JP2015009479A - Print control apparatus, print control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print control apparatus, a print control method and a program capable of performing appropriate determination with respect to a candidate for a size obtained by detecting the size of a print medium by a sensor.SOLUTION: A print control apparatus determines whether or not a difference between a size of a print medium based on detection by a sensor and a size of a print medium set as print setting is equal to or less than a predetermined difference and, in a case where the size of the print medium set as print setting is a user definition size defined by a user, performs determination so that the predetermined difference becomes larger in comparison with a case where the size of the print medium is a fixed size.

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a print control method, and a program for printing an image based on data to be printed.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a printing apparatus, a technique for determining whether to execute printing or cancel printing by comparing a paper size set as a print setting with a paper size detected by a sensor included in the printing apparatus. There is. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique for executing printing when it is determined that the paper size designated in advance matches the paper size detected by the sensor, and canceling printing when it is determined that they do not match.

JP-A-5-138976

  However, even if the set paper size set as the print setting is set according to the print paper set in the printing apparatus 100, there is an error between the set paper size and the original size of the print paper. There may be.

  For example, when a non-standard size different from the standard size (A4 size, letter size, L size, 4x6 size) is set in the print settings, there is an error between the set paper size and the original size of the print paper. May occur. For example, the user himself measures the width and length of such a non-standard printing paper, and the measured size is set as the set paper size. In this case, since there may be a measurement error in the width and length of the printing paper, an error may occur between the set paper size and the original size of the printing paper. In this case, even if the setting paper size corresponding to the printing paper set in the printing apparatus is set, there is an error in both sizes in the first place, so printing is canceled by the method disclosed in Patent Document 1. Sometimes.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a print control apparatus that can appropriately determine a size candidate obtained by a sensor detecting the size of a print medium, An object of the present invention is to provide a printing control method and program.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the print control apparatus of the present invention acquires the print medium size candidate obtained by the sensor detecting the size of the print medium, and the acquisition unit acquires the print medium size candidate. Determining means for determining whether a difference between the first size corresponding to the candidate and the second size of the print medium set as the print setting for the print target data is equal to or less than a predetermined difference; When the determination unit determines that the difference is equal to or less than a predetermined difference, the printing unit prints an image based on the data to be printed having a size based on at least one of the first size and the second size; When the determination unit determines that the difference is larger than the predetermined difference, a print control is performed so that an image based on the data to be printed is not printed on the print medium. And when the second size is a user-defined size defined by a user, the predetermined difference is larger than when the second size is a standard size. Thus, the determination is performed.

  According to the present invention, it is determined whether the difference between the size of the print medium based on the detection by the sensor and the size of the print medium set as the print setting is equal to or smaller than a predetermined difference. Then, when the size of the print medium set as the print setting is a user-defined size defined by the user, the determination is performed so that the predetermined difference is larger than that in the case of the standard size. Therefore, it is possible to make an appropriate determination with respect to a size candidate obtained by the sensor detecting the size of the print medium.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing mechanism portion in the printing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a platen 111 and a print head 112 portion of the printing apparatus as viewed from a paper discharge tray 117 side. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the printing apparatus 100. FIG. It is a figure which shows the information of paper size. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing contents of a CPU 201 during execution of printing in the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing for determining whether the set paper size matches the detected paper size.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a printing mechanism provided in the printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Printing paper is stored in the paper feed tray 101. The paper feed roller 103 feeds printing paper stored in the paper feed tray 101 to the transport rollers 105 and 106. The printing paper 104 is a printing paper that is fed by the paper feed roller 103 and conveyed by the conveyance rollers 105 and 106. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing paper 104 is transported to the transport rollers 109 and 110 by the transport rollers 105 and 106 through the transport path by the members 107 and 108. Conveying rollers 109 and 110 convey the printing paper 104 to the platen 111.

  A carriage 113 on which the print head 112 is mounted is provided on the platen 111. The carriage 113 performs reciprocating scanning along the guide rail 114 in the A direction (direction from the front to the back in FIG. 1) and the B direction (direction from the back to the front in FIG. 1) shown in FIG. The printing apparatus 100 ejects a recording agent such as ink from the print head 112 by applying a driving pulse to the print head 112 while scanning the carriage 113 in the A direction and the B direction. As described above, the recording agent is ejected from the print head 112 onto the printing paper 104, whereby an image to be printed is printed on the printing paper 104. The printing paper 104 on which the image is printed is further transported to the paper discharge rollers 115 and 116 by the transport rollers 109 and 110. The paper discharge rollers 115 and 116 discharge the printing paper 104 to a paper discharge tray 117.

