Image forming device, control method of image forming device and program

Abstract

To enable a notification from being made at a proper timing, when printing is performed continuously using a plurality of printing jobs.SOLUTION: An image forming device comprises: receiving means that receives a printing instruction for continuously printing a plurality of printing jobs including a second job following a first job; and control means that, when the receiving means receives the printing instruction, performs control of outputting a predetermined notification, before executing printing of a first job of the plurality of jobs, when a condition for stopping printing is satisfied after printing of the first job is completed and before printing of the second job is started.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, a control method for an image forming apparatus, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a technology that, when printing based on a print job onto roll paper, compares the amount of paper for the print job with the remaining amount of roll paper and the amount of paper that can be taken up on the roll paper winding device to check whether printing based on the print job is possible. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that, if the amount of paper that can be taken up on the roll paper winding device is insufficient to cover the paper length required for the next job, displays a warning screen to warn that the amount of paper that can be taken up is insufficient. In Patent Document 1, when printing based on multiple print jobs is performed, the printing operation is temporarily stopped after printing based on the first print job is completed, and then a check is made to see whether printing of the subsequent job is possible. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-124281 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When printing is performed continuously using a plurality of print jobs, it is required that notifications be sent at appropriate times. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is characterized by having a receiving means for receiving a print instruction to print multiple jobs consecutively, including a second job following a first job, and a control means for controlling output of a predetermined notification before executing the print processing of the first job of the multiple jobs when the receiving means receives the print instruction and a condition for interrupting the print processing is met after printing of the first job is completed and before printing of the second job is started. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, when printing is performed continuously using a plurality of print jobs, notification can be performed at an appropriate timing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] 10 is an example of a UI screen displaying a list of print jobs. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing before printing starts. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of displaying printable jobs. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart for calculating a paper length from a selected job. [Figure 9] 10 is a detailed flowchart of a process for checking print settings of a selected job. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that displays a warning. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that displays a warning. [Figure 12]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that displays a warning. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating calculation of a paper length. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the present disclosure, and not all combinations of features described in the following embodiments are necessarily essential to the solutions of the present disclosure. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate the same components.

[0009] <<First Embodiment>> <Summary> First, an overview of the first embodiment will be described. As described above, an image forming apparatus compares the amount of paper for a print job with the remaining amount of roll paper and the amount of paper that can be wound on the roll paper winding device to determine whether printing based on the print job is possible, and displays a warning if printing is not possible. In some image forming apparatuses, printing is performed continuously using multiple print jobs. Here, when printing based on multiple print jobs, if the printing operation is temporarily stopped after the first print job is completed to check whether printing of the subsequent job is possible, a comparison with the amount of paper corresponding to the multiple print jobs is not performed. For this reason, a warning cannot be displayed at the appropriate time.

[0010] Furthermore, at the start and end of printing, it may be necessary to transport paper a certain amount, separate from the print content (print image). The amount of paper used for comparison may need to take into account the transport amount required at the start and end of printing. If printing is started without taking this transport amount into account, there is a risk that paper will run out while printing a subsequent job.

[0011] Furthermore, when printing based on multiple print jobs is performed consecutively, if the print settings of the print jobs are different, printing may stop between jobs in order to change the print settings. When printing based on multiple print jobs consecutively, it is difficult for users to know whether printing can be performed consecutively or whether printing will be temporarily interrupted between jobs.

[0012] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a notification is output at an appropriate timing when printing based on multiple print jobs is performed consecutively. Specifically, an example will be described in which a predetermined notification is output as necessary before starting printing based on multiple print jobs (i.e., before executing printing of the first print job of the consecutive jobs).

[0013] <Configuration of image forming device> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus is also an image forming system having multiple devices (units), as will be described later. Image forming apparatus 100 is an apparatus that forms images on a continuous print medium (hereinafter referred to as roll paper) 111 on which continuous printing is possible. In this embodiment, image forming apparatus 100 has a paper feeder 104 that feeds roll paper 111, and a first unit 116 that performs spot color printing. Image forming apparatus 100 also has a second unit 115 that performs base color printing, a paper discharger 105 that takes up roll paper 111, and a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) operation panel 101.

[0014] The paper feeder 104 is a device that supplies roll paper 111 into the image forming apparatus 100. The paper feeder 104 rotates the paper tube of the roll paper 111 around a rotation shaft 117, and transports the roll paper 111 wound around the paper tube toward the inside of the image forming apparatus 100 at a constant speed via multiple rollers (e.g., a transport roller and a paper feed roller). The paper discharger 105 is a device that winds up the roll paper 111 that has been transported inside the image forming apparatus 100 into a roll around the paper tube. The paper tube is attached to a rotation shaft 118, and by rotating around the rotation shaft 118, the roll paper 111 that has been transported onto the paper tube via multiple rollers (e.g., a transport roller and a paper discharge roller) is wound up at a predetermined speed as a print product. The print product is wound around the paper tube and held in a roll.

[0015] Before printing begins, the user passes the roll paper 111 from the paper feeder 104 to the paper discharger 105. For example, the user loads the roll paper 111 into the paper feeder 104 and passes the leading edge of the roll paper 111 over the skew correction device 110. Next, the user passes the leading edge of the roll paper 111 under the first printing device 103 of the first unit 116. In this embodiment, the first printing device 103 is a print head that prints spot colors (such as white ink) other than the color inks cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). The user passes the leading edge of the roll paper 111 under the drying device 112 and over the cooling devices 113 and 114. Next, the user passes the leading edge of the roll paper 111 through the mark detection sensor 120 of the second unit 115 , under the second printing device 102 , under the drying device 106 , over the cooling device 108 , and over the cooling device 109 .

