double-sided printing of all two pages on one print medium and the subsequent job is a job to perform double-sided printing of all six pages on three print media An example will be described with reference to FIGS. Hereinafter, the ordinal number for identifying the print medium is represented by a serial number from the first print medium of the preceding job. The ordinal number for identifying the page is also represented by a serial number from the first page of the preceding job. Further, in this example, it is assumed that the conditions 1 and 2 are satisfied.

The bold and thick lines in the upper part of FIG. 8 indicate the period of T3 (see FIG. 4) after the first page is printed (T2) on the side to be printed on the front side of the first print medium in the preceding job. The completion is not earlier than the completion of the period T2 (the period corresponding to the required printing time) for printing the third page on the side to be printed on the front side of the second print medium which is the head of the succeeding job (the former case in the figure). And the latter is the same). When such a situation is predicted based on the time required for drying after printing the first page, the transport time at T3, and the time required for printing the third page (in the case of (c) of FIG. 6), the processor 10 Continuous double-sided printing of the first and second sheets. Therefore, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 8, the processor 10 prints the first page of the preceding job, prints the third page, which is the beginning of the succeeding job, in the process of reversing the first sheet, and after printing the third page. In the process of inverting the second sheet, the second page is printed on the first sheet after the inverting.

If it is as predicted, although the drying and conveyance of the first print medium is completed (T3 is completed), the printing of the third page (T2) on the second print medium is completed. The absence of the delay does not delay the start of printing (start of T4) on the surface to be printed after the first print medium (waiting longer than necessary). Therefore, when all of the conditions 1 to 3 are satisfied, continuous double-sided printing is performed across print jobs, so that the completion of double-sided printing of the preceding print job is not waited more than necessary, and The total time required from the start of printing to the completion of printing of the subsequent print job can be shortened as compared with the case where continuous double-sided printing is not performed between print jobs (see the lower part of FIG. 8).

Further, in the upper part of FIG. 9, the portions indicated by bold letters and thick lines indicate that the completion of the period of T3 after printing the first page (T2) on the surface to be printed on the front side of the first printing medium in the preceding job is This indicates that it is earlier than the completion of the period T2 (the period corresponding to the required printing time) in which the third page is printed on the surface to be printed on the front side of the second print medium which is the head of the job. If it is as expected, the third page is printed (T2) on the second print medium, even though the first print medium has been dried and transported (the period T3 has been completed). ) Is not completed, the start of printing (start of T4) on the surface to be printed after the first print medium is delayed. When such a situation is predicted (that is, the case of FIG. 6D), the processor 10 does not perform continuous double-sided printing on the first and second sheets. Therefore, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 9, the processor 10 performs the duplex printing of the succeeding job after the duplex printing of the first sheet which is the preceding job is completed. As a result, the completion of double-sided printing of the preceding job (completion of T4 for the first sheet) is not delayed compared to the upper part of FIG. Therefore, the user can quickly obtain the printed matter of the preceding job.

The above is an example in which the preceding job is double-sided printing on one printing medium and continuous double-sided printing is not being executed in the preceding job. Next, an example of determining whether or not to continue continuous double-sided printing between print jobs when the preceding job has already performed continuous double-sided printing, will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, assuming that the preceding job is a double-sided print job of all four pages on two print media, and the subsequent job is a two-sided print job of all four pages on two print media, This will be described with reference to FIG. Also, in this example, it is assumed that Condition 1 and Condition 2 are satisfied.

11 to 13 show that the preceding job is performing continuous double-sided printing. That is, after the first page is printed (T2) on the first printed side of the preceding job, the second printed side is printed in the process of conveying the first page for reversing (T3). The third page is printed on (T2). When the printing (T2) of the surface to be printed on the second sheet is completed, the printing of the second page (T4) and the period of T3 of the second printing medium are performed on the surface to be printed after the first sheet. Assuming that the continuous double-sided printing is continued on the second to third sheets as it is, as shown in the upper part of FIG. This is after completion of the period T4 in which the second page is printed on the side to be printed after the first sheet. The thick line and bold portion in the upper part of FIG. 11 indicate that the completion of the second T3 conveyance or the drying, whichever is later, is greater than the completion of printing the fifth page on the side to be printed on the third sheet ahead. It indicates that it is not early (that is, late). Whether the completion of the second transport of T3 or the drying of T3, whichever is slower, is faster or faster than the completion of the printing of the fifth page on the printing surface of the third sheet is determined on the second page. It can be predicted by comparing the sum of the required printing time and the required printing time of the fifth page with the length of the period T3 of the second sheet.