  The carriage 113 is provided with a paper sensor 118 that is a reflective optical sensor. The printing apparatus 100 acquires an output level (output voltage) indicating the intensity of light received by the paper sensor 118, and determines whether the output level is a level corresponding to reflected light from the printing paper. It is possible to detect whether a print sheet is present at the received position. As described above, the paper sensor 118 is provided on the carriage 113 and is scanned together with the print head 112. Then, the printing apparatus 100 can determine the end of the printing paper in the scanning range by detecting whether the printing paper 104 exists in the scanning range of the paper sensor 118. Based on the distance between the left and right edges of the printing paper, the width of the printing paper can be detected. Details of this detection processing will be described with reference to FIG. The scanning position of the paper sensor 118 (carriage 113) is detected by an encoder 224 described later.

  The printing apparatus 100 includes the paper feed tray 101, the platen 111, the print head 112, the carriage 113, the guide rail 114, the paper discharge tray 117, and the various rollers described above as a printing mechanism.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining detection of the paper width by the paper sensor 118.

  As described above, the printing apparatus 100 prints an image on the printing paper 104 by discharging the recording agent to the print head 112 while reciprocating the carriage 113 along the guide rail 114 in the directions of the arrows A and B. . In addition, a head recovery mechanism 119 is provided at a position outside the platen 111 in the movement range of the carriage 113 (paper sensor position x) to perform capping of the print head 112. The position x of the paper sensor is specified by the position of the carriage 113 detected by an encoder 224 described later.

  The paper sensor 118 receives light while scanning the platen 111, and detects the output level of the received light. The graph shown in FIG. 2 shows the output level detected by the paper sensor 118 in the movement range of the carriage 113. In this embodiment, the printing paper is a bright color such as white, and the platen 111 is a dark color such as black. Therefore, a high output level (strong reflected light from the printing paper) is acquired for the position where the printing paper exists on the platen 111, and a low output level (weak reflected light from the platen 111) is detected for the position where the printing paper does not exist. Is done.

  The sheet sensor 118 receives the reflected light at the position E on the platen 111 when the carriage 113 is at the position of the head recovery mechanism 119. When the carriage 113 moves in the direction A, the output level increases at a position corresponding to the end of the printing paper 104. An approximately constant output level is acquired from the end of the printing paper 104 to the opposite end, and the output level decreases at the end.

  In the present embodiment, when the output level of the paper sensor 118 exceeds a predetermined threshold value Vth, it is determined that the print paper 104 is present at the position where the output level is detected. Specifically, the positions G and F in FIG. 2 are the positions of the edges of the printing paper 104, and the range from the position G to the position F is the range where the printing paper 104 exists. Then, the distance between the position G and the position F is detected as the sheet width of the printing sheet 104.

  Note that in the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 100 conveys the printing paper 104 at the center so that the center of the printing paper is at the center position C of the platen 111. At this time, if the printing paper 104 is large and the right edge of the printing paper 104 in FIG. 2 is on the right side of the position E, the right edge of the printing paper 104 may not be detected.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the right end position of the printing paper 104 is to the right of the position E, the printing apparatus 100 determines the paper width of the printing paper 104 based on the distance between the center position C and the left end position G of the printing paper 104. Determine. Specifically, when the output level at the position E exceeds Vth, it is determined that the right end position of the printing paper 104 is the position E or the right side of the position E. When determined in this way, a length obtained by doubling the distance between the center position C and the position G is detected as the sheet width of the printing sheet 104. That is, since the printing apparatus 100 transports the printing paper 104 so that the center of the printing paper 104 is at the central position C, the distance between the central position C and the leftmost position G of the printing paper 104 is half the paper width. Become. Therefore, the printing apparatus 100 can detect a length obtained by doubling the distance between the center position C and the position G as the sheet width. A value indicating the center position C in the scanning range of the carriage is stored in advance in a memory in the printing apparatus 100, and the printing apparatus 100 obtains the distance between the center position C and the position G by referring to this value. be able to.

  The threshold value Vth does not have to be a fixed value. For example, the threshold value Vth may be changed according to the output level at the position E. Further, the threshold value Vth may be determined according to the intensity of reflected light according to the characteristics of the surface of the print medium. Specifically, the threshold value Vth is changed according to the type of paper used for printing (plain paper, glossy paper, etc.). Further, as a method for detecting the presence / absence of printing paper, it is not a method for determining whether the output level exceeds the threshold as described above, but the presence / absence of printing paper is determined from the comparison result of the output level at position E and the output level at other positions. It may be detected. For example, when it is determined that there is no print paper at position E based on the output level at position E, it may be determined that there is print paper at a position of an output level that is greater than the output level by a predetermined value or more.