[0016] In this embodiment, a mark detection sensor 120 is used for alignment when forming an image by the second printing device 102 on an image formed by the first printing device 103, but a scanner may be used instead of the mark detection sensor 120. The second printing device 102 in this embodiment is a print head that prints the basic printing colors (CMYK). The user passes the leading edge of the roll paper 111 through the connected scanner device 107 and winds it around the paper discharge device 105.

[0017] After passing the roll paper 111 through the image forming apparatus 100 in this way, the user submits a print job to the control PC (print control device) 119 of the image forming apparatus 100. After submitting the print job, the user presses the print start button on the UI operation panel 101. Upon receiving this print instruction, the image forming apparatus 100 starts printing. The printed image is read by the mark detection sensor 120, and the read image is analyzed in the control PC 119 to inspect the printed matter for defects.

[0018] Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the control configuration of image forming apparatus 100. Details of the control configuration of image forming apparatus 100 will be described using Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, image forming apparatus 100 includes a paper transport unit 201, an image forming unit 202, a communication unit 203, a control unit 204, a memory unit 205, an operation display unit 206, an inspection unit 207, a paper feed control unit 208, and a take-up control unit 209.

[0019] The paper transport unit 201 is a transport mechanism for the roll paper 111 inside the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the paper transport unit 201 transports the roll paper 111 transported from the paper feed control unit 208 to the image forming unit 202 using multiple rollers, and then transports the roll paper 111 that has passed through the image forming unit 202 to the winding control unit 209. The image forming unit 202 forms an image on the roll paper 111 supplied from the paper feed control unit 208 based on print data for which an output command has been received. The image forming unit 202 controls both the first printing device 103 and the second printing device 102. The image forming unit 202 transports the roll paper 111 on which the image has been formed toward the paper discharge device 105. The communication unit 203 is configured, for example, by a communication control card such as a LAN (Local Area Network) card. The communication unit 203 transmits and receives various data to and from an external control device 211 (for example, a personal computer) connected to a communication network 210 such as a LAN or WAN (Wide Area Network). The external control device 211 has installed therein a print application and the like required for printing.

[0020] The control unit 204 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) and a random access memory (RAM). The CPU of the control unit 204 reads various programs, such as system programs or processing programs, stored in the storage unit 205, loads them into the RAM, and executes various processes according to the loaded programs. For example, the control unit 204 can perform a print process to execute a print job in response to a user's instruction. The storage unit 205 includes, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory (so-called flash memory) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage unit 205 stores various programs, including system programs or processing programs, executed by the control unit 204, as well as various data required for executing these programs. The operation and display unit 206 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel, and includes a display unit 206a and an operation unit 206b. The operation and display unit 206 corresponds to the UI operation panel 101.

[0021] The display unit 206a displays various information on the display screen in accordance with display control signals input from the control unit 204. The operation unit 206b has various operation keys such as a numeric keypad or a start key, accepts various input operations by the user, and outputs operation signals to the control unit 204. The operation display unit 206 is used, for example, to set job information when executing a job. As job information settings, the user can arbitrarily set any of the conditions, such as the paper to be used, printing speed information, number of prints, number of copies, print length, print weight, or print diameter.

[0022] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 when performing printing processing on the roll paper 111 will be described. First, the user creates print data on an external device such as the external control device 211. The external control device 211 performs print settings and delivery roll number settings for the job based on an instruction from the user, and transmits this information to the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication network. The control unit 204 of the image forming apparatus 100 receives, via the communication unit 203, the image data included in the job transmitted from the external control device 211 and a job ticket including job parameter information such as print setting information and delivery roll number information for the job (hereinafter referred to as job parameters). The control unit 204 controls the paper conveyance unit 201, the image forming unit 202, the paper feed control unit 208, the winding control unit 209, etc., and performs printing processing based on the job on the roll paper 111.

[0023] The inspection unit 207 is a device that checks whether an image can be printed on the print medium without ejection failure. The image forming unit 202 prints a detection pattern for inspection during ejection failure inspection on the print medium. The inspection unit 207 checks whether there is any ejection failure in the printed image by reading the detection pattern with a scanner. When an ejection failure is detected, the control unit 204 stops the operation of the image forming apparatus 100. Regarding the inspection method performed in the inspection unit 207, there are various methods such as a method of printing a detection pattern and reading it with a scanner, a method of directly reading a printed image with a camera or a scanner for inspection, and a method of monitoring the ejection status from the nozzles.

[0024] <UI screen> FIG. 3 shows an example of a UI screen displaying a list of print jobs in this embodiment. The UI screen 300 is displayed on the operation display unit 206 (UI operation panel 101). When a job is submitted to the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 adds the submitted job to the print job list. Then, at a predetermined timing, the image forming apparatus 100 performs RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing of the print image data specified in the job. The RIP process converts vector image data, which is image data described in a command, into raster image data, which is a collection of print pixels. Some RIP processes also have a color conversion function that converts the colors of the print data. The RIP process may be performed sequentially for submitted jobs, or may be performed based on a user instruction. The user selects a job to print from the print job list and inputs a print instruction to the image forming apparatus 100. Upon receiving this print instruction, the image forming apparatus 100 starts the print process.

[0025] Status display area 301 displays summary information about the status of image forming apparatus 100, such as the current status of image forming apparatus 100 and information about jobs currently being printed. Operation status display 302 of image forming apparatus 100 shows the status of image forming apparatus 100. In FIG. 3, it shows "Waiting," meaning it is waiting to print. In addition to "Waiting," other operation statuses include "Stopped" and "Printing." When print button 303 is pressed, image forming apparatus 100 displays a print confirmation screen. Then, when the OK button on the print confirmation screen is pressed, image forming apparatus 100 starts printing the print job selected by the user.

