JP5404200B2 - PRINT CONTROL DEVICE, ITS CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program for printing an image on recording paper fed from any of a plurality of paper feed means.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printers that perform printing by providing a plurality of paper feed stages and switching the paper feed stages according to the application due to diversification of paper types are known. When using such a printer, if a type of paper not loaded in the printer is used, it is necessary to remove the currently loaded paper and set the paper to be used. Therefore, there is known a method for scheduling paper replacement in order to efficiently perform paper replacement (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-289735 A

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151858 discloses that a paper type to be used in a received print job is determined, and paper replacement is scheduled according to the determination result. However, in Patent Document 1, since a paper exchange schedule is determined only from a print job that has already been received, when another paper is used in a newly received print job after the paper has been exchanged, the paper that has just been set is exchanged again. There was a need to do. When the print job using the removed paper is frequently used, the use efficiency of the printer is remarkably reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a print control apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program capable of preventing a decrease in efficiency due to replacement of recording paper.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a print control apparatus according to the present invention is a print control apparatus for printing an image using a recording sheet set in any of a plurality of paper feeding units. An acquisition unit that acquires a usage amount and / or a usage date for each type, an input unit that inputs a print job, and a recording sheet to be used in a print job input by the input unit is any of the plurality of paper supply units. Is not set, based on the usage amount and / or use date acquired by the acquisition means, the recording paper set in any of the plurality of paper feeding means is more than the other set recording paper. Replace the type of recording paper with the least amount of use and / or the type of recording paper with the date and time last used compared to the other set recording paper with the recording paper to be used in the print job input by the input means. to the recording paper A determining means for determining, a.

  According to the present invention, since the recording paper that is less likely to be used on the basis of the usage history of the recording paper is to be replaced, it is possible to prevent a decrease in efficiency due to the replacement of the recording paper.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of usage history. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen for selecting a paper feed stage for recording paper to be replaced. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process of this embodiment.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control apparatus that prints an image on recording paper (sheet), which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. The print control apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment may be configured such that a configuration that controls a print job and a printing mechanism unit that executes printing (one casing) may be integrated, or as a separate body (different casing), It may be a printing control apparatus. A print control apparatus separate from the printing mechanism unit can be realized by a print server connected to the printing mechanism unit via a network, a printer controller connected to the printing mechanism unit via a local interface, or the like. The printer is not limited to printing only based on a print job received from the host computer, and a scanner is provided to provide a copy function for printing an image from the scanner, or a device that combines other functions. Also good. Various types of print jobs such as those received from a terminal on the network and those received via a local interface can be employed. Moreover, although this embodiment demonstrates the example which used roll paper as continuous paper, it does not limit to what was wound by roll shape. In addition, the print control apparatus may be capable of printing an image on continuous paper and cut paper loaded in a cassette. Further, a plurality of cassettes may be provided, and an image can be printed only on a cut sheet loaded in the cassette. As a printing method, various methods such as an ink jet method, a sublimation type, and electrophotography can be adopted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the print control apparatus includes a CPU 11, a RAM 12, a ROM 13, an I / F 14, an operation panel 15, a nonvolatile memory 16, and a printer unit 17, which are connected via a system bus 18.

  In FIG. 1, the CPU 11 controls the operation of the entire print control apparatus by loading a program stored in the ROM 13 into the RAM 12. The RAM 12 is used for work of the CPU 11 and also stores various set values. An I / F (interface) 14 connects the print control apparatus to an external host computer or the like, and receives a print job via this. A host computer that transmits a print job to the print control apparatus includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD, display, keyboard, and the like. Assume that a printer driver for causing the print control apparatus to execute printing, an OS, and the like are installed in the HDD of the host computer. A program such as a printer driver is read from the HDD, loaded onto the RAM, and executed by the CPU. The host computer converts data created by various applications into print data that can be handled by the print control apparatus using a printer driver, and transmits the print data to the print control apparatus as a print job. The operation panel 15 receives an operation from the user or displays information to be provided to the user. The operation panel 15 receives various operations from the user using a touch panel, hard keys, etc., and presents information to the user by displaying on the touch panel, displaying on a display-only panel, displaying / extinguishing a lamp, and the like. Can be adopted. The nonvolatile memory 16 can be realized by a hard disk or the like, and can store various data. The printer unit 17 prints an image on a recording sheet according to the input print job. The printer unit 17 includes a plurality of paper feed stages (hereinafter, upper, middle, and lower three stages), feeds the recording paper set in one of the paper feed stages, and prints an image on the recording paper. . In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a recording sheet set in a paper feed stage that is not used for printing can be exchanged even while the printer unit 17 is executing printing.

