Print media source processing printer and method therefor

Abstract

To provide a print media source processing printer and a method therefor.SOLUTION: A print media source processing printer comprise: a print controller comprising a print queue and print jobs thereof; a print media source scheduler to schedule the plurality of print media sources; and a dynamic print media request list. The dynamic print media request list contains a requested amount and kind of print media in chronological order based on the jobs in the print queue and accumulated for each kind of print media. Each print media source is configured to hold a stack of print media. The print media source scheduler comprises a representation of the print media source which indicates if the print media source is in use or will be in use, and how long the print media source will be in use. Upon loading print media at a print media source, unloading print media from a print media source and / or updating the print queue, both the dynamic print media request list and the print media source scheduler are updated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a print media source processing printer that includes multiple print media sources and a print controller that includes a print queue containing print jobs.

[0002] The print media source can be a tray or a pallet. [Background technology]

[0003] Operators in high-speed industrial environments working with multimedia printers face the daily challenge of keeping their printers running. One critical aspect of this continuity challenge is providing the printer with the right amount and type of print media in a timely manner. Not only the print media itself is important, but also the destination of the requested print media. While opening a busy tray stops the engine, opening an unused tray is safe because it does not stop the printing process. Second, unloading unused print media and loading new types of print media can be time-consuming and quite inefficient, especially when the printer supports large print media sizes. For printers that can load print media via stack feeders and / or traditional tray feeders, the amount of print media requested also plays an important role. Operators can use a print job scheduler, as described in U.S. Patent No. 8,953,997. Such a print job scheduler includes a vertical list of all input trays and an output stacker at the bottom. Each of these input trays has a bar-like timeline attached to it, indicating when and for how long the media in the tray will be used (green), when the tray is about to run out of media (orange), and when there is no media in the tray (red). The operator's goal is to keep these bars green, which is similar to the idea of ​​continuous operation. When the bar is orange, the operator must first shift their gaze upward to see when this will happen in the future (how much time remains), and then shift their gaze to the left side of the screen to see which trays are empty and which media are needed. The number of media needed is not displayed on this screen, but can be calculated / estimated by the operator on another job screen. There is also no distinction between input trays. In reality, which print media source is used is determined by built-in controls, so it is inefficient for the operator not to have control over it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 8,953,997 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 9,457,980 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer that assists the operator in making optimal choices between loading print media sources. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a print medium source processing printer as claimed in claim 1, a method as claimed in claim 6, and a computer program as claimed in claim 7.

[0007] The present invention is based on a dynamic print media request list combined with a timeline-like overview of the printer and its current print media resources, shown on the user interface of the printer according to the present invention. On one side of the user interface screen, the user interface screen shows the quantity and type of print media requested chronologically based on print jobs in the queue. On the other side of the user interface screen, the user interface screen shows all of the printer's print media sources, the print media source (tray or pallet) in use, when the print media source is currently being used or will be used (active or queued), and the period of time during which the print media source will be used. By loading or unloading print media or updating the print job queue, the dynamic list of print media requests and the timeline overview are updated accordingly. Thereby, the object of the present invention is achieved.

[0008] More specific optional features of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the print media source is a pallet or tray.

[0010] According to one embodiment, a print media source processing printer includes a user interface for displaying a dynamic print media request list and a visualization of a print media source scheduler that includes multiple print media sources in separate digital objects, each separate digital object including a timeline and an amount of print media loaded in the print media source that is scheduled for use within a time frame indicated by the timeline, and each print media source is visualized with a dedicated digital object that is scheduled by the print media source scheduler.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the user interface includes a job application window for displaying print jobs in the print queue that can be opened separately from the visualization of the print media source scheduler.

[0012] According to another embodiment, upon selection of a digital object representing a print media source, a drill-down screen is displayed that includes print jobs in a print job queue that have print media loaded in the print media source.

[0013] The present invention also provides a method for scheduling print media at a print media source for a print media source processing printer according to the present invention, comprising: - receiving a print job at a print queue of a print media source processing printer, the print job requiring print media; - accumulating, for each type of print media in the print media request list, the amount of print media required by the print job; - associating print media in the print media request list with a print media source; - scheduling print media sources, including corresponding cumulative quantities and types of print media, in a timely manner by a print media source scheduler of the print media source processing printer; - displaying the scheduled print media sources together with the corresponding accumulated amounts of print media in a time schedule on a user interface of the print media source processing printer; The present invention relates to a method comprising:

[0014] The present invention also relates to a computer program product comprising computer readable code embodied in a computer readable medium, said computer readable code comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to the present invention in a print medium source processing printer according to the present invention.

