JP3770362B2 - Printer, printing system and printing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printer having a plurality of paper discharge paths, a printing system, and a printing method, and more particularly to a printer, a printing system, and a printing method capable of performing collation printing using a plurality of paper discharge paths.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There are various methods for printing a plurality of copies of a document consisting of a plurality of pages with a conventional printer. If the printer has only one paper discharge bin (or stack bin), each page can be printed in order and discharged by a predetermined number of pages. This is so-called copy printing. For example, in the case where two copies of a document consisting of three pages P1 to P3 are printed as an example, each page is ejected by overlapping the number of copies as in P1-P1, P2-P2, and P3-P3. . In this case, the page data printed for the number of copies can be discarded, which is effective when the amount of installed memory is small. However, the user needs to take out the printing paper from the paper discharge bin and rearrange the printing paper as in P1-P2-P3 so that the pages are arranged for each unit.
[0003]
Another method is to repeat the printing of each copy by the number of copies. That is, after printing one sheet at a time in the order of P1-P2-P3, printing is performed one sheet at a time in the order of P1-P2-P3. Since printing is performed in units of one copy, the user can obtain a document with the same page order by simply separating the printing paper taken out from the paper discharge bin at the boundary of each copy. However, since all pages of data are repeatedly used for the number of copies, if the amount of installed memory is small, it is necessary to repeatedly transmit print data for the number of copies from the host computer.
[0004]
In recent years, for example, as in Japanese Patent No. 2752999, there has been proposed a method for realizing collation printing by a printer having a multistage discharge bin. In this case, each page is printed by the number of copies, and is distributed to different discharge bins for discharge. As a result, when printing of all the pages is completed, the printing paper is discharged into each discharge bin in the same page order. Therefore, the user only has to take out the printing paper from each paper discharge bin, and manual collating work is not necessary.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, a conventional printer having a multi-stage paper discharge bin can perform collate printing by printing each page by the number of copies and distributing the pages to the paper discharge bins for discharge. However, since each paper output bin is assigned to each copy and printed, the number of print copies that can be collated is limited by the total number of paper output bins. Therefore, in the conventional apparatus, when the number of copies exceeding the total number of the discharge bins is designated, the collation printing designation is invalidated and the copy printing is changed to simple copy printing, or the number of copies designation is changed to one copy. It has become. Increasing the number of paper discharge bins can reduce the possibility of collation printing becoming invalid, but increases the overall size of the printer and increases manufacturing costs. In addition, there may be a case where printing paper printed before collation remains in the paper discharge bin, but in this case, the previous printed material and the printed material of collated printing overlap, making it easy to use. Decreases.
[0006]
In particular, in recent years, since network printing systems that share printers with a plurality of host computers have become popular, the number of copies to be printed during collation printing tends to increase. Therefore, if the number of copies that can be collated is limited by the number of paper discharge bins, usability is reduced. In addition, since a plurality of users share the printer, there is an increased possibility that a printed matter printed by one user and a collated printed matter by another user are mixed in the discharge bin. Furthermore, a plurality of paper discharge bins can be used in various ways. However, if all the paper discharge bins are used during collation printing, the degree of freedom in use of the paper discharge bins is reduced and usability is reduced. . When the paper discharge bins are stacked in multiple stages, each paper discharge bin is restricted in the height direction except for the uppermost paper discharge bin, and the paper discharge upper limit value is determined. Therefore, if you use a paper discharge bin in which printed materials from other users stay near the upper discharge limit during collation printing, the output bin reaches the upper discharge limit during collation printing, causing a printing error. May also occur.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a problem of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printer and a print capable of realizing collation printing even when the number of copies exceeding the total number of paper discharge paths is designated. A system and a printing method are provided. Another object of the present invention is to provide a printer, a printing system, and a printing method in which various printing modes using a plurality of paper discharge paths and a collation printing mode can coexist.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the printer according to the present invention can be used. Output bin According to the number of copies Output bin By repeatedly using Output bin The collation printing with the number of copies exceeding this number is realized.
[0009]
Book The present invention provides a printer having a plurality of paper discharge bins that detects and manages available paper discharge bins among the plurality of paper discharge bins in a printer that performs printing based on print data input from a host computer. Paper bin management means, mode determination means for determining whether or not collation printing has been specified with the number of copies exceeding the total number of each available discharge bin, and the collation printing is specified by the mode determination means If it is determined that the collation printing has been designated by the mode determination unit, data stored in the storage unit is stored. Is provided with control means for discharging the print recording medium to each of the discharge bins by repeatedly reading and printing the available discharge bins by the number corresponding to the number of print copies. The paper discharge bin management means includes at least one of the plurality of paper discharge bins other than the reserved paper discharge bin or the paper discharge bin other than the paper discharge bin in which the print recording medium has accumulated a predetermined amount or more. One of the discharge bins is detected as the usable discharge bin, and an empty discharge bin in which no print recording medium is accumulated is detected from the available discharge bins. The control means preferentially selects the empty paper discharge bin. It is characterized by that.
[0010]
Examples of “available paper bins” include , Examples of the paper discharge bin other than the discharged paper discharge bins and paper discharge bins other than the paper discharge bin in which the print recording medium is accumulated in a predetermined amount or more can be given. Here, the “reserved paper discharge bin” means, for example, a paper discharge bin that is assigned in advance to a specific user, a specific print job, a specific size paper, or the like. More specifically, when the user A reserves the paper discharge bin 1 and the user B reserves the paper discharge bin 2, respectively, when the specific paper discharge bin is reserved for the emergency print or the confidential print, When the discharge destination of a specific sheet is predetermined in consideration of the convenience of the above, these discharge bins can not be used for collation printing.
