JPH01249479A - Control of printing in printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable perfect printing to be carried out through an easy operation without any misoperation, by a method wherein an operation is once stopped after printing on one side of a paper, and when it is detected that the paper is set on a predetermined automatic paper-supplying means, printing data subsequent to that for one page is printed on the paper. CONSTITUTION:The uppermost one of papers set in a stack on an upper tray 7 of a paper-supplying part 4 is taken out, is automatically supplied to a printer engine 2, where it is printed on the face side thereof, is then fed to a paper-discharging device 5, and is discharged to a reversing (right-side) position on a paper-discharging tray 10, upon which a printing operation is once stopped. The paper discharged to the reversing position is reverse face side back by the operator, and is reset on a manual feed tray 6. Upon detection of the paper being thus reset, the paper is again supplied by the paper-supplying means 4 from the tray 2 to the printer engine 2, whereby it is printed on the back side thereof, is then fed to the paper-discharging device 5, and is discharged to a normal (left-side) position on the tray 10. By this method it is possible to perform the perfect printing through an easy operation without any misoperation, even in a printer not provided with an automatic perfect printing means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a print control method for improving the operability when double-sided printing is performed in a printer without automatic double-sided printing means.

In general, serial printers such as type printers, wire dot printers, thermal transfer printers, inkjet printers, and laser printers.

There are page printers such as LED printers and LC8A (liquid crystal shutter) printers.

Depending on the performance and printing speed of these printers, the paper feeding means for these printers may be manual feeding only, automatic paper feeding equipment may be installed as an option, or -
Some are equipped with a stage or multistage automatic paper feeding means, and others are also equipped with a manual paper feeding means.

In high-end printers, after one page is printed on the front side of the paper by automatic duplex printing means, that is, by specifying the duplex printing mode, the printer automatically reverses the paper inside the printer and continues printing on the front side. Some have the ability to print the contents on the back side.

Generally, many printers do not have this automatic duplex printing means.

When trying to perform double-sided printing on a printer that does not have an automatic duplex printing method, if the printer has a manual paper feed system, it will run out of paper after - pages have been printed and will remain in print continue mode. Since the printer stops, all you have to do is manually turn the paper that has been printed on the front side inside out and set it again, making the operation relatively simple.

However, in the case of a printer equipped with an automatic paper feeding means, the next paper is fed immediately after printing for -page is completed, so double-sided printing cannot be performed using the normal method.

In such a case, the first method is to specify only the manual paper feeding method as the paper feeding method if the printer is equipped with a manual paper feeding method, but it is better to specify an automatic paper feeding method. is not taken advantage of.

In addition, printers that primarily use automatic paper feeding means generally have a fast printing speed, so if the printer is temporarily stopped in print continue mode, it takes time to manually turn the paper inside out or reset it. A timeout may occur and printing may not continue.

As a second method, if the printer is not equipped with a single manual paper feed device, first set only one sheet of paper in a specific automatic paper feed device to prevent automatic paper feeding of the next page, and then print on the front side. There is a method of turning the ejected paper, which has been printed on the front side, front and back and setting it in the automatic paper feeding means so as to be overlapped with one sheet of paper for the next leaf when printing on the back side is started.

This second method reduces the printing time slightly more than the first method, but does not solve the timeout problem.

The third method is to create data edited for one page on the host side, and issue a command from the host to print each page.

This third method is the most reliable and will not cause a timeout even if it takes time to reverse and reset the paper.

However, since the operator must edit one page each time and select and instruct the paper feeding means depending on whether to print on the front side or the back side, the operation becomes complicated.

As described above, all of the conventional methods have the problem that the operations are complicated and mistakes are easily made.

Purpose This invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to enable double-sided printing with easy operation and without operational errors even in a printer without automatic double-sided printing means.

