JP6236916B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs printing on a medium such as paper supplied from a plurality of medium supply sources.

  Conventionally, printers that can feed paper (medium) from a plurality of feeding trays (medium supply sources) are known. Some of these printers display a screen for inputting the type of paper stored in the attached feeding tray when the feeding tray is attached (for example, Patent Document 1). In this printer, the user can arbitrarily set whether or not to display a paper type input (inquiry) screen when the feeding tray is mounted.

JP 2002-278377 A

  By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional printer, if the input screen for the paper type when the feed tray is installed is set to be hidden, the paper type change setting is set when a feed tray with different types of paper is installed. This needs to be done separately, which is troublesome for the user. On the other hand, if the input screen for the paper type when the feed tray is installed is set to display, even if you install a feed tray with paper loaded without changing the paper type, An input screen is displayed each time, which is troublesome for the user. Thus, the above-described conventional printer has a problem that when the feeding tray is mounted, whether or not the paper type input screen is displayed or not is troublesome for the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of at least one of the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus that can reduce a user's trouble caused by setting a new medium after setting the new medium in the medium supply source.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
A printing apparatus that solves the above-described problem includes a first medium supply source and a second medium supply source in which a different type of medium is set more frequently than the first medium supply source. Here, the first medium supply source refers to a medium supply source in which the type of medium that can be set is smaller than that in the second medium supply source, or a medium supply source in which the amount of medium that can be set is larger than that in the second medium supply source. . On the other hand, the second medium supply source in which the frequency of a different type of medium is set more frequently than the first medium supply source is a medium supply source in which the type of medium that can be set is greater than that of the first medium supply source, Or it refers to a medium supply source in which the amount of medium that can be set is smaller than that of the first medium supply source.

  Further, the printing apparatus newly includes a printing unit that performs printing on the medium supplied from the first medium supply source and the second medium supply source, and the first medium supply source and the second medium supply source. A detecting unit for detecting that the medium is set, an inquiry unit for inquiring a user of the type of the set medium when the detecting unit detects that the new medium is set, and A reception unit that receives a prohibition instruction for the inquiry to the first medium supply source from a user, and a reception unit that does not receive the prohibition instruction for the second medium supply source from a user, and the first medium from which the reception unit has received the prohibition instruction And a prohibition unit that prohibits the inquiry of the inquiry unit with respect to the supply source.

  According to the above configuration, when a new medium is set in the first medium supply source and the second medium supply source, an inquiry about the same medium type is made to the user, and the response is input by the user. Based on the information on the type of medium to be printed, the printing apparatus can recognize the type of medium set in each medium supply source.

  Here, when the number of types of media that can be set in the first medium supply source is smaller than that in the second medium supply source (for example, the size of the medium and the quality type of the medium), The frequency with which different types of media are set is expected to be lower than the frequency with which different types of media are set in the second media source. On the other hand, when the first medium supply source has a larger amount of media that can be set than the second medium supply source, the first medium supply source is suitable as a medium supply source for mass printing the same type of medium. The second medium supply source is suitable as a medium supply source for printing a plurality of types of media in small quantities. Accordingly, even in this case, it is expected that the frequency of setting different types of media in the first medium supply source is lower than the frequency of setting different types of media in the second media supply source. .

  Therefore, in the printing apparatus having the above-described configuration, the medium for the user when setting a new medium is set for the first medium supply source in which the frequency of setting different types of media is lower than the second medium supply source. When an instruction to prohibit type inquiry is received from the same user, inquiry about the type of medium is prohibited. On the other hand, the printing apparatus having the above-described configuration is suitable for a user who sets a new medium for a second medium supply source in which the frequency of setting different types of media is higher than that of the first medium supply source. The medium type inquiry prohibition instruction is not accepted from the same user, and the medium type inquiry is permitted each time.

  Thus, when the medium is set in the first medium supply source that is unlikely to be set with a different medium type than the second medium supply source, the user is not asked about the type of medium set. You can also. On the other hand, when the medium is set in the second medium supply source that is more likely to be set with a different type of medium than the first medium supply source, the user can be inquired about the type of medium set. . Thus, when a new medium is set for each medium supply source, if there is a high possibility that the medium type has been changed, the medium type can be inquired, and the medium type is changed. If the possibility is low, the inquiry about the type of the medium can be avoided. Therefore, after setting a new medium in the medium supply source, it is possible to reduce a user's trouble caused by setting the medium.

  The printing apparatus further includes a display unit capable of displaying a type of the medium set in the first medium supply source and the second medium supply source, and the inquiry unit has a new medium set therein. When the detection unit detects this, it is desirable to inquire by displaying the type of the medium on the display unit.

  According to the above configuration, since it is possible to inquire about the type of the medium set in the first medium supply unit and the second medium supply unit via the display unit, the user can easily make an inquiry about the type of medium. It can be carried out.

  In the printing apparatus, when the detection unit detects that the new medium is set in the first medium supply source, the inquiry unit displays a display on the display unit that can accept the prohibition instruction. On the other hand, when the detection unit detects that a new medium is set in the second medium supply source, it is desirable not to display a display that can accept the prohibition instruction on the display unit.

  According to the above configuration, when a new medium is set in the first medium supply source, the display unit can display a prohibition instruction so that the user can select whether to perform the prohibition instruction. . On the other hand, when a new medium is set in the second medium supply source, the prohibition instruction can be prevented from being given to the user without displaying the display unit so that the prohibition instruction can be accepted. Thus, by changing the screen displayed on the display unit between when a new medium is set in the first medium supply source and when a new medium is set in the second medium supply source, the user can Thus, it is possible to prevent the prohibition instruction from being given to the second medium supply source.

