Printing control device and printing control method

Abstract

To suppress printing from being stopped due to running out of a paper.SOLUTION: A printing control device, which controls a printing device which comprises: a first paper feeding part that hampers another paper feeding part from conveying paper on a conveyance path when a paper is set; a second paper feeding part that does not hamper another paper feeding part from conveying paper on the conveyance path, when paper is set, where the conveyance path from the second paper feeding part is not hampered when a paper is set on the other paper feeding part; and switching means that switches a first state where the first paper feeding part feeds paper to a second sate where the second paper feeding part feeds paper in response to running-out of paper in the first paper feeding part, during printing of a plurality of papers, is provided with control means that controls the printing device so that notification of prompting papers to be replenished into the first paper feeding part is made, in the second state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the control of a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In a printing device with multiple paper feed trays, automatic switching technology is known in which the same paper is loaded into multiple paper feed trays to prevent job interruptions due to paper running out during printing. If one paper feed tray runs out of paper, paper is automatically fed from the other paper feed tray. Examples of such technology include switching between cassettes and manual feed units, or switching from cassette 1 to cassette 2, or from cassette 2 to the manual feed unit. Patent Document 1 describes a device in which the transport path from each paper feed tray passes through the upper paper feed tray, and when there are multiple paper feed trays available for paper feeding, paper is fed preferentially from the lower paper feed tray. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-148629 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, for example, when a job involving a large amount of printing is submitted to a printing device with two paper feed trays, the device first starts feeding paper using the lower paper feed tray, and when the lower paper feed tray runs out of paper, it switches to the upper paper feed tray. After that, the lower paper feed tray can be refilled with paper while paper is being fed from the upper paper feed tray, but when it switches back to the lower paper feed tray, it cannot be refilled with paper while paper is being fed from the lower paper feed tray. In other words, the job is interrupted when the device runs out of paper.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to prevent printing from being interrupted due to paper shortage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention is a printing control device that controls a printing device having a first paper feed unit that interferes with paper transport on a transport path from another paper feed unit when paper is set, a second paper feed unit that does not interfere with paper transport on a transport path from the other paper feed unit when paper is set, and a switching means that switches from a first state in which paper is fed from the first paper feed unit to a second state in which paper is fed from the second paper feed unit when the first paper feed unit runs out of paper while printing multiple sheets, and is characterized by having a control means that controls the first paper feed unit to issue a notification in the second state to prompt the user to replenish paper. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent printing from being interrupted due to running out of paper. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram illustrating the internal configuration of a printing device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printing apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 illustrates a state in which the upper cassette is pulled out while the lower cassette is feeding paper. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a paper feed port switching control process during execution of a print job. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a first notification screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a second notification screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a second notification screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall internal configuration of a printing device according to this embodiment, as seen from the side. In the printing device 1 shown in FIG. 1, the left side is the front side and the right side is the rear side. In addition, of the horizontal directions in the printing device 1 shown in FIG. 1, the left side is the forward direction and the right side is the rear direction. The printing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is equipped with an inkjet printing unit. Note that the printing method is not limited to inkjet printing, and other printing methods such as electrophotography may be used. In addition to the printing unit, the printing device may also be equipped with other functional units, such as a scanner unit.

[0011] The printing device 1 has a paper feed cassette 110 that holds paper to be fed. The paper feed cassette 110 is made up of a first cassette 112, a second cassette 113, a third cassette 114, and a fourth cassette 114 that are stacked vertically. The first cassette 112 is located on the top row. The fourth cassette 115 is located on the bottom row. Each cassette of the paper feed cassette 110 is stored inside the main body of the printing device 1, and is pulled out forward from the front of the printing device 1 to replenish or replace paper. In this embodiment, the paper feed cassette 110 is made up of four cassettes, but it does not have to be four as long as there are two or more cassettes.

[0012] The printing device 1 feeds paper from a paper feed cassette 110. The fed paper is transported from the paper feed position to the printing position through a paper feed path. At the printing position, the printing device 1 performs a recording operation based on image data using a recording head 111, and prints on the paper. The paper on which the recording operation has been performed at the printing position is transported to a paper discharge outlet 118.