(2) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has a manual paper feeding means and at least one automatic paper feeding means, or has a multi-stage automatic paper feeding means, and each paper feeding means is provided with paper. In a printer without automatic duplex printing means, which is equipped with a paper detection means for detecting whether or not a paper is set, one page of paper is printed on one side of the paper fed from the automatic paper feeding means. When the paper detecting means detects that paper is set in a pre-designated automatic paper feeding means of the manual paper feeding means or the multistage paper feeding means, the set paper is fed, The present invention provides a print control method for printing the content that continues for one page on the paper.

Hereinafter, a detailed explanation will be given based on one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the mechanism of a laser printer embodying the present invention.

The printer main body 1 includes a PC (photoconductor) drum, a writing device, a developing device, a fixing device, a cleaning device, and various chargers (all not shown).

A printer engine 2 consisting of rollers etc., data processing,
A controller that performs sequence control, etc. :) 3, a paper feed section 4, and a paper discharge device 5.

The manual paper feed means and the upper and lower automatic paper feed means that make up the paper feed section 4 are each provided with a manual feed tray 6, an upper tray 7, and a lower tray 8 for setting paper, and each paper feed means is connected to a controller. It is equipped with a pre-feed roller and a feed roller (not shown) that take out the sheets of paper set in each tray one by one and feed the sheets to the printer engine 2 according to a command from 3, and the presence or absence of paper set in each tray is provided. For example, a photo sensor that detects and outputs a signal to controller B.

It also includes a paper detection means (not shown) consisting of a microswitch or the like.

The paper ejection device 5 includes a paper ejection roller and a paper ejection guide (not shown),
It is composed of a paper discharge tray 10 provided outside.

FIG. 3 shows the paper output tray 10 seen from the paper feed section 4 side in FIG.
The above figure shows an example of the paper discharge position, and the width of the tray 11 is wider than the maximum paper width of this printer, for example 1.
It is made about 5 times as large.

The paper ejecting position is determined by commands from the controller 3, which positions the paper ejecting tray on the left and right sides (third position) of the printer body 1.
By moving in the direction of the arrow in the figure), the receiver can select three positions of the center, left side, and right side of the tray 11, but since the method of specifying these paper ejection positions is already known, detailed explanation will be omitted. .

In this embodiment, in the 1-duplex printing mode, after printing on one side (front side), the paper 12, which needs to be reversed and reset in order to print on the other side (back side), is placed in the right-aligned position (reversed position). In addition, the other sheets 13 are ejected to the left-aligned position (normal position), but it is only necessary to clearly distinguish between the normal position and the reversed position. It may be provided and discharged to each tray separately.

For example, in addition to the face-down paper ejection position shown by the solid line in Figure 2, there is also a face-up paper ejection position as shown by the broken line, and in normal single-sided printing mode, the face-down paper ejection position is If you set the face-down paper ejection position to the reverse position and the face-up paper ejection position to the normal position when in duplex printing mode, there is no need to reverse the front and back sides when resetting the paper, and printing will be easier. At the end of the process, the sheets are arranged in page order and overlapped, which is convenient.

In this way, by distinguishing the ejection position of the paper that is to be reversed and re-set and the paper that has completed duplex printing, there is a risk that the operator will make mistakes such as mixing up the paper when manually performing duplex printing. It disappears.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a control system of this laser printer.

The controller 3 includes a control section 31 consisting of a main CPU (microcomputer) that performs sequence control of the entire printer, and a data processing section 32 consisting of a sub CPU that performs data processing and the like. A video data converter 33;
A video buffer 34 consisting of a RAM that stores converted video data, a ROM 35 that stores CPU programs, character fonts, etc., and a host I/F (
interface) 36, which are connected to each other by path lines consisting of a common data bus, address bus, and control bus.

The controller 3 also includes a printer engine 2. The paper feed section 4° is also connected to the paper ejection device 5 and the operation panel 20 by a pass line (
If necessary, various commands and print data are input/output with the host 40 connected via the host I/F 3B.

