JP5031932B2 - Printing apparatus, printing apparatus control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

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

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for setting a plurality of print setting items when a printing apparatus executes print processing is known. As the print setting item here, for example, when the printing apparatus has a plurality of paper feed cassettes, there is an item for setting a paper feed source from which paper feed cassette the paper should be fed. In addition, for example, there is an item for setting whether to execute double-sided printing or single-sided printing when double-sided printing is possible in the printing apparatus.

  In such a printing apparatus that can set a plurality of print setting items, a combination of the plurality of print setting items may be a setting that cannot be executed by the printing apparatus. For example, if it is impossible for the printing device to perform double-sided printing on thick paper due to the mechanism of the device, the printing device can set double-sided printing after setting thick paper as the paper type. Printing failure occurs. Therefore, there is a technique for storing in advance information indicating combinations that can be set for a plurality of print setting items (hereinafter referred to as setting permission information) so as not to make print settings that the printing apparatus cannot perform print processing. It is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-225754 A

  However, the conventional technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem when a user of the printing apparatus can newly register a sheet as a sheet that can be used for executing the printing process.

  For example, when hundreds to thousands of types of printing paper used in the printing apparatus can be newly registered, it is difficult to prepare setting permission information for each type. The difficulty here means that it takes time and effort to prepare the setting permission information for each type, and a storage capacity is required to store the setting permission information.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to generate permission information when generating new paper information and executing print processing using the new paper information. To provide a printing apparatus that can be used appropriately.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a printing unit that executes a printing process, and sheet information that indicates a sheet that can be used in the printing process, and includes characteristic information that indicates characteristics of the sheet. Permission information indicating whether or not specific print settings are permitted when executing the print processing for each of a plurality of pieces of paper information stored in the first storage unit and a plurality of pieces of paper information stored in the first storage unit A second storage means for storing paper, a generation means for replicating paper information selected by the user from among a plurality of paper information stored in the first storage means, and generating new paper information, and the new Selection means for selecting paper information corresponding to the new paper information from paper information stored in the first storage means based on characteristic information included in the new paper information; and the first storage means Paper to memorize When the printing process is executed using the information, the printing apparatus is controlled to execute the printing process using the permission information corresponding to the paper information, and the printing process is executed using the new paper information. A control unit that controls the printing apparatus so as to execute a printing process using permission information corresponding to the paper information selected by the selection unit.

According to the present invention, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus that can appropriately use permission information when generating new paper information and executing print processing using the new paper information. be able to.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of a bookbinding system. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the printing apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of a printing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structure of an operation part. It is a figure which shows the operation screen displayed on an operation part. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a printer unit 203. FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation screen displayed on an operation part. It is a figure which shows the operation screen displayed on an operation part. It is a figure which shows the paper information of Type1. It is a figure which shows the paper information of Type3. It is a figure which shows the paper information of Type2. It is a figure which shows the operation screen displayed on an operation part. It is a figure which shows the operation screen displayed on an operation part. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating sheet feed tray information. It is a figure which shows setting permission information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a table for associating Type 2 paper information with Type 1 paper information. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which CPU205 performs. It is a figure which shows the operation screen displayed on an operation part. It is a figure which shows the structure of a computer terminal. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a window for setting print processing setting items. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed when a property button is pressed down. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed when a finishing tab is selected. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed when a paper feed tab is selected. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a print job. 3 is a software configuration diagram of a computer terminal 233. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation executed by a printer driver.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
<Overall configuration of bookbinding system (bookbinding device)>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a bookbinding system (bookbinding apparatus) corresponding to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 105 denotes a printing apparatus, which performs a printing process on a sheet based on image data and conveys the printed sheet to the stacker apparatus 104. The stacker device 104 stacks the sheets conveyed from the printing device 105 on a stack tray (not shown). Further, the stacker device 104 can also transport the sheet transported from the printing device 105 to the case binding device 103 without stacking it on the stack tray. The case binding apparatus 103 stacks a plurality of sheets S conveyed from the printing apparatus 105 via the stacker apparatus 104 as a sheet bundle on the accumulation tray. Then, a case binding product is created by wrapping the sheet bundle stacked on the stacking tray with the cover sheet stacked on the cover sheet stacking tray.

  The case binding apparatus 103 can also transport the sheet S conveyed from the stacker apparatus 104 to the saddle stitch binding apparatus 102 without stacking it on the stacking tray. The saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus 102 performs a stapling process on the sheet bundle S1 including a plurality of sheets S conveyed from the printing apparatus 105 via the case binding apparatus 103, thereby creating a saddle stitch bookbinding product. Note that the saddle stitch bookbinding created by the saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus 102 is transported to the trimming apparatus 101 and a cutting process is executed.

<Control configuration of printing device>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the printing apparatus 105 corresponding to the embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 2, a scanner unit 201 optically reads a plurality of originals (images printed on a sheet such as paper) to generate image data, and performs image processing on the read image data. (For example, shading correction processing) is executed. Then, the scanner unit 201 causes the hard disk (HDD) 209 to store a plurality of pages of image data on which image processing has been performed as one print job. Reference numeral 202 denotes an external I / F, which receives a print job including a plurality of pages of image data from a computer terminal 233 as an external apparatus connected to the printing apparatus 105 via a network 232. Then, the external I / F 202 stores the received print job in the hard disk 209. A printer unit 203 executes print processing on a plurality of sheets (paper) based on a print job stored in the hard disk 209. Since the print job is composed of a plurality of pages of image data, the plurality of image data is printed on each of the plurality of sheets. An operation unit 204 receives various instructions from the operator of the printing apparatus 105 and transmits the received instructions to the memory controller unit 206 to perform various settings on the printing apparatus 105.

  The CPU 205 controls the entire bookbinding system 2000 including the printing apparatus 105 by writing the program read from the ROM 207 to the RAM 208 and executing the program using the RAM 208. The ROM 207 stores a program for interpreting PDL (Page Description Language) code data received by the external I / F 202 as a print job from the external device. Further, the ROM 207 stores a program for generating data that can be printed by the printing unit 203 after interpreting the PDL code data. The memory controller unit 206 controls access from each unit to the ROM 207, the RAM 208, and the hard disk 209.

