JPH11349207A - Printing device and print processing method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the sorted output with a required unit number efficiently by delivering and controlling the output information and additional page output for the assigned emergent bin based on the additional page output set state for the inputted output information. SOLUTION: At first, it is judged whether paper sheets are printed or not by dividing to a print group (1). When the print group printing is indicated, the print of an assigned number for respective bins from a first emergent bin upto a tenth discharge bin is carried out (2) to (5). Then, it is judged whether a cover page is assigned (7) and in the assigned case, a cover page image is formed to only the printed emergent bin and printed. Concretely, a count (i) is set to '1' (8) and it is judged whether the print is assigned to the ith emergent bin (9), If YES, the cover page image is formed and the printed cover page (on which print date, emergent bin no., printed number are provided) are delivered to the ith bin (10).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to printing means for printing on a recording medium fed based on output information input from a computer, and discharging the recording medium printed by the printing means to a discharge bin. And a print processing method of the printing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing apparatus of this type prints a plurality of copies of a document and, when it is desired to divide the document into a set of at least one copy, for example, prints 100 copies of a certain document and prints 10 copies, 20 copies, In the case of dividing into a system (print group) of 30 copies and 40 copies, after printing 100 copies, the user manually sorts the necessary print group or prints 10 copies. Then, it is necessary to remove the printed matter from the tray of the printing apparatus, print the divided pieces while giving instructions such as printing 20 copies, and then remove the printed matter from the tray.

[0003] In addition, when an abnormality occurs in this type of printing apparatus and abnormal operation cannot be performed due to some kind of trouble, a message is displayed on a message display of the printing apparatus and information of the generated abnormality is notified to an operator. A general failure notification process is performed.

[0004] In particular, when a serviceman needs to be repaired (at the time of failure), it indicates that a service call is required. In the event of a failure, the operator contacts the service technician by telephone or the like, and reports the status of the failure, the contents of the message displayed on the message display, and requests repair.

[0005] Thereafter, a service technician judges the situation from the contents of the above-mentioned operator, and if necessary, repairs the parts with replacement parts.

[0006]

However, the prior art 1
When printing 00 copies at a time, there is a problem that it is necessary to divide the prints of 100 copies into print groups of a desired number of copies.

In the case of divisional output, the operator has to give a print command four times, and every time the printing is completed, it is necessary to remove the printed matter from the tray, Since the first page of each print group is the same document, there is a problem that it is difficult to identify the first page.

On the other hand, when a failure occurs in a conventional printing apparatus, as described above, a message indicating that a failure has occurred is displayed on a message display with an error number and a message for requesting a service call, and this display is confirmed. Thus, the user notifies the service representative of the error number by telephone or the like, but the information that can be transmitted from the user to the service representative by telephone or the like is limited to the displayed content.

In addition, the user must check the information such as the name and telephone number of the service technician of the printing apparatus and make a contact when the trouble occurs, and the contact method can be easily determined. There is also a problem that is not.

[0010] Further, when a failure occurs, the user usually turns off the power and waits for the arrival of a service person when stopping the use of the printing apparatus. There is also a problem that the detected fault information is lost.