  In the method of FIG. 2, the paper sensor 118 is provided on the carriage 113 and the detection is performed while the paper sensor 118 is moving. However, the method is not limited thereto. For example, a sheet sensor may be provided on the platen 111 separately from the carriage 113. In this case, it is possible to determine the width of the printing paper by arranging a number of paper sensors corresponding to the width of the conveyance path of the printing paper and determining whether each paper sensor detects the presence of the printing paper.

  Next, the configuration of the printing apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the printing apparatus 100.

  The CPU 201 is a processor that controls the printing apparatus 100. The CPU 201 is connected to a program memory 203 such as a ROM or a hard disk and a data memory 204 such as a RAM via an internal bus 202. A program memory 203 stores a program for controlling the printing apparatus 100. The CPU 201 can control the printing apparatus 100 by reading a program stored in the program memory 203 to the data memory 204 and executing it on the work memory 205 assigned to the data memory 204. An image memory 206 is also allocated to the data memory 204, and various data such as image data to be printed by the printing apparatus 100 is expanded in the image memory 206 by the CPU 201.

  The interface control unit 207 communicates with a smart device 208 such as a smartphone via an interface under the control of the CPU 201. For example, a job to be printed can be received from the smart device 208 and status information of the printing apparatus 100 can be notified to the smart device 208. The interface control unit 207 may perform communication via a wired interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, or may perform communication via a wireless interface such as infrared communication or a wireless LAN. . The smart device is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet, and includes various devices such as a mobile phone.

  The communication partner is not limited to the smart device 208 but may be a personal computer. In addition, it may be a server connected via a network, a facsimile machine connected via a telephone line, or a device such as a digital television. The present invention is not limited to the case where print target data is included in the print job, but is a case where the printing apparatus 100 acquires print target data from an external device such as a server according to the address information included in the print job. Also good.

  A motor control unit 209 controls various motors for driving the printing mechanism of the printing apparatus 100 under the control of the CPU 201. The transport motor 210 drives the paper feed roller 103, the transport rollers 105, 106, 109, and 110 and the paper discharge rollers 115 and 116 shown in FIG. 1 according to the control of the motor control unit 209. The carriage motor 211 (CR motor) drives the carriage 113 according to the control of the motor control unit 209, and reciprocates the carriage 113. The recovery motor 212 drives the head recovery mechanism 119 according to the control of the motor control unit 209.

  The head controller 213 controls the print head 112 according to the control of the CPU 201 and causes the print head 112 to eject a recording agent such as ink. The CPU 201 drives the print head 112 and the conveyance motor 210 together to print an image on the printing paper while scanning the print head 112. That is, the CPU 201 in the printing apparatus 100 operates as a print control apparatus, controls various motors as a printing mechanism, and the print head 112, and causes the printing mechanism to print an image.

  The sensor control unit 214 causes the sensor light source 215 included in the paper sensor 118 to emit light according to the control of the CPU 201 and causes the optical sensor 216 included in the paper sensor 118 to receive reflected light. The sensor control unit 214 acquires an output level indicating the intensity of light received by the optical sensor 216. The CPU 201 can determine the paper width shown in FIG. 2 by acquiring the output level acquired by the sensor control unit 214. Note that the CPU 201 determines the paper size including the paper length according to the paper width determined as described above by the processing described later.

  The panel control unit 217 controls the operation panel 218 according to the control of the CPU 201. The operation panel 218 includes an operation device that is operated by a user such as a key and a touch panel, and a display panel that can display various types of information such as images. For example, when the user operates the operation device of the operation panel 218, a user instruction is input to the panel control unit 217, and the instruction is further input to the CPU 201. Further, the panel control unit 217 displays the image developed in the image memory 206 on the display panel of the operation panel in response to an instruction from the CPU 201.

  The scanner control unit 219 controls the scanner 220 according to the control of the CPU 201, causes the scanner 220 to read a document placed on the document table of the scanner 220, and inputs the read image. Further, the scanner control unit 219 is stored in the image memory 206. The memory card control unit 221 writes and reads various data to and from the memory card 223 mounted in the memory card slot 222 under the control of the CPU 201.