  The compression / decompression unit 210 can execute compression processing on image data stored in the RAM 208 and the hard disk 209 by various compression methods such as JBIG and JPEG. The compression / decompression unit 210 can execute decompression processing for decompressing image data compressed by various compression methods.

  The rotation unit 231 executes the rotation process when the image data needs to be rotated when the image data stored in the hard disk 209 is transmitted to the printer unit 203 to execute the printing process. The rotation unit 231 can execute rotation processing at an arbitrary angle such as 180 ° rotation processing that reverses the vertical direction of the image data and 90 ° rotation processing as rotation processing. Note that the CPU 205 can set the rotation angle of the rotation process executed by the rotation unit 231.

  The option I / F 230 is an interface for the CPU 205 to communicate with the stacker device 104, the case binding device 103, the saddle stitch binding device 102, and the cutting device 101 as optional devices connected to the printing device 105. Each of the stacker device 104, the case binding device 103, the saddle stitch binding device 102, and the cutting device 101 has a CPU (not shown) for controlling internal operations. Then, the CPU 205 of the printing apparatus 105 transmits a control command for controlling the CPU of each option apparatus via the option I / F 230, so that the stacker apparatus 104, the case binding apparatus 103, the saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus 102, and the trimming apparatus 102. The apparatus 101 is controlled.

<Configuration of printing device>
Next, the configuration of the printing apparatus 105 will be described with reference to FIG.
The printing apparatus 105 is roughly composed of a scanner unit 201 and a printer unit 203. The scanner unit 201 sequentially feeds the sheet bundle stacked on the document feeding unit 250 onto the platen glass 211 one by one from the top (top) in accordance with the stacking order. Then, the document feeding unit 250 discharges the document to the discharge tray 219 after the reading operation by the scanner unit 220 is completed. When the document sheet is conveyed onto the platen glass 211, the scanner unit 210 turns on the lamp 212 to start the movement of the optical unit 213, and scans while irradiating the sheet-shaped document from below. Reflected light from the document passes through a plurality of mirrors 214, 215, and 216 and a lens 217 and is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 218, and the scanned image on the document is read as image data by the CCD 218. Image data read by the CCD 218 is stored in the hard disk 209 after being subjected to predetermined image processing.

  The printer unit 203 outputs laser light corresponding to the image data read from the hard disk 209 from the laser light emitting unit 322 driven by the laser driver 321. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 323 irradiated with the laser beam, and the developing device 324 attaches a developer (for example, toner) to the portion of the electrostatic latent image.

  On the other hand, the sheet S is fed from any one of the cassette 311, the cassette 312, the cassette 313, the cassette 314, and the manual feed tray 315 at a timing synchronized with the start of laser beam irradiation, and reaches the transfer unit 325 via the conveyance path 331. Transport. Here, the manual feed tray 315 is provided with a sheet detection sensor 315a for detecting that the sheet S is placed. The transfer unit 325 transfers the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 323 onto the sheet S. The sheet S on which the developer has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 327 by the conveyance belt 326 and heated by the fixing unit 327. As a result, the developer on the sheet S is fixed to the sheet S. The sheet S on which the developer is fixed is conveyed to the stacker device 104 via conveyance paths 335 and 334. When the sheet S is reversed and conveyed when conveying the sheet S to the stacker device 104, the CPU 205 controls the printer unit 203 to guide the sheet S to the conveyance paths 336 and 338. Thereafter, the sheet S is conveyed in the reverse direction, and the sheet S is conveyed to the stacker device 104 via the conveyance paths 337 and 334.

Next, the control configuration of the printer unit 203 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The printer unit 203 included in the printing apparatus 105 can communicate with the CPU 205 via the memory controller unit 206. The CPU 2003 of the printer unit 203 receives image data and a command for executing print processing from the memory controller unit 206, analyzes the received image data and converts it into bit data, and analyzes the received command.

  The printer unit 203 includes various control units that are controlled by the CPU 2003. The various control units include a sheet conveyance control unit 2004 for controlling various rollers included in the printing apparatus 105 for conveying the sheet S, and a voltage applied to the charging roller for charging the photosensitive drum 323 to a predetermined potential. There is a charge control unit 2005 for controlling. Further, the CPU 203 has a laser scanning control unit 2006 for controlling the scanning of the laser that exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 323 based on the image data received from the memory controller unit 206. Further, the printer unit 2003 includes a development control unit 2007 for controlling the developing device 324 to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 323. Further, the printer unit 203 includes a transfer control unit 2008 for controlling a transfer voltage applied to the transfer unit 325 so as to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 323 to the sheet S. Further, the printer unit 203 controls the rotation of the roller pair constituting the fixing unit 327 and the input power to the heater of at least one of the roller pair so as to fix the toner image on the sheet S on which the toner image is transferred. A fixing control unit 2009. Further, the printer unit 203 includes a sheet feeding device control unit 2010 for controlling the driving of the rollers provided in the cassette 311, the cassette 312, the cassette 313, and the cassette 314 so as to feed the sheet S to the printing unit 2.

<Configuration of operation unit>
Next, the configuration of the operation unit 204 provided in the printing apparatus 105 will be described with reference to FIG.
The operation unit 204 includes a hard key group 4-240 including various hard keys 4-241 to 4-246. The operation unit 204 includes a liquid crystal display unit 4-250 configured with a dot matrix formed of a liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystal display unit 4-250 has a touch panel on the surface. The operation unit 204 detects that a key input has been made by the operator of the printing apparatus 105 pressing the key display unit, and transmits a signal corresponding to the key input to the CPU 205. Then, the CPU 205 controls the printing apparatus 105 based on a program stored in the ROM 207 and executes an operation according to the received signal.

  A key 4-243 is a power key for turning the power ON / OFF. A key 4-244 is a power saving key, and is a key for setting the power saving mode / releasing the power saving mode. A start key 4-241 is a key for causing an operator to input an instruction to start various processes such as an instruction to start an image reading operation on an original by the scanner unit 201. A stop key 4-242 is a key for causing the operator to input an instruction to stop the operation being executed by the bookbinding system 2000 including the printing apparatus 105.

