JP6473628B2 - Printing control apparatus and printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for printing a cover and a body to be bound and printed, and a printing control apparatus for controlling a printing pattern of the cover and the body by the printing apparatus.

  In a bookbinding system in which a cover and body are printed by a printing device and case binding is performed by a bookbinding device, there is usually a printing pattern that repeats the process of sequentially feeding the cover and body paper bound to one book to the printing device for the number of bookbinding copies. Executed. However, with this print pattern, when the number of bookbinding copies increases, the number of times the paper supplied to the printing apparatus is switched between the cover sheet and the body sheet increases, and the productivity of the printing apparatus and the bookbinding system decreases.

  Therefore, in the past, the applicant has proposed that when the number of bookbinding copies (number of printing copies) is large, the printing pattern of the printing apparatus is switched to another printing pattern that prints the cover and the body together for the number of bookbinding copies. Is going.

  When bookbinding is performed by printing the cover and the body with this print pattern, first, the cover sheet is printed, and the printed cover sheet is set on the paper feed tray of the bookbinding apparatus. Subsequently, in synchronization with the supply of the cover sheet from the paper feed tray to the bookbinding apparatus, the body paper is printed and the printed body paper is supplied from the printing apparatus to the bookbinding apparatus (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-178705 A

  The above-described print pattern for printing the cover and the body together must be executed when both the cover and the body are printed by a printing apparatus having only one paper feed tray. At that time, the user needs to specify the paper feed tray of the printing device as the cover paper feed source when printing on the cover paper, and when printing on the main paper, You need to specify a paper tray. That is, the user needs to specify the paper source of the cover sheet according to the scene, and the determination and operation are burdensome for the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to execute the printing pattern for collectively printing the cover and the body to be bound and bound, To provide a print control apparatus capable of generating a print job in which a paper supply source is appropriately set according to the content of printing performed by the printing apparatus, and a printing apparatus connected to the print control apparatus. .

In order to achieve the above object, a printing control apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes:
A paper supply unit information acquisition unit that acquires information on a paper supply unit that is connected to a bookbinding apparatus that binds and binds each cover sheet and body paper to form a bookbinding apparatus and that has a bookbinding system together with the bookbinding apparatus;
When the acquired information is a content indicating that the printing apparatus has a plurality of paper feeding units, the paper source of the main sheet is set as the print setting for the print request for the bookbinding image. A paper feed unit selected from a plurality of paper feed units of the printing apparatus, and a paper feed source of the cover sheet from a paper feed unit other than the main paper feed source among the plurality of paper feed units of the printing apparatus When a paper feed setting for the selected paper feed unit is received and the acquired information indicates that the printing apparatus has a single paper feed unit, a print request for the bookbinding image As a print setting for paper, a paper feed setting for accepting a paper feed setting in which the paper source of the main sheet is the paper feeder of the printing apparatus and the paper source of the cover sheet is a paper feeder of the bookbinding apparatus A reception department;
A print pattern setting accepting unit for accepting a print pattern setting as to whether or not to perform the printing performed by the printing apparatus only on the cover sheet as the print setting for the print request for the bookbinding image;
A print job that generates a print job including print setting data corresponding to the received paper feed setting and the received print pattern setting and data of the bookbinding image related to the print request and outputs the print job to the printing apparatus A generator,
A printing control apparatus comprising:
The print job generation unit, when the received print pattern setting is the cover-by-cover printing, and the acquired information is a content indicating that the printing apparatus has a single paper feed unit, Generating the print job in which the paper source of the cover sheet is changed to the paper supply unit of the printing apparatus;
It is characterized by that.
In order to achieve the above object, a print control apparatus according to the eighth aspect of the present invention provides:
A paper supply unit information acquisition unit that acquires information on a paper supply unit that is connected to a bookbinding apparatus that binds and binds each cover sheet and body paper to form a bookbinding apparatus and that has a bookbinding system together with the bookbinding apparatus;
When the acquired information includes a single paper feed unit of the printing apparatus, as the bookbinding print setting, the main paper feed source is the paper supply unit of the printing apparatus, and A paper feed setting accepting unit for accepting a paper feed setting in which the paper source is a paper feed unit of the bookbinding apparatus;
As the print setting for the print request for the image of the bookbinding product, the print pattern setting as to whether or not the printing performed by the printing device is only the printing on the cover sheet is the cover-by-cover printing, and , if the acquired information is a single sheet feeding unit of the printing apparatus, the print job to generate a print job for changing the paper feed source of the sheet of the cover to the sheet feeding unit of the printing device produces Comprising a part,
It is characterized by that.

  Note that, in the print control apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, like the print control apparatus according to the aspect of the first reference example, the print pattern setting is the cover sheet fed from the paper feed unit of the bookbinding apparatus. It is also possible to include body printing in which the printing apparatus performs only printing on the paper and the body paper that is bound and bound in the bookbinding apparatus.

Further, the printing control apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the first and the print control equipment according to aspects of the present invention, Oite the print control apparatus according to an aspect of the first reference example, the print job generating section The print pattern setting is for a print request for the bookbinding image in which the cover image exists only on the back side of the cover sheet, and the accepted print pattern setting is performed by the printing apparatus. In the case of a print pattern setting including printing on the cover sheet as printing, data on which the cover image is printed on the surface of the cover sheet by the printing device is generated as the image data of the generated print request. A print job including the generated print job is output to the printing apparatus.

  The print control apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is the print control apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the print job generation unit includes the print pattern setting, and the cover image is the unit of the print control apparatus. The variable image is printed on the surface of the cover sheet by the printing device in the reverse order of the book as the image data of the generated print request when the request is for a variable image print request with different contents. Generating a print job including the data to be output to the printing apparatus.

  In addition, in the print control apparatus according to the first, second, or third aspect of the present invention and the print control apparatus according to the first reference example, like the print control apparatus according to the second reference example, The information acquired by the paper supply unit information acquisition unit includes information on the maximum number of sheets that can be stored in the paper supply unit, and the print pattern setting is applied to both the cover sheet and the main sheet that are bound and bound by the bookbinding apparatus. Normal printing in which printing is performed by the printing apparatus, and the print job generation unit is configured such that the received print pattern setting is the normal printing, and the acquired information is a paper feeding unit included in the printing apparatus. Is a content indicating that there is a plurality, when the ratio of the maximum sheet storage number of the main sheet feeding unit to the maximum sheet storage number of the cover sheet feeding unit is higher than a predetermined threshold, Normal printing A print job including the corresponding print setting data and the image data of the generated print request is generated and output to the printing apparatus, and when the ratio is not higher than the threshold value, the cover-by-cover printing A print job including print setting data corresponding to the print request and image data of the generated print request may be generated and output to the printing apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention includes:
A printing apparatus that is connected to a bookbinding apparatus that binds and binds each cover sheet and body paper and outputs a print job output from the print job generation unit of the print control apparatus according to claim 1, 2, or 3. There,
The paper supply source of the body paper is a paper supply unit selected from a plurality of paper supply units of the printing apparatus, and the paper source of the cover sheet is the body paper of the plurality of paper supply units of the printing apparatus As a paper supply unit selected from paper supply units other than the paper supply source, during normal printing in which printing is performed on both the cover sheet and the main sheet by switching the paper supply source in bookbinding units, printing on the main sheet is performed. An interruption control unit that switches from normal printing to cover-by-cover printing that only prints on the cover sheet when interruption occurs, and continues printing.
It is characterized by that.

Note that the printing control apparatus according to the first, second, or third aspect may be changed to the printing control apparatus according to the aspect of the first or second reference example.

Furthermore, the printing apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is the printing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the interruption control unit is configured to perform the cover sheet printing in the cover sheet printing after the cover sheet printing is completed. The sheet feeding source can be selected as the sheet feeding source of the main sheet .
The paper P is sent out by the paper supply roller 12.

Further, the printing control apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is the printing apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the interruption time control unit is a predetermined time point after the cause of the interruption has been resolved. The booklet printing is finished, and the bookbinding is performed by printing the image on the body paper for the number of bookbinding copies corresponding to the number of sheets of the cover sheet on which the image was printed during the coverside printing. An image is printed by the body printing on the bookbinding apparatus to which an image is printed on the body paper for the number of copies and the cover paper for the bookbinding copies on which the image is printed during the cover-by-cover printing is supplied. In addition, after supplying the number of sheets of the book for the number of bookbinding copies, the main body printing is switched to the normal printing, and printing is performed on both the cover and body sheets .

  In the printing apparatus according to the fourth, fifth, or sixth aspect of the present invention, such as the printing control apparatus according to the aspect of the third reference example, the interruption control unit may If the interruption occurs due to out of paper, the remaining number of prints of the body paper printed in the normal printing before the occurrence of the interruption is subtracted from the number of prints of the body paper based on the print job. When the number of printed sheets exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be stored in the sheet feeding unit of the main body, the maximum number of sheets that can be stored exceeds the remaining number of printed sheets. A configuration may be adopted in which body printing is performed in which an image is printed on the body paper by changing the sheet feeding source of the body paper to another sheet feeding unit.

Further, the printing apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is the printing apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention or the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the third reference example. Is further provided, and the cover discharge unit prints the image by the cover-by-cover printing when the main sheet printed by the main body printing is fed to the bookbinding apparatus. The cover sheet serves as a paper supply source for feeding the book cover to the bookbinding apparatus in synchronization with the printed main sheet.

  According to the present invention, when executing a print pattern for printing the cover and the body to be bound and bound together, the number of paper sheets according to the number of paper feed units included in the printing apparatus and the content of printing performed by the printing apparatus is determined. A print job in which the paper source is appropriately set can be generated.

That is, according to the printing control apparatus according to the first and eighth aspects of the present invention, a printing apparatus having a plurality of paper feeding units when a print job related to a cover sheet and a body sheet bound by the bookbinding apparatus occurs. If it is possible to print on the cover and the body paper, it is assumed that printing on the cover and the body paper can be performed simultaneously in parallel, so that the cover and the body paper are fed from different paper feed units of the printing device. Accept paper settings.

  On the other hand, when a print job related to a case-bound cover and body paper is generated by the bookbinding device, a printing device having only a single paper feed unit can execute printing on the cover and body paper. , Accepting the paper feed setting that feeds the cover paper from the bookbinding unit and feeds the body paper from the paper feeder, assuming that the cover and body paper cannot be printed simultaneously .

  Then, if a print pattern setting that accepts printing performed on the printing device as a print-by-cover print only for the cover sheet is accepted as a print request for the bookbinding image, the cover sheet is bound as the paper feed setting. When a paper feed setting for feeding the main body paper from the paper feeding unit of the apparatus and the paper feeding unit of the printing apparatus is accepted, the paper source of the cover sheet is fed from the paper feeding unit of the bookbinding apparatus to the printing apparatus. A print job including the changed print setting data is generated in the paper feeding unit.

  For this reason, when a print request for a bookbinding image is generated, and it is necessary to execute printing on a cover sheet with a printing apparatus having only a single sheet feeding unit, Therefore, the printing paper feeder that cannot be accepted as the cover paper feed source is an exception for the cover paper feed source when the printing device performs only cover-by-cover print on the cover paper. Can be set automatically.

  Therefore, if there is no printing device that can feed cover sheets and body sheets that are case-bound simultaneously and print them alternately in units of one book at the time of the print job, it has multiple paper feed units. Even if the printing device is not used, a single paper feed unit is used for the cover paper feed unit and the main paper feed unit with a time difference, and supplied to case binding by the bookbinding device. Can do.

  As a result, when executing a print pattern for printing the cover and the body to be bound together, the paper supply source depends on the number of paper supply units of the printing apparatus and the content of printing performed by the printing apparatus. It is possible to generate a print job in which is appropriately set.

  In addition, when generating a print request for a bookbinding product, the user only needs to perform a paper feed setting and a print pattern setting operation, and is aware of whether printing is performed for the cover sheet or the body sheet. Since it is not necessary to make settings, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user regarding print settings.

  Note that in the print control apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when a print job with the print pattern setting of the print setting set as cover-by-cover printing is generated and output to the printing apparatus, the first reference example is thereafter processed. As in the case of the print control apparatus according to the aspect, a print job having the print pattern setting as the body print may be generated and output to the printing apparatus.

  As a result, the image on the cover sheet is printed first and transferred to the paper feed unit of the bookbinding apparatus, and then the image is printed on the main sheet fed from the paper feed unit of the printing apparatus to the bookbinding apparatus. By supplying, case binding can be performed by the bookbinding apparatus using a printing apparatus having a single sheet feeding unit.

  In the printing control apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention and the printing control apparatus according to the aspect of the first reference example, when printing an image only on the back side of the cover sheet, the sheet is usually printed in the printing apparatus. Instead, the paper is transported once, the paper is turned upside down, and the paper is transported again. For this reason, it is necessary to follow the same procedure as in the case of double-sided printing when the image is printed on the paper only on one side.

  Therefore, like the printing control apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, an image is printed on the surface of the cover sheet during the first conveyance in the printing apparatus, and the sheet is turned over. If the side on which the image is printed can be handled as the back side, it is not necessary to carry out color transport that reverses the front and back of the paper as in the case of double-sided printing, although it is single-sided printing. Can be printed.

