Printing method, printing system, and print control program

Abstract

To provide a printing method which can suppress reduction in the printing productivity due to switching of roll sheets to be used in printing or loading of the roll sheet into a slot.SOLUTION: After termination of initial processing (step S100) such as setting of a priority mode, in consideration of a type and a residual amount of a roll sheet loaded into each of a plurality of slots constituting an auto-changer, a printing schedule (job execution schedule and roll sheet loading schedule) is created (steps S112, S122, S152, S154, S162, S164). Then, the loading possible time being the time at which the roll sheet can be loaded into the loading target slot being the slot into which the roll sheet should be loaded during execution of continuous printing (steps S170, S180).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing method, and more particularly to printing scheduling in a printing system having an automatic roll paper switching function. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, inkjet printing devices capable of continuous printing using roll paper (roll-type printing paper) have become popular as plateless digital printing devices. Printing using roll paper, i.e., printing on continuous paper, achieves higher productivity than printing on sheet paper. To further increase productivity, inkjet printing devices with automatic roll paper switching functions have also been developed. With this automatic roll paper switching function, when the remaining amount of paper in use is low, the end of the current roll paper is automatically spliced ​​with the beginning of a new roll paper without any manual intervention. This allows continuous printing to continue without interrupting the device's operation, even when switching to a new roll paper during printing. A device with multiple slots for holding roll paper and an automatic switching function for the roll paper used for printing (the roll paper supplied to the printing device itself) is called an "autochanger."

[0003] The following prior art documents are known in relation to the present invention. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-137235 discloses an invention for a printing device that groups print jobs by the type of paper used (type of roll paper) and determines the print order so that print jobs included in the group that matches the paper type set in the printing device are executed preferentially, thereby reducing the number of roll paper changes and shortening the total printing time. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-151810 also discloses an invention for a printing system that groups print jobs and then sorts them according to a pre-registered sorting policy to reduce the number of roll paper changes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-137235 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-151810 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] According to the inventions disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2009-137235 and 2018-151810, print jobs that use the same type of roll paper are grouped together, which makes it possible to minimize the number of times roll paper needs to be replaced. However, even if the number of times roll paper needs to be replaced is reduced, productivity cannot be improved if the need to stop printing operations arises when replacing roll paper.

[0006] Furthermore, if a print job (hereafter referred to as "job JX" for convenience) that uses a different type of roll paper than the roll paper loaded in the multiple slots that make up the autochanger is included among the multiple print jobs being printed continuously, in order to prevent the printing operation from stopping, the roll paper of the paper type associated with job JX must be loaded in the slot by the scheduled start time of printing based on job JX. However, neither JP 2009-137235 nor JP 2018-151810 discloses anything about preventing the printing operation from stopping.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a printing method that can prevent a decrease in printing productivity caused by switching the roll paper used for printing or loading roll paper into a slot. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The first invention is a printing method for a printing system that includes a printing machine that prints on continuous paper, and an autochanger that includes a plurality of slots that hold roll paper and a switching mechanism that automatically switches between slots from which roll paper is pulled to be supplied to the printing machine, and that supplies roll paper pulled from one of the plurality of slots to the printing machine as continuous paper, a print job registration step of registering a plurality of print jobs to be executed by the printing machine in a job list; a scheduling step of creating a printing schedule including a job execution schedule that determines the execution order of the plurality of print jobs based on the type and remaining amount of roll paper loaded in each of the plurality of slots, the type of roll paper required to execute each of the plurality of print jobs, and the printing distance of each of the plurality of print jobs, and a roll paper loading schedule that determines the use schedule of the roll paper loaded in the plurality of slots and the loading schedule of roll paper into the plurality of slots; a loadable time calculation step for calculating, based on the printing schedule, a loadable time at which roll paper can be loaded into a loading target slot, which is a slot into which roll paper should be loaded during execution of continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs, among the plurality of slots; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0009] The second invention is the first invention, The loading available time calculation step includes: a loading start possible time calculation step of calculating a loading start possible time, which is the earliest time at which roll paper can be loaded into the loading target slot; a loading start deadline calculation step for calculating a loading start deadline, which is the latest time to start loading the roll paper into the loading target slot; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0010] The third invention is the second invention, The printing method further includes a roll replacement time registration step of registering a roll replacement time required for an operator to replace the roll paper in a slot included in the autochanger; In the loading start deadline time calculation step, a time that is earlier than the scheduled time when printing on the replaced roll paper will start by the time required for roll replacement is obtained as the loading start deadline time.

[0011] A fourth invention is the second or third invention, The printing method further includes an information sending step of sending information to a pre-designated information destination when the loading start possible time arrives, instructing the user to load roll paper into the slot.

[0012] The fifth invention is any one of the second to fourth inventions, Each slot has a roll shaft that rotatably supports the roll paper, the roll shaft is configured to be movable between a first position, which is a position for supplying roll paper to the printing press, and a second position, which is a position for replacing the roll paper; The printing method further includes a roll axis moving step of moving a roll axis of the loading target slot from the first position to the second position when the loading start possible time arrives.

[0013] The sixth invention is any one of the first to fifth inventions, The printing method further includes a job grouping step of generating a plurality of job groups by grouping the plurality of print jobs by type of roll paper required for execution, In the scheduling step, the job execution schedule is created so that two or more print jobs included in the same job group are executed consecutively.

[0014] A seventh aspect of the present invention is the sixth aspect of the present invention, The printing method further includes a job group classification step of classifying the plurality of job groups into executable job groups, which are job groups consisting only of print jobs that can be completed using the roll paper loaded in the plurality of slots, and non-executable job groups, which are job groups including print jobs that cannot be completed using only the roll paper loaded in the plurality of slots, In the loading available time calculation step, the loading available time is calculated by setting a slot into which roll paper necessary for executing a print job included in the unexecutable job group should be loaded as the loading target slot.

[0015] The eighth invention is the seventh invention, The printing method further includes a priority mode setting step of setting one of a plurality of modes prepared in advance as a priority mode; the plurality of pre-prepared modes includes a production time reduction mode that prioritizes shortening the time required to execute continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs, When the production time reduction mode is set to the priority mode in the priority mode setting step, the job execution schedule is created in the scheduling step so that print jobs included in the executable job group are executed before print jobs included in the non-executable job group.

[0016] A ninth aspect of the present invention is the eighth aspect of the present invention, the printing method further includes a roll replacement timing setting step of setting whether to replace the roll paper early after the start of continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs or late after the start of continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs; When the production time reduction mode is set to the priority mode in the priority mode setting step, and when a setting is made in the roll replacement timing setting step to replace the roll paper at an early timing after the start of continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs, the job execution schedule is created in the scheduling step so that, for the executable job group, print jobs included in a job group with a shorter total print distance are executed before print jobs included in a job group with a longer total print distance, When the production time reduction mode is set to the priority mode in the priority mode setting step, and when the roll replacement timing setting step is set to replace the roll paper at a timing later than the start of continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs, the job execution schedule is created in the scheduling step so that, for the executable job group, print jobs included in a job group with a longer total print distance are executed before print jobs included in a job group with a shorter total print distance.

[0017] The tenth invention is any one of the first to seventh inventions, The printing method further includes a priority mode setting step of setting one of a plurality of modes prepared in advance as a priority mode; In the scheduling step, the job execution schedule is created in accordance with the priority mode.

[0018] The eleventh invention is any one of the first to tenth inventions, The printing method further includes a loading information notification step of notifying loading information including the loading available time.

[0019] A twelfth aspect of the present invention is the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the autochanger has a display unit; The loading information notification step is characterized in that the loading information is displayed on the display unit.

[0020] A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the eleventh aspect of the present invention, The loading information notification step is characterized in that the loading information is transmitted to a pre-designated information transmission destination.

