JP2005169684A - Printer apparatus, printing processing method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the prosecution of processing other than printing by a double-sided printing mode if conditions which enable double-sided printing are not satisfied when the double-sided printing mode is set. <P>SOLUTION: If the conditions enabling double-sided printing are not satisfied when the double-sided printing mode is set, a message warning that double-sided printing is impossible is displayed at an operation panel (S423). A message urging to select either interrupting the printing processing, or changing the double-sided printing processing to one side printing processing to continue the printing processing is displayed, making the user select whether or not to continue the printing processing (S424). In the case where a processing interruption is processed, the present printing processing is interrupted, and it proceeds to processing of a next printing job (S425). In the case where a processing continuation is selected, contents of the printing processing are changed to one side printing, and the one side printing processing is carried out (S426). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer apparatus, a print processing method, and a computer-readable program. In particular, it relates to error processing of an ink jet printer apparatus capable of double-sided printing, and warns the user when paper that is impossible or unsuitable for double-sided printing is set. The present invention relates to error processing that enables the print processing to be canceled or changed to single-sided printing.

  Conventional printers capable of duplex printing are mainly laser beam printers (LBP). However, LBP mainly uses plain paper as printing paper, so it is not necessary to determine whether double-sided printing is possible or not depending on the type of paper. (Patent Document 1).

  By the way, in recent years, an inkjet printer apparatus capable of duplex printing by installing an optional duplex printing unit has been developed (Non-patent Document 1). In this type of inkjet printer apparatus, since a wide variety of printing papers can be used, the user determines whether the currently set printing paper is suitable for double-sided printing, and sets the printing mode appropriately. There was a need.

JP-A-9-152949 http://cweb.canon.jp/bj/lineup/990i/

  In an inkjet printer capable of duplex printing, the user has to determine whether the printing paper to be used for printing is suitable for duplex printing. However, if there is a setting error by the user, duplex printing cannot be supported. There is a possibility that the double-sided printing process is performed on the printing paper. In this case, there is a possibility that a printing process with an image quality corresponding to the type of printing paper is not performed, and that paper feeding / discharging cannot be performed smoothly, etc.

  An object of the present invention is to execute printing in the duplex printing mode only when the conditions for enabling duplex printing are satisfied when the duplex printing mode is set, and duplex printing mode when the conditions are not satisfied. The present invention provides a printer apparatus, a print processing method, and a computer-readable program that can solve the above-described problems by providing a configuration for performing processing other than printing by printing.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printer apparatus according to the present invention is a printer apparatus capable of printing an image on both sides of printing paper by mounting a duplex printing unit and setting a duplex printing mode. A unit discriminating unit for discriminating whether the duplex printing unit is installed, a printing paper discriminating unit for discriminating whether the printing paper set in the apparatus is suitable for duplex printing, and a duplex printing mode are set. When the duplex printing unit is installed and the set printing paper is suitable for duplex printing, an image is printed in duplex printing mode on both sides of the set printing paper, In other cases, a configuration including a printing processing unit that performs processing other than printing in the duplex printing mode in accordance with a user instruction is employed.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print processing method of a printer apparatus capable of printing an image on both sides of a printing sheet by mounting a double-sided printing unit and setting a double-sided printing mode. A determination step for determining whether the duplex printing unit is installed and whether the printing paper set in the apparatus is suitable for duplex printing, a duplex printing mode is set, and the duplex printing unit is installed. When the set printing paper is suitable for double-sided printing, the image is printed on both sides of the set printing paper in the double-sided printing mode. A configuration including a printing processing step for performing processing other than printing in the duplex printing mode in accordance with an instruction is employed.

  The computer-readable program according to the present invention is set in the apparatus by the printing paper determination step for determining whether the printing paper set in the apparatus is suitable for double-sided printing, and the printing paper determination step. When it is determined that the printing paper being used is suitable for double-sided printing, an image is printed on both sides of the set printing paper, and the printing paper set in the apparatus by the printing paper discrimination step And a print processing step for giving a warning when it is determined that the printer is not suitable for double-sided printing.

  According to the above configuration, it is determined whether the printing paper set in the printer device is of a type suitable for double-sided printing, and at the same time, the printer device automatically determines whether the printing paper can be printed by the duplex printing unit. If the printing paper is not suitable for double-sided printing, it is possible to perform processing other than printing in double-sided printing mode and not execute double-sided printing, so printing that does not support double-sided printing. It is possible to avoid the above-described problems caused by executing the double-sided printing process on the paper.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer apparatus embodying the present invention. This printer apparatus is an ink jet printer provided with an ink jet recording head.

