JP6996122B2 - Printing device and control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing device or the like having a job canceling function, and more particularly to a printing device or the like capable of conveniently using unprinted paper that has been fed at the time of job cancellation.

Conventionally, in a printer that prints at high speed, control is performed so that paper is fed into the machine before printing so that printing can be executed immediately. Therefore, some sheets of paper following the paper being printed are already present between the paper feed port and the printing unit.

Therefore, if a job cancellation instruction is given during printing, blank paper that has not yet been printed remains in the printer, and there is a risk that these papers will be wasted.

In relation to such a problem, Patent Document 1 below describes an invention in which a subsequent print job is printed on unprinted paper remaining in a printer housing to suppress waste paper ejection. ..

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-319638

In the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, unprinted paper has been fed only when the unprinted paper and the paper of the subsequent print job are the same in the paper size and the paper ejection direction. Print on.

However, in such control, the paper feed port and the type of printed matter specified at the time of printing request are not taken into consideration, and a technology that is more convenient for the user and can utilize the paper more effectively is desired. Will be printed.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing device having a job canceling function, which can conveniently use unprinted paper that has been fed at the time of job cancellation. Is.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is a printing mechanism in which a printing device feeds paper from a paper feed port and prints on the fed paper, and the printing mechanism. It has a control unit for controlling, and when a cancel instruction is received during printing of the first job, the control unit has a paper quality of the paper used for the first job and a second following the first job. Printing of the second job on unprinted paper that has been fed from the paper feed port and has not yet been printed based on the paper quality of the paper set for the second job. If it is determined whether or not to perform the printing, the printing mechanism is made to print the second job on the unprinted paper feed.

From this aspect, unprinted paper feed can be effectively utilized without impairing user needs.

Further, in the above invention, one preferred embodiment thereof is that when the control unit matches the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed with the paper quality set in the second job, the unprinted paper feed is performed. It is characterized in that it is determined to print the second job.

According to this aspect, unprinted paper feed can be effectively utilized without impairing user needs.

Further, in the above invention, in one preferred embodiment thereof, the control unit has the same paper quality and paper size for unprinted paper feed and the paper quality and paper size set for the second job. If so, it is determined that the second job is to be printed on the unprinted paper feed.

According to this aspect, unprinted paper feed can be effectively utilized without impairing user needs.

Further, in the above invention, in one preferred embodiment thereof, in the control unit, the paper size of the unprinted paper feed and the paper size set in the second job match, and the second job is described. When the automatic paper quality selection to the effect that the paper quality should be automatically selected is set, it is determined that the second job is printed on the unprinted paper feed.

According to this aspect, unprinted paper feed can be more effectively utilized without impairing user needs.

Further, in the above invention, in one preferred embodiment thereof, the control unit has the same paper size for the unprinted paper feed and the paper size set for the second job, and the second job has the same paper size. If the plain paper automatic selection that the paper quality should be automatically selected from the plain paper type is set and the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed is the plain paper type, the unprinted paper feed is selected. The second
It is characterized in that it is determined to print the job.

According to this aspect, unprinted paper feed can be more effectively utilized without impairing user needs.

Further, in the above invention, one preferred embodiment thereof is that the control unit has the same paper size for the unprinted paper feed and the paper size set for the second job, and the unprinted paper feed has the same size. When the paper quality is different from the paper quality set in the second job, the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed is plain paper or recycled paper, and the paper quality set in the second job is plain paper. Alternatively, if it is recycled paper, it is determined that the second job is printed on the unprinted paper feed.

According to this aspect, unprinted paper feed can be utilized more effectively.

In order to achieve the above object, another aspect of the present invention is a printing mechanism in which a printing apparatus feeds paper from a paper feed port and prints on the fed paper, and the printing mechanism. It has a control unit for controlling, and when the control unit receives a second job following the first job before printing of the received first job is started, the first job and the first job are received. Based on the setting contents of the paper of the two jobs, it is determined whether or not to change the setting contents of at least one of the first job and the second job, and if it is determined to change, the first job. And to change the setting contents of at least one of the second jobs.

With this aspect, it is possible to quickly perform processing at the time of job cancellation.

Further, in the above invention, one preferred embodiment thereof is that the control unit automatically sets the paper quality of the paper as the setting content in the first job and automatically sets the paper quality of the paper as the setting content in the second job. When the automatic selection of the paper quality to be selected is set, the setting content corresponding to the paper quality of the second job is changed to the predetermined paper quality set in the first job, and the control unit sets the control unit. If a condition other than the paper quality is satisfied when a cancel instruction is received during printing of the first job, the printing mechanism has already been fed from the paper feed port and has not yet been printed. It is characterized in that the printing of the second job is performed on the unprinted paper feed which is the paper.

According to this aspect, processing at the time of job cancellation can be performed quickly, and unprinted paper feed can be effectively used.

Further, in the above invention, in one preferred embodiment thereof, the control unit sets any paper quality of a plain paper system as the setting content in the first job, and the paper as the setting content in the second job. When the plain paper automatic selection to the effect that the paper quality should be automatically selected from the plain paper type paper quality is set, the setting content corresponding to the paper quality of the second job is set in the first job. When the paper quality is changed and the cancel instruction is received during printing of the first job, if conditions other than the paper quality are satisfied, the control unit has already fed the printing mechanism from the paper feed port. The second job is printed on the unprinted paper, which is the paper that has not been printed yet.

