Printing apparatus, print control method, and program

Abstract

To suppress printing standby time for visual confirmation by an operator by suppressing generation of a blank portion 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 job for trial printing and a job for main printing, where the control means controls the printing means so as to execute printing of the job for the main printing in a first print job in a front region which is a region including a leading end portion in a transport direction of a first continuous sheet, and to execute printing of the job for the trial printing in a second print job different from the first print job in a rear region which is a region including a trailing end portion in the transport direction of the first continuous sheet.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 printing of a print job, proof printing (hereinafter referred to as proof printing) is performed to check the finish state. In particular, in the case of a print 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, supplies the main printing job. Therefore, each time proof printing is performed, it is necessary to convey the continuous sheet to the visual position, so a blank portion corresponding to the conveyance distance is generated.

[0004] In addition, in the case of a continuous sheet, when the portion where proof printing is performed is conveyed to the visual position, it enters a printing standby state for visual confirmation by the operator. Therefore, there is a problem that productivity during the standby time decreases. In addition, when the stop and restart of conveyance are repeated, problems such as deterioration of printing accuracy due to changes in the conveyance speed and the need for complex control to prevent deterioration of accuracy also occur.

[0005] Regarding the technique of performing proof printing using a continuous sheet, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of continuously executing proof printing of a second job after completion of the main printing of the first job. When the technique of Patent Document 1 is used, the blank portion between the main printing of the first job and the proof printing of the second job is reduced.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] Patent Document 1 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-052096 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] However, even when the technology of Patent Document 1 is used, a blank portion is generated between the proof print of the second job and the main print of the second job performed thereafter. In addition, the problem caused by the printing standby time while the operator visually confirms remains unsolved, and improvement is required. In particular, in recent years, even 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, in the conventional method, the ratio of the blank portion to the printed portion becomes larger than in the case of large lots, and the influence of the blank portion has become a more significant problem. An object of the present disclosure is to suppress a blank portion generated between a trial print and a main print in printing on a continuous sheet and to suppress a printing standby time for visual confirmation by an operator. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0008] A printing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a printing unit that performs printing on a continuous sheet, and a control unit that controls the printing unit based on a printing job including a trial print job and a main print job. The control unit executes the printing of the main print job in the first printing job in a front region that is a region including the leading portion in the conveyance direction of the first continuous sheet, and executes the printing of the trial print job in the second printing job different from the first printing job in a rear region that is a region including the trailing portion in the conveyance direction of the first continuous sheet, and controls the printing unit. EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to the present disclosure, in printing on a continuous sheet, it is possible to suppress a blank portion generated between a trial print and a main print, and to suppress a printing waiting time for visual confirmation by an operator.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] <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 roll paper. The roll paper will be described later.

[0012] 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 multiple 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.

[0013] The printing device 101 includes a printing unit 103 and an operation unit 130. The printing unit 103 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 the printing position 111 facing the head according to the print data supplied from the control unit.

[0014] The operation unit 130 includes a display unit composed of a liquid crystal display or the like and an input unit composed of 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, proof setting, etc. are input.

[0015] After the image is formed on the roll paper P by the printing device 101, it is sent to the inspection device 104 through processes such as drying, curing, and cooling while being conveyed along the conveyance path 105.

[0016] The inspection device 104 is provided with a viewing window 108 for the operator to confirm the image printed on the roll paper P. The operator can visually confirm the actual printed matter through the viewing window 108. In the case of a printing system where it is difficult to physically arrange the viewing window 108, the inspection device 104 may be composed of a camera that images the printed matter and a monitor that displays the imaged image.

[0017] After passing through the inspection device 104, the roll paper P is sent to the paper discharge unit 106. The paper discharge unit 106 is provided with a cutter 121 and a viewing stand 122. The roll paper P is cut by the cutter 121 at the boundary between the front area where the main printing is performed and the rear area where the proof printing is performed. The cut front area is wound into a roll by the paper discharge unit 106 and recovered as the printed matter P2. The rear area is conveyed to the viewing stand 122, and the operator visually confirms the result of the proof printing.

[0018] The printing apparatus 101 is provided with a control unit 200 (Fig. 2). The control unit 200 controls the operations of each part within the printing apparatus 101. Further, the control unit 200 of the printing apparatus 101 is communicatively connected to the host apparatus 140 via a network such as a LAN.

[0019] The host apparatus 140 is constituted by a computer such as a PC. The host apparatus 140 executes a collating process according to an operator's operation, generates a print job, and transmits it to the printing apparatus 101. Further, the host apparatus 140 receives information indicating the state of the printing system 100 transmitted from the control unit of the printing apparatus 101 and displays it on a display unit (not shown) of the host apparatus 140. In Fig. 1, an example in which one host apparatus 140 is connected to the printing apparatus 101 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of host apparatuses 140 may be connected to the printing apparatus 101.

[0020] 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 it is significant or not. Further, it also includes the case of processing a medium, regardless of whether it is made manifest so that it can be perceived visually by a human.

[0021] Also, the recording medium used in this embodiment is a "continuous sheet" that is continuous in the longitudinal direction, and for example, roll paper is assumed. The roll paper is not limited to paper, and may be made of a material other than paper, such as cloth, plastic film, etc. Further, the continuous sheet used in this embodiment may be a label roll paper in which a plurality of labels are detachably attached to a release paper by an adhesive or the like. Although there are no particular limitations on the components of the ink, in this embodiment, it is assumed that an aqueous pigment ink containing a pigment, water, and a resin, which are coloring materials, is used.

[0022] In addition, in the present embodiment, an inkjet printer using ink as a recording material will be described as an example, but the printing apparatus of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The present disclosure is applicable to printing apparatuses of various printing methods, such as thermal printers (sublimation type, thermal transfer type, etc.), dot impact printers, LED printers, laser printers, and electrophotographic printers using toner.

[0023] 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. The CPU 201 is connected to each part of the control unit 200 via a main bus 211.

[0024] 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, and calls and executes it in the work area of the RAM. The RAM 202 functions as the main memory and work area of the CPU 201. The ROM 203 stores programs to be executed by the CPU 201. The storage device 204 uses an HDD, an SSD, a flash memory, etc., and stores programs to be executed by the CPU 201, job data used for printing, image data, and the like.

[0025] 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.

[0026] Also, the operation unit 130, the paper feeding unit 102, the conveyance mechanism 107, the printing unit 103, the inspection device 104, the paper discharging unit 106, etc. are connected to the control unit 200 via the general-purpose interface (I / F) 205. The control unit 200 controls the operations of the operation unit 130, the paper feeding unit 102, the conveyance mechanism 107, the printing unit 103, the inspection device 104, and the paper discharging unit 106.

[0027] Here, regarding the conventional problems of proof printing using continuous sheets (hereinafter referred to as proof printing), it 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 the 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 device 101, the roll paper P is conveyed to the visual inspection position 112 of the inspection device 104 and waits for the main printing. Then, when it is determined to be "OK" by visual confirmation by the operator, the printing data of "Job 1" is supplied from the control unit, and the main printing 311 for all pages is executed at the printing position 111.

[0028] In such a printing procedure, a large blank portion 321 that is not printed occurs between the proof printing 301 and the main printing 311. The length of the blank portion 321 corresponds to the distance 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 Job 1, Job 2, and Job 3. As a result, blank portions 321, 322, and 323 occur between the proof printing 301 and the main printing 311 of Job 1, between the proof printing 302 and the main printing 312 of Job 2, and between the proof printing 303 and the main printing 313 of Job 3.

[0029] Also, FIG. 3(b) shows the relationship between the elapsed time in the printing process and the conveyance speed of the roll paper P. The horizontal axis of the graph shown in FIG. 3(b) indicates the elapsed time t [s], and the vertical axis indicates the conveyance speed v [m / s].

[0030] The proof print 301 of "Job 1" is printed at the printing position 111 and the conveyance speed becomes 0 at time t1 when it is conveyed to the visual inspection position 112, and it is in the standby state. After that, when the visual inspection by the operator is completed and it is determined as "OK", the job data of the main print 311 of "Job 1" is supplied and the printing is restarted at time t2. After the restart, the conveyance speed increases again. The same process is repeated for subsequent Jobs 2 and 3. That is, in the conventional procedure, a waiting time occurs for each job, resulting in a decrease in productivity. In the present embodiment, the occurrence of such blank portions for each job and the waiting time for printing are suppressed.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the printing result by the printing apparatus 101 of the present 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 of the figure is the rear in the conveyance direction. In the present disclosure, the printing apparatus 101 executes the main print of the first printing job in the front region 401 including the leading end portion in the conveyance direction of the roll paper P, and executes the proof print of the second printing job different from the first printing job in the rear region 402 including the trailing end portion. That is, the proof print in the rear region 402 of the roll paper R1 is the proof print associated with the second printing job in which the main print is executed on any of the roll papers R2, R3,... used after the roll paper R1.

[0032] In the first embodiment, the length of the front region 401 serving as the main print region and the length of the rear region 402 serving as the proof region are fixed lengths for all roll papers R1, R2, R3 of the same type. In the following description, the front region 401 where the main print is performed is also referred to as the main print region, and the rear region 402 where the proof print is performed is also referred to as the proof region.

[0033] When printing is performed by dividing the area of the roll paper into a front area 401 and a rear area 402 in this way, the printed matter of the main print printed in the front area 401 can be wound up by the paper discharge unit 106. Further, the proof print printed in the rear area 402 can be cut by the cutter 121 at the boundary portion 405 and conveyed to the viewing table 122. On the viewing table 122, the operator can visually check the cut proof print. Therefore, it is not necessary to stop the printing for each job for visual confirmation, and the waiting time therefor is suppressed.

[0034] The printing apparatus 101 receives an input (OK / NG) of the result of visual confirmation by the operator. The print job associated with the proof print determined to be Proof OK is managed as a state where main printing is possible, and is printed in the front area (main print area) 401 of the roll paper R2 used after roll replacement.

[0035] Similarly for subsequent rolls, in the proof area 402 of the roll paper R2, a proof job associated with a print job for which main printing can be performed with the subsequent roll paper R3 and later is printed. When the proof print is determined to be OK by the operator, the main print of the print job associated with the proof print is performed in the front area (main print area) 401 of the roll R3. By repeating this process, it is possible to suppress the blank portion on the roll paper that occurred when performing proof printing and main printing for each job, and it is also possible to suppress the waiting time due to the print stop during visual confirmation.

[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 control unit 200 of 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, an area setting unit 504, a determination unit 505, a print control unit 507, a UI control unit 508, and a confirmation result reception unit 509, and the like.

[0037] Also, the RAM 202 stores a job list 510, a main print job queue 521, a proof job queue 522, image data 530, a queue remaining length 540, etc., which will be described later. The functions of the above-described respective units 500 to 509 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 (input) 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 is a print job for main printing and 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 print jobs in the job list 510 is the order in which the print jobs are received.

[0039] The job management unit 501 manages the print jobs and proof printing jobs (hereinafter referred to as 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 and the proof job, print attributes (including print settings such as a print layout), and the like. Also, the job management unit 501 calculates a 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 each print job.

[0040] The job management unit 501 has two job queues: a main print job queue 521 for the main print area 401 and a proof job queue 522 for the proof area 402. The job queues 521 and 522 provide a mechanism for performing print scheduling such as the execution order of printing. The job management unit 501 sequentially processes jobs in the order stored in the job queues 521 and 522. The print jobs and the proof jobs are registered in the job list 510 that manages the state and print order of the jobs. The job list 510 will be described later.

