JP2005199664A - Printing apparatus, printing method, computer program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience by utilizing an automatic detection function of paper attributes.
When the paper attribute specified by the print data cannot be automatically detected by the printer 1 and the paper feed tray specified by the print data is set to automatic detection enabled, the paper attribute specified by the print data is set to the printer. If automatic detection is not possible on the first side, and the paper feed tray specified by the print data is set to a value that disables automatic detection, the paper attribute specified by the print data can be automatically detected on the printer 1 side. When the specified paper feed tray specified by is in a state where automatic detection is disabled and a set value is satisfied, the paper feed tray setting is temporarily specified for the print data only during the job. Overwrite with attributes and print.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, such as a printer or a multifunction machine having a printer function, which is connected to a host computer via a communication line and interprets and prints print data from the host computer, and a printing method. The present invention relates to a computer program to be realized and a recording medium storing program data of the computer program.

  In many cases, the paper feed tray of the printing apparatus is operated such that the most frequently used paper is placed and the paper is replaced as necessary for printing. For this reason, it has been necessary to change the setting on the printing apparatus side every time paper replacement occurs. In some cases, this setting change requires a troublesome procedure, and even if printing is performed with only one sheet for each job, it is necessary to perform two steps of setting and returning to the original state. For example, when changing to a non-standard size paper, it is necessary to enter the correct width and length numerically in order to set the printer, but there are no numerical input keys on printers, etc. Entering the desired size with the keys requires considerable effort.

In order to solve these problems, a method has been proposed in which printing is performed by temporarily overwriting the settings of the paper feed tray with other attributes only during the job, and this method also solves the problems. Has been. For example, Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 discloses an invention that solves the problem by the above method.
JP 09-104547 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-235579

  By the way, recently, an increasing number of printing apparatuses have a function of automatically detecting a sheet put in a paper feed tray. In such a printing apparatus, a sheet replaced by automatic detection is immediately recognized. Therefore, the method of simply overwriting the settings as in the conventional method cannot fully utilize the automatic detection capability, but rather wastes the extraordinary capability, even if it cannot contribute to the convenience of the user. is there.

  For example, suppose that an irregular shape is placed in a paper feed tray having a printing device having a standard size detection function, and it is desired to perform printing by temporarily overwriting the paper feed tray with the setting of A4. In this case, the paper in the designated tray is replaced with A4. At this time, if a paper other than A4 is mistakenly inserted, it is assumed that the paper in the designated tray is A4 in the conventional simple overwrite method. Since the paper is used, there is a problem that a jam occurs or the print contents are not guaranteed.

  However, at this time, the automatic detection means recognizes that the paper has been changed to a paper other than A4. If this information is used, an error is displayed and stopped, and a measure is taken to replace it with the correct paper. It is also possible to prevent the above-mentioned problems in advance.

  Therefore, in a printing apparatus having a paper attribute automatic detection function, it is possible to perform temporary overwrite of setting values by making the best use of the automatic detection function rather than simply overwriting as in the past. desirable. However, there has been no consideration in the past regarding such a method.

  The present invention has been made in view of the actual situation of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to improve the convenience of the user by making use of the automatic detection function in a printing apparatus having a paper attribute automatic detection function. There is.

  In addition, the automatic detection function is not universal and has attributes that cannot be detected. Therefore, another object is to maximize the convenience of the user even when the user explicitly sets the attribute on the printing apparatus side for the attribute that cannot be detected. There is in doing so.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first means includes control means for receiving print data from a host computer via a communication line, analyzing the print data, creating a bitmap to be printed, and performing printing. In the printing apparatus provided, when the attribute of the paper stored in the paper feed tray is different from the attribute of the paper specified by the print data, the control unit is configured to supply the paper when the preset condition is satisfied. Printing is performed by regarding the attribute of the paper stored in the paper tray as the attribute of the paper designated by the print data.

  The second means further includes automatic detection means for automatically detecting the attribute of the paper stored in the paper feed tray.

