JPH08174939A - Printer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To automatically switch hoppers for feeding papers based on paper quality designation information from a host device. CONSTITUTION: A printer device comprises a plurality of hoppers 8A and 8B which house printing papers, a printing section 6 for printing an image data on a paper which is sucked in by the hoppers, a control section 10 for controlling operations of each section based on a setting from an operation panel, and a paper convey means 12 for selecting the hoppers which house the papers to be fed to the printing section 6 based on a hopper selection signal from the control section 10. The operation panel has a paper quality setting switch 24, and a paper information memory by hopper 18 for storing paper quality information of each hopper from the paper quality setting switch 24 is also provided. The control section 10 comprises a hopper selection means by paper quality 11A which controls an output of a hopper selection signal based on paper quality designation information in a printing data and the paper quality information of each hopper.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer device, and more particularly to a printer device which prints each time one page of data from a host device is developed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional printer device, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-151821, output paper size information output to a higher-level device is analyzed and used as paper cassette selection information, and the paper is sucked into according to the information. You have selected a cassette. Such an automatic hopper switching method based on paper size information has already been widely adopted.

[0003]

Although the hopper automatic switching based on the paper size information in the above-mentioned conventional printer device is effectively functioning, this function is not sufficient with the spread of desktop publishing (DTP). It's starting. This is because the layout of pages output from the printer device by DTP is complicated, so low-priced paper is used in the stage of trial printing until the page layout is completed, and high quality is used when the final product is finally output. We use different types of paper depending on the paper quality.

However, this work of properly using the paper is a very complicated work for the user of the printer device, and especially when the printer device is shared by a plurality of computers, the hopper is used by another user. You must check the hopper every time as the paper inside may have been swapped.

In the case of test printing, it is not necessary to strictly consider the paper size, and even if there are many unprinted portions on the paper, it is enough to confirm the printing condition of the illustration. In addition, even if the entire sheet is reduced and printed when there is no large paper, there is no problem in checking the layout effect. However, even in the case of trial printing, printing in which part of the print content is cut off due to the problem of the paper size is not preferable, and reprinting is required.

However, in the conventional example, such D
The relationship between print data and paper size in TP work is not considered.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the disadvantages of the conventional example, and in particular, to provide a printer device capable of automatically switching a hopper for supplying paper according to paper quality designation information from a host device. To that end.

[0008]

Therefore, according to the present invention, a developing unit that develops print data received from a higher-level device into image data and draws the image data in a page buffer, a plurality of hoppers containing paper, and a hopper. A printing unit that prints out image data on the inhaled paper, an operation panel that receives input of various settings, a control unit that controls the operation of each unit based on the settings from this operation panel, and a hopper from this control unit. And a paper transporting unit that selects a hopper that accommodates paper to be supplied to the printing unit based on a selection signal.

Further, the operation panel is provided with a paper quality setting switch for receiving the input of the paper quality information in accordance with the number of hoppers, and the control section stores the paper quality information for each hopper from the paper quality setting switch. A separate paper information storage unit is also installed. Further, the control unit is provided with a hopper selection unit for each paper quality that controls the output of the hopper selection signal based on the paper quality designation information in the print data and the paper quality information for each hopper. . This aims to achieve the above-mentioned object.

[0010]

During operation of the printer device, the expansion unit first expands the print data received from the host device into image data and draws it in the page buffer. Next, the printing unit prints out the image data on the sheet sucked from the hopper. At this time, the operation panel receives inputs of various settings, and the control unit controls the operation of each unit based on the settings from the operation panel. The control unit selects the paper to be supplied to the printing unit according to the designation by the print data or the setting from the operation panel, and outputs the hopper selection signal to the paper conveying unit. The sheet conveying means selects the hopper in which the sheet to be supplied to the printing section is stored based on the hopper selection signal from the control section, sucks the sheet from the hopper and conveys the sheet to the printing section.

Further, the paper quality setting switch on the operation panel receives input of paper quality information according to the number of hoppers. The control unit stores the paper quality information in the hopper-specific paper information storage unit. When the print data from the host device includes the paper quality designation information, in the control unit, the paper quality hopper selection means outputs the hopper selection signal based on the paper quality designation information and the paper quality information for each hopper. Control. Therefore, the control unit causes the paper conveying means to select the hopper that stores the paper of the quality designated by the paper quality designation information.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a printer apparatus according to this embodiment.