[0011]
Available Output bin When collation printing is designated with the number of copies exceeding the total number of data, data necessary for one copy is stored in the storage means. Here, the image data may be stored in the form of print image data, or may be stored in an intermediate language format describing the image data storage destination of the font to be used. The control means reads the stored data, prints it, and detects it as usable Output bin Is repeatedly selected, and the printed recording medium is discharged. This Output bin The collation printing can be performed with the number of copies exceeding the total number.
[0012]
in front The control means can also discharge the print recording medium of all pages for each of the available paper discharge bins while repeatedly switching each of the available paper discharge bins according to the number of copies. .
[0013]
That is, the first Output bin After ejecting the print recording medium for all pages to Output bin The print recording medium for all pages is discharged. Similarly, only the number corresponding to the number of copies Output bin While switching Output bin One copy is discharged each time. Each available Output bin If you make a round of Output bin Returning to Fig. 1, one print recording medium is discharged. each Output bin In this case, the user can take out the printed recording medium before the second round of paper discharge is started. The first copy requires a print image generation time, but the second and subsequent copies can be printed at the maximum speed of the print engine.
[0014]
in front The control means may discharge each page to each of the available discharge bins by the number corresponding to the number of print copies.
[0015]
That is, available Output bin Print each page for the total number of Output bin Each of the paper is discharged. Therefore, each available Output bin Can be used when the print recording medium is discharged page by page and all pages are printed. Output bin The printed matter is completed by the number of copies having the same value as the number of. Each of the following available until the specified number of copies is reached Output bin Is used repeatedly. Available Output bin Since each page is discharged one page at a time, it takes a long time to complete printing for one page. Therefore, image processing of the next page can be performed within the time during which the previous page is printed, and the printing throughput can be improved.
[0016]
in front The paper discharge bin management means detects an empty paper discharge bin in which no print recording medium is accumulated among the available paper discharge bins, and the control means gives priority to the empty paper discharge bin. You can also choose.
[0017]
For example, when the next cyclic paper discharge is performed, an empty paper discharge bin is selected preferentially from the available paper discharge bins, and the print recording medium discharged first and the print to be printed from now on It is possible to prevent the recording medium from overlapping. . Example For example, an empty paper discharge bin can be detected based on a signal from a detection unit that detects the print recording medium accumulation state of the paper discharge bin.
[0018]
“Print recording medium accumulation state” typically means Output bin Means whether or not the print recording medium remains. The remaining print recording medium can be detected by a micro switch, a photoelectric switch, or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the remaining number of print recording media may be detected. each Output bin A counter for counting the number of discharged sheets is prepared every time, and when the detection unit detects the removal of the print recording medium, each counter is reset, Output bin It is also possible to detect the number of remaining sheets for each.
[0019]
in front The paper discharge bin management means can also detect the empty paper discharge bin based on a signal from a medium removal confirmation switch for instructing that the print recording medium has been removed from the paper discharge bin.
[0020]
For example, a media removal confirmation switch is provided on the printer operation panel, etc. Output bin When the print recording medium is removed from the printer, the switch is operated. This allows each Output bin Is confirmed to be empty, the next cyclic paper discharge can be performed. each Output bin The switch may be provided individually for each, or all the switches Output bin One switch may be provided. Also, the upper Output bin Group, lower Output bin Like a group, a switch can be provided for each group.
[0021]
in front When discharging a plurality of copies of the print recording medium in the same discharge bin, the control means records one copy of the print recording medium discharged first and one set of print recording related to the next discharge. Identification information can also be provided to distinguish the medium.
[0022]
In the present invention, each available Output bin When the take-out timing of the user is delayed, the printed material that has been discharged first may overlap the printed material that is discharged next. Therefore, identification information is given in order to distinguish each copy of the printed matter, and the sorting operation for each copy by the user is supported. Here, as a method of giving the “identification information”, for example, a method of changing the paper discharge direction and the paper discharge position in units of one copy, a method of inserting print recording media of different sizes and colors between each copy, etc. Can be mentioned. That is, the “identification information” can be realized by the direction of paper discharge, the paper size, the paper color, and the like.
[0023]
in front The control unit prints only one copy of the collated printing data from the host computer when the data cannot be stored in the storage unit, and terminates the printing process according to the number of copies. It is also possible to select at least one of a mode in which printing is performed by retransmitting and a mode in which collation printing is performed within the range of data stored in the storage unit.
[0024]
If data necessary for printing one copy of collation printing cannot be stored in the storage unit, at least one of three modes can be employed. In the first mode, only one copy is printed and the process is terminated. In the second mode, collated printing is executed by repeatedly sending print data from the host computer. In the third mode, collation printing is executed within the range stored in the storage unit. For example, when a 10-page document can be stored up to the 8th page, it is regarded as a 8-page document. Perform collation printing. The user subsequently prints the remaining two pages in the same order and completes the document by manual collation.
[0025]
in front The control means can also notify the host computer of the range of data stored in the storage means when the copy data relating to collation printing cannot be stored in the storage means.
[0026]
By the notification from the control means, the user can know how many pages data can be stored. Based on this, the user can instruct collation printing again after a period of time, or can determine which of the three modes is selected.
[0027]
in front If the number of copies exceeds the total number of the plurality of paper discharge bins or the total number of the available paper discharge bins, the mode determination means determines that the collated printing is designated. It can also be determined.