  However, in the printing control apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, if the image to be printed on the cover sheet is a variable image having different contents in units such as a serial number, the cover sheet discharged after printing is used. Is the descending order in which the cover sheet printed last is the top and the cover sheet printed first is the bottom. For this reason, when the stacked cover sheets are fed into the bookbinding device from the top where it is easy to remove, the cover sheet feed order is different from the content (printing) order of the variable image for each book content. It will be in the reverse order.

  Therefore, as in the print control apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, a print job in which a variable image is printed on the surface of the cover sheet in the reverse order to the content order of the variable image corresponding to the contents of the book. Is output to the printer. As a result, the stacking order of the cover sheets ejected after printing from the printing apparatus is the cover sheet with the variable image corresponding to the contents of the first book printed on the front surface being the first printed. Above, the cover sheet with the variable image corresponding to the content of the last book printed first is printed on the bottom.

  For this reason, when a cover sheet with a variable image printed on the back side is obtained by the printing apparatus, the printed cover sheets are stacked in the order of the contents (printing) of the variable images that differ for each book content. The printing apparatus can be operated efficiently so that the printing operation can be realized by the same number of times of conveyance as single-sided printing.

  Furthermore, according to the printing control apparatus according to the aspect of the second reference example, in the printing control apparatus according to the first, second, or third aspect of the present invention, the printing apparatus having a plurality of paper feeding units is provided. Even in a case where it is possible to print the cover and the body sheets in case binding, in some cases, a print job is output that causes the printing apparatus to perform cover-by-cover printing instead of normal printing.

  Specifically, when the maximum number of sheets that can be stored in the sheet feed unit that supplies the main body paper is relatively large with respect to the maximum number of sheets that can be stored in the sheet feed unit that supplies the cover sheet A print job for causing the printing apparatus to perform normal printing is output on the assumption that there is a low possibility that the paper supply unit of the main paper will run out of paper during printing.

  On the other hand, if the maximum number of sheets that can be stored in the paper feed unit that is the source of the main paper is relatively small based on the maximum number of sheets that can be stored in the paper source that is the source of the cover sheet, Assuming that there is a high possibility that the body paper supply unit will run out of paper, a print job for causing the printing apparatus to perform cover-specific printing is output.

  Therefore, although there is a printing device that can feed the cover and bookcases that are case-bound simultaneously and print them alternately in units of one book at the same time, the maximum number of sheets that can be stored is small. When the paper feeding unit is used as the main paper feeding unit, the printing apparatus prints an image on the cover sheet by the cover-by-cover printing instead of the printing apparatus.

  For this reason, when there is a possibility that the paper supply unit of the body paper will run out of paper, the printing operation will be interrupted due to the paper out of the body paper. By performing cover-by-cover printing that can continue printing on the cover sheet, the cover device can print the cover sheet, and the cover and body sheets can be efficiently supplied to case binding by the bookbinding apparatus.

  Further, according to the printing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus performing normal printing by the print job from the print control apparatus according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, printing on the body paper. When the interruption occurs, the printing apparatus switches from normal printing to cover-by-cover printing, and printing on the cover sheet is continuously performed even after printing on the main sheet is interrupted.

  For this reason, the printing device can continue printing on the cover sheet, which can be executed even if printing on the main sheet is not performed, without interrupting the printing operation of the printing apparatus even after printing of the main sheet is interrupted. The printing operation by the apparatus can be continued efficiently.

Incidentally, in the printing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when changing the printing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print control device according to an aspect of the first and second reference example, the same An effect can be obtained.

Further, according to the printing apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when printing on the main sheet is interrupted due to running out of paper during normal printing, the cover sheet is printed by cover sheet printing. When printing on the first sheet is continued and finished, the paper feed unit used as the cover sheet feed source no longer needs to be used as the cover sheet feed source.

Therefore, after the cover-by-cover printing, which has been switched from normal printing due to out-of-body paper, has been completed, the paper source that is used as the paper source for the front cover can be selected as the paper source for the main paper. By doing so, it is possible to perform printing on the real paper after the paper out of the real paper is eliminated in an environment in which it is difficult to cause paper out by expanding the options of the paper supply source .

Furthermore, according to the printing control apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the printing apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect of the present invention has reached a predetermined time after the cause of the interruption of printing on the body paper has been resolved. After printing for the number of bookbinding copies corresponding to the number of cover sheets on which images were printed during cover-by-cover printing, print on the body paper by body printing, and then switch from body printing to normal printing for each cover and body paper. Printing resumes.

For this reason, when an interruption occurs in printing on the main sheet, a temporary operation is performed to avoid the printing operation of the printing apparatus from completely stopping in a period until the interruption cause is resolved and a predetermined point in time is reached. As a measure, perform cover-by-cover printing and continue printing on the cover sheet.When the cause of the interruption is resolved and the specified point in time is reached, print on the body paper corresponding to the cover sheet printed during cover-by-cover printing. After performing the main body printing, the original normal printing can be resumed immediately .

  According to the printing control apparatus according to the aspect of the third reference example, in the printing apparatus according to the fourth, fifth, or sixth aspect of the present invention, printing on the main sheet is interrupted during normal printing due to out of paper. In some cases, the printing on the body paper by the body printing is executed after changing the paper source of the body paper in some cases.

  Specifically, when the printing on the main body paper is interrupted, the remaining number of prints of the main body paper that has not yet been printed is equal to or less than the maximum paper storage capacity of the paper supply unit that is the source of the main body paper. If the cause of interruption of printing on the body paper is resolved and the body printing is performed after a predetermined point in time, it is unlikely that the body paper feeding unit will run out of paper during printing. As described above, the interruption control unit causes the main body printing to be performed without changing the main paper supply source.

  On the other hand, if the remaining number of printed sheets of the main body paper exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be stored in the paper supply unit that is the main paper supply source, the cause of interruption of printing on the main body paper is resolved and the predetermined time is reached. When the body printing is performed after that, it is highly likely that the body paper feeding unit will run out of paper during printing. Is executed.

  For this reason, if the paper supply unit of the main body is out of paper and printing by the printing device is switched from normal printing to cover-by-cover printing, the paper is again printed during the main body printing even if the main paper is out of paper. If there is a high possibility that it will run out, change the paper source of the main body after switching from cover-by-cover printing to body printing to another paper source that has a larger maximum paper capacity, and printing the body. The interruption of the printing operation due to running out of paper can be efficiently avoided.

Further, according to the printing apparatus of the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention or the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the third reference example, the cover sheet printed by the cover-by-cover printing is used. When discharged to the cover discharge section, when printing the main body after switching from cover-by-cover printing, the printed cover sheet is printed from the cover discharge section in synchronization with the supply of the printed body paper to the bookbinding device. The paper is fed to the bookbinding apparatus.

  For this reason, even if the cover sheet printed by front cover printing is not transferred off-line to the paper feeder of the bookbinding device during the body printing, the printed cover sheet is printed inline as it is. The paper can be fed to the bookbinding apparatus in synchronization with the other paper.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system in which a printing control apparatus and a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention are used. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the bookbinding system comprised by using together the printing apparatus of FIG. 1 with a bookbinding apparatus. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a printed material that is case-bound by the bookbinding apparatus of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the bookbinding apparatus in FIG. 2. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the user terminal of FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a relationship between a normal sheet conveyance path and a sheet surface on which an image is printed in the printing apparatus of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control unit of the printing apparatus of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing performed at a user terminal when performing case binding printing in the printing system of FIG. 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the image allocation screen displayed on the monitor of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the image allocation screen displayed on the monitor of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the image allocation screen displayed on the monitor of FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a case binding printing condition setting screen displayed on the monitor of FIG. 5. It is explanatory drawing of the change confirmation screen of the printing pattern displayed on the monitor of FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a print pattern change screen displayed on the monitor of FIG. 5. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing performed by a printing apparatus when performing case binding printing in the printing system of FIG. 2. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing performed by a printing apparatus when performing case binding printing in the printing system of FIG. 2. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing performed by a printing apparatus when performing case binding printing in the printing system of FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a cover sheet replenishment request screen displayed on the display of FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a body paper replenishment request screen displayed on the display of FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a cover sheet movement request screen displayed on the display of FIG. 7.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same or equivalent parts and components are denoted by the same or equivalent reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and different from the actual ones. Moreover, it is a matter of course that portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios are included between the drawings.

  Further, the embodiment described below exemplifies an apparatus or the like for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the technical idea of the present invention is to arrange the components and the like as follows. Not specific. The technical idea of the present invention can be variously modified within the scope of the claims.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing control apparatus and a printing system in which the printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of user terminals 1 (1a to 1c, corresponding to the printing control device in the claims) and a printing device 2 (2a to 2c) with respect to a communication network N. And the printer server S are connected to each other.

  The user terminal 1 (1a to 1c) is an arithmetic processing unit including a CPU, and has a function of creating printing data using various application software and instructing execution of printing processing of the data. A main body 100 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, of the user terminal 1 (1a to 1c) can be realized by a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer, for example. Details of the user terminal 1 (1a to 1c) will be described later.

  The communication network N is a distributed type constructed by mutually connecting various communication lines (optical lines such as FTTH, public lines such as ADSL lines, dedicated lines, and wireless communication networks) using the communication protocol TCP / IP. IP network. This IP network includes LANs such as intranets (in-house networks) and home networks such as 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX.

  The printing apparatuses 2 (2a to 2c) are printer apparatuses that form images on printing paper according to image data. The printer apparatus (printing apparatuses 2 (2a to 2c)) has a function as a network printer that prints job data (print data) received from the user terminal 1 through the communication network N in accordance with a print instruction based on a user operation. Details of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) will be described later.

  The printer server S has a relay processing function for temporarily stocking print jobs spooled from the user terminals 1 (1a to 1c) and transferring them to the printing apparatuses 2 (2a to 2c) in an empty state.

  Each of the printing apparatuses 2a to 2c constitutes a bookbinding system A (both see FIG. 2) in combination with a bookbinding apparatus 3 described later.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a bookbinding system A configured by using the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) together with the bookbinding apparatus 3. In the following description, the paper surface direction in FIG. Further, when viewed from the user, the upper, lower, left, and right directions are the upper, lower, left, and right directions.

  The bookbinding system A according to the present embodiment is a system for producing a booklet from printed matter. The bookbinding system A includes a printing apparatus 2 and a bookbinding apparatus 3.

  The printing apparatus 2 performs printing on the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 constituting the booklet created by the case binding by the bookbinding apparatus 3.

  The printing apparatus 2 includes a printing apparatus casing 4 (hereinafter referred to as a casing 4 as appropriate). A printing unit 5 is provided in the housing 4. The printing unit 5 performs printing on the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2. The printing unit 5 includes line-type inkjet heads 6C, 6K, 6M, and 6Y that discharge inks of cyan (C), black (K), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), respectively.

  In addition, a loop-shaped printing conveyance path 7 for conveying the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 is provided in the casing 4 so as to surround the printing unit 5. A plurality of rollers (not shown) for conveying the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 are arranged at positions along the print conveyance path 7.

  A main paper feed unit 8 is provided on the left side of the housing 4. The main paper feed unit 8 is provided as standard in any printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c).

  The main paper feed unit 8 includes a paper feed tray 9 on which paper is stacked, and a paper feed roller 10 that feeds the paper stacked on the paper feed tray 9 to the printing unit 5 side. The main paper feeding unit 8 is disposed along the paper feeding / conveying path 11 provided between the paper feeding tray 9 and the printing conveying path 7 and the paper feeding / conveying path 11, and feeds the paper to the printing unit 5 side. And a plurality of rollers (not shown) for conveyance.

  An optional paper feeding unit 12 is provided below the printing unit 5 in the housing 4. The optional paper feeding unit 12 is an optional equipment, and on the communication network N, the printing device 2 (2a to 2c) having the optional paper feeding unit 12 and the printing device 2 (2a having no optional paper feeding unit 12) are provided. ~ 2c) may coexist.

  The optional paper feeding unit 12 includes a plurality of paper feeding trays 13 for storing papers, and paper feeding rollers 14 for feeding the papers stored in the paper feeding trays 13 to the printing unit 5 side. The optional sheet feeding unit 12 is disposed along the sheet feeding conveyance path 15 and the sheet feeding conveyance path 15 provided between each sheet feeding tray 13 and the printing conveyance path 7, and the sheet is fed to the printing unit 5 side. And a plurality of rollers (not shown).

  In the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) equipped with the optional paper feeding unit 12, the main paper feeding unit 8 serves as a paper feeding unit that feeds the cover sheet P1 to the printing unit 5 side (printing conveyance path 7 side). The optional paper feeding unit 12 is used as a paper feeding unit that feeds the body paper P2 to the printing unit 5 side (printing conveyance path 7 side). FIG. 2 shows an example in which the printing apparatus 2 is equipped with an optional paper feeding unit 12.

  On the other hand, in the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) that is not equipped with the optional paper feeding unit 12, the main paper feeding unit 8 switches the loaded paper between the cover paper P1 and the main paper P2, and the cover paper P1. Is used for both a paper feeding unit that feeds the paper to the printing unit 5 side (printing conveyance path 7 side) and a paper feeding unit that feeds the body paper P2 to the printing unit 5 side (printing conveyance path 7 side).

