JP6493043B2 - Printing system and printing system control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system that performs printing on printing paper and a control method for the printing system.

In a printing system in which a host device and a printing device that prints on printing paper are communicably connected, the printing device periodically performs maintenance processing in order to maintain its print quality. The maintenance process is, for example, a head cleaning process in an ink jet printer. Ink jet printers print by ejecting ink from the thin nozzle portion of the print head, and therefore periodically perform a head cleaning process so as to prevent clogging of foreign matters or ink drying and nozzle clogging. Therefore, the ink jet printer cannot perform printing during the head cleaning process.
Therefore, normally, when there is a print processing request during execution of the maintenance process and both processes overlap in time, priority is given to continuing the maintenance process, and the print process is performed after the maintenance process ends. For this reason, there is a problem that the user cannot quickly obtain the print result.
In view of such situations, prints that take statistics of user usage and adjust the maintenance processing time to a waiting time other than the usage time if the maintenance processing time takes the user usage time estimated from the statistical results An apparatus has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-5907 A

  However, in the invention technique of Patent Literature 1, since the standby time zone is determined based on the user usage statistics based on the user usage statistics, the time zone is different from the user usage time expected from the statistical results. When the user executes printing, the above problem is not solved.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  (Application Example 1) A printing system in which a host device and a plurality of printing devices are communicably connected, and the printing device has a function of executing maintenance processing including head cleaning of a print head, and the maintenance processing Includes an automatic maintenance process in which the printing apparatus spontaneously executes the maintenance process at a predetermined timing, and a forced maintenance process in which the maintenance process is executed based on an execution command from the host apparatus, The apparatus includes a processing timing control unit, and the processing timing control unit manages at least an execution time of the automatic maintenance process in the printing apparatus and performs a start process of the forced maintenance process. The compulsory for at least one of the printing devices. Printing system the execution time of the Maintenance process, characterized in that it is a process of transmitting the automatic maintenance process the execution command at a first timing for shifting the execution time of the other of the at least one of the printing device.

  According to this application example, the host device manages the execution time of maintenance processing in a plurality of connected printing apparatuses. The execution time of the maintenance process refers to the time between the time when the maintenance process is started and the time when it is ended. Then, an execution command for causing the at least one printing apparatus to execute the forced maintenance process at a first timing that shifts the execution time of the forced maintenance process from the execution time of the automatic maintenance process in at least one other printing apparatus. Start the transmission process. Therefore, in at least one printing apparatus, the execution time of the forced maintenance process does not overlap with the automatic maintenance process of at least one other printing apparatus. That is, at least one printing apparatus is always in a state in which maintenance processing is not performed. Therefore, the host device can perform printing anytime using a printing device that has not undergone maintenance processing, and the user can quickly obtain the printing result.

  Application Example 2 In the application example described above, the processing timing control unit detects whether or not the execution times of all the automatic maintenance processes overlap in a plurality of the printing apparatuses, and all the execution times overlap. In addition, the printing system is characterized by performing the start process.

  According to this application example, the processing timing control unit included in the host device performs the above-described start processing when the execution times of the automatic maintenance processing in all the printing devices overlap. Therefore, the start process can be performed only when necessary. Furthermore, since the execution time of the maintenance process does not overlap with at least one other printing apparatus in at least one printing apparatus, printing can be performed at any time using any one of the printing apparatuses.

  Application Example 3 In the application example described above, the processing timing control unit performs the automatic maintenance on a plurality of the printing apparatuses based on at least a start time and an end time or a processing time length of the maintenance process. The execution time of the process is managed, and the first timing is the forced maintenance in the printing apparatus to which the execution command is transmitted based on a start time at which the automatic maintenance process is started in at least one of the printing apparatuses. A printing system characterized in that the time is at least a processing time length before processing.

  According to this application example, the processing timing control unit sets the first timing. The automatic maintenance process of at least one printing apparatus is not started until the forced maintenance process of the printing apparatus to which the execution command is transmitted at the first timing is completed. Accordingly, one of the printing apparatuses is always in a state in which maintenance processing is not performed, and printing can be performed at any time.

