Printing apparatus, print control method, and program

Abstract

To suppress a blank portion generated between proof printing and regular printing in printing on a continuous sheet.SOLUTION: A printing apparatus includes printing means for executing printing on a continuous sheet, and control means for controlling the printing means based on a print job consisting of a first job for trial printing and a second job for main printing, where, when a plurality of the print jobs are input, the control means controls the printing means so as to collectively print the plurality of first jobs in the plurality of input print jobs in a first region of the continuous sheet, and collectively print the plurality of the second jobs in the plurality of input print jobs in a second region present on a rear side in a conveyance direction with respect to the first region of the continuous sheet on which the first jobs are printed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to proof printing in printing using a continuous sheet.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, before executing the printing of a printing job, proof printing (hereinafter referred to as proof printing) is performed to check the finish. In particular, in the case of a printing job with a large number of pages, by performing proof printing before the main printing, it is expected to reduce the number of failed prints and save waste in terms of cost and work.

[0003] However, when printing is performed using a continuous sheet continuously from paper feeding to paper discharging, there is a problem that a large blank portion is generated between the area where proof printing is performed and the area where main printing is performed, resulting in waste. This is because, in the conventional work procedure, the operator visually checks the result of proof printing for each job, and if there is no problem, the main printing job is supplied. Therefore, each time proof printing is performed, it is necessary to convey the continuous sheet to the visual position, and a blank portion corresponding to the conveyance distance is generated.

[0004] Regarding the technology of performing proof printing using a continuous sheet, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of continuously performing proof printing of the next job after the execution of the previous job is completed. When the technology of Patent Document 1 is used, the blank portion generated between the main printing of the previous job and the proof printing of the next job is reduced.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, even when using the technology of Patent Document 1, blank portions will still occur between the proof printing of the next job and the full printing of the next job, just as in the past. Especially in recent years, in printing using continuous sheets, there has been a tendency for an increase in orders for small lots with a relatively small number of copies (number of pages). Therefore, with the conventional method, the ratio of the blank portion to the printed portion becomes larger compared to the case of large lots, and the influence of the blank portion has become a more significant issue. An object of the present disclosure is to suppress blank portions generated between proof printing and full printing in printing on a continuous sheet.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The printing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes printing means for performing printing on a continuous sheet, and control means for controlling the printing means based on a printing job composed of a first job for proof printing and a second job for full printing. When a plurality of the printing jobs are input, the control means collectively prints a plurality of the first jobs in the plurality of input printing jobs in a first area of the continuous sheet, and collectively prints a plurality of the second jobs in the plurality of input printing jobs in a second area existing rearward in the conveyance direction with respect to the first area of the continuous sheet on which the first job has been printed. The control means controls the printing means as described above.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it becomes possible to suppress blank portions generated between proof printing and full printing in printing on a continuous sheet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a printing system 100 including a printing apparatus 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 100 includes a printing apparatus 101, a paper feeding unit 102, an inspection apparatus 104, and a paper discharging unit 106. Inside the printing system 100, a conveyance path 105 is arranged from the paper feeding unit 102 through the printing apparatus 101 and the inspection apparatus 104 to the paper discharging unit 106. A continuous sheet P pulled out from a roll P1 set in the paper feeding unit 102 is conveyed along the conveyance path 105. Hereinafter, the continuous sheet is referred to as a roll paper. The roll paper will be described later.

[0011] In the conveyance path 105, a plurality of pairs of rollers including conveyance rollers and auxiliary rollers are provided as a conveyance mechanism 107 at a plurality of locations. The conveyance rollers are rotationally driven by a conveyance motor. By the conveyance mechanism, the roll paper P supplied from the paper feeding unit 102 is guided into the printing apparatus 101, an image is formed by the printing unit 103, and is discharged to the paper discharging unit 106 via the inspection apparatus 104.

[0012] The printing unit 103 of the printing apparatus 101 includes a head that discharges ink and a tank that supplies ink to the head. The printing unit 103 forms an image by discharging ink onto the roll paper P conveyed to a printing position 111 facing the head according to the printing data supplied from the control unit. After the image is formed on the roll paper P by the printing apparatus 101, the roll paper P is sent to the inspection apparatus 104 through processes such as drying, curing, and cooling while being conveyed along the conveyance path 105.

[0013] The inspection apparatus 104 is provided with a visual window 108 for an operator to confirm the image printed on the roll paper P. The operator can visually confirm the actual printed matter through the visual window 108. In the case of a printing system where it is difficult to physically arrange the visual window 108, the inspection apparatus 104 may be configured by a camera that captures an image of the printed matter and a monitor that displays the captured image.

[0014] After passing through the inspection device 104, the roll paper P is sent to the paper discharge unit 106, wound up in a roll, and recovered as the printed matter P2.

[0015] The printing device 101 is provided with a control unit 200 and an operation panel 206 (FIG. 2) which will be described later. The printing device 101 is also communicatively connected to the host device 140 via a network such as a LAN.

[0016] The host device 140 is composed of a computer such as a PC. The host device 140 executes, for example, a collating process by an operator's operation, generates a print job, and transmits it to the printing device 101. The host device 140 also receives information indicating the state of the printing system 100 transmitted from the control unit of the printing device 101 and displays it on a display unit (not shown) of the host device 140. In FIG. 1, an example in which one host device 140 is connected to the printing device 101 is shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a plurality of host devices 140 may be connected to the printing device 101.

[0017] In this specification, "printing" includes not only the case of forming significant information such as characters and figures, but also the case of forming images, patterns, patterns, etc. on a wide continuous sheet regardless of whether they are significant or not. It also includes the case of processing the medium, regardless of whether it is made manifest so that it can be perceived visually by humans.

[0018] The recording medium used in this embodiment is a "continuous sheet" continuous in the longitudinal direction, and for example, roll paper is assumed. The roll paper is not limited to paper, and may be a material other than paper such as cloth, plastic film, etc. Also, the continuous sheet used in this embodiment may be a label roll paper in which a plurality of labels are detachably attached to the release paper by an adhesive or the like. Although there is no particular limitation on the components of the ink, in this embodiment, a case where water-based pigment ink containing a pigment, water, and resin as coloring materials is used is assumed.

[0019] In addition, in the present embodiment, an inkjet printer using ink as a recording material will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present disclosure includes thermal printers (sublimation type, thermal transfer type, etc.), dot impact printers, LED printers, laser printers, and electrophotographic printers using toner, and is applicable to printing apparatuses of various printing methods.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the printing system 100. The control unit 200 of the printing apparatus 101 includes a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, a storage device 204, a general-purpose interface (I / F) 205, and the like. Each unit in the control unit 200 is connected via a main bus 211.

[0021] The CPU 201 is a processor that comprehensively controls each part of the printing system 100. The CPU 201 calls a program stored in the ROM 203 or the storage device 204 or the like into the work area of the RAM and executes it. The RAM 202 functions as the main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 201. The ROM 203 stores a group of programs to be executed by the CPU 201. The storage device 204 uses an HDD, an SSD, a flash memory, etc., and stores programs executed by the CPU 201, job data used for printing, image data, and the like.

[0022] The program includes a program related to the printing control method according to the present disclosure. The CPU 201 functions to realize the means of the present disclosure by executing the processes described later according to the program. The functions will be described later. The general-purpose I / F 205 includes interfaces such as USB and LAN, and receives job data transmitted from the host device 140.

[0023] Also, an operation panel 206, a paper feeding unit 102, a conveyance mechanism 107, a printing unit 103, an inspection device 104, a paper discharging unit 106, etc. are connected to the control unit 200 via a general-purpose interface (I / F) 205. The control unit 200 controls the operations of the operation panel 206, the paper feeding unit 102, the conveyance mechanism 107, the printing unit 103, the inspection device 104, and the paper discharging unit 106.

[0024] The operation panel 206 includes a display unit configured by a liquid crystal display or the like, and an input unit configured by a touch panel, various keys, etc. The display unit displays information such as the current status and settings of the printing system 100 input from the CPU 201. The input unit inputs the information input by the operator's operation to the CPU 201. For example, a print resume instruction, a proof setting, etc. are input.