  As shown in FIG. 1, operation keys and a display panel are arranged on the operation panel 100.

  The operation panel control unit 101 monitors the state of the keys on the operation panel 100 and issues an appropriate control command to the control circuit of the printer apparatus including the CPU 103 by the pressed key.

  In addition, a character string to be displayed on the display panel is created and the display panel is controlled.

  The interface 104 connects the printer apparatus and the host computer 105, has functions of receiving data from the host computer 105 and transmitting status, and operates as a data transmission / reception communication port with the host computer 105.

  The bus 106 of the control circuit has a function of connecting the CPU 103 and other devices. The nonvolatile memory 102 is a storage device that stores and stores various types of information, and can keep the stored information even when power supply is cut off.

  The motor driver 107 includes a carriage motor (the print head is operated) for the printer device to perform a print operation, a paper feed motor (moves the print paper, feeds and discharges paper), and a recovery motor (the print head recovery operation). Is a control circuit for controlling motors.

  The print head 108 composed of a plurality of nozzle arrays is provided with a heater for each nozzle, and heats the heater according to print data to cause film boiling in the ink and eject ink droplets, thereby printing an image on the printing paper. Has the ability to print. In the case of a replaceable head, each head has a unique head ID, and whether or not the head has been replaced can be determined by comparing this ID. In addition, each head has individual differences such as the head rank (the amount of heat generated by the internal members of the head) and the temperature sensor correction value (the correction value for variations in the sensor indicating the temperature inside the head). These are the initialization operations of the printer device. It is checked at the time of.

  A RAM (Random Access Memory) 109 is a storage device that can hold information only while power is supplied. If the power supply is cut off, the stored information disappears. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 110 is a storage device that can only be read, and stores a control program for the printer device related to the processing of flowcharts described later with reference to FIGS. Perform the action.

Hereinafter, the operation of the circuit configuration described above will be described.
The CPU 103 reads a control program from the ROM 110 and executes control of each control target device according to the program.

  The interface 104 receives print data from the host computer 105 and writes it in the RAM 109. The CPU 103 controls the motor driver 107 and the print head 108 based on the written data, and prints on the paper according to the print data.

  The paper type discrimination sensor 111 discriminates the type of print paper set. As the paper type discrimination sensor 111, for example, a paper configured so that a printing paper to be fed is inserted between two electrodes can be used, and the capacitance between the two electrodes is the type of the printing paper. It is possible to determine the type of printing paper by using different values depending on the type of printing paper. In other words, since the dielectric constant of the printing paper varies depending on the thickness, material, coating material used for the surface treatment, etc., the fact that the detected capacitance value varies depending on the type of printing paper is used. In addition to this, it is also possible to use a reflection type optical sensor and use the fact that the amount of reflected light detected varies depending on the material of the printing paper, the coating material used for the surface treatment, and the like.

  In addition, a paper that is a recording medium is marked in advance, a means for optically detecting the mark, a means for using a dedicated paper cassette, a means for embedding an IC card in the paper, a reflection of specific light irradiated on the paper There are various types such as means for optically detecting light (regular reflection light and diffuse reflection light), means for directly or indirectly measuring surface roughness, means for measuring light transmittance, and the like. There are other implementation means such as paper weight, thickness, friction coefficient, dielectric constant, electrical resistance value, water absorption rate, and means for taking a two-dimensional image and discriminating from the feature amount. These detection means can realize a paper recognition function by combining them alone or in combination.

  These paper type discrimination sensors 111 are plain paper, postcard, envelope, inkjet film paper, inkjet glossy paper, inkjet semi-gloss paper, inkjet super fine paper, inkjet fine paper, inkjet double-sided / thick, inkjet The type of the special paper for printing and the OHP sheet for inkjet is discriminated.

  Whether or not the printing paper discriminated by the paper type discrimination sensor 111 is suitable for double-sided printing is determined by the control program executed by the CPU 103, and whether to execute double-sided printing processing or stop based on the determination result. , Switch processing. Plain paper, postcards, envelopes, and inkjet double-sided paper are determined to be suitable for double-sided printing.

  The duplex printing unit sensor 112 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the optional duplex printing unit 113 is mounted, and a mechanical type, an optical type, and other known types can be used.

  The control program checks the output of the sensor 112 to detect the presence / absence of the duplex printing unit 113 and switches the contents of the printing process according to the presence / absence.