The printer device expands the print data received from the higher-level device 30 into image data, and converts it into the page buffer 4
A developing unit 2 for drawing the image, a plurality of hoppers 8A and 8B in which printing sheets are stored, a printing unit 6 that prints out image data on the sheets sucked from the hoppers 8A and 8B, and an operation to accept input of various settings. Panel 20 and this operation panel 2
Control unit 1 that controls the operation of each unit based on settings from 0
0, and a paper conveying means 12 for selecting a hopper in which the paper to be supplied to the printing unit 6 is stored based on the hopper selection signal from the control unit 10.

The expansion unit 2 converts print data into image data. That is, outline fonts, various curves, image data in print data, etc. are converted into bitmap data and stored in the page buffer 4. This bitmap data is converted with the resolution and the number of lines specified by the printing unit 6 and the print data.

The printing unit 6 prints out the image data (bitmap data) in the page buffer 4 on a sheet conveyed from the sheet conveying unit 12. Here, a method is adopted in which a photosensitive member is charged with laser light passing through a polygon mirror to form an electrostatic latent image, and toner is attached to the image to fix the image for printing.

The sheet conveying means 12 selects the hopper 8A based on the hopper selection signal from the control section 10 and conveys the sheet accommodated in the hopper 8A to the printing section 6. The sheet conveying means 12 is composed of a pickup roller, a conveying roller and the like.

The operation panel 20 is provided with a display section 22 for displaying the print progress status and the like, and a switch for accepting various settings. The switch is a paper quality setting switch 24 that receives input of paper quality information according to the number of hoppers.
It has. The control unit 10 stores the sheet quality information 18a (see FIG. 3) for each hopper 8A, 8B set here in the hopper-specific sheet information storage unit 18. In this embodiment, when a new sheet is added to the hoppers 8A and 8B, a message prompting the user to input the sheet quality information is displayed on the display unit 2.
It outputs to 2.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the display unit 22 displaying the paper quality information 18a. Here, the sheets of paper stored in the upper hopper 8A are low-quality and low-priced sheets, and the sheets of paper stored in the lower hopper 8B are high-quality and high-quality paper. The sheet quality information 18a at this time is as shown in the chart of FIG.

Further, the hopper selection means 11A for each paper quality of the control unit 10 has a function of controlling the output of the hopper selection signal based on the paper quality designation information in the print data and the paper quality information 18a for each hopper. There is. Therefore, when receiving the designation of the quality to be used from the higher-level device 30, the printer device automatically selects and prints out the hopper accommodating the paper of that quality.

Next, the processing when the hopper cannot be specified with the quality specified in the print data will be described.

In this embodiment, the operation panel 20 is provided with a compulsory printing switch 26 for receiving a command to continue or cancel the printing process. Moreover, the control unit 10
Paper that fits the size of the image data is the hopper 8A, 8
When it is not stored in B, the operation of the printing unit 6 is stopped, and the print stopping unit 11C that controls the display unit 22 to stop the printing process is displayed. A paper size-based hopper selection unit 11B that controls the output of the hopper selection signal based on the paper size of the data is provided.

During the display control of this cancellation, an alarm display or the like may be displayed to call attention to the user of the printer device. In the present embodiment, since the display control for stopping the printing process is performed, the user can avoid the printing on the unintended paper.

Further, in this forced printing process, special processing is performed when the designated size in the print data is larger than the paper stored in each hopper 8A, 8B.

In the present embodiment, the hopper selection means 11B for each paper size continues from the forced print switch when only the paper smaller than the size of the image data in the page buffer 4 is stored in each hopper 8A, 8B. When the command is accepted, the hopper is selected and the paper size in the selected hopper is output to the developing unit. Further, the expanding unit 2 has a function of expanding the print data again with the paper size when the paper size is received from the paper size-based hopper selection unit 11B. Therefore, if the paper size based on the print data is larger, the paper size is reduced and re-developed, and the already stored paper is printed out.

As described above, in this embodiment, first, the hoppers 8A and 8B are selected by designating the paper quality. Further, when there is no paper of the specified quality and when the paper size is different, the processing of the printing unit 6 is stopped and the display unit 22 displays that the printing processing is stopped. Since the printing process is stopped in this way, the user can replace the paper with an appropriate one, and if the user wants to print out regardless of the paper type, such as a test print, the following forced printing can be performed. To do.