[0025] Here, the conventional problems of proof printing using continuous sheets will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3(a) shows the conventional printing result when a continuous sheet is used consistently from paper feeding to paper discharging. In conventional proof printing, after the proof printing 301 of "Job 1" is performed for 1 to several pages at the printing position 111 in the printing apparatus 101, the roll paper P is conveyed to the visual inspection position 112 of the inspection device 104. Then, when it is determined to be "OK" by visual confirmation by the operator, the print data of "Job 1" is supplied from the control unit, and the full-page main printing 311 is executed at the printing position 111.

[0026] In such a printing procedure, a large blank portion 321 that is not printed is generated between the proof printing 301 and the main printing 311. The length of the blank portion 321 corresponds to the distance 320 on the conveyance path from the printing position 111 to the visual inspection position 112. When a plurality of print jobs (Job 1, Job 2, Job 3) are continuously received, the same processing is performed for each of Job 1, Job 2, and Job 3.

[0027] As a result, blank portions 321, 322, and 323 are generated between the proof print 301 and the main print 311 of job 1, between the proof print 302 and the main print 312 of job 2, and between the proof print 303 and the main print 313 of job 3, respectively. In this embodiment, the generation of these blank portions is suppressed.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the printing result by the printing apparatus 101 of this embodiment. The direction from right to left in FIG. 4 is the conveyance direction of the roll paper P in the printing apparatus 101. That is, the left side of the figure is the front in the conveyance direction, and the right side is the rear in the conveyance direction.

[0029] In the present disclosure, when the printing apparatus 101 receives a plurality of printing jobs of the same type of sheet to be used, proof prints (proof jobs 1, 2, 3, 4) for those printing jobs are collectively and continuously executed. Thereafter, visual confirmation is performed by the operator for each of those plurality of proof prints, and for the proof prints determined to be proof OK (main printing possible), the main prints of the printing jobs (printing jobs 1, 2, 4) associated as the original jobs are executed.

[0030] Furthermore, thereafter, re-proof prints of the jobs determined to be proof NG (proof job 3) and proof prints of another job received next (proof jobs 5, 6, 7) are collectively and continuously executed. Then, after visual confirmation is performed by the operator for each of those plurality of proof prints, the main prints of the printing jobs that are the origin of the proof prints determined to be proof OK (main printing possible) are continuously executed.

[0031] Thereby, a plurality of proof jobs are printed collectively in the first region 401. Then, in the second region 402 existing behind the first region 401, the main prints of the printing jobs determined to be main-printable in the proof determination are executed. In the following description, the first region on the roll paper P where the proof prints are performed is also referred to as the proof region. Also, the second region where the main prints are performed is also referred to as the main-print region.

[0032] In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a proof job for continuous printing is determined such that the lengths of the proof areas 401 and 403 exceed the length on the conveyance path from the rear end 111a of the printing position 111 to the rear end 112a of the visual position 112 in the conveyance path 105 (hereinafter referred to as the conveyance path length B). That is, a plurality of proof jobs are targeted for continuous printing such that the total value of the printing lengths, which is the length when printing on the roll paper P, exceeds the conveyance path length B. The printing length is calculated for each job and stored in a job list in association with each job. The job list will be described later.

[0033] In the example of FIG. 4, the proof job 1 (Prf1) of the print job 1 (Job1), the proof job 2 (Prf2) of the print job 2 (Job2), the proof job 3 (Prf3) of the print job 3 (Job3), and the proof job 4 (Prf4) of the print job 4 (Job4) are continuously printed to form a series of proof areas 401.

[0034] Among the four proof jobs, it is assumed that the proof jobs 1 (Prf1), 2 (Prf2), and 4 (Prf4) are determined to be OK by visual confirmation by the operator, and the proof job 3 (Prf3) is determined to be NG. In that case, the main printing of the print jobs 1 (Job1), 2 (Job2), and 4 (Job4) associated as the original jobs of the proof jobs 1 (Prf1), 2 (Prf2), and 4 (Prf4) is continuously executed in the main printing area 402 following the proof area 401.

[0035] The proof job 3 (Prf3) determined as NG is printed again in the next first area 403 following this printing area 402. At this time, a proof job is determined to be continuously printed so that the total value of the print lengths of the unprinted or reprinted proof jobs exceeds the conveyance path length B. In the example of FIG. 4, the reprinted proof job 3 (Prf3) and the proof jobs 5 (Prf5), 6 (Prf6), 7 (Prf7) for the print jobs 5 (Job5), 6 (Job6), 7 (Job7) are continuously printed in the first area 403 existing behind this printing area 402. As a result, a series of proof areas 403 are formed.

[0036] Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the printing apparatus 101 that executes printing as shown in FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the printing apparatus 101 in the first embodiment. The printing apparatus 101 includes a job reception unit 500, a job management unit 501, a proof setting unit 502, a proof job generation unit 503, a conveyance path length acquisition unit 504, a print target job determination unit 505, a print control unit 506, a UI control unit 507, and a confirmation result reception unit 508, and the like.

[0037] Also, in the RAM 202, a job list 510, a job queue 520, image data 530, and the like, which will be described later, are stored. The functions of the above-described respective units 500 to 508 are realized by the CPU 201 calling a program stored in the ROM 203 or the storage device 204 and executing processing according to the program.

[0038] The job reception unit 500 receives a print job transmitted from the host device 140 and registers the received print job data (hereinafter referred to as a print job) in the job list 510. The print job includes image data to be printed, mechanical control information of the printing apparatus 101, a print setting indicating a printing method, information on a sheet to be used, and the like. The registration order of the jobs in the job list 510 is the order in which the jobs are received.

[0039] The job management unit 501 manages the print jobs and proof jobs registered in the job list 510. Specifically, the job management unit 501 generates an instance of job information including job control information, association information between the print job (the second job for actual printing) and the proof job (the first job for proof printing), print attributes (including print settings such as print layout), etc. Also, the job management unit 501 calculates the print length, which is the length on the roll paper when the job is printed, from an instance of the print job or the proof job. Further, the job management unit 501 manages the state and print order of the print jobs.

[0040] The job queue 520 provides a mechanism for performing print scheduling such as the execution order of printing. The job management unit 501 sequentially processes the print jobs according to the order stored in the job queue 520. The job list 510 will be described later.

[0041] The proof setting unit 502 receives the settings for proof printing by the operator. Specifically, the proof setting unit 502 allows the operator to select the pages for which proof printing is to be performed from all the pages of the print job and receives the print settings for proof printing. At this time, it is preferable that the proof setting unit 502 displays a display screen (UI) for receiving the operator's operations on the operation panel 206. The UI will be described later.

[0042] The proof job generation unit 503 generates a job dedicated to proof printing (hereinafter referred to as the proof job) based on the proof setting values set by the proof setting unit 502 and registers it in the job list 510. The registration order in the job list 510 shall be the generation order of the proof jobs.

[0043] Specifically, the proof job generation unit 503 copies a proof job from an instance of a print job that serves as a replication source (hereinafter referred to as the original job) among the print jobs managed in the job list 510. The proof job generated by the proof job generation unit 503 and the instance of the original job are associated with each other, and it is possible to specify the original job from the proof job and vice versa, to specify the proof job from the original job.

[0044] The conveyance path length acquisition unit 504 acquires information on the length of the conveyance path between the print position 111 and the visual position 112 on the conveyance path 105. More specifically, it acquires information on the length of the conveyance path 105 between the rear end 111a of the print position 111 and the rear end 112a of the visual position 112 (hereinafter referred to as the conveyance path length B). In this embodiment, the conveyance path length B is assumed to be stored in advance in the ROM 203 or the like as device information.

[0045] The print target job determination unit (hereinafter referred to as the determination unit) 505 determines a plurality of proof jobs to be printed on the first area 401 based on the lengths when the print jobs and the proof jobs are printed on the roll paper. In the first embodiment, the determination unit 505 determines a plurality of proof jobs to be continuously printed on the first area based on the conveyance path length B acquired by the conveyance path length acquisition unit 504.

[0046] The determination unit 505 determines a plurality of proof jobs to be printed on the first area such that the total value of the lengths when each proof job except the proof job printed first among the plurality of proof jobs printed on the first area is printed exceeds the conveyance path length B.

[0047] The reason for calculating the total value excluding the print length of the proof job printed first is to ensure that there is no blank portion between the proof area and the main print area even if the first proof job is determined to be proof NG by the operator. In this way, when printing is performed so that no blank portion occurs between the proof area and the main print area, the proof area 401 and the subsequent main print area 402 are adjacent.