  The encoder 224 specifies the position of the carriage 113 when the carriage 113 scans along the guide rail 114. The CPU 201 specifies the position x of the paper sensor shown in FIG. 2 based on the position of the carriage 113 specified by the encoder 224 and the attachment position of the paper sensor 118 on the carriage 113.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 201 determines the sheet size including the sheet length according to the sheet width determined by the sheet sensor 118 as described above. In the printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the paper sensor 118 is provided on the carriage 113 together with the print head 112. Various motors for moving the carriage 113, members such as the guide rail 114, and an encoder 224 for specifying the position of the carriage 113 are used for both printing by the print head 112 and detection of the sheet width by the sheet sensor 118. Used in common. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide the above-mentioned member for detecting the paper width separately from the member for printing, and it is possible to prevent the printing apparatus 100 from becoming large.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the contents of a paper size table 300 that manages information on paper sizes supported by the printing apparatus 100. The paper size table 300 is stored in the program memory 203, and the CPU 201 can refer to the paper size table by reading the paper size table from the program memory 203 to the data memory 204.

  The CPU 201 identifies the size of the printing paper set in the printing apparatus 100 by referring to the width of the printing paper detected by the paper sensor 118 and the paper size table 300. Details will be described later.

  The paper size table 300 includes classification information 301, name information 302, paper width information 303, paper length information 304, paper width detection allowable range 305, and paper length detection allowable range 306 for each paper supported by the printing apparatus 100. Is stored. The classification information 301 represents a classification of “standard size” or “user-defined size”. In the present embodiment, the paper size defined by an industrial standard such as ISO or JIS is classified as “standard size”, and the other is classified as “user-defined size”. Note that the paper size predetermined by the printing apparatus may be classified as “standard size” even if it is not defined by the industry standard. The name information 302 represents the name of the paper size. Names of paper sizes classified as “standard size” such as “L size”, “4 × 6”, “A4”, and “letter” are determined in advance by the printing apparatus. By selecting this name, the user can print on the desired paper size without knowing the actual size (paper width length) of the paper.

  On the other hand, since there is no typical common name for paper sizes classified as “user-defined size” such as “self-made letter”, the user decides the name himself. The sheet width information 303 and the sheet length information 304 represent the sheet size corresponding to the name 302. For paper classified as “user-defined size” in the classification information 301, the paper width length is not defined in advance, so the user inputs a value and records it in the data memory 204 of the printing apparatus 100.

  In this embodiment, the CPU 201 refers to the paper width detected by the paper sensor 118 and the paper size table 300 shown in FIG. 4 to determine the size of the printing paper set in the printing apparatus 100. Specifically, the CPU 201 stores name information 302 corresponding to the paper width 303 within a predetermined range of the paper width detected by the paper sensor 118 in the paper size table of the printing paper 104 being conveyed in the printing apparatus 100. Specify the size name.

  The reason for providing the predetermined range in this way is that, for example, the intensity of reflected light from the printing paper varies depending on the state of the printing paper and the environment in which the printing apparatus 100 is placed. This is because an error may occur between the sheet widths.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the paper width detection allowable range 305 and the paper length detection allowable range 306 are defined on the paper size table as the predetermined ranges. This represents an allowable error in determining whether the detected paper size can be regarded as the same as a pre-registered paper size. The allowable error is determined in consideration of the cutting error of the set printing paper, the detection error of the paper sensor 118, the skew feeding accuracy during paper conveyance, and the like.

  For example, when the predetermined range is 2 mm above and below, and 100.0 mm is detected as the paper width by the paper sensor 118, the paper size corresponding to the paper width 303 included in 98.0 mm to 102.0 mm is set to the size of the printing paper. Identify as a candidate. As shown in the paper size table of FIG. 4, in this case, a 4 × 6 size corresponding to the paper width 303 (101.6 mm) is specified as a candidate. Note that the numerical values of the paper width detection allowable range 305 and the paper length detection allowable range 306 may be statically determined in advance in the printing apparatus, or dynamically based on arbitrary rules according to the paper classification and size. It may be determined.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the detection allowable range of “user-defined size” is set wider than “standard size”. This is because there is a high possibility that an error between the sheet width 303 and the sheet length 304 corresponding to the “user-defined size” and the actual sheet width and sheet length is larger than the “standard size”. For example, there is a case where the user cuts the printing paper by himself and creates the paper. In this case, compared with a commercially available “standard size” in which the paper size is determined based on the standard, the paper cutting error may increase, and the paper width 303 and the paper length registered in the paper size table 300 may be increased. The error from 304 may increase. The user registers the sheet width 303 registered in the sheet size table 300 by himself / herself. At that time, for example, the width and length of the printing paper on which printing is performed may be measured by the user, and the measurement result may be registered as values of the paper width 303 and the paper length 304 using the operation panel 218. . In this case, an error may occur between the sheet width 303 and the actual sheet width due to a measurement error or a value input error.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the tolerance of “standard size” such as L size, 4 × 6, A4, and letter is set to ± 2 mm, and the tolerance of “user-defined size” that is a self-made letter is wider than that of “standard size”. The tolerance is set large by setting the value to ± 4 mm.

