JP2024030987A - printer - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a printer having a function of performing processing related to cutting on a sheet, and to provide a technology that can appropriately handle the sheet when processing a print job according to the priority set in the printer. A printer 1 transmits capability information including "T20" as a tray setting parameter to a PC 3. When the printer 1 receives a print job in which "Auto" is selected as a tray setting parameter from the PC 3, the printer 1 determines the tray setting parameter according to the priority order information 25. If "T20" is determined as the tray setting parameter, the printer 1 starts transporting an A4 size sheet and cuts the transported sheet using the cutter unit 40. If a parameter other than "T20" is determined as the tray setting parameter, the printer 1 starts conveying the sheet corresponding to the determined parameter and does not cut the conveyed sheet. [Selection diagram] Figure 8

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The technical field disclosed herein relates to a printer having a function of performing cutting-related processing on a sheet.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printers having a function of performing cutting-related processing on sheets are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an image forming apparatus equipped with a cutter for cutting sheets, and when receiving a print job specifying A4 size, if there is no A4 size sheet but there is an A3 size sheet, A known configuration is known in which an A3-sized sheet is conveyed and the printed sheet is cut into A4-sized sheets using a cutter.

JP2018-186448A

Some printers have an item in which a priority can be set in the print settings, and when a print job for which "automatic setting" is selected for that item is received, the print job is processed according to the priority. When a printer that is capable of performing cutting operations on printed sheets as described above receives a print job for which "automatic settings" is selected, it is necessary to take measures to handle the sheets, and improvements are needed. There's room.

A printer designed to solve this problem is a printer that includes a plurality of paper feed trays, a communication interface, a processing unit that performs processing related to cutting on sheets, and a memory, the processing unit comprising: , it is possible to perform processing on a first size sheet to cut it into a second size smaller than the first size, and the memory stores a plurality of items that can be set in predetermined items of print settings. Priority information for parameters is stored, the plurality of parameters include a specific parameter that is a parameter corresponding to the second size, and the printer stores capability information corresponding to the specific parameter. , when a print job in which automatic setting is selected for the predetermined item is transmitted to the printer from the terminal device that has executed a transmission process to transmit the data to the terminal device via the communication interface and received the capability information; Further, the printer is configured such that the first size sheet is prepared in one of the plurality of paper feed trays, and the second size sheet is prepared in any of the plurality of paper feed trays. when the print job in which automatic setting is selected for the predetermined item is received via the communication interface in a state where the predetermined item is not set automatically, the predetermined item is set according to the priority information stored in the memory. If the specific parameters are determined in the determining process, the conveyance of the sheet of the first size is started, and the processing unit If a parameter other than the specific parameter is determined in the determination process, the conveyance of the sheet corresponding to the determined parameter is started, and the It is constructed in such a way that it does not undergo any processing.

When the printer disclosed in this specification receives a print job in which automatic setting is selected for a predetermined item, if a specific parameter is determined according to the priority stored in the memory, the first A sheet of the same size is transported and processed to be cut into a second size. As a result, even if the first size sheet is prepared and the second size sheet is not prepared, it is possible to appropriately determine whether or not to process the sheet according to the priority stored in the printer. The printed matter is handled and the printed matter is output in a size according to the priority.

A control method, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program for realizing the functions of the printer described above are also new and useful.

According to the technology disclosed in this specification, a printer having a function of performing processing related to cutting on a sheet can handle the sheet appropriately when processing a print job according to the priority set in the printer. Technology that can be realized will be realized.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing unit. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display on an operation panel. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a PJL command. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a PJL command. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display on an operation panel. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a PJL command. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of each device regarding printing. It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a setting screen. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of a determination process. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of print processing.

Hereinafter, embodiments embodying a printer will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This embodiment discloses a printer including a plurality of paper feed trays.

The printer 1 of this embodiment includes a controller 10 including a CPU 11 and a memory 12, as shown in FIG. The printer 1 also includes an operation panel 13, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 14, a printing unit 15, and a cutter unit 40, which are electrically connected to the controller 10. There is. The operation panel 13 is an example of a user interface. The cutter unit 40 is an example of a processing unit.

The CPU 11 executes various processes according to programs read from the memory 12 and based on user operations. Note that the controller 10 in FIG. 1 is a general term for hardware and software used to control the printer 1, and does not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware that actually exists in the printer 1.

The memory 12 of the printer 1 of this embodiment includes an operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS") 21, a print program 22, tray setting information 23, cutting settings 24, and priority order information 25. Programs and various data are stored. The print program 22 is a program that causes the printer 1 to perform printing operations in cooperation with the OS 21. Details of each piece of information will be described later. The memory 12 is also used as a work area when various processes are executed. The buffer included in the CPU 11 is also an example of memory.

Note that an example of the memory is not limited to the ROM, RAM, HDD, etc. built into the printer 1, but may be a storage medium that is readable and writable by the CPU 11. For example, an external memory such as a USB memory or an HDD connected to the printer 1 via the communication IF 14, or a memory or HDD provided in a device connected to the printer 1 via the communication IF 14 are also examples of memory. .

Note that the computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above-mentioned examples, non-transitory media also include storage media such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM. Furthermore, non-transitory media are also tangible media. On the other hand, electrical signals that carry programs downloaded from servers on the Internet are a type of computer-readable signal medium, but non-transitory computer-readable storage Not included in media.

The operation panel 13 includes hardware that displays a screen for notifying the user of information, and hardware that accepts operations by the user. The operation panel 13 may include a touch panel having a notification function and an operation reception function. The operation panel 13 may include a display lamp, various buttons, and a numeric keypad.