[0013] The printing device 1 has a manual feed tray 119 that holds paper to be fed. Paper is loaded on the manual feed tray 119 while it is exposed to the outside of the main body of the printing device 1. In other words, the manual feed tray 119 can be replenished or changed with paper without being pulled out from inside the main body of the printing device 1. The printing device 1 can also feed paper from the manual feed tray 119. Paper fed from the manual feed tray 119 is transported to the printing position through a paper feed path. Paper that has been recorded on at the printing position is transported to the paper discharge outlet 118.

[0014] The printing device 1 has multiple transport rollers for transporting paper from the paper feed position to the paper discharge port 118. Elements represented by circles in the figure represent the transport rollers. Transport roller 116 is used when pulling out paper loaded in the first cassette 112. Reverse path 117 is used during double-sided printing. The printing device 1 uses the reverse path 117 to reverse the paper and print on both sides of the paper.

[0015] When printing starts with paper loaded in the first cassette 112 and the first cassette 112 is selected as the paper feed port to be used for paper feeding, the printer 1 uses a transport roller 116 attached to the first cassette 112 to pull out the paper one sheet at a time. The pulled-out paper 1101 is transported to the printing position through a paper feed path. After the recording operation is performed on the paper 1101 at the printing position, the paper 1101 is discharged face down (with the side on which the image is formed facing downwards) to the paper discharge port 118.

[0016] The operation panel 404 is a touch panel display or the like, and is provided on the front side of the printing device 1. The operation panel 404 displays a UI screen that accepts input operations from the user and various types of information that are presented to the user.

[0017] 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of printing device 1. Printing device 1 mainly has a print engine unit 200 as a printing section, a scanner unit 300 as a scanner section, and a controller unit 400 that controls the entire printing device 1. Printing device 1 is an example of a print control device.

[0018] First, the controller unit 400 will be described. The controller unit 400 includes a main controller 401, a RAM 406, a ROM 407, an image processing unit 408, and an operation panel 404. The controller unit 400 also includes a host IF 402, a wireless IF 403, and a server IF 410.

[0019] The host IF 402, wireless IF 403, and server IF 410 are interfaces for transmitting and receiving data to and from external devices and server devices that can communicate via wired or wireless communication. The external device is, for example, a PC (personal computer) or smartphone on which a dedicated application for the printing device 1 is installed. By starting the dedicated application, the external device has the function of generating a print job as print data for printing image data on the printing device 1 and transmitting the print job and print instructions to the printing device 1. The external device also has the function of receiving information regarding the status of the printing device 1 from the printing device 1. The main controller 401 receives print jobs and print instructions from the external device and transmits information regarding the status of the printing device 1 to the external device via the host IF 402, etc.

[0020] The print engine IF 405 is an interface that connects to the controller IF 201 of the print engine unit 200 and exchanges data including various commands with the print engine unit 200. The print engine unit 200 controls various mechanisms of the print engine unit 200 according to instructions from the main controller 401.

[0021] The scanner IF 409 is an interface that is connected to the controller IF 301 of the scanner unit 300 and exchanges data with the scanner unit 300. The scanner unit 300 controls various mechanisms of the scanner unit 300 according to instructions from the main controller 401.

[0022] The main controller 401 is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the entire printing device 1. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 406 temporarily stores various types of data. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 407 stores various programs and various types of data. The main controller 401 also uses the RAM 406 as a working memory to execute various programs stored in the ROM 407, etc.

[0023] The operation panel 404 is a touch panel display or the like, and is capable of displaying characters, figures, indicators, etc. The main controller 401 controls the display contents of the operation panel 404. The operation panel 404 displays a copy screen for issuing instructions for copy operations, a setting screen for making various settings such as the print mode, and a notification screen for notifying the status of the printing device 1. The operation panel 404 may also have switches, hard keys, etc. for the user to perform input operations.

[0024] Image processing unit 408 performs predetermined image processing on image data included in a print job input via host IF 402 or the like, in accordance with instructions from main controller 401. Then, main controller 401 transmits the image data that has undergone image processing to print engine unit 200 via print engine IF 405.

