JP2004351830A - Continuous paper printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To decrease waste of a paper sheet when a jam between printer engines is generated and caused by an input mistake, and man-hours of an operator for filling the paper sheet when a roll paper feeding device is connected. <P>SOLUTION: In a printing apparatus performing a double-face printing, a spot color printing and a magnetic toner printing by using a plurality of continuous paper printer engines, a printer controlling device can perform printing while a plurality of the continuous paper printer engines are driven for synchronous printing. It has a means which shifts a plurality of the printer engines performing the synchronous printing to non-synchronous printing by operation by an operator, a means which simply sets a fixed value of a difference in physical paper lengths on developing data of the first face/the second face provided between the first/the second printer engines, and a means which returns the printing to the synchronous printing by operation by the operator. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a continuous paper printing apparatus in which a plurality of printer engines are connected.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There is a printing apparatus having a configuration in which two continuous paper printers capable of single-sided printing are connected to perform double-sided printing, and sometimes two separate printers are capable of single-sided printing. This type of printer control method for duplex printing is a method in which two printers (control devices are separately provided) perform synchronous printing.
[0003]
As a conventional example of the synchronous printing method, there is a continuous paper double-sided printing apparatus which performs synchronous printing with a printer having an individual control device via an intermediate buffer mechanism with a sensor or a means for communicating a physical page difference with a host system (for example, Patent Document 1). In the case of such a continuous paper duplex printing apparatus, the number of components increases due to the provision of an intermediate buffer mechanism with a sensor, individual control devices, and the like, and the cost increases.In addition, separate data is sent from the host system to each control device. There was the complexity of transferring and the difficulty of loading paper.
[Patent Document 1]
JP 07-237336 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional double-sided printing traveling method, it is necessary to reverse the front side and the front side of the sheet printed by the first single-sided continuous paper printer engine with the turn bar, and then print the back side by the second connected single-sided continuous paper printer engine. Synchronous printing on both sides of the print was essential.
[0005]
In this synchronous printing, in a state where a certain double-sided job is completed and a next job is awaited, the first printer engine finishes printing a surface group of a certain job, and the second printer engine completes printing the second group by the distance between the first and second printer engines. A standby state in which the printer engine drawing data is stored in the memory is referred to as “print data standby”.
[0006]
At this time, there were the following problems.
1. If a paper jam occurs between the first and second printer engines, the printing apparatus does not have a detectable mechanism (such as a sensor), and is detected until a jam error is detected in the apparatus at the time of next print data printing. -There was no way to correct this, and wasteful paper was consumed.
2. Since the operator inputs a set value used for synchronous printing, useless printing is performed until the operator realizes that the input value is an error, and there is no method of immediately recovering even if he / she notices.
3. When a roll paper replenishing device or the like is connected, it is necessary to restart the paper loading operation in order to change and set the physical paper length. Because of the synchronous printing, even after the printing of the single-sided print data from the host system by the first printer engine is completed, the change cannot be performed immediately unless the paper is sent to the second printer engine. Therefore, the paper between the first and second printer engines is wasted.
[0007]
As a result, as a result, the operator has to remove and reload paper. These operations have to be performed manually by an operator, and require a lot of man-hours, such as when a jam is repaired. Further, when a jam error occurs, the paper between the printer engines is wasted, and the paper is further consumed by a paper reloading operation or the like.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to make two printer engines performing printing while performing synchronous printing into asynchronous printing by a simple input operation of an operator, and the operator can arbitrarily advance or move the sheets of the first printer engine and the second printer engine. A printing device that can be retracted so that paper can be joined at any point, thereby reducing the number of man-hours required for paper loading when a paper jam occurs between printer engines or input errors, and when loading a roll paper supply device. Is to provide.
[0009]
[Means for solving the problem]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a continuous paper printing apparatus having a printer control device capable of performing printing while synchronously printing a plurality of continuous paper printer engines. And a setting means for setting a fixed value of the developed data physical sheet length difference between the first surface and the second surface provided between the first and second printer engines.