In FIG. 1, the pass lines are shown by solid lines, the flow of data is shown by white arrows, and the flow of paper is shown by broken lines.

Print data output from the host 40 and input to the controller 3 via the host I/F"1SB is divided into character data and image data by the data processing section 32.

For example, character data consisting of an ASCI I code is checked by the data processing unit 32 against a table of character fonts stored in the RoM 35, converted into a corresponding character font, and then converted into video map data by the video data conversion unit 33. It is converted and stored in video buffer 34.

The image data consisting of density data is subjected to processing such as enlargement/reduction, smoothing, edge emphasis, etc. by the data processing section 32, and then subjected to binarization processing by the video data conversion section 33 and stored in the video buffer 34. be done.

In this way, the video buffer 3 is edited into one page.
The video data stored in the printer 4 is read out in response to a command from the control unit 31, sent to the printer engine 2, and printed on paper.

Taking the case of double-sided printing as an example, the flow of paper is as shown by the broken line, for example, the topmost sheet of paper stacked on the upper tray 7 of the paper feed section 4 is taken out, and the paper is fed to the printer. After the paper is automatically fed to engine 2 and printed on the front side,
The paper is sent to the paper ejection device 5 and ejected to the reversed (rightward) position on the paper ejection tray 10, and the printing operation is temporarily stopped.

Therefore, the operator reverses the paper discharged to the reversal position and resets it on the manual feed tray 6.

When this is detected, the re-set paper is fed from the manual feed tray 6 to the printer engine 2 again by the paper feed section 4, printed on the back side, and then sent to the paper ejection device 5 and ejected. It is discharged to the normal (left side) position on the tray 10.

The print mode etc. can be specified from the host 40 or from various switches, push buttons, etc. on the operation panel 20 to the controller 3, and signals such as errors and progress status can be sent from the controller 3 to the host 40 or the operation panel 20.
The data is output to , and any necessary processing or display is performed.

When performing double-sided printing with this printer, first specify the single-sided printing or double-sided printing mode and the double-sided printing mode by a command from the host 40 or by a switch (not shown) on the operation panel 20 of the printer main body 1. 1st
Specify the start side mode to start printing the first page from the front side of the first sheet of paper, or to start from the back side with one front side blank.

Next, the user specifies the automatic paper feeder in which paper of the desired size is set and the paper feeder in which the paper to be printed on the back side is to be reset.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the upper automatic paper feeding means is designated as the automatic paper feeding means when printing on the front side, and the manual paper feeding means is designated as the resetting paper feeding means when printing on the back side.

That is, sheets of the desired size are stacked and set in the upper tray 7, and sheets to be printed on the back side are set again in the manual feed tray 6.

In the case of a printer that does not have a manual paper feeder, for example, empty the upper tray 7, reset the upper automatic paper feeder when printing on the back side, and set the desired size of paper on the lower tray 8. Then, the lower automatic paper feeding means can be designated as the automatic paper feeding means for front side printing.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an initial set routine executed by the control section 31 of FIG. 1 in order to set the mode when starting printing with this printer.

Here, ALTFLAG is a flag representing the print mode; if it is "0", it is the one-sided printing mode, and if it is "1", it is the two-sided printing mode.

Further, FACEFLAG is a flag indicating the printing side of the sheet to be printed next or being printed/discharged; if it is "0", it is the front side, and if it is "1", it is the back side.

When this initial set routine starts, first, ALTFLAG is set to "o", and then a command from the host 40 or the state of the print mode designation switch on the operation panel 20 is determined, and if double-sided printing is specified, ALTFLAG is
Change ``1'' to ``1'' and specify ALTFLAG for single-sided printing.
Jump with =O.

Next, after setting FACEFLAG to "0", host 40
The command from or the state of the start side designation switch on the operation panel 20 is determined, and if the back side start is designated, F is selected.
Change ACEFLAG to "1", and if the front side start is specified, jump with FACEFLAG=O and complete the process.