According to this aspect, processing at the time of job cancellation can be performed quickly, and unprinted paper feed can be effectively used.

In order to achieve the above object, yet another aspect of the present invention is the control method of a printing device that feeds paper from a paper feed port and prints on the fed paper. The paper quality of the paper used for the first job and the first one when a cancel instruction is received during printing.
Based on the paper quality of the paper set in the second job following the job, the unprinted paper feed that has been fed from the paper feed port and has not yet been printed is sent to the unprinted paper feed. 2 It is determined whether or not to print the job, and if it is determined to print, the printing of the second job is performed on the unprinted paper feed.

In order to achieve the above object, another aspect of the present invention is the first received in the control method of a printing device that feeds paper from a paper feed port and prints on the fed paper. When the second job following the first job is received before the job printing is started, the first job and the first job are based on the settings related to the paper of the first job and the second job. 2 It is determined whether or not to change the setting contents of at least one of the jobs, and if it is determined to change, the setting contents of at least one of the first job and the second job are changed. ..

Further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments of the invention described below.

It is a schematic block diagram which concerns on embodiment of the printing apparatus to which this invention is applied. It is a flowchart which exemplifies the procedure of the unprinted paper feed processing. It is a flowchart which exemplifies the procedure of a setting change process.

Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, such embodiments do not limit the technical scope of the invention. In the figure, the same or similar items will be described with the same reference number or reference symbol.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram according to an example of an embodiment of a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The printer 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a printing device to which the present invention is applied, and when the printer 2 receives a job cancel instruction, the paper has already been fed from the paper feed port 221 and printing has not been performed yet. When there is no paper (hereinafter referred to as unprinted paper), unprinted paper is fed based on the paper feed port 221 set in the subsequent print job (hereinafter referred to as succeeding job) (second job). Determines whether to print subsequent jobs. This makes it possible to effectively utilize unprinted paper feed, which is highly convenient for users.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 2 is, for example, an inkjet printer that prints on paper according to a print request from a host device such as a host computer 1 or an operation on the printer 2. The printer 2 has a function of feeding a plurality of sheets of paper following the paper being printed into the transport path 222 in advance and printing at high speed. Further, although not shown, the printer 2 has a function of receiving data from an integrated or separate facsimile receiving device and printing the contents of the facsimile.

The host computer 1 is communicably connected to the printer 2 and makes a print request to the printer 2 based on a user operation or the like. The host computer 1 is composed of a personal computer or the like, and includes an application for generating figures and characters to be printed, a printer driver for the printer 2 (both not shown), and the like.

The print request is made by transmitting the print data generated by the printer driver from the host computer 1 to the printer 2. Here, one print request is referred to as a print job, and various print conditions are set for each print job. For these setting items, regarding the paper to be used, "paper feed port", "paper size", "paper ejection direction",
And the item of "paper quality" is included.

The "paper feed port" is an item for designating which paper feed port 221 of the plurality of paper feed ports 221 provided in the printer 2 to feed paper, and the "paper size" is the size of the paper used for printing. ((
It is an item to specify (A4, A3, etc.), and "paper ejection direction" is an item to specify the paper orientation (vertical or horizontal, here, the same as the paper feeding direction) when ejecting printed paper. "Paper quality" is an item for designating the type (plain paper, recycled paper, etc.) depending on the material of the paper.

The contents of these setting items are set (specified) by the user operation or the like for the interface screen provided by the printer driver, and the setting contents are included in the print data.

The "paper feed port" can be set to "automatic paper feed port", and if this is set, appropriate paper feed will be performed on the printer 2 side based on other settings. Select mouth 221. Further, the "paper size" and the "paper ejection direction" can be unspecified, and if they are set in this way, the printer 2 side appropriately selects an appropriate one. Further, the "paper quality" can be set to "paper quality automatic" or "plain paper automatic", and when such a setting is made, the printer 2 side selects an appropriate paper quality. There are multiple types of plain paper depending on the color and thickness, and each of them has one "paper quality". Therefore, plain paper has a plurality of paper qualities, and these are collectively referred to as "plain paper type". “
When "plain paper-based automatic" is set, the printer 2 selects an appropriate paper quality from "plain paper-based".

Hereinafter, specific examples of plain paper will be described.

The ordinary type paper includes, for example, ordinary type 1, ordinary type 2, letterhead, colored paper, printed paper, thick paper 1, thick paper 2, thick paper 3, and thick paper 4. Recycled paper may be included in plain paper. The thickness of the normal system 2 is larger than the thickness of the normal system 1. As for the thick papers 1 to 4, the thickness of the thick paper is larger in the order of the thick paper 4, the thick paper 3, the thick paper 2, and the thick paper 1. The user can preset the paper to be included in the plain paper system in the printer 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 2 includes a control unit 21 and a printing mechanism 22. The control unit 21 is a controller that controls each unit of the printer 2, and the hardware configuration includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, NVRAM, and ASIC (Application Specific Integrate).
d Circuit) etc. are provided.

