Communication device, control method, and program

Abstract

To further improve the convenience of functions in extended applications.SOLUTION: A communication device includes: identification means for identifying a first page included in print data to be subjected to print processing in a printing device; first acquisition means for acquiring a predetermined time from a predetermined timing until the printing device receives information indicating that post-processing of a second page different from the first page has been completed by a post-processing device that can communicate with the printing device; and notification means for issuing an error notification regarding the post-processing when the predetermined time is equal to or greater than a first threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device, a control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In a configuration where communication is possible between a communication device and a post-processing device, there is a device that controls the error state of the post-processing device in the communication device. For example, when the post-processing device is not in the standby state at the timing when it should be in the standby state, a reset command is transmitted from the communication device to the post-processing device to forcibly put it in the standby state. (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in a configuration where communication is possible between a communication device and a post-processing device, further improvement in convenience is required.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, a communication device according to the present disclosure is a printing device, and includes a specifying means for specifying a first page included in print data in which print processing is executed in the printing device, and a first acquisition means for acquiring a predetermined time until the printing device receives information indicating that post-processing of a second page different from the first page has been completed by a post-processing device capable of communicating with the printing device from a predetermined timing, and a notification means for executing an error notification regarding the post-processing when the predetermined time is equal to or greater than the first threshold value.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to this disclosure, further improvements in convenience can be achieved in a configuration that enables communication between a communication device and a post-processing device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing a communication device and a post-processing device. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the hardware configuration of the communication device and the post-processing device. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the system configuration of the communication device and the post-processing device. [Figure 4] This table shows an example of threshold values ​​in a post-processing device. [Figure 5] This is a sequence diagram of the communication device and post-processing device. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart illustrating the initial processing of the communication device and the post-processing device. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart of a communication device. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart of a communication device. [Figure 9] This table shows an example of threshold values ​​in a post-processing device. [Figure 10] This table shows an example of threshold values ​​in a post-processing device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, it should be understood that the present invention also includes modifications and improvements made to the embodiments described below, without departing from the spirit of the invention, based on the ordinary knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0009] (First Embodiment) The communication device and post-processing device of this embodiment will now be described. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the connection between the communication device and the post-processing device. In this embodiment, the communication device is a printing device, and the post-processing device is a folding machine. The printing device 200 is a large-format printing device (printer) capable of printing on roll paper (recording (printing) medium), and the folding machine 300 is a machine that folds the paper (recording medium) after it has been printed by the printing device 200. The folding machine 300 is a machine independent of the printing device 200. Therefore, when the user operates the folding machine 300 in conjunction with the printing operation of the printing device 200, the user moves the folding machine 300 in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1 to make physical contact with the printing device 200. As a result, the paper printed and discharged by the printing device 200 is taken into the folding machine 300. Furthermore, the printing device 200 and the folding machine 300 are electrically connected and capable of communication. Note that the connection between the devices may be wireless, and the printing device 200 and the folding machine 300 may be able to communicate via wireless connection. By communicating the paper ejection timing and other information from the printing device 200 to the folding machine 300, appropriate folding operations can be performed. While the communication between the printing device 200 and the folding machine 300 uses the I2C standard for serial communication, other communication methods may also be used.

[0010] In this embodiment, a printer is exemplified as the printing device 200, but it can be applied to, for example, an inkjet printer, a full-color laser beam (electrophotographic) printer, a monochrome printer, etc. Also, in this embodiment, a host computer (host) 100 is exemplified as the information processing device, but it is not limited to this. For example, various devices such as mobile terminals, personal computers, tablet terminals, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), and digital cameras can be applied as information processing devices.

[0011] Furthermore, the post-processing device 300 can be any device that communicates with the communication device 200 and performs post-processing based on the information received from the communication device 200. For example, it could be a device that performs stapling as post-processing (a stapler).