  (Application Example 4) In the application example, the printing apparatus uses, as maintenance information, the execution time of the most recently executed maintenance process, the elapsed time since the execution of the maintenance process, the execution time of the next automatic maintenance process, At least one of the remaining time until the next execution time and the processing time length of the maintenance process is held, and the processing timing control unit is configured to maintain the maintenance information for the plurality of connected printing apparatuses. An inquiry command for requesting a reply to the server, and receiving the maintenance information returned from the printing apparatus based on the inquiry command. From the received maintenance information, a start time and an end time or a processing time of the maintenance process A printing system characterized by acquiring or calculating a length.

  According to this application example, the processing timing control unit transmits an inquiry command to the connected printing apparatus, and acquires maintenance information from the printing apparatus. Therefore, the processing timing control unit can manage the execution time of the automatic maintenance process, the execution time of the forced maintenance process, and the first timing based on the latest maintenance information of the printing apparatus by using the inquiry command. it can.

  Application Example 5 In the above application example, the processing timing control unit is formed by a program, and is integrated with a printer driver that controls and prints the printing apparatus and is incorporated in the host apparatus. .

  According to this application example, the processing timing control unit is formed by a program. Therefore, it can be integrated with the printer driver and incorporated into the host device, thus simplifying the system.

  (Application example 6) A plurality of printing apparatuses including an automatic maintenance process that spontaneously executes a maintenance process at a predetermined timing and a forced maintenance process that executes the maintenance process based on an execution command from the outside, and the printing apparatus A method of controlling a printing system in which a host device that controls printing is connected to be communicable, and the host device transmits an inquiry command to the plurality of connected printing devices; and A step of receiving maintenance information transmitted from the printing apparatus based on an inquiry command; and an execution time of the forced maintenance process in at least one of the printing apparatuses based on the received maintenance information. Implementation of the automatic maintenance process in the printing device A step of calculating a first timing shifted from the time; and a step of transmitting the execution command to the at least one printing device at the first timing. Control method.

  According to this application example, the execution time of the maintenance process in the plurality of printing apparatuses is managed in the host apparatus based on the maintenance information transmitted from the printing apparatus based on the inquiry command. Maintenance information includes the execution time of the most recently executed maintenance process, the elapsed time from the execution of the maintenance process, the execution time of the next automatic maintenance process, the remaining time until the next execution time, and the length of the maintenance process. At least one of them. Then, the forced maintenance process execution command is transmitted to the at least one printing apparatus at a first timing at which the execution time of the forced maintenance process does not overlap with the execution time of the automatic maintenance process in at least one other printing apparatus. The Therefore, at least one printing apparatus does not overlap with the execution time of the maintenance process of at least one other printing apparatus. That is, at least one printing apparatus is always ready for printing. Therefore, the host device can perform printing anytime using the printing device in a printable state, and the user can quickly obtain the printing result.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a connection form of a printing system according to the present invention. 6 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the printing system according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing processing of a host device in the printing system according to the first embodiment. 10 is a sequence chart showing an operation of a printing system according to a second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a host device in a printing system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another example of a connection form of the printing system according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating still another example of the connection form of the printing system according to the present invention.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a printing system 1 to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment, as a printing system 1 to which the present invention is applied, an example in which a host device 20 and three printing devices 11, 12, 13 are connected via a network NW will be described as an example (see FIG. 1). ).
In the drawings referred to in the following description, the vertical and horizontal scales of members or parts may be shown differently from the actual ones for convenience of description and illustration.

(Overall configuration of printing system)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a connection form of the printing system 1. In the printing system 1 of this example, the host device 20 and the printing devices 11, 12, and 13 are connected to a common network NW. With this connection, the printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13 become communicable with the host apparatus 20 via the network NW.
The host device 20 creates print data as image information to be printed, and print conditions such as print color, color tone, shade, print size, and image quality are set. The host device 20 transmits print information such as print conditions, print data, and various commands to the print devices 11, 12, and 13 via the network NW. The printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13 to which the print information has been transmitted perform printing based on the print information. The host device 20 can select the printing device among the printing devices 11, 12, and 13 and transmit the printing information individually.

(Host device)
The host device 20 is composed of, for example, a personal computer. As shown in FIG. 1, the host device 20 includes a main body 25, a keyboard 26, a mouse 27, and a display 28 that are connected to a network NW. The main body 25 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a plurality of external interfaces. The main body 25 controls the keyboard 26, the mouse 27, and the display 28 connected to the external interface by the CPU operating based on the program stored in the ROM. Further, it is connected to the network NW by an external interface. The operator operates the keyboard 26 and mouse 27 to create print data and input print conditions, and confirms the work content on the display 28.