[0021] A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is a printing system, a printing machine that prints on continuous paper; an autochanger including a plurality of slots for holding roll paper and a switching mechanism for automatically switching the slot from which the roll paper to be supplied to the printing machine is drawn, and which draws the roll paper from any of the plurality of slots and supplies the roll paper to the printing machine as continuous paper; a print job registration unit that registers a plurality of print jobs to be executed by the printing machine in a job list; a scheduling unit that creates a printing schedule based on the type and remaining amount of roll paper loaded in each of the plurality of slots, the type of roll paper required to execute each of the plurality of print jobs, and the printing distance of each of the plurality of print jobs, and that creates a job execution schedule that determines the execution order of the plurality of print jobs and a roll paper loading schedule that determines the use schedule for the roll paper loaded in the plurality of slots and the loading schedule for roll paper into the plurality of slots; a loadable time calculation unit that calculates, based on the printing schedule, a loadable time that is a time at which roll paper can be loaded into a load target slot that is one of the plurality of slots and into which roll paper should be loaded during execution of continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0022] A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is a print control program, In a printing system comprising a printing machine that prints on continuous paper, an autochanger that includes a plurality of slots that hold roll paper and a switching mechanism that automatically switches between slots from which roll paper is pulled to be supplied to the printing machine, and supplies roll paper pulled from any of the plurality of slots to the printing machine as continuous paper, and a print control device that controls the operation of the printing machine and the autochanger, the computer that constitutes the print control device comprises: a print job registration step of registering a plurality of print jobs to be executed by the printing machine in a job list; a scheduling step of creating a printing schedule including a job execution schedule that determines the execution order of the plurality of print jobs based on the type and remaining amount of roll paper loaded in each of the plurality of slots, the type of roll paper required to execute each of the plurality of print jobs, and the printing distance of each of the plurality of print jobs, and a roll paper loading schedule that determines the use schedule of the roll paper loaded in the plurality of slots and the loading schedule of roll paper into the plurality of slots; a loadable time calculation step for calculating, based on the printing schedule, a loadable time at which roll paper can be loaded into a loading target slot, which is a slot into which roll paper should be loaded during execution of continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs, among the plurality of slots; Execute the following. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a printing system equipped with an autochanger with multiple slots, when it becomes necessary to load roll paper into a slot during continuous printing, a job execution schedule that determines the execution order of multiple print jobs and a roll paper loading schedule that determines the use schedule for the roll paper loaded in the multiple slots and the loading schedule for the roll paper into the multiple slots are created, and then a loading time is determined for the target slot, the slot into which the roll paper should be loaded. This makes it possible to present the time when the roll paper loading task should be performed in cases where it is necessary, so that the worker can refer to the loading time and quickly load the roll paper into the target slot without interrupting the printing operation. As described above, in a printing system equipped with an autochanger, it is possible to prevent a decrease in printing productivity caused by switching the roll paper used for printing and loading roll paper into a slot.

[0024] According to the second invention, in cases where it is necessary to load roll paper into a slot during continuous printing, the operator can know the time and period during which they should start loading the roll paper into the loading slot.

[0025] According to the third invention, the loading start deadline time is determined taking into account the work time required to replace the roll paper, thereby effectively preventing printing operations from being stopped due to the work of loading the roll paper into the slot.

[0026] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when it becomes possible to load roll paper into the loading target slot, it is possible to alert the worker to start loading roll paper into that loading target slot.

[0027] According to the fifth invention, the roll shaft of the loading target slot moves to the replacement position when it becomes possible to load roll paper into the loading target slot, allowing the operator to quickly load the roll paper into the loading target slot.

[0028] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, two or more print jobs using the same type of roll paper are executed consecutively, which reduces the number of times the autochanger switches roll paper (switching the slot from which the roll paper is pulled to supply it to the printing press), thereby improving printing productivity.

[0029] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, by classifying a plurality of job groups into executable job groups and non-executable job groups, it becomes possible to create a more suitable roll paper loading schedule.

[0030] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine the printing order in accordance with the user's request so as to minimize the time required to execute continuous printing.

[0031] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the printing order of a plurality of print jobs when consecutive printing is performed is determined taking into consideration the convenience of the worker.

[0032] According to the tenth aspect, it is possible to execute continuous printing based on a plurality of print jobs in a printing order according to a user's request.

[0033] According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to ensure that the worker who loads the roll paper into the slot is aware of the time when loading is possible.

[0034] According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the same effects as those of the eleventh aspect of the present invention can be obtained.

[0035] According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the same effects as those of the eleventh aspect of the present invention can be obtained.

[0036] According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the same effects as those of the first aspect of the present invention can be obtained.

[0037] According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the same effects as those of the first aspect of the present invention can be obtained. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the print control device in the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an autochanger in the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration related to creation of a print schedule in the embodiment. [Figure 5] 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a scheduling process (a series of processes related to creating a print schedule) in the embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of an initial process included in the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a detailed specific example of the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a detailed specific example of the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a detailed specific example of the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a roll paper loading schedule displayed on an information display unit of the autochanger in the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a first case of a specific example related to the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 12]FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a first case of a specific example related to the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a first case of a specific example related to the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a second case of a specific example related to the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a second case of a specific example related to the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a third case of a specific example related to the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a third case of a specific example related to the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a third case of a specific example related to the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a third case of a specific example related to the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a third case of a specific example related to the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a fourth case of a specific example related to the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a fourth case of a specific example related to the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a fourth case of a specific example related to the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a fifth case of a specific example related to the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 25]FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a fifth case of a specific example related to the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a sixth case of a specific example related to the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a sixth case of a specific example related to the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a sixth case of a specific example related to the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a sixth case of a specific example related to the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a sixth case of a specific example related to the scheduling process in the embodiment. [Figure 31] FIG. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of one slot in the autochanger in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the planned printing order for multiple print jobs that are the subject of continuous printing is referred to as the "job execution schedule," the planned use of roll paper loaded in each slot and the planned loading of roll paper into each slot are referred to as the "roll paper loading schedule," and the job execution schedule and roll paper loading schedule are collectively referred to as the "printing schedule." The type of roll paper is sometimes abbreviated as "roll type."

[0040] <1. Printing system configuration> FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. This printing system comprises a printing press 10, an autochanger 20 with multiple slots for holding roll paper, a paper rewinder 30 that rewinds printed printing paper PA, and a print control device 40 that controls the operation of the printing press 10, autochanger 20, and paper rewinder 30. The printing press 10 prints by ejecting ink onto printing paper PA without using printing plates, and the autochanger 20 has the function of automatically switching the roll paper used for printing. In other words, this printing system realizes an inkjet printing device with an automatic roll paper switching function. Print job data (hereinafter referred to as "job data") is provided to the print control device 40 via a communication line such as a LAN. The autochanger 20 will be described in detail later.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1, the printing press 10 is equipped with a first drive roller 110 for transporting the printing paper PA supplied from the autochanger 20 into the interior, a plurality of support rollers 120 for transporting the printing paper PA inside the printing press 10, a printing section 130 for printing by ejecting ink onto the printing paper PA, a drying section 140 for drying the printing paper PA after printing, an inspection section 150 for inspecting the condition of the printing on the printing paper PA, and a second drive roller 160 for outputting the printing paper PA from inside the printing press 10.

[0042] The printing unit 130 includes a C inkjet head 130c, an M inkjet head 130m, a Y inkjet head 130y, and a K inkjet head 130k, which eject C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) inks, respectively. Typically, each of the inkjet heads 130c, 130m, 130y, and 130k is made up of a plurality of head modules arranged in a staggered pattern. Each head module has a large number of nozzles.

[0043] In the above configuration, when a command to start printing is given to the print control device 40, the print control device 40 controls the operations of the autochanger 20, the printing press 10, and the paper take-up device 30 so that print paper PA is supplied from the autochanger 20 to the printing press 10 and the printed print paper PA is taken up by the paper take-up device 30. Then, in the process of transporting the print paper PA, first, printing is performed by ejecting ink from the inkjet heads 130c, 130m, 130y, and 130k in the printing unit 130, then the print paper PA is dried by the drying unit 140, and finally the print condition is inspected by the inspection unit 150.