[0026] The unwinding / winding status display 304 displays the remaining amount of paper and the amount that can be wound up. The print medium information display 305 displays information such as the name and paper type of the print medium attached to the image forming apparatus 100. The ink status display 306 displays the type of ink being used and the remaining amount. The main body status 312 displays whether the hardware is activated or whether RIP is possible. When the hardware is activated, it is in a state where printing is possible. When RIP is possible, it is in a state where RIP processing of a job can be performed.

[0027] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the contents of the status display area 301 display the operating status of the image forming apparatus 100, a print button, a job currently being printed, print medium information, ink status, and main body status. However, this is not limited to these, and statuses other than those described above may also be displayed in the status display area 301. The work area 307 is a work area for the user to perform operations. To check detailed information related to each piece of information in the status display area 301, the user presses each status display area in the status display area 301. When the image forming apparatus 100 receives a press on a status display area, it is possible to display the related detailed information in the work area 307.

[0028] In FIG. 3, a print job list 308 is displayed in a work area 307. The print job list 308 displays the print job ID, current status, information about the print medium to be used, and the like. An submitted print job is added to the print job list 308. The user selects a job to be printed from the jobs included in the print job list 308. When a job is selected and the user presses the print button 303, the image forming apparatus 100 starts printing based on the selected job. The user can select multiple jobs. When a multiple number of jobs are selected and the user presses the print button 303, the image forming apparatus 100 starts printing based on the selected multiple jobs.

[0029] Detailed information about the print medium is displayed in print medium information display 309. Paper edit button 310 is used to edit the information about the print medium displayed in print medium information display 309. Paper selection button 311 is used to load new paper information other than the currently set paper information. The settings loaded with paper selection button 311 are displayed in print medium information display 305 as information about the print medium attached to image forming apparatus 100.

[0030] When a cost calculation job list button 314 is pressed while the print job list 308 is displayed, the image forming apparatus 100 displays the cost calculation job list in the work area 307. In this embodiment, while the print job list 308 is displayed, a parameter edit button 315, a duplicate button 316, and a cancel button 317 for operating the print job are displayed. A print selection check 318 is displayed when a job is selected by the user.

[0031] 3, three jobs, Job01, Job02, and Job03, have been RIP'd, and these three jobs have been selected. The paper for Job01 is MediaA, and the print length is 400 m. The paper for Job02 is MediaA, and the print length is 300 m. The paper for Job03 is MediaA, and the print length is 200 m. The print length is calculated by the control unit 204 based on the image data after RIP conversion.

[0032] <Flowchart until printing starts> Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing up to the start of printing. The processing in the flowchart in Fig. 4 is realized by the CPU of the control unit 204 reading out various programs, such as system programs or processing programs, stored in the storage unit 205, expanding them in RAM, and executing various processes in accordance with the expanded programs. Note that some or all of the functions of the steps in Fig. 4 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or electronic circuit. The symbol "S" in the explanation of each process indicates a step in the flowchart (the same applies to subsequent flowcharts).

[0033] 4 shows processing that is initiated when a print job (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as a job) is submitted to image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 4 mainly shows the control processing from when a job to be printed is selected and a print instruction for that job is input to image forming apparatus 100 until the start of print processing. Note that, in the processing of FIG. 4, as described above, it is assumed that a job has been submitted and added to print job list 308. Also, in this example, it is assumed that a plurality of jobs are included in print job list 308. Also, for ease of explanation, it is assumed that RIP processing has been performed on jobs included in print job list 308 under control of control unit 204, and that at the start of the processing of FIG. 4, all jobs have been RIP'd.

[0034] In S401, the control unit 204 detects that a user has selected a job to be printed. As described above, jobs submitted to the image forming apparatus 100 are added to the print job list 308. In S401, the control unit 204 detects that a print job selection from the print job list 308 has been received from the user. Note that one or more jobs may be selected. This embodiment assumes that multiple jobs are selected, but the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 3 can also be applied to the case of a single job. Note that when multiple jobs are selected and a print instruction is received, the first job is printed, and then the second job, which is the job following the first job, is printed. In this way, when multiple jobs are selected, the jobs are not printed simultaneously, but are printed individually.

[0035] In S402, the control unit 204 detects that the user has pressed the print button 303. In S403, the control unit 204 executes processing to calculate the paper length for the selected job. The paper length for a job refers to the length of paper required to print the job. The paper length for a job includes the print length for the job as well as the transport amount during acceleration and deceleration. Details of S403 will be explained with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 8, which will be described later. Note that if multiple jobs are selected, the total paper length for all of these jobs will be calculated.

[0036] In S404, the control unit 204 compares the paper length for the job calculated in S403 with the remaining paper supply amount, and determines whether the remaining paper supply amount is sufficient for printing the job. For example, the control unit 204 acquires the remaining paper supply amount included in the unwinding / winding status display 304. The control unit 204 then compares the calculated paper length for the job with the acquired remaining paper supply amount. If the control unit 204 determines that the remaining paper supply amount is sufficient, the process proceeds to S405, and if the control unit 204 determines that the remaining paper supply amount is insufficient, the process proceeds to S410.

[0037] In S405, the control unit 204 compares the paper length of the job calculated in S403 with the available winding amount, and determines whether the available winding amount is sufficient for printing the job. For example, the control unit 204 acquires the available winding amount included in the unwinding / winding status display 304. The control unit 204 then compares the calculated paper length of the job with the acquired available winding amount. If the control unit 204 determines that the available winding amount is sufficient, the process proceeds to S406; if the control unit 204 determines that the available winding amount is insufficient, the process proceeds to S409.