  The key group 4-245 has ten keys from 0 to 9 for inputting the number of copies, zoom magnification, etc. and a clear key for clearing the input. The number of copies input in the key group 4-245 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 4-253. The reset key 4-246 is a key for returning the setting conditions set by the operator via the liquid crystal display unit 4-250 and the hard key group 4-240 to the initial state.

  The liquid crystal display unit 4-250 displays an operation state of the bookbinding system 2000 according to an instruction from the CPU 205. Touch keys are also displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 4-250. In the liquid crystal display unit 4-250, a key 4-252 is a key for selecting a cassette on which sheets S (paper) used by the printing apparatus 105 for printing processing is stacked. When this key is pressed by the operator, the CPU 205 controls the operation unit 204 to display the paper selection screen shown in FIG. 5 on the liquid crystal display unit 4-250.

  A cassette (one of the cassettes 311 to 315) used for the printing process is selected by a key group 4-271 on the sheet selection screen shown in FIG. Then, when the close key 4-270 is pressed by the operator, the CPU 205 closes this screen and returns to the screen of FIG. 4 to display the selected cassette on the display unit 4-251.

  Keys 4-258 and 4-262 in FIG. 4 are keys for adjusting the density. The CPU 205 displays the density adjusted by these keys on the display unit 4-263. A key 4-259 is a key for turning on / off the automatic density adjustment function. A key 4-261 is a key for setting a photo mode / text mode and the like.

  Keys 4-254 and 4-255 are keys for setting equal magnification and reduction / enlargement, respectively. When the key 4-255 is pressed, the CPU 205 displays the magnification screen shown in FIG. 5B on the liquid crystal display unit 4-250, and enables detailed setting of enlargement / reduction. When the magnification is selected by the key group 4-273 on the magnification screen shown in the figure and the close key 4-272 is pressed by the operator, the CPU 205 closes this screen and returns to the screen in FIG. The CPU 205 causes the display unit 4-251 to display the set magnification.

  A key 4-257 is a double-sided key. When the key 4-257 is pressed, the CPU 205 causes the liquid crystal display unit 4-250 to display a double-sided printing setting screen shown in FIG. Hereinafter, setting of double-sided printing will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 5C, a key 4-280 is a setting key for performing printing processing on both sides of a sheet using a document on which an image is printed only on one side (hereinafter referred to as a single-sided document). A key 4-281 is a setting key for performing printing processing on both sides of a sheet using an original on which images are printed on both sides (hereinafter referred to as a double-sided original). A key 4-283 is a setting key for printing on only one side of a sheet using a double-sided document. A key 4-284 is a setting key for performing page continuous double-sided copying.

  A key 4-285 is a key for validating the setting made by the operator on the duplex printing setting screen of FIG. When this key is pressed, the CPU 205 validates the setting on the duplex printing setting screen of FIG. 5C and returns the display on the liquid crystal display unit 4-250 to the screen of FIG. A key 4-282 is a key for canceling the setting performed in FIG. 5C, and when this key is pressed, the CPU 205 performs the setting on the duplex printing setting screen in FIG. 5C. The display of the liquid crystal display unit 4-250 is returned to the screen of FIG.

  A key 4-256 on the display screen in FIG. 4 is a key for allowing the user to input to which apparatus in the bookbinding system 2000 the sheet (sheet) printed by the printing apparatus 105 is discharged.

  FIG. 7 is an operation screen for designating the size of the sheet S to be stacked on the paper feed cassette (any of the cassettes 311 to 315). The operation screen of FIG. 7 is a screen displayed after any one of the paper feeding cassettes (any of the cassettes 311 to 315) is selected in FIG. A key group 701 on the screen of FIG. 7 is a key for the operator to set the size of the sheet to be stacked on the sheet selected in FIG. For example, when the “A4” size on the screen of FIG. 7 is pressed by the operator and the “Next” key is pressed, the CPU 205 causes the liquid crystal display unit 4-250 to display the operation screen shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display screen of the operation unit 204 for setting the type of paper loaded on the paper feed tray.

  In FIG. 8, the paper type is set by pressing any one of 801 to 808. Then, when the user of the printing apparatus 105 presses the key 810, the type of paper is determined, and the screen returns to the operation screen in FIG.

  As described above, for the paper stacked in the cassette selected in FIG. 5A, the paper size is set in FIG. 7, and the paper type is set in FIG. Then, the CPU 205 stores the sheet ID assigned to the set sheet in the HDD 209 as sheet tray information in association with each sheet tray. FIG. 14 shows an example of paper feed tray information. For example, when a print job is received from the computer terminal 233 and print processing is executed, a print job specifying only a paper feed tray (paper source) may be generated at the computer terminal 233. In such a case, since the print job includes information for specifying the paper feed tray, the CPU 205 can specify the type of paper used in the printing process by referring to the paper feed tray in FIG. .

Next, paper information stored in the HDD 209 will be described.
When the printer unit 203 executes print processing, the printing apparatus 105 executes print processing using various control information. The control information here includes a temperature value when the fixing unit 327 is heated, a transfer voltage value applied by the transfer unit 325, and a conveyance speed value (printing speed value) when the paper is conveyed by the printer unit 203. ) And the like for controlling each unit of the printer unit 203. The printing apparatus 105 is assumed to execute printing processing using various types of paper, but it is desirable that a certain print result be obtained regardless of the type of paper used. Therefore, the printing apparatus 105 appropriately controls the transfer voltage, the printing speed, and the fixing temperature according to the type of the paper by including the control information in the paper information.

  Regarding the paper information, in the present embodiment, there are three types of paper information of Type1, Type2, and Type3.

First, Type 1 paper information, which is one type of paper information, will be described.
Type 1 is paper information stored in advance (for example, at the time of manufacture) in the HDD 209 of the printing apparatus 105, and is stored in the HDD 209 as a table as shown in FIG. In the table of FIG. 9, ID is information for identifying a plurality of types of Type 1 paper, and the CPU 205 of the printing apparatus 105 determines the paper type based on this ID. The paper name indicates a name given to the paper. The basis weight indicates the weight of 1 m ² of the paper, and the surface property indicates the material of the surface of the paper. The basis weight of the paper and the material of the paper are information indicating the characteristics of the paper itself, and are referred to as paper characteristic information.