[0028]
This Output bin Total number of available Output bin Collate printing can be performed without making the user aware of the total number. When the mode determination means determines that collation printing is performed, it is used that the collation printing is performed on the host computer. Output bin Can be notified.
[0029]
Ho In a printing system comprising a storage computer and a printer having a plurality of discharge bins and performing printing based on print data input from the host computer, the host computer includes a total number of the plurality of discharge bins Mode designation means for instructing collation printing with the number of prints exceeding 1, print data generation means for generating print data relating to the collation printing, and sending the collation printing instruction and the print data to the printer A transmission unit configured to receive the collation print instruction and the print data from the host computer, and to detect an available discharge bin among the plurality of discharge bins. A paper discharge bin managing means for managing, a mode judging means for judging whether or not the collation printing is designated by the collation printing instruction, and the collation printing If specified, storage means for storing data necessary for one copy of printing, and if collation printing is specified, the data stored in the storage means is read and printed, and the usable Control means for discharging the print recording medium to each discharge bin by repeatedly selecting each discharge bin by the number corresponding to the number of print copies. The discharge bin management means includes at least one of the plurality of discharge bins other than the reserved discharge bin and the discharge bin other than the discharge bin in which the print recording medium has accumulated a predetermined amount or more. One of the discharge bins is detected as the usable discharge bin, and an empty discharge bin in which no print recording medium is accumulated is detected from the available discharge bins. The control means preferentially selects the empty paper discharge bin. It is characterized by that.
[0030]
The host computer transmits an instruction for collation printing and print data. There are at least two methods for instructing collation printing by the mode designation means. One is a method of causing the user to operate a button or the like for instructing collation printing on the print instruction screen. The other is the number of copies Output bin Is compared with the total number, and it is determined whether to perform collation printing.
[0031]
in front The paper discharge bin management means includes at least one of the plurality of paper discharge bins other than the reserved paper discharge bin and the paper discharge bin other than the paper discharge bin in which the print recording medium is accumulated in a predetermined amount or more. One of the paper discharge bins can be detected as the available paper discharge bin.
[0033]
in front The control means can also discharge the print recording medium of all pages for each of the available paper discharge bins while repeatedly switching each of the available paper discharge bins according to the number of copies. .
[0035]
in front A number corresponding to the number of printed copies may be discharged to each available discharge bin for each page.
[0037]
Duplicate In a printing method for performing collation printing by a printer having a plurality of paper discharge bins, At least one of the output bins other than the reserved output bin or the output bin other than the output bin in which the print recording medium is accumulated in a predetermined amount or more, Available output bins As A step of detecting, a step of determining whether or not collation printing has been designated with a number of copies exceeding the total number of each of the available paper discharge bins, and if the collation printing has been designated, Storing the data necessary for printing all pages while discharging the print recording medium for all pages to the first selected output bin from each possible output bin; and When all pages of the print recording medium are discharged to the output bin, the printing bins are printed out of the available output bins until printing for the designated number of copies is completed. Remove empty paper bins that do not contain print recording media. Next output bin Select as preferred And a step of switching the discharge destination and printing while reading the stored data and discharging the print recording medium of all pages to the selected discharge bin.
[0043]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1. First embodiment
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. First, FIGS. 1 to 7 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0044]
For example, the host computer 1 that can be realized as a personal computer, a workstation, a word processor, a digital camera, or the like converts “document data created by an application program into print data in a format that can be interpreted by the printer 11 described later” A print data generation unit 2 as a “generation unit”, a print mode designation unit 3 as a “mode designation unit” for designating a print mode, which will be described later, and a communication line 5 such as a LAN (Local Area Network). And an interface (hereinafter abbreviated as “I / F”) 4 for transmitting to the printer 11 via the printer 11.
[0045]
Preferably, the printer 11 configured as a network-compatible page printer includes a printer controller 12 and a print engine 13 whose operation is controlled by the printer controller 12. As will be described later, the print engine 13 includes, for example, about ten paper discharge bins.
[0046]
The printer controller 12 includes an interpretation unit 17, a storage unit 19, a print mode determination unit 20, a paper discharge bin management unit 21, a control unit 24, and the like. The print data transmitted from the host computer 1 is accumulated in the reception buffer 16 via the I / F 15. The interpretation unit 17 interprets the print data stored in the reception buffer 16 to generate print image data, and stores the print image data in the output buffer 18. The print engine 13 performs printing based on the print image data supplied from the output buffer 18. Here, when the print mode is a multi-sorter mode to be described later, the generated print image data is stored in the storage unit 19 as a “storage unit”. The storage unit 19 includes a rewritable storage device such as a hard disk device or a memory, for example.
[0047]
The print mode determination unit 20 as “mode determination means” determines which print mode is specified from among a plurality of prepared print modes based on the print mode specification value input from the host computer 1. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, data transmitted from the host computer 1 includes a mode designation area 31A that stores the print mode, a copy number designation area 31B that stores the number of copies, and a print data area 31C that stores the print data. And can be configured. The print data is input to the interpretation unit 17, and the specified values for the print mode and the number of copies are input to the print mode determination unit 20. The print mode determination unit 20 determines the designated print mode based on the print mode designation value. As will be described later, the control unit 24 as “control means” controls the operation of the print engine 13 and the like according to the print mode. If the designated number of print bins is larger than the total number of available discharge bins 14 or the total number of discharge bins 14, the multi-sorter mode is not designated in the mode designation area 31A. The multi-sorter mode can also be determined.