[0011] Further, if the power supply is restored to a usable state when the power is turned on again, the power supply is continued, and the failure range is expanded. There were also problems such as repairs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printer which prints on a recording medium fed based on output information input from a computer, and A sorter that discharges a recording medium printed by a printer to a plurality or a single paper output bin, wherein output information is output to a specified paper output bin based on an additional page output setting state for input output information. By controlling the output of the additional page and the output of the additional page, or identifying the output information and the output of the additional page for each output bin in each predetermined unit based on the setting of the additional page output for the input output information. By controlling, furthermore, the output information and the additional page output are the same for the output bin based on the additional page output setting state for the input output information. Discharge control while alternately switching the feeding direction of a recording medium of a size, an additional page output is automatically added to a predetermined unit of output request based on input output information, and identification discharge is performed. It is possible to efficiently obtain the required number of sorted outputs with a simple operation and eliminate the conventional sorting process after the user discharges the paper. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a print processing method of the printing apparatus, which can greatly improve the throughput in the accompanying output.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing unit (printer unit 2 shown in FIG. 2) for printing on a recording medium fed based on output information input from a computer. The recording medium printed by the printing means is transferred to a plurality of discharge bins (discharge bins B1 to B10 shown in FIG. 2).
Sheet discharging means (sorter 220 shown in FIG. 2)
The computer (computer 11 shown in FIG. 1) determines whether or not to discharge an image based on the output information and a predetermined additional page corresponding to the image to the plurality of discharge bins. 2) output setting means (printer controller 2a shown in FIG. 2) for setting based on information input from the print driver, and a discharge bin set to be output by the output setting means based on the output information. A print controller (printer controller 2a shown in FIG. 2) for creating an image and the predetermined additional page, printing the image on a recording medium, and discharging the sheet.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the additional page created by the print control means is a cover page on which predetermined additional information corresponding to a print output based on the output information is recorded. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an additional page for discriminating a printing surface of a recording medium loaded on a sheet discharging means and switching a predetermined additional page creation timing corresponding to a print output based on the output information. It is provided with creation control means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the printing means includes:
It is to analyze output information described in a page description language input from the computer and print a bitmap image on a recording medium.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the printing means includes:
The output information of the bitmap image input from the computer is printed on a recording medium.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing means (printer unit 2 shown in FIG. 2) for printing on a recording medium fed based on input output information, and In a printing apparatus having a paper discharge means (sorter 220 shown in FIG. 2) for discharging a recording medium to a plurality of paper discharge bins (paper discharge bins B1 to B10 shown in FIG. 2), A first sorting unit (printer controller 2a shown in FIG. 2) for sorting and discharging the image print output based on the output information, and a print output of the image based on the output information for each discharge bin. And a second sorting unit (printer controller 2a shown in FIG. 2) for controlling the sheet discharge so that the sheets can be identifiably stacked for each unit.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a print group in which an image based on the output information is divided for each designated number of copies is discharged as the predetermined unit.

An eighth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that recording media of the same size are stacked so as to be vertically and horizontally transportable in a portrait or landscape, and said second sorting means includes a portrait and a portrait for each predetermined unit; The control is such that the landscape recording media are alternately fed and are stacked in the respective discharge bins in an identifiable manner.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of: determining a printing surface of a recording medium stacked on a sheet discharging means; and switching a creation timing of a predetermined additional page corresponding to a print output based on the output information. It has a page creation control means.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the printing means analyzes the output information described in a page description language input from a computer and prints a bitmap image on a recording medium.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the printing means prints output information of a bitmap image input from a computer on a recording medium.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing means for printing on a recording medium fed based on output information inputted from a computer, and a recording medium printed by the printing means being placed in a paper discharge bin. A printing apparatus having a paper discharging means for discharging paper, a paper feeding means for feeding a recording medium from a plurality of paper feeding units storing portrait and landscape recording media of the same size, and an image based on the output information. Control means for controlling the recording medium to be printed so as to alternately feed the portrait and landscape in predetermined units and discharge the recording medium to the discharge bin (the printer controller 2a shown in FIG. (Alternate sheet feeding from the stacking unit 204 and the transfer sheet stacking unit 205, and control of the discharge destination to perform the identification discharge on the same discharge bin.)

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, a print group in which an image based on the output information is divided for each designated number of copies is discharged as the predetermined unit.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of: determining a printing surface of a recording medium to be stacked on a sheet discharging means; and switching a creation timing of a predetermined additional page corresponding to a print output based on the output information. It is provided with page creation control means.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the printing means analyzes the output information described in a page description language input from a computer and prints a bitmap image on a recording medium.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the printing means analyzes the output information described in a page description language input from a computer and prints a bitmap image on a recording medium.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, a printing means (printer unit 2 shown in FIG. 2) for printing on a recording medium fed based on output information input from a computer,
A sheet discharging means (sorter 22 shown in FIG. 2) for sorting and discharging the recording medium printed by the printing means into a plurality of paper discharging bins.
0), the computer determines whether or not to discharge an image based on the output information and a predetermined additional page corresponding to the image to the plurality of discharge bins. An output setting step of setting based on information input from a printer driver; and forming an image and the predetermined additional page based on the output information for a discharge bin output set by the output setting step. It has a printing control process (steps (1) to (12) shown in FIG. 5 and steps (1) to (12) shown in FIG. 10) for printing and discharging the recording medium.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing means (printer unit 2 shown in FIG. 2) for printing on a recording medium fed based on input output information, and the printing means for printing by the printing means. In a print processing method in a printing apparatus having a paper discharge unit (a sorter 220 shown in FIG. 2) for discharging a recording medium to a plurality of paper discharge bins, an image based on the output information is provided to the plurality of paper discharge bins. A first sorting step of sorting and discharging the print outputs of the first and second sorts, and a second sort of discharging control so that the print output of the image based on the output information is identifiably stacked for each discharge bin in a predetermined unit. And a process.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, a printing means (printer unit 2 shown in FIG. 2) for printing on a recording medium fed based on output information input from a computer,
In a printing apparatus having a paper discharge unit (a sorter 220 shown in FIG. 2) for discharging a recording medium printed by the printing unit to a paper discharge bin, a plurality of storage media storing portrait and landscape recording media of the same size. A paper feeding step of feeding a recording medium from a paper feeding unit (transfer paper stacking units 204 and 205 shown in FIG. 2) and a recording medium for printing an image based on the output information are alternately performed in portrait and landscape for each predetermined unit. And a paper discharge process (steps (1) to (12) shown in FIG. 5 and steps (1) to (12) shown in FIG. 10) for discharging paper to the paper discharge bin. is there.