  The printing apparatus further includes a storage unit that stores a type of the medium set in the first medium supply source and the second medium supply source, and the printing unit is stored in the storage unit. Either one of the first medium supply source and the second medium supply source is selected according to the medium type and the medium type designated by the user, and the medium supply source is selected as one of the medium supply sources. It is desirable to print on the set medium.

  According to the above configuration, when the user instructs the printing apparatus to specify the type of the medium with the medium of different types set in the first medium supply source and the second medium supply source. The printing is performed on the medium supplied from the medium supply source in which the type of medium designated by the user is set. Therefore, printing can be performed on the type of medium designated by the user without the user selecting a medium supply source on which a desired type of medium is set.

The perspective view of the printer which has a composite function. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printer. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printer. (A)-(d) is a figure which shows the transition of the inquiry screen with respect to a feeding cassette and a manual feed tray. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing routine when a new sheet is set on a feeding tray.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a printing apparatus is embodied as an ink jet printer (hereinafter also simply referred to as “printer”) will be described with reference to the drawings.
The printer 11 shown in FIG. 1 is a multifunction machine having both a scan function, a print function, a copy function, and a facsimile function. The printer 11 includes an apparatus main body 12 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an operation panel 13 provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 12 (the front surface of the right hand in FIG. 1). The operation panel 13 is provided with a display unit 14 and an operation unit 15 including a plurality of operation switches. The operation unit 15 includes a power switch 15a, a print start button 15b, a mode switching button 15c for switching various modes, and the like. Note that the display unit 14 of the present embodiment is a touch panel that can select and input the content corresponding to the button displayed on the screen, and this touch panel function also constitutes a part of the operation unit.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of (three in the example of FIG. 1) cassette-type feeding trays 16 to 18 that can store paper P as an example of media are respectively provided in the lower front portion of the apparatus main body 12. It is mounted in a detachable (insertable / removable) state with respect to the housing recess of the apparatus main body 12. The sheet P fed from one of the plurality of feeding trays 16 to 18 is reversed along a sheet reversing path (not shown) disposed on the back side in the apparatus main body 12, and then the transport direction Y It is conveyed along. A manual feed tray 19 on which the paper P can be placed is provided on the back side of the apparatus main body 12. In the following description, the cassette type feed trays 16 to 18 are also referred to as “feed cassettes 16 to 18”, and the manual feed tray 19 is also referred to as “manual feed tray 19”. Further, when the three feeding cassettes 16 to 18 are distinguished, they are also referred to as a first feeding cassette 16, a second feeding cassette 17, and a third feeding cassette 18 in order from the upper side. Further, the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 and the manual feed tray 19 are collectively referred to as feeding trays 16 to 19.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a carriage 22 that is reciprocally moved by being guided by a guide shaft 21 that extends in a main scanning direction X (in the width direction in this example) intersecting the transport direction Y is provided in the apparatus main body 12. Yes. The print head 23 attached to the lower portion of the carriage 22 has a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting ink droplets onto a sheet P (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) as an example of a conveyed medium. The print head 23 prints a document or an image on the surface of the paper P by ejecting ink droplets while the carriage 22 reciprocates in the main scanning direction X. The printed paper P is sent in the transport direction Y, and is discharged from a discharge port 24 that opens at a position below the operation panel 13 in front of the apparatus main body 12 and above the feeding cassettes 16 to 18. The discharged paper P is stacked on, for example, a slide-type discharge stacker 25 (discharge tray) that is extended in a protruding state.

  As described above, in the printer 11 shown in FIG. 1, the lower part of the apparatus main body 12 is the printer unit 26. A scanner unit 27 is disposed above the printer unit 26. The scanner unit 27 includes a document table (not shown) having a document reading surface disposed on the upper surface of the apparatus main body 12, a closed state in which the document table is covered with respect to the apparatus main body 12 and an open state in which the document table is not covered. And a cover 28 that can be opened and closed. An automatic document feeding unit 29 (auto document feeder) capable of setting a plurality of documents and feeding them one by one to the scanner unit 27 is provided on the upper portion of the cover 28.

Next, a difference between the paper P set in the above-described feeding cassettes 16 to 18 and the paper P set on the manual feed tray 19 will be described.
The feeding cassettes 16 to 18 can store a larger number of sheets P than the manual feed tray 19, and the upper limit of the amount of sheets that can be stored is 500 as an example. On the other hand, the manual feed tray 19 can store a small number of sheets P as compared to the feeding cassettes 16 to 18, and the upper limit of the amount of sheets that can be stored is 100 sheets as an example. In this respect, in the present embodiment, the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 correspond to an example of “first medium supply source”, and the manual feed tray 19 has “the amount of medium (paper amount) that can be set is larger than that of the first medium supply source”. This corresponds to an example of “a few second medium supply sources”.

  Further, the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 and the manual feed tray 19 are different in the “paper types” that can be accommodated. Here, the “paper type” in the present embodiment means a concept including “paper size” indicating the paper size and “quality type” indicating the paper quality type. Specifically, the paper cassettes 16 to 18 have a limited “paper size” that can be accommodated as compared to the manual feed tray 19. As an example, the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 can accommodate sheets P of sizes such as A4 size, A5 size, B5 size, letter, and legal, whereas the manual feed tray 19 is provided with the feeding cassettes 16 to 16. In addition to the paper P that can accommodate 18, paper P having a size smaller than the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 such as L size, 2L size, A6 size, and postcards can be accommodated. Further, the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 have a limited “quality type” that can be accommodated as compared with the manual feed tray 19. As an example, the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 can accommodate various types of paper P such as plain paper, recycled paper, high-quality paper, and colored paper, while the manual feed tray 19 includes the feeding cassettes 16 to 18. In addition to the paper P that can be accommodated, quality paper P such as glossy paper, label sheets, and cardboard can be accommodated. In this embodiment, in the present embodiment, the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 correspond to an example of “first medium supply source”, and the manual feed tray 19 is set to “the type of medium (paper type) that can be set is the first medium supply source”. This corresponds to an example of “more second medium supply sources”. The feeding cassettes 16 to 18 may have the same “quality type” that can be stored as long as the “paper size” that can be stored is limited as compared to the manual feed tray 19. Further, the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 may have the same “paper size” that can be stored as long as the “quality type” that can be stored is limited as compared with the manual feed tray 19.