As shown in the upper part of FIG. 11, the completion of the transport or drying of the second sheet T3, whichever is slower, is not completed earlier than the completion of printing the fifth page on the side to be printed on the third sheet ahead. 6 is predicted (that is, the case of FIG. 6C), the processor 10 continues the continuous double-sided printing on the second and third sheets. Therefore, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 11, the processor 10 prints the fifth page on the side to be printed on the third sheet before the period of T3 of the second sheet is completed, and After the period of T3 is completed, the fourth page is printed on the side to be printed after the second sheet.

If it is as predicted, the printing (T2) of the fifth page on the third printing medium has been completed despite the completion and drying of the second printing medium (T3 has completed). The absence of the delay prevents the start of printing the fourth page (start of T4) on the side to be printed after the second print medium (waiting longer than necessary). Therefore, if all of the conditions 1 to 3 are satisfied, continuous double-sided printing is continued across print jobs to wait more than necessary for the completion of double-sided printing of the preceding print job (printing completion of the fourth page). Compared to the case where continuous double-sided printing is not continued between print jobs (see the lower part of FIG. 11), the total time required from the start of printing of the preceding print job to the completion of printing of the subsequent print job is It can be shortened.

In the upper part of FIG. 12, the portions indicated by bold letters and thick lines indicate that the completion of the period of T3 after printing the third page (T2) on the surface to be printed on the front side of the second printing medium in the preceding job is This indicates that it is earlier than the completion of the period T2 (the period corresponding to the required printing time) in which the fifth page is printed on the surface to be printed on the front side of the third print medium that is the head of the job. That is, the printing (T2) of the fifth page on the third printing medium is completed even though the drying and the transportation of the second printing medium are completed (the period of T3 is completed). It means that the start of printing of the fourth page (start of T4) on the side to be printed after the second printing medium is delayed by not doing so. When such a situation is predicted (that is, the case of (d) of FIG. 6), the processor 10 does not continue the continuous double-sided printing on the second to third sheets. Therefore, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 12, the processor 10 performs the duplex printing of the succeeding job after the duplex printing of the second sheet which is the preceding job is completed. As a result, the completion of double-sided printing of the preceding job (completion of the second sheet T4) is not delayed (earlier) than the upper part of FIG. Therefore, the user can quickly obtain the printed matter of the preceding job.

Returning to the explanation of FIG. When the users of the preceding job and the succeeding job are different from each other, the processor 10 determines not to perform continuous double-sided printing on the Nth sheet and the N+1th sheet, as shown in (f). Therefore, the completion of double-sided printing of the preceding print job will not be delayed due to the printing of the subsequent print job. As a result, the user of the preceding print job does not have to wait for the print completion of his or her print job for the subsequent print jobs of other users.

As described above, in the case of the present exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, continuous double-sided printing is performed between print jobs based on the difference in users of print jobs and the prediction of completion of conveyance, completion of drying, and completion of printing. Determine the presence or absence. Therefore, the possibility of improving the convenience of continuous double-sided printing can be increased.

(2) Double-sided printing confirmation process:
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing double-sided printing confirmation processing executed by the processor 10 by the function of the print control unit 11b. The double-sided printing confirmation process is activated when the print preparation process for executing the printing of the side to be printed first of the N-th printing medium whose both sides have not been printed is started. In the double-sided printing confirmation process for the N-th printing medium, (A) do not perform continuous double-sided printing on the N-N+1th printing medium (that is, perform normal double-sided printing of the N-th sheet or This is a process of confirming the end of continuous double-sided printing, or (B) confirming the execution (start or continuation) of continuous double-sided printing of the N to N+1th printing media.