[0048] Also, even if the total value is equal to or less than the conveyance path length B, if a print instruction is input by the operator, it is preferable to enable printing. This is because in actual work, there are cases where the delivery date of printed materials is prioritized without waiting for the reception of the next print job. Note that even when the total value does not exceed the conveyance path length B, if a plurality of proof jobs are being continuously printed, the blank portion generated on the roll paper P is suppressed as compared with the conventional method (Figure 3).

[0049] The determination unit 505 stores the plurality of proof jobs determined to be the targets of continuous printing in the job queue 520.

[0050] Also, the determination unit 505 determines the print job to be the target of the main print. Specifically, when visual confirmation by the operator is performed on the result of the proof print and information permitting the main print is input, the determination unit 505 sets the print job associated as the original job of the proof job as the target of the main print. These print jobs are stored next to the plurality of proof jobs already stored in the job queue 520.

[0051] The print control unit 506 controls the print processing of the job determined to be the print target by the determination unit 505. In the print processing, the print control unit 506 specifies the job to be the print target from among the job list 510 and performs the print processing. In the print processing, the print control unit 506 refers to the instances of the print job and the generated proof job, performs RIP processing, generates a raster image (image data 530), and stores it in the RAM 202. Also, in response to an instruction from the control unit 200, the print control unit 506 transmits print instructions, print data, etc. to the print unit 103.

[0052] The print unit 103 ejects ink and performs printing on the roll paper P according to the print data transmitted from the print control unit 506.

[0053] As described above, the print control unit 506 collectively prints proof jobs in the first area 401 of the roll paper among the plurality of jobs managed by the job management unit 501. Further, in the second area 402 existing behind the first area 401, full printing of the print jobs associated with the proof jobs printed in the first area 401 is executed.

[0054] The UI control unit 507 displays a UI (user interface) on the operation panel 206 and receives operations by an operator (user). The operator can operate the UI to input operations (start, interruption, cancellation, etc.) of the jobs registered in the job list, proof settings, input of various parameters, results of visual confirmation of proof printing, and the like. A specific example of the UI will be described later.

[0055] The confirmation result reception unit 508 receives input of information indicating whether the result of visual confirmation by the operator regarding the print result of the proof job is acceptable or unacceptable for full printing. The confirmation result reception unit 508 preferably displays on the operation panel 206 a screen (UI) for inputting the result of visual confirmation by the operator.

[0056] Next, the job list will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The job list 600 in FIG. 6 shows an example in which information about print jobs to be printed on the same type of sheet among the print jobs received by the job reception unit 500 is registered. Further, information about the proof jobs generated by the proof job generation unit 503 is also registered in the job list 600. For each job, information such as a job ID 610, a print length 620, a job type 630, an original job 640, a print setting ID 650, a raster image ID 660, and a job queue stored flag 670 is stored in association.

[0057] The job ID 610 is information for identifying each job and is generated by the job management unit 501 when registering the job in the job list 600. In this example, the job ID 610 is numbered in ascending order in the order of registration in the job list, such as J0001, J0002, J0003, J0004,....

[0058] The printing length 620 is information indicating the length when a job is printed on the roll paper P. The printing length is calculated by the job management unit 501 based on an instance of a print job or a proof job.

[0059] The job type 630 is information indicating whether it is a print job or a proof job.

[0060] The original job 640 is information registered when the job type is a proof job. The job ID of the print job that is the replication source of the proof job is stored.

[0061] The print setting ID 650 is identification information of the print setting information set for a print job or a proof job. The print setting information associated with the print setting ID 650 is stored in the RAM 202.

[0062] The raster image ID 660 is identification information of the raster image generated from a print job or a proof job. The raster image data associated with the raster image ID 660 is stored in the RAM 202 or the like.

[0063] The job queue stored flag 670 is set to "〇" when the job is stored in the job queue 520. A proof job is stored in the job queue 520 when it is determined by the determination unit 505 to be a printing target in the proof area. A print job is stored in the job queue 520 when it is determined to be OK in the proof determination or when proof not required (no proof printing is performed) is set.

[0064] Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the flow of job reception and proof job generation processing executed by the printing apparatus 101 will be described. The processing shown in the following flowcharts is called by the control unit 200 from the program stored in the ROM 203 or the storage device 204, expanded in the RAM 202, and executed by the CPU 201. When a print job is transmitted from the host device 140, the printing apparatus 101 starts the processing of this flowchart. In the following description, the symbol "S" means step.

[0065] In S701, the CPU 201 (job reception unit 500) receives the print job transmitted from the host device 140. The CPU 201 (job management unit 501) generates an instance of job information including control information of the received print job, related information with other print data, print attributes (including print settings such as print layout), etc., and registers it in the job list 600.

[0066] For example, when the CPU 201 (job reception unit 500) receives the first print job, it newly registers it in the job list 600. The CPU 201 (job management unit 501) assigns a job ID 610 to the newly registered job. For example, "J0001" is assigned. Also, the job type 630 for the print job "J0001" is stored as "print". Further, the CPU 201 (job management unit 501) acquires the print settings from the received print job and registers them as the print setting ID 650 "K0001".

[0067] In S702, the CPU 201 (proof setting unit 502, UI control unit 507) displays a UI for performing proof settings on the operation panel 206 and accepts operations by the operator.

[0068] The UI 800 shown in FIG. 8(a) is a screen for allowing the operator to select whether to execute proof printing. The UI 810 shown in FIG. 8(b) is a screen for allowing the operator to select the pages for which proof printing is to be performed from all the pages of the print job. The UI 900 shown in FIG. 9 is a screen for accepting proof printing settings.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 8(a), on the UI 800, a message 801 for confirming whether to perform proof printing for the received print job is displayed, such as "Job ID: J0001, do you want to perform proof printing?". Also, on the UI 800, a "Yes" button 802 and a "No" button 803 are provided. The "Yes" button 802 is operated when proof printing is required. The "No" button 803 is operated when proof printing is not required. When the "Yes" button 802 is operated, the transition is made to the UI 810 shown in FIG. 8(b).

[0070] As shown in FIG. 8(b), on the UI 810, preview images of all pages of the print job or page numbers are displayed. When displaying the preview images, when this UI 810 is displayed, the CPU 201 refers to the print job and generates the preview images. Each rectangle in the figure indicates each page. When the operator selects the pages for which proof printing is to be performed, check marks 811, 812, 813 are displayed on the selected pages. In this example, it shows that three pages of the print job are set as the target pages for proof printing. When the target pages for proof printing are set, the transition is made to the UI 900 shown in FIG. 9.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 9, on the UI 900 for allowing the selection of print settings for the proof job, setting items such as a print setting ID, media type, ICC profile, density correction, etc. are provided, and setting fields 901 to 904 are provided for each setting item. The print setting ID is assigned by the CPU 201. The operator can set desired values for the media type, ICC profile, density correction table, etc. However, since the first proof printing is often performed with the same print settings as the original print job, the initial values may be the same print settings as the original print job. Note that editing by the operator is also possible.

[0072] In the UI800 of FIG. 8(a), when the proofing is not required (the "No" button 803) is selected, it is also possible to perform the main printing without proofing printing. In the case where proofing printing is not required, the displays of UI810 and UI900 are omitted, and a proofing job is not generated.

[0073] When the proofing setting is performed in S702, next, in S703, the CPU201 (proofing job generation unit 503) copies a proofing job, which is a printing job dedicated to proofing printing, from an instance of the original job managed in the job list 600. When a proofing job is generated, the job management unit 501 assigns a new job ID 610 and stores it in the job list 600, and also stores information indicating that it is a proofing job in the job type 630.

[0074] Furthermore, the CPU201 stores the print setting ID 650 set in the proofing setting unit 502. Also, as the original job 640, the job ID 610 of the printing job that is the copy source of the proofing job is stored. Thereby, the instances of the proofing job and the printing job that is the original job are associated with each other, and it becomes possible to specify the original job from the proofing job or, conversely, to specify the proofing job from the original job.

[0075] In S704, the CPU201 performs RIP processing with reference to the instances of the printing job and the proofing job, generates a raster image, and stores it in the RAM202.