[0012] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a top-view perspective of a printing apparatus 200 and a folding machine 300 connected together, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The recording head 11 is mounted on a carriage 12, and the carriage 12 moves along a guide shaft 13. The direction in which the carriage 12 moves is called the main scanning direction. The current position of the recording head can be detected by an encoder film 14. During printing, the recording medium 18 is fed from a roll of paper (not shown) at the bottom of the printer and transported. This transport direction is called the sub-scanning direction. For example, an inkjet recording apparatus forms an image on the recording medium 18 by repeatedly transporting the recording medium 18 in the sub-scanning direction and ejecting ink from the recording head 11 while moving the carriage 12 in the main scanning direction. A flexible cable 15 is also connected to the recording head 11 via a contact surface inside the carriage 12. Signals are exchanged between the head and the electrical circuit board through the flexible cable 15. The signals exchanged include ejection signals from the electrical circuit board to the head. The recording medium 18 is supported by the printer / folder connecting member 19 and transported into the folding machine body 300. The cutter 16 moves along the cutter rail 17 and cuts the recording medium 18 at page divisions after image formation is complete. After cutting, the recording medium is pulled into the folding mechanism (not shown) at the bottom of the folding machine body 20 by the internal transport roller 21 inside the folding machine body 20. In the folding mechanism, the recording medium is folded so that creases are formed in the main scanning direction, and after folding is complete, the recording medium is discharged into the folding machine output tray 22. In this embodiment, the recording medium 18 is assumed to be roll paper, but it may also be cut paper. If it is cut paper, the paper cutting by the printing device 200 is not performed.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the host computer 100, the communication device 200, and the post-processing device 300. The host computer 100 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an external storage device, an output interface, an input / output interface, etc. (not shown). Further, input devices such as a keyboard and a pointing device are connected to the input interface, and a display device such as a display unit is connected to the output interface. The NETIF is a network interface that controls data transfer with external devices via the network.

[0014] For example, the external storage device stores an application program group, an operating system (OS), and various other data. The RAM is used as a work memory or the like when executing various programs stored in the external storage device, and various programs can operate within the host computer 100.

[0015] The printing device 200 has an input / output interface (I / F) 201, a printer control unit 202, a printing control unit 203, a printer storage device (storage unit) 204, and a folding machine interface (I / F) 205. Further, the printing device 200 has a display unit 206.

[0016] For example, the input / output interface 201 receives print data from the host 100. The printer control unit 202 controls the entire process within the printer 201. The print control unit 203 stores the print data in the printer storage device 204. The printer storage device 204 stores a table showing the queuing count threshold M and the wait time threshold N, based on the folding machine model information described later in Figure 4. It also stores the queuing count, which is a value compared to the queuing count threshold M, and the wait time, which is a value compared to the wait time threshold N. The print control unit 203 also determines the printing method based on the print data sent from the host 100 and information associated with the print data (for example, print setting information such as paper size). The folding machine interface 205 communicates with the folding machine 300. The printing device 200 and the folding machine 300 can communicate bidirectionally via the folding machine interface 205 and the printer interface 302, which will be described later. For example, the print control unit 203 transmits information regarding paper folding and information indicating the start and completion timings of paper cutting to the folding machine 300 via the folding machine I / F 205. The information regarding folding is paper size information. If information regarding the folding method is specified on the printing device 200 side, information regarding the folding method may also be transmitted. Information such as paper type (plain paper, glossy paper, etc.) and frontmost surface (which side is the top surface when folded) may also be included. The print control unit 203 also receives information from the folding machine 300 indicating the completion of paper folding via the folding machine I / F 205. The display unit 206 can display information (notifications) regarding the printing device 200 and the folding machine 300. Furthermore, the print control unit 203 transports the recording medium 18 and performs image formation (printing process) using the recording head 11 according to the determined printing method. When printing one page is completed, the recording medium 18 is cut (paper cut) at the page break position by the cutter 16. Information indicating the timing of paper cutting is also transmitted to the folding machine 300 via the folding machine I / F205. Paper cutting refers to the process of separating the printed area from the roll of paper by cutting the roll after the printing process has been completed. For example, if the first page of the print data is printed on the roll of paper, the upstream side in the direction of transport of the roll of paper is cut so that the area printed on the first page is separated from the roll of paper.

[0017] In this embodiment, the printer control unit 202 executes the functions described below in the communication device 200 and the processes according to the flowchart described below by performing processes according to the procedures of the program stored in the printer storage device 204.

[0018] Also, although the host computer 100 and the printing device 200 are configured separately, they may be configured as one information processing device.

[0019] The folding machine 300 includes a folding machine control unit 301 that controls the entire folding machine, a printer I / F 302, and a folding mechanism control unit 303.

[0020] For example, the printer I / F 302 communicates with the printing device 200 and receives information necessary for folding, information indicating the start timing and completion timing of paper cutting. The folding mechanism control unit 303 performs folding control of the recording medium based on information regarding folding of the paper received from the printing device 200, information indicating the timing of cutting, and the folding method of the paper (information indicating at what intervals in millimeters from the edge of the paper to fold, and information indicating the type of folding method such as DIN-A, DIN-B, DIN-C, etc.) specified by the user on the display unit 304 of the folding machine 300. The folding mechanism control unit 303 can detect the completion of folding, and when the folding is completed, transmits information indicating the completion of paper folding to the printing device 200 via the printer I / F 302.