When the double-sided printing confirmation process is started for the N-th print medium, at least a part of the print data of the page assigned to the surface to be printed on the N-th print medium is already received (stored in the storage unit 20). It is the state of (already). When the above-described (A) or (B) is confirmed by executing the double-sided print confirmation process, it means that the print order of the pages to be printed on the print medium is determined. When the print order is determined, a print preparation process (data conversion etc.) and a print process (print medium conveyance and ink ejection etc.) for printing the print data of pages in the print order are sequentially executed. The print preparation process and the print process according to the determined print order can be executed in parallel with the double-sided print confirmation process of FIG. 13 for the print medium for which the double-sided printing method is undetermined. The printing preparation process and the printing process for the side to be printed on the front side of the first printing medium when the double-sided printing is started from the state where the printing apparatus 1 is not executing the printing are exceptional. It is executed in parallel with the double-sided printing confirmation process for the first print medium without waiting for the confirmation of the double-sided printing method of the print medium. Even if it is determined that the first print medium is normally double-sided printed or the first and second print media are continuously double-sided printed, the first print medium is printed before the first print medium. This is because there is no need to wait because the printing order of the side to be printed is first. In the case of a serial inkjet printer, the time intervals for printing on each side of the print medium do not have to be constant (because the printing operation can be paused or resumed), the printing order of the first and subsequent pages This is because there is no problem even if the printing of the first page is started in a state where is undetermined.

Each step of the double-sided printing confirmation process of FIG. 13 will be described step by step. When the double-sided printing confirmation process for the Nth print medium is started, the processor 10 determines whether the determination period has passed (step S100). As described above, in the present embodiment, in the determination period, the printing of the Nth page is completed after receiving (and accumulating) a part of the print data of the surface to be printed on the front of the Nth printing medium. This is a period until the Nth print medium is conveyed to the paper discharge port 506 as indicated by T2 in FIG.

When it is determined in step S100 that the determination period has passed, the processor 10 determines not to perform continuous double-sided printing on the Nth sheet and the N+1th sheet (step S135), and ends the double-sided printing confirmation process. Specifically, in step S135, when N=1, the processor 10 determines that the Nth sheet is normally double-sided printed. Further, in step S135, if N≧2 and the continuous double-sided printing of the N−1 to Nth sheets has already been decided, the processor 10 decides to finish the continuous double-sided printing on the Nth sheet. Further, in step S135, even if N≧2, the continuous double-sided printing of the N−1 to N-th sheets is not fixed (that is, the N−1-th sheet (N≧2) is normally double-sided printed, or , N−1th sheet (where N≧3 has already been determined to end continuous double-sided printing), the processor 10 determines to perform normal double-sided printing on the Nth sheet.

When it is not determined in step S100 that the determination period has expired, the processor 10 determines whether or not all the print data of the surface to be printed ahead of the (N+1)th print medium has been received (that is, condition 1 in FIG. 6). It is determined whether or not the condition is satisfied (step S105). When it is not determined in step S105 that it has been received, the processor 10 returns to the process of step S100.

When it is determined in step S105 that it has been received, the processor 10 determines whether or not the N-th sheet and the N+1-th sheet are combinations capable of continuous double-sided printing (that is, whether or not Condition 2 of FIG. 6 is satisfied). The determination is made (step S110). When it is not determined in step S110 that the continuous double-sided printing is applied, the processor 10 executes step S135.

When it is determined in step S110 that the continuous double-sided printing is applied, the processor 10 determines whether the Nth sheet and the N+1th sheet are included in the same print job (step S115). For example, the job ID of the control data portion (see FIG. 5) of the print job data that instructs printing on the Nth print medium, and the control data of the print job data that instructs printing on the N+1th print medium. When the copies match, the processor 10 determines that the Nth sheet and the N+1th sheet are included in the same print job.