  On the upper left side of the print conveyance path 7 is provided a switchback unit 16 for temporarily storing the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2. Further, a switchback conveyance path 17 is provided from the left part in the housing 4 to the switchback part 16. The switchback transport path 17 is for carrying the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 upside down and transporting them to the printing unit 5 side during duplex printing.

  The base end side (right end side) of the switchback transport path 17 can be connected to and disconnected from the print transport path 7 by a flipper (not shown). Rollers (not shown) for carrying the cover paper P1 and the body paper P2 into and out of the switchback part 16 are arranged at positions along the switchback conveyance path 17 near the opening of the switchback part 16. Yes.

  On the upper surface of the switchback unit 16, there is provided a discharge unit 18 for discharging the printed cover paper P1 and the main body paper P2 as necessary. The discharge unit 18 is branched from the switchback conveyance path 17, and the conveyance destination of the cover paper P <b> 1 and the body paper P <b> 2 is between the switchback conveyance path 17 and the discharge unit 18 by switching a flipper (not shown). It can be switched with. In the vicinity of the discharge unit 18, rollers (not shown) for discharging the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 to the discharge unit 18 are arranged.

  Note that the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 are discharged to the discharge unit 18 by a so-called face-down method in which an image-printed surface faces downward when the cover sheet P1 or the body sheet P2 has passed through the printing unit 5 most recently.

  A communication conveyance path 19 for conveying the cover sheet P1 and the main body sheet P2 sent out from the printing conveyance path 7 to the bookbinding apparatus 3 side (right direction) is provided on the right side in the housing 4. The base end side (left end side) of the communication transport path 19 can be connected to and disconnected from the print transport path 7 by a flipper (not shown). A plurality of rollers (not shown) for conveying the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 are arranged at positions along the communication conveyance path 19.

  The printing apparatus 2 includes a print control unit 20. The print control unit 20 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The print control unit 20 controls the operation of each unit of the printing apparatus 2. Details of the print control unit 20 will be described later.

  The bookbinding apparatus 3 performs bookbinding on the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 printed by the printing apparatus 2 to produce a booklet.

  Here, the booklet bound and bound by the bookbinding apparatus 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a printed material that is case-bound by the bookbinding apparatus 3. The booklet B for case binding according to the example shown in FIG. 3 is configured by case binding the body paper P2 for one booklet page with one cover paper P1.

  The front cover sheet P1 has a front print surface P1a composed of a front cover surface, a back cover surface, and a back cover surface (corresponding to the front cover sheet surface in claims), a back surface of the front cover surface, and a back surface of the back cover surface. And a back printed surface P1b (corresponding to the back surface of the cover sheet in the claims). The body paper P2 has a printing surface on the front surface and the back surface.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the bookbinding apparatus 3 includes a bookbinding apparatus casing 31 (hereinafter referred to as a casing 31 as appropriate). In the housing 31, an introduction conveyance path 32 is provided for conveying the printed cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 sent out from the communication conveyance path 19 of the printing apparatus 2 in the right direction. A proximal end portion (left end portion) of the introduction conveyance path 32 is connected to a distal end portion (right end portion) of the communication conveyance path 19. A plurality of rollers (not shown) for conveying the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 are arranged at positions along the introduction conveyance path 32.

  On the upper right side in the housing 31, there is provided an aligning portion 33 for aligning the printed body paper P2 to form the sheet bundle PS. The alignment unit 33 includes an alignment tray 34 on which a plurality of body sheets P2 are stacked. The alignment tray 34 can feed out the sheet bundle PS by rotating around a horizontal axis, for example.

  In addition, an upper bookbinding transport path 35 for transporting the printed cover sheet P1 and the main body sheet P2 sent out from the introduction transport path 32 to the alignment unit 33 side is provided in the upper part of the housing 31. . The base end (left end) of the upper bookbinding transport path 35 can be connected to and disconnected from the front end (right end) of the introduction transport path 32 by a flipper (not shown).

  In the upper center of the housing 31, a stock tray 36 for temporarily waiting for the printed cover paper P1 is provided. The base end portion (left end portion) of the stock tray 36 can be connected to and blocked from the upper bookbinding transport path 35 by a flipper (not shown). In addition, a roller (not shown) is provided at an appropriate position of the stock tray 36 to send the printed cover sheet P1 from the stock tray 36 to the upper bookbinding transport path 35 side.

  Cover paper P1 is stocked on the stock tray 36 with the front print surface P1a (the surface exposed to the outside of the booklet B after case binding) facing upward. The stocked cover sheet P1 is taken into the upper bookbinding conveyance path 35 one by one from the top by the roller (not shown), and is fed to the bookbinding apparatus 3.

  A plurality of rollers (not shown) for conveying the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 are arranged at positions along the upper bookbinding conveyance path 35. Among these, a plurality of rollers positioned on the left side of the stock tray 36 along the upper bookbinding transport path 35 can transport the printed cover sheet P1 by reversing the transport direction.

  A cutting portion 37 is provided on the left side of the stock tray 36 in the housing 31. The cutting unit 37 cuts the printed cover sheet P1 to have a size corresponding to the thickness of the sheet bundle PS. The cutting unit 37 includes a cutter 38 that cuts the cover sheet P1 with the upper bookbinding transport path 35 therebetween.

  A clamp unit 39 that can move by clamping (clamping) the sheet bundle PS fed from the alignment tray 34 (alignment unit 33) is provided in the housing 31. The clamp unit 39 is provided with a sheet bundle thickness sensor (not shown) that detects the thickness of the sheet bundle PS.

  An adhesive application unit 40 that applies hot melt adhesive G to the back surface (lower surface) of the sheet bundle PS is provided on the lower left side of the alignment tray 34 in the housing 31. The adhesive application unit 40 includes an adhesive storage unit 41 that stores the hot melt adhesive G. In the adhesive container 41, an application roller 42 for applying the hot melt adhesive G to the sheet bundle PS is provided.

  A molding part 43 is provided on the left side of the adhesive application part 40. The molding unit 43 includes a pair of back folding plates 44 and a butting plate 45 provided below the pair of back folding plates 44. The pair of back folding plates 44 are movable in the left-right direction on the abutment plate 45 so as to approach and separate from each other. The abutting plate 45 is movable in the left-right direction.

  In a state where the back surface (lower surface) of the sheet bundle PS to which the hot melt adhesive G has been applied is in contact with the abutting plate 45 via the cover sheet P1, the pair of back folding plates 44 from the left and right passes through the cover sheet P1. The cover sheet P1 is bent by pressing the sheet bundle PS. Thereby, the booklet B is shape | molded.

  A lower bookbinding transport path 46 for transporting the printed cover sheet P1 sent from the upper bookbinding transport path 35 to the molding unit 43 is provided below the upper bookbinding transport path 35 in the housing 31. . The base end portion (left end portion) of the lower bookbinding transport path 46 can be connected to and disconnected from the base end portion (left end portion) of the upper bookbinding transport path 35 by a flipper (not shown). At positions along the lower bookbinding transport path 46, a plurality of rollers (not shown) for transporting the cover sheet P1 to the forming unit 43 side are arranged.

  The conveyance unit 47 includes an introduction conveyance path 32, an upper bookbinding conveyance path 35, a lower bookbinding conveyance path 46, rollers disposed along these, a roller that feeds the cover sheet P 1 from the stock tray 36 toward the upper bookbinding conveyance path 35, and the like. Is configured.

  Guide members 48 and 49 for guiding the completed booklet B falling from the molding portion 43 are provided below the molding portion 43 in the housing 31. Under the guide members 48 and 49, a discharge unit 50 that discharges the booklet B dropped from the forming unit 43 to the outside of the housing 31 is provided.

  The discharge unit 50 includes an upper conveyor 51 that receives the booklet B dropped from the forming unit 43, conveys the booklet B, and drops the booklet B downward from the left side. The upper conveyor 51 includes an annular upper conveyor belt 52 that conveys a booklet, and a driving roller 53 and a driven roller 54 around which the upper conveyor belt 52 is stretched.

  The booklet B placed on the upper surface of the upper transport belt 52 is moved by the endless movement of the upper transport belt 52 by the drive roller 53 being rotationally driven. The upper conveyor 51 can move the booklet B on the upper conveyor belt 52 in both the left direction and the right direction.

  On the upper side of the left end of the upper conveyor 51, a stopper 55 that receives the booklet B conveyed by the upper conveyor 51 and arranges the posture of the booklet B is disposed. The stopper 55 protrudes downward from the horizontal portion below the left guide member 48 and is configured to open and close the passage of the booklet B conveyed by the upper conveyor 51. The stopper 55 is formed in a plate shape elongated in the front-rear direction.

  Further, the discharge unit 50 includes a lower conveyor 56 provided on the lower side of the upper conveyor 51. The lower conveyor 56 receives the booklet B dropped from the upper conveyor 51, conveys the booklet B, and discharges the booklet B out of the casing 31. When a discharge tray 66 described later is full, a plurality of booklets B are stacked and stacked on a stacking surface 57a that is an upper surface of a lower conveying belt 57 described later of the lower conveyor 56.

  The lower conveyor 56 includes an annular lower conveyor belt 57 that conveys a booklet, and a driving roller 58 and a driven roller 59 around which the lower conveyor belt 57 is stretched. When the driving roller 58 is driven to rotate, the lower conveying belt 57 moves endlessly, so that the booklet B on the stacking surface 57a of the lower conveying belt 57 moves. The lower conveyor 56 can move the booklet B on the stacking surface 57a in both the left direction and the right direction. A first sensor 60 and a second sensor 61 for detecting the booklet B are disposed at the left end and the right end of the lower conveyor 56, respectively.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the bookbinding system A. As shown in FIG. 4, the discharge unit 50 includes an upper conveyor motor 62 that rotationally drives the driving roller 53 of the upper conveyor 51, and a lower conveyor motor 63 that rotationally drives the driving roller 58 of the lower conveyor 56. Yes. The discharge unit 50 includes an encoder 64 that outputs a pulse signal corresponding to the rotation angle of the rotation shaft of the lower conveyor motor 63. In addition, the discharge unit 50 includes a stopper motor 65 that drives the stopper.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a discharge tray 66 that receives the booklet B sent out from the lower conveyor 56 is provided outside the housing 31 on the right side of the lower conveyor 56 of the discharge unit 50. A movable plate 67 that can move up and down on the left end side is provided at a lower portion in the discharge tray 66. The booklet B discharged on the movable plate 67 is stacked, and the left end side of the movable plate 67 is lowered by the weight of the booklet B. When the discharge tray 66 is full, the left end side of the movable plate 67 is lowered to the lower limit position, and a full detection switch (not shown) is turned on.

  The bookbinding apparatus 3 includes a bookbinding control unit 68. The bookbinding control unit 68 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The bookbinding control unit 68 controls the operation of each unit of the bookbinding apparatus 3.

  Next, the user terminal 1 (1a to 1c) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the user terminal 1 (1a to 1c). The user terminal 1 (1a to 1c) includes a main body 100, an input device 140, and a monitor 150. The main body 100 includes a CPU, a semiconductor memory such as a RAM and a ROM, a storage device such as a hard disk and an SSD (Solid State Drive).

  Then, the image creation unit 110 is configured in the main body 100 by installing a document creation program in the hard disk or the like of the main body 100. In addition, the printer driver 120 of the printing apparatus 2 including the driver program of the bookbinding apparatus 3 is installed in the hard disk or the like of the main body 100, whereby the printer driver 120 is configured in the main body 100.

  The printer driver 120 includes an image data acquisition unit 121, a case binding image data generation unit 122, a print setting unit 123, a printing apparatus information acquisition unit 124, a print setting change reception unit 125, a print setting change notification unit 126, and a cover printing end notification. Section 127 and a print job generation section 128. Then, the case binding information generation program installed on the hard disk is executed by the CPU, whereby the above-described units are configured in the main body 100, respectively.

  Hereinafter, each part of the printer driver 120 will be described in detail.

  The image data acquisition unit 121 acquires the image data printed on the cover paper P1 generated by the image data generation unit 110 and the image data printed on the body paper P2. Specifically, the image data acquisition unit 121 uses the mouse and keyboard operations of the input device 140 by the user on the image assignment screen displayed on the monitor 150 by the printer driver 120 to display the cover paper P1 and the body paper P2. Image data is acquired from the image data generation unit 110. The format of the image data output from the image data generation unit 110 to the image data acquisition unit 121 is PDF (Portable Document Format) data.

  The case binding image data generation unit 122 displays an image assignment screen on the monitor 150, accepts designation of a file of image data assigned to the cover paper P1 and the body paper P2, and prints the cover paper P1 and the body paper P2. The received image data is assigned to. At the same time, the case binding image data generation unit 122 generates image data to be printed on the front print surface P1a and the back print surface P1b of the cover sheet P1 and the front and back surfaces of the body paper P2 based on the assigned image data. Generate image data to be printed.