[0010]
Further, in a continuous paper printing apparatus provided with a printer control device capable of performing printing while synchronously printing a plurality of continuous paper printer engines, means for shifting the plurality of printer engines performing synchronous printing to asynchronous printing by an operator operation Setting means for setting a fixed value of physical data length difference between the first and second surfaces provided between the first and second printer engines, and means for returning to synchronous printing by an operator operation. I do.
[0011]
Further, it is characterized by comprising means capable of operating blank page printing (NPRO) of an arbitrary number of pages by an operator operation.
[0012]
Further, the continuous paper printing apparatus is a printing apparatus capable of performing double-sided printing, spot color printing, or magnetic toner printing.
[0013]
Therefore, when a paper jam occurs between printer engines waiting for print data, when an operator makes an input error, and when the physical page length is changed with roll paper, the operator himself / herself operates the printer engine operating in synchronous printing. Means for easily moving the paper of any printer engine forward or backward, and means for synchronously printing the sheets after the joining adjustment. And the extra paper loading man-hours can be eliminated.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a duplex printing apparatus according to the present invention and its paper running.
[0016]
The paper traveling route will be described. The paper is supplied from the roll paper supply device 1a to the first printer engine 1e under the power supply operation box 1b. In the first printer engine 1e, the image of the first side image data developed by the control device 1h is transferred to the supplied paper by the photosensitive drum 1d to which the toner has been attached from the developing device 1c. Thereafter, the toner is fixed on the sheet by the fixing device 1f. In this way, the paper on which the toner is fixed by the first printer engine 1e is sent to the second printer engine 1i through the control device 1h by changing the paper traveling direction or turning over the paper with the turn bar 1g. .
[0017]
As in the case of the first printer engine 1e, the second surface drawing data is printed by the second printer engine 1i, and is wound by the roll paper winding device 1j. That is, two-sided printing can be performed by changing the front and back sides of the sheet with the turn bar 1g. Furthermore, spot color or magnetic toner printing is possible by exchanging the toner of each printer engine with a non-black or magnetic toner without changing the front and back of the paper with the turn bar 1g.
[0018]
FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram for explaining the printing apparatus of the present invention.
[0019]
The main part of this printing apparatus includes a printer control device 2b, an operation panel 2c, a first printer engine 2d, and a second printer engine 2e. The printer control device 2b includes a host interface 2f, a CPU 2h, a RAM 2g, an operation panel interface 2i, a magnetic storage device 2k, a first printer engine interface 21 and a second printer engine interface 2m, and a system bus 2j interconnecting these. Become. The operation panel 2c is connected to the operation panel interface 2i. Each printer engine (2l, 2m) is connected to each printer engine (2d, 2e). The host system 2a is connected to the host interface 2f. When the power is turned on, the control program is stored in the system area of the RAM 2g from the magnetic storage device 2k and started. The CPU 2h operates according to a control program stored in the system area of the RAM 2g, and controls the entire printer.
[0020]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a control program of the printer control device.
[0021]
The control program group 3c includes a reception processing unit 3d, an image drawing unit 3e, a printer engine adjustment management control unit 3f, an operation panel control unit 3g, a magnetic storage device control unit 3h, a page memory management unit 3i, and a first printer engine control unit 3j. , A second printer engine control unit 3k and the like. The document data sent from the host system 3a is processed by the reception processing unit 3d, passed to the magnetic storage device control unit 3h, and stored on the magnetic disk. The image drawing unit 3e develops document data on the magnetic disk into drawing data, and transmits the drawing data to the page memory management unit 3i. The page memory management unit 3i arranges and manages the drawing data of the document data on the memory. At this time, according to the operator input from the operation panel and the display 3b instruction, when the operation panel control unit 3g processes the pressing of the READY key 61 and instructs to start printing, the printer engine adjustment management control unit 3f changes the drawing data address on the memory. The printer engine control units (3j, 3k) are activated as arguments.