[0038] In S406, the control unit 204 executes a process to check the print settings of the selected job. For example, a process to check whether the print settings of the selected jobs are the same is executed. Details of S406 will be described later with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 9. When the process proceeds to S406, both the remaining paper supply amount and the amount of paper that can be taken up are sufficient. Therefore, the remaining paper supply amount or the amount of paper that can be taken up will not run out during the job. On the other hand, if the print settings of the jobs are different (for example, whether or not the spot color white is used), the printing operation will be temporarily stopped and an operation to change the settings will be executed due to device constraints. In other words, the printing of consecutive jobs may be temporarily stopped. Therefore, in S406, a process to check the print settings of the selected job is executed.

[0039] Next, in S407, the control unit 204 determines whether continuous printing is possible. If it is determined in the processing of S406 that continuous printing is possible, the control unit 204 proceeds to S408. If it is determined that continuous printing is not possible, the control unit 204 ends the processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 4. Note that, as will be described later, if continuous printing is not possible, processing to display a warning screen is performed in the processing of S406.

[0040] In S408, the control unit 204 displays a print job confirmation screen on the operation display unit 206.

[0041] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen displayed in S408. Confirmation screen 500 is a screen displayed so as to be superimposed on UI screen 300 shown in FIG. 3. Note that various screens described below are also similarly displayed so as to be superimposed on UI screen 300, but are not limited to this form. A screen may be displayed instead of UI screen 300 itself, and the display form of the screen may be any form.

[0042] The confirmation screen 500 includes a message 501 confirming the execution of printing, information 502 on the print length and print time required to print the selected job, an OK button 503 for accepting a print instruction, and a Cancel button 504 for canceling printing. The confirmation screen 500 also includes print information 505, such as the job name, print length, and print time of each selected job. The confirmation screen 500 displayed in S408 does not stop printing even when multiple jobs are printed consecutively, and therefore does not display a warning, unlike the other screen examples described below. After processing in S407, the control unit 204 terminates the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4. In the subsequent processing, the control unit 204 executes processing based on an operational instruction from the user (for example, pressing the OK button 503).

[0043] Returning to the description of the flowchart in Fig. 4, in S409, the control unit 204 displays information indicating that the amount of paper that can be wound is insufficient on the operation display unit 206. The state in S409 is a state in which there is a sufficient amount of paper remaining, but the amount of paper that can be wound is insufficient.

[0044] Fig. 6 shows an example of a confirmation screen that is displayed when the remaining paper supply or the available winding amount is insufficient. Fig. 6(a) shows a confirmation screen 600 that is displayed when the available winding amount is insufficient. Fig. 6(a) shows an example where the remaining paper supply is 1000 m and the available winding amount is 800 m. Job01 and Job02 have a total print length of 700 m and are printable, but adding Job03 brings the total print length to 900 m, which means the available winding amount is insufficient.

[0045] In S409, for example, a confirmation screen 600 is displayed on the operation display unit 206. The confirmation screen 600 includes a message 601 confirming the execution of printing, information 602 on the print length and print time required to print the selected job, an OK button 603 for accepting a print instruction, and a Cancel button 604 for canceling printing. The confirmation screen 600 also includes a warning display area 605 that displays a warning message to the user and the print length and print time for each selected job. Furthermore, the confirmation screen 600 displays a warning message 607 indicating that not all jobs can be rewound. A warning mark 606 is also displayed on the job (Job03) that cannot be rewound if the jobs are executed in order. This allows the user to recognize that the available rewound amount is insufficient after pressing the Print button 303 and before the first job is printed. After S409, the control unit 204 proceeds to S413.

[0046] In S410, the control unit 204 compares the paper length of the job calculated in S403 with the available winding amount, and determines whether the available winding amount is sufficient for printing the job. For example, the control unit 204 compares the calculated paper length of the job with the available winding amount included in the unwinding / winding status display 304. If the control unit 204 determines that the available winding amount is sufficient, the process proceeds to S411, and if it determines that the available winding amount is insufficient, the process proceeds to S412.

[0047] In S411, the control unit 204 displays information indicating that the remaining amount of paper is insufficient on the operation display unit 206. The state in S411 is a state in which the amount of paper that can be wound is sufficient, but the remaining amount of paper is insufficient.

[0048] FIG. 6B shows an example of a confirmation screen 620 that is displayed when there is insufficient paper. In S411, for example, the confirmation screen 620 is displayed on the operation display unit 206. FIG. 6B shows an example in which the remaining paper is 800 m and the available take-up amount is 1000 m. Job01 and Job02 have a total print length of 700 m, which is printable, but the total length up to Job03 is 900 m. Therefore, there will not be enough roll paper left when Job03 is printed. Therefore, a warning message 621 indicating that there is not enough roll paper left is displayed on the confirmation screen 620. In addition, a warning mark 606 is added to the job (Job03) for which paper cannot be fed if the jobs are executed in order. This allows the user to recognize that there is not enough paper left after pressing the print button 303 and before the first job is printed. After S411, the control unit 204 proceeds to S413.

[0049] In S412, the control unit 204 displays information indicating that the remaining amount of paper is insufficient on the operation display unit 206. The state in S412 is a state in which both the remaining amount of paper and the amount that can be wound up are insufficient.