[0048]
Here, examples of the print mode include a normal mode, a sorter mode, a multi-sorter mode, a mailbox mode, and a stacker mode. The normal mode is normal printing, in which one or a plurality of copies are printed. The sorter mode is a mode for performing collate printing by discharging each page to each discharge bin 14 one by one. In the sorter mode, collation printing can be performed up to the number of copies that matches the total number of paper discharge bins 14. The multi-sorter mode, which is characteristic of the present invention, enables collaborative printing with the number of copies equal to or greater than the total number of the discharge bins 14 by repeatedly using the discharge bins 14 according to the number of copies to be printed. Here, unlike the conventional sorter mode, the multi-sorter mode uses the paper discharge bin 14 repeatedly, and may be expressed as “second sorter mode” or “extended sorter mode”. it can. When the multi-sorter mode is expressed as “second sorter mode”, the conventional sorter mode shown in FIG. 4 may be expressed as “first sorter mode”. In the mailbox mode, a predetermined paper discharge bin 14 among the paper discharge bins 14 is reserved and used. By reserving a predetermined paper discharge bin 14 for each host computer, it is possible to prevent other users' documents from being mixed. The mailbox mode can be expressed as “reservation mode”, for example. In the stacker mode, all the paper discharge bins 14 are designated as one paper discharge destination, and a large volume of paper can be discharged.
[0049]
Returning to FIG. The paper discharge bin management unit 21 serving as “paper discharge path management means” manages the usage state of each paper discharge bin 14 based on the detection signal from the paper discharge bin sensor 22 and the reserved state of the paper discharge bin 14. is there. The paper discharge bin sensor 22 as “detection means” can be constituted by, for example, a micro switch, a photoelectric switch, or the like, and is provided for each paper discharge bin 14. The paper discharge bin sensor 22 can detect whether or not printing paper remains in each paper discharge bin 14 and whether or not a predetermined number of printing papers remain. The next cycle switch 23 as a “medium take-out confirmation switch” is a switch for executing paper discharge in the second and subsequent rounds, and is provided, for example, on the operation panel of the printer 11. The next cycle switch 23 is suitably used in other embodiments described later. Further, instead of the “medium take-out confirmation switch”, for example, the next cycle switch 23 may be expressed as “command means for instructing the start of printing of the next cycle”.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 3, the paper discharge bin management unit 21 includes, for example, three types of management tables 21A to 21C. The reservation status management table 21A manages the paper discharge bins 14 reserved in the mailbox mode or the like. “1” is set to the bin number of the reserved paper discharge bin 14, and “0” is set to the bin number that is not reserved. The residual state management table 21B manages the paper discharge bin 14 in which printing paper remains. “1” is set to the bin number of the paper discharge bin 14 where the printing paper remains, and “0” is set when the printing paper does not remain. The full status management table 21C manages, for example, the paper discharge bin 14 that has reached the upper limit value of about 100 sheets. “1” is set to the bin number of the discharge bin 14 that is full, and “0” is set if it is not full. Here, the full status management table 21C may detect the paper discharge bin 14 that has reached the vicinity of the paper discharge upper limit value instead of detecting the paper discharge bin 14 that has reached the paper discharge upper limit value. For example, if the upper limit value of paper discharge is 100 sheets, the predetermined value can be set to 90 sheets, and “1” can be set to the bin number of the paper discharge bin 14 where 90 sheets have been discharged / residual. . When the next cycle switch 23 is operated, it can be considered that the printing paper has been taken out from all of the non-reserved discharge bins 14, and the remaining status management table 21B and the full status management table 21C correspond. “0” is set in the bin number.
[0051]
Next, the mechanism of the printer 11 will be described with reference to the schematic configuration diagram of FIG. The print engine 13 includes a printing unit 41 including a drum, a developing unit, and the like, and is provided with a manual paper feed port 42 and a standard paper discharge bin 43. Under the print engine 13, paper feed trays 44 to 46 capable of storing several hundreds of printing sheets of various sizes such as A4 size are provided. Further, the printer 11 is provided with a double-sided printing unit 48 for inverting the printing paper and refeeding it to the printing unit 41. Further, the printer 11 can be provided with a multi-stage paper discharge device 49. The multistage paper discharge device 49 includes, for example, about ten paper discharge bins 14. The printer 11 can discharge paper to either the standard paper discharge bin 43 or the multistage paper discharge bin 14 by controlling the paper discharge path according to the print mode. The multi-stage paper discharge device 49 does not need to be provided on the side of the printer 11 as illustrated, and may be provided above the print engine 13.
[0052]
Next, the effect | action of this Embodiment is demonstrated based on FIGS. In the figure, step is abbreviated as “S”. First, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a paper discharge bin management process by the paper discharge bin management unit 21. In this process, the reservation status, full status, and remaining status of the paper discharge bin 14 are monitored to update the management tables 21A to 21C.