[0032]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. For example, output information processed by a plurality of function processing units will be described. Is used as a printing device of a multifunction device capable of outputting the same.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image input device (reader unit) for converting a document into image data.
A document feeder such as a DF or RDF can be connected. Reference numeral 2 denotes an image output device (printer unit) having a plurality of types of recording paper cassettes and outputting image data as visible images on recording paper in accordance with a print command, and 3 denotes an external device electrically connected to the reader unit 1. A facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, an external storage device 6 connected to the file unit 5, a computer 11 and a computer interface unit 7 for connection to a LAN, and a formatter for converting information from the computer into a visible image. And an image memory unit 9 for temporarily storing information from the reader unit 1 and for temporarily storing information sent from the computer 11, and a core unit 10 for controlling various functions.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 shown in FIG. 1. The configuration and operation will be described below.

Document feeder 1 for ADF or RDF
When the originals stacked on the original 01 are sequentially conveyed one by one to a predetermined position on the original platen glass surface 102, the lamp 103 of the scanner unit is turned on, and the scanner unit 104 moves to irradiate the original. The reflected light of the original is reflected by mirror 105,
The signals are input to a CCD image sensor unit (CCD) 109 via 106, 107 and a lens 108.

The reflected light of the document irradiated on the CCD 109 is photoelectrically converted here, and the converted electric signal is subjected to various image processings in an image processing section 110 and reaches an external switching circuit. The external switching circuit is the reader unit 1
Functions as a selector for switching a signal from the external device 3 to the printer unit 2 or the external device 3, and has a function of selecting either the signal from the reader unit 1 or the signal from the external device 3 and connecting to the printer unit 2. .

In the external switching circuit of the image processing unit 110,
The electric signal connected to the printer unit 2 is transmitted to the exposure control unit 20.
The latent image formed on the photosensitive member 202 after being converted into the optical signal modulated by 1 is developed by the developing device 203. The transfer paper stacking section 20 is adjusted in time with the leading end of the development.
4 or the transfer paper is transported by the transfer paper loading unit 205,
In the transfer unit 206, the developed image is transferred. The transferred image is fixed on the transfer paper by a fixing unit 207, and then discharged to the outside of the apparatus from a paper discharge unit 208. The transfer paper output from the paper discharge unit 208 is discharged to each bin when the sort function is working in the sorter 220, and to the top bin of the sorter 220 when the sort function is not working. You.

Next, a process for outputting sequentially read original images on both sides of one transfer sheet will be described.

After the output paper fixed by the fixing unit 207 is once conveyed to the paper discharge unit 208, the conveyance direction of the paper is reversed, and the output paper is transferred to the transfer paper stacking unit 210 for refeeding via the conveyance direction switching member 209. Transport.

Next, when the original is prepared, the original image is read in the same manner as in the above-described process, but the transfer paper is fed from the re-feeding receiving paper stacking section 210.
As a result, two original images can be output on the front and back sides of the same output sheet.