When the control unit 21 receives a print request such as when receiving print data from the host computer 1, the control unit 21 controls the print mechanism 22 and prints an image to be printed under the print conditions according to the contents set in the print job. Is printed on paper. Regarding the paper to be used, the control unit 21 is based on the above-mentioned settings of "paper feed port", "paper size", "paper ejection direction", and "paper quality".
An appropriate paper feed port 221 is selected (determined), and paper is fed from there for printing.

Further, as described above, since the printer 2 feeds paper before printing, if the print job is canceled in the middle of printing, the unprinted paper feed is in the transport path 222 of the printer 2 (inside the machine, inside the housing).
However, the control unit 21 determines whether or not to print the succeeding job on the unprinted paper feed based on the setting contents of the succeeding job for which the print data has been received, and then the determination is made. The printing process or the paper ejection process is executed based on the above. In addition, the processing related to these unprinted paper feeds (hereinafter,
The unprinted paper feed process) is executed by the program instructing the process, the CPU operating according to the program, the ROM for storing the program, the RAM, the NVRAM, and the like operating in cooperation with each other.

The printing mechanism 22 prints on paper or the like (printing medium) according to the instructions of the control unit 21. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing mechanism 22 has a plurality of paper feed ports 221, a transport path 222, and a transport unit 223.
, And a printing unit 224 and the like.

In the present embodiment, three paper feed ports 221 are provided (221A, 221B, 221C).
), A paper cassette 3 (3A, 3B, 3C) accommodating various types of paper is inserted into each. At the time of printing, paper is fed from one of the paper feed ports 221 and the paper fed is conveyed to the transport path 222.
Is transported along.

The transport unit 223 includes a transport roller, a drive source thereof, a transmission device, and the like, transports the paper fed from the paper feed port 221 to the printing position, and then transports the printed paper to discharge the paper. The unprinted paper feed exists in the transport path 222 from the paper feed port 221 to the print position.

The printing unit 224 executes printing on the paper conveyed to the printing position. In the example of the present embodiment, the printing unit 224 includes a printing head provided with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, a carriage on which the printing head is mounted and moved in the sub-scanning direction, and the like.

In the printer 2 according to the embodiment of the present embodiment having the configuration as described above, when a print request is received, the control unit 21 determines a paper feed port 221 suitable for the print request, feeds the paper from there, and prints. However, there is a feature in the unprinted paper feed process when the print job is canceled during the printing, and the specific contents thereof will be described below.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of unprinted paper feed processing. The control unit 21 receives an instruction to cancel the print job (hereinafter referred to as job cancel) during printing, and if the print data of the succeeding job has been received at that time, the control unit 21 starts the unprinted paper feed process. do. To cancel the job, use the operation unit of the host computer 1 or the printer 2 (not shown).
The control unit 21 receives the signal.

The control unit 21 first determines whether or not there is unprinted paper feed (step S1 in FIG. 2).
.. At the time of processing the print job (hereinafter referred to as the current job) (first job) being printed, the control unit 21 has already fed up to the number of sheets of the current job and has printed up to the number of sheets of paper. Since it is known whether or not there is unprinted paper feed, it is possible to determine whether or not there is unprinted paper feed based on that information.

As a result of the determination, if there is no unprinted paper feed (if it does not exist) (N in step S1 of FIG. 2).
o) The control unit 21 ends the unprinted paper feed process.

As a result of the above determination, if there is (if any) unprinted paper feed (Yes in step S1 of FIG. 2).
, The control unit 21 determines whether or not the succeeding job is of a predetermined print job type (hereinafter referred to as a job type) (step S2 in FIG. 2). Here, the predetermined job type is a print job that can be printed regardless of the appearance of the paper, and is, for example, a status sheet showing the status of the printer 2, printing of a received facsimile, or the like. be. Control unit 2
1 determines the determination from the header information of the succeeding job and the like.

As a result of the determination, if the succeeding job is not a predetermined job type (No in step S2 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 selects the succeeding job based on the setting contents for the “paper feed port” of the succeeding job. Determines whether to print on unprinted paper.

Specifically, in the control unit 21, the setting for the "paper feed port" of the succeeding job is "paper feed port automatic".
It is determined whether or not it is (step S5 in FIG. 2).

As a result, if the setting for the "paper feed port" of the succeeding job is not "automatic paper feed port" (No in step S5 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 is set for the succeeding job. It is determined whether or not the paper feed port 221 matches the paper feed port 221 of the unprinted paper feed (current job) (step S6 in FIG. 2).

As a result of the determination, if the paper feed port 221 of the succeeding job and the paper feed port 221 of the unprinted paper feed match (Yes in step S6 of FIG. 2), the control unit 21 prints the succeeding job on the unprinted paper feed. Then, the printing mechanism 22 is made to print the succeeding job for the unprinted paper feed (step S18 in FIG. 2). Specifically, the transport unit 223 sequentially supplies unprinted paper feed located upstream of the print position of the transport path 222 to the print position, and the print unit 2 receives the supplied unprinted paper feed.
24 executes printing.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination, if the paper feed port 221 of the succeeding job and the paper feed port 221 of the unprinted paper feed do not match (No in step S6 of FIG. 2), the control unit 21 feeds the succeeding job unprinted. It is determined that printing is not performed on paper, and the printing mechanism 22 is made to eject the unprinted paper as blank (unprinted) (step S19 in FIG. 2). Specifically, the transport unit 223 sequentially discharges the unprinted paper feed located in the transport path 222 from the printer 2.