The host device 20 includes a processing timing control unit 22 in the main body 25. As will be described in detail later, the processing timing control unit 22 transmits an inquiry command for requesting a return of maintenance information to the printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13, and the execution time of the maintenance process in the printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13. , And appropriately transmits an execution command that causes the printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13 to forcibly execute the maintenance process. As described above, the execution time of the maintenance process refers to the time from the start of the maintenance process to the end of the maintenance process. The host device 20 and the printing devices 11, 12, and 13 acquire a common time by NTP (Network Time Protocol), and manage an execution time and the like based on the common time.
The processing timing control unit 22 is configured as a part of a program held by the main body 25 of the host device 20. For example, it is preferable that the printer 25 is integrated with the printer driver that generates the print information for the printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13 and is incorporated in the main body 25.

(Printer)
The printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13 are, for example, ink jet printers that print images, characters, and the like by ejecting ink stored in an ink tank from a print head (not shown) onto printing paper.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 11 includes an operation unit 15, a paper feed unit 16, and a paper discharge unit 17. The operation unit 15 includes a power switch, a mode button, a paper feed button, a reset button, a touch panel, and the like. The printing paper supplied from the paper feeding unit 16 is printed by a printing unit (not shown) provided with a print head based on print data and printing conditions received from the host device 20 via the network NW. The printed printing paper is discharged from the paper discharge unit 17. The printing devices 12 and 13 also have the same functions and configurations as the printing device 11.

  The printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13 include a printing unit including a print head, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an external interface, and the like. In the printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13, the CPU operates based on a program stored in the ROM, controls the printing unit, performs printing, and communicates with the host apparatus 20 via the network NW. Furthermore, the printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13 have a function of performing maintenance processing including head cleaning of the print head in order to maintain print quality.

  There are two types of maintenance processing: automatic maintenance processing that is spontaneously executed at a predetermined timing and forced maintenance processing that is executed in response to an execution command transmitted from the host device 20. Here, the predetermined timing at which the automatic maintenance process is executed is, for example, when power is turned on and when a preset time has elapsed since the last printing process or the previous maintenance process. In the forced maintenance process, the start time of the process is determined according to the execution command transmitted from the host device 20, and the content of the process is the same as the automatic maintenance process. During the maintenance process, printing cannot be performed because the head cleaning of the print head is performed.

  Further, the printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13 receive the inquiry command transmitted from the host apparatus 20 and return maintenance information to the host apparatus 20. Maintenance information includes the execution time of the most recently executed maintenance process, the elapsed time from the execution of the maintenance process, the execution time of the next automatic maintenance process, the remaining time until the next execution time, and the length of the maintenance process. Etc. are included.

(Print system operation and control)
Next, the operation and control of the printing system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the printing system 1. 2 represents the host device 20 and the printing devices 11, 12, and 13, and the vertical axis represents time t. A [i] and B [i] (i = 11, 12, 13, 20) extending in the vertical axis direction of each device indicate the execution time of processing in each device. Solid arrows connecting the host device 20 and the printing devices 11 and 12 indicate the flow of commands and information. Further, the printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13 are in a state where the automatic maintenance process is started at times t1 [11], t1 [12], and t1 [13], respectively.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing of the host device 20 in the printing system 1.
In the host device 20, the processing timing control unit 22 performs the processing shown in FIG. 3, and performs the operation shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the host device 20 starts processing A [20] at a predetermined time. When the process A [20] is started, the host apparatus 20 transmits an inquiry command to at least two arbitrary printing apparatuses at time t0.
In the present embodiment, the host device 20 transmits an inquiry command to the printing devices 11 and 12. Receiving the inquiry command, the printing apparatuses 11 and 12 start processing A [11] and processing A [12], respectively, and return their own maintenance information to the host apparatus 20. At this time, the maintenance information includes the start time t1 [i] of the next automatic maintenance process and the processing time length Lt [i] of the maintenance process.

  The host apparatus 20 receives the maintenance information returned from the printing apparatus 11, and acquires the start time t1 [11] of the automatic maintenance process in the printing apparatus 11 and the processing time length Lt [11] of the maintenance process. Similarly, the start time t1 [12] and the processing time length Lt [12] in the printing apparatus 12 are acquired.