  The duplex printing unit 113 is an optional unit for performing duplex printing processing. Since it is an option, it can be removed, and the presence / absence of the duplex printing unit 113 is detected by the duplex printing unit sensor 112. When the duplex printing unit 113 is not present, the simplex printing process is automatically executed.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the functions of the entire printing system including the host computer 105 and the printer device 200.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the application program 201 operates on the host computer 105.

  The print data created by the application program 201 is sent to the printer driver 202 and converted into a print job that can be used by the printer apparatus 200. At this time, information regarding whether to perform double-sided printing or single-sided printing is added to the print job.

  A print job created by the printer driver 202 is sent to the interface 203 of the host computer 105. The interface 203 is connected to the interface 104 of the printer apparatus 200 via an interface cable 204, and transmits a print job to the printer apparatus 200 via the interface cable 204.

  The print job taken into the printer apparatus 200 from the interface 104 is sent to the data analysis unit 205, and the contents thereof are analyzed.

  After the data analysis unit 205 reads out information related to the print job, the actual print data portion is sent to the print control unit 206. The print control unit 206 controls the motor driver 107 and the print head 108 according to the contents of the print data, and prints image data on the printing paper. At that time, if double-sided printing is designated for the print job, double-sided printing processing is performed using the double-sided printing unit 113.

  The overall control unit 207 controls the entire module related to the printing operation of the printer apparatus 200, such as the interface 104, the printing control unit 206, and the operation panel control unit 101.

  The duplex printing unit sensor 112 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the duplex printing unit 113 as an optional unit is mounted. The overall control unit 207 confirms the presence or absence of the duplex printing unit 113 by referring to the output of the duplex printing unit sensor 112, and if the duplex printing unit 113 is installed, notifies the printing control unit 206 of that fact. . The print control unit 206 executes processing according to a flowchart described later according to a double-sided printing instruction for a print job and the presence or absence of the double-sided printing unit 113.

  The paper type determination sensor 111 is a sensor for determining the type of printing paper set in the printer device 200. The overall control unit 207 refers to the output of the paper type discrimination sensor 111 to determine whether the currently set printing paper is a type that can be printed on both sides. To that effect. The print control unit 206 executes processing according to a flowchart described later according to a double-sided printing instruction for a print job and the presence or absence of the double-sided printing unit 113.

  If the overall control unit 207 determines that the type of printing paper determined by the paper type determination sensor 111 is not possible for the double-sided printing process, the print control unit 206 performs double-sided printing with a print job. When instructed, the print control unit 206 does not immediately execute the print process for this job, but temporarily stops the process, and notifies the overall control unit 207 that the process has been stopped.

  Receiving the notification that the duplex printing process has been stopped, the overall control unit 207 notifies the operation panel control unit 101 in order to warn the user that the currently set printing sheet is not suitable for the duplex printing process. To notify the operation panel 100 to display a message.

  Upon receiving the notification, the operation panel control unit 101 displays a warning message that the printing paper currently set on the operation panel 100 is not suitable for double-sided printing processing, and interrupts the printing processing or performs double-sided printing processing. A message that prompts the user to select whether to change to single-sided printing processing and continue printing processing is displayed.

  When the user who sees the display performs key input from the operation panel 100, the content of the key input is determined, and the operation panel control unit 101 notifies the overall control unit 207 of whether printing processing is interrupted or continued. .

  Upon receiving the notification, the overall control unit 207 transmits an execution command for the print interruption process to the print control unit 206 in the case of printing interruption. In the case of continuing printing, the processing is changed to single-sided printing, and a command to continue printing processing is transmitted to the printing control unit 206.

  With such a configuration, it is automatically determined whether or not the printing paper set in the printer device 200 is suitable for the double-sided printing process, and when the double-sided printing is possible, the printing process is executed, and the double-sided printing process is performed. If this is not possible, a warning is displayed to the user, so that it is possible to select processing contents suitable for the type of printing paper currently set.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of the duplex printing process.
First, in step S310, the interface 104 receives a print job. The received print job is sent to the data analysis unit 205.

  In step S311, the data analysis unit 205 analyzes the contents of the print job.

  Subsequently, in step S312, it is determined whether or not double-sided printing processing (double-sided printing mode) is designated in the print job. If double-sided printing processing is designated, the process proceeds to step S314. If the duplex printing process is not designated, the process proceeds to step S313.

  In step S313, since the double-sided printing process is not designated, the printing process is executed in the normal single-sided printing mode, and the process proceeds to the next print job.