[0022]
The first printer engine control unit 3j extracts drawing data from the memory based on the drawing data address indicated by the printer engine adjustment management unit 3f, and transfers the drawing data with the first printer engine.
[0023]
Similarly, the second printer engine control unit 3k extracts the drawing data from the memory based on the drawing data address indicated by the printer engine adjustment management unit 3f, and transfers the drawing data by the second printer engine. When an error occurs in the printer engine, the error is displayed on the operation panel 2c via the printer engine adjustment management control unit 3f and the operation panel control unit 3g.
[0024]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the sheet loading function. Here, an example in which a serial number is printed as a print sample will be described. This paper loading function is a function to assist the operator in loading paper based on the physical page size previously input by the operator. The printer controller 2b also obtains a physical page difference value used for synchronous printing between the first printer engine and the second printer engine. The operator selects this paper loading function from the operator operation panel 2c and instructs printing of M physical pages. The printer controller 2b prints serial numbers (1, 2,..., N,..., M-1, M) starting from 1 on the first printer engine photosensitive drum 4a, and feeds the paper in physical page size. Thereafter, the operator loads paper into the second printer engine via the turn bar 4b. If necessary, sheets are continuously loaded to the post-processing machine. At this time, if the sheet is loaded by the turn bar 4c so that the sheet is turned over, double-sided printing is performed. If the front and back sides of the paper are not changed, spot color or magnetic toner printing for double printing on only one side of the paper can be performed. Here, the case where the front and back of the paper are changed will be described, but the case where the front and back are not changed can be similarly realized.
[0025]
After loading the paper, the operator looks at the serial number N on the first surface immediately before the second printer engine photosensitive drum 4d, and inputs this number from the operation panel. The printer printing apparatus stores the M-N + 1 value as a physical page difference value L (L = M-N + 1) 4f between the first printer engine screen data and the second printer engine screen data. Structurally, the N + 1 serial number cannot be viewed, so that the operator inputs the visible N serial number and adds 1 as the difference. This physical page difference value L (4f) is consequently a visual input by the operator. A sensor may be provided immediately before the second printer engine photosensitive drum 4d so as to detect the difference, and the difference may be set based on the value. In synchronous printing, printing is performed while synchronizing the first printer engine and the second printer engine so as to maintain the physical page difference value L (4f). Synchronous printing is a necessary control to provide a printer system in which different single-sided printer engines are connected in series.
[0026]
FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the layout 5b of the page memory after drawing stored in the RAM 2g, each pointer 5c, the transfer pointer position of each printer engine, and the memory release 5d.
[0027]
The operation of the image drawing unit 3e, page memory management unit 3i, printer engine adjustment management unit 3f, and printer engine control units (3j, 3k) using the page memory 5b, synchronous printing, and memory release will be described with reference to FIG.
[0028]
Prior to the transfer to the printer engine, the image drawing unit 3e develops and stores the document data from the host system as image drawing data in the page memory 5b.
[0029]
The memory address to be drawn next at this time is called a drawing data development point. The time elapse 5a of the drawing data development point, the page memory arrangement 5b, each pointer 5c, the transfer pointer position of each printer engine, and the memory release 5d are shown. The image drawing unit 3e stores image drawing data for X pages of document data in the page memory 5b. At this time, the drawing data development point 5a changes from A to E.
(In case of drawing data development point A)
This is a point in time when the image rendering unit 3e starts rendering and developing the first document data received from the host system and finishes developing the first physical page. The page memory management unit 3i sets a pointer value 5c (serial number Y starting from 1 and a flag (0, 1) indicating double-sided printing) at the head of the drawing data address. After setting the pointer, the page memory management unit 3i notifies the printer engine adjustment management control unit 3f. The printer engine adjustment management control unit 3f determines the pointer value (serial number and flag) 5c and activates the first printer engine control unit 3j using the memory address as an argument. The first printer engine control unit 3j extracts drawing data from the page memory 5b and causes the first printer engine to print. Further, the printer engine adjustment management control unit 3f simultaneously starts the second printer engine control unit 3k without an argument. When there is no argument, the second printer engine control unit 3k preliminarily arranges to print one blank page, and performs blank printing. Subsequently, the printer engine adjustment management unit 3f waits until the pointer is updated. Further, at this time, each printer engine control section (3j, 3k) monitors an error of the printer engine. Thus, it is possible to confirm an error without using an intermediate buffer mechanism having a sensor between the first printer engine and the second printer engine, and to cope with the error.