  As described above, since the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 have a larger amount of paper that can be set than the manual feed tray 19, the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 are suitable as a paper supply source for customarily printing a large amount of the same type of paper P. On the other hand, the manual feed tray 19 is suitable as a paper supply source for printing a small amount of customarily different types of media as compared with the feeding cassettes 16 to 18. For this reason, the frequency of setting different types of paper P in the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 is lower than the frequency of setting different types of paper P in the manual feed tray 19. That is, the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 are changed less frequently than the manual feed tray 19 in changing the type of paper, and the manual feeding tray 19 is changed in paper type to be set more than the feeding cassettes 16 to 18. Increases frequency.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the printer 11 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 11 includes a controller 30 that performs overall control, an operation panel 13, a scan engine 31, a print engine 32, and a facsimile communication unit (hereinafter referred to as “FAX communication unit 33”). ing. The printer 11 also includes an external memory interface (hereinafter referred to as “external memory I / F 34”) and a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “communication I / F 35”).

  The print engine 32 includes a print motor 23, a carriage motor 36 that serves as a power source for moving the carriage 22, a feed motor 37 that serves as a power source for feeding the paper P from the feed trays 16 to 19, and the fed paper P A transport motor 38 serving as a power source for transporting the ink, a cleaning device 39 for cleaning the print head 23, and the like.

  The external memory I / F 34 enables the controller 30 to access an external storage medium EM (for example, a memory card) inserted into the slot 12a. The communication I / F 35 connects the printer 11 to the host device 100 and enables a print command from the host device 100 to be transmitted to the printer 11. As the host device 100, a personal computer, a portable information terminal, or the like is used.

  The controller 30 includes a computer 40. The computer 40 includes a CPU 41 (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC 42 (Application Specific IC), a nonvolatile memory 43, and a RAM 44. The nonvolatile memory 43 stores programs necessary for various controls in the printer 11, and various controls of the printer 11 are performed by the CPU 41 executing the programs.

  Further, the nonvolatile memory 43 stores setting data SD (see FIG. 3) indicating the correspondence between each of the feeding trays 16 to 19 and the type of paper set on the trays. Specifically, in the setting data SD, a paper P having a paper size “A4” and a quality type “plain paper” is set in the first feeding cassette 16, and the paper size is set in the manual feed tray 19. Is “B5” and the type P is “glossy paper” and the information that the paper P is set is included. Further, the setting data SD includes setting information of “non-display setting” to be described later for the feeding cassettes 16 to 18. In this respect, in the present embodiment, the nonvolatile memory 43 corresponds to an example of a storage unit that stores the types of paper set in the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 and the manual feed tray 19.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the apparatus main body 12, a feeding drive unit 46 having a function of feeding the sheets P set in the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 one by one using a feeding motor 37 as a power source is supplied. It is provided for each of the feeding cassettes 16-18. Each feeding drive unit 46 includes a pickup roller 48 that is rotatably supported at the tip of a swing member 47 that is pivotally supported with respect to the frame on the apparatus main body 12 side. When one pickup roller 48 of the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 is rotated, the uppermost one of the sheet groups set in the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 is sent out downstream in the feeding direction. Further, the feeding roller 49 provided in the vicinity of the base end portion of the manual feed tray 19 is rotationally driven by the power of the feed motor 37, so that the uppermost sheet of the paper group on the manual feed tray 19 is fed. It is sent out downstream in the feed direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus main body 12 is provided with tray sensors 51 to 53 that can detect the removal and installation of the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 for each of the feeding cassettes 16 to 18. These tray sensors 51 to 53 are connected to input terminals of the controller 30.

  The apparatus body 12 or the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 are provided with paper sensors 54 to 56 that can detect the presence or absence of the paper P on the feeding cassettes 16 to 18. The apparatus main body 12 is provided with a paper sensor 57 that can detect the presence or absence of the paper P on the manual feed tray 19. These paper sensors 54 to 57 are connected to the input terminals of the controller 30.

  The paper sensors 54 to 57 output a detection signal indicating the presence of paper to the controller 30 when the paper P on the feed trays 16 to 19 is detected, and there is no paper P on the feed trays 16 to 19. Sometimes, a non-detection signal indicating that there is no paper is output to the controller 30. For this reason, the controller 30 can confirm whether there is a remaining amount of the paper P on the feed trays 16 to 19 based on signals from the paper sensors 54 to 57.

  Next, the functional configuration of the controller 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The controller 30 includes a control unit 60 as a functional part constructed as software by a CPU 41 that executes a program and a functional part constructed by a program written in a circuit in the ASIC 42.

  The control unit 60 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a print control unit 61 that controls various types of print control in the printer 11 including the print control, and a facsimile control unit 62 that prints the FAX document received by the FAX communication unit 33. . The control unit 60 also includes an inquiry unit 63 that inquires the user about the type of paper set, a reception unit 64 that receives a response to the inquiry from the inquiry unit 63, and a prohibition unit 65 that prohibits the inquiry of the inquiry unit 63 from the user. It has.