[0021] Note that, depending on the model, the performance of the folding machine 300, such as the maximum number of sheets that can be loaded, which indicates the maximum number of sheets in the finisher (not shown) of the folding machine 300, and the folding speed, which is the speed at which the paper is folded, may vary.

[0022] Incidentally, errors can occur with the folding machine 300. For example, an error may occur in which the paper ejected from the printing device 200 is not folded by the folding machine 300. Reasons for this error include, for example, the paper falling to the ground while being transported to the folding machine 300, or the paper getting jammed in the folding machine 300, causing a paper jam. However, conventionally, the printing device 200 has not been able to detect errors with the folding machine 300. This is because, for example, communication between the printing device 200 and the folding machine 300 was limited to the printing device 200 unilaterally sending electrical signals to the folding machine 300, and it could not receive any information from the folding machine 300. Furthermore, even if the printing device 200 could receive error information from the folding machine 300, it may not be able to receive error information from the folding machine 300 if the folding machine 300 cannot detect an error within itself. Furthermore, even if the folding machine 300 can receive error information, for example, if the cause of the error is that the paper falls to the ground while being transported to the folding machine 300, the folding machine 300 may not be able to detect the error. As a result, the folding machine 300 was unable to transmit error information to the printing device 200, and therefore the printing device 200 was unable to detect that an error had occurred and was unable to inform the user that an error had occurred.

[0023] Therefore, in this embodiment, the communication between the printing device 200 and the folding machine 300 is a communication format that allows the printing device 200 to receive arbitrary information from the folding machine 300. Furthermore, the printing device 200 decides to notify the folding machine 300 that an error has occurred (provide an error notification) if the wait time, which is the time until the folding machine 300 transmits information indicating that the folding of a predetermined page is complete, is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (wait time threshold). This allows the user to be informed that there is a possibility that an error has occurred with the folding machine 300.

[0024] Furthermore, if the wait time exceeds the wait time threshold, the printing device 200 executes a control to interrupt the printing process. This reduces the accumulation of paper that has been printed but not folded, for example, when an error occurs in the folding machine 300 and the folding process cannot be performed.

[0025] Furthermore, the folding speed may differ depending on the model of the folding machine 300. For example, if the wait time threshold is constant regardless of the type of folding machine 300, and a paper jam occurs in the folding machine 300, the faster the folding machine 300, the longer it will take for an error notification to be issued and printing to be interrupted. This can result in the consumption of extra consumables. Therefore, in this embodiment, the printing device 200 sets the above-mentioned wait time threshold differently depending on the type of folding machine 300. When the wait time exceeds the wait time threshold corresponding to the type of folding machine 300, the printing device 200 decides not to perform the printing process and decides not to issue an error notification. This reduces the consumption of extra consumables depending on the type of folding machine 300.

[0026] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the printing device 200 detects the queue number, which will be described later. If the queue number is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (queue number threshold), it determines whether the wait time is equal to or greater than the wait time threshold. Therefore, it becomes possible to omit the time counting process that is executed each time any page is printed.

[0027] Here, we will explain in detail the queue number and wait time, which are values ​​used in the error notification determination process in which the printing device 200 determines whether or not to issue an error notification to the folding machine 300. The queue number is a number that represents "number of pages being printed + number of pages printed - number of pages folded". The wait time is the elapsed time from when any page to be printed is identified until information indicating the completion of folding of the M pages prior is received, with the queue number threshold being M. The wait time may also be the elapsed time from when the printing process for any page to be printed starts or is completed until information indicating the completion of folding of the M pages prior is received, with the queue number threshold being M. The queue number may also be a number that represents "number of pages printed - number of pages folded". In other words, the queue number is the difference between the value based on the number of pages that the printing device 200 has completed printing and the value of the number of pages that the folding machine 300 has completed folding.