[0050] FIG. 6(c) shows an example of a confirmation screen 640 that is displayed when both the remaining paper supply amount and the available winding amount are insufficient. In S412, for example, the confirmation screen 640 is displayed on the operation display unit 206. FIG. 6(c) shows an example in which the remaining paper supply amount is 800 m and the available winding amount is 800 m. Job01 and Job02 have a total print length of 700 m, which is printable, but the total for Job03 is 900 m. Therefore, both the remaining paper supply amount and the available winding amount are insufficient to print Job03. Therefore, the confirmation screen 640 displays a warning message 641 indicating that there is insufficient remaining roll paper and that not all jobs can be wound. In addition, a warning mark 606 is added to the job (Job03) for which paper cannot be supplied or wound if the jobs are executed in order. This allows the user to recognize that there is not enough paper remaining and not enough paper to be taken up before the first job is printed after pressing the print button 303. After S412, the control unit 204 proceeds to S413.

[0051] In S413, the control unit 204 determines whether there are any unselected jobs in the print job list 308. If there are any unselected jobs, the control unit 204 proceeds to S414. If there are no unselected jobs, the control unit 204 ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4. In the example shown in FIG. 6, there are three jobs in the print job list 308, and all of the jobs are selected. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 6, the control unit 204 ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4. Note that, as described above, subsequent processing is performed appropriately based on user instructions, such as whether the user pressed the OK button 603 or the Cancel button 604. Note that, while it is generally assumed that pressing the Cancel button 604 will cause the job selection to be redone, there are also use cases where printing is desired even if it is stopped midway. For this reason, when the OK button 603 is pressed, printing processing is started, even though printing is stopped between jobs.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of displaying printable jobs. The processing from S413 onward will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7(a) shows an example of a state in which none of the jobs in the print job list 308 have been selected. In this example, Job01 and Job02 have been selected, and there is not enough paper remaining. Therefore, in S411, a confirmation screen 700 shown in FIG. 7(b) is displayed on the operation display unit 206. Unlike the confirmation screen 620 shown in FIG. 6(b), the confirmation screen 700 displays a printable job button 702 for selecting a printable job.

[0053] In S414, the control unit 204 determines whether it has received a user's press of the printable job button 702. If the control unit 204 has received a user's press of the printable job button 702, the process proceeds to S415, and if the control unit 204 has not received a user's press of the printable job button 702, the process ends.

[0054] In S415, the control unit 204 displays printable jobs among the RIP-completed jobs on the operation display unit 206. The confirmation screen 720 in FIG. 7C shows a state in which Job03, which requires less remaining paper feed for printing than Job02 for which a warning is displayed, has been selected as the job to be printed instead of Job02. After S415, the control unit 204 ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4. In this way, if there is an alternative job and at least one of the remaining paper feed amount or the amount that can be wound is insufficient, the alternative job can be suggested to the user before printing begins, if there is another alternative job.

[0055] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the confirmation screen 700 shown in Fig. 7(b) is displayed on the operation display unit 206 when there is an unselected job in the print job list 308, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, even when all jobs in the print job list 308 are selected, the printable job button 702 as shown in Fig. 7(b) may be displayed. That is, the printable job button 702 may be displayed in any of Figs. 6(a) to 6(c).

[0056] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the details of S403 in Fig. 4. That is, Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing how to calculate the paper length from the selected job.

[0057] In S801, the control unit 204 assigns 0 to the paper length L as an initial value. In S802, the control unit 204 determines the length L1 required for acceleration and the length L2 required for deceleration based on the print speed setting. In the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment, printing is performed while the paper is transported at a constant speed to maintain print quality. The length L1 required for acceleration is the portion of the paper required to reach a constant speed. The length L2 required for deceleration is the portion of the paper required to properly stop the paper transport. Note that if transport is stopped immediately after printing is completed, the printed pages will not be ejected to the paper ejection device 105 and will remain in the device. The length L2 required for deceleration is also the portion of the paper required to eject up to the final page to the paper ejection device 105. Specific examples of the numbers L1 and L2 will be described later with reference to FIG. 13.

[0058] In S803, the control unit 204 adds L1 and L2 determined in S802 to the paper length L. The process of S804 is repeated the number of times the number of selected jobs is repeated. In S805, the control unit 204 determines the margin amount L3 from the inter-job margin setting. A specific example of the inter-job margin amount will be described later with reference to FIG. 13. In S806, the control unit 204 determines the print length L4 of the job. Details of L4 will be described later with reference to FIG. 13. In S807, the control unit 204 determines the print length L5 of the job information print from the job information print setting. The job information print is, for example, the portion to print such as a delivery number. In S808, the control unit 204 adds L3, L4, and L5 to the paper length L. Then, the control unit 204 ends the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8.

[0059] 9 is a detailed flowchart of the process for checking the print settings of the selected job in S406 of FIG. 4. The process in FIG. 9 is mainly a process for checking differences in print settings between jobs. As described above, when multiple jobs are selected, the printing process is configured to be performed sequentially from the preceding job to the succeeding job. Here, a process is performed for each job to determine differences in print settings between the previous job and the next job.

[0060] In S901, the control unit 204 determines whether the print medium for the previous job and the next job is the same. If the control unit 204 determines that the print medium is the same, the process proceeds to S902. If the control unit 204 determines that the print medium is not the same, the process proceeds to S907. In S907, the control unit 204 determines that roll paper needs to be replaced between jobs and decides to display a warning. The control unit 204 then proceeds to S908.

[0061] In S902, the control unit 204 determines whether the ink colors used in the previous job and the next job are the same. Specifically, the control unit 204 determines whether the ink colors used in the previous job and the ink colors used in the next job are color, or both color and white. Specifically, color refers to cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). In other words, the control unit 204 determines whether printing will be performed without using white ink or whether printing will be performed using white ink. If the control unit 204 determines whether the ink colors used in the previous job and the next job are the same, the process proceeds to S903; if it determines that they are not the same, the process proceeds to S906.