  Next, processing when a print job that should use recording paper (roll paper) that is not set in the print control apparatus is received will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the process flow. This flowchart shows a flow of processing in which the CPU 11 loads a program stored in the ROM 13 to the RAM 12 and executes it.

  When the print control apparatus receives a print job from the host computer via the I / F 14, and the CPU 11 determines that no recording paper to be used in the received print job is set in any paper feed stage. Then, the processing of this flowchart is started. The received print job is temporarily stored in the nonvolatile memory 16.

  If a mismatch occurs between the size and type of the recording paper specified in the received print job and the recording paper loaded in the print control apparatus (S201), even if printing is performed as it is, the printing result desired by the user is not obtained. Since there is a possibility, it is necessary to select the next operation. In this case, the CPU 11 refers to the set value of “operation when paper does not match” stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory 16 (S202). The user can set “forced printing” or “print standby” in the nonvolatile memory 16 in advance using the operation panel 15. When “Forced printing” is set, the CPU 11 starts printing with the recording papers not matching. When “print standby” is set, a screen for allowing the user to select a coping method is displayed on the operation panel 15 when a paper mismatch occurs (S203). The user can select a desired operation using the operation panel 15 from among “paper replacement, forced printing, and print cancel”.

  When the user selects “Cancel printing” in S203, the CPU 11 deletes the received print job from the nonvolatile memory 16 without starting printing (S204).

  When the user selects “Forced printing” in S203, the CPU 11 refers to the setting value of “paper feeding method during forced printing” stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory 16 (S205). The user can set the “automatic selection” or “user selection” in the nonvolatile memory 16 in advance using the operation panel 15. If “automatic selection” is set in S205, the CPU 11 starts printing using the recording paper currently loaded in the print control apparatus (S212). If “user selection” is set in S205, the CPU 11 displays the recording paper to be used on the operation panel 15 so that the user can select it (S206). Here, “document name, paper size, paper type” specified in the print job and “paper size, paper type, paper remaining amount” of the recording paper currently loaded in each paper feed stage are displayed. At this time, the recording sheets may be displayed in order of decreasing printing margin. The user can select the paper feed stage after confirming the difference between the job to be printed and the loaded paper. When the user selects a paper feed stage using the operation panel 15, the CPU 11 switches the recording paper to be fed to the recording paper loaded in the paper feed stage and starts printing (S212).

  When the user selects “paper replacement” in S203, the CPU 11 determines whether there is a paper feed stage in which no recording paper is set (S207). If it is determined in S207 that there is a paper feed stage in which no recording paper is set, the CPU 11 displays on the operation panel 15 so that the user can select a paper feed stage in which the recording paper is loaded (S208). Here, “document name, paper size, paper type” specified in the print job, and paper feed stage options are displayed. At this time, the paper feed stage in use for printing by another print job may not be displayed in the options. The user can select a paper feed stage after confirming the job to be printed and the status of each paper feed stage. When the user selects a paper feed tray on which the recording paper is to be loaded, and determines that the recording paper has been loaded on the paper feed tray, the CPU 11 starts printing (S202).