Next, returning to step S5, if the setting for the “paper feed port” of the succeeding job is “paper feed port automatic” (Yes in step S5 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 succeeds. Settings other than the "paper feed port" set for the job, that is, "paper size", "paper ejection direction",
And, based on the setting contents of "paper quality", it is determined whether or not to print the succeeding job to the unprinted paper feed.

Specifically, the settings of "paper size", "paper ejection direction", and "paper quality" of the succeeding job are all the contents (paper size, ejection direction, and paper quality) of unprinted paper feed (current job). ) (Yes in step S7, Yes in S8, Yes in S9 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 determines that the succeeding job is to be printed on the unprinted paper feed, and the printing mechanism 22 does not print. Printing of the succeeding job is executed for the paper feed (step S18 in FIG. 2).

Also, when the setting contents of "Paper size", "Paper ejection direction", and "Paper quality" do not match the contents of unprinted paper feed (current job), the setting contents are "Unspecified". If the content allows selection with a certain degree of freedom, the control unit 21 edits the succeeding job, determines that the succeeding job is to be printed on the unprinted paper feed, and feeds the printing mechanism 22 with the unprinted paper. Printing of the succeeding job is executed on the paper (step S18 in FIG. 2).

Specifically, when the "paper size" of the succeeding job does not match the contents of the unprinted paper feed (current job) (No in step S7 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 determines the "paper size" of the succeeding job. It is determined whether or not the setting content for "paper size" is "unspecified" (step S10 in FIG. 2).
). If the setting content is "not specified" (Yes in step S10 in FIG. 2), the control unit 2
1 executes scaling processing for subsequent jobs so as to match the size of unprinted paper feed (FIG. 2).
Step S11). In the scaling process, the control unit 21 determines the size of the image drawn by the print job.
Enlarge or reduce to fit the size of unprinted paper. After the scaling process, the process proceeds to step S8. The scaling process can be performed when the subsequent job is a print job that prints the data received by the facsimile.

On the other hand, if the setting content of "paper size" is not "unspecified" (step S10 in FIG. 2).
No), the control unit 21 determines that the subsequent job will not be printed on the unprinted paper feed, and the printing mechanism 22
The unprinted paper is discharged as a blank sheet (step S19 in FIG. 2).

If the "paper ejection direction" of the succeeding job does not match the contents of the unprinted paper feed (current job) (No in step S8 of FIG. 2), the control unit 21 will perform the "paper ejection" of the succeeding job. It is determined whether or not the setting content for "direction" is "unspecified" (step S12 in FIG. 2). When the setting content is "not specified" (Yes in step S12 of FIG. 2), the control unit 21 executes rotation processing for the succeeding job so as to match the printing direction of the unprinted paper feed (Yes). Step S13 in FIG. 2). In the rotation process, the control unit 21 rotates the direction of the image drawn by the print job so as to match the direction of the unprinted paper feed. After the rotation process, the process proceeds to step S9.

On the other hand, if the setting content of the "paper ejection direction" is not "unspecified" (No in step S12 of FIG. 2), the control unit 21 determines that the subsequent job will not be printed on the unprinted paper feed, and the printing mechanism. The unprinted paper feed is discharged to 22 as a blank sheet (step S19 in FIG. 2).

If the "paper quality" of the succeeding job does not match the contents of the unprinted paper feed (current job) (No in step S9 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 determines the "paper quality" of the succeeding job. It is determined whether or not the setting content is "paper quality automatic" (step S14 in FIG. 2). The setting content is "
In the case of "automatic paper quality" (Yes in step S14 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 adjusts the "paper quality" setting of the succeeding job to the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed (step S17 in FIG. 2). after that,
The control unit 21 determines that the succeeding job is to be printed on the unprinted paper feed, and causes the printing mechanism 22 to print the succeeding job on the unprinted paper feed (step S18 in FIG. 2).

On the other hand, when the setting content of the succeeding job is not "paper quality automatic" (No in step S14 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 sets the setting content of the "paper quality" of the succeeding job to "plain paper automatic". It is determined whether or not (step S15 in FIG. 2). When the setting content is "plain paper automatic" (Yes in step S15 in FIG. 2), the control unit 21 determines whether or not the unprinted paper type is plain paper (FIG. 2). Step S16). If the paper type of the unprinted paper feed is a plain paper type (Yes in step S16 of FIG. 2), the control unit 21 adjusts the "paper quality" setting of the succeeding job to the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed (FIG. 2). Step S17). After that, the control unit 21 determines that the succeeding job is to be printed on the unprinted paper feed, and causes the printing mechanism 22 to print the succeeding job on the unprinted paper feed (step S18 in FIG. 2).