  The fixing temperature is a temperature value when the fixing unit 327 is heated, and the printing speed is a conveyance speed value when the sheet is conveyed when the printer unit 203 executes a printing process. The transfer voltage indicates a transfer voltage value applied to the sheet by the transfer unit 325. A sheet included in the sheet information of Type 1 can be selected as a sheet to be used for the printing process from the operation unit 204 of the printing apparatus 105. Specifically, the paper included in the paper information of Type 1 can be selected on the operation screen of FIG. In the example of FIG. 9, a case is shown in which eight types of paper are registered as Type 1 paper in the HDD 209 of the printing apparatus 105. However, not limited to eight types, any type is registered in advance as Type 1. Also good.

Next, Type 3 paper information, which is one type of paper information, will be described.
Type 3 is paper information stored in advance (for example, at the time of manufacture) in the HDD 209 of the printing apparatus 105, and in this respect, is the same as the paper information of Type 1. However, Type 3 is different from Type 1 in that the paper included in the paper information of Type 3 cannot be selected on the screen of FIG. 8 as the paper used for the printing process of the printing apparatus 105. That is, the paper included in the Type 3 paper information cannot be used for the printing process by the printing apparatus 105, and can be used for the printing process for the first time by registering as the Type 2 paper information described later. There are thousands of types of paper used in the printing process in the market, but there is a problem in making it possible to use all these types of paper in the printing process of the printing apparatus 105. Specifically, it is difficult to select a desired sheet from thousands of types of sheets on the operation screen as shown in FIG. Therefore, the printing apparatus 105 makes it possible to use only the types of paper required by the user of the printing apparatus 105 from among the Type 3 papers in the printing process.

  Specifically, when the paper included in the paper information of Type 3 can be used for the printing process by the printing apparatus 105, the user of the printing apparatus 105 uses the paper registration key 810 on the operation screen of FIG. Press. The CPU 205 causes the operation unit 204 to display an operation screen illustrated in FIG. 12 in response to pressing of the paper registration key 810. In the operation screen of FIG. 12, a sheet included in Type 3 can be selected. In the example shown in FIG. 12, eight types of paper corresponding to IDs 0234-0000 to 0241-0000 in Type 3 are displayed. When the portion (1201 to 1208) for specifying these eight types of paper is pressed and the OK key 1209 is pressed, a new paper is registered as Type 2 paper information as a paper that can be selected in FIG. By performing such registration, a sheet that can be used for the printing process by the printing apparatus 105 is newly registered (added). In the example of FIG. 12, it is assumed that papers included in 8 types of Type 3 can be selected. However, since Type 3 includes 1000 types of papers shown in FIG. 10, the paper information is scrolled on the screen of FIG. It is assumed that any one of 1000 types of paper can be selected by displaying.

Next, Type 2 paper information, which is one type of paper information, will be described.
The sheet included in the sheet information of Type 2 refers to a sheet that can be newly used for the printing process by the printing apparatus 105 by the registration process using the screen of FIG. 12 among the sheets included in Type 3. Also, a sheet included in Type 1 can be copied and newly registered as a Type 2 sheet. When duplicating, the duplicating key 812 may be pressed in a state where the sheet included in Type 1 is selected on the operation screen of FIG. When the key 812 is pressed, a new sheet is added as a Type 2 sheet separately from the Type 1 sheet. FIG. 11 shows an example of type 2 paper information. Note that the Type 2 paper copied from Type 1 has the same paper information as the Type 1 paper, but the paper names are rewritten so as not to overlap. Note that the paper included in Type 2 can be edited by pressing the edit key 811 in FIG. As an example, a case will be described in which paper information with ID 0002-0000 is newly registered (duplicated) as paper information of Type 2 from the paper information of Type 1 shown in FIG. In this case, when the copy key 812 is pressed while the key 802 in FIG. 8 is pressed, new paper information is registered (duplicated) in Type2. Then, when a sheet registered as Type 2 is selected on the screen of FIG. 8 and then the edit key 811 is pressed, the operation screen of FIG. 13 is displayed on the operation unit 204. Here, the operator of the printing apparatus 105 presses the change key 1301 and performs character input using the operation unit 204 on a screen (not shown) that is displayed thereafter, so that the paper name information of the paper information is displayed. Can be changed. In addition, the operator of the printing apparatus 105 presses the change key 1302 and performs numerical input using the operation unit 204 on a screen (not shown) displayed thereafter, whereby the basis weight information of the sheet information is displayed. Can be changed. In addition, the operator of the printing apparatus 105 presses the change key 1303 and performs a selection process using the operation unit 204 on a screen (not shown) displayed after that (selection process of one of high quality, reproduction, and court). By performing this, the surface property information in the paper information can be changed. Further, the operator of the printing apparatus 105 presses the change key 1304 and inputs a numerical value using the operation unit 204 on a screen (not shown) displayed thereafter, so that the fixing temperature information in the paper information is displayed. Can be changed. In addition, the operator of the printing apparatus 105 presses the change key 1305 and performs numerical input using the operation unit 204 on a screen (not shown) displayed thereafter, so that the print speed information of the paper information is displayed. Can be changed. Further, the operator of the printing apparatus 105 presses the change key 1306 and performs numerical input using the operation unit 204 on a screen (not shown) displayed thereafter, thereby transferring the transfer voltage information among the paper information. Can be changed.

  The above change processing is executed by the CPU 205 rewriting the Type 2 paper information stored in the HDD 209 based on the information input to the operation unit 204. Further, as a result of the above change process, the operation unit 204 displays a sheet including Type 1 and Type 2 sheet information as sheets that can be used by the printing apparatus 105 for the printing process.

  Next, setting permission information indicating combinations of print setting items that can be printed by the printing apparatus 105 will be described.