  The print setting unit 123 receives print settings for the printing apparatuses 2 (2a to 2c) on the communication network N. The print settings include paper feed settings and print pattern settings of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c). The paper feed setting is a setting of a paper feed unit as a paper feed source of each of the papers P1 and P2 when an image is printed on the cover paper P1 or the body paper P2 by the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c). The print pattern setting is a pattern setting for printing an image on the cover sheet P1 or the body sheet P2 performed by the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c).

  The contents of the paper feed settings and print pattern settings that can be accepted by the print setting unit 123 of this embodiment are the paper feeds possessed by the printing devices 2 (2a to 2c) on the communication network N acquired by the printing device information acquisition unit 124. It depends on the information of the department.

  For example, with respect to the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) having both the main sheet feeding unit 8 and the optional sheet feeding unit 12, as the sheet feeding setting, the sheet feeding source of the body paper P2 is set as the printing apparatus 2 (2a To 2c), the cover sheet P1 is fed from the other sheet feeding units except the sheet feeding unit selected from the main sheet feeding unit 8 and the optional sheet feeding unit 12 and serving as the sheet feeding source of the main sheet P2. The setting which selected the origin can be received. Note that the cover sheet P1 is larger than the body sheet P2 and may have a non-standard size, and therefore, the main sheet feeder 8 is exclusively selected as the sheet source of the cover sheet P1.

  On the other hand, for the operation mode used in the printing apparatuses 2 (2a to 2c) that do not have the optional sheet feeding unit 12, as the sheet feeding setting, either the cover sheet P1 or the body sheet P2 is fed from the printing apparatus 2 ( Only the setting of the main paper feed unit 8 of 2a to 2c) can be accepted. Since the paper feed unit other than the printing device 2 (2a to 2c) has only the stock tray 36 of the bookbinding device 3 that can be used as the paper source of the printed cover paper P1, the paper feed setting is practically the printing device 2. There is only an option in which the main paper feed unit 8 of (2a to 2c) is the paper source of the main body paper P2, and the stock tray 36 of the bookbinding apparatus 3 is the paper source of the cover sheet P1.

  Next, with respect to the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) having both the main paper feeding unit 8 and the optional paper feeding unit 12, normal printing, body printing (1), body printing ( 2) It is possible to select four patterns for front cover printing.

  First, in normal printing, a cover sheet P1 and a body sheet P2 of one booklet B are alternately fed from different sheet feeding units of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) to print an image, and the printed cover sheet In this print pattern, P1 and body paper P2 are sequentially discharged to the bookbinding apparatus 3 and bound.

  Next, in the body printing (1), the printed cover paper P1 and the unprinted body paper P2 of one booklet B are alternately fed from separate paper feeding units of the printing apparatuses 2 (2a to 2c). Then, the printed cover sheet P1 is discharged to the bookbinding apparatus 3 without printing an image, and the body sheet P2 is printed and discharged to the bookbinding apparatus 3 alternately with the cover sheet P1. 3 is a print pattern for case binding.

  Subsequently, in the body printing (2), the body paper P2 of all booklets B is continuously fed from one paper feeding unit of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) to print an image, and a printed cover sheet. Synchronously with the cover paper P1, the main body paper P2 is discharged by one booklet B to the bookbinding apparatus 3 where the paper P1 is fed from the stack tray 36 by one booklet B, and case binding is performed to the bookbinding apparatus 3. The print pattern to be made.

  Finally, in the cover-by-cover printing, the cover sheets P1 of all the booklets B are continuously fed from one sheet feeding unit of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) to print an image, and the user of the bookbinding apparatus 3 is printed. The print pattern is discharged to the discharge unit 18 to be transferred to the stock tray 36. The cover sheet P1 printed by the cover-by-cover printing is used for case binding by the bookbinding apparatus 3 together with the body sheet P2 printed by the body printing (1) and the body printing (2).

  On the other hand, for the printing apparatuses 2 (2a to 2c) that do not have the optional paper feeding unit 12, as the print pattern setting, normal printing using the main paper feeding unit 8 and the optional paper feeding unit 12 as the paper feeding unit is performed. The body print (1) cannot be selected.

  Therefore, in the printing apparatuses 2 (2a to 2c) that do not have the optional paper feeding unit 12, the cover sheet P1 is obtained by executing the combination of the body print (2) that can be selected as the print pattern setting and the cover-by-cover print. Then, an image can be printed on the text sheet P2 and case binding can be performed by the bookbinding apparatus 3.

  In that case, after printing an image on the cover sheet P1 by the cover-by-cover printing by the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c), the printed cover sheet P1 is bound from the discharge unit 18 of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c). It is necessary to transfer to the stock tray 36 of the apparatus 3 and print an image on the body paper P2 by the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c).

  However, in the paper feed setting, if the main paper feed unit 8 of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) is selected as the paper source of the main body paper P2, the bookbinding is performed even if the cover-by-cover printing is selected in the print pattern setting. Since the stock tray 36 of the apparatus 3 is selected as the paper source for the cover sheet P1, the cover sheet P1 is fed from the main sheet feed unit 8 to cause the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) to perform separate cover sheet printing. I can't.

  Therefore, when the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) that does not include the optional paper feeding unit 12 causes the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) to print an image on the cover paper P1 by the cover-by-cover printing, the body paper is set according to the paper feed setting. The main paper supply unit 8 of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) set as the P2 paper supply source is temporarily set as the cover paper P1 paper supply source. After the printing of the image on the cover paper P1 by the cover-by-cover printing is finished, before the printing of the image on the main paper P2 by the main body printing (2), the main supply of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) is performed. The paper section 8 is reset to the paper source of the main paper P2.

  The printing device information acquisition unit 124 acquires information about the printing devices 2 (2a to 2c) on the communication network N. Specifically, the information about whether or not each printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) is in a state where it can process a print job, that is, the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 124 is provided for each printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c). Information about the status of the operation mode (starting, power saving mode, power-off, etc.) and information about the presence or absence of the optional paper feeding unit 12 of each printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) are printed via the printer server S. Acquired from the device 2 (2a to 2c).

  The print setting change accepting unit 125 accepts the change of the print setting accepted by the print setting unit 123. In the present embodiment, normal printing is preset in the print setting unit 123 as an initial print pattern setting.

  In the case of outputting a print job to the printing apparatuses 2 (2a to 2c) that do not have the optional paper feeding unit 12 among the printing apparatuses 2 (2a to 2c) whose information has been acquired by the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 124, Then, the print setting change accepting unit 125 accepts the change of the print pattern setting from normal printing to cover-side printing.

  Further, among the printing apparatuses 2 (2a to 2c) whose information has been acquired by the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 124, a print job is output to the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) in which the optional paper feeding unit 12 is provided. When the maximum number of sheets stored in the optional sheet feeder 12 is smaller than the maximum number of sheets stored (stacked) in the main sheet feeder 8, the print setting change accepting unit 125 performs normal printing with the print pattern setting. Change to cover-by-cover printing is accepted. On the other hand, if the total maximum number of sheets stored in the optional sheet feeding unit 12 is larger than the maximum number of sheets stored (stacked) in the main sheet feeding unit 8, the print pattern setting is the initial value received by the print setting unit 123. The normal print setting is maintained.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, printing for each cover page is set in advance in the print setting unit 123 as an initial setting for print pattern setting, and the print setting can be changed as necessary depending on the content of information acquired by the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 124. The accepting unit 125 may accept a change from print-by-display printing to normal printing.

  The print setting change notification unit 126 notifies the user to change the print settings based on the content of the information acquired by the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 124. Specifically, the print setting change notification unit 126 of the present embodiment causes the monitor 150 to display a message that prompts the user to change the print pattern setting.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the print pattern setting is set to normal printing by the print setting unit 123 as an initial setting. For this reason, the print setting change notifying unit 126 accepts a change in the information acquired by the printing apparatus information acquiring unit 124 from the normal printing of the print pattern setting to the cover-by-cover printing by the print setting change receiving unit 125. If the content is appropriate, a message prompting the user to change from normal printing to cover-by-cover printing is displayed on the monitor 150.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, printing by cover page is set in advance in the print setting unit 123 as an initial setting for print pattern setting, and the content of information acquired by the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 124 is displayed by the print setting change reception unit 125. When the content corresponds to accepting a change from separate printing to normal printing, the print setting change notification unit 126 displays a message prompting the monitor 150 to change the print pattern setting from separate cover printing to normal printing. You may do it.

  When the information acquired by the printing device information acquisition unit 124 indicates that the printing of the image on the cover paper P1 by the cover-by-cover printing has been completed, the cover printing end notification unit 127 displays the printing device 2 (2a ˜2c), from the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c), the cover printing end information indicating that printing of all the images for the booklet B on the cover sheet P1 has been completed is received. Then, in response to the reception of the cover printing end information, it notifies that the printing of the image on the cover sheet P1 has been completed for all booklets B.

  Specifically, the cover printing end notification unit 127 of the present embodiment causes the monitor 150 to display a message indicating that printing of images on the cover sheet P1 has been completed for all booklets B. Note that the method for notifying that the printing of the cover sheet P1 has been completed is not limited to such a message display, but may be notified by sound or a lamp may be turned on.

  The print job generation unit 128 converts the image data of the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 into print data composed of PDL (Page Description Language) data that can be recognized by the printing apparatuses 2 (2a to 2c), and prints the print data. Generating print job data including print settings (including paper feed settings and print pattern settings) that are the basis of the printing operation in the apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) and the case binding operation in the bookbinding apparatus 3; Via S, it outputs to the printing apparatus 2 (2a-2c) which can be printed.

  For example, the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) has both the main paper feeding unit 8 and the optional paper feeding unit 12, and the main paper feeding unit 8 is set as the paper source of the cover paper P1 as the paper feeding setting. It is assumed that the print setting unit 123 accepts the setting that uses the optional paper feeding unit 12 as the paper source of the body paper P2.

  Here, when normal printing is accepted by the print setting unit 123 as the print pattern setting, the print job generation unit 128 includes the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 that are bound and bound in one booklet B by the bookbinding apparatus 3. Are sequentially fed from the main sheet feeding unit 8 and the optional sheet feeding unit 12 of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c), printing on the cover sheet P1, printing on the main sheet P2 of one booklet B, and bookbinding apparatus. The print job data is generated in such a manner that the discharge to 3 is repeatedly executed by the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) alternately for the number of bookbinding copies.

  Note that such print job data may have a data structure in which, for example, the image data of the cover sheet P1 of each booklet B and the image data of the body sheet P2 are alternately arranged. Or it is good also as a data structure which has the image data of the cover paper P1 of each booklet B, the image data of the body paper P2, and the output order (print order) of those image data.

  In addition, when the body setting (1) is accepted by the print setting unit 123 as the print pattern setting, the print job generation unit 128 prints the cover sheet P1 printed on the booklet B in a booklet B. And unprinted body paper P2 are sequentially fed from the main paper feed unit 8 and the optional paper feed unit 12 of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c), and the cover paper P1 is conveyed to the bookbinding apparatus 3 and booklet B The print job data is generated in such a manner that printing on one booklet paper P2 and paper discharge to the bookbinding apparatus 3 are repeatedly executed by the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) alternately for the number of bookbinding copies. .

  Further, when the print setting (123) is accepted by the print setting unit 123 as the print pattern setting, the print job generating unit 128 has all the main sheets P2 bound and bound in one booklet B by the bookbinding apparatus 3. One booklet B that is continuously fed from the main paper feed unit 8 of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) and synchronized with the feeding of the printed cover paper P1 from the stock tray 36 in the bookbinding apparatus 3 Print job data is generated in such a manner that the printing on the main body paper P2 and the discharge to the bookbinding apparatus 3 are repeatedly executed by the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) for the number of bookbinding copies.

  The print job data for the main body printing (1) and the main body printing (2) may have, for example, a data structure in which the image data of the main body paper P2 of all booklets B is arranged in the printing order. Or it is good also as a data structure which has the image data of the main body paper P2 of all the booklets B, and the information of the output order (printing order) of those image data.

  When the print setting unit 123 accepts cover-by-cover print as the print pattern setting, the print job generation unit 128 prints all cover sheets P1 bound and bound in one booklet B by the bookbinding apparatus 3. Print job data in such a manner that the number of booklets B is fed continuously from the main sheet feeder 8 of 2 (2a to 2c) and printed on the cover sheet P1 is repeatedly executed for the number of bookbinding copies. Is generated.

  Note that the print job data for cover-by-cover printing may have a data structure in which, for example, image data on the cover paper P1 of all booklets B is arranged in the printing order. Or it is good also as a data structure which has the image data of the cover paper P1 of all the booklets B, and the information of the output order (printing order) of those image data.

  Next, the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) does not have the optional paper feeding unit 12, and as a paper feeding setting, the main paper feeding unit 8 is used as a paper source of the main body paper P2, and the stock tray 36 of the bookbinding apparatus 3 is used. Is set to be accepted by the print setting unit 123.

  Here, when the body printing (2) is accepted as the print pattern setting by the print setting unit 123, the print job generation unit 128 includes the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) having the optional sheet feeding unit 12. Print job data is generated with the same contents as the print job data of the main body printing (2) in the case of printing.

  In addition, when the print setting unit 123 accepts cover-by-cover printing as the print pattern setting, the print job generation unit 128 uses the case where the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) includes the optional paper feeding unit 12. Print job data is generated with the same contents as the print job data for cover-by-cover printing.