[0041] The proof setting unit 502 receives the setting of proof printing by the operator. Specifically, the proof setting unit 502 causes the page for proof printing to be selected from all the pages of the received print job, and receives the print setting of the proof printing. At this time, it is preferable that the proof setting unit 502 displays a display screen (UI) for receiving the operation by the operator on the operation unit 130. The UI will be described later.

[0042] The proof job generation unit 503 generates a proof job, which is a job dedicated to proof printing, based on the proof setting value set by the proof setting unit 502, and registers it in the job list 510. The registration order of the jobs in the job list 510 shall be the generation order of the proof jobs.

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

[0044] The area setting unit 504 sets the lengths of the main printing area (front area) 401 and the proof area (rear area) 402 on the roll paper P. For example, the area setting unit 504 displays a UI for the operator to input at least one of the main printing area 401 and the proof area 402 and the total length of the roll paper P (hereinafter referred to as the roll paper length A) on the operation unit 130.

[0045] The area setting unit 504 sets the length of the main printing area 401, the length of the proof area 402, and the roll paper length A based on the length input by the operator via the UI. Alternatively, the area setting unit 504 may acquire the length of the main printing area 401 and the length of the proof area 402 stored in advance in the ROM 203 or the like. In this case, the length of each area may be set according to the type of the roll paper P.

[0046] The determination unit 505 includes a main printing determination unit 505a that determines a printing job to be printed on the main printing area 401 in the first continuous sheet, and a proof determination unit 505b that determines a proof job to be printed on the proof area 402 in the first continuous sheet. Note that, on the main printing area 401 in the first continuous sheet, the main printing of the first printing job is executed, and on the proof area 402 in the second continuous sheet, a proof job associated with a second printing job different from the first printing job is executed. Also, the main printing of the second printing job is printed in the front area (main printing area 401) of the second continuous sheet used after the first continuous sheet.

[0047] The main printing determination unit 505a determines a printing job to be printed on the main printing area 401 based on the length of the main printing area 401 set by the area setting unit 504 and the printing length of the printing jobs that are printable for main printing among the jobs registered in the job list.

[0048] When determining the printing target for the second and subsequent roll papers R2, the main printing determination unit 505a determines the printing job to be printed such that the remaining pages of the printing job printed on the immediately preceding roll paper R1 are printed at the head of the next roll paper R2. At this time, it is preferable that the main printing determination unit 505a determines the printing job to be printed on the main printing area 401 such that the total value of the printing lengths of the printing jobs printed on the main printing area 401 exceeds the length of the main printing area 401.

[0049] In addition, when the total value of the print lengths of all the print jobs registered in the job list is equal to or less than the length of the main print area 401, it may be configured to start printing the registered jobs based on an operator's instruction. Thereby, even if a blank portion occurs according to the delivery date of the printed matter, it is possible to start printing.

[0050] The proof determination unit 505b determines a proof job to be printed on the proof area 402 based on the length of the rear area of the roll paper (proof area 402) and the print length of the proof job registered in the job list. At this time, the proof determination unit 505b preferably determines a proof job to be printed on the proof area 402 so that the total value of the print lengths of the proof jobs printed on the proof area 402 fits within the length of the proof area 402.

[0051] The print control unit 507 controls the print processing of the job to be printed determined by the determination unit 505. In the print processing, the print control unit 507 refers to the instances of the print jobs and proof jobs registered in the job list, 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, it transmits a print instruction, print data, etc. to the printing unit 103. The printing unit 103 ejects ink and performs printing on the roll paper P according to the print data transmitted from the print control unit 507.

[0052] As described above, the print control unit 507 executes the main print of the print job in the front area of the roll paper R1. Also, the print control unit 507 executes the printing of the proof job associated with the print job for which the main print can be executed on the roll paper R2 that is used after the roll paper R1 in the rear area of the roll paper R1.

[0053] The UI control unit 508 displays the UI (user interface) on the operation unit 130 and accepts operations by the operator. The operator can operate the UI to input operations (start, interruption, cancellation, etc.) of the jobs managed by the job list 510, proof settings, area settings, results of visual confirmation of proof printing, and the like. Specific examples of the UI will be described later.

[0054] The confirmation result reception unit 509 accepts the input of information indicating whether the result of visual confirmation by the operator for the printing result of the proof job is printable or not printable. The confirmation result reception unit 509 preferably displays a screen (UI) for the operator to input the result of visual confirmation on the operation panel 206.

[0055] 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 of jobs to be printed on the same type of sheet among the printing jobs received by the job reception unit 500 is registered. Also, information of the proof jobs generated by the proof job generation unit 503 is registered in the job list 600. For each job, a job ID 610, a printing length 620, a job type 630, an original job 640, a printing setting ID 650, a raster image ID 660, a printable flag 670, a job queue stored flag 680, etc. are stored.

[0056] 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 the order of registration in the job list, such as J0001, J0002, J0003, J0004,....

[0057] The printing length 620 is information indicating the length when the job is printed on the roll paper P. The printing length is calculated by the job management unit 501 based on the instance of the printing job or the proof job.

[0058] The job type 630 is information indicating whether it is a printing job or a proof job.

[0059] The original job 640 is information registered when the job type is a proof job, and stores the job ID of the print job that is the source of replication of the proof job.

[0060] The print setting ID 650 is identification information for 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.

[0061] The raster image ID 660 is identification information for 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 203 or the like.

[0062] The main print enable flag 670 is a flag set to "〇 (on)" when the main print of the print job is possible. When the main print is not possible, it is "not set (off)". The main print enable flag 670 is assigned only to jobs with the job type "print", and is not assigned to jobs with the job type "proof". The state where main printing is possible is when it is set by the operator not to perform proof printing, and when the result of proof determination by visual confirmation of the operator is "OK (main printable)" is input.

[0063] The job queue stored flag 680 is set to "〇" when the job is stored in the main print job queue 521 or the proof job queue 522. For a print job, when it is determined to be OK in the proof determination, or when it is set to not require proof (not perform proof printing), it is stored in the main print job queue 521. Also, when it is determined by the proof determination unit 505b to be a print target for the proof area, the job ID of the proof job is stored in the proof job queue 522.

[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 a 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 508) confirms with the operator whether to perform proof printing. In this confirmation process, the CPU 201 displays a UI 800 as shown in FIG. 8 on the operation unit 130 and accepts the selection by the operator.

[0068] The UI800 shown in Fig. 8(a) is a screen for asking the operator whether to perform proof printing. On UI800, 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, a "Yes" button 802 and a "No" button 803 are provided on UI800. The "Yes" button 802 is operated when proof printing is required. The "No" button 803 is operated when proof printing is not required.

[0069] When the "Yes" button 802 is operated on UI800, it is determined in S703 to perform proof printing, and the process proceeds to S705. When the "No" button 802 is operated on UI800, it is determined in S703 not to perform proof printing, and the process proceeds to S704.

[0070] In S704, the CPU201 sets the main print enable flag 670 of the corresponding job in the job list 600 to "〇". In the job list 600 of Fig. 6, the job ID "J0001" is an example when the "No" button 803 (not performing proof) is selected on UI800. Since it is in a state where proof is not required and main printing is possible, the main print enable flag 670 is set to "〇". Then, the process proceeds to S707.

[0071] In S707, the CPU201 performs RIP processing with reference to the instance of the print job, generates a raster image, and stores it in the RAM202.

[0072] In S708, the CPU201 calculates the length (print length) when the print job is printed on roll paper from the instance of the print job, and registers it in the print length 620 of the job list 600.

[0073] For example, the printing length 620 of the printing job with job ID "J0001" is 500m. Also, when a proof job is generated, the CPU 201 calculates the length (printing length) when the proof job is printed on roll paper and registers it in the printing length 620 of the job list 600. Since no proof job is generated using the printing job with job ID "J0001" as the original job, the calculation of the printing length 620 of the proof job is not performed.

[0074] In S709, the CPU 201 checks whether the next job has been received from the host device 140. If the next job has been received (S709; YES), it returns to S701 and repeats the processing of S701 to S708, and adds it to the job list 600 as needed. If the next job has not been received (S709; NO), this flowchart ends.

[0075] In S709, the case where the next job has been received will be described. When the next printing job is received, in S701, the CPU 201 assigns the job ID 610 "J0002" and stores "printing" as the job type 630. Further, the CPU 201 acquires the printing settings from the printing job and registers the printing setting ID 650.

[0076] In S702, the CPU 201 displays the UI 800 shown in FIG. 8 on the operation unit 130 and checks with the operator whether to perform proof printing for the printing job "J0002" received in S701. Assume that the "Yes" button 802 is selected on the UI 800 for the printing job "J0002". When "Yes (perform proof)" is selected, the operator performs a visual check after proof printing, and if it is OK, it becomes printable. Therefore, at this stage, the printable flag 670 in the job list 600 remains blank indicating non-printable.

[0077] In S705, the CPU 201 (proof setting unit 502) displays a UI 810 for allowing the operation unit 130 to select pages for which proof printing is to be performed from all the pages of a print job, and a UI 900 for allowing the operation unit 130 to select proof printing settings. The CPU 201 accepts operations by an operator on the UIs 810 and 900.

[0078] FIG. 8(b) is a diagram showing an example of the UI 810. In the UI 810, preview images or page numbers of all the pages of a print job are displayed. When displaying preview images, the CPU 201 refers to the print job and generates preview images. Each rectangle in the figure indicates a preview image of each page.

[0079] When the operator selects pages for which proof printing is to be performed, check marks 811, 812, and 813 are displayed on the selected pages. In this example, it shows that three pages of the print job are set as target pages for proof printing. When the target pages for proof printing are set, the process transitions to the UI 900 shown in FIG. 9.

[0080] FIG. 9 is an example of a UI 900 for allowing selection of proof job print settings. As shown in FIG. 9, the UI 900 is provided with setting items such as a print setting ID, media type, ICC profile, density correction, etc., 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.

[0081] However, since the first proof printing is often carried out 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. Also, the setting items are not limited to the above example and may include other items.

[0082] When the proof setting is performed, in S706, the CPU 201 (proof job generation unit 503) generates a proof job. The CPU 201 (proof job generation unit 503) copies a print job dedicated to proof printing from an instance of the original job managed in the job list 600. Hereinafter, the print job dedicated to proof printing is referred to as a proof job. When a proof job is generated, the job management unit 501 assigns a new job ID 610 (in this example, "J0003") and stores it in the job list 600, and stores information indicating that it is a proof job in the job type 630.

[0083] Furthermore, the CPU 201 registers the print setting ID 650 set in the proof setting unit 502. Also, as the original job 640, the job ID of the print job that is the copy source of the proof job (in this example, "J0002") is registered. Thereby, the proof job and the print job that is the original job are associated with each other, and it becomes possible to specify the original job from the proof job or, conversely, to specify the proof job from the original job.

[0084] When a proof job is generated in S706, the process proceeds to S707. In S707, the CPU 201 performs RIP processing with reference to an instance of the proof job, generates a raster image, and stores it in the RAM 202.

[0085] In S708, the CPU 201 calculates the print length of the print job from an instance of the print job and registers it in the print length 620 of the job list 600. Also, when a proof job is generated, the CPU 201 calculates the print length of the proof job and registers it in the print length 620 of the job list 600. Note that the print length 620 of the job ID "J0002" is 300 m, and the print length 620 of the proof job "J0003" is calculated to be 3 m.

[0086] 。 In S709, the CPU 201 checks whether it has received the next job from the host device 140. If it has received the next job, it returns to S701; if not, it ends this flowchart. Thereafter, the CPU 201 repeats the same processing for the received job and sequentially adds it to the job list 600.