The external device 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 by a cable, and controls a signal and controls each function by a core unit 10 in the external device 3. The external device 3 includes a facsimile unit 4 for performing facsimile transmission and reception, a file unit for converting various types of document information into electric signals, and storing them on a recording medium, for example, a magneto-optical disk.
A formatter unit 8 for expanding DL data into image information, a computer interface unit 7 for interfacing with a LAN and a computer 11, and accumulating information from the reader unit 1 and temporarily storing information sent from the computer 11. And a core unit 10 for controlling each function.

The discharge bins B1 to B10 are controlled by the control unit of the sorter 220 to control the selected discharge destination. PG1 to PG4 are print groups, and a cover page sheet C for each print group PG1 to PG4
This corresponds to a state where P1 to CP4 are discharged. Also,
The setting of the number of paper discharge copies and / or the cover page for each of the paper discharge bins B1 to B10 is performed on an operation screen described later.

Reference numeral 2a denotes a printer controller, which includes a CPU,
A RAM and a ROM are provided to control communication between the reader unit 1 and the core unit 10 and to control an electrophotographic process while monitoring outputs of various sensors. In addition,
The sensor includes an optical sensor, a mechanical sensor, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation panel provided in the reader unit 1 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes a display unit constituted by an LCD display, which displays an operation state, a message, and the like. The surface of the display unit 301 is formed of a touch panel, and functions as a selection key by touching the surface. Numeral 302 is a numeric keypad used for inputting numbers. Reference numeral 303 denotes a start key, which is pressed to start a copying process for printing an image on a document reading transfer sheet.

Hereinafter, a print group processing operation in the printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a printing surface of an output sheet discharged from the printer unit 2 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4A shows a case where the printing surface of the output paper is facing upward, and FIG. 4B shows a case where the printing surface of the output paper is facing downward.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the print group processing method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. In addition,
(1) to (12) show each step.

First, when the start key 303 shown in FIG. 3 is depressed, it is determined whether or not to divide into print groups and print (1). In the present embodiment, the print group print is designated by touching the “print group” button B1 on the touch panel, and a screen for print group print setting as shown in FIG. .

Particularly, in this embodiment, since ten sorter bins are provided in the sorter 220, the number of print groups can be set for each sorter bin. A cover page setting item is also displayed on the display unit 301 so that a cover page can be set. To set a cover page, select the “YES” button and further print additional information (eg, bin name, number of copies). Is provided.

If it is determined in step (1) that print group printing has not been instructed, that is, if NO, normal printing is performed (6), and the process ends.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step (1) that print group printing is instructed, that is, in the case of YES, each bin is set from the first discharge bin to the tenth discharge bin. Print the number of copies specified on the screen (2)-
(5).

Specifically, the count i is set to "1" (2), the designated number of copies is printed in the i-th discharge bin (3), and it is determined whether or not the count i is "10". Then, (4), if YES, the process proceeds to the process after step (7). If NO, the count i is incremented by "1" (5), and the process returns to step (3).

Thus, for example, 10 copies, 20 copies, 30 copies set on the print group print setting screen shown in FIG.
Copies, a total of 100 copies are printed as a print group of 40 copies,
Each print group is discharged to the first to fourth discharge bins.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (4) is YES, it is determined whether a cover page has been designated (7). If no cover page has been designated, the process ends. In (8) to (12), a cover page image is formed only on the printed bin from the first discharge bin to the tenth discharge bin.

More specifically, the count i is set to "1" (8), and it is determined whether or not printing is designated for the i-th discharge bin (9). )
Proceed to the following, if YES, form a cover page image,
i. The cover page printed on the paper discharge bin, for example, a print group print cover page PC shown in FIG. 7 (having a header such as a print group print cover page, a print date, a paper discharge bin number, and the number of prints) is discharged. (10) When the count i is “1”
It is determined whether it is "0" (11). If YES, the process is terminated. If NO, the count i is incremented by "1" (12), and the process returns to step (9). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8, the first, second, third, fourth
In the second bin, the cover page and the output image are stacked and discharged on the designated portion (print group).

In the first embodiment, the reader unit 1
The case where print group printing and cover page output are set from the operation unit described above has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 1, the printer unit 2 can also print output information from the core unit 10 of the external device 3. By installing software for processing a print request when outputting output information from the various function processing units, that is, a print group print processing program (stored in the computer 11) in the print driver, The print group print setting on the operation unit shown in FIG.