  However, in the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) in which the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) does not have the optional sheet feeding unit 12, the sheet feeding source of the cover sheet P1 is the stock tray of the bookbinding apparatus 3 in the sheet feeding setting. With this setting, the print job data having the same content as the cover-by-cover printing in the case where the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) has the optional paper supply unit 12 can be generated. Can not.

  Therefore, the print job generating unit 128 changes the print job data obtained by changing the paper source of the cover paper P1 from the stock tray 36 of the bookbinding apparatus 3 to the main paper supply unit 8 of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c). Generate.

  By the way, when printing on the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 with the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c), the body sheet P2 is the body part of the booklet B, and therefore, the images are printed on both the front and back sides. . On the other hand, since the cover paper P1 is a cover of the booklet B, depending on the appearance of the booklet B, an image may be printed on both the front print surface P1a and the back print surface P1b. There is also a case.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the sheet transport path and the sheet surface on which an image is printed in the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c). Of the four patterns shown in FIG. 6, the pattern 1 that does not print an image on a sheet and the pattern 2 that prints an image only on the surface of the sheet have a sheet conveyance path as a single-sided printing path. That is, the sheet does not pass through the switchback conveyance path 17 for reversing the front and back.

  On the other hand, in the pattern 4 for printing images on both sides of the paper, the paper transport path is the double-sided printing path. That is, the paper is transferred from the printing unit 5 to the switchback conveyance path 17 for reversing the front and back, and is fed again to the printing unit 5.

  As described above, the paper conveyance path when the image printing surface is “one side” or “none” of the paper is, in principle, a single-sided printing path. However, in the pattern 3 in which an image is printed only on the back side of the paper, it is necessary to reverse the paper and feed it to the printing unit 5, so the surface on which the image is printed is “one side” of the paper. In the same way as the pattern 4 for printing images on both sides of the paper, the paper is transported through the double-sided printing path and fed to the printing unit 5 twice.

  In other words, the image is printed only on one side of the paper, but the pattern 3 that prints an image only on the back side of the paper has a paper transport path like the pattern 2 that prints an image only on the front side of the paper. Cannot be used as a path for single-sided printing and must be used as a path for double-sided printing.

  Therefore, if an image is printed on the front side of the paper and the side on which the image is printed is handled as the back side, the pattern 3 that prints the image only on the back side of the paper is the pattern 3 that prints the image only on the back side of the paper. As described above, the sheet conveyance path can be a single-sided printing path, and an image can be printed efficiently.

  By the way, when the cover sheet P1 printed by the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) is conveyed to the bookbinding apparatus 3 through the communication conveyance path 19, the front print surface P1a of the cover sheet P1 is handled as the front print surface P1a in the bookbinding apparatus 3. . For this reason, in order to treat the front print surface P1a of the cover paper P1 as the back print surface P1b in the bookbinding apparatus 3, the cover paper P1 is printed on the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) by a route other than the communication conveyance path 19. It is necessary to move to the bookbinding apparatus 3.

  Here, the paper is discharged face-down to the paper discharge unit 18 of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c). On the other hand, it is necessary to set the cover paper P1 on the stock tray 36 of the bookbinding apparatus 3 with the surface exposed to the outside of the booklet B facing up after the case binding. Therefore, in the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c), the cover sheet P1 on which the image is printed on the front print surface P1a is discharged to the paper discharge unit 18 with the front print surface P1a facing downward, and the discharged cover paper P1 is discharged. Are transferred from the paper discharge unit 18 to the stock tray 36 while maintaining the vertical direction.

  As a result, the bundle of cover sheets P1 is set on the stock tray 36 with the side on which the image is printed facing downward. Therefore, the bookbinding apparatus 3 can handle the print surface of the image directed below the cover sheet P1 as the back print surface P1b that comes into contact with the booklet B after case bookbinding.

  For example, when printing an image by the printing unit 5 of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) only on the back printing surface P1b of the cover paper P1 for all booklets B in the cover-by-cover printing, If applied to the print job data generated by the print job generating unit 128, the efficiency of printing the cover sheet P1 on which the image is printed only on the back print surface P1b by the cover-by-cover printing can be improved.

  However, if the image to be printed on the back print surface P1b of the cover sheet P1 is a variable image having different contents in units such as a serial number, for example, when the printed cover sheet P1 is discharged to the discharge unit 18, for example. The stacking order of the cover sheets P1 is the descending order in which the cover sheet P1 printed last is the top and the cover sheet P1 printed first is the bottom.

  For this reason, when the loaded cover sheet P1 is set on the stock tray 36 of the bookbinding apparatus 3 and fed to the bookbinding transport path 35, for example, if it is fed from the top that is easy to be removed, the cover sheet P1 The paper feeding order is the reverse order of the variable image contents (printing) order, which differs for each book content. As a result, the supply order of the body paper P2 to the bookbinding device 3 does not match, and the booklet B cannot be bound correctly.

  Therefore, the print job generation unit 128 generates print job data for printing (cover cover printing) the above-described variable image only on the back print surface P1b of the cover paper P1 for all booklets B in the cover-by-cover printing. At this time, print job data for printing the variable image on the front print surface P1a of the cover sheet P1 is generated in the order of the book, that is, the order of the content of the variable image corresponding to the content of the book.

  Based on this print job data, when the printing device 2 (2a to 2c) prints a variable image on the front print surface P1a of the cover paper P1 by cover-by-cover printing, and discharges the printed cover paper P1 to the discharge unit 18, for example, The stacking order of the cover sheet P1 in the discharge unit 18 is the top cover sheet P1 on which the variable image corresponding to the content of the first book printed on the front print surface P1a is the top, The cover sheet P1 on which the variable image corresponding to the content of the last book printed is printed on the front print surface P1a is at the bottom.

  Therefore, the printed cover sheet P1 discharged and stacked in the discharge unit 18 is set in the stock tray 36 of the bookbinding apparatus 3 in the same direction, and the front print surface P1a on which the image is printed is hereinafter referred to as a back print surface P1b. The back printed surface P1b on which no image is printed is handled as the front printed surface P1a in the future.

  Then, the image printed on the back print surface P1b of the top cover paper P1 is a variable image corresponding to the contents of the first book, and is printed on the back print surface P1b of the bottom cover paper P1. The printed cover sheet P1 is loaded in a state where the printed image is a variable image corresponding to the content of the last book. Therefore, it is possible to supply the cover sheets P1 to the bookbinding apparatus 3, for example, in an order that matches the supply order of the body sheets P2 to the bookbinding apparatus 3.

  Accordingly, when the cover sheet P1 having a variable image printed on the back print surface P1b is obtained by the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) operated in the print mode corresponding to the cover-by-cover printing, the variable variable differs depending on the contents of the book. Printing device 2 (2a to 2c) so that a printing operation in which cover sheets P1 after printing are stacked in the order of image contents (printing) can be realized by conveying cover sheet P1 through a single-sided printing path. Can be operated efficiently.

  Next, the print control unit 20 of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the print control unit 20 of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c). The print control unit 20 of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) includes a CPU, a semiconductor memory such as a RAM and a ROM, a storage device such as a hard disk and an SSD (Solid State Drive). The print control unit 20 is connected to an operation unit 240 and a display 250 arranged on the upper part of the casing 4 of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c).

  A print job data acquisition unit 210 is configured in the print control unit 20 by installing a program in the hard disk or the like of the print control unit 20. In addition, a print processing unit 220 is configured in the print control unit 20 by installing a program in a hard disk or the like of the print control unit 20.

  The print processing unit 220 includes a print data generation unit 221, a case binding data extraction unit 222, a printing device information output unit 223, a printing device information acquisition unit 224, a printing mode change reception unit 225, a printing mode change notification unit 226, and a printing. A state notification unit 227 is provided. Then, the program installed in the hard disk is executed by the CPU, whereby the above-described units are configured in the print control unit 20, respectively.

  Hereinafter, each unit of the print processing unit 220 will be described in detail.

  Based on the print job data from the user terminal 1 (1a to 1c) acquired by the print job data acquisition unit 210, the print data generation unit 221 uses the cover sheet P1 in the printing unit 5 of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c). And print data (dot data) of an image to be printed on each of the body paper P2. In the present embodiment, the print data generation unit 221 uses cyan (C), black (K), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) ink dots that are ejected from the inkjet heads 6C, 6K, 6M, and 6Y, respectively. Print data indicating a pattern is generated.

  The print data generation unit 221 operates the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) based on the print pattern setting of the print job data from the user terminal 1 (1a to 1c) acquired by the print job data acquisition unit 210. Set the mode. Furthermore, the print data generation unit 221 according to the present embodiment generates print operation data for operating each unit of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) with contents according to the set operation mode. Also, the print data has contents corresponding to this.

  Here, in the case of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) having both the main paper feed unit 8 and the optional paper feed unit 12, the print data generation unit 221 prints the following print data and print operation data. And generate

  First, when the operation mode of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) is set to a printing mode corresponding to normal printing, the print data generation unit 221 covers the cover sheet P1 that is bound into one booklet B by the bookbinding apparatus 3. And the main sheet P2 are sequentially fed from the main sheet feeding unit 8 and the optional sheet feeding unit 12, and the printing unit 5 performs printing on the cover sheet P1 and printing on the main sheet P2 for one booklet B. Print data and print operation data are generated in such a manner that they are alternately executed for the number of bookbinding copies.

  Further, when the operation mode of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) is set to a printing mode corresponding to the body printing (1), the print data generation unit 221 is bound and bound into one booklet B by the bookbinding apparatus 3. The printed cover sheet P1 and the unprinted body sheet P2 are sequentially fed from the main sheet feeding unit 8 and the optional sheet feeding unit 12 to convey the cover sheet P1 to the bookbinding apparatus 3 and Print data and printing operation data are generated in such a manner that printing on the booklet paper P2 and discharge to the bookbinding device 3 are repeatedly executed by the printing device 2 (2a to 2c) alternately for the number of bookbinding copies. To do.

  Further, when the operation mode of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) is set to a printing mode corresponding to the body printing (2), the print data generation unit 221 is bound and bound into one booklet B by the bookbinding apparatus 3. All the body sheets P2 are continuously fed from the optional sheet feeding unit 12 and the body of one booklet B is synchronized with the feeding of the printed cover sheet P1 from the stock tray 36 in the bookbinding apparatus 3. Printing data and printing operation data are generated in such a manner that printing on the paper P2 and paper discharge to the bookbinding apparatus 3 are repeatedly executed by the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) for the number of bookbinding copies.

  In addition, when the operation mode of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) is set to a printing mode corresponding to cover-by-cover printing, the print data generation unit 221 performs all the bookbinding on the single booklet B by the bookbinding apparatus 3. The print data and the printing operation data are such that the cover paper P1 is continuously fed from the main paper supply unit 8 as many as the number of booklets B, and printing on the cover paper P1 is repeatedly executed for the number of bookbinding copies. Is generated.

  In the case of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) that does not include the optional paper feeding unit 12, the print data generation unit 221 generates the following print data and print operation data.

  First, when the operation mode of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) is set to a printing mode corresponding to the main body printing (2), the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) is connected to the optional paper feeding unit. The print data and the print operation data are generated with the same contents as the print data and the print operation data of the body printing (2) in the case of having the printer 12.

  Further, when the operation mode of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) is set to the printing mode corresponding to the cover-by-cover printing, the printing data generation unit 221 causes the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) to set the option paper feeding unit 12 as the printing mode. The print data and the print operation data are generated with the same contents as the print data and print operation data of the cover-by-cover printing in the case of having them.

  In addition, when the operation mode of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) is set to a print mode corresponding to cover-by-cover printing, and only on the back print surface P1b of the cover paper P1 for all booklets B, for example, When printing a variable image having different contents for each book such as a serial number (cover printing), the print data generation unit 221 reverses the order of the books, that is, the order of the contents of the variable images corresponding to the contents of the books. In order, print data and print operation data are generated in such a manner that a variable image is printed by the printing unit 5 on the front print surface P1a of the cover paper P1.

  Based on the print data and the print operation data, the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) prints a variable image on the front print surface P1a of the cover paper P1 in a print mode corresponding to cover-by-cover print, for example, printed on the discharge unit 18 When the cover paper P1 is discharged, the stacking order of the cover paper P1 in the discharge unit 18 is the cover paper P1 on which the variable image corresponding to the content of the first book printed on the front print surface P1a is printed last. Is the top cover sheet P1 on which the variable image corresponding to the content of the last book printed first is printed on the front print surface P1a.

  Therefore, the printed cover sheet P1 discharged and stacked in the discharge unit 18 is turned upside down, and the front print surface P1a on which the image is printed is handled as the back print surface P1b in the future, and the image is printed. The non-back printed surface P1b is handled as the front printed surface P1a in the future.

  Then, the image printed on the back print surface P1b of the top cover paper P1 is a variable image corresponding to the contents of the first book, and is printed on the back print surface P1b of the bottom cover paper P1. The printed cover sheet P1 is loaded in a state where the printed image is a variable image corresponding to the content of the last book. Therefore, it is possible to supply the cover sheets P1 to the bookbinding apparatus 3, for example, in an order that matches the supply order of the body sheets P2 to the bookbinding apparatus 3.