[0087] It is assumed that the job list 600 shown in FIG. 6 is generated by the processing of FIG. 7. In the job list shown in FIG. 6, twelve print jobs (J0001, J0002, J0004, J0005, J0007, J0008, J0010, J0012, J0014, J0016, J0017, J0019) are registered. Among them, four (J0001, J0004, J0007, J0016) are print jobs for which "No (Do not perform proof printing)" has been selected in the UI 800. For these four print jobs (J0001, J0004, J0007, J0016), the main print enable flag 670 is set to "〇".

[0088] The remaining eight print jobs (J0002, J0005, J0008, J0010, J0012, J0014, J0017, J0019) are print jobs for which "Yes (Perform proof printing)" has been selected in the UI 800. For each of these eight print jobs, a proof job is generated and registered as new jobs J0003, J0006, J0009, J0011, J0013, J0015, J0018, J0020. The print job and the proof job for that print job are associated with each other based on the information of the original job 640.

[0089] 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. It is assumed that at the time when the print control process of FIG. 10 starts, 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.

[0090] In S1001, the CPU 201 performs area setting for the roll paper P. For example, the CPU 201 displays a UI 1100 as shown in FIG. 11 on the operation unit 130 and accepts input from the operator. The UI 1100 is provided with an input field 1201 for inputting the length of the proof area, an input field 1202 for inputting the roll paper length A (roll paper), and the like. The operator sets an appropriate length of the proof area in consideration of the lengths of the print jobs and proof jobs registered in the job list 600. In the example of FIG. 11, "10" m is input as the proof area, and "1000" m is input as the roll length.

[0091] Note that the CPU 201 may automatically acquire the information of the roll paper length A from the roll installed in the printing apparatus 101 (paper feeding unit 102) and display it in the input field 1202 of the UI 1200.

[0092] When automatically acquiring from the roll, the printing apparatus 101 reads code information such as a barcode printed on the side surface of the roll core with a barcode reader, for example, and acquires the information of the roll paper length associated with the code information. Alternatively, by reading the RFID tag built in the roll core with a reader, the information of the roll paper length stored in the tag or the information of the roll paper length associated with the tag is acquired. Further, when the length of the main printing area 401 and the length of the proof area 402 are stored in the ROM 203 or the storage device 204 in advance, the values may be acquired.

[0093] The CPU 201 determines the length of the proof area and the length of the main printing area based on the input values to the UI 1100. Specifically, the CPU 101 subtracts the length of the proof area "10" m from the length of one roll "1000" m to determine the length of the main printing area. In the example of FIG. 11, 1000m - 10m = 990m is determined as the length of the main printing area. The CPU 201 sets the area from the head to 990m in the conveyance direction of the roll paper as the main printing area 401, and the remaining 10m area behind the main printing area 401 in the conveyance direction as the proof area 402.

[0094] In S1002, the CPU 201 (this printing determination unit 505a) determines a print job to be a print candidate for the main print area 401 based on the information on the print length 620 of the job list 600 and the length 990 m of the main print area determined in S1001.

[0095] The specific processing procedure of S1002 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 12. At the start of the flowchart of FIG. 12, the CPU 201 initializes (=0) variables Q and B used for the following calculations. Note that Q indicates the remaining length of the print job printed on the immediately preceding roll paper (queue remaining length), and B indicates the total value of the print lengths of the print jobs printed in the main print area.

[0096] In S1201, the CPU 201 acquires the value of the queue remaining length Q stored in the RAM 202. In the case of the first roll, the queue remaining length Q is "0". In the case of the second roll and subsequent rolls, it is calculated in the subsequent processing (S1213) and stored in the RAM 202. The queue remaining length Q is calculated by subtracting the length of the main print area from the total value B of the print lengths of the print jobs that were the targets of the main print in the previous roll.

[0097] In S1202, the CPU 201 sequentially refers to each job from the head of the job list 600 shown in FIG. 6. In S1203, the CPU 201 determines whether the job type 630 of the job being referred to is "print". If the job type 630 is "print", the process proceeds to S1204. If the job type 630 is not "print", that is, if it is "proof", the process proceeds to S1209.

[0098] In S1204, the CPU 201 determines whether the main print enable flag 670 of the job being referred to is set to "〇". If the main print enable flag 670 is set to "〇", the process proceeds to S1205. If the main print enable flag 670 is not set to "〇", the process proceeds to S1209. In S1205, the CPU 201 determines whether the job queue stored flag 680 of the job being referred to is set to "unset". If the job queue stored flag 680 is set to "unset", the process proceeds to S1206. If the job queue stored flag 680 is set to "〇", the process proceeds to S1209.

[0099] In S1206, the CPU 201 obtains the print length Lj of the printing job being referred to and adds it to the queue remaining length Q obtained in S1201. Let the value calculated by the addition be B. The calculation in S1206 is represented by the following formula (1).

[0100] Q + Lj = B ···(1)

[0101] In S1207, the CPU 201 determines whether the total value B calculated in S1206 exceeds the length of the current printing area. If the total value B is less than or equal to the length of the current printing area (S1207; NO), the process proceeds to S1208.

[0102] In S1208, the CPU 201 determines whether there is a next job in the job list 600. If there is a next job, the process proceeds to S1209. The processing in the case where the total value B does not exceed the length of the current printing area and it is determined in S1208 that there is no next job (S1214) will be described later.

[0103] In S1209, the CPU 201 advances to the next job in the job list 600 and returns to S1202. Thereafter, S1202 to S1209 are repeated. That is, the print lengths Lj of the jobs whose job type 630 is "printing", the current print enable flag 670 is "〇", and the job queue stored flag 680 is "unset" are sequentially added to the value B calculated in S1206.

[0104] If the total value B exceeds the length of the current printing area (S1207; YES), the process proceeds to S1210. In S1210, the CPU 201 determines the printing job added in the calculation of S1206 as the printing target for the current printing area.

[0105] In the example of the job list 600 in FIG. 6, B = 500m (J0001) + 400m (J0004) + 200m (J0007) = 1100m > 990m Therefore, the CPU 201 determines that the three printing jobs with job IDs J0001, J0004, and J0007 are to be printed in the main printing area 401.

[0106] In S1211, the CPU 201 stores the printing jobs determined as printing targets in the main printing job queue 521 in order from the top. In S1212, the CPU 201 changes the job queue stored flag 680 to "〇". In the above example, for job IDs J0001, J0004, and J0007, the job queue stored flag 680 is changed to "〇".

[0107] In S1213, the CPU 201 calculates and updates the remaining queue length Q. In the case of the above example, the length 990m of the main printing area is subtracted from the total value B of the printing lengths of job IDs J0001, J0004, and J0007. That is, {500m (J0001) + 400m (J0004) + 200m (J0007)} - 990m = 110m This is the case. 110m is stored in the RAM 202 as the remaining queue length Q of the first roll.

[0108] Note that when roll replacement is performed during a job, the remaining queue length is determined so that printing is not interrupted in the middle of a page. When the process of S1213 ends, this flowchart ends and proceeds to S1003 in FIG. 10.

[0109] In S1003 of FIG. 10, the CPU 201 (proof determination unit 505b) determines a proof job to be printed in the proof area 402 based on the information of the printing length 620 of the job list 600 and the length of the proof area set in S1101.

[0110] The specific processing procedure of S1003 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 13. At the start of the flowchart in FIG. 13, the CPU 201 initializes (=0) the value C used for the following calculations. Note that C is the total value of the print lengths of the proof jobs.

[0111] In S1301, the CPU 201 refers to each job in order from the head of the job list 600 shown in FIG. 6. In S1302, the CPU 201 determines whether the job type 630 of the job being referred to is "proof". If the job type 630 is "proof", the process proceeds to S1303. If the job type 630 is not "proof", that is, if it is "print", the process proceeds to S1306.

[0112] In S1303, the CPU 201 obtains the print length Lp of the proof job being referred to and adds it to the value C. In S1304, the CPU 201 determines whether the total value C has exceeded the length of the proof area. If the total value C is less than or equal to the length of the proof area (S1304; NO), the process proceeds to S1305.

[0113] In S1305, the CPU 201 determines whether there is a next job in the job list. If there is a next job, the process proceeds to S1306. The processing in the case where the total value C does not exceed the length of the proof area and it is determined in S1305 that there is no next job (S1309) will be described later.

[0114] In S1306, the CPU 201 proceeds to the next job and returns to S1301. S1301 to S1306 are repeated, and the total value C of the print lengths Lp of the jobs whose job type 630 is "proof" is added until it exceeds the length 10m of the proof area.

[0115] If the total value C has exceeded the length of the proof area (S1304; YES), the process proceeds to S1307. In S1307, the CPU 201 determines, as printing targets for the proof area, up to the previous proof job among the proof jobs used for the addition in S1303. That is, the CPU 201 determines, as printing targets for the proof area, the proof jobs until the total value C of the printing lengths Lp of the proof jobs fits within the length of the proof area, which is 10 m.

[0116] In the example of the job list 600 in FIG. 6, C = 3 m (J0003) + 3 m (J0006) + 3 m (J0009) + 3 m (J0011) = 12 m > 10 m. Therefore, excluding the last added proof job (J0011), the CPU 201 determines three proof jobs with job IDs J0003, J0006, and J0009 as printing targets for the proof area.

[0117] In S1308, the CPU 201 stores the proof jobs determined as printing targets in the proof job queue 522 in order from the head. At the time of executing proof printing, the CPU 201 instructs to print the job ID of the proof job near the proof image. Further, the CPU 201 may instruct to print the print setting ID 650. When the process of S1308 ends, this flowchart ends, and the process proceeds to S1004 in FIG. 10.

[0118] In S1004 in FIG. 10, the CPU 201 (print control unit 507) refers to the main print job queue 521 and sequentially gives an instruction to start printing to the printing unit 103. In response to the printing start instruction, the CPU 201 (print control unit 507) generates print instructions, print data, etc. for each job and supplies them to the printing unit 103.

[0119] The printing unit 103 prints the print jobs determined as printing targets in S1002 on the main print area 401 on the roll paper P by discharging ink according to the print data. Among the print jobs that are printing targets, the portion that exceeds the length of the main print area 401, which is 990 m, that is, the remaining 110 m portion (queue remaining length Q) of the print job J0007, is continuously printed on the next roll after roll replacement.

[0120] When the printing on the printing area 401 is completed, in S1005, the CPU 201 (printing control unit 507) refers to the proof job queue 522 and sequentially gives instructions to start printing to the printing unit 103. Upon receiving the printing start instruction, the CPU 201 (printing control unit 507) generates printing instructions, data, etc. for each job and supplies them to the printing unit 103. The printing unit 103 ejects ink according to the printing data to print the proof jobs determined as the printing targets in S1003 on the proof area 402 on the roll paper P. Also, the job ID is printed near the proof image.

[0121] By the processes of S1004 and S1005, the printing jobs J001, J004, J0007 in the job list 600 are printed on the main printing area 401 of the first roll, and the proof jobs J003, J006, J009 are printed on the proof area 402 of the first roll. Also, the remaining 110 m of the printing job J007 becomes the remaining length of the queue of the first roll. When the printing for one roll is completed, the process proceeds to S1006.

[0122] In S1006, the CPU 201 conveys the portion from the head of the roll paper P to the end of the main printing area 401 to the paper discharge unit 106 and winds it up. Also, the roll paper P is cut at the boundary 405 between the main printing area 401 and the proof area 402, and the printed matter behind the boundary 405, that is, the portion of the proof area 402, is conveyed to the viewing table 122. When the proof printed matter is conveyed to the viewing table 122, the operator checks the proof printed matter.