[0076] In S705, the CPU 201 (job management unit 501) calculates the length (printing length) when the printing job is printed on the roll paper from the instance of the printing job, and registers it in the printing length 620 of the job list 600. For example, the printing length 620 of the printing job "J0001" is 20 m. Also, when a proof job is generated, the printing length when the proof job is printed on the roll paper is calculated and registered in the printing length 620 of the job list 600. For example, the printing length of the proof job "J0002" is 2 m. This printing length is the printing length for three pages selected in the UI 810 (Fig. 8(b)).

[0077] In S706, the CPU 201 checks whether the next job has been received from the host device 140. If the next job has been received (S706; YES), it returns to S701, repeats the processes of S701 to S705, and adds jobs to the job list 600 as needed. If the next job has not been received (S706; NO), this flowchart ends.

[0078] It is assumed that the job list 600 shown in Fig. 6 is generated by the process of Fig. 7. In the job list 600 shown in Fig. 6, six printing jobs J0001, J0003, J0005, J0007, J0009, J00011 are registered. Also, six proof jobs J0002, J0004, J0006, J0008, J0010, J0012 with these printing jobs as their original jobs are registered. The printing lengths of the proof jobs J0002, J0004, J0006, J0008, J0010, J0012 are 2 m, 3 m, 1 m, 2 m, 2 m, 2 m respectively. The printing lengths of the printing jobs J0001, J0003, J0005, J0007, J0009, J00011 are 20 m, 25 m, 10 m, 30 m, 10 m, 10 m respectively.

[0079] Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the flow of the print control process executed by the printing apparatus 101 of the present embodiment will be described. When a print start instruction is input, the printing apparatus 101 starts the print control process. At the time of starting the print control process of FIG. 10, it is assumed that a plurality of print jobs and proof jobs are registered in the job list 600 as shown in FIG. 6. All of these jobs are preset to use the same type of roll paper P.

[0080] In S1001, the CPU 201 (determination unit 505) determines a proof job to be continuously printed. The CPU 201 determines a proof job to be continuously printed based on the information on the print length 620 of the job list 600 and the length of the conveyance path (conveyance path length B) between the print position rear end 111a and the visual position rear end 112a.

[0081] With reference to FIG. 11, the processing procedure for determining a proof job to be continuously printed will be described. When starting the process of FIG. 11, the CPU 201 initializes (=0) a variable C used for the following calculation.

[0082] In S1101, the CPU 201 (conveyance path length acquisition unit 504) acquires the distance (conveyance path length B) from the print position to the visual position. In this example, the conveyance path length B is 5 m. In S1102, the CPU 201 (determination unit 505) refers to each job in order from the head of the job list 600 shown in FIG. 6. Here, a proof job among the registered jobs is referred to. In S1103, the CPU 201 (determination unit 505) acquires the print length Lp of the proof job.

[0083] In S1104, the CPU 201 (determination unit 505) adds the printing length Lp of the acquired proof job to the variable C. At this time, the CPU 201 adds the printing lengths of the proof jobs after the next proof job "J0004" except for the printing length of the proof job "J0002" at the head of the job list 600. This is because, in order for the operator to visually confirm and determine proof OK / NG, the rear end of the last page of the proof job printed at the head must exceed the rear end 112a of the visual position.

[0084] In S1105, the CPU 201 (determination unit 505) determines whether the total value C in S1104 exceeds the conveyance path length B. If the total value C exceeds the conveyance path length B, the process proceeds to S1108. If the total value C is less than or equal to the conveyance path length B, the process proceeds to S1106.

[0085] In S1106, the CPU 201 (determination unit 505) determines whether there is a next proof job in the job list 600. If there is a next proof job, the process proceeds to S1107. If there is no next proof job, the process proceeds to S1109.

[0086] In S1107, the CPU 201 (determination unit 505) advances to the next proof job in the job list 600 and returns to S1102. By repeating the processes of S1102 to S1107, the printing lengths Lp of a plurality of proof jobs are added to the value C in the registration order of the job list 600. The CPU 201 repeats the addition until the total value C exceeds the conveyance path length B (5 m).

[0087] When the total value C exceeds the conveyance path length B (5 m) (S1105; YES), in S1108, the CPU 201 (determination unit 505) determines the first proof job "J0002" and the proof jobs added in S1104 as the targets for continuous printing.

[0088] In the example using the job list 600 in FIG. 6, C = 3 m (J0004) + 1 m (J0006) + 2 m (J0008) > 5 m results.

[0089] That is, the CPU 201 determines that four proof jobs J0002, J0004, J0006, and J0008, including the proof jobs J0004, J0006, and J0008 used for adding the value C and the first proof job J0002, are to be printed continuously.

[0090] The processing in the case where the total value C does not exceed the conveyance path length B and it is determined in S1106 that there is no next proof job (S1109) will be described later. When the proof jobs to be printed continuously are determined, the flowchart of FIG. 11 ends, and the process proceeds to S1002 in FIG. 10.

[0091] In S1002, the CPU 201 stores the proof jobs to be printed continuously, which are determined in S1001, in the job queue 520 in order from the top. In the above example, J0002, J0004, J0006, and J0008 are stored in the job queue 520 in order. Further, for these proof jobs J0002, J0004, J0006, and J0008, the CPU 201 sets "〇" in the job queue stored flag 670 of the job list 600.

[0092] In S1003, the CPU 201 (print control unit 506) refers to the job queue 520 and the job list 600, and sequentially gives a print start instruction to the printing unit 103.

[0093] During the execution of proof printing, the CPU 201 instructs to print the job ID 610 of the proof job near the proof image. Further, it may be instructed to print the print setting ID 650. The CPU 201 (print control unit 506) generates print data according to the print instruction and the print setting, and supplies it to the printing unit 103. The printing unit 103 ejects ink from the head according to the print data, and sequentially prints a plurality of proof jobs J0002, J0004, J0006, and J0008 on the roll paper P.

[0094] During the execution of printing, the CPU 201 monitors the conveyance position of the portion where each proof job is printed. In S1004, the CPU 201 determines whether the trailing edge of the last page of each proof print has been conveyed to the trailing edge 112a of the visual position. When the position of the trailing edge of the last page of the proof print reaches the trailing edge 112a of the visual position (S1004; YES), in S1005, the CPU 201 stops the printing. If the position of the trailing edge of the last page of the proof job has not reached the visual position (S1004; NO), the CPU 201 continues to monitor the printing and the conveyance position.

[0095] During the printing stop, in S1006, the CPU 201 accepts the input of the visual confirmation result by the operator of the proof print. In the following description, the visual confirmation result by the operator of the proof print is referred to as the proof determination result. The CPU 201 (UI control unit 507) displays a UI 1200 for inputting the job ID of the proof print and whether the proof determination result is OK (printable) or NG (unprintable) on the operation panel 206 and accepts the input by the operator.

[0096] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the UI 1200 for inputting whether the proof determination result is OK or NG. The operator refers to the job ID printed near the printed proof image and inputs it into the job ID field 1201 of the UI 1200. Further, the operator visually checks the result of the proof print and presses the "OK" button 1202 when it is determined that the main printing can be performed, and presses the "NG" button 1203 when the main printing is not possible.

[0097] In S1007, the CPU 201 switches the process depending on whether the proof determination result input to the UI 1201 is OK or not. When the "OK" button 1202 is pressed, the process proceeds to S1008, and when the "NG" button 1203 is pressed, the process proceeds to S1009.

[0098] When the proof judgment result is OK, in S1008, the CPU 201 refers to the job list 600 and stores the print job J0001, which is the original job of the job ID "J0002" input in the UI 1200, into the job queue 520.

[0099] As described above, the job queue 520 already stores the proof jobs J0002, J0004, J0006, and J0008 for continuous printing. The original job J0001 of the proof job J0002, for which the proof judgment result was input as OK in S1006, is stored next to the already stored proof job J0008. Also, the CPU 201 sets the job queue stored flag 670 associated with the print job J0001 in the job list 600 to "〇".

[0100] When the proof judgment result is NG, in S1009, the CPU 201 (proof setting unit 502) accepts the re - setting of the proof printing for the print job J0001, which is the original job of the job ID "J0002" input in the UI 1200. That is, the CPU 201 displays the UIs 810 and 900 for performing print settings on the operation panel 206 and accepts the input by the operator. The operator views the result of the proof printing and changes it to the desired print settings.