Further, in the first embodiment, the case where the print group is discharged to each discharge bin when the sorter 220 is connected to the printer unit 2 has been described. However, for example, as shown in the present embodiment, the transfer paper stacking units 204 and 20
5 and the transfer paper loading units 204 and 2 respectively.
In the case where transfer papers of the same size are loaded in portrait / landscape so as to be able to be fed vertically / horizontally in 05, printing of each print group is performed even if the discharge tray is single. By alternately selecting and printing, it is possible to sort and output as shown in FIG. 9 and easily identify the print group.

In particular, in FIG. 9, four print groups (10
Copies, 20, 30, 40 copies) is specified and A4
The first print group 81 (10-copy printing, A4 landscape) is selected by alternately selecting the transfer paper loading section 204 on which the vertical transfer paper is loaded, and the transfer paper loading section 205 on which the horizontal transfer paper is loaded. Paper), second print group 82 (20 copies / A4 portrait paper), third print group 83 (30 copies / A4 landscape paper), fourth print group 84 (40 copies / A4 portrait paper)
Shows a state where is loaded.

Further, in the first embodiment, the case where the print group is discharged to each paper discharge bin when the sorter 220 is connected to the printer unit 2 has been described. In this case, the number of print groups is: The number of output bins is limited. Therefore, the above-described stacking by the vertical feeding and the stacking by the horizontal feeding may be applied to the discharge of each bin, so that the print group printing process more than the number of discharge bins may be performed.

In the first embodiment, the case where the direction of the printing surface is upward as shown in FIG. 4A has been described. However, as shown in FIG. The present invention can also be applied to the case where the direction is downward, and the print group processing in that case will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the print group processing method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. In addition, (1) to (12) indicate each step.

First, when the start key 303 shown in FIG. 3 is depressed, it is determined whether or not printing is performed by dividing into print groups (1). In the present embodiment, the print group print is designated by touching the “print group” button B1 on the touch panel, and a screen for print group print setting as shown in FIG. . In particular, in this embodiment, since ten sorter bins are provided in the sorter, the number of print groups can be set for each sorter bin, and a cover page is set for the print group. The display unit 301 also displays a cover page setting item so that the user can select a “YES” button to set a cover page and set additional information (for example, bin name and number of copies) to be printed. It has.

When it is determined in step (1) that print group printing has not been instructed, that is, in the case of NO, normal printing is performed (6), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that print group printing has been instructed, that is, if YES, the flow advances to step (7) to determine whether a cover page has been designated. If it is not specified, the process is terminated. If it is specified, the cover page image is printed only for the printed bin from the first discharge bin to the tenth discharge bin. (8)-(12).

More specifically, the count i is set to "1" (8), and it is determined whether or not printing is designated for the i-th bin (9). If YES, a cover page image is formed, and a cover page printed on the i bin, for example, a print group print cover page PC (a header of a print group print cover page, a print date, a discharge bin, etc.) shown in FIG. Number, the number of printed sheets, etc.) is discharged (10), and it is determined whether or not the count i is "10" (11).
Then, the count i is incremented by “1” (1
2) Return to step (9).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (7) is NO, the process returns to step (2) and the setting screen is set for each of the discharge bins from the first discharge bin to the tenth discharge bin. The number of copies is printed (2) to (5).

More specifically, the count i is set to "1" (2), the specified number of copies are printed in the i-th discharge bin (3), and it is determined whether or not the count i is "10". Then, (4), if YES, the process is terminated; if NO, the count i is incremented by "1" (5), and the process returns to step (3).

Thus, for example, 10 copies, 20 copies, 30 copies set on the print group print setting screen shown in FIG.
Copies, a total of 100 copies are printed as a print group of 40 copies,
Each print group is discharged to the first to fourth discharge bins.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (4) is YES, the output image is stored in the first, second, third, and fourth bins following the cover page in the designation section. The (print group) is stacked and discharged with the print surface facing downward.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a copying apparatus to which a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a copying apparatus; 111, an input device (scanner unit) for optically reading an original;
Denotes a processing device, which includes a CPU, RAM, and ROM (not shown), controls each input / output device, and creates an image based on detailed information at the time of failure. Reference numeral 113 denotes a storage device that stores information on a response method in the event of a failure and usage status, and reference numeral 114 denotes an output device that prints image information, and includes various sensors that detect out of paper, out of toner, and jam. A display device 115 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display.
And the setting status of the output device 114 and information at the time of abnormality are displayed.