[0028] Furthermore, in the error notification determination process, the queuing count threshold M and the wait time threshold N, which are values ​​determined for each model of folding machine 300, are used. If the number of queuing items is equal to or greater than the queuing count threshold M and the wait time is equal to or greater than the wait time threshold N, it is determined that an error has occurred in the folding machine 300 and a notification should be issued. The queuing count threshold M is a value determined by the printing device 200 based on the number of sheets that the folding machine 300 can load, and the value of M increases as the number of sheets that can load increases. The wait time threshold N is a value determined by the printing device 200 based on the folding speed of the folding machine 300, and the value of threshold N decreases as the folding speed increases. In other words, the values ​​of threshold M and threshold N are determined by the printing device 200 based on the different processing capabilities of each model of folding machine 300. Note that thresholds M and threshold N do not necessarily have to be determined for each model of folding machine 300. If the processing capacity of the folding machine 300 differs depending on the firmware version within the folding machine 300, even for the same model, then thresholds M and N may be determined based on the combination of model and firmware version.

[0029] Figure 4 is an example of a table showing the threshold values ​​M for the number of queuing pages and N for the wait time, which are determined for each model of folding machine 300. This table is stored in the memory of the printing device 200, such as the storage device 204. For example, the threshold M for the number of queuing pages in folding machine A is "2" (sheets), and the threshold N for the wait time is "30" (seconds). For example, if the number of pages printed by the printing device 200 is "3" (sheets) and the number of pages folded by folding machine A is "1" (sheet), the number of queuing pages is "2" (sheets), and therefore the number of queuing pages is determined to be greater than or equal to the threshold M. Furthermore, if the wait time, which is the time until the folding of the paper two pages prior to the specified page is completed, is "30" (seconds), then the wait time is determined to be greater than or equal to the threshold N. Therefore, in the error notification determination process described later, it is determined that an error has occurred in folding machine 300.

[0030] Figures 5(a) and 5(b) are sequence diagrams showing the transmission and reception of various information between the printing device 200 and the folding machine 300. This sequence is processed by the printing control unit 203 and the folding mechanism control unit 303. This sequence is executed when a user issues a print command on the host 100 and the printing device 200 receives the print command. Figure 5(a) is a sequence diagram showing the case where the above-mentioned error has not occurred in the folding machine 300 (normal operation), and Figure 5(b) is a sequence diagram showing the case where the above-mentioned error has occurred in the folding machine 300 (error occurrence). This sequence explains the case where the queueing threshold is "2" (sheets) and the wait time threshold is "30" (seconds).

[0031] First, let's explain the normal operation using Figure 5(a). In other words, in the error notification determination process shown in Figure 5(a), it is determined that no error has occurred in the folding machine 300. The error notification determination process is performed to determine whether or not to start printing a predetermined page. If the print control unit 203 determines in the error notification determination process that an error has occurred in the folding machine 300, it will not print the predetermined page. If it determines that no error has occurred in the folding machine 300, it will print the predetermined page.

[0032] In S501, the print control unit 203 performs an error notification determination process to determine whether or not to execute the printing process for the first page. This error notification determination process corresponds to the processes S700 to S706 in Figure 7, which will be described later. In the error notification determination process to determine whether or not to execute the printing process for the first page, since the number of pages to be printed is 0, the possibility of the queue count exceeding the threshold is low, so this error notification determination process may be omitted. In other words, if the number of pages to be printed is less than or equal to the queue count threshold M, this error notification determination process may be omitted.

[0033] In step S502, the print control unit 203 transmits information for folding the paper to the folding machine 300. This information is the paper size information. The folding mechanism control unit 203 then receives the transmitted information for folding the paper.

[0034] In step S503, the print control unit 203 executes the printing process for the first page included in the print data. The print control unit 203 also starts transporting the paper, for which the first page has been printed, to the folding machine 300.

[0035] In S504, the print control unit 203 transmits information indicating the start of cutting the first page of paper. The folding mechanism control unit 203 starts drawing the roll paper into the folding machine 300 when the roll paper with the first page printed is transported, but when it receives information indicating the start of cutting the first page of paper, it temporarily stops drawing in the roll paper. This is because drawing in the paper while cutting is in progress may cause the cut section to be misaligned or errors such as paper jams to occur.

[0036] In S505, the print control unit 203 performs paper cutting for the first page.

[0037] In S506, the print control unit 203 transmits information indicating the completion of cutting the first page of paper. Upon receiving this information, the folding mechanism control unit 203 resumes pulling the cut paper into the folding machine 300.

[0038] In S507, the print control unit 203 performs an error notification determination process, similar to S501. This process is performed to determine whether or not to print the second page when the print data contains multiple pages. In the error notification determination process to determine whether or not to print the second page, the number of pages to print is 1 and the number of folded pages is 0, so the queue number is "1". Therefore, if the queue number threshold M is "2", it is decided not to issue an error notification. Note that if the number of pages to be printed is less than or equal to the queue number threshold M, this error notification determination process may be omitted.