The communication IF 14 includes hardware for communicating with an external device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC") 3. The communication standard of the communication IF 14 is Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), USB, etc. The printer 1 may include multiple communication IFs 14 that support multiple communication standards.

The printing unit 15 includes a configuration for printing an image on a print medium such as a sheet using an electrophotographic method. As shown in FIG. 2, the printing unit 15 includes a photosensitive drum 51, a charger 52, an exposure device 53, a developing device 54 including a developing roller and a toner storage section, a transfer roller 56, and a fixing device 57. , is provided. The charger 52, the developing device 54, and the transfer roller 56 are arranged in this order along the circumferential direction of the photoreceptor drum 51 in the rotational direction of the photoreceptor drum 51.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the printer 1 of this embodiment has two paper feed trays 31 and 32 that accommodate sheets before printing, a manual feed slot 33 into which sheets can be inserted manually, and a paper feed slot 33 that accommodates sheets that have already been printed. It also includes a paper discharge tray 35 from which paper is discharged. Inside the printer 1, sheets conveyed from either the paper feed trays 31, 32 or the manual feed port 33 are conveyed through a sheet conveyance path, which is a path for the sheets to reach the paper output tray 35 via the printing unit 15. A road is formed. Note that the manual feed port 33 may be provided with a tray for supporting paper. Further, the manual feed port 33 may be referred to as a "manual feed tray."

When printing is performed by the printer 1, the photosensitive drum 51 is rotated clockwise in the figure around a rotation axis perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. After the charger 52 charges the surface of the photoreceptor drum 51, the exposure device 53 exposes the photoreceptor drum 51 with laser light or the like, thereby forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 51. Further, the developing roller of the developing device 54 develops the electrostatic latent image using the toner stored in the toner storage portion, so that a toner image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor drum 51, and the formed toner image is The image is transferred by the transfer roller 56 to the sheet being conveyed at the same timing. The toner image transferred to the sheet is fixed to the sheet by a fixing device 57, and the sheet with the fixed image is discharged to the paper discharge tray 35.

Further, the printer 1 includes a cutter unit 40, as shown in FIG. The cutter unit 40 includes a cutter blade 41 and a flap 42, and has a function of cutting the sheet after fixing and before being ejected to the paper ejection tray 35. The printer 1 can convey the sheet before being ejected to the cutter unit 40 by rotating the flap 42 and changing the sheet path. The printer 1 cuts the sheet by transporting the sheet to a predetermined position and stopping the sheet, and moving the cutter blade 41 along the sheet in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. Cutting sheets is an example of processing.

The printer 1 can, for example, convey an A4-sized sheet along the longitudinal direction and cut the sheet at the center position in the longitudinal direction, thereby outputting two A5-sized sheets. In this case, the A4 size is an example of the first size, and the A5 size is an example of the second size. Note that the cutter unit 40 may be configured to cut the sheet by moving a blade extending in the width direction of the sheet up and down.

Further, the printer 1 can accept, via the operation panel 13, a specification of the size of the paper stored therein. Based on the received designation, the printer 1 associates information indicating the paper feed tray with information on the designated paper size and stores the information in the memory 12 as tray setting information 23. Note that although the printer 1 of this embodiment has a function of detecting the presence or absence of sheets accommodated in each paper feed tray, it does not have a function of detecting the size of the sheets accommodated. It's okay. If the printer 1 has the function of detecting the sheet size, the printer 1 may store information about the detected size in the tray setting information 23 without accepting a user's designation.

Furthermore, the printer 1 can accept user settings for cutting settings 24, which are information specifying whether to enable or disable the function of the cutter unit 40, using the operation panel 13 or a PJL command. The disconnection setting 24 is an example of permission/prohibition information. Since the function of the cutter unit 40 can be set to be enabled or disabled, there is a high degree of freedom in using the function of the cutter unit 40.

For example, the printer 1 can display a menu including "Paper Cut" on the operation panel 13. When the user's operation for "Paper Cut" is accepted in the displayed menu, the printer 1 selects "On" to indicate that cutting is enabled and "Off" to indicate that cutting is disabled, for example, as shown in FIG. are alternately switched and displayed according to the user's operation, and an instruction to select one of them is accepted. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing how the display on the operation panel 13 changes.

Based on the instruction received through the operation panel 13, the printer 1 stores information indicating whether the disconnection is enabled or disabled in the disconnection setting 24. Note that, by default, the disconnection setting 24 stores information indicating that disconnection is enabled. The information indicating that the cutting is valid is an example of the availability information indicating that the processing is valid, and the information indicating that the cutting is invalid is an example of the availability information that does not indicate that the processing is valid. The “On” or “Off” instruction for “Paper Cut” on the operation panel 13 is an example of a permission setting instruction. The user can easily set whether or not to enable processing via the operation panel 13.

The printer 1 can also accept user settings such as the cutting settings 24 using PJL commands. For example, when a USB memory is newly attached, the printer 1 has a function of reading files stored in the attached USB memory. Furthermore, if a file with a specific file name is prepared in a connected PC or the like, the printer 1 may have a function of reading the file at startup or the like. If a PJL command is written in the read file, the printer 1 performs an operation based on the PJL command. Furthermore, when the printer 1 receives a PJL command from a connected external device, it performs an operation based on the PJL command.

For example, if the PJL command 401 including "PAPERCUT=ON" is written in the read file as shown in FIG. 4, the printer 1 stores information indicating that the disconnection is enabled in the disconnection setting 24. Further, if the read file has a PJL command 402 including "PAPERCUT=OFF" written in the read file, for example, as shown in FIG. . A PJL command 401 including "PAPERCUT=ON" and a PJL command 402 including "PAPERCUT=OFF" are examples of permission setting instructions. Since it is possible to set whether or not to enable processing using the PJL command, there is a high degree of freedom in setting.