When the forced print switch 26 is pushed down,
When each hopper 8A, 8B stores only a paper size larger than the paper size specified by the print data,
The smallest paper is selected between the hoppers and printed out. On the other hand, when each hopper 8A, 8B stores only the paper size smaller than the paper size specified by the print data, first, the largest paper size is selected between the hoppers, and then the paper size is again selected. Print data is expanded and printed out. As described above, in the present embodiment, the paper sheet that best matches the user's request in the case of test printing by the DTP work or the like is selected and printed out.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the hardware resources of this embodiment.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 30 is a host device, and print data from the host device 30 is first received by the interface 32 of the printer device. As the control unit 10, the CPU 3
3 and firmware (F
/ W) A ROM that functions as a storage unit 35 and a RAM that is divided into areas of various memories are provided. The RAM is a reduction page in which the input buffer 36 for temporarily storing print data received from the host device 30 via the interface 32, the page buffer 4, and the image data re-developed in relation to the paper size are drawn. Storage areas are allocated to the buffer 38 and the hopper-specific sheet information storage section 18.

The operation panel 20 is provided with the paper quality setting switch 24, the forced printing switch 26 and the display section 22 described above, and a hopper selection switch 25 for selecting the hoppers 8A and 8B used by the user for direct printing. There is.

The CPU 33 functions as the expansion unit 6 or the control unit 10 by reading and executing various programs from the F / W storage unit 35. In the present embodiment, in particular, the hopper selection F / W storage unit 35A that stores the procedure of the hopper selection processing according to the paper quality and the paper size, and the page that stores the procedure of reducing and expanding the page based on the relationship of the paper size. The reduced F / W storage unit 35B is provided.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flow charts of FIGS.

The user (the user of the printer device and the host device) first sets the paper on both hoppers 8A and 8B (step S1), and then sets the paper quality setting switch 24 to the hoppers 8A and 8B.
Information on the quality of the paper is input for each 8B (process S2).
The paper quality setting switch 24 is "low" for each hopper.
There is a choice between "high" and "high", and you can choose only one value. When a value is selected here, the value is sent to the hopper-specific paper information storage unit 18. After that, the higher-level device 30 sequentially transmits three pieces of paper quality designation information, paper size designation information, and image data as print data (processes S3, S4, S).
5). The control unit 10 analyzes the transmitted paper quality designation information. The control unit 10 controls the paper information storage unit 18 for each hopper.
The paper quality information 18a therein is read to check whether or not there is a hopper of the specified paper quality (decision S6).

If this judgment S6 is YES, it is further checked whether the paper quality of both hoppers 8A and 8B is the same (judgment S).
8). Here, if the determination S8 is NO, there is only one hopper of the designated paper quality, so the control unit 10 selects the hopper 8B as the paper suction destination (process S9).

Subsequently, the paper size designation information / image data is analyzed by the control unit 10 and the expansion unit 2. The image data is expanded into image data by the expansion unit 2 and drawn in the paper size specified in the page buffer 4 (process S10). When the expansion for one page is completed, the control unit 10 compares the size of the paper in the hopper 8B selected previously with the size of the image data on the page buffer 4 to check whether the two sizes are equal. (Judgment S1
1). The size of the paper in both hoppers is the paper size sensor 4
The value is determined by 1 and the value is reported to the control unit 10.

As a result of this comparison, if the judgment S11 is YES, the control section 10 carries out the printing process. That is, the control unit 10 outputs the image data in the page buffer 4 to the printing unit 6. Further, the control unit 10 outputs a hopper selection signal to the paper suction unit 42 that operates as the paper transport unit 12. The sheet suction unit 42 sucks a sheet to be printed from the lower hopper 8B and sends it to the printing unit 10. The printing unit 10 prints on this sheet. The printed paper is ejected onto the stacker 44 by the paper ejection unit 43 (the above is the processing S15).

If the comparison result judgment S11 is NO, the control unit 10 informs the user of the fact by the display unit 22 on the operation panel 20, and "forced printing" or "stop".
A decision is made (decision S12).