[0062] In S903, in the case of white printing, the control unit 204 determines whether the white concealment rate settings for the previous job and the next job are the same. Note that in the case of color printing, the process of S903 is skipped and the process proceeds to S904. In this embodiment, the white concealment rate has two levels: standard and high concealment. However, this is not a limitation, and more options may be available. For example, the white concealment rate may have three levels: low concealment, standard, and high concealment. If the control unit 204 determines that the white concealment rates are the same, the process proceeds to S904, and if it determines that the white concealment rates are not the same, the process proceeds to S906.

[0063] In S904, the control unit 204 determines whether the overprinting settings of the previous job and the next job are the same. Overprinting settings are settings for printing on an already printed surface. If the control unit 204 determines that the overprinting settings are the same, the process proceeds to S905; if it determines that the settings are not the same, the process proceeds to S906.

[0064] In S905, the control unit 204 determines that continuous printing of multiple jobs is possible, and then the control unit 204 proceeds to S908.

[0065] As explained so far, even if the print medium is the same, continuous printing may not be possible depending on the print settings. For example, changing the settings of the printing device may be necessary depending on whether white ink is used or not. This will cause printing to be temporarily stopped. Similarly, if the white coverage rate changes when printing white, the settings of the printing device will also need to be changed. This will cause printing to be temporarily stopped. Furthermore, if the overprint settings are not the same, the settings of the printing device will also need to be changed. This will cause printing to be temporarily stopped. The process proceeds to S905 in cases like this where the printing operation does not need to be stopped and the print settings do not need to be changed. For this reason, the control unit 204 determines in S905 that continuous printing of multiple jobs is possible.

[0066] In S906, the control unit 204 determines that the job will be stopped between the previous job and the next job, and determines to display a warning. Then, the control unit 204 proceeds to S908.

[0067] In S908, the control unit 204 determines whether all jobs have been checked. If the control unit 204 determines that all jobs have not been checked, the process proceeds to S901, and if the control unit 204 determines that all jobs have been checked, the process proceeds to S909. In this way, processing is performed to check differences in print settings between jobs.

[0068] In S909, the control unit 204 determines whether to display a warning. In the processing of this flowchart, if it has been determined in S906 or S907 that a warning should be displayed between at least one pair of jobs, the control unit 204 determines that a warning should be displayed. If it has not been determined in S906 or S907 that a warning should be displayed between any of the jobs, that is, if it has been determined in S905 that continuous printing is possible between all of the jobs, the control unit 204 determines that a warning should not be displayed. If the control unit 204 determines that a warning should be displayed, the process proceeds to S910, and if it determines that a warning should not be displayed, the control unit 204 ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9.

[0069] In S910, the control unit 204 displays a warning on the operation display unit 206.

[0070] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which a warning is displayed. FIG. 10 is an example of a screen displayed when the control unit 204 determines in S907 to display a warning. FIG. 10(a) shows an example in which, of three jobs, Job03 uses a different print medium from the other jobs. That is, Job01 and Job02 use Media A as the print medium, while Job3 uses Media B as the print medium. In this state, when all jobs are selected with the print selection check box 1001 and the print button 1003 is pressed, the control unit 204 displays the confirmation screen 1050 shown in FIG. 10(b) in S910. In this example, roll paper needs to be replaced before printing Job03. Therefore, the confirmation screen 1050 includes a message indicating that the roll paper needs to be replaced midway due to the different types of print media. In addition, a warning mark is added to Job03, which requires roll paper replacement before printing. In addition, the different types of print media are highlighted as shown in notification 1051.

[0071] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which a warning is displayed. Fig. 11 shows an example of a screen when the control unit 204 determines in S906 that a warning is displayed. Fig. 11(a) shows that each job has the following settings.

[0072] [Table 1] In FIG. 11(a), of the four jobs, Job1 and Job2 differ in whether or not an overprint setting is enabled. Job02 and Job03 differ in the ink color setting and whether or not an overprint setting is enabled. Job03 and Job04 differ in the white coverage setting. In this state, when all jobs are selected with the print selection check 1101 and the print button 1103 is pressed, the control unit 204 displays the confirmation screen 1150 shown in FIG. 11(b) in S910. The confirmation screen 1150 includes a message indicating that the print settings are different. Furthermore, as shown in notification 1151, the print settings that differ between the jobs are highlighted. After S910, the control unit 204 proceeds to S911.

[0073] In S911, the control unit 204 determines whether it has detected that the user has pressed the optimize print order button. Here, a confirmation screen other than those shown in FIGS.

[0074] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which a warning is displayed, and is an example of a screen displayed in S910. Fig. 12 is an example of a screen when the control unit 204 determines in S906 that a warning is to be displayed. Fig. 12(a) shows that each job has the following settings.

[0075] [Table 2] In FIG. 12(a), of the three jobs, Job1 and Job2 differ in the ink color settings. Furthermore, Job02 and Job03 differ in the ink color settings. Note that Job01 and Job03 have the same print settings. In this state, when all jobs are selected with the print selection check 1201 and the print button 1203 is pressed, the control unit 204 displays the confirmation screen 1220 shown in FIG. 12(b) in S910. The confirmation screen 1220 includes a message indicating that the print settings are different. Furthermore, as shown in notification 1221, the print settings that differ between the jobs are highlighted. Furthermore, the confirmation screen 1220 includes an optimize print order button 1222. In S911, the control unit 204 determines whether pressing of the optimize print order button 1222 has been accepted. If the control unit 204 determines that the optimize print order button 1222 has been pressed, it proceeds to S912, and if it determines that the optimize print order button 1222 has not been pressed, it terminates the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0076] In S912, the control unit 204 determines a print order that allows the jobs to be printed consecutively. Fig. 12(c) shows a confirmation screen in a state in which the order of Job02 and Job03 in Fig. 12(b) has been swapped based on the reception of a press of the optimize print order button 1222 in Fig. 12(b). Note that because there is still a difference in ink color between Job03 and Job02, the warning display by notification 1241 continues. After the processing of S912, the control unit 204 ends the processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 9.