[0044] While the configuration of the printing press 10 for color printing has been illustrated here, the present invention can also be applied to printing presses that perform monochrome printing. Furthermore, while the configuration of the printing press 10 that uses aqueous ink has been illustrated here, the present invention can also be applied to printing presses that use UV ink (ultraviolet-curable ink), such as inkjet printing devices for label printing. In this case, an ultraviolet irradiation unit that cures the UV ink on the printing paper PA by irradiating it with ultraviolet light is provided inside the printing press 10 (see FIG. 1 ) instead of the drying unit 140. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which the printing press 10 is directly connected to a post-processing machine instead of a configuration in which a paper winding device 30 is provided. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to a configuration in which two printing presses 10 are connected via a reversing unit to enable double-sided printing.

[0045] <2. Hardware configuration of print control device> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the print control device 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the print control device 40 includes a main body 410, an auxiliary storage device 421, an optical disk drive 422, a display unit 423, a keyboard 424, and a mouse 425. The main body 410 includes a CPU 411, a memory 412, a first disk interface unit 413, a second disk interface unit 414, a display control unit 415, an input interface unit 416, an output interface unit 417, and a network interface unit 418. The CPU 411, the memory 412, the first disk interface unit 413, the second disk interface unit 414, the display control unit 415, the input interface unit 416, the output interface unit 417, and the network interface unit 418 are connected to one another via a system bus. The auxiliary storage device 421 is connected to the first disk interface unit 413. The optical disk drive 422 is connected to the second disk interface unit 414. The display control unit 415 is connected to a display unit (display device) 423. A keyboard 424 and a mouse 425 are connected to the input interface unit 416. The printing machine 10 is connected to the output interface unit 417 via a communication cable. A communication line 50 is connected to the network interface unit 418. The auxiliary storage device 421 is a magnetic disk device or the like. An optical disk 52, which is a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, is inserted into the optical disk drive 422. The display unit 423 is a liquid crystal display or the like. The display unit 423 is used to display information desired by the operator. The keyboard 424 and mouse 425 are used by the operator to input instructions to this print control device 40.

[0046] The auxiliary storage device 421 stores a print control program P. In this embodiment, the print control program P includes a subprogram that creates a print schedule to efficiently print by utilizing the functions of the autochanger 20. The CPU 411 reads the print control program P stored in the auxiliary storage device 421 into the memory 412 and executes it to realize various functions of the print control device 40. The memory 412 includes RAM and ROM. The memory 412 functions as a work area for the CPU 411 to execute the print control program P stored in the auxiliary storage device 421. The print control program P is provided by being stored in the computer-readable recording medium (non-transitory recording medium). That is, for example, a user purchases an optical disk 52 as a recording medium for the print control program P, inserts it into the optical disk drive 422, reads the print control program P from the optical disk 52, and installs it in the auxiliary storage device 421. Alternatively, the print control program P transmitted via the communication line 50 may be received by the network interface unit 418 and installed in the auxiliary storage device 421.

[0047] <3. Autochanger configuration> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the autochanger 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the autochanger 20 in this embodiment is composed of four slots (first slot 211, second slot 212, third slot 213, and fourth slot 214) for holding roll paper RL, a switching mechanism 220 that automatically switches the roll paper RL to be used for printing (in other words, automatically switches the slot from which the roll paper RL to be supplied to the printing press 10 is pulled), and a splicer 230 that uses adhesive tape or the like to splice the end of the roll paper RL currently in use to the beginning of the roll paper RL to be used next (the roll paper RL held in the slot selected by the switching mechanism 220). In this way, the autochanger 20 supplies roll paper pulled from one of the four slots to the printing press 10 as continuous paper. In addition, when switching the roll paper RL to be used when the remaining amount of the roll paper currently in use is not 0, the roll paper currently in use is cut, and the end of the roll paper RL in use after the cut is joined to the beginning of the roll paper RL to be used next by the splicer 230.

[0048] The printing system according to this embodiment is equipped with an autochanger 20 configured as described above, so it is possible to switch the roll paper RL to be used without stopping the transport of print paper PA. Note that the physical structure of the autochanger 20 is not directly related to the present invention, so a description and illustration of it will be omitted.

[0049] <4. Functional configuration related to creating a print schedule> As described above, the print control program P includes a subprogram that creates a print schedule. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration realized by executing this subprogram (i.e., the functional configuration related to creating a print schedule). However, the components within the autochanger 20 are realized by a computer installed within the autochanger 20 executing a predetermined program.

[0050] The print control device 40 includes a setting unit 440, a memory unit 450, a job processing unit 460, and a communication unit 470. The setting unit 440 includes a priority mode setting unit 441, a roll change timing setting unit 442, a preferred roll setting unit 443, a roll change required time registration unit 444, and a valid slot registration unit 445. The memory unit 450 includes a priority mode storage unit 451, a roll change timing storage unit 452, a preferred roll storage unit 453, a roll change required time storage unit 454, a valid slot storage unit 455, and a loading information storage unit 456. The job processing unit 460 includes a job receiving unit 461, a roll type identification unit 462, a job grouping unit 463, a job group classification unit 464, a job execution scheduling unit 465, and a roll paper loading scheduling unit 466. The communication unit 470 includes a loading information transmission unit 471.

[0051] The priority mode setting unit 441 sets the priority mode when scheduling (creating a print schedule) based on the operator's operation. In this embodiment, the following three modes are provided: a job list registration order mode in which printing is performed in the order of print jobs registered in a job list (which stores information on multiple print jobs to be printed continuously in a list format so that it can be referenced); a production time reduction mode in which priority is given to shortening the time required to perform continuous printing based on multiple print jobs registered in the job list; and a roll specification order mode in which printing is performed in a specified "order of roll types." The priority mode setting unit 441 sets one of these three modes as the priority mode. When setting the roll specification order mode as the priority mode, the order of roll types is also specified. Information about the priority mode set by the priority mode setting unit 441 is stored in the priority mode storage unit 451.

[0052] Based on operator operation, the roll replacement timing setting unit 442 sets whether the roll paper should be replaced early after the start of continuous printing based on multiple print jobs, or late after the start of continuous printing based on multiple print jobs, in cases where roll paper replacement is necessary. The settings made by this roll replacement timing setting unit 442 are stored in the roll replacement timing memory unit 452.

[0053] Based on operator input, the priority roll setting unit 443 sets whether to give priority to the roll paper with the most remaining amount or the roll paper with the least remaining amount when the same type of roll paper is held in multiple slots. The settings made by this priority roll setting unit 443 are stored in the priority roll storage unit 453.

[0054] Based on the operator's operation, the roll replacement time registration unit 444 registers the time required per slot for the worker to replace the roll paper (hereinafter referred to as the "roll replacement time"). The information on the roll replacement time registered by the roll replacement time registration unit 444 is stored in the roll replacement time memory unit 454.

[0055] Based on an operator's operation, the valid slot registration unit 445 registers available slots (valid slots) among the four slots (first slot 211, second slot 212, third slot 213, and fourth slot 214) provided in the autochanger 20. Information on the valid slots registered by this valid slot registration unit 445 is stored in the valid slot memory unit 455.

[0056] The job receiving unit 461 receives job data provided to the print control device 40 via the communication line 50. The job data includes image data to be printed, as well as information on the type of roll paper required to execute the print job.

[0057] The roll type identification unit 462 identifies the roll type required to execute each print job based on the job data received by the job receiving unit 461.

[0058] The job grouping unit 463 groups multiple print jobs registered in the job list. This grouping is performed using roll type as a key. Hereinafter, a collection of multiple print jobs associated with the same roll type will be referred to as a "job group." For example, if four types of roll paper are used when multiple print jobs registered in the job list are executed, the multiple print jobs will be grouped into four job groups.