When the determination S12 is YES, that is, when the user desires "forced printing", the forced printing switch 26 is pressed. Then, the control unit 10 compares the size of the paper in the selected hopper with the size of the image data in the page buffer 4, and again determines whether the size of the paper in the selected hopper is smaller. Examine (decision S
13). If the result of this comparison is YES, the expansion unit 2 re-expands the image data in the page buffer 4 into the reduction page buffer 38 according to the actual paper size (process S14).

Then, the image data in the reduction page buffer 38 is sent to the printing section 6 and printed on the sheet sucked from the designated hopper (step S15). Judgment S1
If No is 3, the image data in the page buffer 4 is sent to the printing unit 6 and printed on the sheet sucked from the designated hopper (step S15).

If the determination S12 is NO, that is, if the user wants to "stop", the forced print switch 2
By not waiting 6 and waiting for a certain period of time, the CPU 33 determines that it is “stop”, and ends the image data in the page buffer 4 (above, process 16).

Next, when the determination S8 is YES, that is, when sheets of the same paper quality are set in both hoppers, the hopper cannot be selected based on the paper quality alone. In such a case, the control unit 10 preferentially selects either one, for example, the upper hopper 8A in this case as the sheet suction destination (process S1).
7). Subsequently, the paper size designation information / image data is analyzed, and the image data is developed in the page buffer 4 with the designated paper size (process S18). When the expansion for one page is completed, the control unit 10 compares the size of the paper in the hopper selected previously with the size of the image data in the page buffer 4 to check whether the two sizes are equal. (Judgment S19).

As a result of this comparison, if the determination S19 is YES, the control section 10 sends the image data in the page buffer 4 to the printing section 6 as it is, and prints it on the sheet sucked from the selected hopper (process. S27).

On the other hand, as a result of this comparison, if the judgment S19 is NO, the CPU 33 makes an inquiry to the paper size sensor 41 to report the paper size of both hoppers (process S2).
0), together with the result, it is judged whether or not the hopper should be reselected this time (decision S21).

If there is a hopper having a paper size equal to the size of the image data on the page buffer 4, that is, if the determination S21 is YES, the control section 10 reselects the hopper (process S22). Then, the control unit 10 sends the image data in the page buffer 4 to the printing unit 6 as it is, and prints it on the sheet sucked from the hopper (step S27).

If there is no hopper having a paper size equal to the size of the image data on the page buffer 4, that is, if the determination S21 is NO, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 22 to operate.
The user is informed of that fact, and the judgment of "forced printing" or "cancellation" is prompted (judgment S23).

When the determination S23 is YES, that is, when the user desires "forced printing", the forced printing switch 26 is pressed. Then, the display unit 22 further requests the user to specify the desired hopper from the hopper selection switch 25. Along with the input value, the control unit 10 reselects the hopper designated by the switch 25 (process S24).

When the hopper is selected, the control unit 10
Compares the size of the paper in the selected hopper with the size of the image data on the page buffer 4 to check again whether the size of the paper in the selected hopper is smaller (decision S25). . If the determination S25 is YES, the control unit 10 re-expands the image data in the page buffer 4 into the reduction page buffer 38 according to the actual paper size (process S26). Then, the image data in the reduction page buffer 38 is sent to the printing unit 10 and printed on the sheet sucked from the hopper (step S27). Judgment S
If No is 25, the image data in the page buffer 4 is sent to the printing unit 10 and printed on the sheet sucked from the designated hopper (step S27).

When the determination S23 is NO, that is, when the user wants to "stop", the forced print switch 26
By waiting for a certain period of time without pressing, the control unit 10 determines “stop”, and ends the process of discarding the image data in the page buffer 4 (above, process 28).

Finally, when the determination S6 is NO and there is no hopper that meets the paper quality conditions, the control unit 10 displays a message to the user on the display unit 22 to indicate "forced printing" or "cancel". A decision is made (decision S7).

When the determination S7 is YES, that is, when the user desires "forced printing", the forced printing switch 26 is pressed. Then, the control unit 10 determines that the paper quality condition is satisfied, and proceeds to the determination S8. Also, the judgment S
If the answer is 7 (NO), that is, if the user wants to "stop", the CPU 33 determines "stop" by waiting for a certain time without pressing the forced print switch 26, and the CPU 33 remains in the input buffer 36. The print information is discarded, and the process ends (the process 16).

Next, the processing corresponding to each case will be described individually assuming a combination of paper types stored in each hopper.