[0039] The process in S508 is the same as the process in S502.

[0040] In step S509, the print control unit 203 performs the printing process for the second page included in the print data. The print control unit 203 starts the printing process for the second page without waiting for the folding process of the first page by the folding machine to be completed.

[0041] In S510, the folding mechanism control unit 303 executes folding control for the first page and performs the folding process. The folding mechanism control unit 303 can also perform appropriate paper transport and folding control based on the information for folding the received paper.

[0042] In S511, when the folding mechanism control unit 303 completes the folding process for the first page, it transmits information to the printing device 200 indicating that the folding process for the first page is complete. The printing control unit 203 receives the transmitted notification indicating that the folding process for the first page is complete.

[0043] In S512, the print control unit 203 transmits information indicating the start of paper cutting for the second page.

[0044] In S513, the print control unit 203 performs a paper cut for the second page.

[0045] In S514, the print control unit 203 transmits information indicating the completion of cutting the second page of paper. Upon receiving this information, the folding mechanism control unit 203 resumes pulling the cut paper into the folding machine 300.

[0046] In S515, the print control unit 203 performs error notification determination processing, similar to S501. This process is performed to determine whether or not to print the third page when the print data contains multiple pages. In the error notification determination processing to determine whether or not to print the third page, the number of pages to print is 2 and the number of pages to fold is 1, so the queue number is "1". Therefore, if the queue number threshold M is "2", it is determined that no error has occurred.

[0047] If the print data includes pages beyond the fourth page, this sequence will be executed repeatedly.

[0048] Furthermore, the timing at which processes S510 and S511 are executed depends on the processing capacity of the folding machine 300, so they may be executed at different times.

[0049] Next, we will explain the case when an error occurs using Figure 5(b). In Figure 5(b), it is assumed that the folding process for the first page was not performed in the folding machine 300 due to the occurrence of an error. Therefore, a folding completion notification regarding the folding process for the first page is not sent to the printing device 200.

[0050] Since S521 to S529 are the same processes as S501 to S509, and S530 to S532 are the same processes as S512 to S514, their explanations will be omitted.

[0051] In S533, the print control unit 203 performs error notification determination processing, similar to S501. This process is performed to determine whether or not to print the third page when the print data contains multiple pages. In the error notification determination processing to determine whether or not to print the third page, the number of pages to print is 2 and the number of pages to fold is 0, so the number of pages to queue is "2". Therefore, if the threshold M for the number of pages to queue is "2", it is further determined whether the wait time is greater than or equal to the wait time threshold N, which is "30" seconds. If it is determined that the wait time is greater than or equal to the threshold N, it is determined that an error has occurred in the folding machine 300. If an error is determined to have occurred, the print control unit 203 does not perform the printing of the third page. The print control unit 203 also displays (outputs) a notification on the display unit 206 of the printing device 200 indicating that an error has occurred. For example, the message "Communication error with the folding machine. Please check the status of the folding machine." may be displayed. Or, the message "An error has occurred in the folding machine. Please check the status of the folding machine." may be displayed. The user can resume the printing process on the printer 200 and the folding process on the folding machine 300 by, for example, pressing the power buttons on the printer 200 and the folding machine 300. Therefore, a notification such as "A printer problem has occurred. Turn off the power to this product, wait a while, and then turn it back on" may be displayed. The notification screen may also display information indicating the type of error. This information may be displayed as text, a string of characters such as an error code, or a QR code (registered trademark).

[0052] If the print data does not contain multiple pages, steps S507-S509, S512-S515, and S527-S533 will be omitted.

[0053] Figure 6 is a flowchart of the initialization process performed by the print control unit 203 of the printing device 200. The process in this flowchart starts when the power to the printing device 200 and the folding machine 300 are turned ON, but it may also be performed before the start of the printing process.

[0054] In S601, the print control unit 203 establishes communication between the printing device 200 and the folding machine 300. Serial communication is used here, but other communication methods may also be used.

[0055] In S602, the print control unit 203 sets the queue count value to "0" (resets, initializes). This process returns the queue count, which was stored when the printer 200 and folding machine 300 were previously used, back to its initial value of "0".

[0056] In step S603, the print control unit 203 queries the folding machine 300 for its model name and obtains information regarding the model name of the folding machine 300. The print control unit 203 may also obtain information regarding the firmware version of the folding machine 300.