In step S15, when the setting content is not "plain paper automatic" (step S in FIG. 2).
No. 15), or in step S16, when the unprinted paper feed is not plain paper (FIG. 2).
In step S16 (No) of step S16), the control unit 21 determines that the succeeding job is not printed on the unprinted paper feed, and causes the printing mechanism 22 to discharge the unprinted paper feed as a blank sheet (step S19 in FIG. 2).

In this case, that is, when a specific paper quality is set for the succeeding job and it is different from the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed, if both paper qualities are plain paper, the succeeding job is unprinted. It may be determined that printing is performed on paper, and the printing mechanism 22 may be made to print the succeeding job for the unprinted paper feed.

Further, in the same case, if both paper qualities are plain paper or recycled paper, it is determined that the succeeding job will be printed on the unprinted paper feed, and the printing mechanism 22 prints the succeeding job on the unprinted paper feed. You may let it run.

Next, in step S2, when the succeeding job is a specific job type (Yes in step S2 of FIG. 2), the control unit 21 determines whether or not the number of unprinted paper feeds is equal to or greater than the number of succeeding jobs. Judgment (step S3 in FIG. 2). As a result of the determination, if the number of unprinted paper feeds is less than the number of subsequent jobs (No in step S3 of FIG. 2), the process proceeds to step S5.

On the other hand, when the number of unprinted paper feeds is equal to or greater than the number of subsequent jobs (step S3 in FIG. 2).
Yes), the control unit 21 determines the "paper size", "paper ejection direction", and "paper quality" of the succeeding job.
According to the setting contents of the unprinted paper feed (step S4 in FIG. 2), it is determined that the succeeding job is to be printed on the unprinted paper feed, and the printing mechanism 22 executes printing of the succeeding job for the unprinted paper feed. (Step S18 in FIG. 2). When adjusting the settings of "paper size" and "paper ejection direction" of the succeeding job to match the unprinted paper feed, the control unit 21 enlarges / reduces and rotates the image drawn in the succeeding job as necessary. Execute.

If the succeeding job is printing of the received facsimile, only when the "proxy output" function is turned on (operated) in the printer 2, the succeeding job is succeeded to the unprinted paper feed. You may want to print the job.

Here, "substitute output" means to reduce the image of the facsimile print job and print it on paper of a size smaller than the original size, and to enlarge the image of the facsimile print job to be smaller than the original size. It means printing on large size paper.

As described above, when the succeeding job is printed on the unprinted paper feed (S18) or the unprinted paper feed is discharged (S19), the unprinted paper feed process ends.

Next, the process performed when the control unit 21 receives the print job will be described. This process is a process in which the settings related to the paper are changed in advance for the received print job so that the subsequent job can be immediately printed on the unprinted paper feed when the job is canceled (hereinafter, the process). This is called the setting change process). The setting change process does not have to be performed.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the setting change process. First, the control unit 21
Waiting for 1 print job to be received (No in step S21 in FIG. 3), and when 1 print job is received (Yes in step S21 in FIG. 3), the received print job (hereinafter referred to as a receive job) (No. 1). The print job received immediately before (2 jobs) (hereinafter referred to as the preceding job) (1st)
It is determined whether or not printing of the job) has not started (step S22 in FIG. 3). If there is no preceding job, or if printing has already started even if there is a preceding job (No in step S22 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 does not change the settings, and the next print job Wait for reception (to S21).

If there is a preceding job for which printing has not started (Yes in step S22 in FIG. 3), the control unit 2
1 determines whether or not to change the setting based on the setting contents of the "paper feed port" of the receiving job and the preceding job.

Specifically, the control unit 21 determines whether or not at least one of the "paper feed port" of the received job and the preceding job is set to "paper feed port automatic" (FIG. 3). Step S23).

As a result, if the setting for the "paper feed port" of the succeeding job is not set to "paper feed port automatic" (No in step S23 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 does not change the setting and next Wait for the print job to be received (to S21).

When the setting for the "paper feed port" of any of the print jobs is "paper feed port automatic" (Yes in step S23 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 is set for the succeeding job. "
It is determined whether or not to change the setting based on the setting contents other than the "paper feed port", that is, the setting contents of "paper size", "paper ejection direction", and "paper quality".

Specifically, if the settings of "paper size", "paper ejection direction", and "paper quality" of the preceding job and the receiving job all match (Yes in step S24 and Yes in S25 in FIG. 3).
, S26 Yes), the control unit 21 sets the "paper feed port" of the preceding job and the received job to a specific paper feed port suitable for the setting contents of "paper size", "paper ejection direction", and "paper quality". Set to 221. That is, the setting contents of the "paper feed port" of the preceding job and the receive job are matched to the same paper feed port 221 (step S34 in FIG. 3). For example, both "paper feed ports" are "paper feed ports 221A".
The setting is changed to. If either the preceding job or the receiving job is set to a specific paper feed port 221 that is not "automatic paper feed port", the setting content of the "paper feed port" of the other print job is supplied. Match to the paper mouth 221. After the setting change, the process returns to step S21.