[0015] The invention further relates to a computer readable medium having stored thereon the computer program product described above.

[0016] Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of example only. Various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[0017] The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of example only and are not intended to limit the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a printer according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic top view of a printer according to the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a user interface screen of a printer user interface according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a flow chart of a method according to the present invention; [Figure 5]1 is a schematic diagram of a computer-readable medium according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the several views to identify the same or similar elements.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a sheet printer 1. An input module 4 on the right includes one or more input stack supports 2 that support at least one stack 3 of sheets. The stack supports may be pallets or print media trays. Individual sheets are removed from the stack 3 by the input module 4, which places the sheets into an input path of the printer 1. The input module 4 may include a separator for removing individual sheets from the stack 3. The input path feeds the sheets into a print path section, shown as a straight, linear path, where the sheets are processed for printing on the sheets. The print path section includes a switch 5 positioned at the intersection of the input path and a duplex path, which is configured to return printed sheets to the print path. Thus, the sheets on the print path may be a mixture of unprinted sheets and sheets printed on one side.

[0021] The printing path comprises a first registration unit 6 downstream of the switch 5. The first registration unit 6 comprises a first sheet detector 5 for detecting the position and orientation of each sheet. The sheet orientation is, for example, the angle of the sheet's leading or leading edge relative to the transport direction X. Depending on the measured position and orientation, the first registration unit 6 controls its registration drive 7 to position the sheet at a predetermined position and / or align the sheet in a predetermined orientation, for example with the sheet's leading edge perpendicular to the transport direction X so that the sheet is parallel to the printhead assembly 10.

[0022] The registered sheet then passes through a coater 9, which applies a liquid coating to at least a portion of the surface being treated. The coater 9 may, for example, comprise an array of printheads configured to eject droplets of the coating liquid, or may comprise a roller for transferring the coating liquid as it rolls over the sheet. Any suitable coating liquid may be applied, such as, for example, Canon ColorGrip. The coating liquid preferably forms a continuous coating on the sheet, which enables or improves bonding of the color ink to the sheet.

[0023] The coated sheet advances to printhead assembly 10, which jets one or more layers of colored ink onto the coated sheet. Printhead assembly 10 is preferably a page-width array of inkjet printheads to enable highly productive printing.

[0024] The jetted color inks are then fixed onto the sheet by a fixing unit 11. The fixing unit 11 adds or removes energy to or from the sheet, causing the jetted color inks to undergo a phase change. The fixing unit 11 may include a cooler and / or a heater, such as a radiative heater using UV or IR light, a hot air blower such as an impingement blower, or a contact heater, such as a heated transport belt or drum. Alternatively or additionally, the fixing unit 11 may include a curing station that emits light at a wavelength that induces a chemical reaction in the color inks and / or coating liquids, causing them to solidify.

[0025] A second registration unit 12 is provided downstream in the printing path to adjust the position and / or orientation of the sheet. This second registration unit 12 may be configured similarly to the first registration unit 6. The second registration unit 12 may be adapted to position and / or orient the sheet relative to a particular discharge position, e.g., stacking position. The second registration unit 12 may have its own registration drive 27 and may be equipped with a sheet detector 13, or may derive the position of the sheet by tracking the movement of the sheet after detection by the first sheet detector 7.

[0026] At the end of the printing pass, a further switch 26 is provided to selectively route the sheet into a duplexing path or to an ejection position. The duplexing path preferably includes a turn station that flips the sheet over so that the sheet exits the duplexing path with the unprinted side ultimately facing the printhead assembly 10. The ejection position in FIG. 1 includes a stacker 20 that collects printed sheets into a further stack 16 on a pallet 30 on a pallet support 21. The stacker 20 includes a stacking unit 15 that receives the printed sheets and stacks them on top of each other into stack 16. In one example, the stacking unit 15 may include a rotatable flip wheel that includes one or more slots around its circumference for holding the leading edge of the sheet. By rotating the flip wheel while it holds the sheet, the sheet is flipped, and then released from the slot when the leading edge of the sheet contacts a stop on the bottom side of the flip wheel. Such a stacking unit is known from US 9457980 B2, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The pallet support 21 of the stacker 20 is provided on a lift 22 so that its position in the vertical direction Z can be adjusted so that, when the stack height is increased, the top of the stack 16 is located at the operating height of the stacking unit 15. The pallet support 21 is configured to support a pallet 30, but may also be suitable for stacking sheets directly on top of it when a pallet is not present.