[0053]
That is, it is determined whether or not a specific paper discharge bin 14 has been reserved by designating a mailbox mode or the like (S21), and if it is reserved, “1” is set to the corresponding bin number in the reservation status management table 21A. "Is set and the reserved paper discharge bin 14 is disabled (S22). Only the printed matter relating to the user who has authority to use is discharged to the paper discharge bin 14 which is disabled. On the other hand, when the reservation of the paper discharge bin 14 is canceled (S23: YES), “0” is set to the bin number for which the reservation is canceled, and the use is made possible. Further, based on the signal from the paper discharge bin sensor 22, it is determined whether or not there is a full paper discharge bin 14 (S25), and "1" is set to the corresponding bin number in the full status management table 21C. As a result, the full discharge bin 14 is disabled (S26). When all or part of the printing paper is taken out and the full state is resolved (S27: YES), “0” is set to the bin number of the paper discharge bin 14 in which the full state is eliminated (S27: YES). S28). Further, it is monitored whether or not the printing paper is discharged to the paper discharge bin 14, that is, whether or not the printing paper remains (S29), and the discharge of the printing paper remaining in the residual state management table 21B is monitored. “1” is set to the bin number of the paper bin 14. On the other hand, when printing paper is taken out from the paper discharge bin 14 by a signal from the paper discharge bin sensor 22 or the next cycle switch 23 (S31: YES), “0” is set to the corresponding bin number. In the case where the next printing is not performed until the previously printed printing paper is taken out as in the embodiment described later, the empty paper discharge bin 14 is detected based on the remaining state management table 21B. Can do.
[0054]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the printing process in the multi-sorter mode. In this processing, the paper discharge destination is switched while discharging one document to each paper discharge bin 14. When printing is instructed in the multi sorter mode, a predetermined paper discharge bin 14 set in advance as an initial value is selected. This initial paper discharge bin is preferably the paper discharge bin located at the top of the available paper discharge bins 14. Unless reserved, the top bin 1 is used as the initial paper discharge bin. If the 1st to 3rd bins are reserved, the 4th bin located at the top of the unreserved paper discharge bins 14 will be selected as the initial paper discharge bin.
[0055]
Print image data for one page is generated (S41), this page is printed (S42), and the print image data is stored in the storage unit 19 (S43). Note that the order of data storage and printing may be reversed. Further, instead of the final print image data, intermediate language data describing the bit image data storage destination address of the font used in the page may be stored. Every time printing of one page is completed, it is determined whether or not one copy of the document has been printed, that is, whether or not all the pages constituting the document have been printed (S44). S41 to S43 are repeated until one copy is completed. Accordingly, the print image data of all pages is stored in the storage unit 19.
[0056]
When printing of the first copy is completed, an identification operation for identifying both printed materials is set so as not to be mixed with the printing paper to be printed next (S45). Examples of the identifying operation include an operation of discharging only one sheet of printing paper having a different paper size or color, or changing the discharge direction of the printing paper to be printed next by, for example, 30 to 90 degrees. be able to. In this process, when the paper discharge bin 14 is used again, the identification operation set in S45 is performed.
[0057]
Next, it is determined whether printing has been completed for the designated number of copies (S46). If the specified number of copies is insufficient (S46: NO), the paper discharge destination is switched to the next paper discharge bin 14 (S47). If the first bin is used as the initial discharge bin, the discharge bin selected in S47 is the second bin. Considering the convenience of taking out, it is preferable to switch to consecutive bin numbers. After switching the paper discharge destination, the print image data stored from the storage unit 19 is read page by page (S48) and printed (S49). Then, S48 and S49 are repeated until it is determined that one copy has been completed (S50). When one copy of the document is printed (S50: YES), the identification operation is set (S51), and the process returns to S46. The paper discharge destinations are sequentially switched until printing for the designated number of copies is completed, and paper is discharged one by one into the paper discharge bin 14 of the paper discharge destination. Then, when printing for the designated number of copies is completed (S46: YES), the print image data stored in the storage unit 19 is deleted, and the process is terminated.
[0058]
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper discharge state. The case of printing a document consisting of all four pages P1 to P4 is illustrated. First, all pages are discharged to the first bin selected as the initial discharge bin, and the discharge destination is switched to the second bin to discharge all pages. Similarly, the documents are discharged one by one up to the 10th bin. When one copy is discharged to each of the first bin to the tenth bin, the first round of printing is completed. A maximum of 10 copies of documents are printed in the first round of printing. When 11 or more copies are designated, each paper discharge bin 14 is repeatedly selected according to the number of copies to be discharged one by one. In each paper discharge bin 14, identification information is given for each copy by color paper, the difference in paper discharge direction, and the like, so that the user can easily separate one copy at a time.
[0059]
According to the present embodiment configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
[0060]
First, since each discharge bin 14 is repeatedly used according to the number of copies, a large amount of collation printing can be realized without being limited by the total number of discharge bins 14. Therefore, when a plurality of users share the printer 11 via the network, a large amount of collation printing exceeding the total number of the paper discharge bins 14 can be performed, which improves usability.
[0061]
Secondly, since only the available paper discharge bins 14 among the paper discharge bins 14 are repeatedly used, it can coexist with various print modes such as a mailbox mode for reserving a specific paper discharge bin 14, The degree of freedom in using the multi-stage paper discharge device 49 is increased, and it can be used efficiently.
[0062]
Third, in order to discharge all pages of print paper for each available paper discharge bin 14, after the first copy is printed, the print image data that has already been generated may be read and printed. . Therefore, the second and subsequent copies can be printed at the maximum speed of the print engine 13.
[0063]
2. Second embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following embodiments, the same components as those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. The feature of this embodiment is that one page is printed and discharged to each available discharge bin.
[0064]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the printing process according to this embodiment. First, the remaining number of copies and the total number of available paper discharge bins 14 are compared, and the bin number and bin number of the paper discharge bin 14 to be used are detected (S61). Next, print image data for one page is generated (S62), the number of paper discharge bins 14 that use the page is printed, and each paper discharge bin 14 is discharged (S63). After the generated print image data is stored in the storage unit 19 (S64), it is determined whether or not all pages have been discharged to each discharge bin 14 (S65). The processes of S62 to S64 are repeated until all pages are discharged to each discharge bin 14.