[0059] The job group classification unit 464 classifies the job groups obtained by grouping by the job grouping unit 463 into executable job groups and non-executable job groups. Executable job groups are job groups consisting only of print jobs that can be printed completely using the roll paper loaded in the valid slot. Non-executable job groups are job groups that include print jobs that cannot be printed completely using only the roll paper loaded in the valid slot. For example, suppose a job group is made up of two print jobs (job J1 and job J2) associated with a roll type called "Type TA" and the total printing distance of the two print jobs is 1,000 m. In this case, if Type TA roll paper is loaded in only one slot and the remaining amount of roll paper (remaining distance) is 2,000 m, the job group is classified as an executable job group. On the other hand, if Type TA roll paper is loaded in only one slot and the remaining amount of roll paper is 500 m, the job group is classified as a non-executable job group. In this way, the job group classification unit 464 classifies the job groups taking into consideration the remaining amount of roll paper loaded in each available slot and the total printing distance for each roll type.

[0060] The information stored in the priority mode memory unit 451, roll replacement timing memory unit 452, priority roll memory unit 453, roll replacement time required memory unit 454, and valid slot memory unit 455 (hereinafter referred to as "scheduling condition information") is referenced by the job execution scheduling unit 465 and the roll paper loading scheduling unit 466.

[0061] The job execution scheduling unit 465 determines the printing order of the multiple print jobs registered in the job list based on the scheduling condition information (that is, creates a job execution schedule).

[0062] The roll paper loading scheduling unit 466 creates a roll paper loading schedule that specifies the use plan for the roll paper loaded in each slot and the loading plan for roll paper into each slot, based on the scheduling condition information. In doing so, for cases where loading roll paper into a slot is required if printing is executed in the order based on the job execution schedule created by the job execution scheduling unit 465, the roll paper loading scheduling unit 466 determines the time when loading of roll paper into the loading target slot (the slot into which the roll paper will be loaded) can begin (hereinafter referred to as the "loading start possible time") and the time by which loading of roll paper into the loading target slot must begin at the latest to prevent printing operation from being stopped (hereinafter referred to as the "loading start deadline time"). The information about the loading start possible time and loading start deadline determined by the roll paper loading scheduling unit 466 is stored in the loading information storage unit 456.

[0063] The loading information transmitting unit 471 transmits to the autochanger 20 information on the loading start possible time and the loading deadline time (hereinafter referred to as "loading information") stored in the loading information storage unit 456.

[0064] Autochanger 20 includes a communication unit 250 and an information display unit 260. Communication unit 250 includes a loading information receiving unit 251. Information display unit 260 includes a loading information notifying unit 261. Loading information receiving unit 251 receives loading information transmitted from loading information transmitting unit 471. The loading information is provided to loading information notifying unit 261. Loading information notifying unit 261 notifies the outside of the loading information.

[0065] <5. Creating a printing schedule> Next, we will explain how the printing schedule (job execution schedule and roll paper loading schedule) is created in this embodiment. Note that hereinafter, roll paper that is the target for loading into a slot will be referred to as "loading target roll paper."

[0066] <5.1 Scheduling process procedure> The procedure for the scheduling process (a series of processes related to creating a print schedule) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 5. This scheduling process is realized by the subprograms included in the print control program P. In other words, this scheduling process is performed by the print control device 40.

[0067] After the scheduling process starts, an initial process is performed (step S100), which will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0068] The initial processing begins with setting various conditions related to the operation of autochanger 20 (step S101). Specifically, a priority mode setting unit 441 sets the mode to be adopted as the priority mode (one of job list registration order mode, production time reduction mode, and roll designation order mode), a roll replacement timing setting unit 442 sets whether to replace the roll paper early or late after the start of continuous printing based on multiple print jobs in cases where roll paper replacement is necessary, a preferred roll setting unit 443 sets whether to prioritize using roll paper with a large remaining amount or roll paper with a small remaining amount, a required roll replacement time registration unit 444 registers the time required for roll replacement, and a valid slot registration unit 445 registers valid slots.

[0069] Next, based on the job data received by the job receiving unit 461, the print job (the print job for which continuous printing is about to be executed) is registered in the job list (step S102). Here, it is assumed that multiple print jobs are registered. The roll type identifying unit 462 identifies the roll type associated with each print job.

[0070] Next, information about the type of roll paper loaded in each valid slot of autochanger 20 is obtained (step S103). If no roll paper is loaded in a valid slot, information indicating that the valid slot is an empty slot is obtained. Next, job grouping unit 463 groups the multiple print jobs registered in step S102 (i.e., the multiple print jobs registered in the job list) using the roll type as a key (step S104). Next, job group classification unit 464 classifies the job groups obtained by grouping in step S104 into the executable job group and the non-executable job group described above (step S105). This completes the initialization process.

[0071] After the initial processing is completed, a determination is made as to whether the first determination condition, "continuous printing based on multiple print jobs registered in the job list can be performed without the need to load roll paper into a slot or replace the roll paper loaded in a slot while printing is in progress," is met (step S110). The classification results from step S105 are referenced when making this determination in step S110. If all job groups are classified as executable jobs, the first determination condition is met. Even if there are job groups classified as unexecutable jobs, the first determination condition is met if continuous printing based on multiple print jobs registered in the job list can be performed by loading roll paper into an empty slot before printing begins or by replacing roll paper in a slot that currently contains roll paper that will not be used. If loading or replacing roll paper is necessary while printing is in progress, the first determination condition is not met. If it is determined in step S110 that the first determination condition is met, the process proceeds to step S112, and if it is determined in step S110 that the first determination condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S120.

[0072] In step S112, the printing order for the multiple print jobs registered in the job list is determined according to the priority mode set in step S101. If the priority mode is job list registration order mode, the printing order is determined according to the order of the print jobs registered in the job list. If the priority mode is production time reduction mode, the printing order is determined so as to minimize the time required to execute continuous printing based on multiple print jobs (typically so as to minimize the number of times roll paper is spliced). If the priority mode is roll designation order mode, the printing order is determined so that continuous printing is executed in the designated "order of roll type." After step S112 is completed, processing proceeds to step S190.

[0073] In step S120, it is determined whether a second determination condition, that is, "the priority mode set in step S101 is the job list registration order mode," is met. If the second determination condition is met, the process proceeds to step S122, and if the second determination condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S130.

[0074] In step S122, the printing order is determined according to the order of the print jobs registered in the job list. The loading slot corresponding to each loading target roll paper is identified, taking into account the determined printing order and the setting of whether to prioritize using roll paper with a large remaining amount or roll paper with a small remaining amount (this setting was made in step S101 in FIG. 6). After step S122 is completed, processing proceeds to step S190.

[0075] In step S130, information on the roll type required to execute the print jobs that make up the job group classified into the inexecutable job group in step S105 (i.e., the roll type associated with the print jobs that make up the job group classified into the inexecutable job group) is obtained.

[0076] In step S140, it is determined whether a third determination condition, that is, "the priority mode set in step S101 is the production time reduction mode," is met. As a result, if the third determination condition is met, the process proceeds to step S150, and if the third determination condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S160. That is, if the priority mode is the production time reduction mode, the process proceeds to step S150, and if the priority mode is the roll designation order mode, the process proceeds to step S160.

[0077] In step S150, it is determined whether a fourth determination condition is met, which is that "in step S101, a setting was made to 'change the roll paper early after the start of continuous printing based on multiple print jobs in cases where roll paper replacement is necessary.'" If the fourth determination condition is met, processing proceeds to step S152; if the fourth determination condition is not met, processing proceeds to step S154.

[0078] In step S152, the printing order of the multiple print jobs is determined so that print jobs that make up the job group classified as an unexecutable job group are placed later in the printing order, and print jobs associated with roll types with shorter total printing distances are placed earlier in the printing order. Also, as in step S122, the loading slot corresponding to each loading target roll paper is identified. After step S152 is completed, processing proceeds to step S170.