[0123] In S1007, the CPU 201 receives the input of the result of the visual confirmation by the operator of the proof printed matter. In the following description, the result of the visual confirmation by the operator of the proof printing result is referred to as the proof determination result. The CPU 201 (UI control unit 508) displays a UI 1400 for inputting the job ID of the proof printing and whether the proof determination result is OK (printable for main printing) or NG (not printable for main printing) on the operation unit 130 and receives the input by the operator.

[0124] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a UI 1400 for inputting whether the proof judgment 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 1401 of the UI 1400. Also, the operator visually checks the result of the proof printing, presses the "OK" button 1402 when the main printing can be performed, and presses the "NG" button 1403 when the main printing is not possible.

[0125] In S1008, the CPU 201 switches the process depending on whether the proof result input to the UI 1400 is OK or not. When the "OK" button 1402 is pressed, the process proceeds to S1009, and when the "NG" button 1403 is pressed, the process proceeds to S1010.

[0126] When the proof judgment result is OK, in S1009, the CPU 201 refers to the job list 600 and changes the main-printable flag 670 of the print job associated as the original job of the job ID input in the UI 1400 to "〇".

[0127] When the proof judgment result is NG, in S1010, the CPU 201 (proof setting unit 502) accepts the re-setting of the proof printing for the print job associated as the original job of the job ID input in the UI 1400. That is, the CPU 201 displays the UIs 810 and 900 for performing the proof printing settings on the operation unit 130 and accepts the input by the operator. The operator looks at the proof printout and changes it to the desired print settings.

[0128] In S1011, the CPU 201 (proof job generation unit 503) regenerates a proof job based on the information reset in S1010 and adds it to the job list 600. The processing content is the same as that in S706. By the processing in S1011, the regenerated proof job is also associated with the instance of 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 (job ID "J0021" in FIG. 15).

[0129] When the processing of S1009 or S1011 is completed, in S1012, the CPU 201 determines whether the input of the proof determination result by the operator has been performed for all the printed proof jobs.

[0130] For example, in the example of roll R1 in FIG. 4, OK is input for the proof jobs J0003 and J0009. Therefore, the printable flags of the print jobs J0002 and J0008, which are the original jobs of the proof jobs J0003 and J0009, are changed to "〇". Also, NG is input for the proof job J0006, and the reset of the proof printing is performed.

[0131] If there are still proof jobs for which the proof determination has not been completed (S1012; NO), the process returns to S1007, and the processing of S1007 to S1012 is repeated. If the input of the proof determination result by the operator has been performed for all the printed proof jobs (S1012; YES), the process proceeds to S1013.

[0132] FIG. 15 shows a job list 1500 in a state where the proof determination by the operator has been performed for all the printed proof jobs. Note that FIG. 15 shows the updated part in hatching compared with the job list 600 in FIG. 6.

[0133] The proof job J0021 recreated in S1011 has its job ID and print setting ID changed and overwritten. Also, the print setting ID of J0005, which is the original job of the regenerated proof job J0021, is also changed accordingly. In addition, the bulk print enable flags of the original jobs J0002 and J0008 of the proof jobs J0003 and J0009, which were proof OK, have been changed to "〇".

[0134] In S1013, the CPU 201 determines whether there is an unprocessed print job in the job list 1500. Specifically, by referring to the job queue stored flag 680 in the job list 1500, if there is a print job for which the job queue stored flag is not set to "〇", it is determined that there is an unprocessed job (S1013; YES), and the process returns to S1002.

[0135] If there is an unprocessed job in the job list 1600, the CPU 201 repeats the processing of S1002 to S1013 for the next roll. When there are no unprocessed jobs left in the job list (S1013; NO in FIG. 10), the print control process ends.

[0136] The job list 1500 in FIG. 15 will be referred to for explanation of the subsequent rolls starting from the second roll. (Regarding the second roll) When starting the bulk print determination process (FIG. 12) for the second roll, the remaining queue length Q is 110m. First, the CPU 201 initializes the value B. By the processing of S1202 to S1209, B = 110m (remaining length of the print job J0007 in the first roll) + 300m (J0002) + 600m (J0008) = 1010m > 990m results in.

[0137] Therefore, the remaining 110m of the job J0007 and the print jobs J0002 and J0008, which are the original jobs of the proof jobs J0003 and J0009 that were proof OK in the first roll, are determined to be the printing targets for the bulk print area 401 in the second roll. Also, the remaining queue length Q in the second roll is 1010m - 990m = 20m is calculated as follows.

[0138] From the above, in the main printing area 401 of the second roll, print jobs J0007 (remaining length of 110m), J0002 (300m), and J0008 (580m) are printed, and the remaining queue length Q of the second roll becomes 20m of print job J0008.

[0139] When starting the proof determination process (Figure 13) for the second roll, the CPU 201 initializes the value C. Through the processes of S1302 to S1306, C = 3m (J0021) + 3m (J0011) + 3m (J0013) + 2m (J0015) > 10m is determined. The last added job J0015 is excluded, and three proof jobs J0021, J0011, and J0013 are determined as the printing targets for the proof area 402 of the second roll.

[0140] When the printing results of these three proof jobs are all determined by the operator to be OK, the main print enable flags 670 of the original jobs, which are print jobs J0005, J0010, and J0012, are set to "〇". These print jobs become candidates for printing targets in the main printing area 401 of the third roll.

[0141] (Regarding the third roll) When starting the main print determination process for the third roll, as described above, the remaining queue length Q is 20m. The CPU 201 initializes the value B. Through the processes of S1202 to S1209, B = 20m (remaining length of print job J0008 of the second roll) + 600m (J0005) + 500m (J0010) = 1120m > 990m results.

[0142] Therefore, for the remaining 20 m of job J0008 and two of the printing jobs J0005, J0010 out of the printing jobs J0005, J0010, J0012 linked to the proof jobs J0021, J0011, J0013 that were proof OK in the first roll, they become the printing targets for the main printing area 401 of the second roll. Also, the job queue stored flag for these printing jobs is set to "〇".

[0143] Regarding the printing job J0012, although it is proof OK, it does not enter the main printing area 401 of the second roll, so it is in a state where the main printing available flag is "〇" and the job queue stored flag is "not set". Also, the remaining queue length Q of the third roll is 1120m - 990m = 130m calculated as.

[0144] From the above, in the main printing area 401 of the third roll, the printing jobs J0008 (remaining length 20 m), J0005 (600 m), J0010 (370 m) are printed, and the remaining queue length Q is 130 m of the printing job J0010.

[0145] When starting the proof determination process for the third roll, the CPU 201 initializes the value C. Then, by the processing of S1302 to S1306, C = 3m (J0013) + 2m (J0015) + 2m (J0018) + 3m (J0020) = 10m is obtained. The total value C does not exceed the length of the proof area 402. In this case, at S1305, it is determined whether there is a next job in the job list. In the example of Fig. 15, since there is no job after J0020, the process proceeds to S1309.

[0146] At S1309, the CPU 201 asks the operator whether to start printing. When a print execution instruction is input by the operator, the process proceeds to S1310. In S1310, the CPU 201 determines the jobs added in S1303 as the printing targets for the proof area 402. Therefore, four proof jobs, J0013, J0015, J0018, and J0020, are determined as the printing targets for the proof area 402 of the third roll.

[0147] Since the proof job J0013 has also been printed on the second roll, it is a re-proof print. For such a proof job that has undergone proof printing, if the main printing of the original job is not performed on the next roll, it is preferable to execute the proof printing again. By performing the proof printing on the roll immediately before the main printing, it is possible to prevent the printing state from changing due to changes over time.

[0148] When the printing results of the four proof jobs J0013, J0015, J0018, and J0020 are all determined by the operator to be OK, the main-printable flags of their original jobs J0012, J0014, J0017, and J0019 are set to "〇". These jobs J0012, J0014, J0017, and J0019 become candidates for printing targets in the main printing area of the fourth roll.

[0149] As described above, by performing the printing control process of the first embodiment, in the printing system 100 that uses the continuous sheet P consistently from paper feeding to paper discharging, it is possible to suppress the blank portion generated between the proof printing and the main printing. Also, the printing stop time for the operator to visually confirm the result of the proof printing can be suppressed. That is, in the first embodiment, the printing device 101 sets the front area of the roll paper as the main printing area and the rear area existing behind the front area as the proof area. Then, the main printing of the first printing job is executed in the front area of the first roll paper, and the proof printing of the second printing job different from the first printing job is executed in the rear area of the second roll paper to be used next. The main printing of the second printing job is executed in the front area of the second roll paper.

[0150] As a result, no blank space occurs between the proof printing and the main printing that used to occur, and waste of paper can be suppressed. Also, since the proof printing for the next roll is printed on the previous roll, there is no need to stop the printing for proof determination for each job and wait, which is efficient. Further, since the proof printing is performed collectively on the rear end side of the roll paper, it can be separated and visually confirmed when changing the roll. Therefore, it becomes possible to efficiently perform the proof determination and the main printing according to the determination result.

[0151] In the first embodiment, the lengths of the proof area and the main printing area are fixed values. Also, the total value of the printing lengths of the printing jobs to be printed in the main printing area does not exceed the length of the main printing area, and the total value of the printing lengths of the proof jobs to be printed in the proof area fits within the proof area, so that the jobs to be printed are determined. Therefore, it becomes possible to perform printing without generating a blank portion between the main printing and the proof printing.

[0152] However, if the total of all the printable main printing jobs in the job list does not exceed the length of the main printing area, the subsequent processing may be determined by the operator's judgment. For example, if there is enough time until the delivery date, the CPU 201 waits for the reception of the next job. If there is no margin until the delivery date, even if the printing length of the printing job does not exceed the length of the main printing area, it may be configured to be able to start printing immediately.

[0153] As a specific example, in the flowchart of FIG. 12, the processing (S1214) when the total value B of the added values of the printing lengths Lj of the printing jobs is less than or equal to the length of the main printing area and there is no next job in the job list (S1207; NO → S1208; NO) will be described.

[0154] In S1214, the CPU 201 receives an input of a print start instruction from the operator. When the start instruction is input (S1214; YES), the process proceeds to S1210. In S1210, even if the total value B does not exceed the length of the main print area, the CPU 201 determines that the print jobs used in the calculation of the value B are to be the targets for printing in the main print area. The print jobs determined to be the targets for printing in the main print area are stored in the main print job queue 521. When the print start instruction is not input (S1214; NO), the flowchart in FIG. 12 ends.

[0155] By the process of S1214, even if the total value B of the print lengths Lj of the print jobs is less than or equal to the length of the main print area, when a print start instruction is input by the operator, the printing of the print jobs registered in the job list at that time can be started. In this case, although there may be a possibility of blank spaces on the roll paper, compared with the conventional example (FIG. 3), the blank part is less, which is effective in suppressing the blank part and the standby time. Also, there is an effect in terms of workability that the print processing accumulated in the job list can be executed according to the operator's judgment.

[0156] Also, in S1304 of FIG. 13, a process of comparing the added value of the print length Lp of the proof jobs with the length of the proof area is performed. In this process, when the total of the print lengths of all the proof jobs in the job list does not exceed the length of the proof area, the subsequent process may be determined according to the operator's judgment. For example, when there is a margin until the due date, wait for the next proof job to be generated, and when there is no margin until the due date, even if the total value C of the print lengths of the proof jobs does not exceed the length of the proof area in S1304, a configuration may be adopted such that printing can be started immediately.

[0157] In FIG. 13, the process (S1309) when the total value C of the added values of the print lengths Lp of the proof jobs is less than or equal to the length of the proof area and there is no next job in the job list (S1304; NO → S1305; NO) will be described.