  If there is no paper feed stage in which no recording paper is set in S207 (recording paper is set in all paper feed stages), the CPU 11 refers to the use history for each type of recording paper set. (S209). Each time printing is executed, the CPU 11 distinguishes each type of recording paper (size and paper type) and stores the usage amount of recording paper, the date and time of use, etc. in the nonvolatile memory 16 as a usage history. Here, the print history is acquired from the nonvolatile memory 16 and referred to. FIG. 3 shows an example of the recording paper usage history to be stored. In this example, the total use amount (print area) and the date and time of the last use are stored in the nonvolatile memory 16 for each recording sheet. If the usage history for all types of recording paper loaded in S209 exists in the nonvolatile memory 16, the recording paper of the paper feed stage loaded with the recording paper with the smallest total usage is to be replaced. And is displayed on the operation panel 15 (S210). The reason for this determination is that it is estimated that this type of recording paper is unlikely to be used in subsequent print jobs. Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, a paper feed stage recommended as a replacement target is displayed in reverse video. If the type of recording paper determined to have no usage history in S209 (that is, a new type of recording paper that has never been used) is set by another user to use the recording paper It may have just been done. Accordingly, the CPU 11 displays on the operation panel 15 a screen for instructing replacement using a paper feed stage other than the paper feed stage that does not include the print history as a determination display (S211). With the display as shown in FIG. 4A, the user can select the paper feed stage to be replaced after confirming the job to be printed and the status of the recording paper loaded in each paper feed stage. When the user presses “OK” on the operation panel 15 in the display of FIG. 4A, the screen moves to the screen of FIG. 4B, and the user replaces the recording paper according to this screen. When the user selects a paper feed stage to be replaced and determines that the recording paper exchange of the paper feed stage has been completed, the CPU 11 starts printing (S212). When the recording paper is replaced in S210 or S211, a display prompting the user to set the original recording paper again after the printing in S211 may be performed on the operation panel 15.

  In the above description, the “total use amount” of the usage history is used as the judgment material, but the recording paper with the oldest “last use date” is loaded using the “last use date” as the judgment material. The user may be prompted to replace the recording paper in the paper feed stage. Further, the total usage amount may be a conveyance amount considering only the conveyance direction instead of the area. In addition, the usage amount may be a specific period, for example, one month going back from the present, instead of the cumulative total so far. Further, the remaining amount of recording paper may be referred to and a paper with a small remaining amount may be determined as a replacement target.

  According to the processing described above, when there is no paper feed stage in which no recording paper is set, the recording that is estimated to be less likely to be used by using the recording paper usage history as a judgment material. Paper can be used for replacement. Accordingly, when a print job using the recording paper is received after the recording paper is removed, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of inconvenience that the printing is delayed. In addition, when there is no paper feed tray in which no recording paper is set, it is possible for the user to check the status of each paper feed tray when printing is performed and to select a paper feed tray in which recording paper is set. become.

  The flow shown in FIG. 2 is not limited to the processing in the print control apparatus, but can be realized in, for example, a printer driver or the like in a host computer that instructs the print control apparatus to perform printing. In this case, using the CPU, HDD, and RAM of the host computer, the printer driver program is read from the HDD, loaded into the RAM, and executed. Then, the host computer acquires usage history information and the like from the print control apparatus, determines which paper source of the recording paper is to be replaced, and displays the result on the display of the host computer.

  Next, in addition to the information about the recording paper usage history, the paper feed stage to be replaced in consideration of the information about the recording paper that is received through the I / F 14 and stored in the non-volatile memory 16 from now on. An example of the process of determining the will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in this case. This flowchart shows a flow of processing in which the CPU 11 loads a program stored in the ROM 13 to the RAM 12 and executes it.

  In FIG. 5, S501 to S508 perform the same processing as S301 to S508 in FIG. 3, and a description thereof is omitted here.

  In step S <b> 509, the CPU 11 determines the type of recording paper to be used in the subsequent job in the job queue of the nonvolatile memory 16, and determines whether there is a plan to use recording paper in all paper feed stages in the subsequent job. To do.

  If it is determined that the recording sheets of all the paper feed stages are used, the process proceeds to S510, and the recording paper of the slowest paper feed stage used in the subsequent job is replaced among all the paper feed stages. As an object, the display as shown in FIG. Thereafter, printing is performed in S514. After the printing in S514 is completed, a display prompting the user to set the original recording paper again is displayed on the operation panel 15. Thereby, after the printing in S514 is finished, the recording paper scheduled to be used can be reset, and printing is not delayed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S509 that there is no paper feed stage that is not used, the process proceeds to S511, and the same processing as in S311 and the subsequent steps is performed. Here, it is only necessary to refer to the print history when there are a plurality of unused paper feed trays, and when there is only one, the display prompting the user to replace the recording paper is performed without referring to the print history. That's fine.