If information indicating that cutting is enabled is stored in the cutting setting 24, and the received print job includes information indicating cutting, the printer 1 conveys the printed sheet to the cutter unit 40 and cuts it. be able to.

The printer 1 of this embodiment can receive a print job from an external device such as the PC 3 and execute printing based on the received print job. If the external device is equipped with a printer driver compatible with the printer 1, the external device can often send a print job suitable for the configuration of the printer 1 to the printer 1 using the printer driver.

On the other hand, the PC 3 connected to the printer 1 of this embodiment includes, for example, an OS 301 and a general-purpose driver 302, as shown in FIG. 1, and does not include a printer driver corresponding to the printer 1. It is. The general-purpose driver 302 is an OS standard program provided with the OS 301, and is a program that supports functions that can be commonly used by multiple types of printer models provided by various printer vendors. The OS 301 is, for example, Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), or Android (registered trademark). Examples of the general-purpose driver 302 include AirPrint (registered trademark) and Mopria (registered trademark).

The general-purpose driver 302, unlike a printer driver corresponding to a specific printer, supports only general-purpose functions. Therefore, it is highly likely that the general-purpose driver 302 does not support commands for controlling the cutter unit 40 included in the printer 1, for example. The printer 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the function of the cutter unit 40 can be used even when the PC 3 equipped with the general-purpose driver 302 is used.

Since it is highly likely that the general-purpose driver 302 does not have an item or parameter indicating disconnection, the printer 1 may set one of the parameters of the tray setting item, which is an item normally provided as a print setting, to indicate disconnection. Use as information. The general-purpose driver 302 is provided with a plurality of parameters that can be set in the tray setting item, for example, from "T1" indicating the first paper feed tray to "T20" indicating the 20th paper feed tray. Often.

The printer 1 uses the tray setting parameter "T1" as a parameter indicating the paper feed tray 31, and "T2" as a parameter indicating the paper feed tray 32. Furthermore, among the tray setting parameters, the printer 1 sets "T20", which is a parameter that normally indicates the 20th paper feed tray, to the paper feed tray 31 or 32 that is set to the A4 size. It is treated as a parameter that indicates an instruction to convey a sheet from a paper tray, print it, cut it with the cutter unit 40, and then discharge the sheet. The tray setting is an example of a predetermined item, and "T20" is a parameter corresponding to A5 size, and is an example of a specific parameter. The 20th paper feed tray is an example of a special tray.

In addition, even in the general-purpose driver 302, in addition to "T1", which is a parameter for individually specifying the paper feed tray to be used, as a tray setting parameter, there is also a parameter indicating an instruction to cause the printer 1 to automatically determine a tray. "Auto" is often provided. "Auto" is an example of automatic setting.

When receiving a print job with “Auto” set as a tray setting parameter, the printer 1 stores paper according to the priority of the paper feed tray, which is information stored in the priority order information 25 of the memory 12. Decide which paper tray is the one you want to use. To this end, the printer 1 can accept the user's setting of the priority order stored in the priority order information 25 using the operation panel 13 or the PJL command.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the printer 1 can display on the operation panel 13 a menu including "Tray Use: Print", which is an item for accepting priority order settings. When accepting an operation for "Tray Use: Print" in the displayed menu, the printer 1 further accepts selection of priority order by user's operation. A priority setting instruction by operating "Tray Use: Print" is an example of a priority setting instruction. Since the priority order setting is accepted via the operation panel 13, it is easy for the user to set the priority order.

When information indicating that cutting is enabled is stored as the cutting setting 24, when the printer 1 receives an operation for "Tray Use: Print", the printer 1 displays "T1" and "T2" as shown in FIG. 6, for example. The priority order including "T20" is displayed as "T1>T2>T20". Then, depending on the user's operation, the options are switched and displayed in a different priority order. With the preferred priority order displayed on the operation panel 13, the user operates a button for instructing determination. Thereby, the printer 1 stores information indicating the priority order as the priority order information 25 in the memory 12 based on the user's selection. In this case, the priority order information 25 is information indicating the priorities of "T1", "T2", and "T20".

Further, the printer 1 can also accept priority order settings using a PJL command. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when receiving a PJL command 403 that includes the specification of the priority order of each paper feed tray by "PRIORITY_TRAY1=1" etc., the printer 1 selects the specified paper feed tray and its priority order. and are stored in the priority order information 25 in association with each other. A PJL command 403 that includes a designation such as "PRIORITY_TRAY1=1" is an example of a priority setting instruction. Since priority order settings can also be accepted using PJL commands, the degree of freedom in setting is high.

On the other hand, when information indicating that disconnection is disabled is stored as the disconnection setting 24, when the printer 1 receives an operation for "Tray Use: Print" on the operation panel 13, the printer 1 displays a message such as "T1>T2", for example. , "T1" and "T2", but not including "T20". In this case, the printer 1 stores the priority order of "T1" and "T2" in the priority order information 25 based on the user's selection. For example, if information indicating that disconnection is enabled is stored as the disconnection setting 24 and is rewritten to disable disconnection, the printer 1 will have the priority information set at that time excluding "T20" from the priority information 25 set at that time. The order is stored in the priority order information 25.

The printer 1 accepts priority order settings that include "T20" when disconnection is stored as valid, whereas printer 1 accepts priority order settings that do not include "T20" when disconnection is stored as invalid. . This can reduce the user's confusion, such as forgetting that disconnection is disabled and not being disconnected even though "T20" is given top priority.