(In case of drawing data development point B)
This is a point in time before the image drawing unit 3e continues the image drawing data processing and the pointer value 5c becomes twice the physical page length difference value L. The printer engine adjustment management control unit 3f determines the flag, and in the case of double-sided printing (flag = 1), the first printer engine control unit 3j processes the memory address indicated by the odd number pointer, and the second printer engine control unit 3k processes the blank page. Continue printing.
(In case of drawing data development point C)
This is the point in time when the image drawing data processing has proceeded with the pointer value 5c exceeding twice the physical page length difference value L. At this time, the printer engine adjustment management control unit 3f determines the flag, and the first printer engine control unit 3j continues to sequentially process the memory addresses indicating the odd number pointers. Start processing the memory address indicated by.
(In case of drawing data development point D)
This indicates a print data standby from the host system which occurs when the print data page number X is completed without exceeding twice the physical page length difference value, that is, when the number of pages of a certain print job is small. In this state, the back surface of the second printer remains without being drawn.
(In the case of drawing data development point E)
This is a case where the print data of the next print job is processed. The pointer needs to be a continuous value in order to set the front and back positions of the first surface and the second surface and to release the memory. When the last print job page number ends with an odd number, the image drawing section 3e inserts blank page drawing data and ends with an even pointer. Thus, the first page of the next print job can always be drawn from the front side.
[0030]
On the other hand, if the number X of drawing data pages exceeds the value obtained by adding twice the physical length difference value L and the physical length from the photosensitive drum of the second printer engine to the fixing device for recovery, the printer engine adjustment management control is performed. The unit 3f notifies the page memory management unit 3i of a pointer whose printing has been guaranteed by the second printer engine, and based on this pointer, the page memory management unit 3i releases the page memory. As a result, a ring-shaped memory management as shown in FIG. 5 is performed.
[0031]
Further, when a print position fine adjustment FF (From Feed) key (not shown) or the like of each printer engine is pressed while the print data is on standby, a front / back position shift occurs. When each printer engine control unit (3j, 3k) is activated for each page, these are always monitored as engine errors.
[0032]
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the main screen 6a and the physical page length difference adjustment sub-screen 6c. Here, using the main screen 6a, the pay-per-load item 6b selected from the main screen 6a, and the physical page length difference sub-screen 6c selected from the pay-per load item 6b, the input method of the operator and the synchronous / asynchronous transition operation are performed. explain.
[0033]
When the READY key 61 is pressed on the main screen 6a, printing of the received print data is started. Pressing the STOP key 6m stops the printer engine during printing. The CHECK key 6o performs a reset process when an error occurs. Specifically, the first printer engine and the second printer engine are reset.
[0034]
During asynchronous printing, the STOP key 6m, the NPRO key 6n, and the CHECK key 6o at the lower left and right of the main screen 6a can individually control the first printer engine and the second printer engine.
[0035]
At the time of synchronous printing, there is no distinction between the first and second printer engines, and the STOP key 6m, the NPRO key 6n, and the CHECK key 6o regard the two printer engines as one, and perform the same operation regardless of whether the left or right is pressed. . In this synchronous printing, when the NPRO key 6n is pressed, the first printer engine prints blank pages of the page obtained by adding the physical page length difference value and the fixed length from the photosensitive drum to the fixing machine, and synchronizes with the second printer engine. Prints back side data of the physical page length difference value L, and then prints a blank page from the photosensitive drum to the fixing device.