FIG. 12 shows the display device 115 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a message displayed on the screen.

In the figure, reference numeral 121 denotes a failure message.
This corresponds to a message output when there is no paper that can be fed in a paper storage unit (not shown) of the output device 114 (detected by a sensor (not shown)). Reference numeral 122 denotes a failure message, which corresponds to a message output when a sheet conveyed to the output device 114 is jammed (detected by a sensor (not shown)). Reference numeral 123 denotes a failure message which is output when repair is necessary (when a failure occurs). For example, when the processing device 112 cannot receive image information from the input device 111 and the error number is “E”.
240 "and a message indicating that a service call is required.

Hereinafter, a failure notification method for a printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a method of notifying a failure of a printing apparatus according to the present invention. In addition,
(1) to (5) show each step. Also, in the storage device 113 shown in FIG. 11, header items 41 (for example, item information such as a person in charge for contacting a service person and a telephone number) of the failure detail report shown in FIG. 14 are registered. Shall be.

When there is no paper in a cassette (not shown) while the output device 114 is in use (an abnormality occurs), (1)
The output device 114 notifies the processing device 112 that there is no paper in the cassette, for example, by a status command.
The content is displayed on the display device 115 as a failure message 121 shown in FIG. 2 (2). Also, the output device 114
In the case where a paper jam has occurred, the content is similarly displayed on the display device 115 as a failure message 122.

Next, the priority of the abnormality is determined (3), and when it is determined that the service call is not serious enough to be necessary (when NO is determined), that is, displayed in step (2). Like the failure message 121,1
In the case of 22, the determination in step (3) is NO,
The process is terminated, and the user stands by for the termination of the abnormality release process. More specifically, replenishment of paper or removal of a paper jam is performed.

On the other hand, during the copying operation by the input device 111 and the output device 114, if an abnormality occurs in which the image data from the input device 111 cannot be received by the processing device 112, etc. At 115, the failure message 123 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed, the determination in step (3) becomes YES, and the processing device 112 determines whether the detailed failure information is available to the output device 114 (4). ), If NO, the process ends. In this case, the operator responds by checking the contact information of the service representative and notifying that the error number E240 has occurred by telephone or the like. Y in the determination of step (4)
In the case of ES (for example, when the processing device 112 cannot receive the image information from the input device 111), an image of the detailed failure information is created from the storage device 113 in which information on the handling method at the time of failure and the usage status are stored. 1 by the output device 114
The failure detail report shown in FIG. 4 is printed (5).

FIG. 14 shows the output device 114 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a failure detail report output from the LM.

In the figure, the header item 141 shown in the above-described failure detail report is printed with a response to the failure, for example, the name of a person in charge, a telephone number, and a facsimile number for contacting a service person. Reference numeral 142 denotes a failure status area, which includes detailed failure information (date and time of occurrence, error number, failure summary (for example, “image from scanner unit cannot be recognized”),
“Scanner processing device I / F: abnormal”, “printing unit: no failure”, etc.) are printed. Reference numeral 143 denotes usage status information, for example, “user: XYZ”, “machine number: 123”
45678 "," Total number of pages used: 1234567 ",
"Operating days: 1234 days ..." and the like are printed.

As shown in this figure, the user makes a telephone call to a service representative in accordance with the instructions of the printed document, and transmits the document by facsimile. by this,
The service technician obtains detailed failure information that can analyze the cause of the failure in comparison with the normal error code,
By analyzing the failure information, prompt and appropriate response can be made.

An I / F (scanner / processing device I / F) between the input device 111 and the processing device 112 shown in FIG.
If the life of the printer has been set to 1.2 million copies, even if the power is turned on and the printer is restarted, a failure detail report will be printed and the user will be notified that a potential failure will occur. The replacement of parts or units can be prompted.

In the second embodiment, the input device 1
Although the printing system in which the digitizer copying apparatus is composed of the printing apparatus 11 and the output device 114 is described as an example,
It is easy to realize the failure detail report function processing of the present invention also in an image processing apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus.