[0065]
When all pages of printing paper are discharged to each paper discharge bin 14, the first round is completed, and it is determined whether printing has been completed for the designated number of copies (S66). If the specified number of copies is not sufficient (S66: NO), the number of bins and the number of bins are detected by comparing the remaining number of copies with the number of available paper discharge bins 14 (S67). ). Next, before starting the second round of printing, an identification operation such as discharging colored paper or the like to each discharge bin 14 is performed (S68). Then, the print image data is read from the storage unit 19 (S69), printed one page at a time and discharged to each discharge bin 14 (S70), and it is determined whether or not one copy has been completed (S71). ). The processes in S69 and S70 are repeated until one copy is completed. When one copy of the document is discharged to each discharge bin 14, the second round of printing is finished (S71: YES), and it is checked whether printing of the designated number of copies is finished (S66). . The processes in S67 to S71 are repeated until printing of the designated number of copies is completed. When printing of the designated number of copies is completed, the print image data stored in the storage unit 19 is deleted, and the process is terminated (S72).
[0066]
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper discharge state according to the present embodiment. The first page P1 is printed by the number of the discharge bins 14, and the P1 printing paper is discharged to each discharge bin 14. Similarly, the next pages P2, P3, and P4 are printed by a predetermined number of sheets and discharged into each discharge bin 14. When the printing of P4 is completed, one copy is discharged to each discharge bin 14. If the specified number of copies is insufficient, the second round of printing starts, printing one page at a time and discharging the paper to each paper discharge bin 14.
[0067]
In the present embodiment configured as described above, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition to this, in the present embodiment, since a predetermined number of pages are printed for each page and discharged to each discharge bin 14, it takes a long time to complete printing of one page. Therefore, the image of the next page can be developed while the previous page is being printed, and wasteful time can be reduced and the printing throughput can be improved.
[0068]
3. Third embodiment
Next, FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the printing process according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The feature of the present embodiment is that the next printing is put on standby until the paper discharge bin 14 becomes empty.
[0069]
This process includes steps S41 to S44, S46, S48 to S50, and S52 shown in FIG. 6, and does not include S45 and S51 for setting the identification operation. In this process, printing of one copy is finished (S44: YES), and after checking whether or not the designated number of copies has been reached (S46: NO), the process waits until there is an empty space in the paper discharge bin 14 ( S81). When the user removes the print paper from all or a part of the discharge bins 14 after completing the first round of printing, the extracted discharge bins 14 become empty and are detected by the discharge bin sensor 22.
[0070]
When the empty paper discharge bin 14 is detected (S81: YES), the next paper discharge destination is switched to the empty paper discharge bin 14 (S82). When a plurality of paper discharge bins 14 are in an empty state, such as when the user has taken out all the printed materials for the first round, the paper discharge bin 14 with the smallest bin number is selected. Then, the next part is discharged to the empty paper discharge bin 14 (S48, S49, S50).
[0071]
In the present embodiment configured as described above, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition to this, in this embodiment, since there is a wait until the paper discharge bin 14 becomes empty, it is possible to prevent the printed materials from overlapping in the paper discharge bin 14 without performing an identification operation for discharging colored paper or the like. be able to. In addition, since the next round of printing does not start until the printing paper is removed, the collation printing pace can be adjusted according to the progress of the post-process (for example, bookbinding) by the user, improving usability. To do.
[0072]
4). Fourth embodiment
Next, FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a printing process according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. A feature of this embodiment is that an empty paper discharge bin 14 is preferentially selected.
[0073]
This process includes S41 to S44, S46, S48 to S50, and S52 shown in FIG. 6, and does not include S45, S47, and S51. If it is determined in S46 that the specified number of copies is not sufficient (S46: NO), it is determined based on the detection signal from the discharge bin sensor 22 whether there is an empty discharge bin 14 (S91). If there is an empty paper discharge bin 14 (S91: YES), the next paper discharge destination is switched to an empty paper discharge bin 14 (S92). On the other hand, if there is no empty paper discharge bin 14 (S91: NO), the identification operation is set and the next paper discharge bin is switched (S93).
[0074]
In the present embodiment configured as described above, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition to this, in this embodiment, the empty paper discharge bin 14 is used preferentially, and when there is no empty paper discharge bin 14, the next paper discharge bin, that is, the next bin number. Since the paper discharge bin 14 is used, even when the user takes out or forgets to remove the printing paper, the collation printing can be continued, and the printer 11 is released earlier than the above embodiment. Can be prepared for the next print job.
[0075]
5. Fifth embodiment
Next, FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a printing process according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The feature of this embodiment is that the next cycle printing is started by operating the next cycle switch 23 provided on the operation panel or the like of the printer 11. This process includes all steps except S45 and S51 among the steps shown in FIG.
[0076]
In this process, if it is determined that printing for the designated number of copies has not been completed (S46: NO), it is determined whether or not one cycle of printing has been completed (S101). One cycle means that one copy is discharged to each available discharge bin 14. For example, when one document is discharged to all the first to tenth bins, one cycle (circulation) is completed. Until one cycle is completed (S101: NO), sheets are discharged one by one while switching the discharge destination in S47 to S50. When printing of one cycle is completed (S101: YES), the process waits until the next cycle switch 23 is operated (S102). When the user takes out the printing paper from each paper discharge bin 14 and operates the next cycle switch 23, the paper discharge destination is switched to the first paper discharge bin 14, that is, the initial paper discharge bin, and the next printing is performed.