  When the printer unit 203 performs a printing process using image data input from the scanner unit 201, the user of the printing apparatus 105 performs a printing process after setting a plurality of print setting items. Here, in the printing apparatus 105 capable of setting a plurality of print setting items, a combination of a plurality of print setting items may be a setting that cannot be executed by the printing apparatus. Therefore, setting permission information is stored in advance as information indicating combinations that can be set for a plurality of print setting items, so that print settings that cannot be performed by the printing apparatus are not performed. FIG. 15 is a table showing setting permission information, and there are a plurality of sets of setting permission information for each paper type. As print setting items, in FIG. 15, an item for setting whether double-sided printing is possible, an item for setting a cassette that can be used as a paper feed source, and an apparatus that can be used as a paper discharge destination are set. There are items. Also, if the paper size is different, the setting permission information includes different setting information even for the same paper type. For example, although A4 size plain paper cannot be selected as the paper discharge destination by the cutting apparatus 101, duplex printing is possible, and any cassette (or manual feed) can be selected as the paper supply source. Any of the stacker device 104, the case binding device 103, and the saddle stitch binding device 102 can be selected. As shown in FIG. 15, paper types corresponding to Type 1 paper information are prepared. These sets of setting permission information are stored in the HDD 109.

  It is difficult to prepare not only information corresponding to Type 1 as setting permission information but also paper information of Type 2 and Type 3. For example, since there are 1000 types of paper in this embodiment as Type 3 paper information, it is difficult to prepare setting permission information for all of these types. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a plurality of print setting items for print processing are appropriately displayed without increasing setting permission information indicating a combination of contents that can be set in each print setting item according to the paper type. Print settings for print setting items can be executed. Specifically, the CPU 205 selects a plurality of setting permission information from the plurality of sets of setting permission information in FIG. 15 for the Type 2 paper information using the table in FIG. The print setting of a plurality of print setting items is appropriately executed without increasing the setting permission information. FIG. 16 is a table for associating Type 2 paper information with Type 1 paper information.

  Next, an operation in which the CPU 205 selects one of a plurality of setting permission information associated with Type 1 in FIG. 15 for the Type 2 paper information and executes the printing process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 shows operations performed by the CPU 205 based on a control program stored in the HDD 209.

  In step S1701 in FIG. 17, the CPU 205 feeds the paper to be used for the printing process using the paper feed source (one of the cassettes 311 to 314 or the manual feed 315) selected by the user via the operation screen in FIG. Select as source.

  In step S1702, the CPU 205 selects (designates) the paper size selected by the user on the operation screen shown in FIG. 7 displayed following the operation screen shown in FIG. 5A as the paper size of the paper used for the printing process. )

  In step S1703, the CPU 205 selects the paper type selected by the user on the operation screen shown in FIG. 8 that is displayed subsequent to the operation screen shown in FIG. 7 as the paper type of the paper used for the printing process. In the example of FIG. 8, only the paper information corresponding to Type 1 is displayed on the operation screen. However, in this step, the screen displaying the paper information is scrolled and “ABC” of FIG. 11 registered as Type 2 is displayed. Assume that Coated 1 ″ (ID = 0236-0001) is selected.

In step S1704, the CPU 205 refers to the paper information corresponding to the paper type selected in step S1703 and the tables in FIGS. 15 and 16 and selects setting permission information corresponding to the paper type selected in step S1703. Specifically, since the basis weight of the paper type selected in step S1703 is 200 g / m ² and the surface property is coated, the CPU 205 selects “coated paper 2” in FIG. Setting permission information corresponding to “coated paper 2” is selected in FIG. In the setting permission information selected by the CPU 205 in step S1704, double-sided printing cannot be used, the case binding device cannot be used, and the cutting device cannot be used.

  In step S1705, the CPU 205 performs other print settings based on the setting permission information selected in step S1704. Here, the setting items for duplex printing and the setting items for paper discharge destination will be described as print setting items. First, when setting the duplex printing, the key 4-257 is pressed on the operation screen of FIG. Then, the CPU 205 causes the operation unit 204 to display the operation screen illustrated in FIG. Here, since the setting permission information selected in step S1704 cannot be set for duplex printing, the CPU 205 presses the key 4-280 and the key 4-281 on the operation screen shown in FIG. I can't do it. That is, when using “ABC Coated 1” of Type 2 in the printing process, the CPU 205 performs control so that the duplex printing process cannot be executed. Next, when setting the paper discharge destination, a key 4-256 is pressed on the operation screen of FIG. Then, the CPU 205 causes the operation unit 204 to display the operation screen illustrated in FIG. Here, since the setting permission information selected in step S1704 cannot set the cutting apparatus 101 as a paper discharge destination, the CPU 205 prevents the key 1804 from being pressed on the operation screen shown in FIG. That is, when using “ABC Coated 1” of Type 2 in the printing process, the CPU 205 performs control so that the cutting apparatus 101 cannot be designated as a paper discharge destination. Note that when the user of the printing apparatus 105 selects the stacker apparatus 104, the case binding apparatus 103, or the saddle stitch binding apparatus 102 as a paper discharge destination on the operation screen illustrated in FIG. An operation screen (not shown) for setting is displayed on the operation unit 204.

  In step S1706, the CPU 205 causes the printer unit 203 to execute print processing based on the print settings set in steps S1701 to S1705. In step S1706, the CPU 205 detects that the user of the printing apparatus 105 has pressed the key 4-241 in FIG. 4 while the sheet bundle is stacked on the document feeding unit 250 of the scanner unit 201. Be started. The CPU 2003 that controls the printer unit 201 controls each unit of the printer unit 2003 based on the paper information corresponding to the paper type selected in step S1703 in FIG. In step S1703, “ABC Coated 1” (ID = 0236-0001) is selected as the paper type. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the paper information includes a fixing temperature of 191 ° C., a printing speed of 200 mm / sec, and transfer. The voltage is 1.2 KV. Therefore, the CPU 2003 controls the fixing control unit 2009 so that the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 327 during the printing process is 191 ° C. Further, the CPU 2003 controls the sheet conveyance control unit 2004 so that the sheet conveyance speed during the printing process is 200 mm / sec. Further, the CPU 2003 controls the transfer control unit 2008 so that the transfer voltage of the transfer unit 325 at the time of the printing process becomes 1.2 KV. As described above, since the paper information includes various setting information for the printer unit 203 when executing the printing process, the printing apparatus 105 executes an appropriate printing process according to the type of the sheet. Can do.

  As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the type of paper that can be used by the printing apparatus 105, the new paper information is registered from Type 3 in addition to the type corresponding to the paper information of Type 1, and the paper information of Type 2 is registered. Can be registered (generated). Also, Type 2 paper information can be newly generated from Type 1 paper information. As a result, in the printing apparatus 105, information corresponding to either the paper information of Type 1 or the paper information of Type 2 can be used for the printing process. For paper corresponding to Type 2 paper information, setting permission information indicating a combination of contents that can be set in each print setting item for a plurality of print setting items for performing print processing is set for the Type 2 paper information. Can be selected from the setting permission information provided.