[0079] In step S154, the printing order of the multiple print jobs is determined so that print jobs that make up the job group classified as an executable job group are placed earlier in the order, and so that print jobs associated with roll types with longer total printing distances are placed earlier in the order. Also, as in step S122, the loading slot corresponding to each loading target roll paper is identified. After step S154 is completed, processing proceeds to step S170.

[0080] In step S160, it is determined whether the fourth determination condition described above is satisfied. If the fourth determination condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S162, and if the fourth determination condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S164.

[0081] In step S162, the printing order for multiple print jobs is determined so that printing is performed in the "roll type order" specified in step S101. Based on this determined printing order, the loading slot corresponding to each target roll paper is identified, assuming that roll paper will be loaded into the slot as soon as possible after printing begins. After step S162 is completed, processing proceeds to step S170.

[0082] In step S164, the printing order for the multiple print jobs is determined so that printing is performed in the "roll type order" specified in step S101. Based on this determined printing order, the loading slot corresponding to each target roll paper is identified, assuming that roll paper will be loaded into the slot as late as possible after printing begins. After step S164 is completed, processing proceeds to step S170.

[0083] In step S170, the loading start possible time is determined for each of the roll paper to be loaded based on the printing order and loading slot determined in any of steps S122, S152, S154, S162, and S164.

[0084] In step S180, the loading start deadline is calculated for each roll paper to be loaded, based on the printing order referenced in step S170 and the roll replacement time set in step S101. Specifically, the loading start deadline is calculated as the time that is earlier than the scheduled time to start printing on the replaced roll paper by the roll replacement time. The period from the loading start possible time to the loading start deadline corresponds to the loading possible time (the time when roll paper can be loaded into the loading target slot).

[0085] In step S190, the overall printing schedule (printing order for multiple print jobs registered in the job list, printing start time and printing end time for each print job, correspondence between print jobs and slots, loading start time and loading deadline time for each roll paper to be loaded, etc.) is determined.

[0086] Then, in step S200, the printing control device 40 sends loading information to the autochanger 20, and the loading information is displayed on the information display unit 260 of the autochanger 20. This completes the scheduling process. Note that in step S200, the loading information may be sent by email or other means to a pre-specified information destination, such as an email address. Also, during the period in which continuous printing is being performed according to the printing schedule established in step S190, when the time when loading can begin arrives, a message instructing the pre-specified information destination, such as an email address, to load roll paper into the slot may be sent.

[0087] In steps S122, S152, S154, S162, and S164, a job execution schedule and a roll paper loading schedule are created based on the type and remaining amount of roll paper loaded in each of the multiple slots that make up autochanger 20, the type of roll paper required to execute each of the multiple print jobs that are the subject of continuous printing, and the printing distance of each of the multiple print jobs.

[0088] In this embodiment, step S101 realizes the priority mode setting step, roll replacement time registration step, and roll replacement timing setting step, step S102 realizes the print job registration step, step S104 realizes the job grouping step, step S105 realizes the job group classification step, steps S112, S122, S152, S154, S162, and S164 realize the scheduling step, steps S170 and S180 realize the loading possible time calculation step, step S170 realizes the loading start possible time calculation step, step S180 realizes the loading start deadline time calculation step, and step S200 realizes the loading information notification step.

[0089] <5.2 Detailed example of scheduling process> Next, a detailed example of the scheduling process will be described. In this example, the following situations (a) to (i) are assumed. (a) The printing speed is “100 m / min.” (b) All four slots (first slot 211, second slot 212, third slot 213, and fourth slot 214) provided in autochanger 20 are registered as valid slots. (c) In the job list, eight print jobs (jobs J1 to J8) are registered as shown in FIG. (d) In the initial state, as shown in Figure 8, a Type TA roll of paper with 1,000 m remaining is loaded in the first slot 211, a Type TB roll of paper with 400 m remaining is loaded in the second slot 212, a Type TB roll of paper with 5,000 m remaining is loaded in the third slot 213, and a Type TD roll of paper with 10,000 m remaining is loaded in the fourth slot 214. The serial number of the roll of paper loaded in the first slot 211 is A123, the serial number of the roll of paper loaded in the second slot 212 is B456, the serial number of the roll of paper loaded in the third slot 213 is B987, and the serial number of the roll of paper loaded in the fourth slot 214 is D357. (e) The priority mode is set to role specification order mode, and the specified "role type order" is "Type TB, Type TD, Type TA, Type TC." (f) The setting is set to "give priority to the roll paper with the least amount remaining." (g) A setting is made to the effect that "in cases where roll paper needs to be replaced, the roll paper is replaced early after the start of continuous printing based on multiple print jobs." (h) The roll change time is 5 minutes. (i) The printing start time is 10:00.

[0090] 6, the eight print jobs (jobs J1 to J8) registered in the job list are grouped into four job groups. For convenience, the job group made up of print jobs (jobs J3, J4, J8) associated with the roll type "type TA" is referred to as "job group JGA," the job group made up of print jobs (jobs J5, J7) associated with the roll type "type TB" is referred to as "job group JGB," the job group made up of print jobs (job J6) associated with the roll type "type TC" is referred to as "job group JGC," and the job group made up of print jobs (jobs J1, J2) associated with the roll type "type TD" is referred to as "job group JGD."

[0091] The total printing distance for job group JGA is 3,300 m, and the remaining amount of Type TA roll paper loaded in the available slot is 1,000 m. Therefore, a Type TA roll paper must be loaded into the available slot. The total printing distance for job group JGB is 900 m, and the remaining amount of Type TB roll paper loaded in the available slot is 5,400 m. Therefore, there is no need to load a Type TB roll paper into the available slot. The total printing distance for job group JGC is 1,200 m, and there is no Type TC roll paper loaded in the available slot. Therefore, a Type TC roll paper must be loaded into the available slot. The total printing distance for job group JGD is 3,200 m, and the remaining amount of Type TD roll paper loaded in the available slot is 10,000 m. Therefore, there is no need to load a Type TD roll paper into the available slot. As a result, in step S105 of FIG. 6, the job groups JGA and JGC are classified as unexecutable job groups, and the job groups JGB and JGD are classified as executable job groups.

[0092] There are jobs that cannot be executed, and loading of roll paper is required during printing. Therefore, in step S110 of FIG. 5, it is determined that the first judgment condition is not met. Furthermore, because the priority mode is the roll specification order mode, in step S120 of FIG. 5, it is determined that the second judgment condition is not met, and in step S140 of FIG. 5, it is determined that the third judgment condition is not met. Because the setting is set to "replace roll paper early after the start of continuous printing based on multiple print jobs in cases where roll paper replacement is necessary," in step S160 of FIG. 5, it is determined that the fourth judgment condition is met.

[0093] Since the specified "roll type order" is "Type TB, Type TD, Type TA, Type TC," the print order is determined in step S162 of Fig. 5 as shown in Fig. 9. Therefore, hereinafter, job group JGB will be referred to as the "first print job group," job group JGD will be referred to as the "second print job group," job group JGA will be referred to as the "third print job group," and job group JGC will be referred to as the "fourth print job group."

[0094] For job J5, the print distance is 400 m and the print time is 4 minutes. The remaining amount of type TB roll paper loaded in second slot 212 is 400 m. The print start time is 10:00. From the above, in step S170 of FIG. 5, the loading start time for loading the type TA roll paper required to execute the third print job group into the loading target slot (second slot 212) is determined to be 10:04.

[0095] If the setting is "in cases where roll paper needs to be replaced, replace the roll paper later than the start of continuous printing based on multiple print jobs," a roll paper loading schedule is created to load type TA roll paper into fourth slot 214 after printing based on the second print job group is finished. In this case, in step S170 of Figure 5, the loading start time is determined to be 10:41, the time when printing based on the second print job group is finished.