If it is determined in step S115 that the print jobs are the same print job, the processor 10 determines to perform continuous double-sided printing on the Nth sheet and the N+1th sheet (step S145), and ends the double-sided printing confirmation process. Specifically, in step S145, when N=1, the processor 10 determines to start continuous double-sided printing from the first sheet. Further, in step S145, when N≧2 and the execution of continuous double-sided printing of the N−1 to Nth sheets is confirmed, it is confirmed that the continuous double-sided printing is continued even for the Nth to N+1th sheets. .. Further, in step S145, when N≧2 and the execution of the continuous double-sided printing of the N−1 to N-th sheets has not been confirmed (the continuous double-sided printing may be ended when the N−1th sheet (N≧3)). If it has been determined, or if it has been determined that the N−1th sheet (N≧2) is normally printed on both sides), the processor 10 starts continuous double-sided printing from the Nth sheet. Determine.

If it is not determined in step S115 that the print jobs are the same, that is, if the Nth print job and the N+1th print job are different, the processor 10 determines that the Nth print job is the same as the N+1th print job user. It is determined whether the users of the eye print jobs are the same (step S120). Information of the job creator in the control data portion (see FIG. 5) of the print job data for instructing printing on the Nth print medium, and control of print job data for instructing printing on the N+1th print medium If the information of the job creator in the data section matches, it is determined that the users are the same.

If the users are not determined to be the same in step S120, that is, if the users are different, the processor 10 executes step S135. When it is determined in step S120 that the users are the same, the processor 10 determines whether N=1 (step S122). For example, if the processor 10 is the first page of the print job, and the print job is not the print job started to be received during the execution of the print job received by the printing apparatus 1 before the print job, N= It is determined to be 1.

When it is determined in step S122 that N=1, the processor 10 executes step S130 described below. When it is not determined in step S122 that N=1, that is, when N≧2, the processor 10 determines whether or not the continuous double-sided printing of the (N−1)th sheet to the Nth sheet has been finalized. Yes (step S125). That is, the determination is made based on the result of the previous double-sided printing confirmation processing (double-sided printing confirmation processing performed on the (N-1)th printing medium).

If it is not determined in step S125 that the continuous double-sided printing of the N-1 to N-th sheets has been determined, that is, if it is determined that the continuous double-sided printing of the N-1 to N-th sheets is determined, the processor 10 determines , The Nth T3 period is longer than the N+1th T2 period (step S130). That is, in step S130, the completion of the period of T3 of the Nth sheet is not earlier (same or later) than the completion of printing of the surface to be printed first on the N+1th sheet (completion of the period of T2), or is earlier, It is determined which of

If it is determined in step S130 that the T3 time of the Nth sheet≧N2 T2 time of the Nth sheet, the processor 10 executes step S145. When it is not determined in step S130 that the T3 time of the Nth sheet≧N2 T2 time of the Nth sheet, the processor 10 executes step S135.

When it is determined in step S125 that the continuous double-sided printing of the N-1 to Nth sheets has been finalized, the processor 10 determines that the length of the period of T3 of the Nth sheet is T4 of the N-1th sheet. It is determined whether it is equal to or more than the sum of the length of the period and the length of the N+1th T2 period (step S140). That is, in step S140, the completion of the period of T3 of the Nth sheet is not earlier (same or later) than the completion of printing of the surface to be printed first on the N+1th sheet (completion of the period of T2), or is earlier. It is determined which of

When it is determined in step S140 that the Nth sheet T3 time≧(N−1th sheet T4 time+N+1th sheet T2 time), the processor 10 executes step S145. When it is not determined in step S140 that T3 time of Nth sheet≧(T4 time of N−1th sheet+T2 time of N+1th sheet), the processor 10 executes step S135.

(3) Other embodiments:
The above embodiment is an example for carrying out the present invention. When the users of two print jobs that are continuously received are different from each other, after finishing all double-sided printing of the print job that was received first, the print job that is received later is received. If the users of the two print jobs that have been received consecutively match and the predetermined conditions are satisfied, the print medium on which one side of the previously received print job has been printed is printed. Various other embodiments can be adopted as long as one side of the print medium of a print job received later is printed in the process of being conveyed for reversing. For example, the present invention may be applied to a multifunction machine having a printing function.