  Accordingly, when the cover sheet P1 having a variable image printed on the back print surface P1b is obtained by the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) operated in the print mode corresponding to the cover-by-cover printing, the variable variable differs depending on the contents of the book. Printing device 2 (2a to 2c) so that a printing operation in which cover sheets P1 after printing are stacked in the order of image contents (printing) can be realized by conveying cover sheet P1 through a single-sided printing path. Can be operated efficiently.

  The case binding data extraction unit 222 extracts data related to the case binding operation performed by the bookbinding apparatus 3 from the print job data from the user terminal 1 (1a to 1c) acquired by the print job data acquisition unit 210. Output to device 3.

  The printing device information output unit 223 outputs the information of the printing device 2 (2a to 2c) acquired by the printing device information acquisition unit 224 to the user terminal 1 (1a to 1c) via the communication network N and the printer server S. To do.

  The printing device information acquisition unit 224 acquires information on the printing devices 2 (2a to 2c). Specifically, information indicating whether or not the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) is in a state where it can process a print job, that is, the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 224 indicates the operation of each printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c). Information on mode status (starting, in power saving mode, power off, etc.) and information on presence / absence of the optional sheet feeding unit 12 of each printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) is acquired.

  The printing device information acquisition unit 224 also displays the maximum number of sheets that can be stored (stacked) in the main sheet feeding unit 8 and the optional sheet feeding unit 12 (if present) of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c), and the cover sheet P1. Then, the information regarding the out-of-paper information of the main body paper P2, the number of the cover paper P1 and the number of the main body paper P2 on which the image is printed in the printing unit 5 is acquired.

  The print mode setting change accepting unit 225 accepts a change in the print mode set by the print data generating unit 221 based on the print job data.

  For example, the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) has both the main sheet feeding unit 8 and the optional sheet feeding unit 12, and the print data generation unit 221 normally sets the operation mode of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c). If the information acquired by the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 224 indicates that the body paper P2 of the optional paper supply unit 12 has run out of paper while the print mode corresponding to printing is set, printing is performed. The mode change accepting unit 225 accepts a change in the operation mode of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) from the print mode corresponding to normal printing to the print mode corresponding to cover-by-cover printing.

  This change is finished at the latest by the time printing by the printing unit 5 with the print data generated by the print data generation unit 221 based on the print job data acquired by the print job data acquisition unit 210 is completed. Therefore, the change of the print mode accepted by the print mode change accepting unit 225 is not reflected in printing by print data based on the next print job data.

  When the print mode change accepting unit 225 accepts the change of the operation mode of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) from the print mode corresponding to the normal printing to the print mode corresponding to the cover-by-cover printing, the print data generating unit 221 is accepted. Interrupts the printing operation in the printing unit 5 of the cover paper P1 and the body paper P2 by normal printing. Then, the print data generation unit 221 generates print data and print operation data for causing the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) to execute the printing operation in the printing unit 5 of the remaining cover sheet P1 by the cover sheet printing.

  Then, after the printing of the cover sheet P1 by the cover-by-cover printing, for example, the print job data of the body printing (2) from the user terminal 1 (1a to 1c) is acquired by the print job data acquisition unit 210, or by the user When an event that satisfies the resume condition for printing of the interrupted body paper P2, such as a restart instruction for body printing (2), is generated, the print data generation unit 221 has contents corresponding to the body printing (2). Print data and print operation data are generated.

  At this time, since the cover-by-cover printing has already been completed, in the main body printing (2) to be resumed, the main paper supply unit 8 that is the paper feed source of the cover paper P1 at the time of the cover-by-cover print is continuously supplied to the cover paper P1. It is not necessary to use it as a paper base. For this reason, in the resumed printing (2), the main sheet feeding unit 8 can be included in the options of the sheet feeding source of the sheet P2.

  When the main paper supply unit 8 is set as the paper supply source for the main paper P2 in the paper supply setting, the main paper supply unit 8 is synchronized with the paper supply of the printed cover paper P1 from the stock tray 36 in the bookbinding apparatus 3. The print data generation unit 221 generates print data and print operation data in such a manner that a booklet paper P2 corresponding to one booklet B is fed from the paper supply unit 8.

  Note that the number of body sheets P2 printed by the printing unit 5 during normal printing, acquired by the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 224, is the number of all body sheets P2 of a plurality of booklets B bound and bound by the bookbinding apparatus 3. When the remaining number of prints subtracted from the total of the maximum number of sheets that can be stored in the optional paper feeding unit 12 is larger than the total paper storage capacity of the optional paper feeding unit 12, the print data generation unit 221 supplies the main paper P2 from the optional paper feeding unit 12 It may be automatically changed to 8. This change is confirmed after it is confirmed that the printed cover sheet P1 is transferred from the discharge unit 18 to the stock tray 36 of the bookbinding apparatus 3 and the main sheet P2 is set in the main sheet feeding unit 8. It is preferable to do so.

  Further, the number of body sheets P2 printed by the printing unit 5 during normal printing, acquired by the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 224, is used as the number of all body sheets P2 of a plurality of booklets B bound and bound by the bookbinding apparatus 3. If the remaining number of prints subtracted from the total number of sheets stored in the optional paper supply unit 12 is equal to or less than the total number of sheets, the print data generation unit 221 does not change the paper source of the main paper P2 as the optional paper supply unit 12. .

  Further, for example, the information acquired by the printing device information acquisition unit 224 in the state where the printing device 2 (2a to 2c) is executing the cover-specific printing changed from the normal printing by the print data generation unit 221 is the option supply. When it is shown that the paper out of the main body paper P2 of the paper section 12 has been resolved, the print mode change accepting section 225 changes from cover-by-cover printing to normal printing when the cover-by-cover printing termination condition is satisfied. Is accepted.

  The time point when the cover-by-cover print termination condition is satisfied may be, for example, the time point when the paper sheet P2 of the optional paper feed unit 12 is cleared, for example, the main paper supply after the paper sheet P2 is cleared. When the cover paper P1 of the paper section 8 runs out of paper or the discharge section 18 becomes full with the printed cover paper P1 and printing by cover sheet cannot be continued (the cause of the interruption in the claims) It is also possible to correspond to a predetermined time after cancellation).

  When the cover-by-cover-end condition is satisfied and the print mode change accepting unit 225 accepts a change from cover-by-cover printing to normal printing, the print data generating unit 221 uses the cover sheet P1 printing by the cover-by-cover printing in the printing unit 5. Interrupts the printing (cover printing) operation.

  The print data generation unit 221 then transfers the cover paper P1 after printing from the discharge unit 18 to the stock tray 36 of the bookbinding apparatus 3, and after the main paper P2 is set in the main paper supply unit 8, When the print job data for print (2) is acquired by the print job data acquisition unit 210, the number of booklets B corresponding to the number of cover sheets P1 on which images are printed during printing for each cover sheet is printed on the main sheet P2. The printing operation in the section 5 is executed by the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) by the body printing (2), and the printed body paper P2 is printed as the cover sheet P1 from the stock tray 36 of the bookbinding apparatus 3 to the upper bookbinding conveyance path 35. In synchronization with the sheet feeding, print data and printing operation data for discharging from the communication conveyance path 19 of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) to the introduction conveyance path 32 of the bookbinding apparatus 3 are generated for each booklet B. .

  Further, the print data generation unit 221 acquires, for example, normal print job data input from the user terminal 1 (1a to 1c) in the print job data acquisition unit 210 after the main body printing (2) ends, When an event for satisfying the interrupted normal printing resumption condition occurs, such as when a normal printing resumption command is input by the user, the printing operation in the printing unit 5 of the remaining cover paper P1 or body paper P2 is printed by normal printing. Print data and print operation data to be executed by the apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) are generated.

  As is clear from the above description, in the present embodiment, the print data generation unit 221 corresponds to the interruption control unit in the claims.

  The print mode change notification unit 226 notifies the user of the change of the print mode based on the content of the information acquired by the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 224. Specifically, the print mode change notification unit 226 of the present embodiment causes the display 250 to display a message that prompts the user to change the print mode.

  In the present embodiment, the print mode change notification unit 226 determines that the content of the information acquired by the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 224 is changed from normal printing to cover-by-cover printing or cover-by-cover printing by the print mode change receiving unit 225. If the content corresponds to accepting a change to normal printing, a message prompting the user to change the print mode is displayed on the display 250.

  When the information acquired by the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 224 is the content indicating that the printing of the image on the cover sheet P1 by the cover-by-cover printing is completed, the print state notifying unit 227 covers the cover sheet by the cover-by-cover printing. It is notified that printing of images on P1 has been completed for all booklets B.

  In addition, the printing state notification unit 227, when the information acquired by the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 224 is content indicating that the cover sheet P1 or the body sheet P2 is out of paper, the cover sheet P1 or the body sheet P2 that is out of sheet. A message requesting replenishment is notified.

  Specifically, the print state notification unit 227 of the present embodiment causes the display 250 to display a message indicating that printing of images on the cover sheet P1 has been completed for all booklets B and that the sheets are out of print. Note that the method of notifying that the printing of the cover sheet P1 has been completed or that the sheet has run out is not limited to such a message display, but may be notified by sound or a lamp may be turned on.

  A program for the printer engine driver 230 is installed on the hard disk of the print control unit 20 of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c). The printer engine driver 230 operates the printer engine portion of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) such as the printing unit 5 and the print conveyance path 7.

  Next, processing performed in the user terminal 1 (1a to 1c) when booklet B is bound by the printing system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing performed in the user terminal 1 (1a to 1c) when performing case binding printing in the printing system of the present embodiment.

  First, the image data generation unit 110 is activated by the user, and the user edits a document, an illustration, a photographic image, and the like, and the image data printed on the cover paper P1 of the booklet B to be bound and printed on the main body paper P2. Image data is generated and stored in the storage device of the main body of the user terminal 1 (1a to 1c) (step S10).

  Next, the printer driver 120 is activated by the user by selecting a print menu or the like, and the case binding image data generation unit 122 displays an image assignment screen as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 on the monitor 60.

  For example, on the image assignment screen shown in FIG. 9, one of the print areas “front cover”, “back cover”, and “back cover” of the front print surface P1a of the cover paper P1 is designated by the user, A file name of image data to be assigned to the designated print area is selected. As for the selection of the file name of the image data, for example, the file name of the image data generated in the image data generation unit 110 is displayed by a pull-down menu (not shown), and the file name in the pull-down menu is selected. Done.

  In addition, on the image assignment screen shown in FIG. 10, the print area of “the back of the front cover” or “the back of the back cover” of the back print surface P1b of the cover paper P1 is designated by the user, and the designated A file name of image data to be assigned to the print area is selected.

  Furthermore, on the image assignment screen shown in FIG. 11, the print area of the body paper P2 is designated by the user, and the file name of the image data to be assigned to the designated print area is selected.

  Note that the preview screen PV displayed on the right side of the image assignment screen can be switched by designating any one of the thumbnail images displayed on the left side of the image assignment screen of FIGS. As for the body, it is assumed that the page, the front surface, and the back surface of the preview screen PV are switched by designating any one of the thumbnail images of the body paper P2 shown in FIG.

  When the selection of the image data of each print area of the cover paper P1 and the body paper P2 is completed, the image data assigned to each print area of the cover paper P1 and the body paper P2 is output from the image data generation unit 110, and the image data Obtained by the data obtaining unit 121 (step S12). The image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 121 is input to the case binding image data generation unit 122, and the case binding image data generation unit 122 converts the input image data into the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2. Assigned to the print area, preview images of the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 are displayed on the preview screen PV shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 (step S14).

  Subsequently, when a print instruction button (not shown) displayed on the monitor 60 is pressed by the input device 140 such as a mouse, the case binding image data generation unit 122 is assigned to the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2. Based on the image data, image data to be printed on the front print surface P1a and the back print surface P1b of the cover sheet P1 is generated. At the same time, the case binding image data generation unit 122 generates image data to be printed on the front and back surfaces of the body paper P <b> 2, and outputs them to the print setting unit 123. The print setting unit 123 displays a case binding print condition setting screen as shown in FIG. Then, on the printing condition setting screen displayed on the monitor 60, the user inputs the number of copies of the printed matter to be bound and bound (step S16).

  In the print condition setting screen shown in FIG. 12, a pull-down menu box for a printer for selecting the printing device 2 (2a to 2c) used for printing is displayed. In this box, printers that display the printing apparatuses 2 (2a to 2c) that are not being printed or powered off on the communication network N acquired by the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 124 are displayed.

  In the print condition setting screen shown in FIG. 12, a “print by display” pull-down menu box for selecting and inputting a print pattern setting is displayed. In this box, “OFF” (normal printing), “print and bind other than the cover” (printing body (2)), “use inserter” (printing body (1)), “print only cover” The (Print by cover page) option is displayed.

  In addition, if “Print other than cover and bind” is selected in the “Print by display” pull-down menu box, the pull-down menu box below is activated, and “Tray 1”, “Tray 2”, “Tray” are activated. 3 ”(the above is the optional paper feed unit 12) and the paper feed source of the main sheet P2 can be selected from the options of“ paper feed stand ”(main paper feed unit 8).