  When the print data is input from the communication I / F 35 according to a print instruction from the user, the print control unit 61 controls the print engine 32 to perform printing based on the input print data. At this time, the print control unit 61 refers to the setting data SD, and one feed tray in which the paper P of the type (paper size / quality type) designated by the user is set among the feed trays 16 to 19. Select. Then, the print control unit 61 drives and controls the print engine 32 to print on the paper P fed from the selected feeding tray. In this respect, in the present embodiment, the print control unit 61 and the print engine 32 correspond to an example of a printing unit. Further, the facsimile control unit 62 drives and controls the print engine 32 to print a FAX document when a FAX signal is output from the FAX communication unit 33. That is, the facsimile control unit 62 and the print engine 32 correspond to an example of a printing unit.

  When the inquiry unit 63 detects that a new paper P is set in one of the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 and the manual feed tray 19 based on the tray sensors 51 to 53 and the paper sensors 54 to 57. Then, the inquiry screens 80A and 80B shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B are displayed on the display unit 14 to inquire about the type of paper set in the user. Specifically, when the inquiry unit 63 determines that each of the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 has been pulled out and attached to the apparatus body 12 again based on signals from the tray sensors 51 to 53, the paper sensor Based on the signals from 54 to 56, it is determined whether or not the sheet P is present in the reattached feeding cassette. When the inquiry unit 63 determines that the sheet P is present in the feeding cassette, the inquiry unit 63 displays an inquiry screen 80A that prompts the user to input the type of the sheet set in the feeding cassette. Display on the unit 14. Further, when the inquiry unit 63 detects the paper P again after the paper P on the manual feed tray 19 is once lost and becomes a non-detection state based on a signal from the paper sensor 57, the inquiry tray 63 notifies the user of the manual feed tray. An inquiry screen 80 </ b> B that prompts the user to input the type of paper set to 19 is displayed on the display unit 14. In this respect, in the present embodiment, the tray sensors 51 to 53 and the paper sensors 54 to 57 correspond to an example of a detection unit that detects that the paper P is newly set on the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 and the manual feed tray 19. doing. In the present embodiment, “new paper P is set in the feeding cassette” does not simply mean that new paper P is set in the removed feeding cassette. This means that after the feeding cassette is pulled out, it is attached to the apparatus main body 12 again, and the sheet P is set in the feeding cassette at that time. 4A shows an inquiry screen 80A for the first feeding cassette 16 on behalf of the inquiry screen for the feeding cassettes 16 to 18, for the sake of omission of the drawing.

  In this embodiment, when printing is performed by operating the printer 11 (other than a print instruction from the host device 100), at least one of the print condition setting and the print instruction is on the screen displayed on the display unit 14. Since it is performed by operation, it is necessary to end the inquiry screens 80A and 80B in order to perform printing.

  In the inquiry screens 80A and 80B, a paper size button 81 that is operated when setting the paper size of the paper P set in the feeding trays 16 to 19 and a quality that is operated when setting the quality type are displayed. A seed button 82 and a setting end button 83 that is operated when the inquiry screens 80A and 80B are ended are provided. Further, the inquiry screen 80A for the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 is provided with a check box 84 for selecting whether or not to “not display this screen at the next paper setting”.

  When the paper size button 81 is selected on the inquiry screens 80A and 80B shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the screen is switched to the paper size selection screen 85 shown in FIG. In the example of the paper size selection screen 85, a list of paper size candidates such as A4 size, B5 size, A5 size, and letter is displayed by a button 86 as a selection target of the paper size. When an arrow key 87 in the screen 85 is operated, the screen is scrolled in the direction of the operated arrow, and buttons 86 for all paper sizes can be selected. As shown in the example of FIG. 4C, when the “B5” button 86 indicated by a thick frame in FIG. 4 is selected as the paper size, the inquiry screens 80A, FIG. Switching to 80B, the display of the paper size button 81 is changed from “A4” to “B5”.

  On the other hand, when the quality type button 82 is selected on the inquiry screens 80A and 80B shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the screen is switched to the quality type selection screen 88 shown in FIG. In the example of the quality type selection screen 88, a list of quality type candidates that the printer 11 can handle, such as plain paper, recycled paper, high quality paper, and colored paper, is displayed with a button 89. When an arrow key 87 in the screen 88 is operated, the screen is scrolled in the direction of the operated arrow, and all types of buttons 89 can be selected. As shown in the example of FIG. 4D, when the “colored paper” button 89 indicated by a thick frame in FIG. 4 is selected as the quality type, the inquiry screen 80A of FIGS. 4A and 4B is selected. , 80B, and the display of the quality type button 82 is changed from “plain paper” to “colored paper”.

  As described above, the types of paper that can be set in the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 are smaller than the types of paper that can be set in the manual feed tray 19. Therefore, in practice, the paper size options that can be selected when the inquiry screen 80A for the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 is switched to the paper size selection screen 85 are the paper size selection screen from the inquiry screen 80B for the manual feed tray 19. This is less than the paper size options that can be selected when switching to 85. Similarly, in practice, the quality type options that can be selected when the inquiry screen 80A for the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 is switched to the quality selection screen 88 are the quality selection screens from the inquiry screen 80B for the manual feed tray 19. There are fewer quality options than those that can be selected when switching to 88.