The receiving unit only needs to be able to receive the print job. That is, it is only necessary that the received print data can be stored in the storage unit. The configuration of print job data is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. The print data does not necessarily have to be stored in order from the first page in the print job data. For example, when face-down ejection is performed in a printing apparatus that transmits print job data, the print data in the print job data includes the second page (first page to be printed) and the first page (post-print of the first sheet). Page), the fourth page (the second preceding print page), and the third page (the second subsequent print page) may be stored in this order.

When the users of the two print jobs received consecutively are different, the print control unit prints the print jobs received later after finishing all double-sided printing of the print jobs received first. When the users of the two received print jobs match and the predetermined condition is satisfied, one side of the previously received print job is conveyed after the printed print medium is conveyed for reversing. It is only necessary that one side of the print medium of the received print job can be printed, and various other configurations can be adopted. For example, in the above-described embodiment, continuous double-sided printing is premised on that it is possible to simultaneously carry a maximum of two print media one by one in the transport paths T1 to T4 in FIG. It may be possible to simultaneously convey a maximum of three print media one by one to the conveyance path from T4 to T4.

The time required for printing may be estimated based on information indicating the type of each page (for example, a monochrome document, a color document, a grayscale document, a color photograph, etc.). The required drying time may be different depending on the position on the printing surface of the color photograph, for example. Specifically, when the print medium is located only in the front half in the transport direction, the required drying time may be set shorter than when it is also located in the rear half.

Further, regarding the conveyance of the print medium in the double-sided printing, the division of each process (T1 to T4) defined in the above embodiment is merely an example. It may be divided into smaller steps. No matter how the process is divided, if the surface to be printed on the tip of the subsequent print medium can be printed in the process of carrying the sheet for reversing after printing the surface to be printed on the tip of a print medium. Good. In addition, the conditions for performing continuous double-sided printing are as follows: after the printing of the side to be printed first of both sides of the Nth printing medium, the completion of conveyance of the Nth printing medium for printing the side to be printed later, and It suffices that it is predicted that the later of the completion of drying is not earlier than the completion of the printing of the surface to be printed first of the both surfaces of the (N+1)th print medium. Also, various configurations can be adopted. For example, in FIGS. 8 and 9 of the above-described embodiment, the start time of the transport (including drying) period (T3) after printing of the surface to be printed on the Nth sheet ahead and the surface to be printed on the N+1th sheet ahead. Since the start time of the printing period (T2) is the same, the completion of either T3 of the Nth sheet or T2 of the N+1th sheet is completed depending on the length of T3 of the Nth sheet and the length of T2 of the N+1th sheet. You can determine if it is early. In the case where the start time of the Nth T3 and the start time of the N+1th T2 do not match, the difference between the start time of T3 and the start time of T2, the length of T3 and the length of T2 , Whichever is faster, the completion of the Nth T3 or the completion of the N+1th T2. The same applies to the examples of FIGS. 11 and 12 of the above embodiment. That is, in the case of a configuration in which the start time of the N-1th sheet T4 does not coincide with the start time of the Nth sheet T3 and the completion time of the N-1th sheet T4 and the start time of the N+1th sheet are not continuous. , T3 time of the N−1th sheet, T3 time of the Nth sheet, and T2 time of the N+1th sheet, the completion of the T3th of the Nth sheet and the T2th of the N+1th sheet are completed. You may decide which is faster.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the start of the determination period is the timing of executing the print preparation process of the page to be printed on the surface to be printed on the front side of each print medium, but it may be another timing. For example, the timing may be the timing at which each print medium is carried out from the paper cassette, or the timing at which the first ink is ejected onto the printing surface of each print medium.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the end of the determination period is such that the printing of the surface to be printed on the front of the Nth printing medium is completed and the printing of the surface to be printed after the Nth printing medium is not completed. In this state, the timing at which the Nth print medium is conveyed to the paper discharge port is described, but other timing may be used. For example, it is the timing at which the Nth print medium is transported to a specified position (position for waiting for printing of the surface to be printed later) on the lower transport path of the support 503 shown at T3 in FIG. Good.