[0057] In S604, the print control unit 203 uses the table in Figure 4 mentioned above to determine the threshold M for the number of items to queue and the threshold N for the wait time. For example, if the print control unit 203 receives information from the folding machine 300 in S603 indicating that the model name of the folding machine 300 is folding machine A, then in S603, based on the table in Figure 4, it determines that the threshold M for the number of items to queue is "2" (sheets) and the threshold N for the wait time is "30" (seconds).

[0058] Figure 7 is a flowchart of the processes executed by the print control unit 203 of the printing device 200. The processes in this flowchart are executed when a user issues a print command on the host 100 and the printing device 200 receives the print command. Processes S700 to S706 correspond to error notification determination processes S501, S507, S515, S521, S527, and S533 in Figure 5.

[0059] In S700, the print control unit 203 identifies one of the pages in the print data. The pages are identified sequentially starting from the first page of the print data, but the order may be random.

[0060] In S701, the print control unit 203 sets the wait time to 0 (resets, initializes). In S703, described later, a time count for measuring the wait time is started. This process resets the wait time stored in the time count corresponding to the previous page and is executed in preparation for the time count corresponding to the page identified in S700. The print control unit 203 may reset the wait time in S701 and start the time count before the determination in S702. Alternatively, the time count may be executed when the transport of the paper on which the printing process for the identified page has been performed to the folding machine 300 begins.

[0061] In S702, the print control unit 203 determines whether the number of queued items is equal to or greater than the threshold M. If the print control unit 203 determines that the result in S702 is YES, it proceeds to S703; otherwise, it proceeds to S708. If the result in S702 is NO, the print control unit 203 decides to send information for folding to the folding machine 300 and not to execute an error notification regarding the folding machine 300.

[0062] In S703, the print control unit 203 starts a time count to measure the wait time corresponding to the identified page.

[0063] In S704, the print control unit 203 determines whether the wait time corresponding to the identified page is greater than or equal to a threshold N. If the print control unit 203 determines that the result is YES in S704, it proceeds to S707; if the result is NO in S704, it proceeds to S705.

[0064] In S705, the print control unit 203 performs the process of waiting for 1 second (waits for 1 second).

[0065] In S706, the print control unit 203 adds 1 second to the wait time and returns to S702.

[0066] If the result in S704 is determined to be YES, in S707 the print control unit 203 decides not to perform the printing process on the specified page, does not send folding information to the folding machine 300, and issues an error notification regarding the folding machine 300. Specifically, the print control unit 203 displays (outputs) a notification on the display unit 206 of the printing device 200 indicating that an error has occurred. The print control unit 203 then executes control to prevent the printing process of the specified page and subsequent pages.

[0067] If NO is determined in S702, the printer control unit 203 proceeds to S708, where it transmits information for folding the paper to the folding machine 300. However, if the folding machine 300 already has the information for folding the paper, the printer 200 does not need to transmit that information to the folding machine 300.

[0068] This process corresponds to steps S502, S508, S522, and S528 in Figure 5.

[0069] In S709, the print control unit 203 adds "1" to the queue count. Since the queue count represents "number of pages currently being printed + number of pages that have been printed - number of pages that have been folded", this process is performed in preparation for printing the specified page. Alternatively, the queue count may represent "number of pages that have been printed - number of pages that have been folded", in which case the process in S709 may be performed after the printing process of the specified page has been completed.

[0070] In S710, the print control unit 203 starts a printing operation for printing the specified page. Specifically, it uses the recording head 11 to form an image of the specified page on the paper according to the determined printing method. This process corresponds to steps S503, S509, S523, and S529 in Figure 5. When the printing of the specified page is completed, the print control unit 203 starts transporting the paper on which the specified page was printed to the folding machine 300.

[0071] In S711, the print control unit 203 transmits information to the folding machine 300 indicating the start of paper cutting at the paper cutting position. This process corresponds to steps S504, S512, S524, and S530 in Figure 5.

[0072] In S712, the print control unit 203 cuts the roll paper (paper cut) at the page break position using the cutter 16. This process corresponds to steps S505, S513, S525, and S531 in Figure 5.

[0073] In S713, the print control unit 203 transmits information to the folding machine 300 indicating that the paper cutting is complete. This process corresponds to steps S506, S514, S526, and S532 in Figure 5.

[0074] In S714, the print control unit 203 determines whether or not there are pages not specified in the print data. If the print control unit 203 determines YES in S714, it proceeds to S700; if it determines NO in S714, it terminates the processing of this flowchart.