[0096] A type TA roll paper with a remaining amount of 1,000 m is loaded in the first slot 211. The print distance for job J4 is 1,600 m. The print speed is 100 m / min. As a result, 10 minutes after the start of execution of job J4, the remaining amount of roll paper loaded in the first slot 211 will be 0. In other words, at 10:51, the remaining amount of roll paper loaded in the first slot 211 will be 0. Furthermore, the roll replacement time is 5 minutes. Therefore, in step S180 of FIG. 5, the loading start deadline for loading the type TA roll paper required to execute the third print job group into the loading target slot (second slot 212) is determined to be 10:46.

[0097] For job J7, the printing distance is 500 m and the printing time is 5 minutes. The remaining amount of type TB roll paper loaded in third slot 213 is 5,000 m, but after printing for job J7 is completed, the type TB roll paper will not be used for printing. Therefore, third slot 213 can be used as the loading target slot for type TC roll paper required to execute the fourth print job group. From the above, in step S170 of Figure 5, the loading start time for loading the type TC roll paper required to execute the fourth print job group into the loading target slot (third slot 213) is determined to be 10:09.

[0098] If the setting is "in cases where a roll paper replacement is required, replace the roll paper late after the start of continuous printing based on multiple print jobs," a roll paper loading schedule is created to load type TC roll paper into first slot 211 after the remaining amount of type TA roll paper loaded in first slot 211 reaches zero. In this case, in step S170 of Figure 5, the loading start possible time is determined to be 10:51, the time when the remaining amount of roll paper loaded in first slot 211 reaches zero.

[0099] It takes 1 hour and 14 minutes to execute the first, second, and third print job groups. The roll replacement time is 5 minutes. Therefore, in step S180 of Figure 5, the loading start deadline for loading the type TC roll paper required to execute the fourth print job group into the loading target slot (third slot 213) is determined to be 11:09.

[0100] As described above, for loading a type TA roll paper into the second slot 212, the loading start time is determined to be 10:04, and the loading start deadline is determined to be 10:46. For loading a type TC roll paper into the third slot 213, the loading start time is determined to be 10:09, and the loading start deadline is determined to be 11:09. Based on this, in step S200 of FIG. 5, a roll paper loading schedule such as that shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the information display unit 260 of the autochanger 20. The "Loading start time" column displays the time when new roll paper can be loaded into each slot. The "Loading possible time length" column displays the length of time from the loading start time until the loading start deadline.

[0101] <5.3 Various concrete examples> Various specific examples of scheduling processing will be described below. Here, it is also assumed that all four slots (first slot 211, second slot 212, third slot 213, and fourth slot 214) provided in autochanger 20 are valid slots.

[0102] <5.3.1 Case 1> The first case is when a job execution schedule (hereinafter referred to as "job execution scheduling") is created in step S112 of FIG. 5. For the first case, the following situation is assumed. Four print jobs (jobs J1 to J4) are registered in the job list as shown in FIG. 11. The initial states of the first to fourth slots 211 to 214 are as shown in FIG. 12. The priority mode is set to the job list registration order mode.

[0103] In this case, the only job group that cannot be executed is the group of jobs made up of print jobs (jobs J1 and J4) associated with the roll type "Type TA." Initially, the fourth slot 214 is an empty slot. If a Type TA roll paper length of 2,500 m or more is loaded into the fourth slot 214 before printing begins, there is no need to load roll paper into the slot during printing. Therefore, a roll paper loading schedule is created that loads Type TA roll paper into the empty fourth slot 214 before printing begins. According to this roll paper loading schedule, the first through fourth slots 211 through 214 will be in the state shown in Figure 13, for example, at the start of printing. Note that the priority mode is the job list registration order mode, so the printing order determined by the scheduling process is as shown in Figure 11.

[0104] <5.3.2 Second Case> The second case is also a case where job execution scheduling is performed in step S112 of Fig. 5. For the second case, the following situation is assumed. Four print jobs (jobs J1 to J4) are registered in the job list as shown in Fig. 11. The initial states of the first to fourth slots 211 to 214 are as shown in Fig. 14. The priority mode is set to the production time reduction mode.

[0105] In this case, as in the first case, the only job group that cannot be executed is the group of jobs consisting of print jobs (jobs J1 and J4) associated with the roll type "Type TA." Initially, there are no free slots, but the fourth slot 214 is loaded with Type TD roll paper, which will not be used for printing. If the roll paper loaded in the fourth slot 214 is replaced with a Type TA roll paper that is 2,500 m or longer before printing begins, there is no need to load roll paper into the slot during printing. Therefore, a roll paper loading schedule is created that specifies that the roll paper loaded in the fourth slot 214 will be replaced with a Type TA roll paper before printing begins. According to this roll paper loading schedule, the first through fourth slots 211 through 214 will be in the state shown in FIG. 13 at the start of printing. Furthermore, because the priority mode is the production time reduction mode, the printing order is determined so that jobs J1 and J4 are executed consecutively. Therefore, the printing order determined by the scheduling process is as shown in FIG. 15.

[0106] <5.3.3 Third Case> The third case is a case where job execution scheduling is performed in step S122 of Fig. 5. For the third case, the following situation is assumed. Six print jobs (jobs J1 to J6) are registered in the job list as shown in Fig. 16. The initial states of the first to fourth slots 211 to 214 are as shown in Fig. 17. The priority mode is set to the job list registration order mode.

[0107] In this case, the job group consisting of print jobs (jobs J1 and J5) associated with the roll type "type TA" and the job group consisting of print jobs (jobs J2 and J6) associated with the roll type "type TB" are the inexecutable job group. Initially, there are no empty slots or slots loaded with roll paper of a type not used for printing. Therefore, type TA roll paper and type TB roll paper must be loaded into the slots while printing is in progress. Because the priority mode is job list registration order mode, the printing order determined by the scheduling process is as shown in Figure 16. The total printing distance of the two print jobs (jobs J1 and J5) associated with the roll type "type TA" is 2,400 m, while the remaining amount of type TA roll paper loaded in the first slot 211 is 500 m. Here, of the four types of roll paper, type TD roll paper will be needed latest. Therefore, a roll paper loading schedule is created to replace the roll paper loaded in the fourth slot 214 with a type TA roll paper before printing begins. Also, because the remaining amount of type TA roll paper loaded in the first slot 211 reaches zero during the execution of job J1, a roll paper loading schedule is created to load type TB roll paper into that first slot 211. Furthermore, because type TD roll paper is removed from the fourth slot 214, a type TD roll paper must be loaded into the slot before execution of job J4 begins. In relation to this, because the remaining amount of type TB roll paper loaded in the second slot 212 reaches zero during the execution of job J2, a roll paper loading schedule is created to load type TD roll paper into that second slot 212. According to the roll paper loading schedule created in this way, the state of the first through fourth slots 211 through 214 at the start of printing will be, for example, as shown in FIG. 18. Furthermore, after the remaining amount of roll paper loaded in the first slot 211 reaches 0 due to the execution of job J1, the state of the first to fourth slots 211 to 214 becomes, for example, the state shown in FIG.However, because printing based on job J1 continues while the loading of roll paper into first slot 211 is in progress, the remaining amount of type TA roll paper loaded in fourth slot 214 is actually less than 10,000 m by the time the loading of type TB roll paper into first slot 211 is complete. Furthermore, after the remaining amount of roll paper loaded in second slot 212 reaches 0 due to the execution of job J2, the state of the first through fourth slots 211-214 will be as shown in Figure 20. However, the remaining amount of type TB roll paper loaded in first slot 211 is actually less than 10,000 m by the time the loading of type TD roll paper into second slot 212 is complete.

[0108] <5.3.4 Fourth Case> The fourth case is a case where job execution scheduling is performed in step S152 in Figure 5. For the fourth case, the following situation is assumed. Six print jobs (jobs J1 to J6) are registered in the job list, as shown in Figure 21. The initial states of the first to fourth slots 211 to 214 are as shown in Figure 14. The priority mode is set to production time reduction mode. A setting has been made to "change the roll paper early after the start of continuous printing based on multiple print jobs in cases where roll paper replacement is necessary."