The third means is an automatic detection means for automatically detecting the paper attribute of the paper set in the paper feed tray, and when setting a paper having a paper attribute that cannot be automatically detected by the automatic detection means to the paper feed tray, Setting means for disabling the automatic detection of the paper feed tray and giving a setting value, and printing for overwriting the paper tray setting value temporarily with the paper attribute specified by the print data only during the job Means, setting means for setting whether to permit the overwriting function for each paper feed tray, print data from a host computer via a communication line, analysis of the print data, and a bitmap to be printed In a printing apparatus comprising a control means for creating and printing,
In the control device, the designation by the print data designates a paper feed tray, and the designated paper feed tray is set to permit the overwrite function.
(1) When the paper attribute specified by the print data cannot be automatically detected by the printing apparatus and the paper feed tray specified by the print data is set to enable automatic detection,
(2) When the paper attribute specified by the print data cannot be automatically detected by the printing apparatus, and the paper feed tray specified by the print data is set to a value that disables automatic detection,
(3) When the paper attribute specified by the print data can be automatically detected by the printing apparatus, the specified paper feed tray based on the print data is automatically detected invalid, and a setting value is given.
When any of the above conditions is satisfied, the paper feed tray setting is temporarily overwritten with the paper attribute designated by the print data only during the job, and printing is executed.

  According to a fourth means, in the first to third means, the control means can automatically detect the paper attribute designated by the print data on the printing apparatus side, and is set in the tray designated by the print data. When the automatic detection means recognizes that the paper does not match the paper attribute designated by the print data, the printing is stopped and an error message is displayed.

  A fifth means is the first to fourth means, wherein when the paper attribute designated by the print data cannot be automatically detected, the control means determines that the paper set in the tray designated by the print data is not detected. When it is recognized from the information obtained by the automatic detection means that an incorrect paper is set, printing is stopped and an error message is displayed on the display unit.

  A sixth means is the first to fourth means, wherein the control means is not capable of automatically detecting a paper attribute designated by print data, and the paper set in a tray designated by the print data is automatically detected. When it is determined that there is a high possibility of being correct from the information obtained by the means, printing is temporarily stopped and a paper attribute to be overwritten is displayed on the display unit.

  The seventh means is characterized in that the fourth means further comprises selection means for selecting whether or not to confirm the paper attribute based on the display of the paper attribute to be overwritten.

  The eighth means is characterized in that, in the seventh means, the control means causes the printing to be executed when the paper attribute is selected by the means to be selected and printing is permitted by the user. .

According to a ninth means, in the third means, the control means changes when the paper attribute of the print data is changed from a halfway page and the designated paper feed tray is overwritten with the changed paper attribute. Before printing the resulting page, display on the display to reload the paper.
(1) The paper attribute designated by the print data can be automatically detected by the printing apparatus, and the paper set in the paper feed tray designated by the print data is the paper attribute designated by the print data by the automatic detection means. If it does not match, the printing is stopped and an error message is displayed.

(2) The paper attribute designated by the print data cannot be automatically detected, and the paper set in the paper feed tray designated by the print data is clearly estimated as a result of estimation based on the information obtained by the automatic detection means. If it is recognized that an incorrect paper is set, the printing is stopped and an error message is displayed.

(3) It is determined that the paper attribute designated by the print data cannot be automatically detected, and the paper set in the paper feed tray designated by the print data is highly likely to be correct from the information obtained by the automatic detection means. If this happens, printing is temporarily stopped and the paper attributes to be overwritten are displayed.

The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein any one of the processes is executed.

  The tenth means further comprises selection means for selecting whether or not to confirm the paper attribute based on the display of the paper attribute to be overwritten when the paper attribute is displayed in the ninth means, the control means Is characterized in that printing is executed when the selection of the sheet attribute is selected by the selection means and printing is permitted by the user.

  According to an eleventh means, in the means according to any one of claims 4 to 10, when the set paper is recognized as an error by the automatic detection function, it is stopped by an error or is directly overwritten without being stopped by an error. Selecting means for selecting whether to perform printing, and when the latter is selected, the control means forcibly overwrites even the wrong paper with the paper attribute designated by the print data and prints It is characterized by making it carry out.

  In a twelfth means, in any one of the fourth to eleventh means, the paper attribute designated by the print data can be automatically detected by the printing apparatus, the designated paper feed tray based on the print data is automatically detected invalid, and the set value is When the paper tray setting is overwritten by the paper attribute of the print data, the paper tray setting is automatically detected when an error such as no paper occurs during printing. When the change is made valid, the control means stops overwriting the setting of the paper feed tray.