  As described with reference to FIG. 2, in this embodiment, when the printing paper 104 is large, one end of the printing paper 104 may not be detected by the paper sensor 118. At this time, the center position C and the position G are not detected. The paper width is determined by calculation based on the distance. In this case, the center of the printing paper 104 may be deviated from the central position C due to the characteristics of the printing paper 104, for example. Therefore, when one end of the printing paper 104 is not detected, the predetermined range may be set relatively wide such as ± 10 mm.

  In the above example, the paper size included in a predetermined range (for example, ± 2 mm) is specified around the paper width as the detection result of the paper sensor 118. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a paper size included in a range larger than the detection result by a predetermined width (for example, +2 mm) may be specified. Conversely, a paper size included in a range smaller than the predetermined width may be specified. The predetermined range may be changed depending on the type of printing paper (plain paper, glossy paper, etc.). For example, when the printing paper is glossy paper, the reflected light is stronger than that of plain paper. At this time, the output level acquired by the paper sensor 118 at a position that is not originally the position of the printing paper may exceed the threshold value Vth, and it may be determined that there is printing paper at that position. Therefore, for example, when the type of printing paper is plain paper, a range of ± 2 mm may be set, and when glossy paper is used, a range of −6 mm may be set. In addition, the predetermined range may be set according to various conditions such as the specification of the paper sensor 118.

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 201 determines the size based on the print paper size (set paper size) set as the print setting in the print job received from the external device such as the smart device 208 and the paper width detected by the paper sensor 118. Compare Then, it is determined whether a printing paper having a size corresponding to the set paper size is set in the printing apparatus 100.

  If it is determined that the printing paper having a size corresponding to the set paper size set as the print setting is set in the printing apparatus 100, the print target data having a size corresponding to the set paper size is set. An image based on is printed. On the other hand, when it is not determined that a printing paper having a size corresponding to the set paper size is set in the printing apparatus 100, the received printing job is controlled so that printing is not performed on the printing paper.

  The set paper size is described as a paper name in the print setting information in the print job. Then, the CPU 201 prints a print sheet having a size corresponding to the set sheet size based on whether or not the sheet name of the set sheet size matches the sheet name 301 specified by the detection result by the sheet sensor 118 as described above. It is determined whether the device 100 is set.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the length of the printing paper set in the printing apparatus 100 is detected by a sensor (not shown) in the same manner as the width of the printing paper.

  According to the example of FIG. 4, when the set paper size set in the print settings is “L”, the paper width of the paper size detected by the printing apparatus 100 includes the detection allowable range 305 and the detection allowable range 306, respectively. ± 2 mm. Therefore, if the sheet width is 87 mm to 91 mm and the sheet length is 125 mm to 129 mm as a result of detection by the sensor, it is determined that the designated sheet size and the detected sheet size can be regarded as the same.

  When the set paper size is “self-made letter”, the paper width of the paper size detected by the printing apparatus 100 is ± 4 mm in the detection allowable range 305 and the detection allowable range 306, respectively. Therefore, as a result of detection by the sensor, if the paper width is 216.0 mm to 224.0 mm and the paper length is 280.0 mm to 288.0 mm, the paper size specified in the print settings can be regarded as the same as the detected paper size. to decide.

  In the above example, the name of the print paper is set as the set paper size. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the width and length of the print paper are described in the print setting information as values (for example, millimeters). It may be. For example, in the case of user-defined paper, even if the user inputs values for the width and length of the printing paper in the device that transmits the print job, the input values are transmitted to the printing device 100 as data to be printed. Good.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the CPU 201 when printing is executed in the present embodiment. Note that a program for realizing the processing in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is stored in the program memory 203. Then, the CPU 201 reads out this program to the work memory 205 and executes the program on the work memory 205, thereby realizing the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step S <b> 1001, the CPU 201 receives print job data from a host device such as the smart device 208 and stores it in a predetermined area of the data memory 204. The print job data received in this way is sequentially analyzed by the CPU 201 and processing corresponding to each command is performed.

  In step S <b> 1002, the CPU 201 acquires the paper size (set paper size) set for the print job from the command group of the print job data, and stores the paper size in the predetermined area of the work memory 205 as the set paper size.

  In step S1003, the CPU 201 controls the printing mechanism to perform a paper feeding operation. As a result, among the recording sheets 102 stacked on the sheet feeding tray 101, the uppermost recording sheet 104 is picked up by the sheet feeding roller 103 until the leading edge of the recording sheet 104 is positioned at the position of the platen 111. Be transported.