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in a configuration in which the print order optimization button is not provided, the processes of S910 and S911 may be skipped.

[0078] Figure 13 is a diagram for explaining how to calculate the paper length. Figure 13(a) shows an example in which jobs 1 and 2 are printed one at a time. The transport amount during acceleration 1301 and the transport amount during deceleration 1307 use values ​​determined from the printing speed. In comparison with the example in Figure 8, the transport amount during acceleration 1301 = L1, and the transport amount during deceleration 1307 = L2.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 13(a), the print length of job 1 is as follows:

[0080] Print length = Job top margin 1302 + Job bottom margin 1305 + (Page size 1303 + Inter-page margin 1304) x (Number of pages x Number of copies) + Job information page size 1306 The job leading margin 1302 and job trailing margin 1305 correspond to the portions of the paper whose printing surface is covered by roll paper. Explaining this in comparison with the example in Figure 8, the margin amount L3 corresponds to the job leading margin 1302, job trailing margin 1305, and inter-page margin 1304. Furthermore, the print length L4 corresponds to the page size 1303. The print length L5 of the job information printing corresponds to the page size 1306 of the job information.

[0081] The paper length required to print job 1 is as follows:

[0082] Paper length = Print length of job 1 + Transport amount during acceleration 1301 + Transport amount during deceleration 1307 13A shows an example in which jobs are printed one at a time. For this reason, printing is stopped once after printing job 1, and then printing of job 2 begins. Therefore, the paper length required for job 2 again requires the conveyance amount during acceleration 1301 + the conveyance amount during deceleration 1307.

[0083] 13B shows an example in which jobs 1 and 2 are printed consecutively. Because job 2 is printed immediately after job 1, the conveyance distance 1301 during acceleration and the conveyance distance 1307 during deceleration are required only once. This makes it possible to reduce paper waste.

[0084] FIG. 13(c) shows the values ​​of the transport distance during acceleration and deceleration relative to the printing speed. For example, for a printing speed of 40 m / min, the transport distance during acceleration is 20 m, and the transport distance during deceleration is 20 m. Note that these values ​​are just an example and are not limiting. For example, for a printing speed of 40 m / min, the transport distance during acceleration could be 10 m. Also, the transport distance during deceleration does not have to be the same value as during acceleration.

[0085] As described above, this embodiment allows for timely notification when multiple print jobs are used for continuous printing. That is, in this embodiment, when multiple jobs are continuously printed on roll paper, it is possible to check before starting the continuous printing whether printing will be interrupted between the consecutive jobs. For example, it is possible to determine whether there is a sufficient amount of paper remaining and whether there is a sufficient amount of paper that can be wound up before starting printing. This allows for preparatory work such as replacing the roll paper in advance, removing the roll paper from the paper output device, or reducing the number of jobs to be printed. Furthermore, when multiple jobs are selected, the print settings are checked, and a warning is displayed if the print settings differ between the jobs. This allows for the print order of the jobs to be changed to optimize the order for continuous printing.

[0086] <<Other embodiments>> In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the process of confirming the print settings of the selected job in S406 is performed when both the remaining paper supply amount and the available winding amount are sufficient. However, this is not limited to this example. Even when at least one of the remaining paper supply amount and the available winding amount is insufficient, the confirmation process in S406 and the subsequent process of displaying the confirmation screen in S407 may be performed. The confirmation screen may display a warning indicating that at least one of the remaining paper supply amount and the available winding amount is insufficient and that the print settings are different. That is, for a subsequent job in which at least one of the remaining paper supply amount and the available winding amount is insufficient, a warning indicating that at least one of the remaining paper supply amount and the available winding amount is insufficient is displayed. On the other hand, if the print settings differ between preceding jobs in which the remaining paper supply amount and the available winding amount are sufficient, a warning indicating that the print settings are different may be displayed near the preceding job.

[0087] Furthermore, in S414, even if another printable job becomes the job to be printed instead, the print settings may be checked and a warning such as that described above may be displayed as appropriate.

[0088] Also, in the specific example shown in Figure 6, an example was described in which the total print length, calculated by adding up the print lengths of the jobs, is shorter than the remaining paper feed amount or the amount that can be taken up. Although no specific example was given, a warning like the one shown in Figure 6 may be displayed even if the total print length, calculated by adding up the print lengths of the jobs, exceeds the remaining paper feed amount or the amount that can be taken up. In other words, if the paper length, which is the value obtained by adding the transport amount during acceleration and deceleration to the total print length, is shorter than the remaining paper feed amount or the amount that can be taken up, a warning like the one shown in Figure 6 will be displayed even if the total print length is sufficient.

[0089] 7, when the printable job button 702 is pressed, the control unit 204 adds Job03 instead of Job02, which is the subsequent job in the consecutive jobs. However, Job03 may also be added instead of Job01, which is the preceding job in the consecutive jobs.

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, the jobs included in the print job list are jobs in which vector image data has already been converted to raster image data. However, this is not a limitation. The job selected in S401 may be a job for which RIP processing has not yet been performed. In this case, the paper length calculation may be performed after the RIP processing for the target job is completed.

