Printing apparatus, control method, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and computer program product

Abstract

The invention provides a printing apparatus, a control method, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, and a computer program product. The printing apparatus includes: a moving member for individually moving each printhead between a printing position and a retracted position, where the retracted position is separated from the printing medium compared to the printing position; and a control means for controlling the moving means to move the printhead to be used in a top print job among a plurality of print jobs and the printhead to be used in a print job after the top print job from the retracted position to the printing position prior to execution of the top print job. The control section controls the moving section to move, during execution of a first print job among the plurality of print jobs, a printhead to be used in a second print job following the first print job from the retracted position to the printing position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device, a control method, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and a computer program product. Background Art

[0002] A printing device that prints an image by discharging ink from a print head is known. In a printing device including a plurality of print heads, there may be a print head that does not need to discharge ink depending on an image to be printed or a print setting. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-201132 discloses a technology for moving a color head that does not need to discharge ink to a retracted position when monochrome printing is selected.

[0003] In the technology of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-201132, each print head is moved before executing a print job. If a plurality of print jobs are requested to be executed, the printing operation is stopped between the print jobs, and the print head is moved. As a result, the productivity of printed products is reduced. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention provides a technique for improving the productivity of printed products.

[0005] According to the present invention, a printing device is provided, comprising: a moving component for individually moving each print head between a printing position and a retracted position, wherein liquid is discharged to a print medium at the printing position, and the retracted position is separated from the print medium compared to the printing position; and a control component for controlling the moving component so that before the execution of a top print job among multiple print jobs, the print head to be used in the top print job and the print head to be used in a print job after the top print job are moved from the retracted position to the printing position as an initial movement control, wherein the control component controls the moving component so that during the execution of the first print job among the multiple print jobs, the print head to be used in a second print job after the first print job is moved from the retracted position to the printing position as a first movement control.

[0006] According to the present invention, a control method for a printing device is also provided, the printing device including a moving component for individually moving each print head between a printing position and a retracted position, wherein liquid is discharged to a print medium at the printing position, and the retracted position is separated from the print medium compared to the printing position, the control method including: controlling the moving component to move the print head used in the top print job and the print head to be used in the print job after the top print job from the retracted position to the printing position before the execution of the top print job among multiple print jobs; and controlling the moving component to move the print head to be used in a second print job after the first print job from the retracted position to the printing position during the execution of the first print job among the multiple print jobs.

[0007] According to the present invention, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is also provided, which stores a program. In order to control a printing device including a moving component for individually moving each print head between a printing position and a retracted position, wherein liquid is discharged to the print medium at the printing position, and the retracted position is separated from the print medium compared to the printing position, the program is configured to cause the computer to perform the following operations: control the moving component to move the print head used in the top print job and the print head to be used in the print job after the top print job from the retracted position to the printing position before the execution of the top print job among multiple print jobs; and control the moving component to move the print head to be used in the second print job after the first print job from the retracted position to the printing position during the execution of the first print job among the multiple print jobs.

[0008] According to the present invention, a computer program product is also provided, which includes a program, for controlling a printing device including a moving component for individually moving each print head between a printing position and a retracted position, wherein liquid is discharged to a print medium at the printing position, and the retracted position is separated from the print medium compared to the printing position, the program being configured to cause a computer to perform the following operations: controlling the moving component to move the print head used in the top print job and the print head to be used in the print job after the top print job from the retracted position to the printing position before the execution of the top print job among multiple print jobs; and controlling the moving component to move the print head to be used in the second print job after the first print job from the retracted position to the printing position during the execution of the first print job among the multiple print jobs.

[0009] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to the attached drawings). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] Figure 2A and Figure 2B is an illustration of a mobile unit;

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A block diagram of a control system of the printing device shown;

[0013] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display of an operation unit;

[0014] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the control unit 402;

[0015] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the control unit 402;

[0016] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the control unit 402;

[0017] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C is a diagram showing an example of the position of the print head 2;

[0018] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the display of the operation unit;

[0019] Fig.10 is a diagram showing another example of the display of the operation unit;

[0020] Fig.11 is a diagram showing another example of the display of the operation unit;

[0021] Fig.12 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing of the control unit 402;

[0022] Fig.13 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing of the control unit 402;

[0023] Fig.14 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing of the control unit 402;

[0024] Fig.15 is a diagram showing an example in which a waiting period changes according to the execution order of a plurality of print jobs;

[0025] Fig.16 is a diagram showing an example in which a waiting period changes according to the execution order of a plurality of print jobs; and

[0026] Fig.17 is a schematic diagram of another example of a printing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. A plurality of features are described in the embodiments, but are not limited to inventions requiring all such features, and a plurality of such features may be appropriately combined. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar configurations, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0028] <First Embodiment>

[0029] <Printing Device Configuration>

[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printing device 1 is a device that discharges liquid ink to a printing medium P to print an image. Note that "printing" includes not only forming meaningful information such as characters and graphics, but also forming images, charts, patterns, etc. on a printing medium or processing a printing medium in a broad sense, regardless of whether the formed information is meaningful or meaningless, or whether the formed information is visualized so that humans can visually perceive the information. In addition, although a sheet of paper is assumed as the "printing medium" in this embodiment, cloth, plastic film, etc. may also be used.

[0031] The printing apparatus 1 includes a feeding device 104, an image forming device 100, and an ejecting device 105. In this embodiment, a continuous sheet (rolled sheet) is used as the printing medium P. The printing medium P is sent from the feeding device 104 to the ejecting device 105 via the image forming device 100. Note that the present invention is also applicable to a printing apparatus that prints an image on a cut sheet.

[0032] The feeding device 104 is a device for supplying the print medium P as a roll sheet to the image forming apparatus 100. The feeding device 104 pulls out the print medium P by rotating the roll-shaped print medium P around the rotation shaft 117, and feeds the print medium P to the image forming apparatus 100 at a predetermined speed via a plurality of conveying rollers 104a. The print medium P is sequentially conveyed from the feeding device 104 to the image forming apparatus 100 and the discharge device 105.

[0033] The discharge device 105 is a device for discharging the print medium P as a product having a printed image from the image forming apparatus 100. The discharge device 105 conveys the print medium P conveyed from the image forming apparatus 100 at a predetermined speed via a plurality of conveying rollers 105a. The print medium P as a product is wound into a roll shape by the rotating shaft 118 rotating.

[0034] The image forming apparatus 100 includes a conveying device 101. The conveying device 101 includes a plurality of conveying rollers 101a, and conveys the printing medium P fed from the feeding device 104 at a predetermined speed. The image forming apparatus 100 also includes a printing unit PT, a drying unit 106, a cooling unit 108, and an inspection unit 107, which are sequentially arranged from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the printing medium P.

[0035] The printing unit PT includes a print head 2A, a print head 2B, a print head 2C, and a print head 2D arranged in sequence from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the print medium P. One print head 2 discharges one type of ink. In this embodiment, the print heads 2A to 2D discharge different types of ink. The print head 2A discharges A ink, the print head 2B discharges B ink, the print head 2C discharges C ink, and the print head 2D discharges D ink. For example, one of the inks A to D is black ink, another is yellow ink, another is magenta ink, and the remaining one is cyan ink. Note that when the print heads 2A to 2D are collectively referred to or when an arbitrary print head is indicated, it is sometimes referred to as the print head 2.

[0036] The printing unit PT includes a moving unit 3. The moving unit 3 is a mechanism for individually moving the print head 2A, the print head 2B, the print head 2C, and the print head 2D between a printing position and a retracted position.

[0037] The drying unit 106 heats the print medium P, thereby promoting the drying of the ink discharged to the print medium P. The cooling unit 108 cools the print medium P heated by the drying unit 106. The inspection unit 107 is a device for reading and inspecting an image printed on the print medium P, and includes, for example, a scanner device. Examples of the inspection contents are an inspection of color mismatch of the printed image, an inspection of a discharge failure of the print head 2, and an inspection of the hue of the printed image. These inspections can be performed by printing a test pattern on the print medium P by the print head 2 and reading the test pattern by the inspection unit 107.

[0038] The printing apparatus 1 further includes an operation unit 401 and a control unit 402. The operation unit 401 accepts user instructions. The control unit 402 is an electronic circuit (for example, a personal computer) for controlling the printing apparatus 1.

[0039] <Print Head and Moving Unit>

[0040] The print head 2 and the moving unit 3 will be described. The print head 2 according to this embodiment is a full line head, and is capable of discharging ink supplied from an ink cartridge (not shown) to the entire area of ​​the print medium P in the width direction.

[0041] In an apparatus including a plurality of print heads 2, a print head 2 that discharges ink and a print head 2 that does not discharge ink may occur during a printing operation, depending on an image to be printed. Water vapor of ink floats on a print medium P. If water vapor adheres to a print head 2 that does not discharge ink, its printing performance may be degraded. To prevent this, in this embodiment, the print head 2 can be moved between a printing position and a retracted position by a moving unit 3.

[0042] Figure 2A and Figure 2B The configuration of the printing unit PT is exemplarily shown. Figure 2A shows the situation where the print head 2 is located at the printing position, and Figure 2B The case where the print head 2 is located at the retracted position is shown. Each print head 2 has a discharge surface 20 on its lower surface. The discharge surface 20 is provided with a plurality of nozzles configured to discharge ink. At the printing position, the discharge surface 20 faces the printing medium P closely. At the retracted position, each print head 2 is located at a position separated from the printing medium P compared to the printing position. More specifically, there is a large gap between the discharge surface 20 and the printing medium P. The retracted position is a position where the vapor floating on the printing medium P is difficult to adhere to the discharge surface 20. Note that in order to suppress the drying of the discharge surface 20, the discharge surface 20 may be covered with a cover member at the retracted position.

[0043] The moving unit 3 includes moving mechanisms 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D for the print head 2. The moving mechanism 30A moves the print head 2A. The moving mechanism 30B moves the print head 2B. The moving mechanism 30C moves the print head 2C. The moving mechanism 30D moves the print head 2D. The moving mechanisms 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D each include a driving source 31 such as a motor and an actuating mechanism 32 for moving the print head 2 by the driving force of the driving source 31. The actuating mechanism 32 is, for example, a ball screw mechanism, a belt transmission mechanism, or a connecting rod mechanism. In this embodiment, the actuating mechanism 32 raises / lowers the print head 2 between the printing position on the lower side and the retracted position on the upper side.

[0044] The moving unit 3 is controlled to position each print head 2 that discharges ink to be used for printing at a printing position, and to position each print head 2 that discharges ink not used for printing at a retracted position, thereby performing a printing operation. When vapor is prevented from adhering to the print head 2 that discharges ink not used for printing, it is possible to prevent the printing performance from being degraded.

[0045] <Control Unit>

[0046] Figure 3 4 is a block diagram of a control system of the printing apparatus 1. The control unit 402 includes a processor represented by a CPU and a storage device. The storage device includes, for example, a plurality of semiconductor memories such as a RAM and a ROM. The processor executes a program deployed in the storage device, thereby controlling the printing apparatus 1. For example, the control unit 402 controls the conveying device 101, the print head 2, the moving unit 3, the inspection unit 107, the operation unit 401, the feeding device 104, and the discharge device 105.

[0047] The communication device 403 is constituted by, for example, a communication control device such as a local area network (LAN) card, etc. The communication device 403 receives a print job from, for example, an external device (eg, a user terminal), and the control unit 402 executes printing of the received print job.

[0048] The storage device 404 is an external storage device of the control unit 402 and is composed of, for example, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory (so-called flash memory) or a hard disk drive (HDD), etc. The storage device 404 can store various programs to be executed by the control unit 402 and various data required to execute the programs.

[0049] The operation unit 401 is, for example, a touch panel, and includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display and an input device for recognizing a touch operation. The display device displays various information on a display screen according to a display control signal transmitted from the control unit 402. The input device accepts various input operations of the user via various operation keys such as buttons displayed on the display device, and transmits the operation signal to the control unit 402. For example, when executing a print job, the user uses the operation unit 401 to set job information.

[0050] <Processing Procedure of Printing Device>

[0051] The process of the processing of the printing device 1 will be described. The print medium P is sent from the feeding device 104 to the discharging device 105 via the image forming apparatus 100 in advance. The user creates print data and sets print conditions on an external device, for example, to create a print job. Then, the print job is transmitted to the control unit 402 via the communication network.

[0052] Figure 44 is a diagram of an example of a list of print jobs displayed on the operation unit 401, and this is a list of unexecuted print jobs transmitted from an external device to the printing apparatus 1. The job list includes job information such as a document name for distinguishing print jobs, the number of pages to be printed, the size of one page, and a color mode. The size of one page is represented by a vertical size×a horizontal size. The vertical size is the length of the print medium P in the conveying direction, and the horizontal size is the length of the print medium P in the width direction. The color mode indicates the type of ink to be used for printing. A is A ink, B is B ink, C is C ink, and D is D ink.

[0053] For example, the color mode of document 1 is A. This means that A ink is used to print document 1 and B ink to D ink are not used. When document 1 is executed, the print head 2A that discharges A ink needs to be located at the printing position. In addition, the color mode of document 2 is ABC. This means that document 2 is printed using A ink, B ink, and C ink, and D ink is not used. When document 2 is executed, the corresponding print heads 2A, 2B, and 2C need to be located at the printing position. In addition, the color mode of document 3 is ABD. This means that document 3 is printed using A ink, B ink, and D ink, and C ink is not used. When document 3 is executed, the corresponding print heads 2A, 2B, and 2D need to be located at the printing position.

[0054] When the user selects a print job on the list, the display of the selected print job changes. Figure 4 The example illustratively shows a mode in which four print jobs including Document 1 to Document 4 are selected. When the user operates the delete button 410, the selected print job is deleted from the list.

[0055] When the user operates the start button 411, the selected print job starts to be executed. If multiple print jobs are selected, the printing operation is continuously executed sequentially from the print job displayed in the uppermost part of the list. During the execution of multiple print jobs, the print medium P is continuously conveyed at a predetermined speed. Ink is discharged from the print head 2 to the print medium P, and an image is printed.

[0056] <Print Head Movement Control>

[0057] The movement control of the print head 2 by the moving unit 3 will be described. The initial position of the print head 2 is the retracted position. As a basis for the movement control of the print head 2, each print head 2 corresponding to the color mode of the print job to be executed is moved to the printing position, and each print head 2 not corresponding to the color mode (not used) is moved to the retracted position. For example, when executing Figure 4 When printing a document 1 in FIG. 1, since the color mode is A, the print head 2A is moved to the printing position, and the printing operation is performed thereafter. The print heads 2B to 2D are maintained at the retracted position. In addition, for example, when performing Figure 4When printing a document 4 in FIG. 1 , since the color mode is AC, the print heads 2A and 2C are moved to the printing position, and the printing operation is performed thereafter. The print heads 2B and 2D are maintained at the retracted position.

[0058] In the case where multiple print jobs are selected for execution, if the printing operation is stopped between the print jobs and the print head 2 is moved, productivity is reduced. For this reason, in this embodiment, the print head 2 is moved in parallel with the printing operation, thereby improving the productivity of the printed product. Since a predetermined time is required to move the print head 2, the movement timing of the print head 2 is controlled in consideration of the movement time.

[0059] In the movement control according to the present embodiment to be described below, whether to control the movement of the print head 2 is determined based on, for example, the relationship between the print time of the print job and the movement time at which the print head 2 is to be moved from the retracted position to the printing position. If the print time of the first print job among the plurality of print jobs satisfies the condition enabling the movement of the print head 2 to be added in the second print job, the movement of the print head 2 to be added for the second print job can be started before the ink discharge in the first print job is completed.

[0060] However, if the printing time of the first print job does not satisfy the above control condition, for example, the ink discharge of the first print job is started after the respective print heads 2 used in the first print job and the second print job are moved. Thus, after the ink discharge of the first print job is completed, the discharge of the second print job is started. Since the print head 2 to be used for the second print job has already moved, the ink is not discharged after the printing starts, the time taken for conveying only the print medium P can be shortened, and the first print job and the second print job can be printed continuously.

[0061] <Starting Control>

[0062] Figure 5 An example of the processing executed by the control unit 402 is shown, and in particular, an example of the movement control of the print head 2 when starting to execute a print job is shown. At the stage before starting to execute a print job, each print head 2 is located at the initial position (retracted position). When the user instructs to start executing a print job, the print head 2 corresponding to the color mode of the print job to be executed is moved to the printing position, and the printing operation is started after the movement.

[0063] like Figure 4 As illustrated in , if execution of multiple print jobs is selected, control can be performed so that the print head 2 to be used in the first print job and the print head 2 to be used in the subsequent print jobs are moved from the retracted position to the printing position in advance, depending on the content of the print jobs.

[0064] For example, in Figure 4 In the example shown, if the time of the printing operation of document 1 to be initially executed is short, the print heads 2B and 2C required for printing document 2 may not be moved to the printing position in time during the printing operation of document 1. In this case, not only the print head 2A required for printing document 1 but also the print heads 2B and 2C required for printing document 2 are moved to the printing position before executing document 1. This makes it possible to continuously execute the print jobs of document 1 and document 2.

[0065] Will describe Figure 5 In step S401, the job information of the print job instructed to be executed is obtained. Figure 4 , if execution of the print job of Document 1 to Document 4 is instructed, job information of Document 1 which is the initial (top) print job is acquired.

[0066] The acquired color mode of the print job is stored as ColorMode_J. In addition, the content of ColorMode_J is stored as ColorMode_P and ColorMode_N. That is, ColorMode_P = ColorMode_N = ColorMode_J. Figure 4 In the example shown, since the color mode of document 1 is A, ColorMode_J=A and ColorMode_P=ColorMode_N=A.

[0067] Furthermore, in step S401 , the total print length (Length_J) of the print job is obtained based on the following equation from the number of pages and the page size in the acquired job information, and is stored as Length_P.

[0068] Length_J = number of pages × length in conveying direction

[0069] For example, in Figure 4 In the example shown, since the number of pages of the document 1 is 50 and the conveying direction length of one page is 100 [mm], Length_P=Length_J=50×100 [mm]=5000 [mm].

[0070] In step S402, the calculated Length_P is compared with Length_T. Length_T is the conveyance amount of the print medium P until the print head 2 moves from the retracted position to the printing position (or from the printing position to the retracted position).

[0071] Length_T = moving time × printing medium conveying speed

[0072] In this embodiment, as an example, the moving time is 5 seconds and the conveying speed is 60 mpm (meters / minute).

[0073] Length_T=5[s]×60[mpm]=5000[mm]

[0074] If Length_P>Length_T, the process proceeds to step S405. If Length_P≤Length_T, the process proceeds to step S403. Figure 4 In the document 1 shown, since Length_P=5000[mm](=Length_T), the process proceeds to step S403.

[0075] In step S403, it is determined whether there is a next print job scheduled to be executed. If there is a next print job, the process proceeds to step S404. If there is no next print job, the process proceeds to step S405. Figure 4 In the example shown, since Document 2 exists secondarily to Document 1, the process proceeds to step S404.

[0076] In step S404, the job information of the next print job is obtained, the color mode of the print job is obtained as ColorMode_J and the total print length is obtained as Length_J. In addition, ColorMode_P, ColorMode_N and Length_P are updated as:

[0077] ColorMode_P=ColorMode_N=ColorMode_P+ColorMode_J

[0078] Length_P=Length_P+Length_J

[0079] After that, the processing returns to step S402.

[0080] exist Figure 4 In the example shown, regarding document 2 which is next to document 1,

[0081] ColorMode_J=ABC

[0082] Length_J=100×1000[mm]=100000[mm]

[0083] ColorMode_P, ColorMode_N, and Length_P are updated as follows:

[0084] ColorMode_P=ColorMode_N=A+ABC=ABC

[0085] Length_P=5000[mm]+100000[mm]=105000[mm]

[0086] Thereafter, when the process returns to step S402 , since Length_P=105000 [mm] (>Length_T), the process proceeds to step S405 .

[0087] In step S405, the print head 2 is moved according to ColorMode_P. Figure 4 In the example shown, since ColorMode_P=ABC, the corresponding print heads 2A to 2C are moved to the printing position. Fig. 8A The position of the print head 2 after the movement is exemplarily shown. Not only the print head 2A required in the print job of the document 1, but also the print heads 2B and 2C required in the print job of the document 2 are moved to the printing position in advance. The print head 2D is kept at the retracted position.

[0088] <Control after start>

[0089] The movement control of the print head 2 after the start of the execution of the print job will be described. In this embodiment, control can be performed so that with the execution of the print job, the print head 2 to be used for the print job after the print job is moved from the retracted position to the printing position. Also in this case, considering the movement time of the print head 2, the print head 2 is moved until the print job using the print head 2 is started.

[0090] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the movement of the print head 2 not used in the print job from the print position to the retracted position begins before the print job preceding the print job ends. At this time, the print head 2 can be used again in a subsequent print job. Therefore, in some cases, the print head 2 is maintained at the print position without moving to the retracted position. This is referred to as standby of the print head 2.

[0091] Figure 6 and Figure 7 4 shows an example of processing executed by the control unit 402, and particularly shows an example of movement control of the print head 2 during execution of a print job. Figure 6 and Figure 7 Processing shown.

[0092] In step S501 , the length Length_S of the printed page in the conveying direction is acquired from the job information, and Length_P is updated.

[0093] Length_P=Length_P―Length_S

[0094] For example, in Figure 4 In the example shown, if the printing of the first page of document 1 is completed, then

[0095] Length_P=105000[mm]-100[mm]=104900[mm].

[0096] In step S502, Length_P calculated in step S501 is compared with Length_T. If Length_P>Length_T, the process proceeds to step S505. If Length_P≤Length_T, the process proceeds to step S503. Figure 4 In the illustrated example, if the printing of the first page of Document 1 is completed, since Length_P is 104,900 [mm] and Length_T is 5,000 [mm], Length_P>Length_T and the process proceeds to step S505.

[0097] In step S505, the necessity of movement of the print head 2 is determined by comparing ColorMode_P and ColorMode_N. If these do not match, it is determined that movement of the print head 2 is necessary, and the process proceeds to step S506. If these match, it is determined that movement of the print head 2 is unnecessary, and the process proceeds to step S507. Figure 7 ).exist Figure 4 In the illustrated example, at the stage where printing of the first page of Document 1 is completed, both ColorMode_P and ColorMode_N are ABC, and therefore the process proceeds to step S507.

[0098] In step S506, ColorMode_P is updated by ColorMode_N, and the print head 2 corresponding to the type of ink determined to be inconsistent in step S505 is moved.

[0099] In step S503, it is determined whether the next print job of the currently executed print job exists. If it is determined that the next print job exists, the process proceeds to step S504. If the next print job does not exist, the process proceeds to step S505. Figure 4 In the illustrated example, the print job currently being executed is Document 1, and execution of Document 2 is scheduled next, and therefore it is determined that there is a next print job.

[0100] In step S504, ColorMode_N and Length_P are updated as follows:

[0101] ColorMode_N=ColorMode_P+ColorMode_J

[0102] Length_P=Length_P+Length_J.

[0103] exist Figure 7 In step S507, it is determined whether the page that has been printed is the last page of the print job being executed. If it is determined in step S507 that the page is the last page, the process proceeds to step S508. If it is determined in step S507 that the page is not the last page, the process ends and waits for the completion of printing of the next page.

[0104] In steps S508 to S510, the following processing is performed on the print head 2 used in the current print job. In step S508, it is determined whether the print head 2 currently at the print position will be used in any of the subsequent print jobs (referred to as subsequent jobs). If it is determined that the print head 2 is to be used, the process proceeds to step S509. If it is determined that the print head 2 is not to be used, the process proceeds to step S511.

[0105] In step S509, Length_TJ is calculated, and it is determined whether Length_TJ<2·Length_T. Length_TJ is the distance from the last page to the subsequent job (the conveyance amount of the print medium P). 2·Length_T is a value twice as large as Length_T, and indicates the time required for the print head 2 to reciprocate from the printing position → the retracted position → the printing position. If Length_TJ<2·Length_T, the process proceeds to step S510. If Length_TJ≥2·Length_T, the process proceeds to step S511.

[0106] In step S510, ColorMode_P is updated by ColorMode_N. In step S511, ColorMode_N is updated by:

[0107] ColorMode_N=ColorMode_N-ColorMode_TJ

[0108] ColorMode_TJ is an integer indicating the color mode (inks A to D) of the print head 2 which is currently at the printing position and is to be used in the subsequent job.

[0109] In step S513, the print head 2 is moved in accordance with ColorMode_P. The process ends here.

[0110] The following will describe Figure 4 Detailed example of the example shown.

[0111] (Example 1: When printing of the last page of Document 1 is completed)

[0112] In step S501, Length_P is 100,000 [mm]. In step S502, Length_P is 100,000 [mm] and is judged to be greater than Length_T (5,000 [mm]). The process proceeds to step S505.

[0113] In step S505, it is determined that both ColorMode_P and ColorMode_N are ABC, and the process proceeds to step S507. In step S507, it is determined that the page is the last page, and the process proceeds to step S508.

[0114] In step S508, if it is determined that the print head 2 corresponding to ColorMode_J will be used in the remaining jobs, the process proceeds to step S509. It is determined that the print head 2A used in the printing of document 1 will also be used in the printing of document 2, and the process proceeds to step S509. In step S509, Length_TJ is calculated and compared with a value twice as large as Length_T. If it is determined that Length_TJ is less than a value twice as large as Length_T, the process proceeds to step S510. The distance Length_TJ from document 1 to document 2 is 0 [mm]. It is determined that Length_TJ is less than a value twice as large as Length_T, 10,000 [mm], and the process proceeds to step S510.

[0115] In step S510, ColorMode_P is:

[0116] ColorMode_P=ColorMode_N=ABC.

[0117] As described above, during the execution of multiple print jobs, if the print head 2 to be used cannot be moved in time (printing position → standby position → printing position) due to the relationship between the color mode and the print length (delivery amount) of the subsequent print jobs, control can be performed to make the print head 2 standby at the printing position.

[0118] (Example 2: When printing of page 95 of document 2 is completed)

[0119] Here, an example in which the print head 2 moves from the retracted position to the printing position will be described.

[0120] In step S501, Length_P is 5,000 [mm]. In step S502, Length_P is 5,000 [mm] and is determined to be equal to Length_T (5,000 [mm]), and the process proceeds to step S503. In step S503, the presence or absence of the next print job is determined. The print job of document 3 is scheduled after document 2. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S504.

[0121] In step S504, the job information of document 3 is obtained. According to the job information,

[0122] ColorMode_J=ABD

[0123] Length_J=200×500[mm]=100000[mm]

[0124] ColorMode_N and Length_P are updated as follows:

[0125] ColorMode_N=ABC+ABCD=ABCD

[0126] Length_P=105000[mm]

[0127] The process returns to step S502, and it is determined that Length_P (which is 105,000 [mm]) is greater than Length_T (5,000 [mm]). The process proceeds to step S505. In step S505, ColorMode_P and ColorMode_N are compared. Since ColorMode_P is ABC and ColorMode_N is ABCD, it is determined that these do not match, and the process proceeds to step S506.

[0128] In step S506, ColorMode_P is updated to:

[0129] ColorMode_P=ColorMode_N=ABCD

[0130] According to the updated ColorMode_P, the additional print head 2D moves from the retracted position to the printing position. Figure 8B The position of the moved print head 2 is exemplarily shown. In step S507, it is determined that the page whose printing has been completed is not the last page, and the process ends.

[0131] As described above, during the execution of the print job of the document 2, control of moving the print head 2 to be used in the print job of the document 3 to the printing position can be performed.

[0132] (Example 3: When printing of the last page of document 2 is completed)

[0133] Here, an example in which the print head 2 is moved from the printing position to the retracted position will be described.

[0134] In step S501, Length_P is 100,000 [mm]. In step S502, Length_P is 100,000 [mm] and is judged to be greater than Length_T (5,000 [mm]), and the process proceeds to step S505.

[0135] In step S505, it is determined that both ColorMode_P and ColorMode_N are ABCD and coincide, and the process proceeds to step S507. In step S507, it is determined that the page is the last page, and the process proceeds to step S508.

[0136] In step S508, it is determined that the print heads 2A and 2B used in the print job of document 2 will also be used in the print job of the subsequent document 3, and the process proceeds to step S509. In step S509, the distance from the last page of document 2 to the first page of document 3 is calculated, and the value is Length_TJ = 0 [mm]. It is determined that Length_TJ is less than a value twice as large as Length_T, and the process proceeds to step S510.

[0137] Furthermore, in step S508, it is determined that the print head 2C used in document 2 will be used in the subsequent job document 4, and the process proceeds to step S509. In step S509, the distance from the last page of document 2 to the first page of document 4 is calculated as Length_TJ=150000 [mm]. It is determined that Length_TJ is greater than a value twice as large as Length_T, and the process proceeds to step S511.

[0138] In step S511, ColorMode_N is updated to:

[0139] ColorMode_N=ColorMode_N-ColorMode_TJ=ABCD-C=ABD.

[0140] In step S510, ColorMode_P is updated to ColorMode_P = ColorMode_N. In step S513, according to ColorMode_P = ABD, the print head 2C is moved from the printing position to the retracted position.

[0141] As described above, during the execution of multiple print jobs, if the print head 2 to be used can be moved in time (printing position → standby position → printing position) due to the relationship between the color mode and the print length (delivery amount) of the subsequent print jobs, control can be performed to move the print head 2 to the retracted position.

[0142] (Example 4: When printing of page 190 of document 3 is completed)

[0143] Here, an example in which the print head 2 moves from the retracted position to the printing position will be described.

[0144] In step S501, Length_P is 5,000 [mm]. In step S502, Length_P is 5,000 [mm] and is determined to be equal to Length_T (5,000 [mm]), and the process proceeds to step S503. In step S503, the presence or absence of the next print job is determined. The print job of document 4 is scheduled next to document 3. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S504.

[0145] In step S504, the job information of document 4 is obtained. According to the job information,

[0146] ColorMode_J=AC

[0147] Length_J=200×1000[mm]=200000[mm]

[0148] ColorMode_N and Length_P are updated as follows:

[0149] ColorMode_N=ABD+AC=ABCD

[0150] Length_P=205000[mm]

[0151] The process returns to step S502, and it is determined that Length_P (which is 205,000 [mm]) is greater than Length_T (5,000 [mm]). The process proceeds to step S505. In step S505, ColorMode_P and ColorMode_N are compared. Since ColorMode_P is ABD and ColorMode_N is ABCD, it is determined that they do not match, and the process proceeds to step S506.

[0152] In step S506, ColorMode_P is updated to:

[0153] ColorMode_P=ColorMode_N=ABCD.

[0154] According to the updated ColorMode_P, the additional print head 2C is moved from the retracted position to the printing position. In step S507, it is determined that the printed page is not the last page, and the process ends.

[0155] (Example 5: When printing of the last page of document 3 is completed)

[0156] Here, an example in which the print head 2 is moved from the printing position to the retracted position will be described.

[0157] In step S501, Length_P is 200,000 [mm]. In step S502, Length_P is 200,000 [mm] and is judged to be greater than Length_T (5,000 [mm]), and the process proceeds to step S505.

[0158] In step S505, it is determined that both ColorMode_P and ColorMode_N are ABCD and coincide, and the process proceeds to step S507. In step S507, it is determined that the page is the last page, and the process proceeds to step S508.

[0159] In step S508, it is determined that the print head 2A used in the print job of document 3 is also used in the print job of the subsequent document 4, and the process proceeds to step S509. In step S509, the distance from the last page of document 3 to the first page of document 4 is calculated, and the value is Length_TJ = 0 [mm]. It is determined that Length_TJ is less than a value twice as large as Length_T, and the process proceeds to step S510.

[0160] Furthermore, in step S508, it is determined that the print heads 2B and 2D used in document 3 will not be used in subsequent job document 4, and the process proceeds to step S511.

[0161] In step S511, ColorMode_N is updated to:

[0162] ColorMode_N=ColorMode_N-ColorMode_TJ=ABCD-BD=AC.

[0163] In step S510, ColorMode_P is updated to ColorMode_P = ColorMode_N. In step S513, according to ColorMode_P = AC, the print heads 2B and 2D are moved from the printing position to the retracted position. Figure 8C The position of the print head 2 after the movement is shown by way of example.

[0164] (Example 6: When printing of the last page of document 4 is completed)

[0165] Here, an example of ending all print jobs will be described.

[0166] In step S501, Length_P is 0 [mm]. In step S502, Length_P is 0 [mm] and is determined to be smaller than Length_T (5,000 [mm]), and the process proceeds to step S503. In step S503, it is determined that the next print job does not exist, and the process proceeds to step S505.

[0167] In step S505, it is determined that both ColorMode_P and ColorMode_N are AC and coincide, and the process proceeds to step S507. In step S507, it is determined that the page is the last page, and the process proceeds to step S508.

[0168] In step S508, since there is no print job after the print job of document 4, it is determined that the print heads 2A and 2C used in document 4 are not used in the remaining print jobs. The process proceeds to step S511. In step S511, ColorMode_N is updated to:

[0169] ColorMode_N=ColorMode_N―ColorMode_TJ=AC―AC=0

[0170] In step S513, according to ColorMode_P=0, the print heads 2A and 2C are moved from the printing position to the retracted position.

[0171] <Second Embodiment>

[0172] During the standby period, although the print heads 2 are not used in printing, they are located at the printing position and are easily affected by the vapor on the print medium P. By changing the execution order of the plurality of print jobs, the standby time can be minimized. In this embodiment, the control unit 402 calculates the standby time for each of the plurality of types of execution orders and outputs the calculation result of the standby time to the operation unit 401. Then, the plurality of print jobs are executed in the execution order selected by the user.

[0173] Fig. 9 4 is a diagram showing another example of a job list displayed on the operation unit 401. Figure 4 Compared to the illustrated example, a plan creation button 412 is added. Fig. 9 The illustrated example shows a state in which Document 1, Document 2, and Document 3 are selected as print jobs.

[0174] The plan generation button 412 is a button for instructing presentation of a standby time when the execution order of the selected plurality of print jobs is changed. The plan generation button 412 is enabled only when a plurality of print jobs are selected.

[0175] Fig.10 An example of the standby time calculation result displayed on the operation unit 401 when the user operates the plan generation button 412 is shown. Fig.10 In the example of , six types of execution orders are shown, which include mode 1 to mode 6. The execution order of the print job in the mode is as follows.

[0176] Mode 1: Document 1 → Document 2 → Document 3

[0177] Mode 2: Document 1 → Document 3 → Document 2

[0178] Mode 3: Document 2 → Document 1 → Document 3

[0179] Mode 4: Document 2 → Document 3 → Document 1

[0180] Mode 5: Document 3 → Document 1 → Document 2

[0181] Mode 6: Document 3 → Document 2 → Document 1

[0182] The total standby time (seconds) of the print heads 2A to 2D is shown for each mode.

[0183] Time A is the standby time of print head 2A. Time B is the standby time of print head 2B. Time C is the standby time of print head 2C. Time D is the standby time of print head 2D. Fig.10 In the example shown, the total standby time of the print head 2 is the shortest in mode 4 .

[0184] The return button 414 is used by the user to return to Fig. 9 The selection button 413 is a button for determining the mode selection. If the user selects one of the modes and operates the selection button 413, Fig.11 The display shows a job list whose execution order is changed to the mode selected by the user. Fig.11 The example of 4 shows a case where mode 4 is selected. Thereafter, if the user operates the start button 411, the print jobs of document 1 to document 3 are successively executed in the displayed execution order.

[0185] Next, the calculation process of the standby time will be described. Figure 12 to Figure 14 4 is a flowchart of a process executed by the control unit 402. A plurality of print jobs are virtually executed in the execution order of the respective modes, and the standby time is calculated based on the results.

[0186] If in Fig. 9 If the schedule creation button 412 is operated on the display shown in FIG. 7 , the process of step S701 is executed. Here, a pattern of the execution order of the selected plurality of print jobs is created. Fig.10 Modes 1 to 6 in FIG. 7 are examples. Next, the processing of steps S702 to S707 is performed for each mode.

[0187] The processing of steps S702 to S705 is the same as Figure 5 The processing of steps S401 to S404 in is the same. Therefore, the Fig. 9 The examples shown are used to explain the process of each processing.

[0188] In step S702, the job information of the first print job of mode 1: document 1 is obtained, and ColorMode_P and Length_P are specified. More specifically,

[0189] ColorMode_P=ColorMode_N=ColorMode_J=D

[0190] Length_P=Length_J=50×100[mm]=5000[mm].

[0191] In step S703, the calculated Length_P is compared with Length_T. Since Length_P is equal to Length_T, the process proceeds to step S704. In step S704, since it is determined that the next print job (Document 2) exists, the process proceeds to step S705.

[0192] In step S705, the job information of the next print job (document 2) is obtained, and ColorMode_P and Length_P are updated to:

[0193] ColorMode_P=ColorMode_N=D+ABC=ABCD

[0194] Length_P=105000[mm].

[0195] In step S706, the color mode is set to ColorMode_P, and virtual printing is started. In step S707, Fig.13 and Fig.14 The page units shown are processed.

[0196] The processing of steps S803 to S812 is the same as Figure 6 and Figure 7 The processing of steps S502 to S511 in is the same as that of steps S502 to S511 in Fig. 9 The examples shown are used to explain the processes of each process in succession.

[0197] In step S801, it is determined whether there is a page to be virtually printed. If there is no page, the process ends. The case where the virtual printing of the first page of document 1 is completed will be described. In step S802, the length Length_S of the page in the conveying direction is obtained, and Length_P is updated to:

[0198] Length_P=Length_P—Length_S

[0199] Length_P=105000[mm]-100[mm]=104900[mm].

[0200] ColorMode_J and ColorMode_P in the page where virtual printing is completed are compared, and the print head 2 to be on standby is specified. More specifically, since ColorMode_J of document 1 is D and ColorMode_P is ABCD, the print heads on standby are 2A, 2B, and 2C.

[0201] The standby time of each standby print head is obtained in the following way:

[0202] Time = Time + Length_S ÷ Speed_P.

[0203] Here, Length_S is 100 [mm], and Speed_P is 60 mpm.

[0204] The obtained standby time of the standby print head is:

[0205] Time A = 0 + 100 [mm] ÷ 60 [mpm] = 0.1 [s]

[0206] Time B = 0 + 100 [mm] ÷ 60 [mpm] = 0.1 [s]

[0207] Time C = 0 + 100 [mm] ÷ 60 [mpm] = 0.1 [s]

[0208] Time D=0.

[0209] In step S803, it is determined that Length_P is greater than Length_T, and the process proceeds to step S806. In step S806, it is determined that both ColorMode_P and ColorMode_N are ABCD and coincide, and the process proceeds to step S808. In step S808, it is determined that the page is not the last page, and the process proceeds to step S813. In step S813, the information of the next page is acquired, and the process returns to step S801 to repeat similar processing.

[0210] Next, a description will be given of the processing of the last page of Document 1. In step S801, it is determined that there is a last page to be virtually printed, and in step S802, Length_P is updated to 100,000 [mm].

[0211] Based on the number of pages, the cumulative standby time of print head 2 is:

[0212] Time A = 5 [s]

[0213] Time B = 5 [s]

[0214] Time C = 5 [s]

[0215] Time D=0.

[0216] In step S803, Length_P is 100,000 [mm] and is determined to be greater than Length_T (5,000 [mm]), and the process proceeds to step S806. In step S806, it is determined that both ColorMode_P and ColorMode_N are ABCD, and the process proceeds to step S808. In step S808, it is determined that the page is the last page, and the process proceeds to step S809.

[0217] In step S809, since it is determined that the print head 2D used in document 1 will be used in the subsequent job document 3, the process proceeds to step S810. In step S810, the distance from the last page of document 1 to the first page of document 3 is calculated as Length_TJ=100000 [mm]. It is determined that Length_TJ is greater than a value twice as large as Length_T, and the process proceeds to step S812.

[0218] In step S812, ColorMode_N is updated by the following expression, and the process proceeds to step S811.

[0219] ColorMode_N=ColorMode_N-ColorMode_TJ=ABCD-D=ABC

[0220] In step S811, ColorMode_P is updated to:

[0221] ColorMode_P=ColorMode_N=ABC.

[0222] The process proceeds to step S813. Thereafter, virtual printing of document 2 is performed.

[0223] Next, a description will be given of a case of virtual printing of the 95th page of document 2. In step S801, it is determined that there is a page to be virtually printed, and in step S802, Length_P is obtained as 5,000 [mm].

[0224] The cumulative standby time of print head 2 is:

[0225] Time A = 5 [s]

[0226] Time B = 5 [s]

[0227] Time C = 5 [s]

[0228] Time D = 0

[0229] In step S803, Length_P is 5,000 [mm] and is determined to be equal to Length_T (5,000 [mm]), and the process proceeds to step S804. In step S804, it is determined that there is a next print job (Document 3), and the process proceeds to step S805. In step S805, the job information of the next print job is acquired, and ColorMode_N and Length_P are updated to:

[0230] ColorMode_N=ABC+ABD=ABCD

[0231] Length_P=105000[mm].

[0232] In step S803, Length_P is 105,000 [mm] and is judged to be greater than Length_T (5,000 [mm]), and the process proceeds to step S806. In step S806, ColorMode_P and ColorMode_N are compared. In step S806, since ColorMode_P is ABC and ColorMode_N is ABCD, and it is judged that these do not match, the process proceeds to step S807.

[0233] In step S807, ColorMode_P is updated to:

[0234] ColorMode_P=ColorMode_N=ABCD.

[0235] In step S808, it is determined that the page is not the last page, and the process proceeds to step S813. In step S813, the next page information is acquired, and the process returns to step S801.

[0236] Next, the processing of the last page of Document 2 will be described. In step S801, it is determined that there is a last page to be virtually printed, and in step S802, Length_P is updated to 100,000 [mm]. Since ColorMode_J of Document 2 is ABC and ColorMode_P is ABCD, the standby print head is 2D. The standby time of pages 95 to 100 of Document 2 is added together to obtain the cumulative standby time of print head 2:

[0237] Time A = 5 [s]

[0238] Time B = 5 [s]

[0239] Time C = 5 [s]

[0240] Time D = 5 [s].

[0241] In step S803, Length_P is 100,000 [mm] and is judged to be greater than Length_T (5,000 [mm]), and the process proceeds to step S806. In step S806, it is judged that both ColorMode_P and ColorMode_N are ABCD and coincide, and the process proceeds to step S808. In step S808, it is judged that the page is the last page, and the process proceeds to step S809.

[0242] In step S809, it is determined that the print head 2A and the print head 2A used in the document 2 are Figure 2B It will be used in the subsequent print job (Document 3), and the process proceeds to step S810. In step S810, the distance from the last page of Document 2 to the first page of Document 3 is calculated as Length_TJ=0 [mm]. It is determined that Length_TJ is less than twice the value of Length_T, and the process proceeds to step S811.

[0243] In step S809, it is determined that the print head 2C used in document 2 will not be used in the subsequent print job (document 3), and the process proceeds to step S812.

[0244] In step S812, ColorMode_N is updated to:

[0245] ColorMode_N=ColorMode_N-ColorMode_TJ=ABCD-C=ABD.

[0246] Processing proceeds to step S811.

[0247] In step S811, ColorMode_P is updated to:

[0248] ColorMode_P=ColorMode_N=ABD.

[0249] The process proceeds to step S813. In step S813, the next page information is acquired, and the process returns to step S801. Since document 3 is the last job and ColorMode_J and ColorMode_P of document 3 do not differ, the description of the subsequent processes will be omitted.

[0250] Therefore, the standby time of the print head 2 in mode 1 is:

[0251] Time A = 5 [s]

[0252] Time B = 5 [s]

[0253] Time C = 5 [s]

[0254] Time D = 5 [s]

[0255] The print head standby time for modes 1 to 6 is as follows: Fig.10 is shown in the display example.

[0256] Fig.15 1 is a diagram showing a period in which each print head 2 is in a standby state at a printing position (standby period) and a period in which the print head is used (use period) in pattern 1. Fig.16 is a diagram showing the standby period and the use period of each print head 2 in mode 3. It can be seen that although the total printing length and the use period of each print head 2 are the same between mode 1 and mode 3, the standby period changes depending on the execution order of the print jobs.

[0257] As described above, according to this embodiment, the user can select the execution order that minimizes the standby time among a plurality of jobs. Note that the execution order that minimizes the standby time may be automatically executed without a selection instruction from the user.

[0258] <Third Embodiment>

[0259] The type of ink to be discharged from the print head 2 and the arrangement of the print head 2 are appropriately designed. For example, the print head 2 may be divided into a plurality of groups and arranged. For example, a first printing unit formed by one or more print heads 2 including a print head 2 that discharges white ink and a second printing unit formed by one or more print heads 2 including a print head 2 that discharges other color inks (yellow, magenta, cyan, black, etc.) that do not include white ink may be separately arranged in the conveying direction of the print medium P. For example, in this configuration, the first printing unit may be arranged on the upstream side of the conveying direction of the print medium P relative to the second printing unit. In addition, between the first printing unit and the second printing unit, a drying unit and a cooling unit may also be arranged along the conveying path of the print medium P.

[0260] In a configuration in which the first printing unit and the second printing unit are separately arranged in the conveying direction of the printing medium P, the print job may be a print job using only the print head 2 included in the second printing unit. Note that the control described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment may be, for example, control of the second printing unit.

[0261] In a configuration in which the first printing unit and the second printing unit are separately arranged in the conveying direction of the print medium P, the print job can manage the first printing unit and the second printing unit as a whole. Alternatively, the print job can manage each of the first printing unit and the second printing unit, or manage each print head 2. If the print job is managed for each print head 2, the print head 2 of the white ink on the upstream side of the conveying direction can be managed by the second print job, and the print head 2 of the color ink on the downstream side can be managed by the first print job.

[0262] Likewise, in the movement control according to the present embodiment, whether to control the movement of the print head 2 is determined based on, for example, the relationship between the print time of the print job and the movement time for the print head 2 to be moved from the retracted position to the printing position. If the print time of the first print job among the plurality of print jobs satisfies the condition enabling the movement of the print head 2 to be added in the second print job, the movement of the print head 2 to be added for the second print job can be started before the ink discharge in the first print job is completed.

[0263] However, if the printing time of the first print job does not satisfy the above control condition, the print head 2 used in the first print job and the second print job is moved, and then the ink discharge of the first print job is started. Therefore, after the ink discharge of the first print job is completed, the discharge of the second print job is started. Since the print head 2 to be used for the second print job has already moved, the ink is not discharged after the printing starts, the time taken for only conveying the print medium P can be shortened, and the first print job and the second print job can be printed continuously.

[0264] Fig.17 1 is a schematic diagram of a printing apparatus 1A as an example of this embodiment. Components different from the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be mainly explained below.

[0265] The printing apparatus 1A includes a feeding device 104, an image forming device 100, and a discharging device 105. The image forming device 100 includes an additional printing device 115 and a pre-printing device 116. The conveying device 101 includes a plurality of conveying rollers 101a, and conveys the printing medium P fed from the feeding device 104 at a predetermined speed so that the printing medium P passes through the pre-printing device 116 and the additional printing device 115 in sequence.

[0266] The pre-printing device 116 performs spot color printing as pre-printing. In spot color printing, for example, a base having a predetermined pattern is printed. The additional printing device 115 performs basic color printing as additional printing. In basic color printing, for example, a predetermined pattern is printed. That is, it can be said that the printing device 1A is a digital printing device that performs pre-printing and additional printing.

[0267] The pre-printing device 116 includes a skew correction unit 110, a printing unit PT1, a drying unit 112, and a cooling unit 113 arranged in sequence from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the printing medium P. The skew correction unit 110 corrects the skew of the printing medium P. The printing unit PT1 includes a print head 2WP, a print head 2W, and a moving unit 3A. In this embodiment, the print head 2W discharges white ink and the print head 2WP discharges primer ink for fixing. The print head 2WP is located on the upstream side of the conveying direction of the printing medium P relative to the print head 2W.

[0268] The moving unit 3A is a mechanism for independently moving the print head 2WP and the print head 2W between the printing position and the retracted position. Figure 2A and Figure 2B The same mechanism as the moving mechanism 3 described.

[0269] The drying unit 112 heats the printing medium P, thereby promoting drying of ink discharged to the printing medium P. The cooling unit 113 cools the printing medium P heated by the drying unit 112 .

[0270] The additional printing device 115 has the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The additional printing device 115 includes a printing unit PT2, a drying unit 106, a cooling unit 108, and an inspection unit 107 arranged in sequence from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the printing medium P.

[0271] The printing unit PT2 includes a print head 2P, a print head 2B, a print head 2Y, a print head 2M, and a print head 2C arranged in sequence from the upstream side in the conveying direction of the printing medium P. In this embodiment, the print head 2P discharges a primer ink for fixing. The print head 2B discharges black ink. The print head 2Y discharges yellow ink. The print head 2M discharges magenta ink. The print head 2C discharges cyan ink. In addition, the printing unit PT2 includes a moving unit 3B. The moving unit 3B is a mechanism for individually moving the print head 2P, the print head 2B, the print head 2Y, the print head 2M, and the print head 2C between the printing position and the retracted position, and can adopt the same method as the reference numeral 3B. Figure 2A and Figure 2B The same mechanism as the moving mechanism 3 described.

[0272] The drying unit 106 heats the print medium P, thereby promoting the drying of the ink discharged to the print medium P. The cooling unit 108 cools the print medium P heated by the drying unit 106. The inspection unit 107 is a device for reading and inspecting an image printed on the print medium P, and includes, for example, a scanner device. Examples of the inspection contents are an inspection of color mismatch of the printed image, an inspection of a discharge failure of the print head 2, and an inspection of the hue of the printed image. These inspections can be performed by printing a test pattern on the print medium P by the print head 2 and reading the test pattern by the inspection unit 107.

[0273] Each of the print heads 2WP, 2W, 2P, 2B, 2Y, 2M, and 2C is a full line head and can discharge ink supplied from an ink cartridge (not shown) to the entire area in the width direction of the print medium P. One print head 2 discharges one type of ink.

[0274] The control described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment may be, for example, control of the printing unit PT2.

[0275] Other embodiments

[0276] The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by providing software (program) for performing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer or a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessing unit (MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program.

[0277] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A printing device, comprising: a moving member for individually moving each print head between a printing position at which liquid is discharged toward a print medium and a retracted position at which the retracted position is separated from the print medium compared to the printing position; as well as a control unit for controlling the moving unit to move the print head to be used in the top print job and the print head to be used in the print job after the top print job from the retracted position to the printing position as initial movement control before execution of the top print job among the plurality of print jobs, The control section controls the moving section to move the print head to be used in a second print job after the first print job from the retracted position to the printing position as a first movement control during execution of a first print job among the plurality of print jobs.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein: The print head moved by the first movement control is a print head configured to discharge liquid of a type not used during execution of the first print job.

3. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein: The movement of the print head in the first movement control is started until the discharge of the liquid to the print medium in the first print job is completed.

4. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising: A first printing component including a print head configured to discharge white liquid; as well as a second printing part which is arranged on a downstream side in a conveying direction of the printing medium relative to the first printing part and includes a printing head having no printing head configured to discharge white liquid, The first movement control is for controlling the print head and the print job in the second printing component.

5. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein: The control section can perform second movement control to start movement of the print head not used in the third print job from the printing position to the retracted position when a print job preceding a third print job among the plurality of print jobs ends.

6. The printing device according to claim 5, wherein: The control section can perform control to make the print head stand by at the printing position in the third print job, when the print head not used in the third print job is used in a fourth print job following the third print job.

7. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising a conveying component for conveying the printing medium. in, The control unit performs the following operations: comparing a conveying amount of the printing medium conveyed during movement of the print head with a conveying amount of the printing medium conveyed by performing remaining printing in the first print job, and The first movement control is performed based on a result of the comparison.

8. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising a conveying component for conveying the printing medium. in, The control unit performs the following operations: comparing a delivery amount of the print medium delivered during movement of the print head with a delivery amount of the print medium delivered by executing the top print job, and The initial movement control is performed based on a result of the comparison.

9. The printing device according to claim 5, further comprising a conveying component for conveying the printing medium. in, In a case where a print head not used in the third print job is used in a fourth print job after the third print job, the control component performs the following operations: comparing a conveyance amount of the print medium conveyed during reciprocating movement of the print head between the print position and the retracted position with a conveyance amount of the print medium conveyed until execution of the fourth print job, and The second movement control is performed based on a result of the comparison.

10. The printing device according to claim 7, wherein: The plurality of print jobs are executed successively, and The conveying member continuously conveys the printing medium during execution of the plurality of printing jobs.

11. The printing device according to claim 4, wherein: The control unit performs the following operations: calculating, for each of the plurality of types of execution orders of the plurality of print jobs, a standby time during which each print head is located at the print position in a print job that does not use the print head, and The calculation result of the standby time is output.

12. The printing device according to claim 11, wherein The control section executes the plurality of print jobs in an execution order selected by a user from among the plurality of types of execution orders.

13. A method for controlling a printing device, the printing device comprising a moving part for individually moving each print head between a printing position and a retracted position, wherein liquid is discharged toward a print medium at the printing position, and the retracted position is separated from the print medium compared to the printing position, the method comprising: controlling the moving member to move the print head used in the top print job and the print head to be used in the print job after the top print job from the retracted position to the printing position before execution of the top print job among the plurality of print jobs; as well as The moving member is controlled to move the print head to be used in a second print job subsequent to the first print job from the retracted position to the printing position during execution of a first print job among the plurality of print jobs.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program configured to cause a computer to perform the following operations in order to control a printing device including a moving member for independently moving each print head between a printing position and a retracted position: controlling the moving member to move the print head used in the top print job and the print head to be used in a print job subsequent to the top print job from the retracted position to the printing position before execution of the top print job among the plurality of print jobs; and controlling the moving member to move the print head to be used in a second print job following the first print job from the retracted position to the printing position during execution of a first print job among the plurality of print jobs, in, Liquid is discharged toward a print medium at the printing position, and the retracted position is separated from the print medium compared to the printing position.

15. A computer program product comprising a program, wherein, in order to control a printing device comprising a moving member for individually moving each print head between a printing position and a retracted position, the program is configured to cause a computer to perform the following operations: controlling the moving member to move the print head used in the top print job and the print head to be used in a print job subsequent to the top print job from the retracted position to the printing position before execution of the top print job among the plurality of print jobs; and The moving member is controlled to move the print head to be used in a second print job after the first print job from the retracted position to the printing position during execution of a first print job among the plurality of print jobs, wherein Liquid is discharged toward a print medium at the printing position, and the retracted position is separated from the print medium compared to the printing position.

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