  In step S <b> 1004, the CPU 201 controls the carriage 113 and the paper sensor 118 to execute paper size detection, and stores information indicating the detected paper size as a detected paper size in a predetermined area of the work memory 205. This detected paper size is stored as a value of the paper size width and length (for example, in millimeters).

  In step S <b> 1005, the CPU 201 refers to the paper size table 300 described in FIG. 4 based on the detected paper size stored in step S <b> 1004 and determines whether the set paper size and the detected paper size can be regarded as the same. Details of this determination processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  If it is determined in S1005 that the set paper size and the detected paper size can be regarded as the same, the process proceeds to S1006. In step S1006, the CPU 201 executes printing in accordance with the paper size acquired in step S1002. Specifically, the CPU 201 develops the print target data corresponding to the print job received in step S1001 as an image in the image memory 206 with a size corresponding to the paper width and paper length of the set paper size. Then, the image developed in this way is printed by the printing mechanism on the printing paper fed and transported in S1002. Then, the printing paper on which printing has been executed is discharged onto the discharge tray 117 by the discharge rollers 115 and 116.

  If it is determined in S1005 that the set paper size and the detected paper size can be regarded as the same, the process proceeds to S1007. In step S <b> 1007, the CPU 201 cancels printing and notifies the user that there has been a positional deviation as an error. In S1007, in order to detect the width of the printing paper by the paper sensor 118 in S1003, the printing paper used for printing is conveyed to a position below the paper sensor 118 in FIG. In step S <b> 1007, the CPU 201 controls the transport motor 210 without printing by the print head 112 to cancel the printing (printing based on the print job received in step S <b> 1001) and discharges the printing paper to the discharge tray 117. Paper is discharged.

  In step S1007, the CPU 201 notifies the user that the printing has been canceled as an error. For example, the panel control unit 217 is controlled to display on the operation panel 218 a display indicating that a positional deviation has occurred. Further, the error notification method is not limited to display. For example, a warning sound or a sound notifying the content of the warning may be output from a speaker (not shown).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing in detail the contents of processing for determining whether or not the set paper size and the detected paper size can be regarded as the same in S1005 of FIG.

  First, in S2001, it is determined whether the set paper size is a standard size or a user-defined size. Specifically, referring to the paper size table 300 in FIG. 4, the paper name 302 that matches the name of the paper size set as the set paper size is specified, and the paper size corresponding to the specified paper name 302 It is determined by acquiring the contents of the classification 301 of the above.

  If it is determined in S2001 that the set paper size is the standard size, in S2002, the set paper size and the detected paper size are compared with a standard size threshold (for example, ± 2 mm).

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, comparison is made using the following formula.

The set paper size width (303) is Tx, the set paper size length (304) is Ty, the paper width detection allowable range (305) is Ux, the paper length detection allowable range (306) is Uy, and the detected paper size width is Let X be the length of the detected paper size. At this time,
| (Tx−X) | ≦ | Ux |
And | (Ty−Y) | ≦ | Uy |
It is determined whether or not

  According to the paper width 305 and the paper length 306 of the detection threshold values in the paper size table 300 of FIG. 4, the threshold value at the standard size is ± 2 mm. Therefore, for example, when the set paper size is L, the above condition is satisfied if the width of the detected paper size is 87 to 91 mm and the height is 125 to 129 mm.

  If it is determined in step S2001 that the set paper size is a user-defined size, the process advances to step S2003. In S2003, the detected paper size detected in S1004 is compared with a threshold value for user-defined size. In this comparison, as in S2002, it is determined whether or not the above two expressions hold.

  However, according to the detection threshold paper width 305 and paper length 306 in the paper size table 300 of FIG. 4, the threshold value at the user-defined size is ± 4 mm. In this embodiment, when the size is user-defined, considering that there is an error between the actual size of the paper size prepared by the user and the set size input by the user, from ± 2 mm when the allowable range is the standard size Is set to a wide ± 4 mm. Therefore, for example, when the set paper size is “original letter”, the above condition is satisfied if the width of the detected paper size is 220 to 228 mm and the height is 280 to 288 mm.

  In S2004, it is determined whether the set paper size and the detected paper size are the same depending on whether it is determined in the processing in S2002 or S2003 that the above condition is satisfied. Specifically, if the above condition is satisfied, information indicating that the set paper size is the same as the detected paper size is stored in the work memory 205 in S2005. On the other hand, if the above condition is not satisfied, information indicating that the set paper size and the detected paper size are not considered to be the same is stored in the work memory 205 in S2006.