  According to the processing described above, when there is a plan to use recording paper of all paper feed stages in a subsequent print job in the job queue, the recording paper of the slowest paper feed stage is used by the user. Is displayed so as to be exchanged, so that the paper can be exchanged efficiently. In addition, when a recording sheet that is not scheduled to be used in a subsequent print job in the job queue is set, the recording sheet usage history is used as a judgment material, and a recording sheet that is estimated to be low in use is used by the user. Is displayed so as to be exchanged, so that the paper can be exchanged efficiently. Further, when there is a paper feed stage in which no recording paper is set, the user can confirm the state of each paper feed stage at the time of executing printing and select a paper feed stage in which the recording paper is set. It becomes possible.

  Note that the flow shown in FIG. 5 is not limited to processing in the print control apparatus, but can be realized in, for example, a printer driver in a host computer that instructs the print control apparatus to perform printing. In this case, using the CPU, HDD, and RAM of the host computer, the printer driver program is read from the HDD, loaded into the RAM, and executed. Then, the host computer obtains information on jobs waiting to be printed, usage history information, and the like from the print control apparatus, determines which paper source of the recording paper is to be replaced, and displays the result on the display of the host computer. To display.

  In the process of FIG. 5, the recording sheet to be exchanged may be determined in consideration of only information on jobs waiting to be printed in the job queue without considering the print history. In this case, S511 and the subsequent steps are omitted, and if it is determined in S509 that there is no plan to use, a paper feed stage in which a recording paper that is not scheduled to be used is set as a replacement target.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the recording paper is replaced, a paper feed stage in which the recording paper that is estimated to be less likely to be used in a subsequent job is set. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the frequency of recording paper replacement and the possibility of print job retention.

  In addition, as described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and the program codes stored in those computers (CPU, MPU, etc.) are stored. The object of the present invention can be achieved even if the read is executed. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Therefore, as long as it has the function of a program, the form of the program is not limited, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to an OS (operating system).

  Further, part or all of the processing executed by the program may be replaced with hardware (electrical circuit or the like).

Claims (7)

A print control device for printing an image using a recording paper set in any of a plurality of paper feeding means,
An acquisition means for acquiring a usage amount and / or a usage date for each type of recording paper;
An input means for inputting a print job;
When the recording paper to be used in the print job input by the input means is not set in any of said plurality of paper feeding means, based on the amount and / or use time acquired by the acquisition unit, the plurality Among the recording sheets set in any of the sheet feeding means, the type of recording sheet that is used less than the other set recording sheets and / or the date and time when the recording sheet was last used is compared with the other set recording sheets. determining means for determining the older recording paper, the recording paper should be replaced and the recording sheet to be used in the print job input by the input means,
A printing control apparatus comprising: The printing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines a recording sheet other than a recording sheet of a type having no history of the usage amount or the usage date and time as the recording sheet to be replaced. The acquisition unit further acquires a recording paper type of the subsequent one or more print jobs stored in the storage unit, and the determination unit includes the one or more subsequent print job stored in the storage unit. when the recording paper either does not use is set to one of said plurality of paper feeding means, according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determining and the recording sheet should be replaced recording paper without the use Print control device. The printing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the usage amount is a usage amount for a specific period. The printing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the usage amount is a usage area of the recording paper or a conveyance amount of the recording paper. A control method of a print control apparatus for printing an image using a recording paper set in any of a plurality of paper feeding means,
An acquisition step of acquiring the usage amount and / or usage date for each type of recording paper;
An input process for entering a print job;
When the recording paper to be used in the print job input by the input step is not set in any of said plurality of paper feeding means, based on the amount and / or use time obtained by the obtaining step, said plurality Among the recording sheets set in any of the sheet feeding means, the type of recording sheet that is used less than the other set recording sheets and / or the date and time when the recording sheet was last used is compared with the other set recording sheets. method for controlling the printing control apparatus characterized by having a determining step of determining the older the recording sheet, the recording sheet to be replaced and the recording sheet to be used in the print job input in the input step.   A program for executing the control method according to claim 6 by a computer.

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