[0158] In S1309, the CPU 201 receives an input of a print start instruction from the operator. When the start instruction is input (S1309; YES), the process proceeds to S1310. In S1310, the CPU 201 determines the proof job used for calculating the value C as the target for printing in the proof area. That is, it determines the proof jobs accumulated in the job list as the targets for printing in the proof area and stores them in the proof job queue 522. When the print start instruction is not input (S1309; NO), the flowchart in FIG. 13 ends.

[0159] Even if the total value C of the print lengths Lp of the proof jobs does not exceed the length of the proof area by the processing of S1309 to S1310, when a print start instruction is input by the operator, the printing of the proof jobs can be started. In this case, although there may be blanks in the proof area, the printing process for the jobs accumulated in the job list can be executed according to the operator's judgment. Also, it is effective in suppressing blank portions and standby time compared to the conventional example (FIG. 3).

[0160] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, an example is shown in which information 430 regarding the proof job such as the job ID and the print setting ID is printed in characters that can be recognized by humans near the proof image. However, the information 430 may be a coded (two-dimensional code or the like) image. In that case, when inputting the result of the proof determination, the job ID manually input by the operator to the UI 1400 may be read and input by a code reader or the like.

[0161] Also, in this embodiment, the operator sets the length of the proof area and the roll paper length A, and determines the length of the main print area based on the set values. However, it is not limited to this, and the operator may set the length of the main print area and the roll paper length A, and determine the length of the proof area based on the set values. Also, the lengths of the proof area and the main print area may be determined by a ratio, for example, with a 10% area of the roll paper length A as the proof area. Also, the sizes of the respective areas may be preset according to the type of sheet even if not set by the operator.

[0162] Also, in this embodiment, the procedure is to generate a raster image at the time of job generation (S706, S707), but it is not limited to this. For example, after determining the print target, a raster image may be generated before storing it in the job queues 521 and 522 (S1211, S1308).

[0163] 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, a plurality of print jobs may be continuously received, and then proof setting and generation of a proof job may be performed at an arbitrary timing desired by the operator.

[0164] Also, an example of printing one proof job for one print job has been shown, 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 operator may select the print setting that is determined to be the best from among the print results of the plurality of proof jobs (print settings), and execute the main print. Also, in the example of FIG. 4, the print order of the print jobs printed in the front area is the same as the print order of the associated proof jobs, but it does not necessarily have to be the same order.

[0165] Also, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, it has been described that the printing apparatus 101 and the host apparatus 140 are connected to each other via a network such as a LAN, but data may be transferred between the apparatuses using a USB memory or the like in an offline state.

[0166] Also, in this embodiment, an example has been shown in which the CPU 201 of the control unit 200 of the main body of the printing apparatus 101 executes the setting and generation of the proof job, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the setting and generation of the proof job may be performed in advance using the host apparatus 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.

[0167] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the first embodiment, the lengths of the front area (main printing area) and the rear area (proof area) of the roll paper are set to fixed lengths, and an example in which the operator sets the length of the proof area in advance (for example, 10 m) was described.

[0168] In the second embodiment, the printing device 101 (CPU 201) dynamically determines the lengths of the main printing area and the proof area according to the printing lengths of the printing jobs and proof jobs registered in the job list. Therefore, the lengths of the main printing area and the proof area will be different for each roll.

[0169] Note that, similar to the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the printing device 101 (CPU 201) performs the main printing of the printable printing jobs (first printing jobs) among the jobs registered in the job list in the front area of the roll paper R1. Also, in the rear area of the roll paper R1, the printing of the proof job associated with the printing job (second printing job) that can have the main printing performed on the roll paper R2 used after the roll paper R1 is executed.

[0170] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a printed matter formed by the printing control of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, proof areas 1611, 1612, 1613 having different lengths for each roll are determined, such as 9 m for the first roll, 6 m for the second roll, 5 m for the third roll, and so on. Note that the point that the proof printing for the printing jobs to be printed in the main printing area 1622 for the rolls R2 and subsequent rolls is printed on the previous roll R1 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0171] Also, when the operator determines that the proof is NG and the main printing cannot be performed, if the printing is continued as it is, the total printing length may not reach 1000 m (roll paper length A), and blank portions may occur in the main printing area. In preparation for such a case, in the second embodiment, an excess proof job is set, and this proof job is also set as a printing target for the proof area of the previous roll. Also in the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the blank space generated between the proof printing and the main printing and suppress the waiting time.

[0172] Since the hardware 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 and duplicate explanations are omitted.

[0173] FIG. 17 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, an area setting unit 1701, a determination unit 1702, a print control unit 507, a UI control unit 508, a confirmation result reception unit 509, an excess setting unit 1704, and the like. The determination unit 1702 includes a main print determination unit 1702a and a proof determination unit 1702b. Also, information such as a job list 510, a main print job queue 521, a proof job queue 522, image data 530, and a queue remaining length 540 is stored in the RAM 202.

[0174] The difference from the functional configuration (FIG. 5) of the first embodiment is that an excess setting unit 1704 is added. Also, the processing contents of the area setting unit 1701 and the determination unit 1702 are different from those of the area setting unit 504 and the determination unit 505 of the first embodiment. Since 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 507, the UI control unit 508, and the confirmation result reception unit 509 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the explanations are omitted.

[0175] The area setting unit 1701 determines the lengths of the proof areas 1611, 1612, 1613 and the main print areas 1621, 1622, 1623 for each roll paper P to be used, based on the print lengths 620 of the print jobs and proof jobs managed in the job list 510 and the roll paper length A. Details of the determination method will be described later.

[0176] The main print determination unit 1702a of the determination unit 1702 determines the print jobs to be printed in the main print area. The main print determination unit 1702a determines the print jobs to be printed in the main print area based on the roll paper length A and the print lengths of the print jobs that can be executed for main printing. Information on whether main printing can be executed or not is set for each print job in the main print enable flag 670 of the job list, as in the first embodiment.

[0177] The main print determination unit 1702a determines the print jobs to be printed in the main print area so that the total value of the print lengths of the print jobs printed in the main print area exceeds the roll paper length A. Also, the remaining pages of the print jobs printed on the immediately preceding roll paper are printed at the head of the main print area of the next roll paper to be used.

[0178] The proof determination unit 1702b determines the proof jobs to be printed in the proof area. The proof jobs to be printed in the proof area of the first roll paper are proof jobs that take, as the original jobs, the print jobs (second print jobs) that may be subject to main printing on the roll paper (second roll paper) to be used thereafter.

[0179] The proof determination unit 1702b extracts a print job that may be printed on the second roll paper based on the information indicating whether the book printing is possible / impossible managed in the job list and the information indicating whether the job is already stored in the job queue. That is, it extracts a print job that is not in a state where book printing can be executed. Then, based on the print length Lj of the extracted print job, the print length Lp of the proof job having the print job as the original job, and the roll paper length A, it determines the proof job to be printed on the proof area of the first roll paper. Note that for the second roll paper and subsequent roll papers, the remaining pages of the print job printed on the immediately preceding roll paper are also considered.

[0180] The information indicating whether the book printing is possible / impossible is managed by the job management unit 501 as the book printing enable flag 670 in the job list. Also, the information indicating whether the job is already stored in the job queue is managed by the job management unit 501 as the job queue stored flag 680 in the job list.

[0181] The surplus setting unit 1704 adds proof jobs for a predetermined surplus number as printing targets for the proof area. 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, it is preferable that the surplus setting unit 1704 displays a UI for accepting the input of the surplus number on the operation unit 130. The determination process of the proof jobs for the surplus number by the surplus setting unit 1704 will be described later.

[0182] Also in the second embodiment, the CPU 201 (job reception unit 500, job management unit 501, proof setting unit 502, proof job generation unit 503) manages jobs in the same manner as in the first embodiment. That is, the CPU 201 executes the job reception and proof job generation process shown in FIG. 7, and sequentially stores the received print job and the generated proof job in the job list. Also, it calculates the print length for each job and stores it in the job list.

[0183] Next, the printing control process executed by the printing apparatus 101 of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of the printing control process in the second embodiment. With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 18, the printed matter shown in FIG. 16, and the job list 600 of FIG. 6, the flow of the printing control process in the second embodiment will be described.

[0184] In S1801, the CPU 201 receives the input of the surplus proof number and the roll paper length A. The CPU 201 displays a UI 2000 as shown in FIG. 19 on the operation unit 130 and receives the input from the operator. The UI 1900 is provided with an input field 1901 for the surplus proof number and an input field 1902 for inputting the roll length (roll paper length A).

[0185] In the example of FIG. 19, "1" is input in the input field 1901 for the surplus proof number, and "1000 (m)" is input in the input field 1902 for the roll length. The roll length 1902 may be automatically acquired from the roll installed in the printing machine.

[0186] In S1802, the CPU 201 initializes the queue remaining length Q used in the process described later to 0 and stores it in the RAM 202.

[0187] In S1803, the CPU 201 (the main printing determination unit 1702a) determines the printing job to be printed in the front area (the main printing area 1621) of the first roll.

[0188] FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the determination process of the main printing target job in the second embodiment. The flowchart of FIG. 20 is the same as the process shown in FIG. 12 except for S2007. That is, in the determination process of the main printing target job of the first embodiment, the total value B obtained by adding the queue remaining length Q and the job length Lj of the printable main printing job is compared with the length of the main printing area, but in the second embodiment, the total value B is compared with the roll paper length A.

[0189] In S2001, the CPU 201 acquires the remaining length of the printing job of the previous roll (queue remaining length). In the case of the first roll when there is no previous roll, the value of the queue remaining length is the initial value "0".

[0190] S2002 to S2006 are the same processes as S1202 to S1206 in FIG. 12. That is, for the queue remaining length Q, the jobs registered in the job list are sequentially referred to, and the printing length Lj of the printing job whose job type is "printing", the main printing available flag is "〇", and the job queue stored flag 680 is "unset" is added (Q + Lj = B). The added total value is set as B.

[0191] In S2007, the CPU 201 determines whether the total value B exceeds the roll paper length A. If the total value B exceeds the roll paper length A (1000 m) (S2007; YES), it proceeds to S2010.

[0192] In S2010, the CPU 201 determines the added printing jobs as the printing targets for the main printing area 1621 of the first roll.

[0193] In the example of the job list in FIG. 6, 0 m (queue remaining length) + 500 m (J0001) + 400 m (J0004) + 200 m (J0007) = 1100 m > 1000 m. Therefore, it is determined that the printing jobs with job IDs J0001, J0004, and J0007 are the printing jobs to be printed in the main printing area 1621 of the first roll.

[0194] In S2011, the CPU 201 stores the printing jobs determined as the printing targets in the main printing job queue 521 in order from the head. In S2012, the CPU 201 changes the job queue stored flag 680 of the printing jobs determined as the printing targets to "〇". In this example, for the printing jobs with job IDs J0001, J0004, and J0007, the job queue stored flag 680 is changed to "〇".

[0195] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a job list 2100 at the stage when a print job to be printed on the first printing area 1621 in S1803 is determined. As shown in FIG. 21, for the print jobs with job IDs J0001, J0004, and J0007, the print enable flag 670 is set to "〇", and the job queue stored flag 680 is set to "〇". Also, for the print job J0016, it is set to not require proofreading by the operator, and the print enable flag 670 is "〇", but the job queue stored flag 680 is set to "not set".

[0196] None of the flags are set for the print jobs J0002, J0005, J0008, J0010, J0012, J0014, J0017, and J0019. Also, as proofreading jobs for these print jobs, J0003, J0006, J0009, J0011, J0013, J0015, J0018, and J0020 are generated.

[0197] In S2013, the CPU 201 calculates the queue remaining length Q and updates the value of the queue remaining length Q stored in the RAM 202.