  In the inquiry screen 80A for the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 shown in FIG. 4A, the user desires “non-display setting” which means “do not display this screen at the next paper setting”. In addition, a check box 84 can be checked. On the other hand, if the user does not desire “non-display setting”, the check box 84 is not checked. In this way, on the inquiry screen 80A, the user can select whether or not to set “non-display setting”. Thus, when the inquiry unit 63 detects that a new sheet P is set in the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 based on the signals from the tray sensors 51 to 53 and the sheet sensors 54 to 56, the non-display setting ( An inquiry screen 80A that can accept a prohibition instruction is displayed on the display unit 14. The inquiry unit 63 also displays an inquiry screen 80B on the display unit 14 that cannot accept the non-display setting (prohibition instruction) when the paper sensor 57 detects that a new sheet P is set on the manual feed tray 19. Display. When the setting end button 83 is selected after the setting of the paper size and quality type is completed, the inquiry screens 80A and 80B of the inquiry unit 63 are ended. The setting end button 83 also has a function of a cancel button that is operated when the inquiry screens 80A and 80B are ended when no setting is changed. Of course, a cancel button may be provided separately from the setting end button 83.

  In response to the inquiry from the inquiry unit 63, the reception unit 64 receives a response to the inquiry input by the user via the operation unit 15, and stores it in the setting data SD. Specifically, for the feeding cassettes 16 to 18, a response to an inquiry regarding the paper size, quality type, and non-display setting is received from the user and stored in the setting data SD. On the other hand, for the manual feed tray 19, an inquiry response relating to the paper size and type is received from the user and stored in the setting data SD. In this way, the receiving unit 64 of the present embodiment receives an inquiry prohibition instruction (non-display setting) for the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 of the inquiry unit 63 from the user, while an inquiry prohibition instruction for the manual feed tray 19 of the inquiry unit 63 ( (Hidden setting) is not accepted from the user. The inquiry unit 63 and the receiving unit 64 are actually set in the feeding tray when the user replaces the paper P in any of the feeding trays 16 to 19 with a different type of paper P. It is provided in order to suppress the correspondence between the paper type and the paper type on the setting data SD of the feeding tray.

  The prohibition unit 65 refers to the setting data SD, and when a new paper P is set in the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 for which the non-display setting is set, The inquiry unit 63 is prohibited from displaying the inquiry screen 80A. That is, the non-display setting is set for each of the feeding cassettes 16 to 18, and the inquiry screen 80 </ b> A when the paper P is set to the supply cassette for which the non-display setting is set is displayed. It is determined whether or not to display. For this reason, the non-display setting is stored as a flag for each of the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 corresponding to the setting data SD. As an example, the flag may be “0 (zero)” if it is not set to non-display, “1” if it is set to non-display.

  Next, a processing routine executed by the control unit 60 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the processing routine is sequentially executed after the printer 11 is powered on.

  In the processing routine shown in FIG. 5, first, in step S11, the control unit 60 determines whether or not a new sheet P is set on the feed trays 16 to 19 (feed cassettes 16 to 18 and the manual feed tray 19). The determination is based on the detection results of the sensors 51-53 and the paper sensors 54-57. If no new paper P is set on the feeding trays 16 to 19 (step S11: NO), the control unit 60 continues until the new paper P is set on any of the feeding trays 16 to 19. The determination process in step S11 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, when a new sheet P is set on the feeding trays 16 to 19 (step S11: YES), the control unit 60 proceeds to step S12.

  In step S <b> 12, the control unit 60 determines whether the feeding tray on which the paper P is set is the feeding cassettes 16 to 18. When the feeding tray on which the paper P is set is the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 (step S12: YES), the control unit 60 shifts the process to step S13.

  In step S13, the control unit 60 refers to the setting data SD and determines whether or not the feeding cassette is set to non-display. If the feeding cassette is set to non-display (step S13: YES), the control unit 60 once ends the process. On the other hand, when the feeding cassette is not set to non-display (step S13: NO), the control unit 60 shifts the process to step S14. Note that the case where the feeding cassette is set to non-display (step S13: YES) is a case where the flag of the corresponding setting data SD is “1”. The case where the feeding cassette is not set to be non-displayed (step S13: NO) is a case where the flag of the corresponding setting data SD is “0 (zero)”.

  In step S <b> 14, the control unit 60 causes the display unit 14 to display an inquiry screen 80 </ b> A for the feeding cassettes 16 to 18. Here, as shown in FIG. 4A, on the inquiry screen 80A for the feeding cassettes 16 to 18, it is possible to set the paper size, quality type, and non-display settings.

  Subsequently, in step S15, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the setting by the user for the inquiry is completed. The case where the setting for the inquiry is completed means that the user changes the paper type setting and operates the setting end button 83 via the above-described inquiry screen 80A, or the user changes the paper type setting. This is a case where the setting end button 83 is operated without any operation. If the setting for the inquiry has not been completed (step S15: NO), the control unit 60 repeatedly executes the determination process in step S15 until the user inputs the end of setting the paper type. On the other hand, when the user completes the setting for the inquiry (step S15: YES), the control unit 60 moves the process to step S16.

  In step S <b> 16, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the user has set non-display. If the user has not set the non-display (step S16: NO), the control unit 60 proceeds to step S18 to be described later. On the other hand, when the user has set to hide (step S16: YES), the control unit 60 proceeds to step S17.

  In step S <b> 17, the control unit 60 stores the “non-display setting” set by the user in the setting data SD of the corresponding feeding cassette. That is, the flag is changed to “1”. When the non-display setting is stored, in the next step S18, the control unit 60 stores the paper type information set by the user by rewriting the part corresponding to the feeding cassette in the setting data SD. This processing routine is then terminated.

  On the other hand, when the feeding tray on which the paper P is set is the manual feed tray 19 in the previous step S12 (step S12: NO), the control unit 60 shifts the process to step S19.

  In step S19, the control unit 60 causes the display unit 14 to display an inquiry screen 80B for the manual feed tray 19. Here, as shown in FIG. 4B, in the inquiry screen 80B for the manual feed tray 19, it is possible to set the paper size and type, and it is impossible to set the non-display setting. .