  According to the present embodiment as described above, even when paper information that can be used by the printing apparatus is newly registered (added), each print setting is set for a plurality of print setting items for print processing. Setting permission information indicating a combination of contents that can be set in the item is not increased. Further, even when paper information that can be used by the printing apparatus is newly registered (added), it is possible to appropriately execute print settings for a plurality of print setting items by selecting appropriate setting permission information. it can.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described.
The second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the image data used by the printer unit 203 to execute the printing process is input from the scanner unit 201. In the second embodiment, from the computer terminal 233 that is an external device. The difference is that the data is input via the external I / F 202.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a computer terminal 233 as an external device.
In FIG. 19, the computer terminal 233 performs document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets), etc. are mixed based on a document processing program stored in the ROM 903 program ROM or the external memory 911. A CPU 901 is provided. The CPU 901 generally controls each bus device connected to the system bus 904. In addition, the program ROM of the ROM 903 or the external memory 911 stores an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS) which is a control program of the CPU 901, a printer driver described later, and the like. The font ROM of the ROM 903 or the external memory 911 stores font data used for document processing. Various data used when performing document processing or the like is stored in the data ROM of the ROM 903 or the external memory 911. The RAM 902 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 901.

  A keyboard controller (KBC) 905 controls key input from a keyboard 909 or a pointing device (not shown). A CRT controller (CRTC) 906 controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 910. A disk controller (DKC) 907 controls access to an external memory 911 such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD). The external memory 911 stores a boot program, various applications, a printer control command generation program (hereinafter referred to as a printer driver), and the like. A printer controller (PRTC) 908 is connected to the printing apparatus 105 via the network 232 and executes communication control processing with the printing apparatus 105.

  FIG. 25 is a software configuration diagram of the computer terminal 233. The application 1001, the graphic engine 1002, the printer driver 1003, and the system spooler 1004 exist as software programs stored in the external memory 911.

  The application 1001 stored in the external memory 911 is loaded into the RAM 902 and executed. When a print job is transmitted from the application 1001 to the printing apparatus 105, output (rendering) is performed using the graphic engine 1002 loaded into the RAM 902 and executable.

  Data output from the graphic engine 1002 is passed to the printer driver 1003. The printer driver 1003 is loaded from the external memory 911 into the RAM 2 and executed by the CPU 901. The printer driver 1003 converts the data passed from the graphic engine 1002 into a control command (for example, a PDL command) that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus 105. The control command is output to the printing apparatus 105 via the network 232 via the system spooler 1004 loaded into the RAM 902 by the OS. Such a control command is called a print job.

  In order to generate a print job by the printer driver 1003, print processing conditions (indicating combinations of print setting items such as the type of sheet used for print processing and designation of double-sided / single-sided printing) in the printing apparatus 105 are used. Must be set. This setting is normally performed from a window (displayed on the CRT 910) provided by the printer driver 203. The printer driver 203 adds the contents set by the operator of the computer terminal 233 via the window to the print job as print processing conditions.

  FIG. 20 is a view showing a window for the printer driver 1003 installed in the computer terminal 233 to set print processing setting items.

  The computer terminal 233 causes the CRT 910 to display the setting screen illustrated in FIG. 20 by activating the printer driver 1003 while creating a document using the application 1001.

  On the setting screen of FIG. 20, the operator (user) of the computer terminal 233 operates the printer name selection box 1101 using a pointing device (not shown) or the like. By this operation, the printing apparatus 105 or another printing apparatus is selected as a transmission destination to which the computer terminal 233 transmits a print job. In FIG. 20, the computer terminal 233 selects the printing device 105. An operator who operates the computer terminal 233 operates the print range selection box 1102 using a pointing device or the like. Accordingly, a desired page of the document generated by the application 1001 is determined as a range to be printed by the printing apparatus 105. When the operator selects “all”, the printer driver 1003 sets all pages of the document generated by the application 1001 as print targets. In addition, when the operator selects “current page”, the printer driver 1003 prints a page currently displayed on the CRT 910 among a plurality of pages generated by the application 1001. In addition, when the operator selects “page designation”, the printer driver 1003 sets a page input in the edit box 1103 among a plurality of pages generated by the application 1001 as a print target. Further, the printer driver 1003 sets the number of copies input by the operator in the print number setting box 1104 as the number of copies to be printed.

  Then, the operator of the computer terminal 233 presses an OK button 1106 when setting of the print processing conditions of the print job to be transmitted to the printing apparatus 105 is completed. As a result, the printer driver 1003 starts generating a print job. Note that the operator of the computer terminal 233 presses a cancel button 1107 when canceling the generation of the print job.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a screen displayed when the property button 1105 is pressed on the property setting screen of the printer driver of FIG.

  An operator who operates the computer terminal 233 operates the document size selection box 2101 using a pointing device (not shown) or the like. By this operation, the printer driver 1003 selects the document size of each page in the document edited by the application 1001. Normally, since the document size is designated for the document edited by the application 1001, this document size is automatically selected (A4 in FIG. 21). In addition, when the operator selects “same as document size” in the output paper size selection box 2102, the printer driver 1003 selects A4 size as the sheet size used for printing processing (output processing) in the printing apparatus 105. select. The operator can select a desired sheet size such as “A3 size” and “B5 size” in addition to selecting “same as document size” as the output paper size. However, in this case, since a size different from the document size is selected, the printer driver 1003 generates a print job while changing the magnification. Further, the printer driver 1003 sets the input number of copies in response to the operator inputting a desired number of copies in the number of copies selection box 1203 in the print job. The printer driver 1003 inputs the print direction selected by the operator in the print direction designation box 1204.

  Then, when the operator selects the OK button 2105, the values input in the document size selection box 2101, the output paper size selection box 2102, the number of copies selection box 2103, and the print direction designation box 2104 are confirmed. On the other hand, when the operator selects the cancel button 1206, the values input in the boxes 2101 to 2104 are returned to the predetermined initial settings without being finalized.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a screen displayed when the finishing tab 2108 is selected on the property setting screen of the printer driver 1003 of FIG.