  In the process A [20], the host apparatus 20 performs automatic processing in the printing apparatus 11 and the printing apparatus 12 based on the start times t1 [11] and t1 [12] and the processing time lengths Lt [11] and Lt [12]. It is detected whether the execution times of the maintenance process overlap. When the execution times of the automatic maintenance process overlap, the first timing t1 '[12] for transmitting the forced maintenance process execution command to the printing apparatus 12 is calculated. The first timing t1 '[12] is the start time of the forced maintenance process in which the forced maintenance process of the printing apparatus 12 does not overlap with the automatic maintenance process of the printing apparatus 11. The first timing t1 '[12] may be a time that is more than the processing time length Lt [12] of the maintenance process of the printing apparatus 12 before the start time t1 [11] in the printing apparatus 11.

Next, the host device 20 waits for the current time to reach the first timing t1 ′ [12]. When the first timing t1 ′ [12] is reached, the host device 20 performs forced maintenance processing on the printing device 12. An execution command is transmitted (process B [20]).
Upon receiving the execution command, the printing apparatus 12 starts the maintenance process, and finishes the maintenance process when the processing time length Lt [12] has elapsed (end time t2 ′ [12]) (process B [12]). Since the first timing t1 ′ [12] is a time that is more than the processing time length Lt [12] before the start time t1 [11], at the time t2 ′ [12] when the maintenance process of the printing apparatus 12 ends. The automatic maintenance process (process B [11]) of the printing apparatus 11 is not started, and is started at t1 [11] after t2 ′ [12]. Therefore, the automatic maintenance process of the printing apparatus 11 and the forced maintenance process of the printing apparatus 12 do not overlap.

  As described above, for the at least one printing apparatus, the host apparatus 20 shifts the execution time of the forced maintenance process from the execution time of the automatic maintenance process in at least one other printing apparatus. 12], a start process for transmitting an execution command for executing the forced maintenance process is performed.

  Next, processing of the host device 20 that realizes the above-described operation will be described based on FIG. 3 with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the process shown in FIG. 3 is started every minute.

  Step S31: At time t0, an inquiry command for requesting a return of maintenance information is transmitted to the printing apparatuses 11 and 12.

  Step S32: Receive maintenance information returned from the printing apparatuses 11 and 12 based on the inquiry command. From the received maintenance information, the start time t1 [11] of the automatic maintenance process in the printing apparatus 11 and the processing time length Lt [11] of the maintenance process are acquired. Similarly, the automatic maintenance process start time t1 [12] and the maintenance process time length Lt [12] in the printing apparatus 12 are acquired and held.

  Step S33: The automatic maintenance process end time t2 [i] is calculated. Specifically, the processing time length Lt [11] of the maintenance process is added to the start time t1 [11] of the automatic maintenance process, thereby obtaining the end time t2 [11] of the automatic maintenance process in the printing apparatus 11. Similarly, the end time t2 [12] of the automatic maintenance process in the printing apparatus 12 is calculated.

Step S34: Compare the start times t1 [11] and t1 [12] of the automatic maintenance process, and let P be the printing device with the later start time and Q be the earlier printing device.
In the present embodiment, since t1 [11] is later than t1 [12], the printing apparatus 11 is the printing apparatus P, and the printing apparatus 12 is the printing apparatus Q. Therefore, t1 [P] = t1 [11], t1 [Q] = t1 [12], and t2 [Q] = t2 [12]. (See FIG. 2).

Step S35: Next, it is detected whether or not the automatic maintenance processes of the printing apparatus P and the printing apparatus Q overlap. Specifically, the start time t1 [P] of the printing apparatus P with the later start time t1 [i] of the automatic maintenance process is the end time t2 [Q] of the printing apparatus Q with the earlier start time t1 [i]. It is detected whether it is earlier.
In the present embodiment, the start time t1 [11] of the printing apparatus 11 is earlier than the end time t2 [12] of the printing apparatus 12. Therefore, since the automatic maintenance process of the printing apparatus 11 and the printing apparatus 12 overlaps, it transfers to the process of step S36 (step S35: YES). If the automatic maintenance processing does not overlap, the host device 20 can perform printing using the printing device 11 or the printing device 12 that has not performed the automatic maintenance processing, and thus ends the processing (step S35: NO). ).