[0036]
In the present invention, in order to make the printing operations of the two printer engines asynchronous, when the STOP key 61 is pressed during synchronous printing, the pay-per-load (PaperLoad) setting item 6b on the task bar of the main screen 6a can be selected. . Specifically, when the physical length difference adjustment sub-screen (DeltaSet) 6c is selected, the process shifts to asynchronous printing, and the physical page difference adjustment sub-screen 6c is displayed.
[0037]
The physical page length difference adjustment sub-screen 6c is used to directly input the physical page length difference value L or to display a physical page length difference L display input area 6f for displaying the current physical page length difference value L (displayed as DeltaPages in the English screen). ), A blank print count setting area 6e of the first printer engine, a blank print start / stop key 6d of the first printer engine ("NproEU1" or "StopEU1" is displayed on the English screen), and a second printer engine. And a blank paper print start / stop key 6g ("NproEU2" or "StopEU2" is displayed on the English screen) of the second printer engine.
[0038]
These blank paper printing start / stop keys (6d, 6g) indicate StopEU1 (for the first printer engine) and StopEU2 (for the second printer engine) while the respective printer engines are in Npro operation, and NproEU1 in the Stop state. (For the first printer engine) and NproEU2 (for the second printer engine) are displayed. An OK key 6i for instructing the counter to store the physical page length difference value L in the counter, a Cancel key 6k for canceling the storage instruction, and a Check key 6j for instructing a reset of a printer engine error during blank sheet printing operation. It was provided together.
[0039]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for controlling the physical page length difference adjustment sub screen 6c of the operation panel control unit 3g. An operation method will be described based on an operation performed by an operator himself when a paper jam occurs during printing standby. This sub-screen control flow is incorporated in the operation panel control unit 3g, and a condition is set such that only the STOP state is operated in order to increase the reliability of processing of the printer 2b. Under this condition, the operator can select the pay-per-load item 6b on the task bar. The pay-per-load item 6b includes a physical page length difference adjustment sub-screen selection item (not shown). When the physical page length difference adjustment sub-screen 6c is selected, a routine for transition to asynchronous printing can be executed.
[0040]
When a paper jam occurs while waiting for print data, when the operator sees the amount of paper slack between printer engines and finds an error in inputting the difference value, and when using roll paper, the physical page length is increased when one-sided printing is completed. When it is necessary to change, the operator first selects the physical page length difference adjustment sub-screen selection item (S1). When this operation is selected, the printing apparatus stores each pointer and the like for reprinting after error recovery (S2). Subsequently, the physical page length difference adjustment sub screen 6c is displayed (S3).
[0041]
The operator removes the paper broken at the time of the jam, inputs the number of removed physical pages into the blank print number setting area 6e of the first printer engine, and presses the blank print start / stop key 6d of the first printer engine. (S4), the blank printing control for the number of pages is performed (S5). At this time, the operator shapes the broken sheets and attaches them with tape or the like. Thereafter, it is checked whether or not there is a sheet slack. If the amount of slack is too large, the blank sheet number input value area 6h of the second printer engine is input, and a blank sheet print start / stop key 6g of the second printer engine is pressed. (S6), blank paper printing adjustment is performed (S7). If a roll paper is used or a mere input error occurs, the physical page length difference value is directly input to the physical page length difference value display input area 6f (S8). Each counter and pointer are calculated and stored in the memory area (S9). Even if the input of the physical page length difference value fails, it can be input again, but the Cancel key 6k is provided so as to return to the initial value (S10).
[0042]
Finally, if the paper slack amount or the physical page difference value is correct, the user depresses the Ok key 6i (S11), discards the initial value counter and the like, stores a new pointer and counter (S12), and starts synchronous printing. The process proceeds (S13). The physical page length adjustment sub-screen is terminated and returns to the main screen (S14).
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
The continuous paper printing apparatus according to the present invention exhibits the following excellent effects.
[0044]
When a paper jam occurs while waiting for print data, when the front and back misalignment occurs due to an operator input error, and when you want to change the physical page length with roll paper, switch from synchronous printing to asynchronous printing to use the paper loading function. Resetting can be easily performed without using, and paper can be saved when paper is loaded. Also, there is no need to load paper.