  An operator who operates the computer terminal 233 operates the printing method selection box 2201 using a pointing device (not shown) or the like. By this operation, the printer driver 1003 selects a printing method (one of the printing processing conditions) when the printing apparatus 105 prints the print job. As a printing method, there are “single-sided printing” for performing printing processing on only one side of a sheet, “double-sided printing” for performing printing processing on both sides of a sheet, and the like.

  An operator who operates the computer terminal 233 operates the sheet processing selection box 2204 using a pointing device (not shown) or the like. As a result of this operation, the printer driver 1003 selects a paper discharge destination device that discharges a sheet printed by the printing device 105. As the paper discharge destination devices that can be selected, there are a stacker device 104, a cutting device 101, a saddle stitch binding device 102, and a case binding device 103.

  Then, when the operator selects the OK button 2202, values entered in the printing method selection box 2201 and the sheet processing selection box 2204 are determined. On the other hand, when the operator selects the cancel button 2203, the values input in the printing method selection box 2201 and the sheet processing selection box 2204 are not settled and are returned to predetermined initial settings.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a screen displayed when the paper feed tab 2109 is selected on the property setting screen of the printer driver 1003 of FIG.

  An operator who operates the computer terminal 233 operates a paper feeding method selection box 2301 using a pointing device or the like (not shown). By this operation, the printer driver 1003 selects a paper designation method used when the printing apparatus 105 prints the print job. In the example of FIG. 23, a method of designating by paper type is selected as the paper designating method. When the method of designating by paper type is selected, a display 2302 for designating the paper type is displayed. Note that only the paper corresponding to Type 1 described above is displayed as the paper displayed in 2302 when the printer driver 1003 is installed in the computer terminal 233. However, as described above, when the user newly registers Type 3 paper information as Type 2 paper information, the printing apparatus 105 can use new paper for printing processing. However, the printer driver 1003 of the computer terminal 1003 selects the Type 2 paper as the paper to be used in the printing process unless the paper information regarding the paper newly registered in the printing device 105 is acquired from the printing device 105. I can't. Therefore, a sheet information acquisition key 2303 is provided on the screen of FIG. An operator who operates the computer terminal 23 clicks the paper information acquisition key 2303 with a pointing device, thereby transferring the paper information of Type 2 (table shown in FIG. 11) from the printing apparatus 105 to the external memory 911 of the computer terminal 233. Can be made. Then, the printer driver 1003 of the computer terminal 233 can display the Type 2 paper information stored in the external memory 911 and the Type 1 paper information previously stored in the printer driver 1003 as 2302. An operator who operates the computer terminal 23 designates a paper type to be used for printing a print job from the display 2302 using a pointing device. Then, when the operator selects the OK button 2304, the paper type is determined.

  When the setting on the property setting screen of the printer driver of FIGS. 21, 22, and 23 is completed (when the OK button 2105, the OK button 2202, and the OK button 2304 are pressed), the printer driver setting screen of FIG. 20 is displayed. Return.

  When the OK button 1106 on the printer driver setting screen in FIG. 20 is pressed, the external apparatus combines the setting content set on the property setting screen and the application data to generate one print job. Further, the computer terminal 233 transmits the print job to the printing apparatus 105.

A specific example of the data structure of the print job is shown in FIG.
FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a print job transmitted from the computer terminal 233 to the printing apparatus 105.

  In FIG. 24, reference numeral 2401 denotes a print job ID, which is a unique ID given to a print job so that the print job can be specified when the computer terminal 233 transmits the print job to the printing apparatus 105. Reference numeral 2402 denotes output method designation information, which is information for specifying the printing method selected in the printing method selection box 1301. Reference numeral 2403 denotes paper feed unit designation information, which identifies a paper feed unit selected in a paper feed unit selection box (a box displayed when “designated by paper source” is selected in 2301). Information. Reference numeral 2404 denotes paper information which is information including paper size information for specifying the output paper size selected in the output paper size selection box 1202. The paper information also includes paper type information indicating the paper type. When the paper type selected on the display 2302 in FIG. 23 is “custom plain paper 1”, the paper type information is a paper ID (0002-0001).

  Reference numeral 2405 denotes print number designation information, which is information for specifying the number of print copies input in the print number setting box 1104. Reference numeral 2406 denotes a print job name, and text data indicating a file name when managed by an application is assigned as the print job name. Reference numeral 2407 denotes document data, which is data of a document (document) generated by an application operating on the computer terminal 233.

  The computer terminal 233 stores, in the external memory 911, information corresponding to Type 1 paper information (FIG. 15) as setting permission information indicating a combination of print setting items. Further, the table of FIG. 16 is also stored in the external memory 911. In the same way as the printing apparatus 105 executes in the first embodiment, the printer driver 1003 prints the print settings so that the printing apparatus 105 cannot perform print processing based on the setting permission information stored in the external memory 911. So that it is not.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 26, an operation in which the printer driver 1003 selects any of a plurality of setting permission information associated with Type 1 in FIG. 15 for the Type 2 paper information and generates a print job will be described. To do. FIG. 26 shows operations executed by the printer driver 1003 as a program operated by the CPU 901.

  In step S2601 of FIG. 26, the printer driver 1003 selects the output paper size selected on the screen of FIG. 21 as the paper size of the paper used for the printing process.

  In step S2602, the printer driver 1003 selects the paper type selected by the user on the screen of FIG. 23 as the paper type of the paper used for the printing process. In the example of FIG. 23, it is assumed that “custom plain paper 1” (ID = 00000-0001) registered as Type 2 is selected.

In step S2603, the printer driver 1003 refers to the paper information corresponding to the paper type selected in step S2603 and the tables in FIGS. 15 and 16 and selects setting permission information corresponding to the paper type selected in step S2502. To do. Specifically, the printer driver 1003 selects “plain paper” in FIG. 16 because the basis weight of the paper type selected in step S2602 is 95 g / m ² and the surface property is high quality. Further, setting permission information corresponding to “plain paper” is selected in FIG. In step S2603, the cutting apparatus cannot be used with the setting permission information selected by the printer driver 1003.