Step S36: In order to avoid overlap of automatic maintenance processing between the printing apparatus P and the printing apparatus Q, a first timing t1 ′ [Q] for transmitting a forced maintenance process execution command is calculated. For example, the time to advance the start time t1 [Q] of the printing apparatus Q is calculated so that the end time t2 [Q] of the printing apparatus Q is earlier than the start time t1 [P] of the printing apparatus P. Is held as the timing t1 ′ [Q]. Specifically, a time that is earlier than the start time t1 [P] by the processing time length Lt [Q] of the maintenance process is set as the first timing t1 ′ [Q].
In the present embodiment, a time earlier by the processing time length Lt [12] of the printing apparatus 12 is calculated from the start time t1 [11] of the automatic maintenance process in the printing apparatus 11, and the first timing t1 ′ for the printing apparatus 12 is calculated. [12]

Step S37: It is determined whether the current time has reached the first timing t1 ′ [Q].
In the present embodiment, it is determined whether the current time is within one minute before the first timing t1 ′ [12]. If the current time is within one minute before the first timing t1 ′ [12], the process proceeds to step S38 (step S37: YES). Otherwise, the process ends and waits for the next process to be started (step S37: NO).

Step S38: An execution command for performing a forced maintenance process is transmitted to the printing apparatus Q. As a result, in the printing apparatus Q, the forced maintenance process is started approximately at the first timing t1 ′ [Q] (the error is within one minute), and ends before the automatic maintenance process of the printing apparatus P is started.
In the present embodiment, the forced maintenance process of the printing apparatus 12 is started almost at the first timing t1 ′ [Q], and ends before the start time t1 [11] of the automatic maintenance process of the printing apparatus 11. (See FIG. 2).

(Modification)
In the first embodiment described above, in steps S33 to S35 in FIG. 3, it is detected whether or not the automatic maintenance processes of the two printing apparatuses overlap in time. However, the processing from step S33 to step S35 can be omitted. In this case, in step S36, the start time t1 [m] of one of the two printing apparatuses m and n is more maintenance than the start time t1 [n] of the other printing apparatus n. What is necessary is just to calculate 1st timing t1 '[m] which becomes earlier by processing time length Lt [m] of a process.

(Function and effect)
As described above, according to the first embodiment, the host device 20 manages the execution time of the maintenance process in the printing apparatuses 11 and 12. Then, a forced maintenance process start process for shifting the execution time of the forced maintenance process from the execution time of the automatic maintenance process in the printing apparatus 11 is performed on the printing apparatus 12. Therefore, the automatic maintenance process of the printing apparatus 11 and the forced maintenance process of the printing apparatus 12 can be prevented from overlapping in time. As a result, the host device 20 can print at any time using the printing device 11 or the printing device 12 that has not undergone maintenance processing, and the user can quickly obtain the printing result.
Further, the host device 20 sets, as the first timing t1 ′ [12], a time that is more than the processing time length of the forced maintenance process in the printing apparatus 12 from the start time at which the automatic maintenance process is started in the printing apparatus 11. To do. Therefore, the automatic maintenance process of the printing apparatus 11 is not started until the forced maintenance process of the printing apparatus 12 to which the execution command is transmitted at the first timing t1 ′ [12] is completed. Therefore, the printing apparatus 11 or the printing apparatus 12 is always in a state where no maintenance process is performed, and printing is possible at any time.
In addition, the host device 20 transmits an inquiry command to the printing apparatuses 11 and 12 and acquires the latest maintenance information from the printing apparatuses 11 and 12. Maintenance information includes the execution time of the most recently executed maintenance process, the elapsed time from the execution of the maintenance process, the execution time of the next automatic maintenance process, the remaining time until the next execution time, and the length of the maintenance process. Etc. are included. Therefore, the host device 20 uses the inquiry command to execute the automatic maintenance process execution time, the forced maintenance process execution time, and the first timing t1 ′ [based on the latest maintenance information of the printing apparatuses 11 and 12. 12] can be managed.
The processing timing control unit 22 is configured as a part of a program held by the main body 25 of the host device 20. Therefore, it can be integrated with a printer driver that generates printing information such as printing conditions, printing data, and various commands for the printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13 and incorporated in the main body 25, thereby simplifying the configuration of the printing apparatus.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the printing system 1 to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, as a printing system 1 to which the present invention is applied, an example in which a host device 20 and three printing devices 11, 12, and 13 are connected via a network NW is taken as an example. I will give you a description. The configuration and functions of the host device 20 and the configurations and functions of the printing devices 11, 12, and 13 are the same as those in the first embodiment. (See FIG. 1).