In addition, even if the settings of "paper size", "paper ejection direction", and "paper quality" do not match in both print jobs, if the settings are "unspecified", there is a degree of freedom in selection. If the content is possible, the control unit 21 determines that the setting content is changed and the setting content of both "paper feed ports" is matched.

Specifically, when the "paper size" of the received job and the preceding job do not match (No in step S24 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 determines that at least the received job and the preceding job,
It is determined whether or not the setting content for any of the "paper sizes" is "unspecified" (step S27 in FIG. 3). The setting content is "unspecified" for at least one of the print jobs.
If this is the case (Yes in step S27 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 performs a process of matching the paper sizes of the received job and the preceding job (step S28 in FIG. 3). Specifically, if the setting content of one of the print jobs is not "unspecified", the control unit 21 sets the setting content of the "paper size" of the other print job to the paper set in the print job. Fit to size.
Further, if the setting content of both print jobs is "unspecified", the control unit 21 changes the setting content of "paper size" of both print jobs to the same specific paper size. If the paper size after changing the settings and the size of the image drawn by the print job do not match, the control unit 21 may use the control unit 21.
The size of the image is enlarged or reduced to fit the set paper size as appropriate. After that, the process proceeds to step S25.

On the other hand, if the setting content of "paper size" is not "unspecified" for any of the print jobs (No in step S27 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 does not change the settings and of the next print job. Wait for reception (to S21).

If the "paper ejection direction" of the received job and the preceding job do not match (No in step S25 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 will remove at least one of the receiving job and the preceding job. It is determined whether or not the setting content for "paper orientation" is "unspecified" (step S29 in FIG. 3). When the setting content is "not specified" for at least one of the print jobs (Yes in step S29 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 performs a process of matching the paper ejection directions of the received job and the preceding job (FIG. 3). Step S30 of 3. Specifically, the control unit 21 sets the "paper ejection direction" of the other print job unless the setting content of one of the print jobs is "unspecified".
Match the settings of to the paper ejection direction set for the print job. In addition, the control unit 21
If the setting content of both print jobs is "unspecified", changes the setting content of "paper ejection direction" of both print jobs to the same specific ejection direction. If the paper ejection direction after the setting change and the image orientation drawn by the print job do not match, the control unit 21 appropriately rotates the image direction so as to match the set paper ejection direction. After that, the process proceeds to step S26.

On the other hand, if the setting content of "paper ejection direction" is not "unspecified" for any print job (No in step S29 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 does not change the setting and the next print job. Wait for reception (to S21).

If the "paper quality" settings of the preceding job and the received job do not match (Fig. 3).
Step S26 (No), the control unit 21 determines whether or not the setting content for at least one of the "paper quality" of the received job and the preceding job is "paper quality automatic" (step S31 in FIG. 3). ). When the setting content is "automatic paper quality" for at least one of the print jobs (Yes in step S31 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 performs a process of matching the paper quality of the received job and the preceding job (FIG. 3). Step S33). Specifically, the control unit 21 sets the "paper quality" of the other print job unless the setting content of one of the print jobs is "automatic paper quality".
Match the settings of to the paper quality set for the print job. In addition, the control unit 21
If the setting content of both print jobs is "automatic paper quality", the setting content of "paper quality" of both print jobs is changed to the same specific paper quality.

After that, the control unit 21 sets the "paper feed port" of the preceding job and the receiving job to "paper size" and "paper size".
It is set to a specific paper feed port 221 suitable for the setting contents of "paper ejection direction" and "paper quality". That is, the setting contents of the "paper feed port" of the preceding job and the receive job are matched to the same paper feed port 221 (
Step S34 in FIG. 3). After the setting change, the process returns to step S21.

On the other hand, if the setting content of "paper quality" is not "automatic paper quality" for any print job (No in step S31 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 determines "paper quality" for both print jobs.
The setting content of is set to "plain paper automatic", or the setting content of "paper quality" is set to "plain paper automatic" for one print job, and "plain paper automatic" is set for the other print job. It is determined whether or not the setting content of "paper quality" is set to a specific paper quality of plain paper (step S32 in FIG. 3).

When any of the conditions is satisfied (Yes in step S32 in FIG. 3), the control unit 21 determines.
A process of matching the paper quality of the received job and the preceding job is performed (step S33 in FIG. 3). Specifically, the control unit 21 does not have the setting content of any of the print jobs "plain paper automatic".
Match the setting contents of "Paper quality" of the other print job to the paper quality set for that print job. Further, if the setting content of both print jobs is "plain paper automatic", the control unit 21 changes the setting content of "paper quality" of both print jobs to the same paper quality of plain paper. After that, the process proceeds to step S34, and the process is performed in the same manner as described above.

On the other hand, if any of the conditions of step S32 is not satisfied (No in step S32 of FIG. 3), the control unit 21 does not change the setting and waits for the reception of the next print job (to S21).

As described above, the setting change process when the print job is received is executed.

When the printer 2 is a device that only feeds paper of the same size in the same paper ejection direction, the control unit 21 determines the paper quality set for the succeeding job when the job is canceled. It may be determined whether or not to print the subsequent job on the unprinted paper feed based on the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed. When it is determined that the succeeding job is to be printed on the unprinted paper feed, the control unit 21
Causes the printing mechanism 22 to perform the printing in the same manner as described above.