[0027] 2 shows a top view 200 of a print media source processing printer according to the present invention. The print media source processing printer comprises a middle section 250 comprising, from the right side of section 250 in FIG. 2 to the left side of section 250, a printhead, a coater, a dryer, and a printing path.

[0028] On the right side of Figure 2, there are two positions 205, 210 for processing pallets. The first position 205 may contain a first pallet containing a stack of sheets scheduled to be processed as soon as the printer is ready. The second position 210 may contain a second pallet currently loaded or to be loaded with a stack of sheets to be processed after processing of the first pallet at the first position 205. A transport mechanism (not shown), e.g., equipment for automatic pallet exchange, is configured to move the second pallet from the second position to the first position.

[0029] Also on the right side of FIG. 2 are positions 215 for one or more print media trays for holding print media to be processed by the printer 1.

[0030] 2 are two positions 290, 295 for pallets configured to collect processed sheets received from the left side of the middle section 250 of the printer 1. A user interface 285 is positioned near the printer 1 and is connected to the printer 1 by wire or wirelessly. In another more preferred embodiment, the user interface is integrated into or attached to the printer 1 near position 205.

[0031] 3 shows a user interface screen 300 according to the present invention. The user interface screen 300 is presented to an operator on the user interface 285 of the printer 1 shown in FIG.

[0032] On the left side of the user interface screen 300, a print media request list 34 according to the present invention is provided. The print media request list 34 includes print media derived from the print job specifications of print jobs arriving in the print queue (not shown) of the printer 1. From the print job specifications, the quantity and type of print media are derived. The quantities are accumulated for each type of print media and then entered as entries in the print media request list 34. For each entry, the print media request list 34 includes an ETA time (estimated time of arrival), the name of the print media, the weight of the print media, the number of sheets of print media, the height of the number of sheets of print media when stacked, the status of the print media, and the time remaining until the print media is processed.

[0033] On the right side of the user interface screen 300, a print media source scheduler is presented in several columns 371-375. The first column 371 is a (vertical) timeline, and the other columns 372-375 represent the number and type of print media sources for printer 1. Columns 372-375 contain the print media sources scheduled by the print media source scheduler. Block items 35, 36, 38, and 39 indicate when and for how long a print media source is used, independent of the output stacks exiting the other end of the printer, i.e., positions 290 and 295 shown in FIG. 2 . The type of print media for a print media source and the amount of print media in that print media source are presented in headers 402-405 of the corresponding print media source columns 372-375, respectively. The amount of print media in a print media source is shown in the form of a digital number and a picture of the print media source with the corresponding sheet height. In this example, there are four print media sources: two print media pallets (columns 372, 373) and two print media trays (columns 374, 375).

[0034] The four print media sources are automatically scheduled in a timely manner by the print media source scheduler. The operator does not need to specify the print media source to be used in the future and the time of use via the user interface 285 of the printer 1. The printer 1 itself determines how to use the tray or pallet most efficiently. For example, when an automatic pallet change is performed, the printer must remove print media from the tray during that time. Once the automatic pallet change is complete, the printer continues to use print media from the new pallet. This automation of the print media source scheduling results in highly productive usage of the printer 1, i.e., the printer 1 achieves a very high utilization rate.

[0035] The location of print media source block items 35, 36, 38, 39 in print media source columns 372-375, together with the timeline in first column 371, determines the start and end times of use of the print media source (pallet or tray) represented by the block item. The timeline in column 371, together with print media source columns 372-375, indicates when and for how long the print media source is used. One long block in columns 372-375 that has an "active" status and represents a print media source in use can result in multiple (small) output stacks at the other end of printer 1.

[0036] The top horizontal bar displays tiles 31, 32, and 33, which respectively show the printing system status, the planned production volume per pallet and / or tray and per print job, and the time remaining until the next media request from one of the print media sources.

[0037] The color or any other visual element of the block items 35, 36, 38, 39 may indicate whether the print media source is in use or will be used in the near future. For example, palette 35 in column 372 and tray 375 are in a dark color because they are active, i.e., in use. Palette 36 in column 373 and tray 39 in column 375 are in a lighter color because they are not in use but are queued for use. For example, palette 36 is scheduled to be processed after palette 35 is processed.