This initial set routine sets two flags to the specified mode. ALTF set
LAG does not change until printing is completed, but FACEFLAG changes from "○" to "1" or from "1" to "O" every time one page is printed.
”.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing an example of a one-page print routine executed by the control unit 31 of FIG.

After one page of print data is sent from the host 40 to the video buffer 34 provided in the RAM of the controller 3 in FIG. The specified code is attached and stored.

When one page worth of print data is stored, this one page printing routine starts.

First, the print mode is determined, and then the print side mode is determined, and the FAC
EFLAG=O), the paper is automatically fed from the automatic paper feeding means, that is, the upper tray 7, and printed.
If AG=1 and FACEFLAG=1), the signal from the paper detection means of the resetting paper feeding means, that is, the manual feed tray 6 is checked to determine whether or not paper is set.

If paper is not set, the process repeats the determination and waits until paper is set.

Once the paper is set, the paper is fed and printed.

, print mode after printing one page.

The final page and print side mode are determined, and if the printed page is in single-sided printing mode (ALTFLAG=O), or if the printed page is the last page or back-side printing mode (FACEFLAG=1), the paper is moved to the left alignment position (normal position). Discharge to FACE
Set FLAG to rQJ and end the process.

If it is double-sided printing mode (ALTFLAG=1) and not the last page, and if it is front-side printing mode (FACEFLAG=O), the paper is ejected to the right alignment position (reversed position) 12,
Set FACEFLAG to "i" and end the process.

If the ejected paper is the one on which the last page was printed.

Terminate all processing.

If it is not the final page, the print data for the next page is transferred from the host 40 to the printer again, and the one-page printing routine starts.

As is clear from the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, in the normal single-sided printing mode (ALTFLAG=0), the FAC
Regardless of whether EFLAG is rQJ or "1", paper is fed from the specified upper automatic paper feeding means,
Paper is ejected to the normal position.

When double-sided printing mode is specified (ALTFLAG=1) and the start side mode is specified as front side start, the first sheet of paper is fed from the specified upper automatic paper feeding means and the first side is After the paper is printed, the paper is ejected to the reverse position, and the printer temporarily stops.

Then, when the operator turns the paper ejected to the reversed position upside down and resets it in the manual feed tray 6 of the manual paper feed means (reset paper feed means), the paper detecting means of the manual paper feed means detects the paper. The paper is detected, the re-set paper is fed, the back side is printed, and then the paper is ejected to the normal position.

If it is not the last page, then the next sheet is fed from the designated upper automatic sheet feeding means, and the process is repeated until the end of printing.

When the last page is printed, whether it is printed on the front or back side, the paper is ejected to the normal position.

If you specify start on the back side in duplex printing mode,
When you set the first sheet of paper in the manual feed tray 6 and start printing, the printer prints the first page on that sheet of paper, ejects it to the normal position, and then inserts the second sheet of paper into the upper automatic feeder. After feeding the paper from the paper means, printing the second page, and discharging the paper to the reversing position, it stops at - and waits for the operator to set it again.

The subsequent steps are the same as in the case of specifying a front start.

If you specify the start on the back side in single-sided printing mode, if you want to feed the first sheet from the automatic paper feeder, you can set the paper counter to ``1'' for the first sheet and the second After the 5th sheet, a paper flag of rQJ > 2 is set, and the 5th
In the figure, immediately after the back side printing mode determination at the second step from the start becomes YES, a determination is made as to whether or not the paper counter or paper flag is rlJ.

Then, if it is the first sheet, the paper is fed from the automatic sheet feeding means, and if it is the second or subsequent sheet, the process proceeds to determine the paper set (by the manual sheet feeding means).

In this way, even when back side start is specified, the first sheet will be fed from the automatic paper feeder, and after the first page is printed and ejected to the normal position, the second sheet will be printed. is fed from an automatic paper feeder.