  In the thirteenth means, in any one of the fourth to first means, the paper attribute designated by the print data can be automatically detected on the printing apparatus side, the designated paper feed tray based on the print data is automatically detected, and printing is performed. When the paper tray setting is not overwritten by the paper attribute of the data, and an error such as no paper occurs during printing, the setting of the paper tray setting is given with automatic detection disabled. In this case, the control unit starts overwriting the setting of the paper feed tray from this point.

  A fourteenth means is a printing method for receiving print data from a host computer via a communication line, generating a bitmap to be printed by analyzing the print data and performing printing, and is stored in a paper feed tray. When the attribute of the paper being stored is different from the attribute of the paper designated by the print data, the print data designates the attribute of the paper stored in the paper feed tray under a preset condition. It is characterized in that printing is performed by regarding the attribute of the paper.

According to a fifteenth aspect, in the fourteenth aspect, the preset condition is set such that designation by the print data designates a paper feed tray, and the designated paper feed tray permits an overwrite function.
(1) When the paper attribute specified by the print data cannot be automatically detected by the printing apparatus and the paper feed tray specified by the print data is set to enable automatic detection,
(2) When the paper attribute specified by the print data cannot be automatically detected by the printing apparatus, and the paper feed tray specified by the print data is set to a value that disables automatic detection,
(3) When the paper attribute specified by the print data can be automatically detected by the printing apparatus, the specified paper feed tray based on the print data is automatically detected invalid, and a setting value is given.
When any of these conditions is satisfied, the paper feed tray setting is temporarily overwritten with the paper attribute designated by the print data only during the job, and printing is performed. To do.

The sixteenth means sets the paper before printing the changed page when the paper attribute of the print data changes from the middle page and the designated paper feed tray setting is overwritten again with the changed paper attribute. For the paper that is displayed on the display unit and reset,
(1) The paper attribute designated by the print data can be automatically detected by the printing apparatus, and the paper set in the paper feed tray designated by the print data is the paper attribute designated by the print data by the automatic detection means. If it does not match, the printing is stopped and an error message is displayed.

(2) The paper attribute designated by the print data cannot be automatically detected, and the paper set in the paper feed tray designated by the print data is clearly estimated as a result of estimation based on the information obtained by the automatic detection means. If it is recognized that an incorrect paper is set, the printing is stopped and an error message is displayed.

(3) It is determined that the paper attribute designated by the print data cannot be automatically detected, and the paper set in the paper feed tray designated by the print data is highly likely to be correct from the information obtained by the automatic detection means. If this happens, printing is temporarily stopped and the paper attributes to be overwritten are displayed.

One of the processes is executed.

  The seventeenth means is characterized in that the computer program includes a procedure for executing the printing method according to any one of the fourteenth to seventeenth means by the computer.

  The eighteenth means is characterized in that the computer program according to the seventeenth means is read by a computer and recorded on a recording medium so as to be executable.

In the following embodiments, the automatic detection means for automatically detecting the paper attribute of the paper set in the paper feed tray automatically sets the paper feed tray to a sensor (not shown) and the CPU 9 that judges the attribute based on the input from this sensor. Setting means for setting detection values to be invalidated and setting and setting means for setting whether to allow the overwriting function for each paper feed tray are the CPU 9 and the operation panel 4, the control means is the CPU 9, and the function for printing is The CPU 9 and the printer engine 13 that prints according to the instruction of the CPU 9, the display unit selects on the display unit set on the operation panel 4 whether or not to confirm the paper attribute, and is stopped by an error or an error. Selection means for selecting whether to perform printing by overwriting as it is without stopping corresponds to the CPU 9 and the operation panel 4, respectively.

  According to the present invention, in a printing apparatus having a paper attribute automatic detection function, the convenience of the user can be improved by utilizing the automatic detection function.

  In addition, according to the present invention, even when the user explicitly sets an attribute on the printing apparatus side for an attribute that cannot be detected, the convenience of the user can be improved to the maximum. it can.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a hardware configuration of a laser printer as an example of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer engine unit including a paper feed tray. is there.