Note that when the disconnection setting 24 is rewritten from a state in which information indicating disconnection is disabled to disconnection enabled, the printer 1 is configured to perform the priority order of "T1" and "T2" set at that time. The initial value of the priority order of "T20" is set at the lower level. For example, if the priority order is "T1>T2", the printer 1 changes the priority order to "T1>T2>T20". In the initial value when disconnection is enabled, the priority of "T20" is set lower than other parameters. The possibility of the sheet being cut can be reduced.

The printer 1 can accept the priority setting regardless of the state of the paper feed tray. For example, the printer 1 can accept priority settings including "T20" corresponding to the A5 size in a state where A5 size is not set in any of the paper feed trays included in the printer 1. In addition, even if there is no paper feed tray set to A4 size or no sheet is stored in the paper feed tray set to A4 size, the printer 1 can set the priority order including "T20". can be accepted.

Next, a procedure for using the functions of the printer 1 using the general-purpose driver 302 built into the PC 3 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 8. PC3 is an example of a terminal device.

Note that the following processing basically indicates processing of the CPU 11 according to instructions written in a program. That is, the processes such as "judgment", "extraction", "selection", "calculation", "determination", "identification", "acquisition", "reception", and "control" in the following explanation are performed by the CPU 11. represents. The processing by the CPU 11 also includes hardware control using the OS API. In this specification, the operation of each program will be explained without describing the OS. That is, in the following description, a statement to the effect that "program B controls hardware C" may also refer to "program B controls hardware C using an API of the OS." Further, the processing of the CPU 11 in accordance with instructions written in a program may be described in abbreviated terms. For example, it may be written as "performed by the CPU 11". Further, the processing of the CPU 11 in accordance with instructions written in a program may be described in words such as "performed by program A", omitting the CPU.

Note that "acquisition" is used as a concept that does not require a request. That is, the process of receiving data without a request from the CPU 11 is also included in the concept of "the CPU acquires data." Furthermore, "data" in this specification is represented by a computer-readable bit string. Furthermore, data having substantially the same meaning and content but different formats shall be treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this specification. Furthermore, "request" and "instruction" are concepts that indicate outputting information indicating a request or information indicating an instruction to the other party. Further, information indicating that a request is being made or information indicating that an instruction is being given is simply referred to as a "request" or "instruction."

Furthermore, the process of determining whether information A indicates matter B by the CPU 11 may be conceptually described as "determining whether information A is matter B or not." There is. The process of determining whether information A indicates matter B or matter C by the CPU 11 is called ``determining whether information A is matter B or matter C. It may be described conceptually, such as ``.

The user performs a print operation on the PC 3 (A01). The print operation is an operation that includes designation of an image to be printed and an instruction to start the general-purpose driver 302. Upon activation, the general-purpose driver 302 requests capability information from the printer 1 (A02). At A02, the printer 1 receives a request to send capability information from the PC 3.

The printer 1 transmits the capability information in response to the transmission request from the PC 3 (A03). A03 is an example of transmission processing. The printer 1 communicates with the PC 3 using the general-purpose driver 302 via the communication IF 14, for example, by communication according to IPP (abbreviation for internet printing protocol). Note that the operation of the printer 1 when information indicating that cutting is disabled is stored in the cutting setting 24 is the same as that of a printer that does not include the cutter unit 40, so in the following, information indicating that cutting is enabled is stored. Let's explain the case where it is.

The printer 1 transmits to the PC 3 information on parameters that can be set for each item of print settings, remaining amount information on consumables, etc. as capability information. The capability information transmitted by the printer 1 includes information indicating four types of parameters, "T1", "T2", "T20", and "Auto", as information on parameters that can be set in the tray settings. Since the disconnection setting 24 of the printer 1 is valid for disconnection, the printer 1 transmits the capability information including "T20". The capability information also includes information on the paper size set in the paper feed tray indicated by each parameter. For example, information indicating A5 size as the paper size is added to the parameter "T20". Note that the printer 1 transmits information including these four types of parameters as settable parameters, included in the capability information, regardless of whether or not sheets are stored in each paper feed tray.

The general-purpose driver 302 of the PC 3 accepts print setting instructions from the user based on the capability information received from the printer 1 . For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the PC 3 displays a setting screen 70 on the display (A04) and accepts a user's operation. Since "T20" is included in the capability information received from the printer 1, the PC 3 displays a setting screen 70 that includes "T20" as an option. The user can select parameters to be set for each item of print settings on the displayed settings screen 70 (A05).

The general-purpose driver 302 of the PC 3 accepts the selection of one of the four types of parameters received as capability information as a parameter that can be set in the tray settings. In response to the user's operation, the general-purpose driver 302 displays these four types of parameters as options on the setting screen 70, as shown in FIG. 9, and accepts the user's selection. Note that the general-purpose driver 302 can also display options based on the received capability information for other print settings items and accept the user's selections.

After determining the print setting parameters, the user inputs an instruction to execute printing on the PC 3 (A11). The general-purpose driver 302 of the PC 3 generates image data of an image to be printed based on the print settings selected by the user, and generates a print job including the generated image data and print setting information (A12). The PC 3 transmits the generated print job to the printer 1 (A13). At A13, the printer 1 receives a print job from the PC 3.

The printer 1 acquires tray setting parameters included in the print settings of the received print job (A21). Then, if the obtained parameter is "Auto" (opt: [Auto]), the printer 1 executes a determination process to determine the parameters to be actually applied (A22). If a parameter other than the above is set, the printer 1 does not execute the determination process and uses the tray setting parameter as is.