[0045]
When the paper runs out due to a jam or the like, asynchronous printing is performed, and the paper loaded in the first / second printer engine can be freely fed by the blank page printing instruction means of the arbitrary number designation of the physical page length difference sub screen 6c function. The sheet can be joined at an arbitrary position, so that the operability of the operator can be improved and wasteful ejection of the sheet can be prevented.
[0046]
When using roll paper without perforations, the physical page can be changed, so even if another physical page paper length is requested by the document data from the host system, it is only necessary to re-input this physical page difference value. Therefore, synchronous printing adjustment can be easily performed, and even if the physical length changes, reloading work and useless paper can be eliminated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a double-sided printing apparatus and paper running, showing the functions of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a control program block diagram showing an embodiment of the present description.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of paper loading showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the principle of synchronous printing showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an operation panel showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a control flow conceptual diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1a is a roll paper feeding device, 1b is a power supply operation box, 1c is a developing device of the first printer engine, 1d is a photosensitive drum of the first printer engine, 1e is a first printer engine, and 1f is a fixing device of the first printer engine. Reference numeral 1g denotes a turn bar, 1h denotes a control device and an operation panel, 1i denotes a second printer engine, 1j denotes a roll paper take-up device, 2a denotes a host system, 2b denotes a printer print control device, 2c denotes an operation panel, and 2d denotes a first printer engine. , 2e is a second printer engine, 2f is a host interface, 2g is a RAM, 2h is a CPU, 2i is an operation panel interface, 2j is a system bus, 2k is a magnetic storage device, 2l is a first printer engine interface, and 2m is a second printer engine interface. Printer engine interface, 3a is host system, 3b is operating Input and display, 3c is a control program group, 3d is a reception processing unit, 3e is an image drawing unit, 3f is a printer engine adjustment management control unit, 3g is an operation panel control unit, 3h is a magnetic storage device control unit, and 3i is a memory management. , 3j a first printer engine controller, 3k a second printer engine controller, 4a a photosensitive drum of the first printer engine, 4b a fixing device of the first printer engine, 4c a turn bar, 4d a second printer engine 4e is a fixing device of the second printer engine, 5a is a time elapse of drawing data development, 5b is an arrangement of page memory, 5c is a pointer, 5d is a transfer pointer position and memory release of each printer engine, and 6a is a main memory. Screen, 6b is a pay-per-load item, 6c is a physical page length difference adjustment sub-screen, and 6d is a first printer engine blank paper printing start / stop key. , 6e are the first printer engine blank sheet number input area, 6f is the physical page length difference value L display input area, 6g is the second printer engine blank sheet start / stop key, 6h is the second printer engine blank sheet number input area, 6i is An Ok key, 6j is a Check key, 6k is a Cancel key, 6l is a READY key, 6m is a Stop key, 6n is an NPRO key, and 6o is a CHECK key.

Claims (4)

In a continuous paper printing apparatus having a printer control device capable of printing while performing synchronous printing on a plurality of continuous paper printer engines,
Means for selectively switching between synchronous printing and asynchronous printing of a plurality of printer engines, and setting of a fixed value of physical data length difference between expanded data of the first and second surfaces provided between the first and second printer engines And a continuous paper printing apparatus. In a continuous paper printing apparatus having a printer control device capable of printing while performing synchronous printing on a plurality of continuous paper printer engines,
Means for shifting a plurality of printer engines performing synchronous printing to asynchronous printing by an operator's operation, and development data of a first surface and a second surface provided between the first and second printer engines; A continuous paper printing apparatus comprising a value setting unit and a unit for returning to synchronous printing by an operator operation. 3. The continuous paper printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means capable of operating blank page printing (NPRO) of an arbitrary number of pages by an operator operation. 4. The continuous paper printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the continuous paper printing apparatus is a printing apparatus capable of performing double-sided printing, spot color printing, or magnetic toner printing.

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