[0101] In S1010, the CPU 201 (proof job generation unit 503) regenerates the proof job and adds it to the job list 600. The processing content is the same as S703. The regenerated proof job is also associated with the original job. Note that a new job ID is assigned to the regenerated proof job, and it overwrites the position of the proof job determined as NG in the job list 600.

[0102] When the processing of S1008 or S1010 is completed, in S1011, the CPU 201 resumes the stopped printing.

[0103] In S1012, the CPU 201 determines whether or not proof judgment has been performed by the operator for all the proof jobs printed continuously.

[0104] If there are still proof jobs for which proof judgment has not been completed (S1012; NO), the process returns to S1004. When the trailing edge of the last page of the next proof job J0004 reaches the visual position 112, the CPU 201 stops printing again, and the operator checks the result of the proof printing and inputs the proof judgment result. When proof judgment has been completed for all the proof jobs targeted for continuous printing (S1012; YES), the process proceeds to S1013.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 4, among the proof jobs J0002, J0004, J0006, and J0008 targeted for continuous printing, J0002, J0004, and J0008 are determined to be proof OK. Then, the print jobs J0001, J0003, and J0007, which are the original jobs of those proof jobs, are printed continuously in the subsequent area 402 of the proof area 401. Since the proof job J0006 has been determined to be proof NG, the print job J0005, which is its original job, will not be printed in the area 402. In the example of FIG. 4, the printing order of the print jobs J0001, J0003, and J0007 is the same as the printing order of the associated proof jobs, but it does not necessarily have to be the same order.

[0106] For the proof job J0006 determined to be proof NG, the proof job is reset by the operator. The job ID of the reset proof job is given the latest job ID at that time, such as "J0013", and it overwrites the position where the proof job J0006 was stored.

[0107] The job list 1300 shown in FIG. 13 shows the state of the job list at the time when it is determined that the proof determination has been completed for all the consecutively printed proof jobs in S1012. In FIG. 13, the parts different from the job list 600 shown in FIG. 6 are shown in gray.

[0108] In the job list 1300, the regenerated proof job J0013 overwrites the position where the proof job J0006 determined as NG was stored. That is, the job ID that was J0006 is changed to J0013, and the print setting ID is changed to K0002. Also, the job queue stored flag 670 has "〇" set for the jobs J0001, J0002, J0003, J0004, J0007, J0008. Furthermore, the new print job J0014 and its proof job J0015 are added.

[0109] In S1013, the CPU 201 determines whether there is an unprocessed job in the job list 1300. Specifically, by referring to the job queue stored flag 670 of the job list 1300, if there is a print job that is not set to "〇", it is determined that there is an unprocessed job (S1013; NO), and the process returns to S1001.

[0110] If there is an unprocessed job, the CPU 201 repeatedly executes the processes of S1001 to S1012. In the example of FIG. 4, the regenerated proof job J0013 is at the head, and the proof jobs of J0010, J0012, J0015 are determined to be the targets of consecutive printing. The total print length of these proof jobs J0013, J0010, J0012, J0015 is 1m + 2m + 2m + 1m = 6m, which exceeds the conveyance path length B. Therefore, the proof jobs are consecutively printed in the area 403 following the present print area 402 (print jobs J0001, J0003, J0007), and a series of proof areas 403 are arranged.

[0111] Thereafter, among the proof jobs J0013, J0010, J0012, and J0015, the print jobs determined to be proof OK are continuously printed in a subsequent area (not shown) of the proof area 403. Thereafter, the process is similarly repeated. When it is determined that there are no unprocessed jobs in the job list 1300 (S1012; YES), the processing of this flowchart ends.

[0112] As described above, by performing the print control process of the first embodiment, in the printing system 100 that consistently uses the roll paper P from paper feeding to paper discharging, it is possible to suppress the blank portion generated between the proof printing and the main printing. That is, in the first embodiment, a plurality of proof jobs are collectively and continuously printed in the first area of the roll paper P, and the main printing is performed in the second area following the first area. Therefore, since the proof printing of the second and subsequent jobs is also printed in the area before the main printing of the first job, it is possible to suppress the blank portion generated in the continuous sheet.

[0113] In particular, in the first embodiment, a plurality of proof jobs to be continuously printed are determined to exceed the distance from the visual position to the printing position (transport path length B). Therefore, it is possible to print without leaving blank the portion that has been transported without being conventionally printed for visual confirmation.

[0114] In the above description, the print lengths of a plurality of proof jobs are determined to exceed the distance from the visual position to the printing position (transport path length B). However, if the total print lengths of all the proof jobs in the job list do not exceed the transport path length B, the subsequent process may be determined by the operator's judgment. For example, if the operator determines that there is enough time until the delivery date, the reception of the next proof job is waited for. If the operator determines that there is no time left until the delivery date, even if the print lengths of a plurality of proof jobs do not exceed the transport path length B, it may be configured to start printing immediately.

[0115] This process is shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. 11. That is, when the total value C of the print lengths Lp of the proof jobs in S1105 is less than or equal to the conveyance path length B and there is no next proof job in the job list (S1105; NO → S1106; NO), the process proceeds to S1109.

[0116] In S1109, the CPU 201 receives an input of a print start instruction from the operator. When the start instruction is input (S1109; YES), the process proceeds to S1108. In S1108, the CPU 201 determines the first proof job excluding the addition of the value C and the proof job added in S1104 as the targets for continuous printing. When the start instruction is not input (S1109; NO), the flowchart in FIG. 11 ends. The proof jobs determined as the targets for continuous printing are stored in the job queue 520 in S1002 of FIG. 10, and printing is started.

[0117] By the process of S1109, even if the total value C of the print lengths Lp of the proof jobs is less than or equal to the conveyance path length B, when a print start instruction is input by the operator, it is possible to start the proof printing for the registered part in the job list. In this case, there may be a blank between the proof area 401 and the main print area 402, but if a plurality of proof prints are continuously printed, it is possible to suppress the blank part compared to the conventional example (FIG. 3).

[0118] In the present embodiment, as shown in the image 410 of FIG. 4, an example is shown in which characters such as job IDs and print setting IDs that can be recognized by humans are printed near the proof image. However, information such as job IDs and print setting IDs may be encoded (such as two-dimensional codes) and printed. In that case, when inputting the result of the proof determination, the job ID manually input by the operator to the UI 1200 may be read and input by a code reader or the like.

[0119] Also, in this embodiment, the procedure is to generate a raster image at the time of job generation (S703, S704), but it is not limited to this. For example, after determining the printing target, a raster image may be generated before storing it in the job queue 520 (S1002, S1008).

[0120] Also, in this embodiment, the procedure is to perform proof setting and generate a proof job immediately after receiving a print job, but it is not limited to this timing. For example, after continuously receiving a plurality of print jobs, the proof setting and the generation of the proof job may be performed at any timing desired by the operator.

[0121] Also, in this embodiment, one proof job is printed for one print job, but a plurality of proof jobs (print settings) may be set for one print job, and the plurality of proof jobs may be printed continuously. In that case, the print setting that the operator determines to be the best among the print results of the plurality of proof jobs (print settings) may be selected and the actual printing may be executed.

[0122] Also, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the conveyance path length B is a default value, but the device configuration of the printing system 100 can be changed as appropriate, and the conveyance path length B may change according to the device configuration. In that case, the CPU 201 may be provided with a function of calculating and setting the conveyance path length B according to the device configuration of the printing system 100. Specifically, the CPU 201 may acquire the distance of the conveyance path from the printing position 111 of the printing device 101 to the visual inspection position 112 of the inspection device 104, and if there are other devices arranged in between, the distance of that conveyance path, and calculate and set the conveyance path length B.

[0123] Also, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, it was described that the printing device 101 and the host device 140 are connected to each other via a network such as a LAN, but data transfer between the devices may be performed using a USB memory or the like in an offline state.

[0124] In addition, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which the CPU 201 of the control unit 200 of the printing apparatus 101 main body executes the setting and generation of the proof job. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the setting and generation of the proof job may be performed in advance using a host device 140 or a Web application via a network, and the job may be transmitted to the printing apparatus 101. In this case, the association information between the print job and the proof job is also transmitted to the printing apparatus 101 at the same time.

[0125] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the first embodiment, an example was described in which continuous printing of a plurality of proof jobs and continuous printing of the main printing of the print jobs associated as the original jobs of the printed proof jobs are repeated for the same roll paper P. Further, an example was described in which the proof job to be continuously printed is determined according to the distance B from the printing position to the visual position.