The procedure of the determination process executed at A22 in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 10. This determination process is executed by the CPU 11 of the printer 1 based on the print program 22 built into the printer 1. The print program 22 of the printer 1 is a program that can handle print jobs sent from the general-purpose driver 302 of the PC 3.

In the determination process, the CPU 11 reads priority order information 25 from the memory 12 (S101). As described above, the priority order information 25 stores the order of "T1", "T2", and "T20". The CPU 11 acquires the parameter set as the highest priority among these parameters as the parameter of interest (S102). Then, the CPU 11 determines whether the parameter of interest is "T20" (S105).

If the CPU 11 determines that the parameter of interest is "T20" (S105: YES), the CPU 11 determines whether A4 size is set for at least one of the paper feed tray 31 and the paper feed tray 32 (S106). . As described above, the tray setting information 23 of the printer 1 sets the size of the sheets accommodated in each paper feed tray 31 and 32. Based on the tray setting information 23, the CPU 11 determines whether there is a tray set to A4 size.

If it is determined that there is a paper feed tray set to A4 size (S106: YES), the CPU 11 determines whether or not a sheet is stored in the paper feed tray (S107). If it is determined that a sheet is stored in the paper feed tray set to A4 size (S107: YES), the CPU 11 determines the tray setting parameter to be "T20", which is the parameter of interest (S108). If an A4 size sheet is prepared in any paper feed tray, the printer 1 can perform the operation corresponding to "T20" of printing and cutting the A4 size sheet. If "T20" has a high priority and there is a paper feed tray that can transport A4 size sheets, the printer 1 determines the tray setting parameter to "T20".

If the CPU 11 determines that the parameter of interest is not "T20" but "T1" or "T2" (S105: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether a sheet is stored in the paper feed tray indicated by the parameter of interest. (S111). If it is determined that sheets are accommodated (S111: YES), the CPU 11 determines the tray setting parameter as the parameter of interest (S108). If there is a parameter that has a higher priority than "T20" and can transport the sheet, the printer 1 determines that parameter. The parameter determined in S108 when YES is determined in S111 is an example of a candidate parameter.

On the other hand, if it is determined that no sheet is stored in the paper feed tray indicated by the parameter of interest (S111: NO), or if it is determined NO in either S106 or S107, the CPU 11 reads out the sheet in S101. It is determined whether or not there is a next parameter in the priority order information 25 (S115).

For example, even if the parameter of interest is "T20", if no A4 size sheet is prepared in any paper feed tray, the printer 1 cannot perform the "T20" operation. Therefore, if it is determined that the A4 size is not set for either the paper feed tray 31 or the paper feed tray 32 (S106: NO), or the sheet is stored in the paper feed tray for which the A4 size is set. If it is determined that the tray setting parameter is not set (S107: NO), the CPU 11 does not determine the tray setting parameter to be "T20" and determines the next parameter.

If it is determined that there is a next parameter (S115: YES), the CPU 11 acquires the next parameter as a parameter of interest (S116). Then, the CPU 11 returns to S105 and makes the same determination regarding the next parameter of interest.

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no next parameter (S115: NO), that is, if no sheet is stored in any paper feed tray, the CPU 11 determines that there is an error (S117). After S108 or S117, the CPU 11 ends the determination process and returns to the process in the sequence diagram of FIG.

Returning to the explanation of the sequence diagram in FIG. 8. If a parameter other than "Auto" is obtained in A21, or if the parameter can be determined without an error in the determination process (opt: [parameter determination]), the printer 1 prints the print received in A13. Based on the job, print data suitable for printing by the printing unit 15 is generated (A23). If the image data itself included in the print job received from the PC 3 is print data suitable for printing by the printing unit 15, the printer 1 may skip A23.

Note that when generating print data, the printer 1 may reduce or rotate the image data based on the size of the received image data and information on the paper feed tray determined to be used. The general-purpose driver 302 of the PC 3 generates image data based on information about the image size and print orientation included in the print settings selected by the user. If the general-purpose driver 302 accepts the image size and tray setting independently, or if the tray setting is "Auto", for example, if A4 is specified as the image size, A4 size image data is included. The print job is likely to be sent. If the image data included in the received print job is A4 size and the determined tray setting parameter is "T20", printer 1 reduces the image data to A5 size and further rotates it by 90 degrees. It's okay.

However, depending on the user, for example, by specifying an A4 size 2in1 image as the image to be printed and selecting "T20" as the tray setting, it is possible to print two A5 size sheets with one page of images printed on each. You may be expecting a sheet to be printed. For example, the printer 1 may be able to receive user instructions via the operation panel 13 by notifying the user that the sheet will be cut and asking the user whether or not to perform reduction or rotation.

Then, the printer 1 executes printing processing to perform printing based on the generated print data (A24). The procedure of the printing process executed at A24 in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 11.

In the print process, the CPU 11 determines whether the tray setting parameter is determined to be "T20" (S201). If it is determined that the tray setting parameter is determined to be "T20" (S201: YES), the CPU 11 attempts to start conveying a sheet from the paper feed tray set to be A4 size (S211). Then, the CPU 11 determines whether conveyance of the sheet has been started (S212).