The determination based on the paper quality is performed in the same manner as the process described based on steps S9 and S14-S17 of FIG. Further, when the paper quality set for the succeeding job and the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed are both plain paper type paper quality or recycled paper, the control unit 21 prints the succeeding job to the unprinted paper feed. to decide.

Similarly, when the printer 2 is a device that only feeds paper of the same size in the same paper ejection direction, the control unit 21 is set to the preceding job and the receiving job when the print job is received. Based on the quality of the paper, it may be determined whether or not to perform the setting change processing that matches the setting contents of both. In this case, the judgment based on the above paper quality is made in steps S26 and S3 of FIG.
1. The process is the same as that described based on S32.

As described above, in the printer 2 according to the embodiment and the modification thereof, if the print data of the succeeding job is received when the job is canceled during the printing of the current job, the succeeding job is assigned. Based on the set contents of the "paper feed port", it is determined whether or not to print the succeeding job to the unprinted paper feed, and if it is determined to print, the printing is executed. Therefore, it is possible to effectively use the paper while satisfying the user's request.

Specifically, if the subsequent job has the same paper feed port 221 as the unprinted paper feed,
It is possible to determine that the subsequent job will be printed on the unprinted paper feed, and to make effective use of the paper while surely satisfying the user's request.

In addition, when "automatic paper feed port" is set for the succeeding job, if conditions other than "paper feed port" are satisfied, it is determined that the succeeding job will be printed on the unprinted paper feed, and the paper is further printed. Can be effectively used and user convenience is improved.

If the conditions of "paper size" and "paper ejection direction" are satisfied as conditions other than the "paper feed port", it is determined that the subsequent job will be printed on the unprinted paper feed, and the user request can be satisfied. ..

If the "paper size" of the succeeding job is set to "unspecified", the image data (print range) of the succeeding job is enlarged or reduced to correspond to the unprinted paper feed, and the condition is satisfied. Judge. Therefore, it is possible to increase the chances of utilizing unprinted paper.

If the "paper size" of the succeeding job is specified and it does not match the unprinted paper feed, the unprinted paper feed is ejected. This makes it possible to prevent printing that the user does not want.

Further, when the succeeding job is a print job that prints the data received by the facsimile, the unprinted paper feed that does not hinder the user can be used by performing the enlargement or reduction processing.

Further, if the "paper ejection direction" of the succeeding job is set to "unspecified", the image data of the succeeding job is rotated so as to correspond to the unprinted paper feed, and it is determined that the condition is satisfied. Therefore, it is possible to increase the chances of utilizing unprinted paper.

Further, when the number of unprinted paper feeds is equal to or larger than the number of succeeding jobs, printing the succeeding jobs on the unprinted paper feed can increase the chances that the unprinted paper can be utilized.

Furthermore, if the number of unprinted paper feeds is equal to or greater than the number of succeeding jobs, and the job type of the succeeding job is a print job that prints a status sheet, the user can print the succeeding jobs on the unprinted paper feeds. Unprinted paper feed can be utilized without degrading the convenience of.

Furthermore, when the number of unprinted paper feeds is equal to or greater than the number of succeeding jobs, the job type of the succeeding job is a print job that prints the data received by facsimile, and the facsimile proxy output function is activated. If so, by printing the subsequent job on the unprinted paper feed, the unprinted paper feed can be utilized without degrading the user's convenience.

Further, when the printer 2 is a device that only feeds the same size in the same paper ejection direction, the paper quality set for the succeeding job and the unprinted paper feed when the job is canceled are performed. Determines whether to print subsequent jobs to unprinted paper based on paper quality. As a result, unprinted paper feed can be utilized without impairing user needs.

In particular, when the paper quality set for the succeeding job and the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed match, printing the succeeding job to the unprinted paper feed enables the unprinted paper feed that does not cause any trouble. It can be used.

Also, if the paper size set for the succeeding job and the paper size for unprinted paper feed match, and the "paper quality" of the succeeding job is set to "paper quality automatic", the succeeding job is not printed. Judge to print on paper feed. As a result, unprinted paper feed can be further utilized without impairing user needs.

Also, when the paper size set for the succeeding job and the paper size for unprinted paper are the same, the "paper quality" of the succeeding job is set to "plain paper automatic", and unprinted paper is fed. If the paper quality of is plain paper, it is determined that the subsequent job will be printed on unprinted paper. As a result, unprinted paper feed can be further utilized without impairing user needs.

Furthermore, if the paper size set in the succeeding job and the paper size of the unprinted paper feed match, and the paper quality set in the succeeding job and the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed are different, both paper qualities are changed. If it is a plain paper type, it can be determined that the subsequent job is printed on the unprinted paper feed.
As a result, unprinted paper feed can be further effectively utilized.

Furthermore, if the paper size set in the succeeding job and the paper size of the unprinted paper feed match, and the paper quality set in the succeeding job and the paper quality of the unprinted paper feed are different, both paper qualities are changed. If it is plain paper or recycled paper, it can be determined that the subsequent job will be printed on unprinted paper. As a result, unprinted paper feed can be further effectively utilized.