  The laser printer according to this embodiment basically includes a printer 1 main body and a controller 2. The controller 2 is a generic name of a control mechanism that converts print data from the host device 3 into video data and outputs it to the printer engine 13 in accordance with the control mode and the control code from the host device 3 set at that time. The module includes an I / F 5, a program ROM 6, a font ROM 7, a panel I / F 8, a CPU 9, a RAM 10, an NVRAM 11, an engine I / F 12, and an option RAM 14.

  The host I / F 5 is an interface for control signals and data from the host device 3 to the printer 1 and status signals from the printer 1 to the host 3.

  The CPU 9 processes data (print data, control data) from the host device 3 in accordance with the program ROM 6. The RAM 10 is a work memory when the CPU 9 processes, a buffer that manages and temporarily stores data from the host device 3 in units of pages, converts the data stored in the buffer into an actual print pattern, and stores video data Used for bitmap memory etc.

  The NV-RAM 11 is a nonvolatile RAM for storing data that is to be retained even when the power is turned off. The program ROM 6 stores data management in the controller 2, a program for controlling peripheral modules, and a program for performing each process of the present embodiment. At least the above-described fourteenth to sixteenth programs are stored in the program ROM 6. The method can be implemented based on this program. The program data of this program is downloaded from a server connected to a network (not shown), or a known recording medium such as a CD-ROM or SD card in which the program data is stored is loaded into a recording medium driving device (not shown), It is read from the recording medium and downloaded. Version upgrade can be performed in the same way.

  The font ROM 7 has various types of fonts used for printing. The engine I / F 12 is an interface for a control signal from the controller 2 to the printer engine 13 and a status signal from the printer 1 to the controller 2. The printer engine 13 creates an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member based on the video signal and the control signal from the controller 2, develops it, feeds transfer paper from the paper feed unit, transfers and fixes it, and forms an image. It has a function. The panel I / F 8 is a signal interface for switching the state, mode, font, and the like of the printer 1. The operation panel 4 is a display unit that indicates the status of the printer, and a switch unit that switches the mode, font, and the like of the printer 1.

  Data sent from the host through the host interface 5 is divided into print data and print control data (SP, CR, LF, HT, VT,...) And others by the CPU 9, and the print data and print control data are controlled. It is converted into a code and stored in the buffer (RAM 10). When the print command from the host device 3 or the data received from the host exceeds one page, the controller 2 first converts the intermediate code into video data, and when the conversion is completed, the controller 2 sends it to the printer engine 13 through the engine I / F 12. A print start command is issued.

  The print data from the host device 3 is printed via the printer engine 13 in the series of flows as described above.

  In this first embodiment, the printer 1 is configured to receive print data from a host device (host computer) 3 via a communication line 21, analyze it, create a bitmap to be printed, and perform printing. ing. Printing can be performed on all sheets, but here, the sheet is picked up from one of the first to third sheet feed trays 31, 32, and 33 shown in FIG. Printed. The first to third paper feed trays 31, 32, and 33 (hereinafter generally referred to as a paper feed tray by reference numeral 30) have paper attributes of paper set in the paper feed trays 31, 32, and 33. When first to third detection devices (not shown) for automatic detection and sheets having a paper attribute that cannot be automatically detected by these detection devices are set in the paper feed trays 31, 32, 33, the paper that cannot be automatically detected. Is set by disabling the function of automatically detecting the paper attribute in the paper feed tray 30 on which is set. This setting is performed by input from the operation panel 4. Since the automatic detection device (means) itself is a known technique as described in Patent Document 1, a description thereof is omitted here.

At this time, the setting values of the paper feed trays 31, 32, and 33 are temporarily overwritten with the paper attribute designated by the print data only during a job using paper that cannot be automatically detected, and this overwriting function is permitted. Whether or not can be set for each of the paper feed trays 31, 32, 33 by an operation input from the operation panel 4. In this configuration, the CPU 9 executes the program based on the program stored in the program ROM 6. Therefore, the designation by the print data input from the host device 3 designates one of the paper feed trays 31, 32, 33, and one of the designated designated paper feed trays 30 (31, 32, 33). ) Is set to allow the overwrite function,
(1) When the paper attribute specified by the print data cannot be automatically detected on the printing apparatus (printer) side and the paper feed tray specified by the print data is set to enable automatic detection,
(2) When the paper attribute specified by the print data cannot be automatically detected by the printing apparatus (printer), and the paper feed tray specified by the print data is set to a value that disables automatic detection,
(3) When the paper attribute specified by the print data can be automatically detected by the printing apparatus (printer), the specified paper feed tray based on the print data is automatically detected invalid, and a setting value is given,
Only when one of the above conditions is satisfied, the CPU 9 executes the printing by temporarily overwriting the setting of the designated paper feeding tray 30 with the paper attribute designated by the print data only during the job.