If it is determined that the sheet has been successfully conveyed (S212: YES), the CPU 11 passes the print data generated in A23 of FIG. 8 to the printing unit 15 to execute printing (S213). Further, the CPU 11 operates the cutter unit 40 to cut the printed sheet into an A5 size sheet (S214). Then, the CPU 11 discharges the cut sheet (S215).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the tray setting parameter is determined to be a parameter other than "T20" (S201: NO), the CPU 11 attempts to start conveying the sheet from the paper feed tray specified by the parameter (S221). ). Then, the CPU 11 determines whether conveyance of the sheet has been started (S222). If it is determined that the sheet has been successfully conveyed (S222: YES), the CPU 11 passes the print data generated in A23 of FIG. 8 to the printing unit 15 to execute printing (S223). Then, the CPU 11 discharges the printed sheet without cutting it (S224). Even if "Auto" is selected for the tray setting, if there is a parameter with a higher priority than "T20", the printer 1 determines that parameter and does not cut the sheet.

If it is determined that the sheet conveyance has not been successfully started (S212: NO or S222: NO), the CPU 11 determines to notify a conveyance error (S231). After any one of S215, S224, and S231, the CPU 11 ends the print process and returns to the process shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 8.

Returning to the explanation of the sequence diagram in FIG. 8. When printing is completed by the print process in A24, the printer 1 ends the process of this print job. On the other hand, if an error is determined in S117 (FIG. 10) of the determination process of A22, or if an error is determined in S231 of the print process (opt: [error]), the printer 1 notifies the PC 3 of the error. and makes a notification (A31). The printer 1 may notify the error via the operation panel 13. Note that even if the print job processing is appropriately ended instead of due to an error, the printer 1 may notify the PC 3 of the end of the processing.

As described above in detail, when the printer 1 of this embodiment receives a print job in which "Auto" is selected as the tray setting, the printer 1 selects the paper feed tray according to the priority order information 25 stored in the memory 12. is determined, and if the paper feed tray is determined to be "T20", an A4 size sheet is conveyed and cut into A5 size sheets. As a result, if the printer 1 receives a print job for which "Auto" is selected for the tray setting when an A4 size sheet is prepared but an A5 size sheet is not prepared, the printer 1 stores the print job in the memory 12. If "T20" is determined according to the stored priority order information 25, an A5 size printed matter is output. Therefore, the printer 1 can appropriately handle whether or not to cut the sheet.

When cutting is enabled, the user can transmit a print job specifying sheet cutting by selecting "T20" as a tray setting parameter, for example. On the other hand, if disconnection is disabled, the capability information transmitted from the printer 1 does not include "T20". Therefore, since "T20" is not included as an option on the setting screen 70 displayed by the PC 3, the user cannot select "T20" as a tray setting parameter. Furthermore, if cutting is disabled, the priority order information 25 does not include "T20", so even if the user selects "Auto", the printer 1 does not cut the sheet.

Note that this embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, it goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the printer 1 is not limited to a printing-only machine, but may also be a multifunction machine, a copying machine, a fax machine, or the like. Further, the printing method of the printer 1 is not limited to the electrophotographic method, but may be an inkjet method, a thermal transfer method, a thermal method, or the like. Further, the number of paper feed trays provided in the printer 1 is not limited to two, and may be three or more, or may be only one. Furthermore, the printer 1 may not include the OS 21.

Further, the terminal device is not limited to a PC, but may be a smartphone or a tablet computer, for example. In this embodiment, the PC 3 including the general-purpose driver 302 has been described, but the terminal device may be a device including a printer driver compatible with the printer 1 or a printer driver compatible with multiple models.

Further, for example, the various display forms illustrated are merely examples, and are not limited to the illustrated examples. The words in the diagram, their arrangement, and the arrangement and shape of the buttons and selection fields may be of any kind. Further, the notation of each parameter displayed as an option is not limited to "T1", etc., but may be "tray 1", "tray-1", "TRAY1", etc.

Further, the parameter corresponding to processing is not limited to "T20", and may be any parameter that can be accepted by the general-purpose driver 302 and does not correspond to any paper feed tray installed in the printer 1. If the parameter indicates a paper feed tray that the printer 1 does not actually have, the parameter will not specify the paper feed tray and can be easily used as a parameter for cutting. The parameter corresponding to processing may be “T19”, a parameter other than “T1” to “T20”, or a parameter indicating the manual feed port 33. Note that the paper feed tray actually provided in the printer 1 may be used exclusively for cutting, and the paper may be cut when a parameter indicating the paper feed tray is designated.

Further, since a paper size is set for each paper feed tray, information on the paper size set for each paper feed tray may be displayed as a tray setting parameter. In that case, the printer 1 may display information indicating A5 size as an option instead of "T20", for example.

Further, in the embodiment, the priority order used when "Auto" is specified as the tray setting has been described, but the printer 1 can also accept parameters indicating automatic setting for items other than the tray setting. It may also be possible to accept the setting of the priority order for that purpose. For example, it may be possible to accept the priority order for the parameters of the paper size item.

Further, in the embodiment, when the disconnection is rewritten from disconnection disabled to disconnection enabled, it is assumed that "T20" is given the lowest priority, but this is not restrictive. For example, it may be ranked higher than other parameters, or the user may be asked.

Furthermore, although it has been assumed that either disconnection valid or disconnection is stored in the disconnection setting 24, in the case of disconnection invalidity, the disconnection setting 24 is not stored instead of storing disconnection invalidation. It's okay. In other words, the printer 1 may be set to enable cutting if the cutting setting 24 is stored. Further, even if the cutting setting 24 is invalid, the printer 1 stores the priority order including "T20" in the priority order information 25, and in the determination process, if the cutting setting 24 is invalid, "T20" is not determined. It's good as well.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, the setting of enabling or disabling disconnection is accepted as the disconnection setting 24, but it is not necessary to accept it. In other words, cutting may always be enabled.