[0126] In the second embodiment, another determination method for the proof job to be continuously printed is shown. That is, the printing apparatus 101 of the second embodiment first determines the jobs to be printed on one roll, and continuously prints the proof jobs among those jobs in the first area 1410 on the leading side of the roll paper P. Then, the main printing for one roll is continuously printed in the second area 1420 following the first area 1410. Similar to the first embodiment, the second embodiment can also suppress the blank portion generated between the proof printing and the main printing.

[0127] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a printing result by the printing apparatus 101 of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the printing apparatus 101 determines the proof jobs and print jobs to be printed on one roll based on the length of one roll of the roll paper P (hereinafter referred to as the roll paper length A). Then, the determined proof jobs for one roll (proof jobs 1, 2, 3, 4) are continuously printed together in the first area 1410 which is the leading side area of the roll paper P. Also, the main printing for one roll (print jobs 1, 2, 3, 4) is continuously printed in the second area 1420 following the first area 1410.

[0128] Since the configuration (FIG. 1) and control configuration (FIG. 2) of the printing system 100 in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts, and duplicate explanations are omitted.

[0129] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the printing apparatus 101 in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the control unit 200A includes a job reception unit 500, a job management unit 501, a proof setting unit 502, a proof job generation unit 503, a roll paper length acquisition unit 1501, a print target job determination unit (hereinafter referred to as a determination unit) 1502, a print control unit 506, a UI control unit 507, a confirmation result reception unit 508, and the like. Further, information such as a job list 510, a job queue 520, and image data 530 is stored in the RAM 202.

[0130] The differences from the functional configuration (FIG. 5) of the first embodiment are that the roll paper length acquisition unit 1501 is provided and the method for determining the print target in the determination unit 1502. The job reception unit 500, the job management unit 501, the proof setting unit 502, the proof job generation unit 503, the print control unit 506, the UI control unit 507, and the confirmation result reception unit 508 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0131] The roll paper length acquisition unit 1501 acquires a roll paper length A which is the length of one roll of the roll paper (continuous sheet P). In the following description, as an example, the roll paper length A is 1000 m. The roll paper length A may be input by an operator or may be configured to be acquired from the roll installed in the paper feeding unit 102.

[0132] When acquiring from a roll, for example, code information such as a barcode printed on the side surface of the roll core is read by a barcode reader, and the information on the roll paper length associated with the code information is acquired. Alternatively, by reading an RFID tag built in the roll core with a reader, the information on the roll paper length stored in the tag or the information on the roll paper length associated with the tag is acquired.

[0133] The determination unit 1502 determines proof jobs and print jobs to be printed on one roll based on the print lengths 620 of the proof jobs and print jobs registered in the job list 510 and the roll paper length A acquired by the roll paper length acquisition unit 1501.

[0134] When determining the jobs to be printed, the determination unit 1502 calculates the total value D of the print length Lj of the print job and the print length Lp of the proof job using the print job as the original job. Then, it adds them until the total value D exceeds the roll paper length A. When calculating the total value D, the determination unit 1502 adds the print lengths Lj and Lp of the jobs in the order of registration in the job list. However, for the pair of a print job and the proof job using the print job as the original job, the print length Lp of the proof job is added first (D = Lp + Lj).

[0135] The determination unit 1502 sets the print jobs and proof jobs added to the total value D as the jobs to be printed on one roll, and determines that the proof jobs among them are the targets of continuous printing in the head side area 1410.

[0136] The print control unit 506 continuously prints the proof jobs determined by the determination unit 1502 in a lump in the head side area 1410 of the roll paper P. Then, in the subsequent area 1420 of the area 1410 where the proof jobs are printed, it executes the main printing of the print jobs associated with the printed proof jobs. If there are remaining pages of the print jobs that are not printed on one roll, the jobs are carried over to the next roll, and the remaining pages are printed at the head of the next roll.

[0137] Also in the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the CPU 201 (job reception unit 500, job management unit 501, proof setting unit 502, proof job generation unit 503) manages jobs. The CPU 201 executes the job reception and proof job generation process shown in FIG. 7, and sequentially stores the received print jobs and the generated proof jobs in the job list. Also, it calculates the print length for each job and registers it in the job list.

[0138] FIG. 16 is an example of a job list 1600 used in the description of the second embodiment. Items 610 to 670 of the job list 1600 are the same as those of the job list shown in FIGS. 6 and 13. Note that, compared with the job list 600 in FIG. 6, the value of the job ID 610 and the value of the print length 620 are different.

[0139] Next, the processing executed by the printing apparatus 101 of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of the determination process of the print target job in the second embodiment. Note that the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 17 is executed in S1001 of the print control process in FIG. 10 (first embodiment). When starting the flowchart in FIG. 17, it is assumed that the job list 1600 shown in FIG. 16 is registered. Further, the CPU 201 initializes (=0) a variable D used for the following calculation.

[0140] In S1701, the CPU 201 (roll paper length acquisition unit 1501) acquires the length of one roll of the roll paper P (roll paper length A). In this example, the length of one roll is described as 1000 m.

[0141] In S1702, the CPU 201 (determination unit 1502) sequentially refers to the jobs registered in the job list 1600 from the top. In S1703, the CPU 201 (determination unit 1502) acquires the print length of the referred job. If the referred job is a print job, the print length Lj thereof is acquired. Further, the print length Lp of the proof job having the print job as the original job is acquired.

[0142] In S1704, the CPU 201 (determination unit 1502) adds the acquired print lengths Lj and Lp to the variable D. At this time, among the print job and the proof job having the print job as the original job, the proof job is added first (Lp + Lj = D).

[0143] In S1705, the CPU 201 (determination unit 1502) determines whether the total value D in S1704 exceeds the roll paper length A. If the total value D exceeds the roll paper length A, the process proceeds to S1708. If the total value D is less than or equal to the roll paper length A, the process proceeds to S1706.

[0144] In S1706, the CPU 201 (determination unit 1502) determines whether there is a next job in the job list 1600. If there is a next job, the process proceeds to S1707. If there is no next job, the process proceeds to S1710.

[0145] In S1707, the CPU 201 proceeds to the next job in the job list and returns to S1702. By repeating the processes of S1702 to S1707, the printing length Lp of the proof job and the printing length Lj of the print job are added to the value D. The CPU 201 repeats the addition until the total value D exceeds the roll paper length A (1000 m).

[0146] When the total value D exceeds the roll paper length A (1000 m), in S1708, the CPU 201 (determination unit 1502) determines that among the jobs used for adding the value D, the proof job is the proof job to be continuously printed in the first area 1410, which is the head side area. In S1709, the CPU 201 (determination unit 1502) tentatively determines that among the jobs used for adding the value D, the print job is the print job to be actually printed. The reason for the tentative determination is that if the proof determination is NG, the original job will not be printed.

[0147] In the example using the job list 1600 in FIG. 16, D = 2 m (J1002) + 400 m (J1001) + 2 m (J1004) + 250 m (J1003) + 2 m (J1006) + 300 m (J1005) + 2 m (J1008) + 300 m (J1007) > 1000 m It becomes.

[0148] Therefore, the CPU 201 determines that the proof jobs J1002, J1004, J1006, J1008 are to be continuously printed in the first area 1410. Also, the print jobs J1001, J1003, J1005, J1007 are tentatively determined as print jobs to be printed in subsequent areas.

[0149] Also, if the total value D is less than or equal to the roll paper length A even when adding the print lengths Lp and Lj of all the print jobs and proof jobs registered in the job list 1600 (S1705; NO), the subsequent processing may be determined by the operator's judgment. That is, similar to the first embodiment (S1106; NO → S1109 in FIG. 11), in the determination of S1705, if the total value D is less than or equal to the roll paper length A and it is determined in S1706 that there is no next job, the process proceeds to S1710.

[0150] In S1710, the CPU 201 receives an input of a print start instruction from the operator. When the start instruction is input (S1710; YES), the process proceeds to S1708. In S1708, the CPU 201 determines the jobs used for adding the value D as the jobs to be printed on one roll, and among them, determines the proof jobs to be continuously printed as proof jobs. In S1709, the CPU 201 tentatively determines the print jobs among the jobs used for adding the value D as the print jobs to be actually printed.