  In S1005 of FIG. 5, the CPU 201 refers to the information stored in S2005 or S2006 to determine whether the set paper size and the detected paper size are the same.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the allowable range of the error between the set paper size and the detected paper size for determining whether the set paper size and the detected paper size are the same is set to the user-defined size rather than the standard size. Set to be wide. For example, the cutting error when the user cuts the printing paper by himself to create the paper, and the measurement error when the width and length of the printing paper measured by the user are registered as the values of the paper width 303 and the paper length 304 are included. May grow. In the present embodiment, as described above, the user-defined size detection allowable range is set to be wide (relative to the standard), so even if such an error occurs, the set paper size corresponds to the detected paper size. It can be properly identified as being.

  For example, the user recognizes that the paper width of the “original letter” shown in FIG. 4 is 220 mm and registers it in the paper size table 300, but the actual paper width of the “original letter” is 216 mm due to a cutting error. Suppose that At this time, if the detected paper size is 216.0 mm and the “standard size” detection allowable range is ± 2 mm, it is determined that the detected paper size cannot be regarded as the same as the set paper size, and printing is canceled. .

  In this embodiment, since the allowable detection range is set to ± 4 mm with respect to the user-defined size, even in the above case, the detected paper size and the set paper size are regarded as the same, and printing is executed.

  In the above embodiment, in S1006 of FIG. 5, an image having a size corresponding to the set paper size (that is, the paper width 302 and the paper length 303 in the paper size table 300 of FIG. 4) is printed. However, in the case of the user-defined size as described above, there may be an error between the actual print paper size and the paper width 302 and paper length 303 in the paper size table 300 of FIG. Therefore, if the set paper size is a user-defined size, the size of the image to be printed may be determined in S1006 according to the detected paper size (paper width, paper length) detected by the sensor. Furthermore, the size of the image to be printed may be determined by combining both, for example, taking an intermediate value between the detected paper size and the set paper size.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a user-defined size name is set as the print setting and the name is registered in the printing apparatus 100 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the paper size may be described as a numerical value as a print setting, and the numerical value may be transmitted to the printing apparatus 100 together with the print job. In this case, the printing apparatus 100 can acquire the numerical value as the set paper size even when the user-defined paper is not registered as shown in FIG. In this case, whether or not the detected paper size is included within the detection allowable range for the numerical value is a criterion for determining whether or not the set paper size and the detected paper size are the same in S2004 of FIG. The above numerical values are determined, for example, by a user specifying on a display screen provided in a device that transmits a print job.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case of a print job from the smart device 208 connected via the interface has been described. However, printing from a remote place connected via a telephone line or a network line may be used. . Although the device that issues a print job has been described as the smart device 208, a device such as a host computer or a digital TV may be used instead of the smart device 208. Further, the print job may be received directly from a device operated by the user, or the print job may be received through an intermediate device such as a print server or a cloud service.

  In the above embodiment, printing based on a print job received from an external device of the printing apparatus 100 has been described. However, when a copy function is executed in the printing apparatus 100, based on the detection result of the paper sensor 118. It may be a case where the size of the printing paper is specified. For example, when the image stored in the memory card 223 inserted in the memory card slot 222 is printed according to the print settings set by the user on the operation panel 218, the above-described print paper size determination process is executed. Also good. In addition, when printing is performed according to print settings designated by the user in the printing apparatus 100 as described above, not only an external memory such as the memory card 223 but also an image stored in the internal memory of the printing apparatus 100 is printed. It may be. Alternatively, an image stored in an external device such as a server connected to the printing apparatus 100 via a network may be printed.

  In the above embodiment, the paper sensor 118 of the printing apparatus 100 detects the paper width and length. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and either the paper width or the length is detected by the sensor. It may be the case.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the CPU 201 included in the printing apparatus 100 executes the paper size determination process illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 as the print control apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an information processing apparatus such as a host computer or server that is connected to the printing apparatus 100 and causes the printing apparatus to execute printing operates as the print control apparatus of the present embodiment, so that the processing of the present embodiment is executed. It may be the case.

  Specifically, when the host computer, server, or smart device transmits a print job to the printing apparatus 100, the processing of S1004 to S1007 in FIG. That is, when these apparatuses transmit a print job to the printing apparatus 100, the width and length of the printing sheet detected by the sheet sensor 118 of the printing apparatus 100 are acquired as the detected sheet size. Then, the detected paper size is compared with the set paper size in the print setting, and it is determined whether or not both can be regarded as the same.

  If it is determined that both can be regarded as the same, an image to be printed having a size corresponding to the determined paper size is developed on a memory included in the host computer, server, or smart device. Then, the developed image is transmitted as a print job to the printing apparatus 100 to cause the printing apparatus 100 to execute printing. Specifically, under the control of the CPU 201 of the printing apparatus 100, the printing mechanism in the printing apparatus 100 prints an image received from the host computer, server, or smart device on printing paper.