Furthermore, although the cutter unit 40 of the printer 1 is configured to cut A4 size sheets and output them as A5 size sheets, it is also possible to cut sheets of sizes other than A4 size or to cut sheets of sizes other than A5 size. cutting may also be possible. Further, the processing by the cutter unit 40 may be any processing related to cutting, and is not limited to cutting, and may be, for example, processing of making perforations in the sheet or processing of making creases in the sheet.

Further, there may be a tray on which A5 size sheets are prepared. Even in that case, "T20" is used as a parameter indicating that the sheet is transported and processed from a tray set to A4 size. In addition, in the determination process, if there is no tray with A4 size sheets prepared, "T20" is not determined, but if there is a tray with A5 size sheets prepared, "T20" is determined. Then, the sheet may be conveyed from the tray and discharged without being processed.

Note that in the printer 1 of this embodiment, for example, when cutting is disabled, when a sheet is inserted into the manual feed port 33 shown in FIG. 2, the sheet inserted into the manual feed port 33 is fed, and other paper feed This configuration does not feed paper from the tray. Therefore, when disconnection is disabled, the priority order information 25 does not include "Alt", which is a parameter indicating the manual feed port 33. Note that when cutting is enabled, the configuration may be such that once a sheet is inserted into the manual feed port 33, the sheet is fed and cut from the manual feed port 33 without feeding paper from another paper feed tray. . Alternatively, even if cutting is enabled, the sheet fed from the manual feed port 33 may not be cut.

Further, the printer 1 may have an EWS (abbreviation for Embedded Web Server) function. In that case, the printer 1 may be able to accept instructions for setting the disconnection settings 24 and instructions for setting the priority order information 25 from a PC browser or the like via the EWS. Further, the printer 1 may be able to accept commands other than PJL commands, and may also be able to accept setting instructions for the disconnection settings 24 and priority information 25 in accordance with commands other than PJL commands.

Furthermore, in any flowchart disclosed in each embodiment, the execution order of multiple processes in any multiple steps can be arbitrarily changed or executed in parallel as long as there is no inconsistency in the processing contents. .

Furthermore, the processing disclosed in each embodiment may be executed by a single CPU, multiple CPUs, hardware such as an ASIC, or a combination thereof. Further, the processes disclosed in the embodiments can be realized in various forms such as a recording medium recording a program for executing the processes, or a method.

1 printer 3 PC
12 Memory 13 Operation panel 14 Communication IF
31, 32 Paper feed tray 40 Cutter unit

Claims (18)