  Next, when the “print” button on the print condition setting screen shown in FIG. 12 is pressed by the user, the information of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) selected and input in the pull-down menu box of the printer is the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 124. The print setting change accepting unit 125 changes the print pattern setting from normal printing to cover-by-cover printing, such as whether or not to output a print job to the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) that does not have the optional paper feeding unit 12. It is confirmed whether the situation is present (step S18).

  If the print pattern setting is changed from normal printing to cover-by-cover printing (YES in step S18), the print setting change notification unit 126 confirms a print mode change as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the monitor 60. In the message screen, when “Yes” is pressed by the user, the print setting change receiving unit 125 displays a print setting change screen as shown in FIG.

  In this print setting change screen, when the radio button “print the main body after printing the entire cover page” is selected by the user (YES in step S20), the operation mode of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) Is determined as a print mode corresponding to cover-by-cover printing (step S22).

  Then, in order to set the operation mode of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) to the print mode corresponding to the cover-by-cover printing, it is confirmed whether or not it is necessary to change the printing order of the cover sheet P1 in the reverse order (step S24). ). This confirmation can be performed based on whether or not the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 121 in step S12 prints a variable image only on the back print surface P1b of the cover sheet P1.

  If it is necessary to change the printing order of the cover paper P1 in the reverse order (YES in step S24), the printing order of the variable image on the cover paper P1 is changed in the reverse order, and the printing surface of the variable image is changed to the cover paper P1. The back print surface P1b is changed to the front print surface P1a (step S26). These changes are not performed when it is not necessary to change the printing order of the cover sheet P1 in the reverse order (NO in step S24).

  On the other hand, if the print setting unit 123 does not change the print pattern setting from normal printing to cover-by-cover printing (NO in step S18), the operation mode of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) corresponds to normal printing. The print mode is determined (step S28).

  Then, the print setting unit 123 generates print job data having contents according to the determined operation mode (print mode corresponding to normal printing or print mode corresponding to cover-by-cover print), and sets the communication network N and the printer server S. To the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) (step S30).

  Next, processing performed by the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) when booklet B is bound by the printing system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 15 to 17 are flowcharts showing a procedure of processing performed by the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) when performing case binding printing in the printing system of this embodiment.

  Of these, FIG. 15 is a flowchart of processing mainly related to reception of print job data, and FIGS. 16 and 17 are flowcharts of processing mainly related to status monitoring during execution of a print job. It is executed repeatedly every cycle.

  First, as shown in FIG. 15, it is confirmed whether or not the print job data acquisition unit 210 of the print control unit 20 has received print job data from the user terminal 1 (1a to 1c) (step S41). If this is the case (YES in step S41), it is confirmed whether there is a print job that is currently being executed (step S43).

  If there is no print job being executed (NO in step S43), the process proceeds to step S51 described later. If there is a print job being executed (YES in step S43), the received print job data is transferred to the print control unit 20. (Step S45), the series of processing relating to reception of print job data is terminated.

  If no print job data is received in step S41 (NO), it is confirmed whether there is print job data stored in the data storage of the print control unit 20 (step S47). If the saved print job data does not exist (NO in step S47), a series of processes relating to reception of the print job data is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the saved print job data exists (YES in step S47), it is confirmed whether the print job being executed is completed (step S49). If it has not been completed (NO in step S49), a series of processes relating to reception of print job data is terminated. If it has been completed (YES in step S49), the process proceeds to step S51.

  In step S51, based on the contents of the print job data received by the print job data acquisition unit 210 and the print job data stored in the data storage of the print control unit 20 in the oldest order, the printing corresponding to the contents is performed. The print data generation unit 221 generates print data and print operation data so that the operation is performed.

  Then, data related to the case binding operation extracted by the case binding data extraction unit 222 from the same print job data is output to the bookbinding apparatus 3 (step S53), and the print data and the print operation data generated by the print data generation unit 221 are used. After executing the print job (step S55), a series of processes relating to reception of the print job data is terminated.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 16, it is confirmed whether or not the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) is executing a print job printing operation under the control of the print control unit 20 (step S61). If this is the case (NO in step S61), the series of processing relating to status monitoring during execution of the print job is terminated.

  If the print operation of the print job is being executed (YES in step S61), the print device 2 set by the print data generation unit 221 of the print control unit 20 based on the print job data generated by the print data and the print operation data. It is confirmed whether or not the operation mode (2a to 2c) is a printing mode corresponding to normal printing (step S62).

  If the operation mode is not a print mode corresponding to normal printing (NO in step S62), the process proceeds to step S91 described later. If the operation mode is a print mode corresponding to normal printing (YES in step S62), the print control unit 20 The printing apparatus information acquisition unit 224 confirms whether or not the cover sheet P1 or the body sheet P2 is newly generated in the main sheet feeding unit 8 or the option sheet feeding unit 12 of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c). (Step S63).

  If no paper out has occurred (NO in step S63), the process proceeds to step S85 to be described later. If a new paper out has occurred (YES in step S63), the print data generation unit 221 of the print control unit 20 is performed. However, the printing of the cover paper P1 and the body paper P2 by the normal printing is stopped (step S65). Then, the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 224 of the print control unit 20 confirms whether or not it is the cover paper P1 that has run out of paper (step S67).

  If it is the cover sheet P1 (YES in step S67), the printing state notifying unit 227 of the print control unit 20 displays the sheet replenishment request screen of FIG. After notifying that the paper P1 is out of paper (step S69), a series of processing relating to state monitoring during execution of the print job is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is not the cover paper P1 that has run out of paper (NO in step S67), a plurality of booklets that are bound and bound by the bookbinding apparatus 3 by using the bookbinding apparatus 3 to determine the number of the main paper P2 that has been printed before the printing is stopped in step S65. The printing device information acquisition unit 224 of the print control unit 20 acquires whether or not the remaining number of prints subtracted from the number of all the body papers P2 of B exceeds the total of the maximum sheet storage number of the option paper supply unit 12. Confirm from the information (step S71).

  If the remaining number of printed sheets of the main sheet P2 does not exceed the maximum number of sheets that can be stored in the optional sheet feeding unit 12 (NO in step S71), the process proceeds to step S75 described later. On the other hand, if the remaining number of printed sheets exceeds the maximum number of sheets that can be stored (YES in step S71), the print data generation unit 221 of the print control unit 20 supplies the main sheet P2 from the optional sheet feeding unit 12 as the main sheet feeding source. After changing to part 8 (step S73), the process proceeds to step S75. This change is confirmed after the printed cover sheet P1 is transferred from the discharge unit 18 to the stock tray 36 of the bookbinding apparatus 3 and the main sheet P2 is set in the main sheet feeding unit 8.

  In step S75, the print state notifying unit 227 of the print control unit 20 displays on the display 250 the paper replenishment request screen shown in FIG. 19 for requesting replenishment of the main body paper P2, thereby notifying that the main body paper P2 is out of paper. When the paper source of the main sheet P2 is changed from the optional paper supply unit 12 to the main paper supply unit 8 in step S73, the paper source that replenishes the main sheet P2 may be changed to the main paper supply unit 8. This is also notified on the paper replenishment request screen in FIG.

  Next, the print mode change accepting unit 225 of the print control unit 20 switches the operation mode setting of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) from the print mode corresponding to normal printing to the print mode corresponding to cover-by-cover printing (step) S77). At this time, the print mode change notification unit 226 of the print control unit 20 displays a message for confirming the change of the print mode as shown in FIG.

  In the message screen, when “Yes” is pressed by the user, the print mode change accepting unit 225 of the print control unit 20 switches from the print mode corresponding to normal printing to the print mode corresponding to cover-by-cover printing. Confirm the print mode change.

  Next, the print data generation unit 221 of the print control unit 20 changes the printing order of the cover sheet P1 in reverse order when switching the operation mode of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) to the print mode corresponding to the cover-by-cover printing. It is confirmed whether or not it is necessary to do this (step S79). In this confirmation, the image data to be printed on the cover sheet P1 in the print job data of the print job confirmed as being executed in step S61 prints a variable image only on the back print surface P1b of the cover sheet P1. It can be done depending on whether or not.

  If it is necessary to change the printing order of the cover paper P1 in the reverse order (YES in step S79), the print data generation unit 221 of the print control unit 20 changes the printing order of the variable image on the cover paper P1 in the reverse order. Further, the printing surface of the variable image is changed from the back printing surface P1b of the cover paper P1 to the front printing surface P1a (step S81). These changes are not performed when it is not necessary to change the printing order of the cover sheet P1 in the reverse order (NO in step S79).

  Then, the print data generation unit 221 of the print control unit 20 generates print data and print operation data for resuming the print operation of the print job in a print mode corresponding to cover-by-cover printing, and the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2). After resuming the print operation of the print job according to 2c) in the print mode corresponding to the cover-by-cover printing (step S83), the series of processing relating to the state monitoring during the execution of the print job is ended.

  In step S63, the printing device information acquisition unit 224 of the print control unit 20 supports normal printing in step S85 which proceeds to the case where the cover sheet P1 or the body sheet P2 is not newly out of paper (NO) in step S63. It is confirmed whether or not the printing of the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 in the printing mode to be stopped is stopped due to the cover sheet P1 being out of paper. If not stopped (NO in step S85), a series of processing relating to status monitoring during execution of the print job is terminated.

  On the other hand, if printing is stopped (YES in step S85), the printing device information acquisition unit 224 of the print control unit 20 checks whether or not the cover sheet P1 has been replenished (step S87), and has been replenished. If not (NO in step S87), a series of processing relating to status monitoring during execution of the print job is terminated.

  If the cover paper P1 is replenished (YES in step S87), the print data generation unit 221 of the print control unit 20 restarts the stopped printing while maintaining the print mode corresponding to the normal printing (step S89). ), A series of processing relating to status monitoring during execution of the print job is terminated.

  When the cover paper P1 and the main body paper P2 in the print mode corresponding to the normal printing are completed for all booklets B, it is confirmed in step S61 that the print job is not being executed (NO), so that FIG. The process of the flowchart is substantially not performed.

  Next, in step S62, the operation mode of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) set from the print job data generated by the print data generation unit 221 of the print control unit 20 from the print data corresponds to normal printing. In step S91 which proceeds to the case where the print mode is not set (NO), as shown in FIG. 17, the printing device information acquisition unit 224 of the printing control unit 20 performs the main paper feeding unit 8 and optional feeding of the printing device 2 (2a to 2c). It is confirmed whether or not the cover sheet P1 or the body sheet P2 is newly cut in the paper section 12.

  If no paper out has occurred (NO in step S91), the process proceeds to step S97 to be described later. If a new paper out has occurred (YES in step S91), the print data generation unit 221 of the print control unit 20 is performed. However, the printing of the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 in the print mode corresponding to the cover-by-cover printing is stopped (step S93).

  Then, the print status notifying unit 227 of the print control unit 20 causes the display 250 to display the paper replenishment request screen shown in FIG. 18 or FIG. 19 for requesting replenishment of the out-of-paper cover paper P1 or the body paper P2, and the cover paper P1. After notifying that the main body paper P2 is out of paper (step S95), a series of processing relating to state monitoring during execution of the print job is ended.

  In step S91, the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 224 of the print control unit 20 performs printing for each cover sheet in step S97 which proceeds to the case where the cover sheet P1 or the body sheet P2 is not newly out of paper (NO) in step S91. It is confirmed whether or not printing on the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 in the corresponding print mode is stopped due to the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 being out of paper. If not stopped (NO in step S97), the process proceeds to step S103 described later.

  On the other hand, if printing is stopped (YES in step S97), the printing device information acquisition unit 224 of the print control unit 20 checks whether or not the cover paper P1 or the body paper P2 is replenished (step S99). If not replenished (NO in step S99), a series of processing relating to state monitoring during execution of the print job is terminated.

  When the cover sheet P1 or the body sheet P2 is replenished (YES in step S99), the print data generation unit 221 of the print control unit 20 resumes the stopped printing in the print mode corresponding to the cover-by-cover print. In this way (step S101), a series of processing relating to status monitoring during execution of the print job is terminated.

  Furthermore, in step S103, the process proceeds to step S103 where the printing on the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 in the print mode corresponding to the cover-by-cover printing is not stopped due to the cover sheet P1 or the body sheet P2 being out of paper (NO). The printing apparatus information acquisition unit 224 of the control unit 20 confirms whether or not the cover sheet P1 is being printed in the print mode corresponding to the cover-by-cover print and whether the main sheet P2 is out of paper. .

  If the body paper P2 is not out of paper (NO in step S103), the process proceeds to step S113, which will be described later. If the paper is out of paper (YES in step S103), the printing apparatus information acquisition unit 224 of the print control unit 20 is performed. However, it is confirmed whether or not the body paper P2 has been replenished (step S105). If it has not been replenished (NO in step S105), the process proceeds to step S113.

  On the other hand, when the body paper P2 is replenished (YES in step S105), the print data generation unit 221 of the print control unit 20 has reached the time point when the cover-by-cover printing is finished, and the print mode corresponding to the cover-by-cover printing. The printing of the cover sheet P1 by (printing of the cover sheet) is stopped (step S107). Then, the number of booklets B corresponding to the number of cover sheets P1 printed in the print mode corresponding to the cover-by-cover print so far calculated from the information acquired by the printing device information acquisition unit 224 of the print control unit 20 The print data generation unit 221 of the print control unit 20 prints the body paper P2 in the print mode corresponding to the body print (2) (body print) (step S109).