(Case 1: When the Paper Quality of Each Hopper is Different) The printing operation will be described by taking as an example the case where two types of paper having different paper qualities are set in the upper hopper 8A and the lower hopper 8B, respectively.

Here, it is assumed that A4 size inexpensive paper is set in the upper hopper 8A and B4 size fine paper is set in the lower hopper 8B. At this time, the user sets paper in both hoppers, and then inputs the paper quality information of each of the hoppers 8A and 8B from the paper quality setting switch 24. As shown in FIG. 2, the paper quality setting switch 24 has options for the paper quality "low" or "high" for each of the hoppers 8A and 8B, and only one value can be selected. If “upper hopper → low” or “lower hopper → high” is selected here, the value is sent to the hopper-specific sheet information storage unit 18.

In this state, by printing the B4 large image data with paper quality "high" and "low" respectively, how the paper quality and paper size conditions are judged when the hopper is selected will be described.

(Case 1-1: When the Paper Size in the Hopper Selected by Paper Quality is Appropriate) First, when printing is to be performed with "high" paper quality, the upper device 30 sends information necessary for printing to the paper quality. Specified information "High" / Paper size specified information "B
4 "-Page data is divided into three and transmitted in order. The transmitted information is received by the interface 32, temporarily stored in the input buffer 36, and then analyzed by the CPU 33. The CPU 33 analyzes the paper quality designation information "high" according to the F / W in the hopper selection F / W storage unit 35A, and at the same time, reads the information in the hopper-specific paper information storage unit 18 so that the hopper of the paper quality "high" is displayed. Check to see if they exist, and to see if both hoppers have the same paper quality.

In this case, since the hopper of high paper quality is only the lower hopper 8B, the CPU 33 causes the lower hopper 8 to
Select B as the paper suction destination. Subsequently, the paper size designation information “B4” / page data is analyzed by the CPU 33 along the F / W in the F / W storage unit 5, and the image data is expanded in the page buffer 4 at B4 size.

When the expansion for one page is completed, the CPU
Reference numeral 33 indicates the paper size in the lower hopper 8B selected previously and the size of the image data in the page buffer 4 along the F / W in the F / W storage unit 35, and both sizes are equal. Check whether or not. Here, the size of the paper in both hoppers is judged by the paper size sensor 41, and the value is reported to the CPU 33.

As a result of this comparison, it is determined that the two sizes are the same, so the CPU 33 causes the F / W storage unit 35 to store the F
/ W to print. When printing is performed, the image data in the page buffer 4 is sent to the printing unit 6 as it is. The paper suction unit 42 sucks the paper to be printed from the lower hopper 8B, and the printing unit 6 prints on the paper. The printed paper is ejected onto the stacker 44 by the paper ejection unit 43.

(Case 1-2: When the size of the paper in the hopper selected by the paper quality is improper) Next, when the user wants to print with the paper quality "low", the host device 30 sends the information necessary for printing. , Paper quality specification information "Low", paper size specification information "B
4 ”・ Send in order of page data. The CPU 33 analyzes the paper quality designation information "low" according to the F / W in the hopper selection F / W storage unit 35A, and at the same time, reads the information in the hopper-specific paper information storage unit 18 so that the hopper of the paper quality "low" is detected. Check to see if they exist, and to see if both hoppers have the same paper quality.

In this case, since the hopper of low paper quality is only the upper hopper 8A, the CPU 33 causes the upper hopper 8 to
Select A as the paper suction destination. Subsequently, the paper size designation information “B4” / image data is analyzed, and the image data is expanded in the page buffer 4 in a size of B4. When the development for one page is completed, the CPU 33 next follows the F / W in the F / W storage unit 35 along with the size of the paper in the upper hopper 8A selected earlier and the image data in the page buffer 4 Compare the sizes to see if they are the same size.

As a result of this comparison, it is determined that the two sizes are different, so the CPU 33 causes the F / W storage unit 35 to store the F
/ W, the display unit 22 on the operation panel 20 informs the user of that fact, and the judgment of "forced printing" or "cancel" is prompted. If the user wants "forced printing",
The forced print switch 26 is pressed.