  Paper attributes to be automatically detected are paper size and paper type. As an example of the paper size, in addition to the standard sizes such as A4, A3, and B5, an irregular shape having an arbitrary size may be used. Examples of the paper types include plain paper, recycled paper, colored paper, OHP ( Film paper) Glossy paper, thick paper, thin paper, punched paper, printed paper, and the like. When detecting these types of paper, it is divided into two depending on whether or not a certain sensor has a detectable feature, and if it has a feature, a plurality of sensors for recognizing a specific type are provided. It is possible to distinguish a plurality of types from the combination of outputs, or to distinguish whether the paper is thick or not from the relationship between the number of sheets and the thickness. Sensors that detect these types are provided as appropriate according to the user's requirements and the types to be specified, and the types can be distinguished.

  Here, it is assumed that there is a printer 1 that can automatically detect a standard paper size, and for example, the setting value of the first paper feed tray 31 is automatically detected. At this time, it is assumed that the print data specifies a paper feed tray as the first paper feed tray 31 and the content is data of an irregular size.

  If it is not the printer 1 as in the present embodiment, the print data is analyzed and, as a result, does not match the condition, an error is displayed as an operator call to stop printing, and wait until the condition is met. Become. Since the paper size designated by the print data is irregular, the setting value of the first paper feed tray 31 is set to disable automatic detection, and the width and length of the print data size are correctly set on the operation panel 4. It is necessary to input the information by setting means such as the above, and this requires a lot of troublesome labor. In addition, since the paper set in the paper feed tray 30 is often used frequently, if the setting of the paper feed tray 30 is changed here, the job to be printed now is printed. At the end, it is necessary to perform a troublesome and time-consuming work of returning the setting value to the original value.

  Thus, only during the job, the first paper feed tray 31 is temporarily set to the setting value of the irregular size specified by the print data, so that the setting value also has a temporary overwrite function. ing. As a result, the above-described troublesome labor is not required, and the printer 1 having the automatic detection function can provide an efficient temporary overwrite function for setting values, thereby improving the convenience for the user. be able to.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, the conditions (1) to (3) are shown as the conditions for temporarily overwriting the set value. As can be seen from this condition, the paper attribute designated by the print data can be automatically detected by the printer 1 side, and the paper feed tray 30 designated by the print data is set to enable automatic detection. ing. Only in this case, even if an error occurs because the conditions are not met, the automatic detection works immediately if the paper tray is set and the paper is replaced with the correct paper. Because there is no.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an overwrite function that is optimal for a printer having an automatic detection function.

2. Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, in the first embodiment, the paper attribute designated by the print data can be automatically detected on the printer 1 side, and the paper set in the paper feed tray designated by the print data. However, if the automatic detection means recognizes that the print data does not match the specified paper attribute, the printing is stopped and an error message is displayed. So that they can be encouraged.

  For example, if the printer 1 is capable of automatically detecting a standard paper size, the condition (3) is satisfied. At this time, the print data is specified as A4. However, if the user accidentally inserts B5, if the sheet is fed by the operation with the overwritten setting value as it is, the four corners are not printed and a correct print result cannot be obtained. Problems such as jamming in the body will occur.

  Therefore, it is detected by the automatic detection function that B5 has been erroneously inserted, and the user is notified by displaying on the display unit of the operation panel 4 that the wrong sheet is loaded without printing. Alternatively, even if you forget to replace the paper in the specified paper feed tray before entering the data, if the display on the operation panel 4 shows that the paper size is different, the paper is wasted. Can be prevented.