  In step S314, the information of the duplex printing unit sensor 112 is referred to.

  In step S315, whether or not the duplex printing unit 113 is mounted is determined based on the sensor information read in step S314.

  If the duplex printing unit 113 is attached, the process proceeds to step S319. If not installed (if the duplex printing unit 113 is not detected when the duplex printing process is specified), the process proceeds to step S316. . In step S316, a message warning that double-sided printing cannot be performed is displayed on the operation panel 100.

  In step S317, a message prompting the user to select whether to interrupt the printing process or to change the double-sided printing process to the single-sided printing process and continue the printing process is displayed, and the printing process is continued. Let the user choose whether or not. This selection is made to be input using the operation panel 100 by the user who has issued the print instruction.

  If processing continuation is selected, the process proceeds to step S313, and single-sided printing processing is executed. If the process interruption is selected, the process proceeds to step S318, the current print process is interrupted, and the process proceeds to the next print job.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S315 that the duplex printing unit 113 is present, the process proceeds to step S319, and the information of the paper type determination sensor 111 is referred to, and the type of printing paper currently set is determined from the read sensor information. .

  Subsequently, in step S320, it is determined whether or not the type of printing paper currently set read in step S319 is suitable for the double-sided printing process. This determination process is automatically performed, and the selection work by the user as in step S317 does not occur.

  If the printing paper is suitable for double-sided printing processing, the process proceeds to step S321, and double-sided printing processing is executed. If the printing paper is not suitable for double-sided printing processing, the process proceeds to step S322, and error processing is executed.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing in detail the processing contents in the error processing in step S322 in FIG.

  In step S423, a message warning that double-sided printing cannot be performed is displayed on the operation panel 100.

  In step S424, a message prompting the user to select whether to interrupt the printing process or to change the duplex printing process to the single-sided printing process and continue the printing process is displayed, and the printing process is continued. Let the user choose whether or not. This selection is made to be input using the operation panel 100 by the user who has issued the print instruction.

  If the process interruption is processed, the process proceeds to step S425, the current print process is interrupted, and the process proceeds to the next print job. If processing continuation is selected, the process proceeds to step S426, where the content of the printing process is changed to single-sided printing, and the single-sided printing process is executed.

  As described above, the printer apparatus 200 according to this embodiment, which can perform double-sided printing processing by mounting the double-sided printing unit 113, is provided with a paper sensor that can determine the type of printing paper. Since it is possible to determine whether or not the printing paper is compatible with the double-sided printing process, if the set printing paper does not support the double-sided printing, the printing process is interrupted according to the user's selection input. Alternatively, it is possible to switch the processing of changing the processing content and continuing printing. For this reason, the malfunction which performs a double-sided printing process with respect to the printing paper which does not support double-sided printing can be avoided.

  In addition, since the sensor can automatically detect whether or not the optional duplex printing unit is installed, even if the duplex printing process is specified when the duplex printing unit is not installed, Therefore, the processing content can be switched to single-sided printing processing, and the printing processing can be executed safely without causing problems such as dirt on the printing paper and poor feeding and discharging.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration in an embodiment of a printer apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing functions of an entire printing system including a host computer and a printer device according to the present invention. It is a flowchart showing the operation | movement condition at the time of duplex printing processing execution. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an error processing status when double-sided printing processing is executed.

Explanation of symbols

100 Operation Panel 101 Operation Panel Control Unit 102 Nonvolatile Memory 103 CPU
104 Interface 105 Host computer 106 Control bus 107 Motor driver 108 Print head 109 RAM
110 ROM
111 Paper type discrimination sensor 112 Duplex printing unit sensor 113 Duplex printing unit 200 Printer device 201 Host application / program 202 Printer driver 203 Host side interface 204 Interface cable 205 Firmware / data analysis unit 206 Firmware / print control unit 207 Firmware Internal / overall control unit

Claims (14)