[0025] Next, the print engine unit 200 will be described. Print engine unit 200 has a controller IF 201, print engine controller 202, ROM 203, RAM 204, image processing controller 205, head IF 206, and transport control unit 207. Print engine controller 202, which is configured by a CPU, controls various mechanisms provided in print engine unit 200 in accordance with programs and various parameters stored in ROM 203, etc., using RAM 204 as a work area.

[0026] The controller IF 201 is an interface that connects to the print engine IF 405 of the controller unit 400 and exchanges data between the print engine unit 200 and the controller unit 400. When the print engine controller 202 receives various commands and image data from the controller unit 400 via the controller IF 201, it temporarily stores them in the RAM 204.

[0027] The print engine controller 202 controls the image processing controller 205 to generate print data from the image data stored in the RAM 204. When the print data is generated, the print engine controller 202 performs a printing operation based on the print data using the print head 111 via the head I / F 206 under the control of the main controller 401. At this time, the print engine controller 202 drives the conveyance rollers shown in FIG. 1 via the conveyance control unit 207 under the control of the main controller 401 to convey paper. In this way, the print process is performed by performing the printing operation using the print head 111 in conjunction with the paper conveyance.

[0028] ROM 203 also stores various parameter setting values ​​such as N-in-1 printing (N is an integer), double-sided printing or single-sided printing, color printing or monochrome printing, photo printing or document printing, etc. When applying parameter settings for each user, main controller 401 can input setting values ​​input from operation panel 404 to print engine unit 200 via print engine IF 405 and reflect them in the print settings.

[0029] Next, the scanner unit 300 will be described. The scanner unit 300 includes a controller IF 301, a scanner controller 302, a RAM 303, a transport control unit 304, and a sensor 305. The controller IF 301 is connected to a scanner IF 409 of the controller unit 400 and is an interface for exchanging data between the scanner unit 300 and the controller unit 400. The scanner controller 302 receives various commands from the controller unit 400 via the controller IF 301. The scanner controller 302 transports a document placed on an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) by a user via the transport control unit 304, reads the document using a sensor 305, and stores the read image data in RAM 303. The print engine controller 202 can also perform a printing operation based on the image data read using the print head 111 by converting the read image data into print data under the control of the main controller 401.

[0030] <Automatic paper feed slot switching function> The printing device 1 according to this embodiment has a function for switching paper feed ports without user input (hereinafter referred to as an automatic paper feed port switching function). In this embodiment, the paper feed ports include paper feed cassettes 110 (first cassette 112, second cassette 113, third cassette 114, and fourth cassette 115) and a manual feed tray 119. With the automatic paper feed port switching function, when paper is loaded in the paper feed port, the appropriate paper feed port can be selected and switched depending on the paper size, paper type, and type of print job to be printed.

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a state in which the upper cassette is pulled out forward when the lower cassette is being used for paper feeding. FIG. 3 also shows a state in which the third cassette 114, located directly above the fourth cassette 115, is pulled out when paper is being used for paper feeding. As shown in FIG. 3, the transport path for paper 1101 fed from the fourth cassette 115 passes in front of the third cassette 114. Therefore, when the third cassette 114 is pulled out forward, the transport path is blocked by the third cassette 114, causing a paper jam. In other words, when paper is set in a cassette, the transport of paper from the cassette below it is blocked. Therefore, it is not possible to refill a cassette above the cassette being used for paper feeding with paper.

[0032] On the other hand, when paper is set in manual feed tray 119, paper transport from paper feed cassette 110 is not interrupted. Furthermore, when paper is set in paper feed cassette 110, paper transport from manual feed tray 119 is not interrupted. In other words, paper can be replenished in manual feed tray 119 while paper feed cassette 110 is being used for paper feeding, and paper can also be replenished in paper feed cassette 110 while manual feed tray 119 is being used for paper feeding.