[0109] In this case, the only job group that cannot be executed is the group of jobs consisting of print jobs (jobs J1 and J5) associated with the roll type "type TA." Initially, there are no empty slots or slots loaded with roll paper of a type not used for printing. Therefore, a slot must be loaded with roll paper of type TA while printing is in progress. Because the priority mode is production time reduction mode, the print order is determined so that jobs J1 and J5 are executed consecutively, and so that jobs J2 and J6 are executed consecutively, and so that the print jobs that make up the group of unexecutable jobs (jobs J1 and J5) are placed later in the order. Furthermore, because the setting is set to "change roll paper as soon as possible after the start of continuous printing based on multiple print jobs in cases where roll paper replacement is necessary," the print order is determined so that print jobs associated with roll types with shorter total printing distances are placed earlier. From the above, the print order determined by the scheduling process is as shown in Figure 22. Regarding the loading of type TA roll paper into the slot, type TB roll paper will not be used for printing after printing for job J6 is finished. Therefore, a roll paper loading schedule is created to load type TA roll paper into the second slot 212 after printing for job J6 is finished. According to this roll paper loading schedule, the first through fourth slots 211-214 will be in the state shown in Figure 23, for example, after printing for job J6 is finished. However, in reality, by the time loading of type TA roll paper into second slot 212 is complete, the remaining amount of type TC roll paper loaded in third slot 213 will be less than 15,000 m.

[0110] <5.3.5 Fifth Case> The fifth case is a case where job execution scheduling is performed in step S154 in Figure 5. For the fifth case, the following situation is assumed. Six print jobs (jobs J1 to J6) are registered in the job list, as shown in Figure 24. The initial states of the first to fourth slots 211 to 214 are as shown in Figure 14. The priority mode is set to production time reduction mode. A setting has been made to "change the roll paper at a later time than the start of continuous printing based on multiple print jobs in cases where roll paper replacement is necessary."

[0111] In this case, as in the fourth case, the only job group that cannot be executed is the group of jobs consisting of print jobs (jobs J1 and J5) associated with the roll type "type TA." Initially, there are no empty slots or slots loaded with roll paper of a type not used for printing. Therefore, a slot must be loaded with roll paper of type TA while printing is in progress. Because the priority mode is production time reduction mode, the print order is determined so that jobs J1 and J5 are executed consecutively, and so that jobs J2 and J6 are executed consecutively, and so that the print jobs that make up the group of unexecutable jobs (jobs J1 and J5) are executed later. Furthermore, because the setting is set to "change roll paper later in the printing process than necessary when multiple print jobs start printing," the print order is determined so that print jobs associated with roll types with longer total printing distances are executed earlier. From the above, the print order determined by the scheduling process is as shown in Figure 25. Regarding the loading of type TA roll paper into the slot, type TD roll paper will not be used for printing after printing for job J4 is finished. Therefore, a roll paper loading schedule is created to load type TA roll paper into the fourth slot 214 after printing for job J4 is finished. According to this roll paper loading schedule, the state of the first through fourth slots 211-214 after printing for job J4 is finished will be as shown in Figure 13, for example. However, in reality, by the time loading of type TA roll paper into fourth slot 214 is complete, the remaining amount of type TC roll paper loaded in third slot 213 will be less than 15,000 m.

[0112] <5.3.6 Case 6> The sixth case is a case where job execution scheduling is performed in step S162 in Figure 5. For the sixth case, the following situation is assumed. Six print jobs (jobs J1 to J6) are registered in the job list, as shown in Figure 26. The initial state of the first to fourth slots 211 to 214 is as shown in Figure 27. The priority mode is set to roll specification order mode. The setting is that "in cases where roll paper needs to be replaced, the roll paper will be replaced as soon as possible after the start of continuous printing based on multiple print jobs." The setting is that "roll paper with the least remaining amount will be used preferentially."

[0113] In this case, the job group made up of the print job (job J3) associated with the roll type "type TC" and the job group made up of the print job (job J4) associated with the roll type "type TD" are the inexecutable job group. Initially, there are no empty slots or slots loaded with roll paper of a type not used for printing. Therefore, type TC roll paper and type TD roll paper must be loaded into the slots while printing is in progress. Because the priority mode is roll specification order mode, the printing order determined by the scheduling process is as shown in Figure 28. Because the setting is to "give priority to using roll paper with less remaining amount," the remaining amount of type TA roll paper loaded in the first slot 211 will reach 0 while job J1 is being executed, and the remaining amount of type TB roll paper loaded in the second slot 212 will reach 0 while job J2 is being executed. Therefore, a roll paper loading schedule is created to load type TC roll paper into the first slot 211 and type TD roll paper into the second slot 212. According to this roll paper loading schedule, the state of the first through fourth slots 211-214 after the remaining amount of roll paper loaded in the first slot 211 reaches 0 due to the execution of job J1 will be, for example, as shown in Figure 29, and the state of the first through fourth slots 211-214 after the remaining amount of roll paper loaded in the second slot 212 reaches 0 due to the execution of job J2 will be, for example, as shown in Figure 30. However, in reality, by the time loading of type TC roll paper into the first slot 211 is complete, the remaining amount of type TA roll paper loaded in the third slot 213 will be less than 15,000 m, and by the time loading of type TD roll paper into the second slot 212 is complete, the remaining amount of type TB roll paper loaded in the fourth slot 214 will be less than 15,000 m.

[0114] <6. Roll axis control> Incidentally, roll paper is manually loaded into each slot of autochanger 20. In this regard, a configuration may be adopted in which the roll shaft supporting the roll paper is controlled as follows so that the target roll paper is quickly loaded into the target slot according to the roll paper loading schedule.

[0115] Figure 31 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of one slot in the autochanger 20. A roll shaft 71, a roll shaft movement path 72, and an arm 73 are provided within a housing 70 that defines the slot. The roll shaft 71 rotatably supports the roll paper. By operating the arm 73, the position of the roll shaft 71 can be moved within the roll shaft movement path 72 as indicated by the arrow labeled 74. When roll paper is being supplied to the printing press 10, the roll shaft 71 is located in the position labeled 75 (hereinafter referred to as the "normal position"). When the roll paper is being replaced, the roll shaft 71 is located in the position labeled 76 (hereinafter referred to as the "unmounted position"). The normal position corresponds to the first position, and the unmounted position corresponds to the second position. The autochanger 20 is provided with a roll shaft control unit that controls the position of the roll shaft 71 by moving the arm 73. Then, during the period when printing is being performed based on the printing schedule determined as described above, when the time arrives to load the target roll paper into the target loading slot (typically the loading start time described above), print control device 40 sends a specified instruction signal to the roll shaft control unit in autochanger 20. Based on this instruction signal, the roll shaft control unit operates arm 73 to move roll shaft 71 of the target loading slot from the normal position to the unmounted position (roll shaft movement step). This allows the operator to quickly replace the roll paper.

[0116] <7. Effects> According to this embodiment, in a printing system equipped with an autochanger 20 with multiple slots, when it becomes necessary to load roll paper into a slot during continuous printing, the printing order for the multiple print jobs being continuous printing and the loading target slot into which the roll paper should be loaded are determined. Then, a loading start possible time, which is the earliest time that roll paper can be loaded into the loading target slot, and a loading start deadline, which is the latest time by which loading of roll paper into the loading target slot should begin (the latest time by which loading of roll paper into the loading target slot should begin), are calculated. This makes it possible to notify the operator of the time by which the task of loading roll paper should be completed in cases where it is necessary, allowing the operator to quickly load roll paper into the loading target slot without interrupting printing operations. As described above, this embodiment makes it possible to prevent a decline in printing productivity caused by switching the roll paper used for printing and loading roll paper into a slot in a printing system equipped with an autochanger 20.