Next, the CPU 33 compares the size of the paper in the selected upper hopper 8A with the size of the image data in the page buffer 4 along the F / W in the F / W storage unit 35, It is checked again whether the size of the paper in the selected upper hopper 8A is smaller. In this case, since the size of the paper in the upper hopper 8A is smaller, the CPU
Reference numeral 33 re-expands the image data in the page buffer 4 into the reduction page buffer 38 according to the actual paper size A4 along the F / W in the page reduction F / W storage unit 35B.

Then, the image data in the reduction page buffer 38 is sent to the printing section 6 and printed on the sheet sucked from the upper hopper 8A. When the user desires "stop", the CPU 33 determines "stop" by waiting for a certain time without pressing the forced print switch 26,
The image data in the page buffer 4 is discarded, and the processing ends.

(Case 2: When both hoppers have the same paper quality and the paper qualities are appropriate) In this printer, paper of the same paper quality is set in both the upper hopper 8A and the lower hopper 8B. A series of printing operations when the paper quality is appropriate in view of printing conditions will be described. As an example, it is assumed that B5 size fine paper is set in the upper hopper 8A and A4 size fine paper is set in the lower hopper 8B. Also at this time, the user sets the paper in both hoppers, and then uses the paper quality setting switch 24 to select “upper hopper →
Enter the paper quality information for each hopper, such as "High""Lower hopper → High".

In this state, the paper size "B5""A4"
How the conditions of the paper quality and the paper size are judged when the hopper is selected by printing the image data of "B4" with the paper quality of "high" will be described.

(Case 2-1: When the paper size in the hopper selected preferentially due to paper quality is appropriate) First, when printing is to be performed with paper size "B5", the host device 30
Paper quality designation information “high”, paper size designation information “B5”, and image data are transmitted in this order. CPU33 is hopper selection F / W
At the same time that the paper quality designation information "high" is analyzed along the F / W in the storage unit 35A, the information in the hopper-specific paper information storage unit 18 is read to check whether or not there is a hopper of paper quality "high". In addition, check whether the paper quality of both hoppers is the same.

Then, here, since both the upper hopper 8A and the lower hopper 8B are "high" in paper quality, the hopper cannot be selected only by the paper quality. In such a case, the CPU 33
, One of them, for example, the upper hopper 8A in this case, is preferentially selected as the sheet suction destination. Subsequently, the paper size designation information "B5" / image data is analyzed, and the image data is expanded in the hage buffer 4 at B5 size.

When the expansion for one page is completed, the CPU
Reference numeral 33 compares the size of the paper in the upper hopper 8A selected earlier and the size of the image data in the page buffer 4 along the F / W in the F / W storage unit 35, and both sizes are equal. Find out if As a result of this comparison, it is determined that both sizes are equal, so the CPU 33
The image data in the page buffer 4 is sent to the printing unit 6 as it is along the F / W in the storage unit 35, and the upper hopper 8A
Print on the paper inhaled from.

(Case 2-2: When the paper size in the hopper selected preferentially due to the paper quality is inappropriate, but there is another hopper having an appropriate paper quality and paper size) Next, the paper size "A4" When trying to print with
Sends information necessary for printing in the order of paper quality designation information “high”, paper size designation information “A4”, and image data. C
The PU 33 analyzes the paper quality designation information "high" according to the F / W in the hopper selection F / W storage unit 35A, and at the same time, reads the information in the hopper-specific paper information storage unit 18 so that the hopper of the paper quality "high" is detected. Check to see if they exist, and to see if both hoppers have the same paper quality.

Then, here, since both the upper hopper 8A and the lower hopper 8B are "high" in paper quality, the hopper cannot be selected only by the paper quality. In such a case, the CPU 33
Similarly, preferentially selects the upper hopper 8A as the sheet suction destination. Subsequently, the paper size designation information “A4” and the image data are analyzed, and the image data is stored in the page buffer 4 as A4.
Deployed in large. When the expansion for one page is completed, next C
The PU 33 compares the size of the paper in the upper hopper 8A selected previously with the size of the image data in the page buffer 4 along the F / W in the F / W storage unit 35, and both sizes are equal. Find out if

If it is determined as a result of this comparison that the two sizes are different, the CPU 33 inquires of the paper size sensor 41 to report the paper sizes of both hoppers, and together with the results, the hopper selection F / W storage unit in the future. F in 35A
Determine whether to reselect the hopper along / W.
In this case, since the A4 size fine paper is set in the lower hopper 8B, the CPU 33 reselects the lower hopper 8B. Then, the CPU 33 causes the F / W storage unit 35 to store the F
/ W, the image data in the page buffer 4 is sent to the printing section 6 as it is, and is printed on the sheet sucked from the lower hopper 8B.