  Then, in the next step S20, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the setting for the query has been completed by the user. If the setting for the query has not been completed (step S20: NO), the setting for the query is completed. Until the determination process of step S20 is repeated. On the other hand, when the setting for the inquiry is completed (step S20: YES), the control unit 60 moves the process to step S18.

  In step S18, the control unit 60 stores the paper type information set by the user by rewriting the portion corresponding to the manual feed tray 19 in the setting data SD, and once ends this processing routine.

  In this embodiment, steps S12, S14, and S19 correspond to an example of processing performed by the inquiry unit 63, step S13 corresponds to an example of processing performed by the prohibition unit 65, and steps S16, S17, and S18 correspond to an accepting unit. This corresponds to an example of the processing performed by 64. Also, when a new paper P is set in the second feeding tray while a new paper P is set in the first feeding tray and the above-described processing is being performed, one paper is set. Immediately after the above processing for the second feeding tray is completed, the above processing for the second feeding tray is performed.

  Next, the operation of the printer 11 of this embodiment will be described. In the description relating to the operation, it is assumed that basically the same type of paper P is continuously set in the first feeding cassette 16, and the type of the paper P to be set is set in the second feeding cassette 17 and the manual feed tray 19. Shall be changed. In the initial state, it is assumed that the non-display setting of each of the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 is not set.

  When the user of the printer 11 sets a new paper P in the first feeding cassette 16, an inquiry screen 80A shown in FIG. Since the same type of paper P is continuously set in the first feeding cassette 16, the user does not need to change the paper type setting from the previous setting. Then, when a new sheet P is set in the first feeding cassette 16 after the next time, the setting end button 83 is pressed with the check box 84 checked so that the inquiry screen 80A is not displayed on the display unit 14. Manipulate. Thus, when the non-display setting is set for the first feeding cassette 16, the inquiry screen 80 </ b> A is displayed on the display unit 14 when a new sheet P is set in the first feeding cassette 16 after the next time. It will not be done. Accordingly, by selecting whether or not to display the inquiry screen 80A for the first feeding cassette 16 in which the same type of paper P is continuously set, the inquiry screen 80A is not repeatedly displayed. The user does not have to perform an operation to end the inquiry screen 80A, and labor is reduced.

  When the user of the printer 11 sets a new paper P in the second feeding cassette 17, the inquiry screen 80A shown in FIG. It is displayed in the state of “Cassette”. In the second feeding cassette 17, there is a possibility that the type of paper P to be set may be changed. When a different type of paper P is set, the user sets the paper type to the previous one. Change from settings. When a new sheet P is set in the second feeding cassette 17 after the next time, the user does not check the check box 84 in order to display the inquiry screen 80A on the display unit 14 as in this case. The setting end button 83 is operated in the state. Thus, the non-display setting is not set for the second feeding cassette 17, so that the inquiry screen 80 </ b> A is displayed on the display unit 14 even when a new sheet P is set in the second feeding cassette 17 after the next time. Is displayed. Accordingly, whether or not to display the inquiry screen 80A is selected for the second feeding cassette 17, and when there is a high possibility that a plurality of types of paper P are set, the inquiry screen 80A is repeatedly displayed. Thus, when the user sets a new paper P, the paper type can be set each time.

  When the user of the printer 11 sets a new sheet P on the manual feed tray 19, an inquiry screen 80B shown in FIG. The manual feed tray 19 is relatively likely to change the type of paper P to be set. When a different type of paper P is set, the user sets the paper type to the previous setting. Change from. The inquiry screen 80B for the manual feed tray 19 shown in FIG. 4B does not have the check box 84 in the inquiry screen 80A for the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 shown in FIG. The setting end button 83 is operated. Thus, since the non-display setting cannot be set for the manual feed tray 19, the inquiry screen 80B is displayed on the display unit 14 even when a new sheet P is set on the manual feed tray 19 from the next time. Thus, for the manual feed tray 19 on which a plurality of types of paper P are set, the inquiry screen 80B is repeatedly displayed, so that the user can set the paper type each time.

  When different types of paper P are set in the first feeding cassette 16, the operation unit 15 is operated to separately display an inquiry screen (setting screen) on the display unit 14. An operation for setting the type of the image and an operation for canceling the non-display setting may be performed if necessary. By canceling the non-display setting, it is possible to return to the state where the inquiry screen 80A is repeatedly displayed every time the paper P is set thereafter. When the same type of paper P is continuously set in the second feeding cassette 17, the user may perform the same operation as that of the first feeding cassette 16. Although the description is omitted, the same applies to the third feeding cassette.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the paper P can be set in the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 where the number of papers that can be set is less than that of the manual feed tray 19 and the possibility that a different type of paper P is set is relatively low. It is also possible not to make an inquiry about the type of paper set by the user. On the other hand, when the paper P that can be set is larger than the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 and the possibility that a different type of paper P is set is relatively high, the paper P is set on the manual feed tray 19. It is always possible to inquire about the type of paper loaded in the user. Therefore, after setting a new paper P on the feed trays 16 to 19, it is possible to reduce a user's trouble caused by the setting of the paper P.

  For example, when the inquiry screen 80A is displayed every time the paper P is set in the feeding cassettes 16 to 18, it is troublesome to end the display of the inquiry screen 80A when it is not necessary to change the paper type. In this embodiment, since the inquiry screen 80A can be prevented from being displayed, this type of operation can be saved. In addition, since the inquiry screen 80B is displayed every time the paper P is set in the manual feed tray 19, when the paper type needs to be changed, the change of the paper type can be performed according to the inquiry screen 80B. It is possible to eliminate the need to perform an operation for displaying a paper type input screen. In addition, it is easy to avoid a situation in which the correspondence between the manual feed tray 19 and the type of the paper P becomes inconsistent between the setting data SD and the actual due to forgetting to input the paper type when the paper P is newly set. For this reason, when the type of paper P specified by the user at the time of printing is set in the manual feed tray 19, the inconvenience of printing on the paper P of a different type from that specification can be reduced.