In the above-described second embodiment, the method for dealing with a failure is to contact a service person.
A reference page of the troubleshooting book or an application for detailed failure information may be created so that the user can recognize the situation in more detail and instruct the service on a replacement part or a replacement unit. That is,
From the contents printed in the failure detail report, the abnormal part is “scanner / processing device I / F” and the total number of used sheets is “1234”.
567, "the life of the parts of the scanner / processing device I / F" is determined, so that the user requests the service to replace the parts of the scanner / processing device I / F.

Further, in the second embodiment, it is determined whether or not detailed failure information can be output in step (4) shown in FIG. 13. If it is determined that the failure detailed information cannot be output, the process is terminated. As described above, according to the procedure shown in FIG. 15, which will be described later, if NO is determined in step (4), detailed failure information is written to the storage device 113 shown in FIG. It may be configured to output the detailed failure information stored in an external printing device, facsimile device, or external display device via an external interface.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of the printing apparatus fault notification method according to the present invention. In addition,
(1) to (6) show each step. Also, in the storage device 113 shown in FIG. 11, header items 41 (for example, item information such as a person in charge for contacting a service person and a telephone number) of the failure detail report shown in FIG. 14 are registered. Shall be.

If there is no paper in a cassette (not shown) while the output device 114 is in use (an abnormality occurs), (1)
The output device 114 notifies the processing device 112 that there is no paper in the cassette, for example, by a status command.
The content is displayed on the display device 115 as a failure message 121 shown in FIG. 2 (2). Also, the output device 114
In the case where a paper jam has occurred, the content is similarly displayed on the display device 115 as a failure message 122.

Next, the priority of the abnormality is determined (3), and when it is determined that the service call is not serious enough to be necessary (when NO is determined), that is, displayed in step (2). Like the failure message 121,1
In the case of 22, the determination in step (3) is NO,
The process is terminated, and the user stands by for the termination of the abnormality release process. More specifically, replenishment of paper or removal of a paper jam is performed.

On the other hand, during the copying operation between the input device 111 and the output device 114, if an abnormality occurs in which the image data from the input device 111 cannot be received by the processing device 112, etc. At 115, the failure message 123 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed, the determination in step (3) becomes YES, and the processing device 112 determines whether the detailed failure information is available to the output device 114 (4). ), If NO, store detailed failure information in storage device 1
13 (6), and the process ends.

In this case, the operator responds by checking the contact information of the service person and notifying that an error of error number E240 has occurred by telephone or the like. If the determination in step (4) is YES (for example, when the processing device 112 cannot receive the image information from the input device 111), the storage device 113 that stores information on a method of dealing with the failure and the use state stores the failure. An image of the detailed information is created, and a failure detailed report shown in FIG. 14 is printed by the output device 114 (5).

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

In the first and second embodiments, the engine of the printing apparatus is not particularly limited, but a laser printer engine, an ink jet engine or the like can be employed.

[0095]

As described above, according to the first to nineteenth aspects of the present invention, the output information and the additional page are output to the designated discharge bin based on the additional page output setting state for the input output information. The output and the output control are performed, or the output information and the additional page output are identified for each output bin for each predetermined unit based on the additional page output setting state for the input output information, and the discharge is controlled. Furthermore, since the output information and the additional page output for the output bin are controlled alternately by changing the feeding direction of the recording medium of the same size based on the additional page output setting state for the input output information, the discharge control is performed. It is possible to efficiently obtain the required number of sorted outputs by a simple operation, and eliminate the sorting process after the sheet is discharged by the user as in the conventional case. The effect of such can be significantly improved throughput in output caused.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of a reader unit and a printer unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel provided in a reader unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a printing surface of an output sheet discharged from the printer unit illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a print group processing method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

6 is a diagram showing an example of a print group print setting screen displayed on the display unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a print group print cover page output from the printer unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a correspondence between a print group discharged to the sorter shown in FIG. 2 and a cover page output.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another print group identification discharge state in the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of the print group processing method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a message displayed on the display device shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a failure notification method for a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a failure detail report output from the output device illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of a failure notification method for a printing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 reader unit 2 printer unit 3 external device 4 facsimile unit 5 file unit 6 external storage device 7 computer interface unit 8 formatter unit 9 image memory unit 10 core unit 11 host computer