(Case 2-3: When the paper size in the hopper preferentially selected due to paper quality is inappropriate, and there is no other suitable hopper for both paper quality and paper size) Print with paper size "B4" In this case, the higher-level device 30 transmits the information necessary for printing in the order of paper quality designation information “high”, paper size designation information “B4”, and image data. CPU3
3 analyzes the paper quality designation information "high" according to the F / W in the hopper selection F / W storage unit 35A, and at the same time, reads the information in the hopper-specific paper information storage unit 18 so that the hopper of the paper quality "high" is displayed. Check to see if they exist, and to see if both hoppers have the same paper quality. Then, here, since both the upper hopper 8A and the lower hopper 8B are "high" in paper quality,
You cannot select a hopper based on paper quality alone.

In such a case, the CPU 33 similarly preferentially selects the upper hopper 8A as the sheet suction destination. Subsequently, the paper size designation information “B4” / image data is analyzed, and the image data is expanded in the page buffer 4 in a size of B4. When the expansion for one page is completed, the CPU 33 next performs F
Along with the F / W in the / W storage unit 35, the size of the paper in the upper hopper 8A selected earlier is compared with the size of the image data in the page buffer 4 to determine whether the two sizes are equal. Find out.

If it is determined as a result of this comparison that the two sizes are different, the CPU 33 inquires of the paper size sensor 41 to report the paper sizes of both hoppers, and together with the results, this time the hopper selection F / W storage unit. F in 35A
Determine whether to reselect the hopper along / W.
However, in this case, since the paper size is not B4 in both hoppers, the CPU 33 does not perform the hopper reselection,
Along with the F / W in the / W storage unit 35, the display unit 22 informs the user of that fact, and makes a decision as to "forced printing" or "stop". When the user desires “forced printing”, the forced printing switch 26 is pressed.

The display unit 22 further requests the user to specify the desired hopper from the hopper selection switch 25. With the input value, the CPU 33 reselects the hopper designated this time along the F / W in the hopper selection F / W storage unit 35A. And, for example, here the upper hopper 8
When A is selected, the CPU 33 compares the size of the paper in the selected upper hopper 8A with the size of the image data in the page buffer 4 along the F / W in the F / W storage unit 35. , It is checked again whether the size of the paper in the selected upper hopper 8A is smaller.

In this case, since the paper size in the upper hopper 8A is smaller, the CPU 33 sets the image data in the page buffer 4 to the actual paper size along the F / W in the page reduction F / W storage unit 35B. Re-expand in the reduction page buffer 38 in accordance with B5. Then, the image data in the reduction page buffer 38 is sent to the printing unit 6 and printed on the sheet sucked from the upper hopper 8A. When the user desires "stop", the CPU 33 determines "stop" by waiting for a certain period of time without pressing the forced print switch 26, and ends the process of discarding the image data in the page buffer 4.

(Case 3: When both hoppers have the same paper quality and the paper quality is improper)
A series of printing operations in the case where sheets of the same paper quality are set in both the upper hopper 8A and the lower hopper 8B and the paper quality is inappropriate in view of printing conditions will be described. As an example, a case will be described in which B5 size fine paper is set in the upper hopper 8A and A4 size fine paper is set in the lower hopper 8B, and image data is printed with "low" quality.

In such a case, when the host device 30 transmits the information necessary for printing in the order of paper quality designation information "low", paper size designation information, and image data, the CPU 33 causes the hopper selection F / W storage unit 35A. The paper quality designation information "low" is analyzed along the F / W inside, and at the same time, the information in the hopper-specific paper information storage unit 18 is read to check whether or not there is a hopper with a paper quality "low".