[0033] Next, we will explain the control that is used when switching the cassette being used for paper feeding when the same type of paper is set in both the upper and lower cassettes. In this case, if the upper cassette is given priority over the lower cassette, the upper cassette will run out of paper first. However, if the printer subsequently switches from the upper cassette to the lower cassette, the upper cassette cannot be refilled with paper while the lower cassette is being used for paper feeding. On the other hand, if the printer gives priority to the lower cassette over the upper cassette, if the lower cassette runs out of paper and then switches from the lower cassette to the upper cassette, the lower cassette can be refilled with paper while the upper cassette is being used for paper feeding.

[0034] Therefore, the automatic paper feed port switching function of this embodiment is controlled so that lower cassettes are given priority over upper cassettes, and the fourth cassette 115, third cassette 114, second cassette 113, and first cassette 112 are selected in that order, and finally the manual feed tray 119 is selected. In other words, the order of priority when switching the paper feed port is, from highest to lowest, the fourth cassette 115, the third cassette 114, the second cassette 113, the first cassette 112, and the manual feed tray 119.

[0035] <Paper feed port switching control process> 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of paper feed port switching control processing during execution of a print job. The processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is realized by main controller 401 loading a program stored in ROM 407 or the like into RAM 406 and executing it. In the following explanation, each process (step) is represented by adding an S to the beginning, and the notation of the process (step) is omitted. The processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is executed when a print job involving printing multiple sheets is started.

[0036] In S401, when the main controller 401 starts a print job, it selects a paper feed port (first cassette 112, second cassette 113, third cassette 114, fourth cassette 115, and manual feed tray 119) based on the settings of the print job and feeds paper. Here, since the appropriate paper feed port differs depending on the paper size and paper type, any paper feed port may be selected. The main controller 401 performs printing processing by performing a printing operation on the fed paper using the print head 111 based on the print job.

[0037] In S402, the main controller 401 determines whether the print job has ended. If the print job has ended, the series of processes in the flowchart ends, and if the print job is continuing, the process proceeds to S403. In S403, the main controller 401 determines whether or not there is paper in the paper feed slot being used for paper feeding. For example, the paper feed cassette 110 may be provided with a remaining sheet number detection sensor that detects the number of sheets of paper stored therein, and the main controller 401 may determine whether or not there is paper based on the sensor value of the remaining sheet number detection sensor in the cassette being used for paper feeding. If there is paper, the process proceeds to S402; if there is no paper, the process proceeds to S404.

[0038] In S404, the main controller 401 determines whether there is a cassette in which paper of the same size as the paper feed slot being used for paper feeding is set. Note that although the same size paper is used here, the same type of paper may be used as long as the paper is the same type. If there is a cassette in which paper of the same size is set, the process proceeds to S405. If there is no cassette in which paper of the same size is set, the process proceeds to S409.

[0039] In S405, the main controller 401 determines whether there are multiple cassettes containing paper of the same size as the paper feed port being used for paper feeding. If there are multiple cassettes, the process proceeds to S408, and if there is only one, the process proceeds to S406.

[0040] In S406, the main controller 401 determines whether or not paper of the same size as the paper feed port being used for paper feeding is set in the manual feed tray 119. If paper of the same size is set, the process proceeds to S408, and if not, the process proceeds to S407.

[0041] In S407, the main controller 401 issues a notification urging the user to replenish paper in the manual feed tray 119. In this embodiment, a first notification screen including a message urging the user to replenish paper in the manual feed tray 119 is displayed on the operation panel 404. The main controller 401 may issue the notification by voice using a speaker (not shown) or the like. The main controller 401 may also control the display of the first notification screen to be displayed on the display unit of an external device, such as a smartphone, that has transmitted a print job or print instruction to the printing device 1 via the wireless IF 403 or the like.

[0042] 5 shows an example of a first notification screen displayed on operation panel 404. First notification screen 501 displays a message urging the user to load paper of the same size as the paper being fed into manual feed tray 119. Note that first notification screen 501 does not have to be continuously displayed on operation panel 404 during printing, but may be displayed as a pop-up for a certain period of time, or may be hidden when operation panel 404 is touched.