  In step S2604, the printer driver 1003 performs other print settings based on the setting permission information selected in step S2603. Here, the setting items for duplex printing and the setting items for paper discharge destination will be described as print setting items. First, when setting the duplex printing, duplex printing is selected in the printing method selection box 1301 on the screen of FIG. Here, since the setting permission information selected in step S2603 allows double-sided printing, the printer driver 1003 enables double-sided printing to be selected on the screen shown in FIG. That is, the CPU 205 performs control so that double-sided printing processing can be executed when “custom plain paper 1” of Type 2 is used in printing processing. Next, when setting a paper discharge destination, an apparatus designated as a paper discharge destination is selected in the sheet processing selection box 1304 on the screen of FIG. Here, since the setting permission information selected in step S2603 cannot set the cutting apparatus 101 as a discharge destination, the printer driver 1003 selects the cutting apparatus 101 as a discharge destination on the screen in FIG. I can't do it. That is, when the printer driver 1003 uses “custom plain paper 1” of Type 2 in the printing process and sets the output paper size to “A4”, the cutting device 101 cannot be designated as a paper discharge destination. Control. If the output paper size is “A3”, since the setting permission information selected in step S2603 is different, the cutting apparatus 101 can be designated. If the user of the computer terminal 233 selects the stacker device 104, the case binding device 103, or the saddle stitch binding device 102 as a paper discharge destination on the screen shown in FIG. An operation screen (not shown) for setting is displayed.

  In step S2605, the printer driver 1003 generates a print job based on the print settings set in steps S2601 to S2604 and transfers the print job to the printing apparatus 105.

  Note that the printing apparatus 105 that has received the print job generated by the printer driver 1003 according to the flowchart of FIG. 26 executes print processing by analyzing the print job of FIG.

  Specifically, the CPU 2003 that controls the printer unit 201 controls each unit of the printer unit 2003 based on the paper information specified in the print job. In the print job, “custom plain paper 1” (ID = 00000-0001) is selected as the paper type. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, the paper information includes a fixing temperature of 179 ° C., a printing speed of 240 mm / sec, The transfer voltage is 1.0 KV. Therefore, the CPU 2003 controls the fixing control unit 2009 so that the fixing temperature of the fixing unit 327 during the printing process is 179 ° C. Further, the CPU 2003 controls the sheet conveyance control unit 2004 so that the conveyance speed of the paper during the printing process is 240 mm / sec. Further, the CPU 2003 controls the transfer control unit 2008 so that the transfer voltage of the transfer unit 325 at the time of the printing process becomes 1.0 KV. As described above, since the paper information includes various setting information for the printer unit 203 when executing the printing process, the printing apparatus 105 executes an appropriate printing process according to the type of the sheet. Can do.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the printer driver acquires new paper information from the printing apparatus 105 in addition to the paper type that can be specified in the print job, corresponding to the paper information of Type 1. I can. Also, Type 2 paper information can be newly generated from Type 1 paper information. As a result, in the printing apparatus 105, information corresponding to either the paper information of Type 1 or the paper information of Type 2 can be used for the printing process. For paper corresponding to Type 2 paper information, setting permission information indicating a combination of contents that can be set in each print setting item for a plurality of print setting items for performing print processing is set for the Type 2 paper information. Can be selected from the setting permission information provided.

  According to the present embodiment as described above, a plurality of print settings for the printer driver to generate a print job even when paper information that can be used by the printing apparatus is newly registered (added). Setting permission information indicating a combination of contents that can be set in each print setting item is not increased. Even when new paper information that can be used by the printing device is newly registered (added), the printer driver can select the appropriate setting permission information after obtaining the paper information from the printing device. It is possible to execute print settings for a plurality of print setting items.

(Other embodiments)
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the setting permission information is prepared as different setting permission information for each paper size. However, other forms may be used. For example, one setting permission information may be provided for the paper type regardless of the paper size.

  The object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus. In this case, the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium by the computer of the system or apparatus. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Cutting apparatus 102 Saddle stitch bookbinding apparatus 103 Case bookbinding apparatus 104 Stacker apparatus 105 Printing apparatus

Claims (8)

A printing device,
Printing means for executing a printing process;
First storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of paper information including paper information indicating paper that can be used in the printing process and including characteristic information indicating characteristics of the paper;
Second storage means for storing permission information indicating whether or not to permit a specific print setting when executing the printing process for each of a plurality of pieces of paper information stored in the first storage means;
Generating means for replicating paper information selected by the user from among a plurality of paper information stored in the first storage means to generate new paper information;
Selection means for selecting paper information corresponding to the new paper information from paper information stored in the first storage means based on characteristic information included in the new paper information;
When the printing process is executed using the paper information stored in the first storage unit, the printing apparatus is controlled to execute the printing process using the permission information corresponding to the paper information, and the new Control means for controlling the printing apparatus to execute the printing process using the permission information corresponding to the paper information selected by the selection means when the printing process is executed using the paper information. Characteristic printing device. A change unit that changes the characteristic information included in the new paper information generated by the generation unit based on a user input;
The selecting means selects paper information corresponding to the new paper information from the paper information stored in the first storage means based on the characteristic information changed by the changing means. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.   The selection means selects the paper information corresponding to the new paper information from the paper information stored in the first storage means when executing printing using the new paper information. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus is a printer.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic information includes information indicating a basis weight of the paper.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic information includes information indicating a surface property of the paper.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the permission information includes information indicating whether double-sided printing is possible. A printing unit that executes a printing process; a first storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of sheet information including sheet characteristic information indicating sheet characteristics that can be used in the printing process; A second storage unit that stores permission information indicating whether or not to permit a specific print setting when executing the printing process for each of a plurality of pieces of paper information stored in the storage unit. A method,
Generating a new sheet information by copying the sheet information selected by the user from the plurality of sheet information stored in the first storage unit;
A selection step of selecting paper information corresponding to the new paper information from paper information stored in the first storage unit based on characteristic information included in the new paper information;
When printing processing is executed using the paper information stored in the first storage unit, control is performed so that the printing processing is executed using permission information corresponding to the paper information, and the new paper information is used. And a control step of performing control so that the print process is executed using the permission information corresponding to the paper information selected by the selection unit when the print process is executed. .   A program for causing a computer to execute the printing apparatus control method according to claim 7.

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