[0075] Figure 8 shows a flowchart executed by the print control unit 203 of the printing device 200. The processing in this flowchart is executed when a folding completion notification is sent from the folding machine 300 and received by the print control unit 203. Therefore, this flowchart may be executed even while the flowchart in Figure 7 is being executed.

[0076] In S801, the print control unit 203 subtracts "1" from the queue count and terminates the processing of this flowchart. Since the queue count represents "number of pages being printed + number of pages printed - number of pages folded" or "number of pages printed - number of pages folded", this process is executed when the folding process for a predetermined page is completed.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the threshold values ​​for the number of queued items and the wait time are set differently depending on the processing capacity of the folding machine 300. If the number of queued items and the wait time exceed predetermined thresholds, an error is determined to have occurred, and control is executed to prevent the printing of the predetermined page. This reduces the consumption of unnecessary consumables. In addition, an error notification is displayed on the display unit of the printing device 200. This allows the user to be notified of the error as quickly as possible.

[0078] In the embodiments described above, the threshold for the number of queued items and the threshold for the wait time were set differently depending on the processing capacity of the folding machine 300, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the threshold for the wait time N may be set differently depending on the length of the paper in the specified paper size after paper cutting. Figure 9 is an example of a table showing the threshold for the wait time N set for each paper length in the paper size after paper cutting. Paper length refers to the length of the paper in the sub-scanning direction, and the longer the paper length, the longer it takes to transport the paper within the folding machine 300, and therefore the longer the folding process takes. For this reason, the longer the paper length, the larger the threshold for the wait time N. This table may be maintained for each model of folding machine 300. If the threshold for the wait time N differs depending on the paper size after paper cutting, the threshold for the wait time N is determined based on the table in Figure 9, not at S604 in Figure 6, but after the flowchart in Figure 7 starts and before any page is identified in S700. This is because the paper length may differ for each print job, so the threshold for the wait time N according to the paper length is determined after the print instruction is given. If it is possible to print with different paper sizes for each page, the wait time threshold N may be determined in S700 after any page is identified and before the wait time is reset in S701.

[0079] Furthermore, the wait time threshold N may be varied depending on the specified number of folds of the paper after cutting (e.g., 4-fold, 6-fold, Z-fold). Figure 10 is an example of a table showing the wait time threshold N determined for each number of folds of the paper after cutting. The more folds there are, the longer the folding process takes. Therefore, the more folds there are, the larger the wait time threshold N becomes. This table may be maintained for each model of folding machine 300. If only the folding machine 300 holds the information indicating the number of folds, the print control unit 203 obtains the information indicating the number of folds from the folding machine 300 before any page is identified in S700. Then, the wait time threshold N is determined based on the obtained information indicating the number of folds and the table in Figure 10. This is because the number of folds may differ for each print job, so the wait time threshold N corresponding to the number of folds is determined after the print command is issued. If it is possible to set different numbers of folds for each page, the wait time threshold N may be determined after any page is identified in S700 and before the wait time is reset in S701. Furthermore, if the printing device 200 holds information indicating the number of folds, it is not necessary to obtain information indicating the number of folds from the folding machine 300.

[0080] Furthermore, a threshold N for the wait time may be determined according to the combination of the paper length in the paper size after cutting and the number of folds of the paper after cutting.

[0081] Furthermore, different thresholds M may be set for the number of queuings depending on the length of the paper after cutting, or depending on the number of folds of the paper after cutting.In error detection, the number of queuings may be a value set for each model, or different thresholds M may be used depending on the length of the paper after cutting, or depending on the number of folds of the paper after cutting.

[0082] (Other embodiments) If the folding machine 300 can detect an error within the folding machine 300, it may send information about the error to the printing device 200 at the time the error occurs. This information about the error may include, for example, information indicating the nature of the error.

[0083] The embodiments described above can also be realized by performing the following process: supplying software (programs) that realize the functions of the embodiments described above to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and having the computer (CPU, MPU, etc.) of that system or device read and execute the program. The program may be executed on a single computer or executed in conjunction with multiple computers. Furthermore, it is not necessary to realize all of the above processes in software; some or all of the processes may be realized in hardware such as ASICs. Also, the CPU is not limited to one CPU that performs all the processing; multiple CPUs may perform the processing in coordination as appropriate.