[0043] For example, suppose that when a print job is started, the fourth cassette 115 is selected and paper feeding begins. If the fourth cassette 115 later runs out of paper and only the third cassette 114 has paper of the same size set, paper feeding switches to the third cassette 114. When paper feeding switches to the third cassette 114, a state occurs in which no cassettes other than the third cassette 114 have paper of the same size set, and no paper of the same size has been set in the manual feed tray 119 either. In this state, the main controller 401 displays a first notification screen on the operation panel 404 to prompt the user to replenish paper in the manual feed tray 119. As described above, the manual feed tray 119 does not interfere with the transport of paper from the paper feed cassette 110, so paper can be replenished even when paper is being fed from the paper feed cassette 110.

[0044] In S408, the main controller 401 switches paper feeding to another cassette among the paper feed cassettes 110 other than the cassette currently being used for paper feeding, or to the manual feed tray 119, in accordance with the priority order of the automatic paper feed port switching function. This allows the printing process to continue.

[0045] In S409, the main controller 401 determines whether or not paper of the same size as the paper feed port being used for paper feeding is set in the manual feed tray 119. If paper of the same size is set, the process proceeds to S413; if not, the process proceeds to S410.

[0046] In S410, the main controller 401 determines that there is no paper feed port from which paper can be fed, stops the printing process, and displays a notice on the operation panel 404 that paper is out. In S411, the main controller 401 determines whether or not paper of the same size as the paper feed port being used for paper feeding has been replenished in the paper feed cassette 110 or the manual feed tray 119. The process waits in S410 until paper has been replenished, and if paper has been replenished, the process proceeds to S412.

[0047] In S412, the main controller 401 restarts the printing process by starting paper feeding from the manual feed tray 119. In S413, the main controller 401 switches to paper feeding from the manual feed tray 119. This allows the printing process to continue. Here, it is assumed that the main controller 401 switches from the first cassette 112 to the manual feed tray 119 in response to the fact that the first cassette 112 is running out of paper while feeding paper. This causes paper to be fed from the manual feed tray 119. The first cassette 112 is an example of a first paper feed unit. The manual feed tray 119 is an example of a second paper feed unit.

[0048] In S414, main controller 401 issues a notification urging the user to replenish paper in paper feed cassette 110 while paper is being fed from manual feed tray 119. In this embodiment, a second notification screen including a message urging the user to replenish paper in paper feed cassette 110 is displayed on operation panel 404. As described above, the paper transport path from manual feed tray 119 is not obstructed when paper is being set in paper feed cassette 110, so paper can be replenished in paper feed cassette 110 even while paper is being fed from manual feed tray 119. Note that main controller 401 may compare the number of remaining sheets of paper loaded in manual feed tray 119 with the number of sheets of paper predicted to be required for the print job being executed, and may perform control so as not to issue a notification if the number of remaining sheets of paper is greater than the number of sheets required.

[0049] 6 shows an example of a second notification screen displayed on the operation panel 404 when paper is being fed from the manual feed tray 119. The second notification screen 601 displays a message urging the user to load paper of the same size as the paper being fed into the paper feed cassette 110. The main controller 401 may issue the notification by voice using a speaker (not shown) or the like. The main controller 401 may also control the display of an external device, such as a smartphone, that sent a print job to the printing device 1 via the wireless IF 403 or the like to display the second notification screen.

[0050] FIG. 7 shows another example of the second notification screen displayed on the operation panel 404 when paper is being fed from the manual feed tray 119. The second notification screen 701 is displayed on the operation panel 404 in the same way as the second notification screen 601. In this embodiment, the lower cassette has a higher priority when switching between paper feed slots, so paper is fed from the lower cassette before the upper cassette. When paper is being fed from the lower cassette, loading paper into the upper cassette will obstruct paper transport from the lower cassette, making it impossible to load paper into the upper cassette. Therefore, the second notification screen 701 displays a message urging the user to load paper in the cassettes in order from the upper to the lower cassettes.

[0051] According to this embodiment, when setting paper, it is possible to prompt the user to replenish paper in paper feed cassette 110 while feeding paper from manual feed tray 119, which does not obstruct the paper transport path from paper feed cassette 110. This allows paper to be replenished in the cassette while paper is being fed from the manual feed tray, thereby preventing printing from being interrupted.

[0052] The various controls described above as being performed by the main controller 401 may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or the entire device may be controlled by a plurality of pieces of hardware (e.g., a plurality of processors or circuits) sharing the processing. Furthermore, although the present invention has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-described embodiments merely represents one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be combined as appropriate.

[0053] In the above-described embodiment, various notifications are controlled by the main controller 401 of the printing device 1. However, various notifications may also be controlled by a CPU of an external device (such as a PC or smartphone) on which dedicated application software (e.g., a printer driver) for the printing device 1 is installed. In this case, the printing device 1 may exchange data with the external device to share information about the status of paper set in each paper feed slot and information about the paper feed slot being used for paper feeding with the external device. For example, when the external device detects, based on information received from the printing device 1, that the first cassette 112 has run out of paper and that paper feeding has subsequently switched to manual feed tray 119, the external device may control the external device to display a first notification screen on its display.

[0054] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0055] The disclosure of the above-described embodiments includes the following configurations, methods, programs, and storage media. (Configuration 1) a first paper feed unit that prevents paper from being conveyed along a conveyance path from another paper feed unit when paper is set; a second paper feed unit that does not interfere with paper transport on a transport path from another paper feed unit when paper is set in the second paper feed unit, and the transport path from the second paper feed unit is not interfered with when paper is set in the other paper feed unit; During printing of a plurality of sheets, in a first state in which paper is being fed from the first paper feed unit, in response to the first paper feed unit running out of paper, a switching means for switching to a second state in which paper is fed from the second paper feed unit; A print control device that controls a printing device having a control means for controlling the first paper feed unit to issue a notification urging the user to replenish the paper in the second state; A print control device comprising: (Configuration 2) The print control device described in configuration 1, characterized in that the second paper feed unit is at least one of a paper feed unit in which paper is loaded while exposed to the outside of the main body of the printing device, a paper feed unit in which paper can be replenished without mechanical changes, and a manual paper feed unit. (Configuration 3) The printing control device described in configuration 1 or 2 is characterized in that when the first paper feed unit runs out of paper, if the same type of paper as that set in the first paper feed unit is set in the second paper feed unit and a third paper feed unit that is a paper feed unit other than the first and second paper feed units, the switching means switches to a state in which paper is fed from the third paper feed unit in priority to the second paper feed unit. (Configuration 4) The printing control device described in configuration 3 is characterized in that, when there are multiple paper feed units in which the same type of paper as that set in the first paper feed unit is set, the switching means prioritizes the paper feed unit with the longest transport path from the paper feed position to the printing position where printing is performed on the transported paper. (Configuration 5) The printing control device described in any one of configurations 1 to 4 is characterized in that, when paper of the same type as the paper set in the first paper feed unit is not set in a paper feed unit other than the first and second paper feed units, and is not set in the second paper feed unit either, the control means issues a notification urging the user to set the same type of paper in the second paper feed unit. (Configuration 6) The printing control device described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that in the second state, the control means controls to issue a notification urging the first paper feed unit to replenish paper before paper feed units other than the first and second paper feed units. (Configuration 7) A printing control device described in any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that the first paper feed unit is a cassette stored inside the main body of the printing device, and is pulled out from the main body when setting paper, thereby preventing paper from being transported in the transport path from the cassette stored below. (Configuration 8) The printer further includes a receiving unit that receives information about the paper feed units being used for paper feeding and the paper sheets set in each paper feed unit during printing; The printing control device described in any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that when the control means detects, based on information received by the receiving means, that the first state has been switched to the second state in response to the first paper feed unit running out of paper, it controls the device to issue a notification in the second state prompting the user to replenish paper in the first paper feed unit. (Configuration 9) 9. The print control device according to configuration 8, wherein a printer driver is installed. (method) a first paper feed unit that prevents paper from being conveyed along a conveyance path from another paper feed unit when paper is set; a second paper feed unit that does not interfere with paper transport on a transport path from another paper feed unit when paper is set in the second paper feed unit, and the transport path from the second paper feed unit is not interfered with when paper is set in the other paper feed unit; a switching means for switching from a first state in which paper is fed from the first paper feed unit to a second state in which paper is fed from the second paper feed unit when the first paper feed unit runs out of paper during printing of a plurality of sheets; A printing control method for controlling a printing device having a control step of controlling the printer to issue a notification to prompt the user to replenish paper in the first paper feed unit in the second state; A printing control method comprising: (program) A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the print control device described in any one of configurations 1 to 9. (storage medium) A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the print control device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1: Printing device, 110: Paper feed cassette, 119: Manual feed tray, 404: Operation panel

Claims

1. a first paper feed unit that prevents paper from being conveyed along a conveyance path from another paper feed unit when paper is set; a second paper feed unit that does not interfere with paper transport on a transport path from another paper feed unit when paper is set in the second paper feed unit, and the transport path from the second paper feed unit is not interfered with when paper is set in the other paper feed unit; During printing of a plurality of sheets, in a first state in which paper is being fed from the first paper feed unit, in response to the first paper feed unit running out of paper, a switching means for switching to a second state in which paper is fed from the second paper feed unit; A print control device that controls a printing device having a control means for controlling the first paper feed unit to issue a notification urging the user to replenish paper in the second state; A print control device comprising:

2. 2. The printing control device according to claim 1, wherein the second paper feed unit is at least one of a paper feed unit in which paper is stacked while exposed to the outside of the main body of the printing device, a paper feed unit in which paper can be replenished without mechanical changes, and a manual paper feed unit.

3. The printing control device described in claim 1, characterized in that when the first paper feed unit runs out of paper, if the same type of paper as that set in the first paper feed unit is set in the second paper feed unit and a third paper feed unit that is a paper feed unit other than the first and second paper feed units, the switching means switches to a state in which paper is fed from the third paper feed unit in priority to the second paper feed unit.

4. The printing control device described in claim 3, characterized in that when there are multiple paper feed units in which the same type of paper as that set in the first paper feed unit is set, the switching means prioritizes the paper feed unit with the longest transport path from the paper feed position to the printing position where printing is performed on the transported paper.

5. The printing control device described in claim 1, characterized in that the control means issues a notification urging the user to set the same type of paper in the second paper feed unit when the same type of paper as the paper set in the first paper feed unit is not set in any paper feed unit other than the first and second paper feed units, and is not set in the second paper feed unit either.

6. The printing control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the second state, the control means controls to issue a notification urging the first paper feed unit to replenish paper before paper feed units other than the first and second paper feed units.

7. The printing control device described in claim 1, characterized in that the first paper supply unit is a cassette stored inside the main body of the printing device, and is pulled out from the main body when setting paper, thereby preventing paper from being transported in the transport path from the cassette stored in the lower level.

8. The printer further includes a receiving unit that receives information about the paper feed units being used for paper feeding and the paper sheets set in each paper feed unit during printing; The printing control device described in claim 1, characterized in that when the control means detects, based on the information received by the receiving means, that the first state has been switched to the second state in response to the first paper feed unit running out of paper, it controls the device to issue a notification in the second state prompting the user to replenish paper in the first paper feed unit.

9. 9. The print control device according to claim 8, wherein a printer driver is installed.

10. a first paper feed unit that prevents paper from being conveyed along a conveyance path from another paper feed unit when paper is set; a second paper feed unit that does not interfere with paper transport on a transport path from another paper feed unit when paper is set in the second paper feed unit, and the transport path from the second paper feed unit is not interfered with when paper is set in the other paper feed unit; a switching means for switching from a first state in which paper is fed from the first paper feed unit to a second state in which paper is fed from the second paper feed unit when the first paper feed unit runs out of paper during printing of a plurality of sheets; A printing control method for controlling a printing device having a control step of controlling the first paper feed unit to issue a notification urging the user to replenish paper in the second state; A printing control method comprising:

11. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the print control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. 10. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the print control device according to claim 1.

Images