[0151] When the process of S1709 ends or when no start instruction is input in S1710 (S1710; NO), this flowchart ends and the process proceeds to S1002 in FIG. 10. The processing after S1002 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0152] The proof jobs determined to be the targets of continuous printing are stored in the job queue 520 in S1002 of FIG. 10, and sequential printing is started. In the above example, the proof jobs J1002, J1004, J1006, and J1008 are stored in the job queue 520 in this order. Also, the CPU 201 sets "〇" in the job queue stored flag 670 for these proof jobs J1002, J1004, J1006, and J1008.

[0153] The CPU 201 refers to the job queue 520 and the job list 1600 managed by the job management unit 501, and sequentially gives print start instructions to the printing unit 103. At this time, an instruction to print the job ID 610 and the print setting ID 650 is given in the vicinity of the proof image. The CPU 201 sets print instructions, print data, etc. in the printing unit 103 in response to the print start instruction. The printing unit 103 continuously prints the proof jobs on the roll paper P by discharging ink.

[0154] As shown in FIG. 14, the proof jobs J1002, J1004, J1006, and J1008, each 2m long, are continuously printed to form a continuous proof area 1410. The length of the proof area 1410 is 8m. Also, when it is determined that these proof jobs J1002, J1004, J1006, and J1008 are proof OK, the original jobs J1001 (400m) of the proof job J1002, the original job J1003 (250m) of the proof job J1004, the original job J1005 (300m) of the proof job J1006, and the original job J1007 (300m) of the proof job J1008 are printed in order in the subsequent area 1420, which is a 992m area.

[0155] Here, for the print jobs to be continuously printed, the portion exceeding the length (992m) of the subsequent area 1420 is continuously printed on the next roll after roll replacement. That is, the print job J1007 is printed on the first roll for 42m, and the remaining 258m is printed on the second roll. When roll replacement is performed during a job, the remaining length of the queue is determined in page units so that printing does not stop in the middle of a page.

[0156] As described above, by performing the process control process of the second embodiment, in a printing system using continuous sheets, even when proof printing is performed, it is possible to suppress the blank space generated between the proof printing and the main printing. In the second embodiment, the proof job for one roll is determined such that the total value of the proof job and the printing job to be continuously printed exceeds the total length of the continuous sheet. Therefore, it is possible to perform printing even on the blank portions that have conventionally occurred.

[0157] Also, even when the total value D of the printing length Lp of the proof job to be continuously printed and the printing length Lj of the printing job is less than or equal to the length of the continuous sheet P, when an operator inputs an instruction to start printing, the proof printing can be started. In this case, even if the proof printing and the main printing are executed and the length is less than that of one roll, by continuously printing a plurality of proof prints, it is possible to suppress the blank portion compared to the conventional example (Figure 3).

[0158] <Third Embodiment> Next, the third embodiment will be described. In the above-described second embodiment, when the proof job printed in the leading side region 1410 of the roll paper P is NG in the proof determination, the main printing of the printing job that is the original job of the proof job cannot be executed. Then, the total value D of the printing lengths may not be sufficient for the roll paper length A (1000 m), and there is a possibility that the printable portion of the roll paper P will remain.

[0159] To prevent this, in the third embodiment, in addition to the proof job to be continuously printed determined by the method of the second embodiment, one or more surplus proof jobs are set and made the target of continuous printing in the first region (proof region).

[0160] Since the hardware configuration (Figure 1) and the control configuration (Figure 2) of the printing system 100 in the third embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0161] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the printing apparatus 101 in the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the control unit 200B of the printing apparatus 101 has a surplus setting unit 1801 in addition to the functional configuration (FIG. 15) of the second embodiment. Since the job reception unit 500, the job management unit 501, the proof setting unit 502, the proof job generation unit 503, the roll paper length acquisition unit 1501, the print target job determination unit 1502, the print control unit 506, the UI control unit 507, and the confirmation result reception unit 508 are the same as those in the first or second embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0162] The surplus setting unit 1801 adds proof jobs for a predetermined surplus number to the proof jobs to be continuously printed. The surplus number is a preset number or a number set by the operator. When accepting the setting of the surplus number by the operator, the surplus setting unit 1801 preferably displays a UI for accepting the input of the surplus number on the operation panel 206.

[0163] The surplus setting unit 1801 determines the proof jobs for the surplus number based on the roll paper length A and the information on the print lengths Lj and Lp of the print job and the proof job. Hereinafter, the method for determining the proof jobs for the surplus number will be described.

[0164] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of the determination process of the print target job in the third embodiment. Note that the flowchart in FIG. 19 is a process executed in S1001 of the print control process shown in FIG. 10. The content of the job list 1600 when starting this flowchart is in the state of FIG. 16. Also, the roll paper length A is set to 1000 m. The CPU 201 initializes variables D, E, and F used for the following calculations.

[0165] In S1901, the CPU 201 (surplus setting unit 1801) acquires a preset surplus number. Alternatively, the CPU 201 may display a UI for inputting the surplus number on the operation panel 206 and accept the setting of the number of surplus proof jobs by the operator. As an example, the case where the surplus number is "1" will be described.

[0166] In S1902, the CPU 201 tentatively determines the print jobs and proof jobs to be printed on one roll. The job determination method in S1902 is the same as the method of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 17. That is, the CPU 201 adds the print lengths Lj and Lp of the print jobs and proof jobs in order from the top of the job list 1600 until it exceeds the roll paper length A for one roll (Lp + Lj = D). Then, it determines the jobs to be printed on one roll up to the first print job for which the total value D exceeds the roll paper length A.

[0167] In the example of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the proof jobs J1002, J1004, J1006, J1008 and the print jobs J1001, J1003, J1005, J1007 are tentatively determined as the print jobs to be printed on one roll.

[0168] The total value D of the print lengths of these jobs is D = 2m (J1002) + 400m (J1001) + 2m (J1004) + 250m (J1003) + 2m (J1006) + 300m (J1005) + 2m (J1008) + 300m (J1007) = 1258m That is.

[0169] In S1903, the CPU 201 rearranges the tentatively determined print jobs J1001, J1003, J1005, J1007 in ascending order of print length. Referring to the job list 1600 in FIG. 16, the order is J1001 (400m), J1005 (300m), J1007 (300m), J1003 (250m).

[0170] In S1904, the CPU 201 subtracts the printing length Lj with a large printing length from the total value D by the amount of the remainder. In this example, since the remainder is set to "1", the length of the longest printing job J1001 (400 m) is subtracted from the value D. The subtracted value E is, E = D (1258 m) - J1001 (400 m) = 858 m That is. When the remainder is "2", the printing lengths of two jobs from the longer ones (J1001 (400 m), J1005 (300 m)) are subtracted.

[0171] In S1905, the CPU 201 adds the printing lengths Lj and Lp of the jobs that have not been added in the process of S1902 among the jobs registered in the job list to the value E. The number of printing jobs and their proof jobs to be added is the amount of the remainder respectively. Also, the order of addition is to add the proof job first among the pair of a printing job and its proof job with the printing job as the original job. When there are multiple remainders, they are added in the registration order in the job list. Let the calculation result in S1905 be the value F.

[0172] Specifically, F = E (858 m) + 1 m (J1010) + 400 m (J1009) = 1259 m is calculated.

[0173] In S1906, the CPU 201 determines whether the value F of the calculation result in S1905 exceeds the roll paper length A. If the value F is less than or equal to the roll paper length A (S1906; NO), it returns to S1905 and adds the printing lengths Lj and Lp of the next printing job and its proof job. If the value F exceeds the roll paper length A, it proceeds to S1907.

[0174] In S1907, the CPU 201 adds the proof job J1010 among the jobs (J1010, J1009) used for the calculation (value F) in S1905 as an extra proof job to the proof job for continuous printing. In the above example, the extra proof job J1010 is added to the proof jobs J1002, J1004, J1006, J1008 tentatively determined in S1902. The CPU 201 determines these proof jobs J1002, J1004, J1006, J1008, J1010 as the proof jobs for continuous printing.

[0175] In S1908, the CPU 201 sets the printing job J1009 among the jobs (J1010, J1009) used for the calculation in S1906 as an extra printing job. In the above example, the extra printing job J1009 is added to the printing jobs J1001, J1003, J1005, J1007 tentatively determined in S1902. Through the above processing, this flowchart ends.