In a printer device capable of printing an image on both sides of printing paper by installing a duplex printing unit and setting a duplex printing mode,
Unit discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the duplex printing unit is installed in the apparatus;
Printing paper discrimination means for discriminating whether the printing paper set in the apparatus is suitable for duplex printing;
When the duplex printing mode is set, the duplex printing unit is mounted, and the set printing paper is suitable for duplex printing, the duplex printing mode is set on both sides of the set printing paper. And a print processing means for performing processing other than printing in the duplex printing mode in accordance with a user instruction in other cases.   The print processing unit notifies the user that printing in the duplex printing mode cannot be performed when it is determined that the duplex printing unit is not installed when the duplex printing mode is set. The printer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a process selection unit that allows a user to select a process other than printing in the duplex printing mode.   The print processing means determines that the duplex printing unit is mounted when the duplex printing mode is set, and determines that the set printing paper is not suitable for duplex printing. And an error processing selection means for informing the user that printing in the duplex printing mode cannot be performed and allowing the user to select processing other than printing in the duplex printing mode. Item 3. The printer device according to Item 1 or 2. The processing selection means includes
Means for not being able to execute printing in the duplex printing mode, and a message for causing the user to select whether to execute printing processing in another mode or to cancel printing processing;
When the execution of the printing process is selected, the mode is changed to the single-sided printing mode and an image is printed on the set printing paper. When the printing process is stopped, the printing is performed on the set printing paper. The printer apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a process changing unit that prevents the process from being performed. The error processing selection means includes:
Means for not being able to execute printing in the duplex printing mode, and a message for causing the user to select whether to execute printing processing in another mode or to cancel printing processing;
When the execution of the printing process is selected, the mode is changed to the single-sided printing mode and the image is printed on the set printing paper. When the printing process is stopped, the printing is performed on the set printing paper. The printer apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a process changing unit that prevents the process from being performed. An ink jet recording head,
The printer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print processing unit prints an image using the inkjet recording head. In a print processing method of a printer apparatus capable of printing an image on both sides of printing paper by installing a duplex printing unit and setting a duplex printing mode,
A determination step of determining whether the double-sided printing unit is installed in the apparatus and whether the printing paper set in the apparatus is suitable for double-sided printing;
When the duplex printing mode is set, the duplex printing unit is mounted, and the set printing paper is suitable for duplex printing, the duplex printing mode is set on both sides of the set printing paper. And a print processing step for performing processing other than printing in the duplex printing mode in accordance with a user instruction in other cases.   The printing processing step notifies the user that printing in the duplex printing mode cannot be performed when it is determined that the duplex printing unit is not installed when the duplex printing mode is set. The print processing method according to claim 7, further comprising a process selection step that allows a user to select a process other than printing in the duplex printing mode.   The printing processing step determines that the duplex printing unit is mounted when the duplex printing mode is set, and determines that the set printing paper is not suitable for duplex printing. And an error processing selection step for notifying the user that printing in the duplex printing mode cannot be executed and causing the user to select processing other than printing in the duplex printing mode. The print processing method according to 7 or 8. In the process selection step,
Displays a message that the user is unable to print in duplex mode, and prompts the user to select whether to run or cancel printing in another mode,
When the execution of the printing process is selected, the mode is changed to the single-sided printing mode and the image is printed on the set printing paper. When the printing process is stopped, the printing is performed on the set printing paper. The print processing method according to claim 8, wherein the print processing method is not performed. In the error processing selection step,
Displays a message that the user is unable to print in duplex mode, and prompts the user to select whether to run or cancel printing in another mode,
When the execution of the printing process is selected, the mode is changed to the single-sided printing mode and the image is printed on the set printing paper. When the printing process is stopped, the printing is performed on the set printing paper. The print processing method according to claim 9, wherein the print processing method is not performed. Printing paper discrimination means for discriminating whether the printing paper set in the apparatus is suitable for duplex printing;
When the printing paper discriminating means determines that the printing paper set in the apparatus is suitable for double-sided printing, an image is printed on both sides of the set printing paper, and the printing paper discrimination A printing apparatus comprising: a printing processing unit that issues a warning when it is determined by the means that the printing paper set in the apparatus is not suitable for double-sided printing. A printing paper determination step for determining whether the printing paper set in the apparatus is suitable for duplex printing;
When the printing paper set in the apparatus is determined to be suitable for double-sided printing in the printing paper determination step, an image is printed on both sides of the set printing paper, and the printing paper determination A print processing method comprising: a print processing step that issues a warning when it is determined in the step that the printing paper set in the apparatus is not suitable for double-sided printing. A printing paper determination step for determining whether the printing paper set in the apparatus is suitable for duplex printing;
When the printing paper set in the apparatus is determined to be suitable for double-sided printing in the printing paper determination step, an image is printed on both sides of the set printing paper, and the printing paper determination A computer-readable program comprising: a print processing step for giving a warning when it is determined that the printing paper set in the apparatus is not suitable for double-sided printing.

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