  If it is not determined that the two can be regarded as the same, the host computer, the server, and the smart device cancel transmission of the print job and issue an error in S1007. Specifically, a display indicating that the printing has been canceled and a display for allowing the user to confirm both or one of the size of the print paper set in the printing apparatus 100 and the set paper size are performed. When an error is displayed on the host computer, the error is displayed on a display device included in the host computer or an external display device connected to the host computer. When the server cancels printing and displays an error in step S1007, the client device that transmitted the print job to the server is notified of the details of the error display, and the error is displayed on a display device inside or outside the client device. .

  As another example when the processing of this embodiment is performed in the host computer, server, or smart device, the determination of the paper size based on the detection result by the paper sensor 118 is performed in the host computer, server, or smart device. The creation of the image to be printed may be executed by the CPU 201 of the printing apparatus 100. In this case, for example, the paper size determined in the host computer, server, or smart device is transmitted to the printing apparatus 100 together with the data to be printed as the paper size of the print setting. Then, the CPU 201 of the printing apparatus 100 scales the image based on the print target data received as described above according to the paper size as the print setting received as described above, and causes the printing mechanism to execute printing. . Note that various other configurations can be applied to the present embodiment regarding the sharing of processing between the printing apparatus 100 and apparatuses such as a host computer, a server, and a smart device.

  In the above embodiment, the printing paper has been described as an example of a printing medium on which an image is printed by the printing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an OHP sheet may be used. Further, the recording medium is not limited to a rectangular printing medium such as printing paper, and may be a disc-shaped recording medium such as a CD or a DVD.

  Note that the functions of this embodiment can also be realized by the following configuration. That is, it is also achieved by supplying a program code for performing the processing of the present embodiment to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus executing the program code. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code also realizes the function of the present embodiment.

  Further, the program code for realizing the function of the present embodiment may be executed by one computer (CPU, MPU), or may be executed by a plurality of computers cooperating. Also good. Further, the program code may be executed by a computer, or hardware such as a circuit for realizing the function of the program code may be provided. Alternatively, a part of the program code may be realized by hardware and the remaining part may be executed by a computer.

100 Printing apparatus 201 CPU
203 Program memory 204 Data memory 205 Work memory

Claims (7)

An acquisition means for acquiring a candidate for the size of the print medium obtained by the sensor detecting the size of the print medium;
Determining whether the difference between the first size corresponding to the candidate acquired by the acquisition means and the second size of the print medium set as the print setting for the print target data is equal to or smaller than a predetermined difference Means,
When the determination unit determines that the difference is equal to or less than the predetermined difference, an image based on the print target data having a size based on at least one of the first size and the second size is printed. Printing control means for controlling so that an image based on the data to be printed is not printed on the print medium when the determination means determines that the difference is greater than the predetermined difference. Have
The determination means performs the determination so that the predetermined difference is larger when the second size is a user-defined size defined by a user than when the second size is a standard size. A printing control apparatus characterized in that:   When the second size is the standard size, the print control unit causes the printing unit to print an image having a size corresponding to the second size, and the second size is the user-defined size. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image having a size corresponding to the first size is printed in some cases.   The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify a user of execution of the control when the print control apparatus performs control so that the image is not printed on the print medium. Print control device.   The printing unit conveys the print medium to a position corresponding to the print head, and executes printing on the conveyed print medium by the print head, and the sensor is provided at a position corresponding to the print head. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the size of the print medium is detected when the medium is conveyed.   5. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor detects a width of the print medium, and the acquisition unit acquires a candidate for the size of the print medium based on the detected width of the print medium. The printing control apparatus according to item 1. An acquisition step of acquiring candidates for the size of the print medium obtained by the sensor detecting the size of the print medium;
Determining whether the difference between the first size corresponding to the candidate acquired in the acquisition step and the second size of the print medium set as the print setting for the print target data is equal to or less than a predetermined difference Process,
When it is determined in the determination step that the difference is equal to or less than the predetermined difference, an image based on the print target data having a size based on at least one of the first size and the second size is printed. A printing control step for controlling the printing medium so that an image based on the data to be printed is not printed on the printing medium when it is determined in the determination step that the difference is larger than the predetermined difference. Have
In the determination step, when the second size is a user-defined size defined by a user, the determination is performed so that the predetermined difference is larger than when the second size is a standard size. A printing control apparatus characterized by being performed.   A program for causing a computer to execute the printing control method according to claim 6.

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