[0038] In this example, Figure 3 shows a user interface screen for a printer with four print media sources of two different types: pallets and trays. However, in accordance with the present invention, printers with at least two print media sources of at least one type of pallet and / or tray are also considered within the scope of the present invention. For example, printers with multiple trays, printers with multiple pallet feeders, and printers with multiple trays and multiple pallet feeders are conceivable.

[0039] Hereafter, the schedule calculation method of the print media source scheduler will be explained using two examples.

[0040] In a first example, assume that the printer is empty, the print media source is empty, and two print jobs have been received in the print job queue: Print Job 1 requires 20 sheets of print media A, and Print Job 2 also requires 20 sheets of print media A and an additional 10 sheets of print media B. Print Job 1 starts at 10:00, and based on the length of the jobs, Print Job 2 starts at 10:05. If the printer does not have print media available, the printer triggers a print media request action for the operator. The printer requests 20 sheets of print media A by 10:00, 20 more sheets of print media A by 10:05, and 10 sheets of print media B by 10:05. According to the present invention, the sum of all similar print media requests is calculated and displayed chronologically in a print media request list. In the first example, the print media request list consists of only two media requests: print media A, which requires 40 sheets (job 1 and job 2 combined) at 10:00, and print media B, which requires 10 sheets at 10:05. This is very beneficial to the operator because the operator can simply load at least 40 sheets of print media A for both jobs at the same time and handle print media A without having to load it multiple times. The print media request list, which contains the print media requests, also functions as a shopping list for the operator. This helps the operator quickly retrieve the right amount of print media from the warehouse at the right time.

[0041] In a second example, which is similar to the first example, a new job requiring print medium C arrives in the print job queue between jobs 1 and 2. In this case, the print media source scheduler does not calculate the total for all print media A. The print media scheduler first requests print medium A, then requests print medium C, and then requests print medium A again. It is up to the operator to decide whether to handle both print media requests for print medium A simultaneously, or to split the print media requests in time since there are jobs between the jobs that use print medium A. This actually depends on the print job queue and its job lengths.

[0042] While the first and second examples above refer to very small print media requests, in reality, for a high-volume printer, the quantities are much larger, e.g., thousands of sheets (a pallet full of paper) and significantly longer jobs. Displaying these quantities helps the operator decide where to place the print media (tray or pallet). For example, if there is a media request that includes a very large amount of print media, the operator will choose a pallet over a tray.

[0043] The media source scheduler, displayed on the right side of the user interface screen 300, includes a visualization 402-405 of all engine media sources, and also displays the type and amount of media loaded for each media source. It also displays which trays / pallets are in use and which are not. This display can help the operator determine which trays can be safely opened without having to stop the printer. If the operator opens a tray that is in use, the printer will stop printing.

[0044] Below the visualizations 402-405, columns 372-375 contain a timetable-like representation of every print media source (tray or pallet). The contents of this timetable are based on the print jobs in the print job queue. The length of blocks 35-39 in each print media source column 372-375 is determined by the print jobs in the print job queue and the printer's logic for where to obtain print media when multiple print media sources contain similar print media. To be more efficient, the printer determines where to collect print media based on the available print media and the location of the print media sources. This timetable representation shows how long a print media source is currently being used, but can also indicate whether the print media source is scheduled (queued) for use with a later job. This latter aspect can help the operator determine whether and which trays can be unloaded.

[0045] 3, there is a small time lag between the use of pallet 35 and pallet 36. This is because when pallet 35 has been completely processed and therefore emptied, it must be removed from its position in order to move pallet 36 to the same position. This movement can be done manually or, preferably, by a transport mechanism that is part of printer 1 to allow for automatic pallet exchange.

[0046] Figure 4 is a flow chart of the method according to the invention. The method starts at a starting point A and proceeds to a first step S1.

[0047] In a first step S1, print jobs are received at a print queue of a print media source processing printer, and these print jobs require print media.

[0048] In a second step S2, the amount of print media required by the print job for each print media type is accumulated and collected in a print media request list in the printer's memory.

[0049] In a third step S3, the print media in the print media request list are associated with a print media source. The third step S3 of assigning media requests to print media sources is preferably performed manually by an operator using the printer's user interface. In particular, the operator assigns print media types to print media sources.

[0050] In a fourth step S4, the print media source scheduler schedules the use of the print media sources of the print media source processing printer in a timely manner. This scheduling is based on the print media (type and quantity) available at the print media sources in the printer. Taking the above availability into account, the print media source scheduler defines when and for how long which print media source will be used.