[0198] In the above example, the queue remaining length Q is 500m (J0001) + 400m (J0004) + 200m (J0007) - 1000m (roll paper length) = 100m That is.

[0199] When the process of S2013 ends, this flowchart ends and proceeds to S1804 in FIG. 18.

[0200] In S1804 of FIG. 18, the CPU 201 (proof determination unit 1702b) determines a proof job to be printed on the rear area (proof area) of the roll paper. The determination process of the proof target job in S1804 will be described with reference to the job list 2100 in FIG. 21 and the flowchart in FIG. 22.

[0201] In the determination process of the proof target job of the second embodiment, the CPU 201 (proof determination unit 1702b) extracts jobs that are in a state where printing is not possible and have not been stored in the job queues 521 and 522 among the jobs registered in the job list. Then, based on the printing lengths Lj, Lp of the extracted jobs, the length A of one roll (= 1000 m), and the remaining queue length Q (= 100 m), a proof job to be printed in the proof area of the roll paper is determined.

[0202] Referring to FIG. 22, first, an example of determining the printing target for the proof area 1611 of the first roll will be described.

[0203] In S2201, the CPU 201 first tentatively determines a proof job to be printed in the proof area 1611 of the first roll. Hereinafter, the proof job determined in the process of S2201 is referred to as a tentative proof job. Note that the determination is made tentatively because an excess proof job is determined in a later process, and the excess proof job is added to finally determine the proof job to be printed in the proof area 1611.

[0204] FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the process of determining the tentative proof job. When starting the flowchart of FIG. 23, it is assumed that the job list 2100 shown in FIG. 21 is registered. Also, the CPU 201 initializes the variable D used in the following calculations (= 0).

[0205] In S2301, the CPU 201 acquires the remaining queue length Q. The remaining queue length Q has been updated to 100 m as a result of the process of S1803 (S2013 in FIG. 20).

[0206] In S2302, the CPU 201 sequentially refers to the jobs registered in the job list 2100 shown in FIG. 21 from the head. In S2303, the CPU 201 determines whether the job type of the job being referenced is "printing". If the job type is "printing", the process proceeds to S2304. If the job type is not "printing", that is, if it is "proof", the process proceeds to S2310.

[0207] In S2304, the CPU 201 determines whether the main printing enable flag of the job being referenced is unset (blank). If the main printing enable flag is blank, the process proceeds to S2305. If the main printing enable flag is set to "〇", the process proceeds to S2310. In S2305, the CPU 201 determines whether the job queue stored flag of the job being referenced is set to "unset". If the job queue stored flag is set to "unset", the process proceeds to S2306. If the job queue stored flag is set to "〇", the process proceeds to S2310.

[0208] In S2306, the CPU 201 obtains the printing length Lj of the printing job being referenced. In S2307, the CPU 201 obtains the job length Lp of the proof job associated with the printing job being referenced. In S2308, the CPU 201 adds the obtained job length Lp of the proof job and the printing length Lj of the printing job to the queue remaining length Q obtained in S2301. At this time, the CPU 201 adds the job length of the proof job first. The calculation formula in S2308 is shown as the following formula (2).

[0209] Q + Lp + Lj = D ···(2)

[0210] In S2309, the CPU 201 determines whether the total value D in formula (2) exceeds the roll paper length A. If the total value D is less than or equal to the roll paper length A (S2309; NO), the process proceeds to S2310.

[0211] In S2310, the CPU 201 proceeds to the next job in the job list and returns to S2302. S2302 to S2310 are repeated, and to the remaining queue length Q, the job lengths Lj of print jobs that are not printable and the print lengths Lp of the proof jobs associated with the print jobs are added until they exceed the length A (1000 m) of one roll.

[0212] Referring to the job list 2100 in FIG. 21, D = 100 m (remaining queue length Q) + 3 m (J0003) + 300 m (J0002) + 3 m (J0006) + 600 m (J0005) = 1006 m > A (1000 m) It becomes.

[0213] When the total value D exceeds the roll paper length A (S2309; YES), it proceeds to S2311. In S2311, the CPU 201 designates jobs of job type "proof" among the added jobs (J0003, J0002, J0006, J0005) as provisional proof jobs. In the above example, the proof jobs J0003 and J0006 are determined as provisional proof jobs. When the provisional proof jobs are determined, this process ends and it proceeds to S2202 in FIG. 22.

[0214] In S2308, jobs of job type "print" among the added jobs are candidates for printing in the main print area of the next roll. That is, the print jobs with job IDs J0002 and J0005 are candidates for main printing on the next roll.

[0215] In S2202 to S2204 in FIG. 22, the CPU 201 performs adjustment processing for the remainder. In S2202, the CPU 201 arranges the jobs of job type "print" (J0002, J0005) among the jobs added in S2308 when determining the provisional proof jobs in descending order of print length. Then, it subtracts the longest print length Lj (J0005; 600 m) from the total value D (1006 m).

[0216] In this example, 1006m (value of D) - 600m (J0005) = 406m. Let the value after subtraction be E. When the remainder is set to "2", subtract the printing lengths Lj of two printing jobs from the longer one.

[0217] In S2203, the CPU 201 adds the job length Lj of the printing jobs that are printable for this printing and not stored in the job queue among the jobs registered in the job list 2100 to the value E calculated in S2202. That is, the CPU 201 refers to the job list shown in FIG. 21 from the beginning, extracts jobs whose job type is "printing", the flag for printable for this printing is "〇", and the flag for stored in the job queue is "not set". Then, it obtains the printing length Lj of the extracted printing job and adds it to the value E. Let the total value be F.

[0218] In this example, E (406m) + Lj (500m (printing length of J0016)) = F (906m). That is, the printing length of the printing job J0016 is added as the surplus for this printing.

[0219] If the value F exceeds the length A (1000m) of one roll, proceed to S2205. In S2205, the CPU 201 determines that the provisional proof job tentatively determined in S2201 is a proof job to be printed in the rear area (proof area 1611) of the first roll.

[0220] On the other hand, if, even after adding up the job lengths Lj of all the printing jobs that are printable for this printing and not stored in the job queue among the jobs registered in the job list 2100, the adjusted value F does not exceed the length A (1000m) of one roll (S2204; NO), proceed to S2206. In this example, since F = 906m and does not exceed 1000m, proceed to S2206.

[0221] In S2206, the CPU 201 refers to the jobs after J0006 (the last of the tentative proof jobs J0003 and J0006) in the job list 2100 of FIG. 21, and extracts print jobs that are not printable. Then, the print length Lj of the extracted jobs and the print length Lp of the proof jobs associated with the print jobs are added in order from the top until they exceed 1000 m. At this time, among the proof jobs associated with the print jobs, the print length Lp of the proof jobs is added first.

[0222] That is, the CPU 201 refers to the jobs in order from job J0007 in the job list 2100 shown in FIG. 21. Then, it extracts jobs whose job type is "print", the proof print flag 670 is not set (blank), and the job queue stored flag 680 is in the state of "not set". The CPU 201 obtains the job length Lj of the extracted jobs. It also obtains the job length Lp of the proof jobs associated with the extracted jobs. Then, it adds them to the adjustment value F (F + Lp + Lj = G).

[0223] In S2207, the CPU 201 determines whether the total value G exceeds the roll paper length A. If the value G exceeds the roll paper length A (1000 m), it proceeds to S2208. If the value G is less than or equal to the roll paper length A (1000 m) (S2207; NO), it returns to S2206.

[0224] In S2208, the CPU 201 determines that, in addition to the determined tentative proof jobs J0003 and J0006, the proof jobs added in S2206 are proof jobs to be printed in the rear area (proof area 1611).

[0225] In the above example, 906 m (value F) + 3 m (print length Lp of J0009) + 600 m (print length Lj of J0008) = 1509 m > 1000 m. Therefore, the proof jobs to be printed in the proof area 1611 of the first roll are the tentative proof jobs with job IDs J0003 and J0006, and the surplus proof job J0009 is added.

[0226] In S2209, the CPU 201 calculates the length of the proof area 1611 of the first roll based on the print lengths of the proof jobs J0003, J0006, and J0009 determined in S2205 or S2208. Also, the length of the main print area 1621 of the first roll is determined.

[0227] Specifically, the length of the proof area 1611 of the first roll is Calculated as 3m (J0003) + 3m (J0006) + 3m (J0009) = 9m. The length of the main print area 1621 of the first roll is calculated by subtracting the length of the proof area 1611 from the roll paper length A, and is calculated as 1000m - 9m = 991m.

[0228] In S2210, the CPU 201 stores the proof target jobs J0003, J0006, and J0009 determined in S2205 or S2208 into the proof job queue 522 in order from the head. At this time, an instruction to print the job ID 430 is added near the proof image. Further, an instruction to print the print setting ID may be disabled. When the processing up to S2210 is completed, the determination process of the proof job in S1804 of FIG. 18 is completed, and the process proceeds to S1805.

[0229] In S1805 of FIG. 18, the CPU 201 (print control unit 507) refers to the main print job queue 521 and sequentially gives a print start instruction to the printing unit 103. The CPU 201 (print control unit 507) generates print instructions, print data, etc. for each job in response to the print start instruction and supplies them to the printing unit 103.

[0230] The printing unit 103 prints the print jobs determined as the print targets in S1803 on the main print area 1621 on the roll paper P by discharging ink according to the print data. Here, among the print jobs to be printed, the portion exceeding the length of 991m of the main print area 1621 (queue remaining length Q) is continuously printed on the next roll (second roll) after the roll replacement.

[0231] When the printing on the first roll's main printing area 1621 is completed, in S1806, the CPU 201 (printing control unit 507) refers to the proof job queue 522 and sequentially gives printing start instructions to the printing unit 103. Upon receiving the printing start instruction, the CPU 201 (printing control unit 507) generates a printing instruction, printing data, etc., and supplies them to the printing unit 103. The printing unit 103 ejects ink according to the printing data. As a result, the proof job and job ID 430, etc. determined in S1804 are printed on the area (proof area 1611) following the area 1621 where the first roll's main printing has been performed.

[0232] In S1807, the CPU 201 adds the length (9 m) of the proof area 1611 determined in S2209 to the remaining queue length (100 m) calculated in S2013 and stores it in the RAM 203. This is because the remaining queue length Q calculated in S2013 is calculated in a state where the length for the proof area 1611 is not secured. By the process of S1807, the remaining queue length is calculated as 109 m (100 m + 9 m).

[0233] The processes of S1808 to S1813 are the same as the processes after proof printing in the first embodiment (S1006 to S1011 in FIG. 10). That is, after the printing of one roll is completed, the CPU 201 cuts the roll paper at the boundary between the main printing area 1621 and the proof area 1611, conveys the portion of the main printing area 1621 to the paper discharge unit 106 for winding, and conveys the portion of the proof area 1611 to the viewing table 122. Then, it receives the proof determination by the operator.

[0234] For the proof job for which proof NG is input, it accepts the resetting of the proof, regenerates the proof job, and overwrites it at the same position in the job list. When proof OK is input, the CPU 201 changes the main printing enable flag 670 of the original job of that proof job to "〇".

[0235] When the process of S1811 or S1813 is completed, it proceeds to S1814. In S1814, the CPU 201 determines whether the operator has input the proof judgment result for all the printed proof jobs. If there are still proof jobs for which the proof judgment has not been completed, it returns to S1809 and repeats the processes of S1809 to S1814. When the operator has performed the proof judgment for all the printed proof jobs (S1814; YES), it proceeds to S1815.

[0236] In S1815, the CPU 201 determines whether there are unprocessed print jobs in the job list. Specifically, the CPU 201 refers to the job queue storage completed flag 680 of each print job. If there is a print job for which the flag is not set to "〇", it determines that there is an unprocessed job (S1815; YES) and returns to S1803.

[0237] If there are unprocessed jobs in the job list, for the next roll, the CPU 201 repeats the processes of S1803 to S1814. If there are no unprocessed jobs (S1815; NO), it ends this flowchart.

[0238] Through the processes of S1801 to S1806 described above, as shown in FIG. 16, in the main printing area 1621 of the first roll, print jobs J0001 (500 m), J0004 (400 m), and J0007 (up to 91 m out of 200 m) are printed. In the proof area 1611 of the first roll, proof jobs J0003 (3 m), J0006 (3 m), and J0009 (3 m; surplus proof) are printed. The remaining queue length up to this point is 109 m. The printing for this remaining queue length is printed at the head of the main printing area 1622 of the next roll (the second roll).

[0239] As a result of the proof determination, it is determined that J0006 is NG and J0003 and J009 are OK. In this case, for J0002 and J0008, which are the original jobs of the proof jobs determined to be proof OK, the print enable flag 670 is set to "〇". Also, for the proof job J0006 determined to be proof NG, proof setting is performed again, and a new job ID J0021 is assigned and overwritten at the position of J0006.

[0240] For the second roll and subsequent rolls, the description will be made with reference to the print result shown in FIG. 16 and the job list in FIG. 21. (Regarding the second roll) The remaining queue length Q at the time of starting the processing of the second roll is 109 m. Also, the print jobs for which the job queue stored flag is not set to "〇" are J0002, J0005, J0008, J0010, J0012, J0014, J0017, and J0019. Among them, for J0002 and J0008, the print enable flag 670 is set to "〇".

[0241] The CPU 201 determines the print job to be printed in the main print area 1622 of the second roll in S1803. By the processing of S2001 to S2009 (Q + Lj = B > A), B = 109 m (remaining length of the print job J0007 in the first roll) + 300 m (J0002) + 600 m (J0008) = 1009 m > 1000 m It becomes.

[0242] Therefore, the remaining part of the job J0007 and the print jobs J0002 and J0008 associated with the proof jobs that were proof OK in the first roll are determined to be the printing targets for the main print area 1622 of the second roll. Also, the remaining queue length Q at this time is, 1009 m - 1000 m = 9 m It is calculated as such. The job queue stored flags 680 of the print jobs J0002 and J0008 are changed to "〇".

[0243] Also, the CPU 201 determines a proof job to be printed in the proof area 1612 of the second roll in S1804. First, by the process of S2201 (S2301 to S2311 in FIG. 23) (Q + Lp + Lj = D > A), 9m (remaining queue length Q of the second roll) + 3m (J0021) + 600m (J0005) + 3m (J0011) + 500m (J0010) = 1115m (D) > 1000m Two proof jobs, J0021 and J0011, are determined as tentative proof jobs.

[0244] Next, an adjustment process for the excess is performed by the processes of S2202 to S2203 for the second roll. D (1115m) - 600m (J0005) + 500m (J0016) = 1015m (F)

[0245] Since, by the determination of S2204, the adjustment value F (1015m) > the roll paper length A (1000m), it proceeds to S2205. The tentative proof jobs J0021 and J0011 are determined as the proof jobs to be printed in the proof area 1612 of the second roll. Therefore, the length of the proof area 1612 of the second roll is 3m (J0021) + 3m (J0011) = 6m. From this result, the length of the main printing area 1622 of the second roll is determined to be 1000m - 6m = 994m.

[0246] From the above results, in the main printing area 1622 (994m) of the second roll, print jobs J0007 (for the remaining length of 109m), J0002 (300m), and J0008 (585m out of 600m) are printed. In the proof area 1612 (6m), proof jobs J0021 (3m) and J0011 (3m) are printed. The remaining queue length becomes 15m (J0008). The job queue stored flag 680 of print jobs J0002 and J0008 is changed to "〇".

[0247] When the printing results of the two proof jobs J0021 and J0011 printed on the second roll are all determined by the operator to be OK, the main printing enable flags of the original jobs J0005 and J0010 are set to "〇".

[0248] (Regarding the third roll) The remaining length Q of the queue at the time of starting the processing of the third roll is 15m. Also, the printing jobs for which the job queue storage completed flag is not set to "〇" are J0005, J0010, J0012, J0014, J0017, and J0019. Among them, for J0005 and J0010, the main printing enable flag 670 is set to "〇".

[0249] The CPU 201 determines the printing job to be printed in the main printing area 1623 of the third roll in S1803. By the processing of S2001 to S2009 (Q + Lj = B > A), 15m (remaining length of the printing job J008 on the second roll) + 600m (J0005) + 500m (J0010) = 1115m > 1000m Therefore, the remaining part of the job J0008 and the printing jobs J0005 and J0010 linked to the proof jobs that were proof OK on the second roll are determined to be the printing targets for the main printing area 1623 of the third roll.

[0250] Also, the remaining length Q of the queue at this time is, 1115m - 1000m = 115m The job queue storage completed flags 680 of the printing jobs J0005 and J0010 are changed to "〇".

[0251] Also, the CPU 201 determines the proof job to be printed in the proof area 1613 of the third roll in S1804. First, by the processing of S2201 (S2301 to S2311 in Figure 23) (Q + Lp + Lj = D > A), 115m (remaining length of the queue of J0010) + 3m (J0013) + 400m (J0012) + 2m (J0015) + 700m (J0014) = 1220m (D) > 1000m Therefore, two proof jobs, J0013 and J0015, are determined as tentative proof jobs.

[0252] Next, the excess adjustment process is performed by the processing of S2202 to S2203 in the third roll. D(1220m) - 700m(J0014) + 500m(J0016) = 1020m(F) is calculated.

[0253] Since the adjustment value F(1020m) > the roll paper length A(1000m) by the determination of S2204, the process proceeds to S2205. The tentative proof jobs J0013 and J0015 are determined as the proof target jobs for the third roll. Therefore, the proof area 1613 of the third roll is 3m(J0013) + 2m(J0015) = 5m As a result, the length of this printing area 1623 is 1000m - 5m = 995m is finalized.

[0254] From the above results, in the third roll's main printing area 1623 (995m), printing jobs J0010 (for the remaining 15m), J0005 (600m), and J0010 (380m out of 500m) are printed, and the remaining queue length is 120m for printing job J0010. In the proof area 1613 (5m), proof jobs J0013 (3m) and J0015 (2m) are printed. The job queue stored flags 680 for printing jobs J0005 and J0010 are changed to "〇".

[0255] If the printing results of the two proof jobs J0013 and J0015 printed in the third roll are all determined by the operator to be OK, the main print enable flags of their original jobs, J0012 and J0014, are set to "〇". Thereafter, the process is repeated until there are no unprocessed printing jobs in the job list (printing jobs with the job queue stored flag "unset"). When there are no printing jobs to process, the printing control process shown in FIG. 18 ends.

[0256] As described above, by performing the print control process of the second embodiment, in the printing system 100 that consistently uses the continuous sheet P from paper feeding to paper discharging, it is possible to suppress the blank portion generated between the proof printing and the main printing. Also, the print waiting time during proof determination can be suppressed.

[0257] Further, in the first embodiment, it was necessary for the operator to set the appropriate length of the proof area. However, in the second embodiment, the control unit 200A refers to the print length of the job registered in the job list and determines the length of the proof area for each roll. As a result, even an inexperienced operator can operate the printing apparatus 101 so as to suppress the blank portion between the proof printing and the main printing and to suppress the print stop time.

[0258] Note that, in the second embodiment, the job to be printed on the main print area was determined such that the total value of the print lengths of the print jobs to be printed on the main print area exceeded the roll paper length A. However, if the total of all the printable main print jobs in the job list does not exceed the roll paper length A, the subsequent process may be determined by the operator's judgment. For example, if there is enough time until the delivery date, wait for the reception of the next job. If there is no enough time until the delivery date, even if the print length of the print job does not exceed the roll paper length A, the print target for the main print area may be immediately determined and printing may be started.

[0259] Also, in S2309 of FIG. 23, a process of comparing the added value (D = Q + Lp + Lj) of the queue remaining length Q, the print length Lp of the proof job, and the print length Lj of the print job with the roll paper length A is performed. Also, in S2204 of FIG. 22, a process of comparing the adjustment value F for the surplus with the roll paper length A is performed. Also, in S2207, a process of comparing the added value (G = F + Lp + Lj) of the adjustment value F, the print length Lp of the proof job, and the print length Lj of the print job with the roll paper length A is performed.

[0260] Even in these processes, when the values D, F, and G do not exceed the roll paper length A, the subsequent processes may be determined by the operator's judgment. For example, if there is enough time until the delivery date, the next job may be waited for. If there is no time left until the delivery date, even if the values D, F, and G do not exceed the roll paper length A, the printing target for the proof area may be determined immediately and printing may be started.

[0261] Also, in the second embodiment, in case there is a proof with an NG result in the proof determination, surplus proof printing is performed. Therefore, even if there is an NG in the determination result of the proof printing, as long as the number of NGs is within the set surplus number, no blank will occur on the roll paper to be used next, and no printing waiting time will occur.

[0262] Note that the example shown in the second embodiment explained the case where there is a print job with "printable" in the job list when starting the process of the first roll. However, if there is no print job with "printable", different processes may be executed only for the first roll.

[0263] <Another example of the process for the first roll> When there is no print job with the "printable" flag in the job list set to "〇" for the first roll, proof printing may be executed in the front area of the roll paper for the first roll. Also, for the rear area, the main printing of the print job associated with the proof job determined to be OK among the proof printings in the front area is executed.

[0264] Specifically, for the first roll, the CPU 201 controls to collectively print a plurality of proof jobs among the jobs registered in the job list in the front area (the first area) of the roll paper. Also, the CPU 201 controls to execute the main printing of the print job determined to be proof OK among the print jobs managed in the job list in association with the proof job printed in the first area in the second area existing behind the first area.

[0265] In this case, the CPU 201 determines a plurality of proof jobs to be printed in the first area based on the length of the path from the printing position to a position where the result of the proof printing can be visually confirmed. As a result, for the first roll as well, printing can be executed without creating a blank space between the first area and the second area.

[0266] Also, the CPU 201 may determine a plurality of proof jobs to be printed in the first area based on the roll paper length A, and the printing lengths of the printing job and the proof jobs. That is, the printing job and the proof jobs to be printed on the first roll are determined such that the total value of the printing lengths of the printing job and the proof jobs exceeds the roll paper length A, and control is performed to continuously print the proof jobs in the first area.

[0267] Also, the CPU 201 controls to execute the main printing of the printing jobs that were proof OK among the printing jobs managed in the job list in association with the proof jobs printed in the first area in the second area existing behind the first area. As a result, for the first roll as well, printing can be executed without creating a blank space between the first area and the second area.

[0268] However, since time is required to stop printing for proof determination in the processing of the first roll, it is preferable to use the printing control method of the first or second embodiment described above for the second roll and subsequent rolls.

[0269] As described above, the embodiments according to the present disclosure have been described 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 come up with various modification examples or correction examples within the scope of the technical idea disclosed in the present application, and it is naturally understood that those also belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0270] <Other Embodiments> The present disclosure can also be implemented by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and causing one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus to read and execute the program. It can also be implemented by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0271] Note that the disclosure of the above-described embodiments includes the following configurations.

[0272] (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 proof printing job and a main printing job; and The control means executes the printing of the main printing job in the first printing job in a front region that is a region including the leading portion in the conveyance direction of the first continuous sheet, and controls the printing means to execute the printing of the proof printing job in the second printing job different from the first printing job in a rear region that is a region including the trailing end portion in the conveyance direction of the first continuous sheet. A printing apparatus characterized by the above.

[0273] (Configuration 2) The control means controls the printing means to execute the printing of the main printing job in the second printing job in the front region of a second continuous sheet used after the first continuous sheet. A printing apparatus according to Configuration 1, characterized by the above.

[0274] (Configuration 3) The control means controls the printing means to execute the printing of the proof printing job in the second printing job on the first continuous sheet used immediately before the second continuous sheet. A printing apparatus according to Configuration 2, characterized by the above.​​

[0275] (Configuration 4) The control means controls the printing means such that the remaining pages of the main printing job in the first printing job printed on the first continuous sheet are printed in the front area of the second continuous sheet used next to the first continuous sheet The printing apparatus according to Configuration 2 or Configuration 3, characterized in that

[0276] (Configuration 5) The printing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the lengths of the front area and the rear area are fixed

[0277] (Configuration 6) The printing apparatus according to Configuration 5, further comprising area setting means for setting the lengths of the front area and the rear area based on an input by an operator

[0278] (Configuration 7) The printing apparatus according to Configuration 5 or Configuration 6, further comprising first determination means for determining, for each continuous sheet, the first printing job to be printed in the front area and the second printing job to be printed in the rear area

[0279] (Configuration 8) Information on whether or not the main printing can be executed is managed in association with the main printing jobs in a plurality of the printing jobs, respectively The first determination means determines the first printing job based on the length of the front area and the printing length, which is the length when the main printing job having information that the main printing can be executed is printed The printing apparatus according to Configuration 7, characterized in that

[0280] (Configuration 9) The first determination means ​​Determine the first printing job such that the total value of the printing lengths of the book printing jobs printed in the front area exceeds the length of the front area. The printing apparatus according to Configuration 8, characterized in that.

[0281] (Configuration 10) The printing apparatus according to Configuration 9, characterized in that the total value includes the length when printing the remaining pages of the book printing jobs printed on the continuously used sheet immediately before.

[0282] (Configuration 11) Starting means for starting printing based on an instruction by an operator when the total value is less than or equal to the length of the front area. The printing apparatus according to Configuration 9 or Configuration 10, further comprising the starting means.

[0283] (Configuration 12) A plurality of printing jobs are managed, The first determining means, determines the second printing job based on the length of the rear area and the length when printing the proof printing job in the managed printing jobs. The printing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 7 to 11, characterized in that.

[0284] (Configuration 13) The first determining means, determines the second printing job such that the total value of the lengths when printing the proof printing jobs printed in the rear area is within the length of the rear area. The printing apparatus according to Configuration 12, characterized in that.

[0285] (Configuration 14) The printing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that the lengths of the front area and the rear area are determined for each continuous sheet.

[0286] (Configuration 15) A plurality of printing jobs are managed, The lengths of the front area and the rear area are determined according to the total length of the continuous sheet and the lengths when printing the main printing job and the test printing job in the managed printing job, which is characterized by the printing apparatus according to Configuration 14.

[0287] (Configuration 16) Second determination means for determining, for each continuous sheet, the first printing job to be printed on the front area and the second printing job to be printed on the rear area The printing apparatus according to Configuration 14 or Configuration 15, further comprising this.

[0288] (Configuration 17) Information on whether or not main printing can be executed is managed in association with the main printing jobs in the plurality of printing jobs, respectively. The second determination means determines the first printing job based on the total length of the continuous sheet and the printing length, which is the length when printing the main printing job having information that main printing can be executed, which is characterized by the printing apparatus according to Configuration 16.

[0289] (Configuration 18) The second determination means determines the first printing job so that the total value of the printing lengths of the main printing jobs having information that main printing can be executed exceeds the total length of the continuous sheet. This is the printing apparatus according to Configuration 17, characterized by this.

[0290] (Configuration 19) The total value includes the length when printing the remaining pages of the main printing job printed on the immediately preceding continuous sheet used, which is the printing apparatus according to Configuration 18, characterized by this.

[0291] (Configuration 20) Information on whether or not main printing can be executed is managed in association with the main printing jobs in the plurality of printing jobs, respectively. The second determining means determines the second print job such that the total value of the lengths when printing the book print job not in a state where the book print can be executed and the proof print job associated with the book print job exceeds the total length of the continuous sheet The printing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 16 to 19, characterized in that

[0292] (Configuration 21) The printing apparatus according to Configuration 20, characterized in that the total value includes the length when printing the remaining pages of the book print job printed on the continuous sheet used immediately before

[0293] (Configuration 22) When the proof print job of the second print job to be printed on the rear area of the first continuous sheet is determined by the second determining means, the length of the front area of the first continuous sheet is determined The printing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 16 to 21, characterized in that

[0294] (Configuration 23) Start means for starting printing based on an instruction by 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 18 or 19, further comprising

[0295] (Configuration 24) The printing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 16 to 23, further comprising surplus setting means for setting the surplus proof print job as the printing target for the rear area

[0296] (Configuration 25) The printing apparatus further comprises reception means for receiving an input of a confirmation result by an operator with respect to the printing result of the proof print job For the main print job associated with the trial print job for which an input indicating permission for the main print has been made by the reception means, information indicating that the main print can be executed is associated therewith, the printing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 24.

[0297] (Configuration 26) The printing job further includes inquiry means for inquiring an operator whether to perform the trial print for the printing job, For the printing job for which it has been confirmed by the inquiry means that the trial print is not to be performed, information indicating that the main print can be executed is associated therewith, the printing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 24.

[0298] (Configuration 27) The control means, controls the printing means to print the identification information of the printing job near the image of the printing job, the printing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 26. characterized in that

[0299] (Configuration 28) A printing control method for controlling printing on a continuous sheet, printing is controlled based on a printing job composed of a trial print job and a main print job, executing the printing of the main print job in the first printing job in a front region which is a region including the head portion in the conveyance direction of the first continuous sheet; executing the printing of the trial print job in the second printing job different from the first printing job in a rear region which is a region including the rear end portion in the conveyance direction of the first continuous sheet; characterized by including.

[0300] (Configuration 29) 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 print job composed of a trial print job and a main print job, executing printing of the main print job in the first print job in a front region that is a region including the leading portion in the conveyance direction of the first continuous sheet; executing printing of the trial print job in a second print job different from the first print job in a rear region that is a region including the trailing portion in the conveyance direction of the first continuous sheet; 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 trial printing job and a main printing job, The control means, Executes the printing of the main printing job in the first printing job in a front region which is a region including the leading portion in the conveyance direction of the first continuous sheet, Controls the printing means so as to execute the printing of the trial printing job in a second printing job different from the first printing job in a rear region which is a region including the trailing end portion in the conveyance direction of the first continuous sheet A printing apparatus characterized by the above.

2. The control means, Executes the printing of the main printing job in the second printing job in the front region of a second continuous sheet used after the first continuous sheet Controls the printing means as A printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The control means, Executes the printing of the trial printing job in the second printing job on the first continuous sheet used immediately before the second continuous sheet Controls the printing means as A printing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. The control means, Controls the printing means so that the remaining pages of the main printing job in the first printing job printed on the first continuous sheet are printed in the front region of the second continuous sheet used after the first continuous sheet as A printing apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

5. A printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lengths of the front region and the rear region are fixed.

6. The printing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising area setting means for setting lengths of the front area and the rear area based on an input by an operator.

7. First determination means for determining, for each continuous sheet, the first print job to be printed in the front area and the second print job to be printed in the rear area The printing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising the same.

8. Information on whether or not the main printing is executable is managed in association with each of the main printing jobs in the plurality of print jobs, The first determination means determines the first print job based on the length of the front area and the print length which is the length when printing the main printing job having information that the main printing is executable. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, characterized by the above.

9. The first determination means determines the first print job such that the total value of the print lengths of the main printing jobs printed in the front area exceeds the length of the front area. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, characterized by the above.

10. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the total value includes the length when printing the remaining pages of the main printing job printed on the immediately preceding continuous sheet used.

11. Start means for starting printing based on an instruction by an operator when the total value is less than or equal to the length of the front area The printing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising the same.

12. A plurality of the print jobs are managed, The first determination means Determine the second print job based on the length of the rear area and the length when the trial print job in the managed print job is printed. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that.

13. The first determining means is Determine the second print job so that the total value of the lengths when the trial print job printed in the rear area is printed is within the length of the rear area. The printing apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that.

14. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lengths of the front area and the rear area are determined for each continuous sheet.

15. A plurality of the print jobs are managed, The printing apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the lengths of the front area and the rear area are determined according to the total length of the continuous sheet and the lengths when the full-color print job and the trial print job in the managed print job are printed.

16. Second determining means for determining, for each continuous sheet, the first print job to be printed in the front area and the second print job to be printed in the rear area. The printing apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising.

17. Information on whether or not full-color printing can be executed is managed in association with each of the full-color print jobs in the plurality of print jobs. The second determining means is The printing apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the first print job is determined based on the total length of the continuous sheet and the print length which is the length when the full-color print job having information that full-color printing can be executed is printed.

18. The second determining means is Determine the first printing job such that the total value of the printing lengths of the jobs for the book printing having information indicating that the book printing is executable exceeds the total length of the continuous sheets. The printing apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that.

19. The printing apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the total value includes the length when printing the remaining pages of the job for the book printing printed on the continuous sheet used immediately before.

20. Information indicating whether the book printing is executable is managed in association with each of the jobs for the book printing in the plurality of printing jobs. The second determining means. Determine the second printing job such that the total value of the lengths when printing the job for the book printing that is not in a state where the book printing is executable and the job for the trial printing associated with the job for the book printing exceeds the total length of the continuous sheet. The printing apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that.

21. The printing apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that the total value includes the length when printing the remaining pages of the job for the book printing printed on the continuous sheet used immediately before.

22. When the job for the trial printing of the second printing job to be printed on the rear region of the first continuous sheet is determined by the second determining means, the length of the front region of the first continuous sheet is determined. The printing apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that.

23. Starting means for starting printing based on an instruction by 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 18, further comprising.

24. The printing apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising surplus setting means for setting the surplus job for the trial printing as the printing target for the rear region.

25. The printing apparatus further comprises a reception unit configured to receive an input of a confirmation result by an operator with respect to a printing result of the trial printing job, wherein information indicating that the main printing is executable is associated with the main printing job associated with the trial printing job for which an input indicating permission of the main printing has been received by the reception unit, according to the printing apparatus of claim 1.

26. The printing apparatus further comprises an inquiry unit configured to inquire an operator whether to perform the trial printing with respect to the printing job, wherein information indicating that the main printing is executable is associated with the printing job for which it has been confirmed by the inquiry unit that the trial printing is not to be performed, according to the printing apparatus of claim 1.

27. The control unit controls the printing unit to print identification information of the printing job near an image of the printing job, according to the printing apparatus of claim 1.

28. A printing control method for controlling printing on a continuous sheet, comprising: controlling printing based on a printing job including a trial printing job and a main printing job; executing printing of the main printing job in the first printing job in a front region which is a region including a head portion in a conveyance direction of a first continuous sheet; and executing printing of the trial printing job in a second printing job different from the first printing job in a rear region which is a region including a rear end portion in a conveyance direction of the first continuous sheet. The printing control method is characterized by including the above steps.

29. 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 print job composed of a trial print job and a main print job. A step of executing printing of the main print job in the first print job in a front region that is a region including a leading portion in the conveyance direction of the first continuous sheet. A step of executing printing of the trial print job in a second print job different from the first print job in a rear region that is a region including a trailing portion in the conveyance direction of the first continuous sheet. A program including the above.

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