Note that, in the above-described embodiment, at least one of a case where the printing medium feeding method is different (for example, cassette and back side feeding), a case where the printing medium size is different, and a case where the printing medium paper type (paper quality) is different, In that case, continuous double-sided printing was not applied, but continuous double-sided printing may be performed even if these are different.

Further, as in the present invention, when the users of two print jobs that are continuously received are different from each other, after finishing all double-sided printing of the print job received first, printing of the print job received later is performed, A process in which a print medium on which one side of a previously received print job has been printed is reversed for reversal when the users of two print jobs that have been received successively match and a predetermined condition is satisfied. Then, the method of printing one side of the print medium of the print job received later can be applied as a print control program or a printing method. The system, program, and method as described above may be realized as a single device or may be realized by using components included in a plurality of devices, and include various aspects. Further, it is possible to appropriately change such that a part is software and a part is hardware. Further, the invention can be realized as a recording medium of a program for controlling the system. Of course, the recording medium of the program may be a magnetic recording medium or a semiconductor memory, and any recording medium developed in the future can be considered in exactly the same way.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Printing device, 10... Processor, 11... Printing control program, 11a... Receiving part, 11b... Printing control part, 20... Storage part, 20a... Print data, 30... UI part, 40... Communication part, 50... Printing part , 51... intermediate roller, 51a... driven roller, 51b... driven roller, 52... first transport roller, 52a... driven roller, 53... first discharge roller, 53a... driven roller, 54... second discharge roller, 54a... driven Roller, 55... Second transport roller, 55a... Followed roller, 56... Feed roller, 100... Housing, 501... Carriage, 502... Print head, 503... Support base, 504... Cassette, 505... Paper ejection tray, 506 … Paper exit

Claims (5)

A receiver for receiving print jobs,
When the users of two print jobs received consecutively are different, after finishing all double-sided printing of the print job received first, the print job received later is printed.
A process in which a print medium on which one side of a previously received print job has been printed is reversed for reversal when the users of two print jobs that have been received successively match and a predetermined condition is satisfied. Then, print one side of the print medium of the print job received later,
A print control unit,
A printing device including. The print job instructing to print on the Nth print medium (N is an integer of 1 or more) is the print job received first, and the print job instructing to print on the N+1th print medium is The print job received,
The condition is one of completion of conveyance of the N-th print medium and completion of drying after printing on the side to be printed first on both sides of the N-th print medium, and for printing on the side to be printed later. It is predicted that the later one is not earlier than the completion of printing of the first printing side of the both sides of the (N+1)th printing medium,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. Completion of printing on the side to be printed first on both sides of the (N+1)th print medium is predicted based on the time required for printing on the side to be printed first on the (N+1)th print medium,
The time required for printing the surface to be printed on the tip of the (N+1)th print medium is the moving distance of the print head and the moving speed of the print head when printing the surface to be printed on the tip of the (N+1)th print medium. , Calculated based on the transport time of the print medium,
The printing apparatus according to claim 2. Completion of printing on the side to be printed first on both sides of the (N+1)th print medium (N≧2) is determined by the time required for printing on the side to be printed later on both sides of the (N-1)th print medium and N+1 sheets. Predicted based on the sum of the required printing time of the side to be printed first on both sides of the eye print medium,
The time required for printing the surface to be printed after the N-1th printing medium is determined by the moving distance of the print head when printing the surface to be printed after the N-1th printing medium, and the printing head. Calculated based on the moving speed and the transport time of the print medium,
The printing device according to claim 3. Receive print jobs,
When the users of two print jobs received consecutively are different, after finishing all double-sided printing of the print job received first, the print job received later is printed.
A process in which a print medium on which one side of a previously received print job has been printed is reversed for reversal when the users of two print jobs that have been received successively match and a predetermined condition is satisfied. Then, print one side of the print medium of the print job received later,
Printing method.