[0051] In a fifth step S5, the scheduled print media sources, together with the corresponding cumulative amounts of print media, are displayed as a time schedule on the user interface of the print media source processing printer. The print media sources are displayed as a time schedule on the user interface of the printer, for example, as shown in FIG.

[0052] The method ends at endpoint B.

[0053] 5 illustrates a schematic representation of a non-transitory software medium 110 according to the present invention. The software medium 110 includes executable code 102 that, when executed, is configured to perform a method according to the present invention, for example, as described with respect to the printer shown in FIG. 1, or according to the method shown in FIG. 4 and / or any of the variations and modifications of the printers and / or methods described herein.

[0054] The non-transitory software medium 110 may be formed as, among other things, a CD or CD-ROM, a DVD or DVD-ROM, a Blu-ray disc or Blu-ray-ROM disc, a magnetic hard drive, a solid-state disk (SSD) hard drive, a USB memory device, and the like.

[0055] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that various alternative and / or equivalent implementations exist. It should be understood that the exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting in scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description are intended to provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, and it should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents. In general, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.

[0056] It is also to be understood that, as used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," "including," "containing," "containing," "having," and "having," as well as their conjugations, are intended to be understood in an inclusive (i.e., non-exclusive) sense, and that the processes, methods, devices, apparatuses, or systems described herein are not limited to the described features, components, elements, or steps, but may include other elements, features, components, or steps not expressly listed or inherent in such processes, methods, articles, or apparatuses. Furthermore, the term "a," as used herein, is intended to mean one or more, unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects or establish any importance ranking of the objects.

[0057] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be modified in many ways. Such variations should not be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended that all such modifications obvious to those skilled in the art be included within the scope of the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 sheet printer 2. Loading stack support 3. Stack 4. Input module 5 Switch 6 First Registration Unit 7 Registered Drive 9 Coater 10 Printhead Assembly 11 Fuser unit 12 Second Registration Unit 13 Sheet detector 15 Stacking Unit 16 stacks 20 stacker 21 Pallet support 26 Switch 27 Registered Drive 34 Print Media Request List 35, 36, 38, 39 Block items 250 middle part 285 User Interface 300 User Interface Screens

Claims

1. 1. A print media source processing printer comprising: a print controller including a plurality of print media sources; a print queue including print jobs; a print media source scheduler for scheduling the plurality of print media sources; and a dynamic print media request list, the dynamic print media request list includes a chronological order of requested print media quantities and types, accumulated for each print media type, based on jobs in the print queue; each print media source configured to hold a stack of print media; the print media source scheduler includes a representation of the print media source indicating, for each print media source, whether the print media source is in use or will be used in the future, and a time period during which the print media source will be used in the future; When a print media source is loaded with print media, when a print media source is unloaded with print media, and / or when the print queue is updated, both the dynamic print media request list and the print media source scheduler are updated accordingly; Print media source processing printer.

2. 10. The printer of claim 1, wherein the print media source is a pallet or a tray.

3. 3. The print media source processing printer of claim 1, wherein the print media source processing printer comprises a user interface for displaying a dynamic print media request list and a visualization of a print media source scheduler including multiple print media sources in individual digital objects, each individual digital object including a time axis and an amount of print media loaded in the print media source that is scheduled to be used within a time frame indicated by the time axis.

4. 4. The print media source processing printer of claim 3, wherein the user interface comprises a job application window for displaying print jobs in a print queue that can be opened separately from the visualization of the print media source scheduler.

5. 4. The print media source processing printer of claim 3, wherein upon selection of a digital object representing a print media source, a drill-down screen is displayed that includes print jobs in a print job queue that have print media loaded in the print media source.

6. 2. A method for scheduling print media at a print media source for a print media source processing printer according to claim 1, comprising: receiving a print job in a print queue of a print media source processing printer, the print job requiring print media; accumulating the amount of print media required by the print job for each type of print media on the print media request list; associating print media in the print media request list with a print media source; scheduling, by a print media source scheduler of the print media source processing printer, print media sources including corresponding cumulative quantities and types of print media in a timely manner; displaying the scheduled print media sources along with the corresponding cumulative amounts of print media in a time schedule on a user interface of the print media source processing printer; A method comprising:

7. 10. A computer program product comprising computer readable code embodied in a computer readable medium, said computer readable code comprising instructions for performing the steps of the method of claim 5 in a print medium source processing printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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