  The printing of the body paper P2 in the printing mode corresponding to the body printing (2) is the printing of the body printing (2) for printing the body paper P2 which is interrupted after the printing of the cover paper P1 by the cover-by-cover printing. After the job data is input from the user terminal 1 (1a to 1c), the job data is executed based on the print job data.

  Further, after the printing of the body paper P2 in step S109 is finished, the printing device 2 (2a to 2c) when the print mode change accepting unit 225 of the print control unit 20 prints the remaining number of the cover paper P1 and the body paper P2. ) Is switched from a print mode corresponding to cover-by-cover printing to a print mode corresponding to normal printing (step S111). At this time, the print mode change notification unit 226 of the print control unit 20 displays a message for confirming the change of the print mode as shown in FIG.

  In this message screen, when “Yes” is pressed by the user, the print mode change accepting unit 225 of the print control unit 20 switches from the print mode corresponding to cover-by-cover printing to the print mode corresponding to normal printing. Confirm the print mode change. After the determination, the print data generation unit 221 of the print control unit 20 causes the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) to resume printing in the print mode corresponding to the normal printing of the remaining number of cover sheets P1 and the main body sheet P2 ( Step S112), a series of processing relating to status monitoring during execution of the print job is terminated.

  In step S <b> 113, the process proceeds to step S <b> 113 in which the main body paper P <b> 2 is not replenished (NO). In step S <b> 113, the print data generation unit 221 of the print control unit 20 prints the cover paper P <b> 1 in the print mode corresponding to cover-by-cover printing. It is confirmed whether or not (cover printing) has been completed for all booklets B. If not (NO in step S113), a series of processing relating to status monitoring during execution of the print job is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the printing of the cover sheet P1 in the print mode corresponding to the cover-by-cover printing (cover cover printing) has been completed for all booklets B (YES in step S113), the print data generation unit 221 of the print control unit 20 performs the cover sheet printing. Printing on the cover sheet P1 in the print mode corresponding to the separate printing (cover cover printing) is stopped (step S115). At this time, the printing state notification unit 227 causes the display 250 to display a message indicating that printing of images on the cover sheet P1 has been completed for all booklets B as shown in FIG.

  Then, the printing device information acquisition unit 224 of the printing control unit 20 confirms whether or not the printed cover sheet P1 has been taken out from the discharge unit 18 of the discharge destination (moved to the stock tray 36 of the bookbinding device 3). (Step S117). If it has not been taken out from the discharge unit 18 (NO in step S117), a series of processing relating to state monitoring during execution of the print job is terminated. If it has been taken out (YES in step S117), the print control unit 20 After the print data generation unit 221 starts printing the body paper P2 in the print mode corresponding to the body printing (2) (body printing) (step S119), a series of processing relating to state monitoring during the execution of the print job is performed. finish.

  The detailed description with reference to the flowchart of the processing procedure performed by the bookbinding apparatus 3 is omitted, but the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 in the printing mode in which the printing apparatuses 2 (2a to 2c) support normal printing. Is printed, the printed cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 for one booklet B alternately sent from the communication conveyance path 19 of the printing apparatus 2 are taken in from the introduction conveyance path 32, The booklet B is case-bound by the procedure described in the above.

  When the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) is printing the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 in the print mode corresponding to the cover-by-cover printing or the print mode corresponding to the body print (2), the printing apparatus 2 The printed paper P2 for one booklet B printed from the communication transport path 19 is sent out and taken in from the introduction transport path 32, and printed for all booklets B loaded on the stock tray 36. A cover sheet P1 for the corresponding booklet B is taken into the upper bookbinding transport path 35 from the already-covered cover sheet P1, and the case booklet B is formed by the above-described procedure.

  As described above, in the printing system according to the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) can perform the case binding with the bookbinding apparatus 3 even with the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) that does not include the optional paper feeding unit 12. Print job data having contents corresponding to cover-by-cover print and body print (2), which are sequentially operated in a print mode corresponding to cover-by-cover print and a print mode corresponding to body print (2), are transmitted to user terminal 1 (1a to 1a). 1c) to the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c). Therefore, the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 can be fed from the same sheet feeding unit (main sheet feeding unit 8) to the printing unit 5 with a time difference.

  For this reason, when the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) that does not have the optional sheet feeding unit 12 is used as the bookbinding system A in combination with the bookbinding apparatus 3, a single sheet feeding unit (main sheet feeding unit) is used. 8) When performing cover-by-cover printing or body printing (2) in which the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 are collectively fed to the printing unit 5 with a time lag from 8), the cover sheet P1 and the body sheet P2 are fed. It is possible to generate print job data whose origin is appropriately set by the user terminal 1 (1a to 1c).

  Note that in the printing system of the present embodiment, all processing related to determination and switching of the operation mode of the printing apparatus 2 performed in the user terminal 1 (1a to 1c) is print control of the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c). It can also be performed in the unit 20.

  Further, the printer server S is also used as a WEB server, and the printer driver function of each printing device 2 (2a to 2c) on the communication network N is realized by the web console, so that the operation mode of the printing device 2 is determined or switched. All of the processes related to the above may be realized by the printer server S also serving as a WEB server.

  Further, for example, the cover paper P1 sent out from the communication conveyance path 19 of the printing apparatus 2 and taken in from the introduction conveyance path 32 at the end of the upper bookbinding conveyance path 35 of the bookbinding apparatus 3 is stocked for all booklets B in a first-in first-out manner. A possible stocker (a cover discharge portion in claims) may be provided. Then, even when the printing apparatus 2 (2a to 2c) is operated in the printing mode corresponding to the cover-by-cover printing or the printing mode corresponding to the body printing (2), the cover sheet P1 is inlined from the printing apparatus 2. It can be transferred to the bookbinding device 3.

  Moreover, although this embodiment demonstrated the case where the printing apparatus 2 (2a-2c) was an inkjet type printing apparatus, this invention uses systems other than inkjet printing, such as a stencil printing system and an electrophotographic system, for example. The present invention can also be applied when using the used printing apparatus.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 (1a-1c) User terminal 2 (2a-2c) Printing apparatus 3 Bookbinding apparatus 4 Printing apparatus housing | casing 5 Printing part 6C, 6K, 6M, 6Y Inkjet head 7 Printing conveyance path 8 Main paper feeding part 9,13 Paper feeding Tray 10, 14 Paper feed roller 11, 15 Paper feed transport path 12 Optional paper feed section 16 Switchback section 17 Switchback transport path 18 Ejection section 19 Contact transport path 20 Print control section 31 Bookbinding apparatus housing 32 Introduction transport path 33 Alignment Section 34 Alignment tray 35 Upper bookbinding transport path 36 Stock tray 37 Cutting section 38 Cutter 39 Clamp section 40 Adhesive application section 41 Adhesive storage section 42 Application roller 43 Molding section 44 Back folding plate 45 Abutting plate 46 Lower bookbinding transport path 47 Conveying section 48, 49 Guide member 50 Discharging section 51 Upper conveyor 52 Upper conveying base G 53, 58 Drive roller 54, 59 Driven roller 55 Stopper 56 Lower conveyor 57 Lower conveyor belt 57a Loading surface 60 Monitor 60 First sensor 61 Second sensor 62 Upper conveyor motor 63 Lower conveyor motor 64 Encoder 65 Stopper motor 66 Ejection tray 67 Movable plate 68 Bookbinding control unit 100 Main body 110 Image data generation unit 120 Printer driver 121 Image data acquisition unit 122 Bookbinding image data generation unit 123 Print setting unit 124,224 Printing device information acquisition unit 125 Print setting change reception unit 126 Print setting change notification unit 127 Cover printing end notification unit 130 Printer driver 140 Input device 150 Monitor 210 Print job data acquisition unit 220 Print processing unit 221 Print data generation unit 222 Bookbinding data extraction unit 223 Printing device information output unit 225 Print mode change reception unit 226 Print mode change notification unit 227 Print state notification unit 230 Printer engine driver 240 Operation unit 250 Display A Bookbinding system B Booklet G Hot melt adhesive N Communication network P1 Cover paper P1a Front printing Side P1b Back side printing side P2 Body paper PS Sheet bundle PV Preview screen S Printer server

Claims (8)

A paper supply unit information acquisition unit that acquires information on a paper supply unit that is connected to a bookbinding apparatus that binds and binds each cover sheet and body paper to form a bookbinding apparatus and that has a bookbinding system together with the bookbinding apparatus;
The acquired information, if the paper feed unit in which the printing apparatus has is a content indicating that it is plural, as a print setting against the print request of the made real image, feeding of sheets of the book block A paper source selected from a plurality of paper feeders of the printing apparatus is used, and a paper source of the cover sheet is a paper source other than the main paper source of the plurality of paper feeders of the printer. with accepting paper feed setting to a paper feeding unit selected from paper unit, if the acquired information is, the paper feed unit in which the printing apparatus has is a content indicating that it is a single, the image of the book product As the print setting for the print request, the paper supply source of the body paper is used as the paper supply unit of the printing apparatus, and the paper supply source of the cover sheet is received as the paper supply unit of the bookbinding apparatus. A paper feed setting reception unit;
As the print settings against the print request of the made real image, said printing print performed by the apparatus accepts whether the print pattern setting the cover by printing to only print on a sheet of said cover print pattern setting acceptance And
Output to the printing device and generates a print job including the data of the made real image and print setting data according to the prior Kishirushi Suriyo determined corresponding to the received sheet feeding set and the accepted print pattern setting A print job generation unit,
A printing control apparatus comprising:
The print job generation unit, when the received print pattern setting is the cover-by-cover printing, and the acquired information is a content indicating that the printing apparatus has a single paper feed unit, Generating the print job in which the paper source of the cover sheet is changed to the paper supply unit of the printing apparatus;
A printing control apparatus characterized by that.   When the print request for the cover sheet among the print requests for the bookbinding product is a print request for causing the printing apparatus to print an image only on the back surface of the cover sheet, the print job generation unit The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print job is generated by changing a print destination to a surface of the cover sheet.   The print job generation unit generates a print job in which the printing order of the cover sheet in the printing apparatus is reversed when the image to be printed on the cover sheet is a variable image having different contents in units. The print control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the print control apparatus outputs to the printing apparatus. A printing apparatus that is connected to a bookbinding apparatus that binds and binds each cover sheet and body paper and outputs a print job output from the print job generation unit of the print control apparatus according to claim 1, 2, or 3. There,
The paper supply source of the body paper is a paper supply unit selected from a plurality of paper supply units of the printing apparatus, and the paper source of the cover sheet is the body paper of the plurality of paper supply units of the printing apparatus As a paper supply unit selected from paper supply units other than the paper supply source, during normal printing in which printing is performed on both the cover sheet and the main sheet by switching the paper supply source in bookbinding units, printing on the main sheet is performed. An interruption control unit that switches from normal printing to cover-by-cover printing that only prints on the cover sheet when interruption occurs, and continues printing.
A printing apparatus characterized by that. 5. The interruption control unit is configured to be able to select a paper supply source of the cover sheet in the cover-by-cover printing as the paper supply source of the main body after the cover-by-cover printing is completed. The printing apparatus as described. The interruption control unit finishes the cover-by-cover printing at a predetermined time after the cause of the interruption has been resolved, and bookbinding corresponding to the number of sheets of the cover sheet on which an image is printed during the cover-by-cover printing. Performing body printing for printing an image on the body paper for the number of copies, causing the image to be printed on the body paper for the number of bookbinding copies, and for the number of bookbinding copies on which the image was printed during the cover-by-cover printing After the bookbinding apparatus to which the cover sheet is supplied is supplied with the number of the booklet copies on which the image has been printed by the body print, the main print is switched to the normal print to switch the cover and the body. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein printing is performed on both of the two sheets . The apparatus further includes a cover discharge unit that discharges the cover sheet printed by the cover-by-cover printing, and the cover discharge unit feeds the main sheet printed by the main body printing to the bookbinding apparatus. claim 6 when in the paper of the cover on which the image is printed by another printing the cover, characterized in that the paper feed source that feeds the bookbinding device in synchronism with the paper of the body after the printing The printing apparatus as described. A paper supply unit information acquisition unit that acquires information on a paper supply unit that is connected to a bookbinding apparatus that binds and binds each cover sheet and body paper to form a bookbinding apparatus and that has a bookbinding system together with the bookbinding apparatus;
When the acquired information includes a single paper feed unit of the printing apparatus, as the bookbinding print setting, the main paper feed source is the paper supply unit of the printing apparatus, and A paper feed setting accepting unit for accepting a paper feed setting in which the paper source is a paper feed unit of the bookbinding apparatus;
As the print setting for the print request for the image of the bookbinding product, the print pattern setting as to whether or not the printing performed by the printing device is only the printing on the cover sheet is the cover-by-cover printing, and , if the acquired information is a single sheet feeding unit of the printing apparatus, the print job to generate a print job for changing the paper feed source of the sheet of the cover to the sheet feeding unit of the printing device produces Comprising a part,
A printing control apparatus characterized by that.

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