[0091] 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.

[0092] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes configurations typified by the following information processing device example, information processing device control method example, and program example.

[0093] <Configuration 1> an accepting unit for accepting a print instruction to successively print a plurality of jobs including a second job following a first job; a control means for outputting a predetermined notification before executing the printing process of a first job of the plurality of jobs when a condition for interrupting the printing process is satisfied after the printing of the first job is completed and before the printing of the second job is started, in the case where the receiving means receives the printing instruction; An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0094] <Configuration 2> an acquisition unit for acquiring the remaining amount of print media and the amount of print media that can be wound up, which are set in the image forming device; a determining means for determining a paper length required when the plurality of jobs are printed consecutively; and The image forming apparatus according to configuration 1, characterized in that the control means determines that the condition for interrupting the printing process is met when the paper length is less than at least one of the remaining paper supply amount and the windable amount.

[0095] <Configuration 3> 3. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 2, wherein the paper length is a length including the print length of each job, the transport amount required during acceleration, and the transport amount required during deceleration.

[0096] <Configuration 4> 4. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 3, wherein the print length of each job is a length including the area of ​​the page to be printed, the amount of margin between jobs, and the area for printing information about the job.

[0097] <Configuration 5> 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the control unit determines that a condition for interrupting the printing process is met when print settings among the plurality of jobs are different.

[0098] <Configuration 6> 6. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 5, wherein the print settings include at least one of the type of print medium, the ink color to be used, the coverage rate of white ink, and an overprint setting.

[0099] <Configuration 7> the receiving means is configured to receive print instructions for a plurality of jobs selected from a list of submitted jobs, The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that, when there is a job that has not been selected in the list of jobs, the control means determines that a third job, whose printing process will not be interrupted, will be the target of the printing process instead of the second job.

[0100] <Configuration 8> 7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the control unit exchanges the order of the second job with another job among the plurality of jobs.

[0101] <Configuration 9> 9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the control unit displays, on a display unit, a notification indicating that the printing process will be interrupted as the predetermined notification.

[0102] <Configuration 10> 10. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the predetermined notification includes a warning mark for the second job.

[0103] <Configuration 11> the predetermined notification includes an area for receiving an instruction to select another job; The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, characterized in that when the control means receives an instruction to select the other job, it determines that a third job, whose printing process is not interrupted, is the target of the printing process instead of the second job.

[0104] <Configuration 12> the predetermined notification includes an area for receiving an instruction to optimize the order of jobs; 12. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the control unit, when receiving an instruction to optimize the order of the jobs, exchanges the order of the second job with another job among the plurality of jobs.

[0105] <Configuration 13> 13. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, wherein the plurality of jobs are jobs in which vector image data included in the jobs has been converted into raster image data.

[0106] <Configuration 14> receiving a print instruction to successively print a plurality of jobs including a second job following a first job; When the print instruction is received, if a condition for interrupting the print process is satisfied after the printing of the first job is completed and before the printing of the second job is started, a step of controlling to output a predetermined notification before executing the print process of the first job of the plurality of jobs; 1. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising:

[0107] <Configuration 15> 15. A program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 14. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 100 Image forming device 204 Control Unit 206 Operation display section

Claims

1. an accepting unit for accepting a print instruction to successively print a plurality of jobs including a second job following a first job; a control unit that outputs a predetermined notification before executing the printing process of the first job of the plurality of jobs when a condition for interrupting the printing process is satisfied after the printing of the first job is completed and before the printing of the second job is started, when the printing instruction is received by the receiving unit; An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. an acquisition unit for acquiring the remaining amount of print media and the amount of print media that can be wound up, which are set in the image forming device; a determining means for determining a paper length required when the plurality of jobs are printed consecutively; and 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines that the condition for interrupting the printing process is met when the paper length is less than at least one of the remaining paper supply amount and the rewindable amount.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the paper length is a length including the print length of each job, a transport amount required during acceleration, and a transport amount required during deceleration.

4. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the print length of each job is a length including not only the area of ​​the printed page but also the amount of margin between jobs and an area for printing information about the job.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines that the condition for interrupting the printing process is met when print settings among the plurality of jobs are different.

6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the print settings include at least one of the type of print medium, the ink color to be used, the coverage rate of white ink, and an overprint setting.

7. the receiving means is configured to receive print instructions for a plurality of jobs selected from a list of submitted jobs, The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, when there is a job in the list of jobs that has not been selected, the control means determines that a third job, whose printing processing is not interrupted, will be the target of the printing processing instead of the second job.

8. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit exchanges the order of the second job with another job among the plurality of jobs.

9. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit displays, as the predetermined notification, a notification indicating that the printing process will be interrupted on a display unit.

10. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined notification includes a warning mark for the second job.

11. the predetermined notification includes an area for receiving an instruction to select another job; The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when the control means receives an instruction to select the other job, it determines that a third job, whose printing processing is not interrupted, is the target of the printing processing instead of the second job.

12. the predetermined notification includes an area for receiving an instruction to optimize the order of jobs; 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when receiving an instruction to optimize the order of the jobs, exchanges the order of the second job with another job among the plurality of jobs.

13. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of jobs are jobs in which vector image data included in the jobs has been converted into raster image data.

14. receiving a print instruction to successively print a plurality of jobs including a second job following a first job; a step of controlling to output a predetermined notification before executing the printing process of a first job of the plurality of jobs when a condition for interrupting the printing process is satisfied after the printing of the first job is completed and before the printing of the second job is started when the printing instruction is received; 1. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, comprising:

15. A program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling an image forming apparatus according to claim 14.

Images