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A printing means for printing on a recording medium fed based on output information input from a computer, and a paper discharge for sorting and discharging the recording medium printed by the printing means into a plurality of paper discharge bins. Means for inputting an image based on the output information and a predetermined additional page corresponding to the image from the print driver of the computer to the plurality of output bins. Output setting means for setting based on the output information, and an image based on the output information and the predetermined additional page are created for a discharge bin set for output by the output setting means, and printed on a recording medium. And a print control means for discharging the paper. 2. The printing method according to claim 1, wherein the additional page created by the print control unit is a cover page on which predetermined additional information corresponding to a print output based on the output information is recorded. apparatus. 3. An additional page creation control means for judging a printing surface of a recording medium loaded on the paper ejection means and switching a predetermined additional page creation timing corresponding to a print output based on the output information. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit analyzes output information described in a page description language input from the computer and prints a bitmap image on a recording medium. . 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints output information of a bitmap image input from the computer on a recording medium. 6. A printing means for printing on a recording medium fed based on input output information, and a paper discharging means for discharging the recording medium printed by the printing means to a plurality of paper discharging bins. A first sorting unit that sorts and outputs a print output of an image based on the output information with respect to the plurality of output bins; and outputs an image based on the output information with respect to each discharge bin. A second sorting unit for controlling sheet discharge so that printouts are identifiably stacked in predetermined units. 7. The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a print group obtained by dividing an image based on the output information for each designated number of copies is discharged as the predetermined unit. 8. A recording medium having the same size is portrait,
Vertically / horizontally transportable in a landscape, the second sorting means includes a portrait for each predetermined unit,
7. The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a landscape recording medium is alternately fed, and is controlled so as to be identifiably stacked on each of the discharge bins. 9. An additional page creation control means for judging a printing surface of a recording medium loaded on a paper ejection means and switching a creation timing of a predetermined additional page corresponding to a print output based on the output information. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein
The printing device according to the above. 10. The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the printing unit analyzes output information described in a page description language input from a computer and prints a bitmap image on a recording medium. 11. The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the printing unit prints output information of the bitmap image input from the computer on a recording medium. 12. A printing means for printing on a recording medium fed based on output information input from a computer,
In a printing apparatus having a paper discharging means for discharging a recording medium printed by the printing means to a paper discharging bin, the recording medium is supplied from a plurality of paper feeding units for storing the same size of the recording medium in portrait and landscape. Paper feeding means, and control means for controlling the recording medium for printing an image based on the output information to be alternately fed in portrait and landscape for each predetermined unit, and to be discharged to the discharge bin. A printing apparatus comprising: 13. The printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a print group obtained by dividing an image based on the output information for each designated number of copies is discharged as the predetermined unit. 14. An additional page creation control means for judging a printing surface of a recording medium loaded on a sheet discharging means and switching a creation timing of a predetermined additional page corresponding to a print output based on the output information. 13. The printing device according to claim 12, wherein: 15. The printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the printing unit analyzes output information described in a page description language input from a computer and prints a bitmap image on a recording medium. 16. The printing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the printing unit analyzes output information described in a page description language input from a computer and prints a bitmap image on a recording medium. 17. A printing unit for printing on a recording medium fed based on output information input from a computer,
A print processing method in a printing apparatus comprising: a discharge unit that sorts and discharges a recording medium printed by the printing unit into a plurality of discharge bins; and outputs an image based on the output information to the plurality of discharge bins. And an output setting step of setting whether to discharge a predetermined additional page corresponding to the image based on information input from a print driver of the computer, and a discharge setting output in the output setting step A print control step of creating an image based on the output information and the predetermined additional page for a bin, printing the print on a recording medium, and discharging the paper. 18. A printing means for printing on a recording medium fed based on input output information, and a paper discharging means for discharging the recording medium printed by the printing means to a plurality of paper discharging bins. A print processing method in a printing apparatus, comprising: a first sorting step of sorting and discharging a print output of an image based on the output information with respect to the plurality of discharge bins; A second sorting step of controlling the paper discharge so that the print output of the image based on the image is identifiably stacked for each predetermined unit. 19. Printing means for printing on a recording medium fed based on output information input from a computer;
A print processing method for a printing apparatus, comprising: a discharge unit that discharges a recording medium printed by the printing unit to a discharge bin; A paper feeding step of feeding a recording medium, and a paper discharging step of feeding a recording medium for printing an image based on the output information alternately in portrait and landscape for each predetermined unit and discharging the paper to the paper discharge bin And a print processing method comprising: