Control device, control method of control device, and program

Abstract

To provide a control device and a control method thereof capable of reducing labor for setting up a paper feeding part by a user.SOLUTION: A PC comprises a display and displays a print setting screen on a display for giving instructions to make an image formation device, etc. execute print processing. The print setting screen displays information of a virtual paper feeding part integrating two or more physical paper feeding parts into one in which the paper satisfying a predetermined condition among paper feeding parts of the image formation device is fed. One of the physical paper feeding part among two or more physical paper feeding parts is set in the paper feeding part used for the print processing when the information of the virtual paper feeding part is selected by a user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device, a control method for a control device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Job submission software allows for efficient printing of multiple print jobs. When printing using job submission software, the output size of each print document may differ when printing multiple print documents, and even in such cases, it is required to print each print document on paper of an appropriate size. Also, from the perspective of ease of user operation, etc., simple job submission software that limits the number of print settings that can be set per print to one is often used.

[0003] A technique for reducing the effort required for users to make print settings is proposed in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, information on paper fed to multiple paper feed units included in a printing device is acquired, and if it is possible to selectively determine which paper feed unit to use for printing from among the multiple paper feed units based on the acquired paper information, printing is performed on paper fed from the determined paper feed unit to be used. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-135897 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 may not be able to reduce the effort required for the user to set the paper feed unit. For example, if the paper fed to the paper feed unit is a paper whose paper length can be freely changed, such as roll paper, the user cannot select one paper feed unit from among multiple paper feed units, and must select the paper feed unit that feeds paper suitable for the print document.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a control device, a control method for the control device, and a program that can reduce the effort required for a user to set a paper feed unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the control device of the present invention is a control device that sets the paper feeding unit to be used in a printing process by an image forming device equipped with multiple paper feeding units, and is equipped with a means for acquiring information on paper fed to each of the multiple paper feeding units, and a means for displaying a setting screen that allows a user to select a paper feeding unit to be used in the printing process from among the multiple paper feeding units based on the acquired paper information, and the setting screen displays information on a virtual paper feeding unit that combines two or more paper feeding units that feed paper that satisfies specified conditions into one among the multiple paper feeding units, and when the information on the virtual paper feeding unit is selected by the user, one of the two or more paper feeding units is set as the paper feeding unit to be used in the printing process. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the effort required for the user to set the paper feed unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a printing system including a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3]2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic hardware configuration of the PC in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the image forming apparatus and the PC shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 5 is a diagram showing an example of paper feed unit information stored in a paper feed unit information DB of FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen displayed on the display in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] 7 is a diagram showing an example of a paper feed unit list displayed in a paper feed method selection section in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 7 is a diagram for explaining how the paper feed unit used in the print process is set when "roll paper automatic" is selected in the paper feed method selection section in FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 9] 5 is a diagram showing an example of information on a print job stored in a job information DB of FIG. 4. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a paper-feed unit list creation process executed by the PC in FIG. [Figure 11] 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a paper feed unit selection process executed by the PC of FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing another procedure of the paper-feed unit list creation process executed by the PC of FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing another procedure of the paper-feed unit selection process executed by the PC of FIG. [Figure 14] 2 is a diagram showing an example of an attribute information DB and a paper information DB managed by the PC in FIG. 1. [Figure 15] 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of an automatic paper-feed unit setting process executed by the PC of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a printing system including a control device according to the present embodiment. In Fig. 1, the printing system is composed of an image forming device 100 and a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as "PC") 101 as a control device.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 100 is a printing apparatus having a printing function. The image forming apparatus 100 may be a large format printer or an MFP equipped with a scanner. The printing method of the image forming apparatus 100 may be either an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method, or may be another method. The image forming apparatus 100 is capable of communicating with a PC 101 via a network 102.

[0013] PC 101 acquires information about paper fed to image forming apparatus 100 (hereinafter referred to as "paper feed section information"). PC 101 also transmits a print job to image forming apparatus 100 and causes image forming apparatus 100 to execute print processing based on this print job. In this embodiment, a PC is described as an example of a control device, but the control device is not limited to a PC and may be, for example, an information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a digital camera. In this embodiment, a configuration is described in which the printing system includes one image forming apparatus and one control device, but the printing system is not limited to this configuration and may include two or more image forming apparatuses and two or more control devices.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a CPU 200, a ROM 201, a RAM 202, an input unit 204, a printing unit I / F 205, a memory controller 206, a printing unit 207, an external memory 208, and an operation unit 209. The CPU 200, the ROM 201, the RAM 202, the input unit 204, the printing unit I / F 205, the memory controller 206, and the operation unit 209 are connected to each other via a system bus 203.

[0015] The CPU 200 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 100 based on programs stored in the ROM 201 and the external memory 208. For example, the CPU 200 outputs an image signal as output information to the printing unit 207 via the printing unit I / F 205. The CPU 200 also communicates with the PC 101 via the input unit 204, and notifies the PC 101 of information on the image forming apparatus 100. The RAM 202 functions as the main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 200. The storage capacity of the RAM 202 can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown).

[0016] Printing unit 207 includes multiple paper feed units, and each feeds paper with different characteristics such as paper type and paper size. In this embodiment, as an example, a configuration in which printing unit 207 includes four paper feed units, specifically, paper feed units 207a to 207d, will be described. Paper feed units 207a to 207c are each configured to be able to feed roll paper, and paper feed unit 207a is configured to be able to feed cut paper. Printing unit 207 prints an image based on an image signal sent by CPU 200 onto paper transported from a paper feed unit specified from paper feed units 207a to 207d.

[0017] The external memory 208 is a storage device such as a hard disk (HDD), and access thereto is controlled by the memory controller 206. The external memory 208 is connected as an option, and stores font data, emulation programs, form data, information about paper fed to each paper feed unit, and the like. The operation unit 209 is composed of a touch panel display and hard keys. Information about the image forming apparatus 100 is displayed on the display of the operation unit 209. The operation unit 209 also accepts instructions input by the user.

[0018] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic hardware configuration of the PC 101 in Fig. 1. In Fig. 3, the PC 101 includes a control unit 307, a keyboard 308, a display 309, and an external memory 310. The control unit 307 includes a CPU 300, a ROM 301, a RAM 302, a network I / F 303, a keyboard controller 304, a display controller 305, and a disk controller 306. The CPU 300, the ROM 301, the RAM 302, the network I / F 303, the keyboard controller 304, the display controller 305, and the disk controller 306 are connected to each other via a main bus 311.

[0019] CPU 300 controls disk controller 306 to read out programs such as a control program, a system program, and an application program stored in external memory 310 into RAM 302. CPU 300 may also read out control programs from ROM 301. CPU 300 executes the programs read out into RAM 302 to perform data processing and display control of display 309. CPU 300 also communicates with image forming apparatus 100 via network I / F 303. CPU 300 may be a dedicated circuit such as an ASIC.

[0020] A disk controller 306 controls access to an external memory 310 such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a UDB, an MO, etc. The capacity of the RAM 302 can be expanded by an optional RAM (not shown) or the like, and the RAM 302 is mainly used as a work area for the CPU 300.

[0021] A keyboard controller 304 controls key input from a keyboard 308, a pointing device (not shown), etc. A display controller 305 controls the display on a display 309.

[0022] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional blocks of the image forming apparatus 100 and the PC 101 in Fig. 1. Fig. 4(a) shows an example of the functional blocks of the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in Fig. 4(a), the image forming apparatus 100 includes, as functional blocks, a device information storage unit 401, a print job receiving unit 402, and a print execution unit 403. The processing of these functional blocks is realized by the CPU 200 of the image forming apparatus 100 executing a program stored in the ROM 201 or the like.

[0023] The device information storage unit 401 controls the storage and management of status information of the image forming apparatus 100, which reflects the paper feed status and device setting status, in the ROM 301 or the like. The status information of the image forming apparatus 100 includes, for example, paper feed unit information of the paper feed units 207a to 207d. The paper feed unit information includes, for example, information such as the paper type and paper width of the paper fed to the paper feed units 207a to 207d. The print job receiving unit 402 controls the reception of a print job transmitted from the PC 101. The print execution unit 403 checks the consistency between the print job transmitted from the PC 101 and the information managed by the device information storage unit 401, and executes the print process if there is no problem.

[0024] Fig. 4(b) shows an example of functional blocks of PC 101. As shown in Fig. 4(b), PC 101 includes, as functional blocks, an acquisition unit 411, a paper feed unit information DB 412, a display control unit 413, a print setting information creation / update unit 414, a job information creation / update unit 415, a print job transmission unit 416, and a job information DB 417. The processing of these functional blocks is realized by CPU 300 executing a program stored in ROM 301 or the like.

[0025] The acquiring unit 411 performs control to acquire status information of the image forming device 100 from a pre-registered image forming device, for example, the image forming device 100. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a plurality of image forming devices including the image forming device 100 are registered in advance, and the acquiring unit 411 acquires status information from all the registered image forming devices.

[0026] The paper feed unit information DB 412 stores status information of the image forming apparatus acquired by the acquisition unit 411, and information output from a printer driver (not shown) of PC 101 and an OS (not shown) of PC 101. As described above, the status information of the image forming apparatus includes paper feed unit information. The acquisition unit 411, paper feed unit information DB 412, display control unit 413, print setting information creation and update unit 414, job information creation and update unit 415, print job transmission unit 416, and job information DB 417 are part of the functions of a print control application (not shown) that cooperates with the printer driver and causes image forming apparatus 100 to execute print processing.

[0027] The display control unit 413 performs control to display a print setting screen 600 in Fig. 6, which will be described later, for setting print setting information used in print processing, on the display 309. The display control unit 413 also requests the job information creation / update unit 415 to create a print job.

[0028] The print setting information creation / update unit 414 compares the paper feed unit information of the image forming device 100 stored in the paper feed unit information DB 412 with the setting values ​​set on the print setting screen 600, and requests the display control unit 413 to display warning information based on the results of the comparison.

[0029] The job information creation / update unit 415 creates a print job based on the setting values ​​set on the print setting screen 600, and requests the print job sending unit 416 to send the created print job. The print job sending unit 416 sends the print job created by the job information creation / update unit 415 to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0030] Job information DB 417 is a database that stores information about a print job transmitted by print job transmission unit 416. Job information DB 417 holds information about this print job, for example, until image forming apparatus 100 completes execution of the print job or until the print job is canceled.

[0031] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of paper feed unit information stored in paper feed unit information DB 412 of Fig. 4. In paper feed unit information DB 412, paper feed unit information included in status information acquired by PC 101 from each image forming apparatus is managed by ID 500. An identifier for uniquely identifying the paper feed unit information is registered in ID 500. Furthermore, in paper feed unit information DB 412, information included in the paper feed unit information is registered as printer name 501, paper feed unit 502, paper width 503, paper type 504, paper category 505, and paper additional information 506.

[0032] For example, the information corresponding to ID-A is paper feed unit information for paper feed unit 207a of image forming apparatus 100. In this paper feed unit information, information indicating image forming apparatus 100 is registered in printer name 501, and information indicating paper feed unit 207a and capable of feeding roll paper is registered in paper feed unit 502. Furthermore, information indicating the paper width of the roll paper fed to paper feed unit 207a is registered in paper width 503, and information indicating the paper type of the roll paper fed to paper feed unit 207a is registered in paper type 504. Furthermore, information indicating the classification of the roll paper fed to paper feed unit 207a is registered in paper category 505, and information including the weight and thickness of the roll paper fed to paper feed unit 207a is registered in additional paper information 506.

[0033] The information corresponding to ID-B to ID-D is the paper feed unit information of paper feed unit 207b to paper feed unit 207d of image forming apparatus 100, respectively. In paper feed unit information DB 412, information consisting of only printer name 501 and paper feed unit 502, such as ID-D, is registered as paper feed unit information of a paper feed unit from which paper is not being fed. In paper feed unit information DB 412, information other than the above-mentioned information may also be managed as paper feed unit information. Also, printer name 501, paper feed unit 502, paper width 503, paper type 504, paper category 505, and paper additional information 506 may be managed in separate databases. The information stored in paper feed unit information DB 412 may be configured to be editable by the user on a screen displayed on display 309 of PC 101.

[0034] Incidentally, information on a virtual paper feeder (for example, information on "ID-E") may also be registered in paper feeder information DB 412. A detailed explanation of the virtual paper feeder will be given later. In the "ID-E" information, "roll paper automatic" indicating automatic selection of the paper feeder is registered in paper feeder 502, and multiple values ​​that are selection candidates for roll paper automatic are registered in paper width 503. Incidentally, while FIG. 5 shows an example in which multiple selection candidate values ​​are registered only in paper width 503, a single value may be registered in paper width 503, and multiple selection candidate values ​​may be registered in paper type 504.

[0035] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen 600 displayed on the display 309 in Fig. 3. The print setting screen 600 is a screen for issuing an instruction from the PC 101 to cause a preregistered image forming apparatus to execute a print process, and is displayed on the display 309 when the print control application is started. On the print setting screen 600, it is possible to select a document to be printed and to set print setting information to be used in the print process.

[0036] The print setting screen 600 is composed of a file list display section 601, a preview display section 602, a print setting display section 603, and a print button 604. The file list display section 601 displays a list of information on a plurality of documents to be printed on a page-by-page basis. The preview display section 602 displays a preview screen of a page selected in the file list display section 601. The print setting display section 603 includes a printer selection section 605 for selecting an image forming device to execute the print process, and a paper feed method selection section 606 for selecting a paper feed section to be used in the print process. The print button 604 is a button for issuing an instruction to create and send a print job. Note that the configuration of the print setting screen 600 is an example, and the print setting screen 600 may include items other than the file list display section 601, the preview display section 602, and the print setting display section 603.

[0037] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a paper feed unit list displayed in the paper feed method selection unit 606 in FIG. 6. This paper feed unit list is a paper feed unit list of the image forming apparatus 100, and is created in a paper feed unit list creation process in FIG. 10 described later based on the paper feed unit information of the image forming apparatus 100 stored in the paper feed unit information DB 412. This paper feed unit list includes information on the paper feed unit 502, the paper type 504, and the paper width 503, which are among the paper feed unit information of the image forming apparatus 100 stored in the paper feed unit information DB 412. Note that information such as "no paper feed" is included for a paper feed unit that is not feeding paper. "Roll paper 1", "Roll paper 2", "Roll paper 3", and "Cut paper" correspond to the paper feed units 207a to 207d of the image forming apparatus 100, respectively. Note that hereinafter, the paper feed units 207a to 207d are referred to as "physical paper feed units". "Automatic roll paper" corresponds to a virtual paper feed unit that integrates multiple physical paper feed units 207a to 207d that feed paper of the same paper type but different paper widths into one. For example, the virtual paper feed unit of image forming apparatus 100 that includes paper feed units 207a and 207b that feed paper of the same paper type 504 (plain paper A) and different paper widths 503 (24 inches and 36 inches) is an integration of paper feed units 207a and 207b into one. When "Automatic roll paper" is selected, the physical paper feed unit that feeds paper that provides the optimal print result is set as the paper feed unit to be used for printing from among the multiple physical paper feed units.

[0038] Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining how the paper feed unit used for printing is set when "Roll paper automatic" is selected in the paper feed method selection section 606 in Fig. 6. The procedure of the process when "Roll paper automatic" is selected in the paper feed method selection section 606 in Fig. 6 will be described later with reference to Fig. 10.

[0039] When "Roll Paper Automatic" is selected in the paper feed method selection section 606, the PC 101 acquires the page size of the print document submitted to the file list display section 601. The PC 101 judges whether the data of this page size fits on the paper being fed for all physical paper feed sections corresponding to the virtual paper feed section, that is, whether there is no loss of image, and stores the result. In this judgment, if paper that fits at least one of the data of the print document that is not rotated and the data of the print document rotated 90 degrees is fed to any of the physical paper feed sections corresponding to the virtual paper feed section, it is judged that paper that fits the data of the page size is fed to any of the physical paper feed sections corresponding to the virtual paper feed section. If there are multiple physical paper feed sections that feed paper that fits the data of the page size, the paper feed section that feeds paper with the smallest margin area among them is set as the paper feed section used for printing processing. In this embodiment, the margin area is calculated for both the case where the print document is not rotated and the case where the print document is rotated 90 degrees. Among these, the paper feed unit that feeds the paper with the smallest margin area is set as the paper feed unit to be used for the printing process.

[0040] As an example, if the page size of the print document is A2 (width: 420 [mm], height: 594 [mm]), no image loss will occur on either the 24-inch paper (roll paper) fed to paper feed unit 207a or the 36-inch paper (roll paper) fed to paper feed unit 207b. For this reason, PC 101 calculates the area of ​​the margins for each of paper feed units 207a and 207b. When printing data of A2 page size on roll paper, rotating this data 90 degrees will result in smaller margins. When this data is rotated 90 degrees, the margins of the paper in paper feed unit 207a will be 420 [mm] × (610 [mm] - 594 [mm]) = 6720 [mm] 2 When this data is rotated 90 degrees, the margin of the paper in the paper feed unit 207b is 420 [mm] × (914 [mm] - 594 [mm]) = 134400 [mm] 2 From these calculation results, PC 101 sets paper feed unit 207a, which provides the smallest paper margins, as the paper feed unit to be used for the print process.

[0041] As another example, when the page size of the print document is A0 (width: 841 [mm], height: 1189 [mm]), PC 101 determines whether there is any loss in the image as described above. Since the only physical paper feed unit that feeds paper that can fit data of the A0 page size is paper feed unit 207b that feeds 36-inch paper (roll paper), PC 101 sets paper feed unit 207b as the paper feed unit to be used for printing without calculating the area of ​​the margins.

[0042] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of print job information stored in the job information DB 417 of Fig. 4. In the job information DB 417, print job information is registered as print order 900, job name 901, number of pages 902, page size 903, print setting paper feed unit 904, output destination paper feed unit 905, output destination printer 906, and job list number 907. Note that the items shown in Fig. 9 are only an example, and information on only some of these items may be stored, or information on items other than these items may also be stored. Also, each item may be managed in a separate file.

[0043] In the job information DB 417, for example, when a print document is submitted to the file list display area 601, information on the number of pages of this print document and information on the page size of this print document are registered in the number of pages 902 and page size 903. Furthermore, when an image forming device is selected in the printer selection area 605, information indicating this image forming device is registered in the output destination printer 906. Furthermore, when a paper feed unit is selected in the paper feed method selection area 606, information indicating this paper feed unit is registered in the print setting paper feed area 904. This information is updated every time the user changes the settings on the print setting screen 600. Furthermore, when "roll paper automatic" is selected in the paper feed method selection area 606, information indicating the physical paper feed unit set as the paper feed unit to be used in the print process in the paper feed unit selection process in FIG. 11 described later is registered in the output destination paper feed unit 905.

[0044] Next, the creation of the paper feed unit list displayed in the paper feed method selection unit 606 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the paper feed unit list creation process executed by the PC 101 in FIG. 1. The paper feed unit list creation process is realized by the CPU 300 executing a program stored in the ROM 301 or the like. In this embodiment, for example, when the print control application is started and the print setting screen 600 is displayed on the display 309, the CPU 300 acquires status information from a plurality of image forming apparatuses registered in advance and starts the paper feed unit list creation process. Note that, in FIG. 10, as an example, the process of creating the paper feed unit list of the image forming apparatus 100 out of the plurality of registered image forming apparatuses will be described. Note that the paper feed unit list creation process may be started at the timing when the image forming apparatus is selected in the printer selection unit 605, when the printer selection unit 605 is changed to another image forming apparatus, or when a change in the paper feed unit information of the image forming apparatus set in the printer selection unit 605 is detected.

[0045] 10, first, CPU 300 registers the paper feed unit information of the physical paper feed units in paper feed unit information DB 412 based on the status information acquired from image forming apparatus 100 (S1001). As described above, the physical paper feed units of image forming apparatus 100 are paper feed units 207a, 207b, 207c, and 207d, and the paper feed unit information of these physical paper feed units is the information ID-A to ID-D in FIG.

[0046] Next, CPU 300 determines whether or not there is a paper feed unit in image forming apparatus 100 that is feeding paper having the same paper type 504 but different paper width 503 (S1002). For example, image forming apparatus 100 has paper feed units 207a and 207b that are feeding paper having the same paper type 504 (plain paper A) but different paper widths 503 (24 inches and 36 inches). In such a case, in S1002, it is determined that there is a paper feed unit that is feeding paper having the same paper type 504 but different paper width 503, and the paper feed unit list creation process proceeds to S1003.

[0047] In S1003, CPU 300 registers in paper feed unit information DB 411 the paper feed unit information of a virtual paper feed unit that combines paper feed units 207a and 207b, which feed paper having the same paper type 504 but different paper width 503, into one. Specifically, CPU 300 registers information of ID-E in paper feed unit information DB 411 as paper feed unit information of the virtual paper feed unit. In the information of ID-E, for example, "roll paper automatic" is registered in paper feed unit 502. Also, the paper type of paper fed to paper feed units 207a and 207b, specifically "plain paper A," is registered in paper type 504, and the paper width of paper fed to paper feed units 207a and 207b, specifically "24 inches, 36 inches," is registered in paper width 503.

[0048] Next, CPU 300 creates the paper feed unit list of FIG. 7 based on paper feed unit information DB 411. This paper feed unit list includes information on the physical paper feed units and virtual paper feed units in image forming apparatus 100. Next, CPU 300 controls the display of paper feed method selection unit 606 based on this paper feed unit list (S1004), and ends this process. This allows the user to select one of the physical paper feed units and virtual paper feed units included in the paper feed unit list in paper feed method selection unit 606 when selecting image forming apparatus 100 in printer selection unit 605. For example, when "Roll paper automatic" is selected in paper feed method selection unit 606, PC 101 executes the paper feed unit selection process of FIG. 11, which will be described later.

[0049] If it is determined in S1002 that there is no paper feed unit in the image forming apparatus 100 that is feeding paper having the same paper type 504 but a different paper width 503, the paper feed unit list creation process proceeds to S1004, and this process ends. In this case, a paper feed unit list that does not include a virtual paper feed unit is created, and the user can select one from the physical paper feed units included in the paper feed unit list in the paper feed method selection unit 606.

[0050] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the paper feed unit selection process executed by the PC 101 in Fig. 1. The paper feed unit selection process is realized by the CPU 300 executing a program stored in the ROM 301 or the like. The paper feed unit selection process is executed when "Roll paper automatic" is selected in the paper feed method selection area 606.

[0051] 11, first, CPU 300 determines whether or not the print document has been submitted to file list display section 601 (S1101). If it is determined in S1101 that the print document has not been submitted to file list display section 601, the paper feed unit selection process ends. If it is determined in S1101 that the print document has been submitted to file list display section 601, the paper feed unit selection process proceeds to S1102.

[0052] In S1102, the CPU 300 acquires the page size of the submitted print document. Next, the CPU 300 executes the processes of S1103 to S1109 for all the print documents submitted to the file list display area 601.

[0053] In S1103, CPU 300 determines whether or not there is an unprocessed print document remaining among the print documents submitted to file list display area 601. If it is determined in S1103 that there is no unprocessed print document remaining among the print documents submitted to file list display area 601, the paper feed unit selection process ends. If it is determined in S1103 that there is an unprocessed print document remaining among the print documents submitted to file list display area 601, CPU 300 identifies one print document from the unprocessed print documents. Next, the paper feed unit selection process proceeds to S1104.

[0054] In S1104, the CPU 300 acquires information on the paper width corresponding to the “roll paper automatic” selected by the user from the paper feed unit information DB 412. Specifically, the CPU 300 acquires “24 inches, 36 inches” from the information on ID-E in the paper feed unit information DB 412.

[0055] Next, in S1105, CPU 300 compares the page size of the identified print document with the paper width indicated by the information acquired in S1104. Next, in S1106, CPU 300 determines whether or not a paper sheet that fits the data of the page size of the identified print document is included among the papers with the paper widths (24 inches, 36 inches) indicated by the information acquired in S1104. Note that in S1106, as described above, a determination is made both for the case where the identified print document is not rotated and for the case where the print document is rotated 90 degrees.

[0056] If it is determined in S1106 that the paper of the paper width indicated by the information acquired in S1104 includes a paper that fits the data of the page size of the specified print document, the paper feed unit selection process proceeds to S1107. In S1107, CPU 300 selects the physical paper feed unit with the smallest margin from among the physical paper feed units that feed paper that fits the data of the page size of the specified print document as the paper feed unit to be used for the print process. Note that if there is only one physical paper feed unit that feeds paper that fits the data of the page size of the specified print document, this physical paper feed unit is selected as the paper feed unit to be used for the print process. Next, the paper feed unit selection process proceeds to S1109, which will be described later.

[0057] In S1106, if it is determined that the paper with the paper width indicated by the information acquired in S1104 does not include a paper that fits the data of the page size of the specified print document, the paper feed unit selection process proceeds to S1108. In S1108, CPU 300 selects the physical paper feed unit to which paper with the smallest amount of image loss is fed, specifically, paper feed unit 207b, which is the physical paper feed unit to which paper with the largest paper width is fed among the physical paper feed units (paper feed units 207a and 207b) corresponding to the virtual paper feed unit, as the paper feed unit to be used in the print process. Also, in S1108, CPU 300 displays a warning notice indicating that image loss will occur on the print setting screen 600. This warning notice includes a message to prompt the user to change the page size of the print document and a message to prompt the user to replace the paper fed to the paper feed unit of image forming apparatus 100.

[0058] Next, CPU 300 updates job information DB 417 (S1109). Specifically, CPU 300 records (sets) information indicating the physical paper feed unit selected in S1107 or S1108 in output destination paper feed unit 905. Then, the paper feed unit selection process ends.

[0059] According to the above-described embodiment, print setting screen 600 displays information about a virtual paper feed unit that is obtained by integrating two or more physical paper feed units 207a to 207d that satisfy a predetermined condition into one. When the user selects information about the virtual paper feed unit, one of the two or more physical paper feed units is set as the paper feed unit to be used in the print process. In other words, the user does not need to select a paper feed unit that feeds paper suitable for a print document from among the multiple paper feed units 207a to 207d. This reduces the effort required for the user to set the paper feed unit.

[0060] In the above-described embodiment, the paper feed unit that feeds paper that causes no image loss and has the smallest margin area is set as the paper feed unit to be used in the print process among the two or more physical paper feed units corresponding to the virtual paper feed unit. This allows the user to set the paper feed unit that feeds paper that causes no image loss and has the smallest margin area as the paper feed unit to be used in the print process without selecting a paper feed unit that feeds paper suitable for the print document from among the multiple paper feed units 207a to 207d.

[0061] In the above-described embodiment, the presence or absence of image loss is determined and the area of ​​the margins is calculated based on the data obtained by rotating the submitted print document. This makes it possible to determine with high accuracy whether the paper is suitable for the print document, which is necessary for setting the paper feed unit that has fed the paper suitable for the print document.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the virtual paper feed unit is an integration of two or more physical paper feed units 207a to 207d that feed paper having different paper widths but the same predetermined characteristics other than the paper width. This allows the user to set the paper feed unit that feeds paper with a paper width suitable for the print document as the paper feed unit to be used in the print process, without having to select a paper feed unit that feeds paper with a paper width suitable for the print document from among the multiple paper feed units 207a to 207d.

[0063] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, since the specified characteristic is paper type, the user can simply select information about the virtual paper feed unit corresponding to the desired paper type, and set the paper feed unit that feeds paper suitable for the print document as the paper feed unit to be used in the printing process.

[0064] In this embodiment, the predetermined characteristic is not limited to the paper type, but may be, for example, the weight or thickness of the paper. This allows the user to set the paper feed unit that feeds paper suitable for the print document as the paper feed unit used in the print process simply by selecting the virtual paper feed unit information corresponding to the desired weight or thickness.

[0065] In this embodiment, the virtual paper feed unit may be a combination of multiple physical paper feed units 207a to 207d that feed paper having the same paper width but different predetermined characteristics. The process of creating a paper feed unit list including such a virtual paper feed unit will be described with reference to Fig. 12, and the process when such a virtual paper feed unit is selected will be described with reference to Figs. 13 and 14. In the following, the paper type will be described as an example of the predetermined characteristics.

[0066] Fig. 12 is a flow chart showing another procedure of the paper feed unit list creation process executed by PC 101 in Fig. 1. The paper feed unit list creation process in Fig. 12 is similar to the paper feed unit list creation process in Fig. 10 described above, and the following will particularly explain the contents that differ from the paper feed unit list creation process in Fig. 10 described above. The paper feed unit list creation process in Fig. 12 is also realized by CPU 300 executing a program stored in ROM 301 or the like, like the paper feed unit list creation process in Fig. 10 described above. The paper feed unit list creation process in Fig. 12 is started at the same timing as the paper feed unit list creation process in Fig. 10 described above.

[0067] 12, CPU 300 performs S1201, which is the same process as S1001 described above. Next, CPU 300 determines whether or not there is a paper feed unit in image forming apparatus 100 that feeds paper having the same paper width 503 but different paper type 504 (S1202). For example, if paper feed unit 207a feeds 24-inch plain paper A, paper feed unit 207b feeds 24-inch tracing paper, and paper feed unit 207c feeds 24-inch glossy paper, it is determined in S1202 that there is a paper feed unit that feeds paper having the same paper width 503 but different paper type 504, and the paper feed unit list creation process proceeds to S1203.

[0068] In S1203, CPU 300 registers in paper feed unit information DB 411 the paper feed unit information of a virtual paper feed unit that integrates paper feed units 207a to 207c into one, to which paper having the same paper width 503 but different paper types 504 are fed. For example, the paper width of the paper fed to each of paper feed units 207a to 207c, specifically "24 inches", is registered in paper width 503 of paper feed unit information DB 411 as the paper feed unit information of the virtual paper feed unit. Also, the paper types of the paper fed to each of paper feed units 207a to 207c, specifically "plain paper A, tracing paper, glossy paper", are registered in paper type 504. Also, the paper categories of the paper fed to each of paper feed units 207a to 207c, specifically "plain paper, tracing paper, glossy paper", are registered in paper category 505.

[0069] Next, CPU 300 creates a paper feed unit list based on paper feed unit information DB 411. This paper feed unit list includes information on physical paper feed units and virtual paper feed units in image forming apparatus 100. Next, CPU 300 controls the display of paper feed method selection unit 606 based on this paper feed unit list (S1204), and ends this process.

[0070] If it is determined in S1202 that there is no paper feed unit in the image forming apparatus 100 that is feeding paper having the same paper width 503 but different paper type 504, the paper feed unit list creation process proceeds to S1204 and ends.

[0071] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing another procedure of the paper feed unit selection process executed by the PC 101 of FIG. 1. The paper feed unit selection process of FIG. 13 is similar to the paper feed unit selection process of FIG. 11 described above, and the following will explain the contents that are different from the paper feed unit selection process of FIG. 11 described above. The paper feed unit selection process of FIG. 13 is also realized by the CPU 300 executing a program stored in the ROM 301 or the like, similar to the paper feed unit selection process of FIG. 11 described above. The paper feed unit selection process of FIG. 13 is also executed when "roll paper automatic" is selected in the paper feed method selection area 606, similar to the paper feed unit selection process of FIG. 11 described above. The PC 101 includes an attribute information DB 1400 of FIG. 14(a) and a paper information DB 1404 of FIG. 14(b).

[0072] The attribute information DB 1400 is a database that manages information for determining corresponding attributes from the characteristics of a print document, and is defined in advance within the print control application program. The PC 101 may be configured to acquire the attribute information DB 1400 from an external device. The attribute information DB 1400 includes attribute determination items 1401, determination parameters 1402, and corresponding attributes 1403.

[0073] In the attribute judgment item 1401, an item of the print document for judging the corresponding attribute is registered. In the present embodiment, the corresponding attribute may be determined by one attribute judgment item, or may be determined based on a plurality of attribute judgment items. In the judgment parameters 1402, a parameter corresponding to the attribute judgment item is registered. In the corresponding attributes 1403, an attribute corresponding to the judgment parameter is registered. For example, when the file type is PDF, the corresponding attribute is a drawing or a document. In FIG. 14(a), only the file type is shown in the attribute judgment item 1401, but this is not limiting. For example, a drawing command may be registered in the attribute judgment item 1401. In this case, for example, the type of drawing command or the ratio of the area of ​​the area indicated by the drawing command is registered in the judgment parameters 1402.

[0074] Paper information DB 1404 is a database that manages information for determining corresponding attributes from a paper category, and is defined in advance within a print control application program. Note that a configuration in which PC 101 acquires paper information DB 1404 from image forming apparatus 100 or the like may also be adopted. Paper information DB 1404 includes paper category 1405 and corresponding attributes 1406, as shown in FIG. 14(b). Paper category 1405 corresponds to paper category 505 of paper feed unit information DB 412 described above. Attributes corresponding to paper categories are registered in corresponding attributes 1406. PC 101 can use information from paper information DB 1404 to identify attributes corresponding to paper fed to paper feed units 207a to 207d of image forming apparatus 100.

[0075] 13, first, CPU 300 determines whether the print document has been submitted to file list display area 601 (S1301). If it is determined in S1301 that the print document has not been submitted to file list display area 601, the paper feed unit selection process ends. If it is determined in S1301 that the print document has been submitted to file list display area 601, the paper feed unit selection process proceeds to S1302.

[0076] In S1302, the CPU 300 acquires the corresponding attributes of the submitted print document based on the information of the attribute determination item 1401. For example, if the file type of the print document is "PDF", the CPU 300 acquires "document, drawing" as the corresponding attribute of this print document. Next, the CPU 300 executes the processes of S1303 to S1309 for all print documents submitted to the file list display area 601.

[0077] In S1303, CPU 300 determines whether or not there is an unprocessed print document remaining among the print documents submitted to file list display section 601, similarly to S1103 described above. If it is determined in S1303 that there is no unprocessed print document remaining among the print documents submitted to file list display section 601, the paper feed section selection process ends. If it is determined in S1303 that there is an unprocessed print document remaining among the print documents submitted to file list display section 601, CPU 300 identifies one print document from the unprocessed print documents. Next, the paper feed section selection process proceeds to S1304.

[0078] In S1304, CPU 300 acquires the corresponding attributes of the paper fed to the physical paper feed unit corresponding to the "roll paper automatic" selected by the user. Specifically, CPU 300 acquires information on the paper category corresponding to the "roll paper automatic" selected by the user from paper feed unit information DB 412, and acquires the corresponding attributes of the acquired paper category from paper information DB 1404. More specifically, CPU 300 acquires "plain paper, tracing paper, glossy paper" from paper feed unit information DB 412, and acquires "documents, drawings," "drawings," and "photos" corresponding to "plain paper," "tracing paper," and "glossy paper," respectively, from paper information DB 1404.

[0079] Next, in S1305, CPU 300 compares the corresponding attributes of the print document acquired in S1302 with the corresponding attributes of the paper acquired in S1304. Next, in S1306, CPU 300 determines whether or not there is a corresponding attribute that matches the corresponding attribute of the print document acquired in S1302 among the corresponding attributes of the paper acquired in S1304.

[0080] For example, if the corresponding attributes of the print document acquired in S1302 are "document, drawing", and the corresponding attributes of the paper acquired in S1304 are "document, drawing", "drawing", and "photo", the corresponding attributes of the print document, "document, drawing", and the corresponding attributes of the paper (plain paper), match. In such a case, in S1306, it is determined that the corresponding attributes of the paper acquired in S1304 include a corresponding attribute that matches the corresponding attribute of the print document acquired in S1302, and the paper feed unit selection process proceeds to S1307. In S1307, CPU 300 selects paper feed unit 207a, which is feeding paper (plain paper) of a paper category with a corresponding attribute that matches the corresponding attribute of the print document, as the paper feed unit to be used for the print process. Next, the paper feed unit selection process proceeds to S1309, which will be described later.

[0081] If it is determined in S1306 that there is no corresponding attribute that matches the corresponding attribute of the print document acquired in S1302 among the corresponding attributes of the paper acquired in S1304, the paper feed unit selection process proceeds to S1308. In S1308, CPU 300 displays a warning notice on print setting screen 600. This warning notice includes, for example, a message prompting replacement of the paper fed to the paper feed unit of image forming apparatus 100.

[0082] Next, CPU 300 updates job information DB 417 (S1309). Specifically, CPU 300 records (sets) information indicating the physical paper feed unit selected in S1307 in output destination paper feed unit 905. Then, the paper feed unit selection process ends.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, the virtual paper feed unit is a combination of multiple physical paper feed units 207a to 207d that feed paper of the same paper width but different predetermined characteristics. The predetermined characteristics are the paper type, weight, and thickness, as described above. This allows the user to set the paper feed unit that feeds paper of the paper type, weight, or thickness suitable for the print document as the paper feed unit to be used in the print process, without having to select a paper feed unit that feeds paper suitable for the print document from among the multiple paper feed units 207a to 207d.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, the paper feed unit that feeds paper having attribute information matching that of the submitted print document among the two or more physical paper feed units corresponding to the virtual paper feed unit is set as the paper feed unit to be used in the print process. This allows the user to set the paper feed unit that feeds paper having attribute information matching that of the submitted print document as the paper feed unit to be used in the print process without having to select a paper feed unit that feeds paper suitable for the print document from among the multiple paper feed units 207a to 207d.

[0085] In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which control is performed to select an appropriate paper feed unit in accordance with the user's selection of "roll paper automatic" in the paper feed method selection area 606, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, even if the user does not select "roll paper automatic" in the paper feed method selection area 606, control may be performed to select an appropriate paper feed unit when the file list display area 601 detects the input or update of a print document.

[0086] Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the automatic paper feed setting process executed by PC 101 of Fig. 1. The automatic paper feed setting process is realized by CPU 300 executing a program stored in ROM 301 or the like. The automatic paper feed setting process is started when the file list display unit 601 detects the input or update of a print document after the paper feed list creation process described above is executed and a paper feed list of each image forming device is created. In Fig. 15, as an example, it is assumed that 24-inch plain paper A sheets are fed to paper feed unit 207a, 36-inch plain paper A sheets are fed to paper feed unit 207b, and 24-inch glossy paper sheets are fed to paper feed unit 207c. In other words, the created paper feed unit list includes information on paper feed units 207a to 207c as information on physical paper feed units, and further includes information on a virtual paper feed unit that combines paper feed units 207a and 207b, which feed paper of the same paper type but different paper widths, into one.

[0087] 15, first, CPU 300 determines whether or not a user operation has been received within a predetermined time period after print setting screen 600 has been displayed (S1501). If it is determined in S1501 that a user operation has been received within a predetermined time period after print setting screen 600 has been displayed, CPU 300 determines that a print setting operation has been performed by the user and automatic selection of a paper feed unit is not necessary, and ends this process.

[0088] If it is determined in S1501 that no user operation is accepted within a predetermined time period after the print setting screen 600 is displayed, the CPU 300 acquires the corresponding attributes of all print documents submitted to the file list display section 601 based on the information in the attribute determination item 1401.

[0089] Next, CPU 300 acquires the corresponding attributes of the paper corresponding to each of the physical paper feed units and the virtual paper feed units included in the created paper feed unit list. Specifically, CPU 300 acquires "plain paper" and "glossy paper" from paper feed unit information DB 412, and acquires "documents, drawings" and "photos" corresponding to "plain paper" and "glossy paper" from paper information DB 1404.

[0090] Next, CPU 300 specifies, for each print document, a paper feed unit to which paper of a paper type suitable for the print document has been fed (S1504). The paper of a paper type suitable for the print document is a paper feed unit to which paper of a corresponding attribute that matches the corresponding attribute of the print document has been fed. For example, if the print document is "PDF" whose corresponding attribute is "document, drawing", paper feed units 207a, 207b, and a virtual paper feed unit are specified as paper feed units to which paper of a paper type suitable for this print document has been fed. If the print document is "TIFF" whose corresponding attribute is "photo", paper feed unit 207c is specified as paper feed unit to which paper of a paper type suitable for this print document has been fed. If there is a print document whose attribute information does not match the attribute information of all the papers in S1504, CPU 300 may display a warning notice as in S1308 described above and end this process.

[0091] Next, CPU 300 acquires the page sizes of all print documents submitted to file list display section 601 (S1505). Next, CPU 300, based on the acquired page size, identifies for each print document, from among the paper feed units identified in S1504, a paper feed unit that has fed paper of a paper width suitable for the print document (S1506). Incidentally, paper of a paper width suitable for a print document is paper of a paper width that is free of image loss and has the smallest paper margins. For example, the virtual paper feed unit holds multiple paper widths, and a determination of the presence or absence of image loss and a calculation of margins are performed for each of these multiple paper widths, and any one of these may be an appropriate paper width. Incidentally, there may be a case where there is not a single paper feed unit but multiple paper feed units that have fed paper of a paper width suitable for a print document. For example, if the print document is "PDF" and the paper width suitable for this print document is 24 inches, then of paper feed units 207a, 207b and the virtual paper feed unit, paper feed unit 207a and the virtual paper feed unit are identified as the paper feed units that fed paper of the paper width suitable for this print document.

[0092] Next, CPU 300 determines whether or not there is a paper feed unit that has fed paper suitable for all print documents (S1507). If it is determined in S1507 that there is a paper feed unit that has fed paper suitable for all print documents, CPU 300 sets this paper feed unit in paper feed method selection unit 606 (S1508) and ends this process.

[0093] If it is determined in S1507 that there is no paper feed unit that has fed paper suitable for all print documents, CPU 300 sets the paper feed unit that has fed paper suitable for the most print documents to paper feed method selection unit 606 (S1509). Note that in S1509, a configuration has been described in which the paper feed unit that has fed paper suitable for the most print documents is set to paper feed method selection unit 606, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the paper feed unit that has fed paper with the fewest unsuitable print documents may be set to paper feed method selection unit 606, or the paper feed unit that has fed paper with the least amount of image loss for all print documents may be set to paper feed method selection unit 606.

[0094] Next, CPU 300 proposes to the user to split the job list (S1510). Specifically, CPU 300 displays a selection UI on print setting screen 600 that allows the user to select whether or not to split a print document that would produce better results if a different paper feed unit is selected into a different job list. The user can use this selection UI to give an instruction as to whether or not to split the job list. Next, CPU 300 determines whether or not an instruction to split the job list has been received from the user (S1511).

[0095] In S1511, if an instruction not to split the job list is received from the user, rather than an instruction to split the job list, the paper feed unit automatic setting process ends. On the other hand, if an instruction to split the job list is received from the user in S1511, the CPU 300 separates the print document for which a better result is obtained by selecting another paper feed unit into the file list display section 601. The CPU 300 also sets a different number from other print jobs to the job list number 907 corresponding to this print job (S1512), and ends this process. Note that in this embodiment, the method of splitting the job list number 907 has been described as being divided into an optimal paper feed unit and other units, but this is not limited to the configuration. For example, the job list may be divided for each suitable paper feed unit, or other division methods may be implemented, such as dividing the job list into different job lists for which image loss occurs. In addition, when the job list is divided, this process may be executed from the beginning for the job list number 907 saved in S1512, and repeated until the process proceeds to Yes in S1507. By controlling in this manner, the optimum paper feed unit is selected for each divided job list, making it possible to prevent loss of images.

[0096] In the above-described embodiment, a paper feed unit that feeds paper of a paper type suitable for the print document is specified from among a plurality of paper feed units, including a physical paper feed unit and a virtual paper feed unit, based on attribute information of the submitted print document and attribute information of the paper (S1504). In addition, a paper feed unit that feeds paper of a paper width suitable for the print document is specified from among the paper feed units specified in S1504 based on paper feed unit information and size information of the print document (S1506). The paper feed unit to be used in the printing process is set from among the paper feed units specified in S1506. In other words, the user does not need to select a physical paper feed unit or a virtual paper feed unit in the paper feed method selection unit 606. This reduces the effort required of the user to set the paper feed unit.

[0097] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, of the paper feed units identified in S1506, the paper feed unit that feeds paper suitable for all of the submitted print documents is set as the paper feed unit to be used in the print process. This allows the user to set the paper feed unit that feeds paper suitable for all of the submitted print documents as the paper feed unit to be used in the print process without having to select a physical paper feed unit or a virtual paper feed unit in the paper feed method selection unit 606.

[0098] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, among the paper feed units identified in S1506, the paper feed unit that has fed paper suitable for some of the print documents is set as the paper feed unit to be used in the print process. Print documents that are not suitable for the paper fed to the set paper feed unit are divided into another job list that is different from the one job list that uses the paper feed unit for print processing. This makes it possible to set the paper feed unit that has fed paper suitable for this print document in the print process of this print document.

[0099] In this embodiment, when the printer selection unit 605 of the print setting screen 600 is used to change to another image forming apparatus, the printer selection unit 605 may be controlled to take over the paper feed unit before the change. For example, when the user changes to another image forming apparatus in the printer selection unit 605 after setting the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus 100 in the printer selection unit 605 and selecting any paper feed unit in the paper feed method selection unit 606, the CPU 300 determines whether or not the paper feed unit before the change can be taken over. Specifically, the CPU 300 determines whether or not the paper feed unit information of the changed image forming apparatus registered in the paper feed unit information DB 412 matches the information of the paper width 503 and the paper type 504 corresponding to the paper feed unit selected in the paper feed method selection unit 606 when the image forming apparatus 100 was set in the printer selection unit 605. If the paper feed unit information of the changed image forming apparatus registered in paper feed unit information DB 412 matches the information of paper width 503 and paper type 504 corresponding to the paper feed unit selected in paper feed method selection unit 606 when setting up image forming apparatus 100 in printer selection unit 605, CPU 300 inherits the paper feed unit before the change, that is, the paper feed unit selected in paper feed method selection unit 606 when setting up image forming apparatus 100 in printer selection unit 605. This makes it possible to use the paper feed unit settings selected for the image forming apparatus before the change as is when changing to another image forming apparatus in printer selection unit 605, thereby reducing the effort required for the user to set up the paper feed unit.

[0100] In the present embodiment, a configuration has been described in which whether or not to continue the transfer of the previous paper feed unit is controlled based on whether or not the information on paper width 503 and paper type 504 matches, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, whether or not to continue the transfer of the previous paper feed unit may be controlled based on whether or not the information on paper category 505 matches. Also, whether or not to continue the transfer of the previous paper feed unit may be controlled based on whether or not the information on paper additional information 506 approximately matches.

[0101] In the present embodiment, the configuration has been described in which PC 101 executes the above-mentioned paper feed unit list creation process, paper feed unit selection process, paper feed unit automatic setting process, etc., but if image forming apparatus 100 has the functions of PC 101, image forming apparatus 100 may execute these processes. Even in such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be achieved.

[0102] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0103] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) A control device that sets a paper feeding unit to be used in a printing process by an image forming device equipped with multiple paper feeding units, comprising: a means for acquiring information on paper being fed to each of the multiple paper feeding units; and a means for displaying a setting screen that allows a user to select a paper feeding unit to be used in the printing process from among the multiple paper feeding units based on the acquired paper information, wherein the setting screen displays information on a virtual paper feeding unit that combines two or more paper feeding units that feed paper that satisfies specified conditions among the multiple paper feeding units into one, and when the information on the virtual paper feeding unit is selected by the user, one of the two or more paper feeding units is set as the paper feeding unit to be used in the printing process. (Configuration 2) The control device according to configuration 1, wherein the two or more paper feed units feed sheets of paper having different paper widths but having the same predetermined characteristics other than the paper width. (Configuration 3) The control device according to configuration 2, characterized in that among the two or more paper feed units, the paper feed unit that feeds paper that has no image loss and has the smallest margin area is set as the paper feed unit to be used in the printing process. (Configuration 4) The control device according to configuration 3, characterized in that the presence or absence of loss in the image is determined and the area of ​​the margin is calculated based on data obtained by performing a rotation process on an input print document. (Configuration 5) The control device according to configuration 1, wherein the two or more paper feed units feed paper having the same paper width but different predetermined characteristics other than the paper width. (Configuration 6) The control device described in Configuration 5, characterized in that among the two or more paper feed units, the paper feed unit that feeds paper with attribute information matching that of the submitted printed document is set as the paper feed unit to be used in the printing process. (Configuration 7) The control device according to any one of configurations 2 to 6, wherein the predetermined characteristic is a paper type. (Configuration 8) The control device according to any one of configurations 2 to 6, wherein the predetermined characteristic is weight. (Configuration 9) The control device according to any one of configurations 2 to 6, wherein the predetermined characteristic is a thickness. (Configuration 10) The control device described in any one of configurations 1 to 9, further comprising a means for controlling whether or not to take over the settings of the paper feed unit used for the printing process based on paper information corresponding to the one image forming device and paper information corresponding to the other image forming device when a device to execute the printing process is set on the setting screen and a paper feed unit to be used for the printing process is set and the device to execute the printing process is changed to another image forming device. (Configuration 11) The control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein the setting screen also displays each of the two or more paper feed units together with the virtual paper feed unit. (Configuration 12) A control device that sets a paper feeding unit to be used in a printing process by an image forming device having multiple paper feeding units, comprising: a means for acquiring information on paper being fed to each of the multiple paper feeding units; a first identification means for identifying a paper feeding unit from among the multiple paper feeding units that has fed paper of a paper type suitable for the printed document based on the acquired paper information and attribute information of an submitted printed document; a second identification means for identifying a paper feeding unit from among the paper feeding units identified by the first identification means that has fed paper of a paper size suitable for the printed document based on the acquired paper information and size information of the printed document; and a means for setting a paper feeding unit to be used in the printing process from among the paper feeding units identified by the second identification means. (Configuration 13) The control device described in Configuration 12, characterized in that a plurality of printed documents are submitted, and the setting means sets the paper feed unit identified by the second identification means that feeds paper suitable for all of the submitted printed documents as the paper feed unit to be used in the printing process. (Configuration 14) A control device as described in configuration 12 or 13, further comprising a means for managing the print documents to be printed when multiple print documents are submitted in a job list, wherein the setting means sets a paper feeding unit identified by the second identification means that has fed paper suitable for some of the print documents as the paper feeding unit to be used in the printing process, and the managing means separates print documents that are not suitable for the paper fed to the set paper feeding unit into another job list different from the one job list that performs printing processing using the set paper feeding unit. (Configuration 15) A control device described in any one of configurations 1 to 14, further comprising a means for sending to the image forming device a print job for causing the image forming device to execute the printing process, the print job including information on the set paper feed section, wherein the control device is an information processing device separate from the image forming device. (Configuration 16) The image forming apparatus includes the control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9 and 11 to 14. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 100 Image forming device 101 PC 200 CPU 207a~207d Paper feed section 209 Operation section 300 CPU 309 Display 411 Acquisition Department 600 Print setting screen 606 Paper feed method selection section

Claims

1. A control device for setting a paper feed unit to be used in a printing process by an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed units, a means for acquiring information on the paper sheets fed to each of the plurality of paper feed units; a setting screen displaying means for allowing a user to select a paper feed unit to be used in the printing process from among the plurality of paper feed units based on the acquired paper information; The setting screen displays information about a virtual paper feed unit obtained by integrating two or more paper feed units that feed paper that satisfies a predetermined condition among the plurality of paper feed units into one virtual paper feed unit, a control device for controlling a printing process to be executed when the virtual paper feed unit information is selected by a user, the control device being characterized in that one of the two or more paper feed units is set as the paper feed unit to be used in the printing process.

2. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the two or more paper feed units feed sheets of paper having different paper widths but having the same predetermined characteristics other than the paper width.

3. 3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the paper feed unit from among the two or more paper feed units that feeds paper that causes no image loss and has the smallest margin area is set as the paper feed unit to be used in the printing process.

4. 4. The control device according to claim 3, wherein the determination of the presence or absence of loss in the image and the calculation of the area of ​​the margin are performed based on data obtained by performing a rotation process on an input print document.

5. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the two or more paper feed units feed sheets of paper having the same paper width but different predetermined characteristics other than the paper width.

6. The control device according to claim 5, wherein among the two or more paper feed units, a paper feed unit that feeds paper with attribute information matching that of an input print document is set as the paper feed unit to be used in the printing process.

7. 6. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined characteristic is a paper type.

8. 6. The control device according to claim 2 or 5, wherein the predetermined characteristic is weight.

9. 6. The control device according to claim 2 or 5, wherein the predetermined characteristic is a thickness.

10. On the setting screen, a device for executing the printing process is set, The control device according to claim 1, further comprising a means for controlling whether or not to take over the settings of the paper feed unit used in the printing process based on paper information corresponding to the one image forming device and paper information corresponding to the other image forming device when the device to execute the printing process is changed to another image forming device while a one image forming device is set as the device to execute the printing process and a paper feed unit to be used in the printing process is set on the setting screen.

11. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the setting screen also displays each of the two or more paper feed units together with the virtual paper feed unit.

12. A control device for setting a paper feed unit to be used in a printing process by an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed units, a means for acquiring information on the paper sheets fed to each of the plurality of paper feed units; a first specifying means for specifying, from among the plurality of paper feed units, a paper feed unit that has fed paper of a paper type suitable for the printed document based on the acquired paper information and attribute information of the input printed document; a second specifying means for specifying a paper feed unit from among the paper feed units specified by the first specifying means, based on the acquired paper information and size information of the print document; and a control device for controlling a printing process to print a paper feed unit selected from among the paper feed units selected by the second selection device;

13. Multiple print documents are submitted, The control device according to claim 12, characterized in that the setting means sets, among the paper feed units identified by the second identification means, the paper feed unit that feeds paper suitable for all of the submitted print documents as the paper feed unit to be used in the printing process.

14. The printing method further comprises: a means for managing the print documents to be printed in a job list when a plurality of print documents are submitted; The setting means sets a paper feed unit that has fed paper suitable for a portion of the print document, among the paper feed units identified by the second identification means, as a paper feed unit to be used in the printing process; The control device according to claim 12, characterized in that the management means divides print documents that are not suitable for the paper fed to the set paper feed unit into another job list different from the one job list that performs printing processing using the set paper feed unit.

15. a means for transmitting, to the image forming apparatus, a print job for causing the image forming apparatus to execute the printing process, the print job including information on the set paper feed unit; 13. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is an information processing device separate from the image forming device.

16. The control device according to claim 1 or 12, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises the control device.

17. A control method for a control device that sets a paper feed unit to be used in a printing process by an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed units, comprising: acquiring information on the sheets fed to each of the plurality of paper feed units; and displaying a setting screen for allowing a user to select a paper feed unit to be used in the printing process from among the plurality of paper feed units based on the acquired paper information; The setting screen displays information about a virtual paper feed unit obtained by integrating two or more paper feed units that feed paper that satisfies a predetermined condition among the plurality of paper feed units into one virtual paper feed unit, A control method for a control device, characterized in that when the information of the virtual paper feed unit is selected by a user, one of the two or more paper feed units is set as the paper feed unit to be used in the printing process.

18. A control method for a control device that sets a paper feed unit to be used in a printing process by an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed units, comprising: acquiring information on the sheets fed to each of the plurality of paper feed units; a first identification step of identifying a paper feed unit from among the plurality of paper feed units that has fed paper of a paper type suitable for the print document based on the acquired paper information and attribute information of the input print document; a second specifying step of specifying a paper feed unit from among the paper feed units specified in the first specifying step, based on the acquired paper information and size information of the print document, which has fed paper of a paper size suitable for the print document; and selecting a paper feed unit to be used in the printing process from among the paper feed units identified in the second identifying step.

19. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for a control device that sets a paper feed unit to be used in a printing process by an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed units, The control method of the control device includes: acquiring information on the sheets fed to each of the plurality of paper feed units; and displaying a setting screen for allowing a user to select a paper feed unit to be used in the printing process from among the plurality of paper feed units based on the acquired paper information; The setting screen displays information about a virtual paper feed unit obtained by integrating two or more paper feed units that feed paper that satisfies a predetermined condition among the plurality of paper feed units into one virtual paper feed unit, When the virtual paper feed unit information is selected by a user, one of the two or more paper feed units is set as the paper feed unit to be used in the printing process.

20. A program for causing a computer to execute a control method for a control device that sets a paper feed unit to be used in a printing process by an image forming apparatus having a plurality of paper feed units, The control method of the control device includes: acquiring information on the sheets fed to each of the plurality of paper feed units; a first identification step of identifying a paper feed unit from among the plurality of paper feed units that has fed paper of a paper type suitable for the print document based on the acquired paper information and attribute information of the input print document; a second specifying step of specifying a paper feed unit from among the paper feed units specified in the first specifying step, based on the acquired paper information and size information of the print document, which has fed paper of a paper size suitable for the print document; and setting a paper feed unit to be used in the printing process from among the paper feed units identified in the second identification step.

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