If the next print job is received before the printing of the preceding job is started, the setting contents of both print jobs are appropriately set based on the contents set in both print jobs.
change. As a result, printing using unprinted paper feed at the time of job cancellation can be processed quickly.

Specifically, if the "paper quality" of one of the print jobs is set to "automatic paper quality" and a specific paper quality is set for the other print job, the former "paper quality" is set to the latter. Change to a specific paper quality. As a result, if there is a job cancellation during printing of the preceding print job of both, it is possible to quickly print to the unprinted paper feed.

If the "paper quality" of one of the print jobs is set to "plain paper automatic" and the other print job is set to the plain paper quality, the former "paper quality" is set to the latter. Change to the paper quality that is used. As a result, if there is a job cancellation during printing of the preceding print job of both, it is possible to quickly print to the unprinted paper feed.

In the example of the present embodiment, an example in which the CPU (processor) executes each process has been described.

Here, in the present specification, the CPU may be composed of one or a plurality of CPUs, or may be composed of one or a plurality of integrated circuits (for example, ASIC). again,
The CPU may be composed of a combination of one or a plurality of CPUs and one or a plurality of integrated circuits.

The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but extends to the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

1 ... Host computer, 2 ... Printer, 3 (3A, 3B, 3C) ... Paper cassette, 21 ... Control unit, 22 ... Printing mechanism, 221 (221A, 221B, 221C) ... Paper feed port,
222 ... Transport path, 223 ... Transport section, 224 ... Printing section.

Claims (10)

A printing mechanism that feeds paper from the paper feed port and prints on the paper that has been fed.
It has a control unit that controls the printing mechanism, and has
When the control unit receives the second job following the first job before the printing of the received first job is started, the control unit is based on the setting contents regarding the paper of the first job and the second job. Then, it is determined whether or not to change the setting contents of at least one of the first job and the second job, and if it is determined to change, at least one of the first job and the second job is said. A printing device characterized by changing the settings. In claim 1 ,
In the control unit, a predetermined paper quality is set as the setting content in the first job, and a paper quality automatic selection is set in the second job to the effect that the paper quality of the paper should be automatically selected as the setting content. In this case, the setting content corresponding to the paper quality of the second job is changed to the predetermined paper quality set in the first job.
When the control unit receives a cancel instruction during printing of the first job, if conditions other than the paper quality are satisfied, the control unit has already fed the printing mechanism from the paper feed port and still prints. A printing apparatus characterized in that printing of the second job is performed on unprinted paper feed which is the paper on which the above is not performed. In claim 1 ,
The control unit automatically sets one of the plain paper quality as the setting content in the first job , and automatically sets the paper quality of the paper as the setting content in the second job from the plain paper quality. When the automatic selection of plain paper to be selected is set, the setting content corresponding to the paper quality of the second job is changed to the paper quality set in the first job.
When the control unit receives a cancel instruction during printing of the first job, if conditions other than the paper quality are satisfied, the control unit has already fed the printing mechanism from the paper feed port and still prints. A printing apparatus characterized in that printing of the second job is performed on unprinted paper feed which is the paper on which the above is not performed. A printing mechanism that feeds paper from the paper feed port and prints on the paper that has been fed.
It has a control unit that controls the printing mechanism, and has
The control unit receives the first job in which the setting content related to the paper is the first setting and the second job in which the setting content related to the paper is the second setting different from the first setting, and the first setting or the said. The first job and the second job are printed according to the second setting.
A printing device characterized by that. In claim 4,
The control unit is the first setting when a predetermined paper quality is set as the first setting and the paper quality automatic selection to the effect that the paper quality of the paper should be automatically selected is set as the second setting. The first job and the second job are printed on the predetermined paper quality.
A printing device characterized by that. In claim 4,
The control unit automatically sets any paper quality of plain paper as the first setting, and automatically selects the paper quality of the paper from the plain paper quality as the second setting. When the selection is set, the printing of the first job and the second job is performed with the predetermined paper quality set for the first job.
A printing device characterized by that. In any of claims 4 to 6,
When a predetermined paper size is set as the first setting and the paper size of the paper should be automatically selected as the second setting, the control unit is the first setting. The first job and the second job are printed on the paper size of the above.
A printing device characterized by that. In any of claims 4 to 7,
The control unit is the first setting when a predetermined paper ejection direction is set as the first setting and the paper ejection direction should be automatically selected as the second setting. The first job and the second job are printed in the predetermined paper ejection direction.
A printing device characterized by that. It is a control method of a printing device that feeds paper from a paper feed port and prints on the fed paper.
When the second job following the first job is received before the printing of the received first job is started, the first job is based on the settings related to the paper of the first job and the second job. It is determined whether or not to change the setting contents of at least one of the job and the second job, and if it is determined to change, the setting contents of at least one of the first job and the second job are changed. A control method characterized by that. It is a control method of a printing device that feeds paper from a paper feed port and prints on the fed paper.
The first job whose setting contents related to the paper are the first setting and the second job whose setting contents related to the paper are different from the first setting are received.
Printing the first job and the second job according to the first setting or the second setting.
A printing method characterized by that.

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