[0084] Furthermore, the functionality of the aforementioned embodiment is not only realized by the execution of program code read by the computer. It also includes cases where the operating system running on the computer performs some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of that program code, and the functionality of the aforementioned embodiment is realized through that processing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 200 Communication devices 300 Post-processing equipment 202 Printer Control Unit

Claims

1. A printing device, A means for identifying a first page included in print data on which printing is performed in the aforementioned printing apparatus, A first acquisition means acquires a predetermined time from a predetermined timing until the printing device receives information indicating that post-processing of a second page, which is different from the first page, has been completed by a post-processing device that can communicate with the printing device. A printing apparatus comprising: notification means for executing an error notification regarding the post-processing when the predetermined time is equal to or greater than a first threshold; and

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that if the predetermined time is not equal to or greater than the first threshold, the printing apparatus decides not to perform the error notification related to the post-processing.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, if the predetermined time is not equal to or greater than the first threshold, it transmits information regarding the post-processing to the post-processing device and performs the printing process of the first page.

4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the post-processing information is information regarding the size of the printing medium on which the printing process was performed in the printing apparatus.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the post-processing is a folding process which is a process in which the printing apparatus performs control to fold the printed medium on which the printing process has been performed.

6. The printing medium is a roll of paper, and the printing medium that is folded in the folding process is separated from the roll of paper by cutting the roll of paper on which the printing process has been performed in the printing apparatus, as described in claim 5.

7. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a time count for measuring the predetermined time is started based on the identification of the first page.

8. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the error relating to the post-processing is an error that the post-processing device cannot detect.

9. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the error relating to the post-processing is an error in which the roll paper on which the printing process was performed in the printing apparatus is not transported to the post-processing device because the paper, after being separated from the roll paper, falls to the ground.

10. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the post-processing device is a folding machine.

11. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second page is a page that was printed before the first page, and is a page identified in an order corresponding to the value obtained by subtracting the difference between the number of pages based on the number of pages printed by the printing apparatus and the number of pages that the post-processing device has completed post-processing for from a value indicating the order in which the first page was identified.

12. A second acquisition means for acquiring information based on the number of pages printed by the printing device and information regarding the number of pages processed by the post-processing device, The system further comprises a third acquisition means for acquiring a second threshold value relating to the difference between a value based on the number of pages printed by the printing device and the number of pages processed by the post-processing device, If the difference is greater than or equal to the second threshold and the predetermined time is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it is decided to execute an error notification regarding the post-processing. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, if the difference is not greater than or equal to the second threshold, it transmits information regarding the post-processing to the post-processing device and performs the printing process of the first page.

13. The system further comprises a second determination step of determining whether the difference is greater than or equal to the second threshold, In the second determination step, if it is determined that the difference is greater than or equal to the second threshold, and the predetermined time is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it is decided to execute an error notification regarding the post-processing. The printing apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that, if it is determined that the difference is not equal to or greater than the second threshold, it transmits information regarding the post-processing to the post-processing device and performs the printing process of the first page.

14. The printing apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the second threshold is the difference between the information based on the number of pages printed by the printing apparatus and the value of the number of pages processed by the post-processing device.

15. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first threshold is obtained based on a table stored in the storage unit of the printing apparatus.

16. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first threshold value differs for each model of the post-processing device.

17. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first threshold value differs for each version of the post-processing device.

18. The printing apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the second threshold is obtained based on a table stored in the storage unit of the printing apparatus.

19. The printing apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the second threshold value differs for each model of the post-processing device.

20. The printing apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the second threshold value differs for each version of the post-processing device.

21. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first threshold value differs for each length of paper that the post-processing device performs post-processing on.

22. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first threshold value differs for each number of folds of the paper that the post-processing device performs post-processing on.

23. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the predetermined timing is the timing at which the first page is identified.

24. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the predetermined timing is the timing at which the printing process of the first page is started.

25. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the predetermined timing is the timing at which the printing process of the first page is completed.

26. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising control means that, when the predetermined time is greater than or equal to the first threshold, performs control by not transmitting information regarding the post-processing to the post-processing device and not performing the printing process of the first page.

27. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a second acquisition means for acquiring a first threshold value relating to the aforementioned post-processing.

28. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the post-processing device is a stapler.

29. A method for controlling a printing device, A identifying step of identifying a first page included in print data on which printing processing is performed in the aforementioned printing device, A first acquisition step involves acquiring a predetermined time from a predetermined timing until the printing device receives information indicating that post-processing of a second page, which is different from the first page, has been completed by a post-processing device that can communicate with the printing device. A control method characterized by comprising: a notification step of executing an error notification regarding the post-processing if the predetermined time is greater than or equal to a first threshold.

30. A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

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