[0176] The proof jobs determined as the targets for continuous printing are stored in the job queue 520 in S1002 of FIG. 10, and printing is started. That is, the CPU 201 refers to the job list 1600 and stores the determined proof jobs in the job queue 520 in the registration order in the job list 1600. In the above example, the proof jobs J1002, J1004, J1006, J1008, J1010 are stored in the job queue 520 in order. Also, for these proof jobs J0002, J0004, J0006, J0008, J1010, the CPU 201 sets "〇" in the job queue stored flag 670 of the job list 1600.

[0177] By setting the extra proof jobs as described above, even if any one of the proof jobs printed continuously fails the proof determination, printing can be executed without creating a blank portion on the roll paper P.

[0178] The embodiments according to the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modification examples or correction examples within the scope of the technical idea disclosed in this application, and it is naturally understood that those also belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0179] <Other Embodiments> The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0180] Note that the disclosure of the above-described embodiments includes the following configurations.

[0181] (Configuration 1) Printing means for performing printing on a continuous sheet, Control means for controlling the printing means based on a printing job composed of a first job for trial printing and a second job for main printing, When a plurality of the printing jobs are input, the control means collectively prints a plurality of the first jobs in the plurality of input printing jobs in a first area of the continuous sheet, collectively prints a plurality of the second jobs in the plurality of input printing jobs in a second area that exists behind the first area of the continuous sheet in the conveyance direction with respect to the first area where the first job is printed, and controls the printing means as described above A printing apparatus characterized by the above.

[0182] (Configuration 2) The printing apparatus according to Configuration 1, wherein the second area is adjacent to the first area.

[0183] (Configuration 3) The printing apparatus according to Configuration 1 or Configuration 2, further comprising determination means for determining a plurality of the first jobs to be printed in the first area.

[0184] (Configuration 4) The determination means determines a plurality of the first jobs to be printed in the first area based on the conveyance path length, which is the length of the conveyance path from the printing position in the conveyance path of the continuous sheet to a position where the printing result can be visually confirmed. The printing apparatus according to Configuration 3, characterized in that.

[0185] (Configuration 5) The determination means determines a plurality of the first jobs to be printed in the first area such that the total value of the lengths when each of the first jobs except the first job printed at the head of the plurality of first jobs printed in the first area is printed exceeds the conveyance path length. The printing apparatus according to Configuration 4, characterized in that.

[0186] (Configuration 6) Start means for starting printing based on an instruction by an operator when the total value is equal to or less than the conveyance path length The printing apparatus according to Configuration 5, further comprising the above.

[0187] (Configuration 7) The printing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 4 to 6, further comprising setting means for setting the conveyance path length according to the apparatus configuration.

[0188] (Configuration 8) The control means controls so that the first area is further arranged behind the second area. The printing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 4 to 7.

[0189] (Configuration 9) The determination means Determine a plurality of the first jobs to be printed in the first area based on the total length of the continuous sheet The printing apparatus according to Configuration 3, characterized in that

[0190] (Configuration 10) The determining means Determine a plurality of the first jobs to be printed in the first area such that the total value of the lengths when the first job and the second job are printed exceeds the total length of the continuous sheet The printing apparatus according to Configuration 9, characterized in that

[0191] (Configuration 11) Start means for starting printing based on an instruction from an operator when the total value is less than or equal to the total length of the continuous sheet The printing apparatus according to Configuration 10, further comprising the start means

[0192] (Configuration 12) The printing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 9 to 11, further comprising surplus setting means for setting a surplus of the first jobs to be printed in the first area

[0193] (Configuration 13) The printing apparatus further comprises result receiving means for receiving an input of a confirmation result by an operator for the printing result of the first job The determining means determines the second job associated with the first job for which an input indicating permission of this printing has been made by the result receiving means as a job to be printed in the second area The printing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 3 to 12, characterized in that

[0194] (Configuration 14) The control means Controls the printing means to print identification information of the printing job near the image of the printing job as described above The printing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 13, characterized in that

[0195] (Configuration 15) A printing control method for controlling printing on a continuous sheet, printing is controlled based on a printing job composed of a first job for test printing and a second job for actual printing, when a plurality of printing jobs are input, a step of collectively printing a plurality of the first jobs in the plurality of input printing jobs on a first area of the continuous sheet; a step of collectively printing a plurality of the second jobs in the plurality of input printing jobs on a second area existing rearward in the conveyance direction with respect to the first area of the continuous sheet on which the first job has been printed; A printing control method characterized by including the above.

[0196] (Configuration 16) A program for causing a computer to execute a printing control method for controlling printing on a continuous sheet, printing is controlled based on a printing job composed of a first job for test printing and a second job for actual printing, when a plurality of printing jobs are input, a step of collectively printing a plurality of the first jobs in the plurality of input printing jobs on a first area of the continuous sheet; a step of collectively printing a plurality of the second jobs in the plurality of input printing jobs on a second area existing rearward in the conveyance direction with respect to the first area of the continuous sheet on which the first job has been printed; A program including the above.

Claims

1. Printing means for performing printing on a continuous sheet, Control means for controlling the printing means based on a printing job composed of a first job for trial printing and a second job for main printing, When a plurality of the printing jobs are input, the control means collectively prints a plurality of the first jobs in the plurality of the input printing jobs on a first area of the continuous sheet, and collectively prints a plurality of the second jobs in the plurality of the input printing jobs on a second area that exists rearward in the conveyance direction with respect to the first area of the continuous sheet on which the first job has been printed, and controls the printing means as described above A printing apparatus characterized by the above.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second area is adjacent to the first area.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising determination means for determining a plurality of the first jobs to be printed on the first area.

4. The determination means determines a plurality of the first jobs to be printed on the first area based on a conveyance path length, which is a length of the conveyance path from a printing position in the conveyance path of the continuous sheet to a position where a printing result can be visually confirmed. A printing apparatus characterized by the above according to claim 3.

5. The determination means determines a plurality of the first jobs to be printed on the first area such that a total value of lengths when printing the first jobs other than the first job printed at the head among the plurality of the first jobs printed on the first area exceeds the conveyance path length. A printing apparatus characterized by the above according to claim 4.

6. Starting means for starting printing based on an instruction from an operator when the total value is less than or equal to the conveyance path length The printing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:

7. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising setting means for setting the conveyance path length according to the apparatus configuration.

8. The control means: Controls so that the first area is further arranged behind the second area. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7.

9. The determination means: Determines a plurality of the first jobs to be printed on the first area based on the total length of the continuous sheet. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that.

10. The determination means: Determines a plurality of the first jobs to be printed on the first area so that the total value of the lengths when the first job and the second job are printed exceeds the total length of the continuous sheet. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that.

11. Starting means for starting printing based on an instruction from an operator when the total value is less than or equal to the total length of the continuous sheet. The printing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:

12. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising surplus setting means for setting a surplus of the first jobs to be printed on the first area.

13. The printing apparatus further comprises result receiving means for receiving an input of a confirmation result by an operator with respect to the printing result of the first job, The determination means determines the second job associated with the first job for which an input indicating permission of this printing has been made by the result receiving means as a printing target for the second area. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that

14. The control means controls the printing means to print the identification information of the printing job in the vicinity of the image of the printing job The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that

15. A printing control method for controlling printing on a continuous sheet, comprising: printing is controlled based on a printing job composed of a first job for trial printing and a second job for main printing; when a plurality of printing jobs are input, a step of collectively printing a plurality of the first jobs in the plurality of input printing jobs on a first area of the continuous sheet; a step of collectively printing a plurality of the second jobs in the plurality of input printing jobs on a second area existing rearward in the conveyance direction with respect to the first area of the continuous sheet on which the first job is printed; A printing control method characterized by including the above.

16. A program for causing a computer to execute a printing control method for controlling printing on a continuous sheet, comprising: printing is controlled based on a printing job composed of a first job for trial printing and a second job for main printing; when a plurality of printing jobs are input, a step of collectively printing a plurality of the first jobs in the plurality of input printing jobs on a first area of the continuous sheet; a step of collectively printing a plurality of the second jobs in the plurality of input printing jobs on a second area existing rearward in the conveyance direction with respect to the first area of the continuous sheet on which the first job is printed; A program including the above.

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