The subsequent steps are the same as the case where the first sheet is set in the manual paper feeding means, which has already been described.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of an operation indicator that displays or instructs a designated paper feeding means, reversing and resetting operations, and for example, the operation panel 2 of FIG.
It is set at 0 etc.

The operation indicator 21 includes an outline 22 showing the outline of the printer body, and a group of indicator lights that turn on or blink as necessary, such as a green manual feed tray indicator 23. Green upper tray indicator light 24. Green lower tray indicator light 25. It consists of a red reversal/reset indicator light 2 and a red temporary stop indicator light 27.

In the case of normal one-sided printing mode, the green indicator light 23~
Among the indicators 25, the indicator light corresponding to the designated paper feeding means lights up.

In the case of double-sided printing mode, among the green indicator lights 24 and 25, the table and indicator light corresponding to the specified automatic paper feeding method will light up, and other indicator lights will turn on and blink or turn off as necessary. do.

Start printing by a command from the host, etc. 1
When the front-side printed paper is ejected to the reverse position, the a color manual feed tray indicator light 23 and the red reversal/reset indicator light 2 flash, prompting the operator to eject the paper to the reverse position. The user is prompted to reverse the operation and set the tray again on the manual feed tray 6.

Further, at this time, the red temporary stop indicator light 27 lights up to indicate that the printing operation is temporarily stopped.

When the paper detection means of the manual paper feed means detects that the paper has been reset, the paper is fed and the indicator lights 2ES, 28.2
7 goes out.

When the back-printed paper is ejected to the normal position, the printer feeds the next paper from the automatic paper feeder and repeats the same cycle thereafter.

When the start side mode is specified to start on the back side and the first sheet of paper is set in the manual feed tray 6 (the flow shown in Figure 5), the red pause indicator light 27 lights up and the green manual feed tray is set. The indicator light 23 flashes to instruct the operator to set the paper.

When the first sheet of paper is set in the manual feed tray 6 and the paper detection means detects the paper, the - time stop indicator light 27 is turned off and the print ready state is entered.

After printing is started in response to a command from the host, etc., the cycle is similar to the cycle already described.

By providing such an operation indicator 21, the operator only has to operate according to the operation procedure instructed by the indicator, and it is possible to prevent mistakes due to incorrect judgment or erroneous operation.

As described above, according to the present invention, even in a printer that is not equipped with automatic duplex printing means, duplex printing can be performed with simple operations, so that operational errors are greatly reduced.

Furthermore, by distinguishing the paper ejection position or providing an operation indicator, it is possible to reduce the number of layer operation errors.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a laser printer has been described, but it can also be applied to a similar page printer such as an optical printer such as an LED printer or an LC8A printer, a type printer, a wire dot printer, etc.
The present invention can be similarly applied to serial printers such as thermal transfer printers and inkjet printers.

As described above, according to the present invention, even in a printer without automatic duplex printing means, it is possible to perform duplex printing with easy operation and without operational errors.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a control system of a laser printer embodying the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the mechanism, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the initial set routine executed by the control section of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a one-page printing routine. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of an operation indicator provided in this embodiment. 1...Printer main body 2...Printer engine 3...Controller 4...Paper feed section 5...
・Paper output device 6...Manual feed tray 7...
Upper tray 10... Paper output tray 20...
・Operation panel 21...Operation indicator 31...Control unit 62...Data processing unit 33...Video data conversion unit 34...Video buffer 40...Host Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 6

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A manual paper feeder and at least one automatic paper feeder, or a multi-stage automatic paper feeder, and whether paper is set in each of the paper feeders or not. In a printer without automatic duplex printing means equipped with a paper detection means for detecting paper, the paper is fed from the automatic paper feeding means and one side of the paper is printed.
After printing a page, the printer stops once, and when the paper detecting means detects that paper is set in a pre-specified automatic paper feeding means of the manual paper feeding means or the multistage paper feeding means, Feed the loaded paper and
A print control method characterized in that the content continuing for one page is printed on the paper.