multiple paper trays,
a communication interface;
a processing unit that performs processing related to cutting on the sheet;
memory and
A printer comprising:
The processing unit is capable of processing a first size sheet to cut it into a second size smaller than the first size,
The memory stores priority information regarding a plurality of parameters that can be set in predetermined items of print settings, and the plurality of parameters include a specific parameter that is a parameter corresponding to the second size. Includes
The printer includes:
executing a transmission process of transmitting capability information corresponding to the specific parameter to a terminal device via the communication interface, and printing in which automatic setting is selected for the predetermined item from the terminal device that has received the capability information; The job may be sent to said printer;
Furthermore, the printer
the communication interface in a state where the first size sheet is prepared in any of the plurality of paper feed trays and the second size sheet is not prepared in any of the plurality of paper feed trays; If the print job in which automatic setting is selected for the predetermined item is received via the
executing a determination process for determining parameters for the predetermined item according to the priority information stored in the memory;
If the specific parameters are determined in the determination process, start conveying the sheet of the first size, and perform the processing on the conveyed sheet using the processing unit,
If a parameter other than the specific parameter is determined in the determination process, the conveyance of the sheet corresponding to the determined parameter is started, and the process is not performed on the conveyed sheet;
It is configured as follows. The printer according to claim 1,
The printer includes:
In the transmission process, the first size sheet is prepared in one of the plurality of paper feed trays, and the second size sheet is not prepared in any of the plurality of paper feed trays. , transmitting the capability information corresponding to the specific parameter to the terminal device via the communication interface;
It is configured as follows. The printer according to claim 2,
The printer includes:
In the transmission process, the first size sheet is prepared in one of the plurality of paper feed trays, and the second size sheet is not prepared in any of the plurality of paper feed trays. , when receiving a request to send capability information from the terminal device via the communication interface, transmitting the capability information corresponding to the specific parameter to the terminal device via the communication interface;
It is configured as follows. The printer according to claim 1,
The memory stores feasibility information indicating whether or not the processing by the processing unit is effective;
If the availability information indicating that the processing is valid is stored in the memory, the specific parameter is included in the priority information stored in the memory, and the availability information indicating that the processing is valid is stored in the memory. If the information is stored, the specific parameter is not included in the priority information stored in the memory;
The printer includes:
In the transmission process, if the availability information indicating whether the processing is valid is stored in the memory, the capability information corresponding to the specific parameter is transmitted to the terminal device via the communication interface, and the capability information is stored in the memory. If the availability information indicating that the processing is not valid is stored in the processing unit, transmitting the capability information that does not correspond to the specific parameter to the terminal device via the communication interface;
Furthermore, the printer
the communication interface in a state where the first size sheet is prepared in any of the plurality of paper feed trays and the second size sheet is not prepared in any of the plurality of paper feed trays; When a print job in which automatic setting is selected for the predetermined item is received via
In the determination process, according to the priority information stored in the memory, if the availability information indicating that the processing is valid is stored in the memory, the parameter for the predetermined item is changed to the specific parameter. is determined to be one of the plurality of parameters including the specific parameter, and if the acceptability information indicating that the processing is not valid is stored in the memory, the parameter for the predetermined item is set to one that does not include the specific parameter. determining one of the plurality of parameters;
It is configured as follows. The printer according to claim 4,
The printer includes:
If the availability information indicating that the processing is valid is stored in the memory, a priority setting instruction for setting the priority including the specific parameter is accepted, and the availability information indicating that the processing is valid is stored in the memory. is stored, accept a priority setting instruction for setting the priority that does not include the specific parameter, and store in the memory information on the priority according to the received priority setting instruction;
It is configured as follows. The printer according to claim 4,
The printer includes:
When a PJL command is received, if the received PJL command includes a permission setting instruction for setting the permission information, storing the permission information in accordance with the permission setting instruction included in the PJL command in the memory. ,
It is configured as follows. The printer according to claim 4,
Equipped with a user interface,
The printer includes:
If the instruction received via the user interface is a permission setting instruction to set the permission information, storing the permission information in accordance with the received permission setting instruction in the memory;
It is configured as follows. The printer according to claim 4,
The printer includes:
When the availability information that does not indicate that the processing is valid is rewritten to the availability information that indicates that the processing is valid, an initial value of the priority of the specific parameter is added to the priority information stored in the memory. Set it low compared to other parameters,
It is configured as follows. The printer according to claim 4,
The printer includes:
Regarding the availability information, when the processing by the processing unit is rewritten from invalid to valid, an initial value of the priority of the specific parameter is compared with other parameters in the priority information stored in the memory. set high,
It is configured as follows. The printer according to claim 1,
The printer includes:
receiving a priority setting instruction for setting the priority, and storing information on the priority in accordance with the received priority setting instruction in the memory;
It is configured as follows. The printer according to claim 10,
The printer includes:
Even if the first size sheet is prepared in one of the plurality of paper feed trays and the second size sheet is not prepared in any of the plurality of paper feed trays, receiving the priority setting instruction for setting the priority for a specific parameter, and storing information on the priority in accordance with the received priority setting instruction in the memory;
It is configured as follows. The printer according to claim 10,
The printer includes:
When a PJL command is received, if the received PJL command includes the priority setting instruction, storing in the memory information on the priority according to the priority setting instruction included in the PJL command;
It is configured as follows. The printer according to claim 10,
Equipped with a user interface,
The printer includes:
If the instruction received via the user interface is the priority setting instruction, storing information on the priority according to the received priority setting instruction in the memory;
It is configured as follows. The printer according to claim 1,
The printer includes:
the communication interface in a state where the first size sheet is prepared in any of the plurality of paper feed trays and the second size sheet is not prepared in any of the plurality of paper feed trays; If the print job in which automatic setting is selected for the predetermined item is received via the
In the determination process, if there is no candidate parameter among the plurality of parameters according to the priority information stored in the memory, the parameter for the predetermined item is determined as the specific parameter; The parameter is a parameter that has a higher priority than the specific parameter and allows the sheet to be conveyed,
If the specific parameters are determined in the determination process, start conveying the sheet of the first size, and perform the processing on the conveyed sheet using the processing unit;
It is configured as follows. The printer according to claim 14,
The printer includes:
the communication interface in a state where the first size sheet is prepared in any of the plurality of paper feed trays and the second size sheet is not prepared in any of the plurality of paper feed trays; If the print job in which automatic setting is selected for the predetermined item is received via the
In the determination process, if there is no candidate parameter among the plurality of parameters, a parameter for the predetermined item is determined as the specific parameter according to the priority information stored in the memory; If there is at least one candidate parameter, determining the parameter for the predetermined item as the parameter with the highest priority among the candidate parameters,
If the specific parameters are determined in the determination process, start conveying the sheet of the first size, and perform the processing on the conveyed sheet using the processing unit,
If the parameter with the highest priority among the candidate parameters is determined in the determination process, the conveyance of the sheet corresponding to the determined parameter is started, and the process is performed on the conveyed sheet. do not have,
It is configured as follows. The printer according to claim 1,
The memory stores priority information regarding the plurality of parameters that can be set as the paper feed tray item as the predetermined item, and the specific parameter includes priority information for the plurality of parameters that can be set as the paper feed tray item. not include special tray,
The printer includes:
In the transmission process, the capability information corresponding to the special tray is transmitted to the terminal device via the communication interface,
Furthermore, the printer
the communication interface in a state where the first size sheet is prepared in any of the plurality of paper feed trays and the second size sheet is not prepared in any of the plurality of paper feed trays; when receiving the print job in which automatic setting is selected for the paper input tray item via the
In the determination process, parameters for the paper feed tray item are determined according to the priority information stored in the memory;
If the special tray is determined in the determination process, transporting the first size sheet is started, and the processing unit is used to perform the processing on the transported sheet,
If a paper feed tray other than the special tray is determined in the determination process, the sheet is started to be transported from the determined paper feed tray, and the transported sheet is not subjected to the processing;
It is configured as follows. The printer according to claim 1,
The printer includes:
the first size sheet is prepared in any of the plurality of paper feed trays, and the second size sheet is not prepared in any of the plurality of paper feed trays,
If the print job in which the specific parameters are selected for the predetermined item is received via the communication interface, the conveyance of the first size sheet is started, and the processing unit is used for the conveyed sheet. and perform the above processing,
When receiving the print job in which any one of the plurality of parameters other than the specific parameter is selected for the predetermined item through the communication interface, transporting a sheet corresponding to the selected parameter; and not performing the processing on the transported sheet;
It is configured as follows. The printer according to claim 1,
The processing by the processing unit is any one of cutting the sheet, making perforations in the sheet, and making creases in the sheet.
It is configured as follows.

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