(Print system operation and control)
Hereinafter, the operation and control of the printing system 1 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
FIG. 4 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the printing system 1. The horizontal axis, vertical axis, and description format in FIG. 4 are the same as those in FIG. Here, the printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13 are in a state where the automatic maintenance process is started at times t 1 [11], t 1 [12], and t 1 [13], respectively.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of the host device 20 in the printing system 1.
As in the first embodiment, in the host device 20, the processing timing control unit 22 manages the processing shown in FIG. 5 and performs the operation shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the host apparatus 20 starts processing A [20] at a predetermined time. When processing A [20] is started in the host device 20, the host device 20 transmits an inquiry command to all the printing devices at time t0.
In the present embodiment, the host device 20 transmits an inquiry command to the printing devices 11, 12, and 13. Receiving the inquiry command, the printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13 start processing A [11], processing A [12], and processing A [13], respectively, and return their own maintenance information to the host device 20. At this time, the maintenance information includes the start time t1 [i] of the next automatic maintenance process and the processing time length Lt [i] of the automatic maintenance process.

  The host apparatus 20 receives the maintenance information returned from the printing apparatus 11, and acquires the start time t1 [11] of the automatic maintenance process in the printing apparatus 11 and the processing time length Lt [11] of the maintenance process. Similarly, the start time t1 [12] and the processing time length Lt [12] in the printing apparatus 12 and the start time t1 [13] and the processing time length Lt [13] in the printing apparatus 13 are acquired.

Based on the start times t1 [11], t1 [12], t1 [13] and the processing time lengths Lt [11], Lt [12], Lt [13] in the process A [20] It is detected whether there is an execution time at which the automatic maintenance process overlaps in all of the printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13. When the execution times of the automatic maintenance process overlap, a first timing t1 ′ [i] for transmitting a forced maintenance process execution command to at least one printing apparatus is calculated. The first timing t1 ′ [i] is the start time of the forced maintenance process in which the forced maintenance process of at least one printing apparatus does not overlap with the automatic maintenance process of at least one other printing apparatus.
In the present embodiment, the first timing t1 ′ [13] for transmitting the execution command to the printing apparatus 13 is calculated as the first timing t1 ′ [i].

Next, the host device 20 waits for the current time to become the first timing t1 ′ [13]. When the first timing t1 ′ [13] is reached, the host device 20 performs forced maintenance processing on the printing device 13. An execution command is transmitted (process B [20]).
Upon receiving the execution command, the printing apparatus 13 starts the maintenance process, and finishes the maintenance process when the processing time length Lt [13] has elapsed (end time t2 ′ [13]) (process B [13]). Since the first timing t1 ′ [13] is a time that is more than the processing time length Lt [13] before the start time t1 [11], at t2 ′ [13] when the maintenance process of the printing apparatus 12 ends. The automatic maintenance process (process B [11]) of the printing apparatus 11 is not started, and is started at t1 [11] after the forced maintenance process of the printing apparatus 13 is completed. Therefore, the automatic maintenance process of the printing apparatus 11 and the forced maintenance process of the printing apparatus 13 do not overlap.

  Next, the processing of the host device 20 that realizes the above-described operation will be described based on FIG. 5 with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the process shown in FIG. 5 is started every minute.

  Step S51: At time t0, an inquiry command for requesting a return of maintenance information is transmitted to all the printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13.

  Step S52: Similar to the first embodiment (step S32 in FIG. 3), maintenance information returned from the printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13 is received based on the inquiry command. From the received maintenance information, automatic maintenance processing start times t1 [11], t1 [12], t1 [13] and processing time lengths Lt [11], Lt [12], Lt [ 13].

  Step S53: Similar to the first embodiment (step S33 in FIG. 3), end times t2 [11], t2 [12], and t2 [13] of the automatic maintenance process are calculated.

Step S54: The latest start time t1 [i] is t1last, and the earliest end time t2 [i] is t2top.
In the present embodiment, the start time t1 [11] of the printing apparatus 11 is the latest, and the end time t2 [13] of the printing apparatus 13 is the earliest. Therefore, t1last = t1 [11] and t2top = t2 [13]. (See FIG. 4).