Then, it can be seen that there is no hopper that meets the condition of paper quality. In such a case, the CPU 33
Along with the F / W in the storage unit 35, the display unit 22 informs the user of that fact, and the judgment of "forced printing" or "stop" is prompted. When the user desires “forced printing”, the forced printing switch 26 is pressed. Then, the CPU 33
It is judged that the condition of paper quality is satisfied, and the same process as in case 2 is performed. Further, when the user desires “stop”, the CPU 33 determines “stop” by waiting for a certain time without pressing the forced print switch 26, and discards the print information remaining in the input buffer 36. To finish.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to automatically switch the hopper to be used not only by the paper size information in the hopper but also by the quality information of the paper, so that it has a complicated layout, for example. To complete A4 size image data, put A4 size low-priced paper in one hopper of the printer device in advance and put A4 size fine paper in the other hopper, then specify the paper quality from the upper device By sending information, it is possible to automatically switch the hopper even if the paper size is the same, such as using low-priced paper at the trial printing stage and high-quality paper at the final output. Can be simplified.

Further, if desired by the user, the image data created according to a certain paper size can be adjusted to a size suitable for paper of another paper size and printed, so that, for example, B4 size is created. Image data
At the trial printing stage, print on A4 size inexpensive paper,
It is also possible.

As a result, the printer device of the present invention is
By saving the user the trouble of exchanging the paper, it is possible to contribute to the saving of the usage amount of the high-quality paper and the large-sized paper, the paper cost can be suppressed, and the waste paper discharge amount can be suppressed.

[0082]

Since the present invention is constructed and functions as described above, according to this, the paper quality setting switch on the operation panel receives the input of the paper quality information according to the number of hoppers, and the control unit Since this paper quality information is stored in the paper information storage section for each hopper, it is possible to hold information about the quality of the paper stored in the hopper. Further, when the print data from the higher-level device includes the paper quality designation information, the control unit controls the output of the hopper selection signal based on the paper quality designation information and the paper quality information for each hopper, and the paper transport means. However, since the hopper is selected by the hopper selection signal and the paper stored in the hopper is sucked and conveyed to the printing unit, the printing unit can print out the paper of the quality designated by the host device. As described above, by automatically switching the hopper that supplies the paper in accordance with the paper quality designation information from the higher-level device, it is possible to provide an excellent printer device that has not been available in the past, which can automate the printing process that properly uses the paper quality. it can.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the paper quality setting switch shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a chart showing an example of the paper quality information shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing hardware resources having the configuration shown in FIG.

5 is a block diagram showing processing steps in a host device having the configuration shown in FIG. 4. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a former stage of processing steps in the printing apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a latter stage of processing steps in the printing apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Unfolding section 4 Page buffer 6 Printing section 8A Hopper (upper side) 8B Hopper (lower side) 10 Control section 11A Paper quality hopper selection means 11B Paper size hopper selection means 12 Paper transport means 18 Hopper paper information storage section 20 Operation Panel 22 Display 24 Paper quality setting switch 26 Forced printing switch

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A development unit for developing print data received from a higher-level device into image data and drawing the image data in a page buffer,
A plurality of hoppers containing paper, a printing unit that prints out the image data on the paper conveyed from these hoppers, an operation panel that receives input of various settings, and an operation panel for each unit based on the settings by the operation panel. In a printer device including a control unit that controls the operation and a paper transport unit that selects a hopper that stores paper to be supplied to the printing unit based on a hopper selection signal from the control unit, the operation panel includes: A paper quality setting switch for receiving the input of the quality information of the paper according to the number of the hoppers, and the hopper-specific paper information storage for storing the paper quality information of each hopper from the paper quality setting switch in the control unit. The control section selects the hopper based on the paper quality designation information in the print data and the paper quality information for each hopper. Printer apparatus comprising the paper quality by hopper selecting means for controlling the output of No.. 2. The operation panel includes a display section for displaying a print progress status and the like, and a compulsory print switch for receiving a command to continue or cancel the canceled print processing, and the control section controls the image. From a forced print switch, a print canceling unit that cancels the operation of the printing unit and controls the display unit to stop the printing process when a paper that fits the size of data is not stored in each hopper. The printer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a hopper selection unit for each paper size that controls the output of the hopper selection signal based on the paper size of the image data when a continuation instruction is received. 3. The hopper selecting means for each paper size is configured so that, when only the paper having a size smaller than the paper size of the image data stored in the page buffer is stored in each of the hoppers, the hoppers for each paper size are relatively positioned between the hoppers. Has a function of selecting a hopper that accommodates a large sheet of paper and outputting the paper size of the selected hopper to the developing unit, and when the developing unit receives the paper size from the paper size-specific hopper selecting unit, 3. The printer device according to claim 2, further comprising a function of expanding print data again with a paper size.