  (2) Since the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 have a larger amount of paper that can be set than the manual feed tray 19, the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 are suitable as a paper supply source for mass printing the same type of paper P. On the other hand, the manual feed tray 19 is suitable as a paper supply source for printing a small amount of different types of paper P as compared with the feeding cassettes 16 to 18. For this reason, the frequency of setting different types of paper P in the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 is lower than the frequency of setting different types of paper P in the manual feed tray 19. From these points, the effect described in (1) can be obtained.

  (3) When it is detected that a new sheet P is set in the feeding trays 16 to 19, the inquiry unit 63 causes the display unit 14 to display inquiry screens 80A and 80B corresponding to the feeding tray. For this reason, it is possible to easily perform a setting operation in which the user inputs the paper type in response to the inquiry.

  (4) The check box 84 for non-display setting is displayed on the inquiry screen 80A for the feeding cassettes 16 to 18, while the check box 84 for non-display setting is displayed on the inquiry screen 80B for the manual feed tray 19. Do not display. For this reason, while making the non-display setting for the manual feed tray 19 by mistake by the user, the inquiry is made by setting the non-display setting to at least one of the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 desired by the user. The screen 80A can be prevented from being displayed.

  (5) When the user instructs the printer 11 to specify the paper type, the paper 11 corresponds to the designated paper type by referring to the setting data SD among the feeding trays 16 to 19. By selecting the feeding tray, printing is performed on the paper P supplied from the feeding tray on which the type of paper P designated by the user is set. Therefore, printing can be performed on the type of paper P designated by the user without the user selecting the feeding trays 16 to 19 on which the desired type of paper P is set.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as shown below.
In the inquiry screen 80A, the non-display setting may not be performed simultaneously with the paper type setting. For example, an inquiry screen for setting the non-display setting may be displayed after the setting of the paper type is completed. Further, instead of displaying the inquiry screen for setting the non-display setting when the paper P is newly set, it may be displayed when the operation unit 15 is operated by the user, for example.

  Even when at least one of the feeding trays 16 to 18 is set to non-display setting, the paper P is first placed in the feeding tray set for non-displaying after the printer 11 is turned on. When set, the prohibition unit 65 may allow the inquiry unit 63 to inquire about the feeding tray. Specifically, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, it is determined between step S <b> 12 and step S <b> 13 whether or not the paper is set in the feeding cassette for the first time after the printer is turned on. A new step may be provided. In this determination step, if the paper P is not set in the feeding tray for the first time after the printer 11 is turned on (after the second time), the control unit 60 performs the process. What is necessary is just to transfer to step S13. In the same determination step, when it is the first time that the paper P is set in the feeding tray, the control unit 60 may move the process to step S14.

  If there is no operation from the user even after a predetermined time (for example, several minutes) has elapsed since the inquiry screens 80A and 80B for the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 and the manual feed tray 19 are displayed, the type of paper is The inquiry screens 80A and 80B may be terminated as having not been changed. In particular, in the inquiry screen 80A for the feeding cassettes 16 to 18, in the above-described case, it may be considered that the non notification setting is set, or may not be set.

  For example, when there are more types of paper set in the second feeding cassette 17 than in the first feeding cassette 16, the first feeding cassette 16 is used as the first medium supply source and the second feeding cassette 16 The feeding cassette 17 may be used as the second medium supply source. When the amount of paper set in the second feeding cassette 17 is smaller than that of the first feeding cassette 16, the first feeding cassette 16 is used as the first medium supply source, and the second feeding cassette is used. 17 may be the second medium supply source. That is, in this case, the inquiry screen 80A shown in FIG. 4 (a) is displayed for the first feeding cassette 16, and the inquiry shown in FIG. 4 (b) for the second feeding cassette 17. The screen 80B is displayed. Thus, the first medium supply source and the second medium supply source may be set in the feeding cassettes 16 to 18. In this case, the manual feed tray 19 may not be provided.

  ・ For example, when the tray sensors 51 to 53 are in a non-detection state where the feeding cassette is not detected, the controller 30 starts counting by the timer, and then stops counting by the timer and acquires the elapsed time when the detection state is reached. May be. In this case, the prohibition unit 65 may prohibit the inquiry of the inquiry unit 63 when the elapsed time is shorter than the set time assumed to be the minimum necessary for the replacement of the sheet. According to this, if the elapsed time is short (for example, several seconds), the user does not intend to replace the paper, but for other purposes (for example, checking the type or remaining amount of paper) or because of erroneous operation It can be determined that the cassettes 16 to 18 have been removed and attached, and the inquiry of the inquiry unit 63 can be prohibited. That is, when the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 are removed and mounted without a new set of paper P, the inquiry of the inquiry unit 63 is prohibited, thereby reducing the user's work for the inquiry. be able to.

When the display corresponding to the display unit 14 is performed on the host device 100 connected to the printer 11, the printer 11 may not include the display unit 14.
The feeding cassettes 16 to 18 do not have to have a large amount of sheets (medium amount) that can be set if the number of sheets that can be set (medium types) is smaller than that of the manual feed tray 19. Alternatively, as long as the paper cassettes 16 to 18 can set a larger amount of paper (medium amount) than the manual feed tray 19, the number of paper types (medium types) that can be set is not necessarily small.

A new paper P set in the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 may be detected using the paper sensors 54 to 56 like the manual feed tray 19.
The detection unit that detects that a new sheet is set on the feed trays 16 to 19 may be a contact sensor, an optical sensor, or another type of sensor.