Step S55: Next, in all of the printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13, it is detected whether or not there is a time zone during which the automatic maintenance process overlaps and printing is not possible. Specifically, it is detected whether t1last is earlier than t2top.
In the present embodiment, it is detected whether the start time t1 [11] (t1last) of the printing apparatus 11 is earlier than the end time t2 [13] (t2top) of the printing apparatus 13. As a result, if the start time t1 [11] is earlier than the end time t2 [13], there is a time zone during which printing is not possible, and the process proceeds to step S56 (YES in step S55). Further, when the start time t1 [11] is later than the end time t2 [13], the automatic maintenance process does not overlap. Accordingly, since the host device can perform printing using the printing device 11 or the printing device 13 that has not been subjected to the automatic maintenance process, the host device ends the processing (step S55: NO).

Step S56: Let m be the printing apparatus whose end time is t2top.
In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus m = the printing apparatus 13 (see FIG. 4).

Step S57: A process for avoiding an overlap between the automatic maintenance process of the printing apparatus whose end time is t2top and the automatic maintenance process of the printing apparatus whose start time is t1last is performed. Specifically, a time that is earlier than the t1last by the processing time length Lt [m] of the maintenance process of the printing apparatus m is defined as a first timing t1 ′ [m].
In the present embodiment, a time that is earlier by the processing time length Lt [13] (Lt [m]) of the printing apparatus 13 (printing apparatus m) from the start time t1 [11] (t1last) of the automatic maintenance process in the printing apparatus 11 is set. The first timing t1 ′ [13] (t1 ′ [m]) for the printing apparatus 13 is calculated.

Step S58: It is determined whether the current time has reached the first timing t1 ′ [m].
In the present embodiment, it is determined whether the current time is within one minute before the first timing t1 ′ [13]. When the current time is within one minute before the first timing t1 ′ [13], the process proceeds to step S59 (step S58: YES). Otherwise, the process ends (step S58: NO).

Step S59: An execution command for performing a forced maintenance process is transmitted to the printing apparatus m. As a result, in the printing apparatus m, the forced maintenance process is started almost at the first timing t1 ′ [m] (the error is within one minute), and ends before the automatic maintenance process of the printing apparatus whose start time is t1last starts. To do.
In the present embodiment, the forced maintenance process of the printing apparatus 13 is started almost at the first timing t1 ′ [13], and the forced maintenance process is performed before the automatic maintenance process start time t1 [11] (t1last) of the printing apparatus 11. Waits for the next process to be started. (See FIG. 4).

(Function and effect)
As described above, according to the second embodiment, the host device 20 detects whether or not the execution times of the automatic maintenance processes in all the printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13 overlap. As a result, when it is detected that the execution times overlap, the forced maintenance process is performed so that the execution time of the forced maintenance process is not overlapped with the execution time of the automatic maintenance process in the printing apparatus 11. The start process of transmitting the execution command is performed. That is, the start process is performed only when the execution times of the automatic maintenance processes overlap in all the printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13. Therefore, since the start process is performed only when necessary, the process of the process timing control unit 22 is made efficient, and an increase in the number of maintenance processes due to the execution of the forced maintenance process is suppressed. Furthermore, since the printing device 13 and the execution time of the maintenance process do not overlap with the printing device 11, printing can be performed at any time using the printing device 11 or the printing device 13, and the user quickly obtains the printing result. be able to.
In addition, by performing processing for detecting whether or not the execution times of the automatic maintenance processing overlap in all the printing apparatuses, the forced maintenance processing start processing is performed only when the automatic maintenance processing overlaps. For this reason, when there is a printing apparatus that does not overlap with the automatic maintenance process, the start process is not performed. Therefore, the processing of the processing timing control unit 22 is made efficient, and an increase in the number of maintenance processes due to execution of the forced maintenance process is suppressed.