[0077]
In the present embodiment configured as described above, the same effect as in the third embodiment can be obtained. In addition, in the present embodiment, since the next cycle printing is started by operating the next cycle switch 23, the collation printing can be advanced according to the convenience of the user, and the usability is improved.
[0078]
6). Sixth embodiment
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. A feature of the present embodiment is that it is prepared for a case where print image data of all pages cannot be saved due to insufficient storage capacity.
[0079]
FIG. 13 shows a printing process according to the present embodiment, and this process includes all the steps shown in FIG. In addition, in this process, when data is stored in the storage unit 19 (S43), it is determined whether or not a storage capacity shortage (hereinafter referred to as “memory shortage”) has occurred in the storage unit 19 (S111). When the memory shortage occurs, the memory shortage process shown in FIG. 14 is executed (S120). It should be noted that it is determined whether or not a memory shortage has occurred before saving the data. If no memory shortage has occurred, the data may be saved. That is, S43 can be executed when S111 is “NO”.
[0080]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the memory shortage process shown in S120 in FIG. First, the processing mode at the time of memory shortage is detected (S121). The processing mode includes, for example, a one-print mode in which only one copy is printed and finished, a re-transmission mode in which print data is transmitted from the host computer 1 for the number of copies, and how many pages can be stored in the storage unit 19. There are three types of notification modes for notifying the user. One of the three processing modes may be set as an initial value in advance, or may be designated by the user for each print job. Note that it is not necessary to provide all the three types of processing modes. Any one of the processing modes is sufficient.
[0081]
If the set processing mode is the one-copy printing mode (S122: YES), the number of copies is changed to 1, the multi-sorter mode is switched to the normal mode, and only one copy is printed (S123). In the case of the retransmission mode (S124: YES), the host computer 1 is requested to retransmit the print data by the number of copies (S125). In the notification mode (S126), the host computer 1 is notified of the page range stored in the storage unit 19 (S127), and it is determined whether or not to continue collation printing within the stored range (S128). ).
[0082]
That is, the user can know how many pages have been stored based on the notification from the printer 11, in other words, how many pages can be printed in the multi-sorter mode. If collation printing is possible up to the 9th page out of all 10-page documents, it is more printing time to collate and print only 9 pages and copy the required number of copies for the 10th page as a separate print job. May be shortened. Therefore, when notifying the host computer 1 of the stored page range, the user is inquired whether to print in the multi-sorter mode with the data in the stored range (S128). When the user desires printing within the saved range (S128: YES), the number of pages is updated (S129). That is, the last page stored in the storage unit 19 is set as the last page of the document. If the number of pages is updated in S129, the process returns to S44 in FIG.
[0083]
In the present embodiment configured as described above, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition to this, in the present embodiment, since the processing when the storage capacity of the storage unit 19 is insufficient is provided, usability is improved. Further, since printing in the multi-sorter mode can be executed within the range stored in the storage unit 19, the selection range of the user when the memory is insufficient is widened, and the usability is improved.
[0084]
A person skilled in the art can make various additions and modifications within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the above embodiments. For example, the present invention can be realized by storing a predetermined program or the like in the recording medium MM shown in FIG. 1 and causing the printer controller 12 to read the program or the like.
[0085]
Further, in the third to sixth embodiments, the second embodiment is applied to the first embodiment in which one sheet is discharged to each discharge bin, and is discharged to each discharge bin one page at a time. The above embodiments can also be applied to these embodiments.
[0086]
Further, in each of the above embodiments, the discharge bins usable in the multi-sorter mode are detected in consideration of both the reservation status and the full status of each discharge bin. Alternatively, an available paper discharge bin can be detected in consideration of only one of the full conditions.
[0087]
Further, in the present invention, since it is particularly effective when a plurality of print modes for printing using a plurality of paper discharge paths are provided, it can be expressed as follows.
[0088]
Expression 1. A reservation mode (mailbox mode) that has a plurality of paper discharge paths, reserves and uses a predetermined paper discharge path among the paper discharge paths, and a collation print mode (multi-print mode) that uses each paper discharge path repeatedly. In a printer capable of selecting a sorter mode, a second sorter mode, or an extended sorter mode), a discharge path management unit that detects and manages an available discharge path among the plurality of discharge paths, and the use Mode determination means for determining whether or not the collation printing mode is designated with the number of copies exceeding the total number of possible paper discharge paths, and when the collation printing mode is designated, it is necessary for printing one copy. And a storage unit that stores the data, and when it is determined that the collation printing mode is designated, the data stored in the storage unit is read and printed, and each of the available paper discharge paths is set to the number of copies. By repeatedly selecting the number of response was, printer, characterized in that a control means for discharging the printed recording medium to the respective discharge path.