[0117] <8.Other> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, although the above-described embodiment illustrates an autochanger with four slots, the present invention can be applied to any autochanger with two or more slots. Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment provides three modes that can be set as priority modes, it is not necessary to provide all three modes, and modes other than these three modes may also be provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 10...Printing machine 20...Autochanger 40...Printing control device 130...Printing Department 211~214...1st to 4th slots 220...Switching mechanism 230...Splice 251...Loading information receiving unit 261…Loading information notification section 441...Priority mode setting section 442...Roll exchange timing setting unit 443...Preferential use role setting section 444...Roll replacement time registration section 445...Valid slot registration section 461...Job receiving unit 462...Roll type identification unit 463...Job Grouping Section 464...Job group classification section 465...Job execution scheduling unit 466...Roll paper loading scheduling section 471...Loading information transmitter P...Print control program RL...Roll paper

Claims

1. A printing method for a printing system including a printing machine that prints on continuous paper, and an autochanger that includes a plurality of slots that hold roll paper and a switching mechanism that automatically switches between slots from which roll paper is pulled to be supplied to the printing machine, and that supplies roll paper pulled from any of the plurality of slots to the printing machine as continuous paper, comprising: a print job registration step of registering a plurality of print jobs to be executed by the printing machine in a job list; a scheduling step of creating a printing schedule including a job execution schedule that determines the execution order of the plurality of print jobs based on the type and remaining amount of roll paper loaded in each of the plurality of slots, the type of roll paper required to execute each of the plurality of print jobs, and the printing distance of each of the plurality of print jobs, and a roll paper loading schedule that determines the use schedule of the roll paper loaded in the plurality of slots and the loading schedule of roll paper into the plurality of slots; a loadable time calculation step for calculating, based on the printing schedule, a loadable time at which roll paper can be loaded into a loading target slot, which is a slot into which roll paper should be loaded during execution of continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs, among the plurality of slots; A printing method comprising:

2. The loading available time calculation step includes: a loading start possible time calculation step of calculating a loading start possible time, which is the earliest time at which roll paper can be loaded into the loading target slot; a loading start deadline calculation step for calculating a loading start deadline, which is the latest time to start loading the roll paper into the loading target slot; The printing method of claim 1 , comprising:

3. The method further includes a roll exchange time registration step of registering a roll exchange time required for an operator to exchange the roll paper in a slot included in the autochanger, 3. The printing method according to claim 2, wherein in the loading start deadline time calculation step, the loading start deadline time is calculated to be a time that is earlier than the scheduled time at which printing on the replaced roll paper will begin by the time required for roll replacement.

4. 4. The printing method according to claim 2, further comprising an information transmission step of transmitting information to a pre-designated information destination that indicates that roll paper should be loaded into the slot when the loading start time arrives.

5. Each slot has a roll shaft that rotatably supports the roll paper, the roll shaft is configured to be movable between a first position, which is a position for supplying roll paper to the printing press, and a second position, which is a position for replacing the roll paper; The printing method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a roll axis moving step of moving the roll axis of the loading target slot from the first position to the second position when the loading start time arrives.

6. The method further includes a job grouping step of generating a plurality of job groups by grouping the plurality of print jobs according to the type of roll paper required for execution, 6. The printing method according to claim 1, wherein in the scheduling step, the job execution schedule is created so that two or more print jobs included in the same job group are executed consecutively.

7. The method further includes a job group classification step of classifying the plurality of job groups into executable job groups, which are job groups consisting only of print jobs that can be completed using the roll paper loaded in the plurality of slots, and non-executable job groups, which are job groups including print jobs that cannot be completed when using only the roll paper loaded in the plurality of slots, The printing method according to claim 6, characterized in that in the loading time calculation step, the loading time is calculated by using a slot into which roll paper required to execute a print job included in the group of inexecutable jobs should be loaded as the loading target slot.

8. The method further includes a priority mode setting step of setting one of a plurality of modes prepared in advance as a priority mode, the plurality of pre-prepared modes includes a production time reduction mode that prioritizes shortening the time required to execute continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs, 8. The printing method according to claim 7, wherein when the production time reduction mode is set to the priority mode in the priority mode setting step, the job execution schedule is created in the scheduling step so that print jobs included in the executable job group are executed before print jobs included in the non-executable job group.

9. further including a roll replacement timing setting step for setting whether to replace the roll paper early after the start of continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs or late after the start of continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs, When the production time reduction mode is set to the priority mode in the priority mode setting step, and when a setting is made in the roll replacement timing setting step to replace the roll paper at an early timing after the start of continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs, the job execution schedule is created in the scheduling step so that, for the executable job group, print jobs included in a job group with a shorter total print distance are executed before print jobs included in a job group with a longer total print distance, 9. The printing method of claim 8, wherein when the production time reduction mode is set to the priority mode in the priority mode setting step and the roll replacement timing setting step is set to replace the roll paper at a later timing than the start of continuous printing based on the multiple print jobs, the job execution schedule is created in the scheduling step so that, for the executable job group, print jobs included in a job group with a longer total printing distance are executed before print jobs included in a job group with a shorter total printing distance.

10. The method further includes a priority mode setting step of setting one of a plurality of modes prepared in advance as a priority mode, 8. The printing method according to claim 1, wherein in said scheduling step, said job execution schedule is created in accordance with said priority mode.

11. 11. The printing method according to claim 1, further comprising a loading information notification step of notifying loading information including the loading possible time.

12. the autochanger has a display unit; 12. The printing method according to claim 11, wherein the loading information notification step displays the loading information on the display unit.

13. 12. The printing method according to claim 11, wherein in the loading information notification step, the loading information is transmitted to a pre-designated information transmission destination.

14. a printing machine that prints on continuous paper; an autochanger including a plurality of slots for holding roll paper and a switching mechanism for automatically switching the slot from which the roll paper to be supplied to the printing machine is drawn, and which draws the roll paper from any of the plurality of slots and supplies the roll paper to the printing machine as continuous paper; a print job registration unit that registers a plurality of print jobs to be executed by the printing machine in a job list; a scheduling unit that creates a printing schedule based on the type and remaining amount of roll paper loaded in each of the plurality of slots, the type of roll paper required to execute each of the plurality of print jobs, and the printing distance of each of the plurality of print jobs, and that creates a job execution schedule that determines the execution order of the plurality of print jobs and a roll paper loading schedule that determines the use schedule for the roll paper loaded in the plurality of slots and the loading schedule for roll paper into the plurality of slots; a loadable time calculation unit that calculates, based on the printing schedule, a loadable time that is a time at which roll paper can be loaded into a load target slot that is one of the plurality of slots and into which roll paper should be loaded during execution of continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs; A printing system comprising:

15. In a printing system comprising a printing machine that prints on continuous paper, an autochanger that includes a plurality of slots that hold roll paper and a switching mechanism that automatically switches between slots from which roll paper is pulled to be supplied to the printing machine, and supplies roll paper pulled from any of the plurality of slots to the printing machine as continuous paper, and a print control device that controls the operation of the printing machine and the autochanger, the computer that constitutes the print control device comprises: a print job registration step of registering a plurality of print jobs to be executed by the printing machine in a job list; a scheduling step of creating a printing schedule including a job execution schedule that determines the execution order of the plurality of print jobs based on the type and remaining amount of roll paper loaded in each of the plurality of slots, the type of roll paper required to execute each of the plurality of print jobs, and the printing distance of each of the plurality of print jobs, and a roll paper loading schedule that determines the use schedule of the roll paper loaded in the plurality of slots and the loading schedule of roll paper into the plurality of slots; a loadable time calculation step for calculating, based on the printing schedule, a loadable time at which roll paper can be loaded into a loading target slot, which is a slot into which roll paper should be loaded during execution of continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs, among the plurality of slots; A printing control program for executing the above.

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