(Modification)
Although the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the present invention have been described above, various modifications can be made, for example, as described below, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
The connection form of the printing system 1 is not limited to the network connection. For example, like the printing system 2 illustrated in FIG. 6, the printing apparatuses 11 and 12 connected in parallel to the USB hub (HUB) 30 connected to the host apparatus 20. , 13 and a connection configuration in which the printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13 are daisy chain connected from the host apparatus 20 as in the printing system 3 shown in FIG. Is applicable.
The plurality of printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13 connected to the host apparatus 20 are not limited to three, and the present invention can be applied when two or more are connected.
Further, the host device 20 and the printing devices 11, 12, and 13 do not manage various timings related to maintenance processing based on “time”, which is an absolute time using NTP, but from a predetermined time reference point. You may manage by relative time, such as elapsed time.
3 or 5 executed by the processing timing control unit 22 is not limited to activation every minute, and the activation interval may be changed as appropriate (for example, activation every 10 minutes). In that case, the criterion of “within 1 minute” in step S37 in FIG. 3 and step S58 in FIG. 5 may also be changed to match the activation interval.
The printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13 may return the start time and end time of the next automatic maintenance process to the host apparatus 20 as maintenance information in response to the inquiry command. Further, the host device 20 may store in advance the maintenance processing time of the printing apparatuses 11, 12, and 13.
Further, the processing timing control unit 22 may be configured by hardware as a part of an electronic circuit included in the main body 25 of the host device 20.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printing apparatus, 12 ... Printing apparatus, 13 ... Printing apparatus, 15 ... Operation part, 16 ... Paper feed part, 17 ... Paper discharge part, 20 ... Host apparatus, 22 ... Processing timing control part, 25 ... Main body, 26 ... Keyboard, 27 ... Mouse, 28 ... Display, 30 ... USB hub, A [i] ... Processing of host device 20 and printing devices 11, 12, 13 B [i] ... Host device 20 and printing devices 11, 12, 13 , T1 [i] ... maintenance processing start time, Lt [i] ... maintenance processing time length, t2 [i] ... maintenance processing end time, t1 '[i] ... first timing.

Claims (5)

A printing system in which a host device and a plurality of printing devices are communicably connected,
The printing apparatus has a function of executing maintenance processing including head cleaning of a print head,
The maintenance process includes an automatic maintenance process in which the printing apparatus spontaneously executes the maintenance process at a predetermined timing, and a forced maintenance process in which the maintenance process is executed based on an execution command from the host device. ,
The host device includes a processing timing control unit,
The processing timing control unit is formed by a program and controls the printing apparatus to perform printing.
Integrated with the printer driver to be incorporated in the host device, managing the execution time of automatic maintenance processing in at least the printing device, and performing the forced maintenance processing start processing,
The start processing is a first step of shifting the execution time of the forced maintenance process with respect to the execution time of the automatic maintenance process in at least one other printing apparatus for at least one of the printing apparatuses. The printing system is a process for transmitting the execution command at the timing of In claim 1,
The processing timing control unit
In a plurality of the printing apparatuses, detect whether or not the execution times of all the automatic maintenance processes overlap,
The printing system, wherein the start process is performed when all the execution times overlap. In claim 1 or 2,
The processing timing control unit manages the execution time of the automatic maintenance process based on at least a start time of the maintenance process and an end time or a processing time length for the plurality of printing apparatuses,
The first timing is more than a processing time length of the forced maintenance process in the printing apparatus to which the execution command is transmitted, based on a start time at which the automatic maintenance process is started in at least one of the printing apparatuses. A printing system characterized by time. In any one of Claim 1 to 3,
The printing apparatus includes, as maintenance information, an execution time of the maintenance process executed most recently, an elapsed time since the execution of the maintenance process, an execution time of the next automatic maintenance process, a remaining time until the next execution time, and the Hold at least one of the maintenance processing time lengths,
The processing timing control unit
Sending an inquiry command for requesting a return of the maintenance information to a plurality of connected printing devices,
Receiving the maintenance information returned from the printing device based on the inquiry command;
A printing system, wherein the maintenance process start time and end time or processing time length are acquired or calculated from the received maintenance information.   Automatic maintenance processing that performs maintenance processing voluntarily at a predetermined timing, and
A forced maintenance process that executes the maintenance process based on an external execution command
A host device that allows a plurality of printing devices equipped with a function to control the printing device to perform printing.
And
  The host device is formed by a program and controls the printing device to print.
The timing of the maintenance process
A processing timing control unit for controlling
  The processing timing control unit
  Send an inquiry command to a plurality of connected printing devices,
  Receiving maintenance information transmitted from the printing device based on the inquiry command;
  Based on the received maintenance information, at least one of the printers
The execution time of forced maintenance processing is set to the previous time in at least one other printing device.
The first timing shifted from the execution time of the automatic maintenance process is calculated,
  At the first timing, the execution command is sent to the at least one printing apparatus.
A host device characterized by transmitting a command.

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