  A sensor for detecting one of the paper size and the type of the paper P set in the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 and the manual feed tray 19 is provided, and the inquiry screens 80A and 80B may inquire the user about the other. Good.

  -Feed cassettes 16-18 are not limited to three, One, two, four or more may be sufficient. The manual feed tray 19 is not limited to one, and a plurality of manual feed trays 19 may be provided. Also, in the case where trays with different amounts of paper that can be set in a plurality of stages are stored in one feeding cassette and different types of paper P set in each tray can be selected and fed, There may be only one cassette and no manual feed tray 19. In short, the printer 11 has a plurality of feeding units that can be selected as medium supply sources, and at least the feeding unit that frequently sets a different type of paper P and the frequency that a different type of paper P is set. It is sufficient that there is one or more feeding means each having a low value.

The printer 11 only needs to have at least a printing function for printing on a medium, and is not limited to a multi-function machine having functions other than the printing function.
-There may be a function to switch the non-display setting for the feeding cassettes 16 to 18 to the display setting by performing a special operation on the printer 11, and in addition to this, all feeding including the manual feed tray 19 may be performed. There may be a function of setting the inquiry screen to non-display for the trays 16 to 19. By having the former function, even if it was planned not to change the paper type for a certain feeding cassette, but when the situation changed and another type of P paper was to be set, the inquiry screen was displayed. Thus, the printer 11 can be notified of the new paper type. In addition, by having the latter function, some users who do not change the type of paper to be set in the manual feed tray 19 and think that they know how to switch the non-display setting to the display setting later, The inquiry screen is not displayed every time, and usability can be improved.

  The medium is not limited to the paper P, but a resin sheet, a paper-resin composite film (resin-impregnated paper, resin-coated paper, etc.), a resin-metal composite film (laminate film), a woven fabric, a metal film It may be a ceramic sheet or the like.

  The printing method of the printing apparatus may be an inkjet method, a dot impact method, or a laser method. Furthermore, the printing apparatus may be a serial printer, a line printer, or a page printer.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printer (an example of a printing apparatus), 14 ... Display part, 15 ... Operation part, 16-18 ... Feed cassette (an example of a 1st medium supply source), 19 ... Manual feed tray (an example of a 2nd medium supply source) 30 ... Controller, 32 ... Print engine (an example of a printing unit), 43 ... Non-volatile memory (storage unit), 51-53 ... Tray sensor (an example of detection unit), 54-57 ... Paper sensor (an example of detection unit) ), 60 ... control unit, 61 ... print control unit (an example of a printing unit), 63 ... inquiry unit, 64 ... reception unit, 65 ... prohibition unit, 80A, 80B ... inquiry screen, SD ... setting data, P ... paper ( Example of medium).

Claims (4)

A first medium source;
A second medium supply source that has more media types that can be set than the first medium supply source or a medium amount that can be set less than the first medium supply source;
A printing unit that performs printing on the medium supplied from the first medium supply source and the second medium supply source;
A detection unit for detecting that a new medium is set in the first medium supply source and the second medium supply source;
An inquiry unit that inquires the user of the type of the set medium when the detection unit detects that the new medium is set;
An accepting unit that accepts a prohibition instruction for the inquiry to the first medium supply source from a user while not accepting the prohibition instruction for the second medium supply source from a user;
A prohibition unit that prohibits the inquiry of the inquiry unit with respect to the first medium supply source for which the reception unit has received the prohibition instruction;
When the detection unit detects that a new medium is set in the first medium supply source, the display that can accept the prohibition instruction is displayed, while the new medium is displayed in the second medium supply source. And a display unit that does not display a display that can accept the prohibition instruction when the detection unit detects that a medium is set.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a display capable of accepting the prohibition instruction on the same screen as the inquiry. A first medium source;
A second medium supply source that has more media types that can be set than the first medium supply source or a medium amount that can be set less than the first medium supply source;
A printing unit that performs printing on the medium supplied from the first medium supply source and the second medium supply source;
A detection unit for detecting that a new medium is set in the first medium supply source and the second medium supply source;
An inquiry unit that inquires the user of the type of the set medium when the detection unit detects that the new medium is set;
An accepting unit that accepts a prohibition instruction for the inquiry to the first medium supply source from a user while not accepting the prohibition instruction for the second medium supply source from a user;
A prohibition unit that prohibits the inquiry of the inquiry unit with respect to the first medium supply source for which the reception unit has received the prohibition instruction;
Even if the prohibition unit receives the prohibition instruction to the first medium supply source, when the detection unit detects that a new medium is set for the first time after power is turned on, A printing apparatus that does not prohibit the inquiry of the inquiry unit. A first medium source;
A second medium supply source that has more media types that can be set than the first medium supply source or a medium amount that can be set less than the first medium supply source;
A printing unit that performs printing on the medium supplied from the first medium supply source and the second medium supply source;
A detection unit for detecting that a new medium is set in the first medium supply source and the second medium supply source;
An inquiry unit that inquires the user of the type of the set medium when the detection unit detects that the new medium is set;
A first accepting unit that accepts a prohibition instruction for the inquiry to the first medium supply source from a user while not accepting the prohibition instruction for the second medium supply source from a user;
A first prohibition unit that prohibits the inquiry of the inquiry unit with respect to the first medium supply source from which the first reception unit has received the prohibition instruction;
A second accepting unit that accepts, from the user, an instruction to prohibit the inquiry to all medium supply sources by an operation different from the first accepting unit;
A printing apparatus comprising: a second prohibiting unit that prohibits the inquiry of the inquiry unit with respect to all the medium supply sources when the second receiving unit receives the prohibition instruction.