[0089]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the printer, the printing system, and the printing method according to the present invention, it is possible to perform collation printing with the number of copies exceeding the total number of paper discharge paths, and increase the number of copies that can be collated, which is easy to use. Can be improved. In addition, since a usable paper discharge path is detected and used for collation printing among a plurality of paper discharge paths, it can coexist with various printing modes, and multistage paper discharge paths can be used effectively. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a printer structure.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a paper discharge bin management unit.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a print mode determination unit.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a paper discharge bin management process.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating printing processing in a multi-sorter mode.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a state of paper discharge to each paper discharge bin.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a printing process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a state of paper discharge to each paper discharge bin.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a printing process according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of print processing according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a printing process according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of print processing according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a flowchart showing details of a memory shortage process shown in FIG. 13;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Host computer
11 Printer
12 Printer controller
13 Print engine
14 Output bin
19 Storage
20 Print mode determination unit
21 Output bin management section
22 Paper output bin sensor
23rd cycle switch
24 Control unit
49 Multistage output device

Claims (13)

In a printer having a plurality of paper discharge bins and performing printing based on print data input from a host computer,
A discharge bin managing means for detecting and managing an available discharge bin among the plurality of discharge bins;
Mode determining means for determining whether or not collated printing has been designated with the number of copies exceeding the total number of available paper discharge bins;
When it is determined that the collation printing is designated by the mode determination unit, a storage unit that stores data necessary for one copy;
When it is determined that the collation printing is designated by the mode determination unit, the data stored in the storage unit is read out and printed, and the number of the available discharge bins corresponding to the number of copies is set. By repeatedly selecting, a control means for discharging the print recording medium to each discharge bin is provided ,
The discharge bin managing means includes at least one of a plurality of discharge bins other than a reserved discharge bin or a discharge bin other than a discharge bin in which a print recording medium has accumulated a predetermined amount or more. Detecting one of the paper discharge bins as the usable paper discharge bin, and detecting an empty paper discharge bin in which no print recording medium is accumulated among the available paper discharge bins;
The printer , wherein the control means preferentially selects the empty paper discharge bin . The control means according to claim 1, wherein while the number corresponding to the number of copies is switched repeatedly each output bin of said available to each discharge the print recording medium for all pages in each of said sheet discharge bins available printer according to. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the control unit discharges each page to each of the available discharge bins by a number corresponding to the number of print copies. The printer according to claim 1 , wherein the discharge bin management unit detects the empty discharge bin based on a signal from a detection unit that detects a print recording medium accumulation state of the plurality of discharge bins. 2. The discharge bin management unit according to claim 1 , wherein the discharge bin management unit detects the empty discharge bin based on a signal from a medium removal confirmation switch for instructing that the print recording medium is removed from the discharge bin. Printer. In the case where a plurality of copies of the print recording medium are discharged in the same discharge bin, the control means prints one copy of the print recording medium discharged first and one copy of the print discharge related to the next discharge. to distinguish between media, the printer according to claim 1 to provide the identification information. When the control unit cannot store one copy of the collated print data in the storage unit, the control unit prints only one copy and ends the print data from the host computer according to the number of print copies. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a mode in which printing is performed by re-sending and a mode in which the collation printing is performed within a range of data stored in the storage unit can be selected. The printer according to claim 7 , wherein the control unit notifies the host computer of a range of data stored in the storage unit when the data of one copy relating to the collation printing cannot be stored in the storage unit. . If the number of copies to be printed exceeds either the total number of the plurality of discharge bins or the total number of the available discharge bins, the mode determination unit may designate that the collation printing is designated. The printer according to claim 1 , wherein the printer is determined. In a printing system comprising a host computer and a printer having a plurality of paper discharge bins and performing printing based on print data input from the host computer,
The host computer
Mode designation means for instructing collation printing with the number of copies exceeding the total number of the plurality of paper discharge bins;
Print data generation means for generating print data relating to the collation printing;
Transmission means for transmitting the collation print instruction and the print data to the printer,
The printer is
Receiving means for receiving the collation printing instruction and the print data from the host computer;
A discharge bin managing means for detecting and managing an available discharge bin among the plurality of discharge bins;
Mode determination means for determining whether or not the collation printing is designated by the collation printing instruction;
If the collation printing is designated, storage means for storing data necessary for one copy;
When the collation printing is designated, the data stored in the storage unit is read and printed, and each of the available paper discharge bins is repeatedly selected by the number corresponding to the number of copies, Control means for discharging the print recording medium to the discharge bin ,
The discharge bin management means includes at least one of a plurality of discharge bins other than a reserved discharge bin and a discharge bin other than a discharge bin in which a print recording medium has accumulated a predetermined amount or more. Detecting one of the paper discharge bins as the usable paper discharge bin, and detecting an empty paper discharge bin in which no print recording medium is accumulated among the available paper discharge bins;
The printing system , wherein the control unit preferentially selects the empty paper discharge bin . The control means according to claim 10, wherein while the number corresponding to the number of copies is switched repeatedly each output bin of said available to each discharge the print recording medium for all pages in each of said sheet discharge bins available The printing system described in. The printing system according to claim 10 , wherein the control unit discharges each available page to each of the available paper discharge bins in a number corresponding to the number of print copies. In a printing method for performing collation printing by a printer having a plurality of paper discharge bins,
Use at least one of the plurality of paper discharge bins other than the reserved paper discharge bin or the paper discharge bin other than the paper discharge bin in which the print recording medium has accumulated a predetermined amount or more. Detecting as a possible output bin;
Determining whether collated printing has been designated with a number of copies exceeding the total number of available paper discharge bins;
When the collation printing is designated, the print recording medium of all pages is discharged to the discharge bin first selected from the available discharge bins, and the printing of all pages is performed. Saving necessary data, and
When said first print recording medium for all pages in the selected output bin is discharged, the print recording from among the output bin the available until the printing of the designated print number of copies is completed Preferentially selecting an empty paper bin with no accumulated media as the next paper bin and switching the paper output destination;
Printing while reading the stored data, and discharging the print recording medium of all pages to the selected discharge bin;
The printing method characterized by including.

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