  Other parts that are not particularly described are configured in the same manner as the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

3. Third Embodiment In this embodiment, even if the paper attribute specified by the print data cannot be automatically detected, the paper set in the paper feed tray specified by the print data is obtained by the automatic detection function. As a result of estimation based on the received information, if it is recognized that the wrong paper is clearly set, the specified printing is stopped and an error message is displayed on the display section of the operation panel 4 to set the correct paper. I encourage them to try again.

  This state is a case where the above conditions (1) and (2) are satisfied. For example, assuming that the printer 1 can automatically detect a standard paper size, the print data is an indeterminate size close to A4. Suppose there was. At this time, if the user accidentally inserts an indeterminate form (for example, a size close to A3) different from the indeterminate form designated by the print data, the operation with the overwritten setting value is performed as it is. If paper is fed, the correct print result cannot be obtained. Or, problems such as jamming in the printer 1 main body may occur.

  Therefore, even if the CPU 9 cannot automatically detect the size, the CPU 9 estimates whether the set paper is correct by using automatic detection. That is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 4.

  In the above example, the auto-detection will detect the inserted paper as A3 or B4, so it can be determined that it is obviously too large, so an error message is displayed on the display section of the operation panel 4 and is correct. You can prompt them to reload the paper. In addition, as described above, even when it is forgotten to replace the paper in the designated paper feed tray before inputting data, the display can be noticed to prevent waste of paper.

  Other parts that are not particularly described are configured in the same manner as the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

4). Fourth Embodiment In the fourth embodiment, in the first and second embodiments, the paper attribute designated by the print data cannot be automatically detected, and the paper set in the paper feed tray designated by the print data is A function that prompts for confirmation by displaying the paper attributes to be overwritten by temporarily stopping printing instructed by the print data even if it is determined to be correct as a result of estimation based on information obtained by the automatic detection function In the setting for requesting confirmation, “Yes / No” can be selected, and in the case of the setting for requesting confirmation, printing is performed when permitted by the user.

  In this way, even when it is not possible to clearly determine that there is an error by automatic detection, the function of temporarily stopping printing is provided.

  That is, if the printer 1 has an attribute that cannot be automatically detected and there is a different type of paper, it is very similar and the probability that the user will accidentally insert the different type of paper will also increase. . In order to prevent this as much as possible, if the automatic detection function cannot clearly determine an error, a function is required to ask the user for confirmation once.

  Other parts that are not particularly described are configured in the same manner as the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

  With this configuration, a confirmation screen is displayed even when a correct sheet is inserted, but it is possible to prevent a trouble caused by a similar sheet that is most likely to be mistaken by the user.

5). Fifth Embodiment In the fifth embodiment, when the paper attribute of the print data changes from a halfway page and the designated paper feed tray setting is overwritten again with the changed paper attribute, the changed page is printed. In this case, the user is prompted to reset the paper before the operation, and the temporarily overwritten function described in the second to fourth embodiments is also provided for the reset paper. In other words, some print data changes in paper size and paper type from the middle page. Even in such data, the setting value of the paper feed tray is changed each time the attribute is switched. Instead, you may want to temporarily overwrite the set value. However, if the information to be overwritten is simply changed at the timing when the attribute is switched and then overwritten again, a problem occurs when a sheet before switching is left.

  Therefore, in such a case, the CPU 9 displays on the display unit of the operation panel 4 a prompt to reset the paper at the timing when the attribute is switched, in order to solve such a problem and to reset the paper at this timing. Also, the paper size setting value described so far is temporarily overwritten on the printed paper. As a result, even if the attribute is changed halfway, the paper is not wasted.

  Other parts that are not particularly described are configured in the same manner as the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

6). Sixth Embodiment In the sixth embodiment, in the second to fifth embodiments, when the paper set in the paper feed tray 30 is recognized as an error by the automatic detection function, is it stopped by an error? A means is provided to select whether to perform overwriting without stopping due to an error. If the latter is selected, even if the paper is incorrect, the paper attribute specified by the print data is forcibly specified. Overwriting is performed for printing.

  That is, some users may find it troublesome to stop with an error each time an error is detected. In particular, when the printer 1 that does not cause jamming even if the size is slightly different and the data has little influence on the print contents, it may be more convenient to print the data as it is. In order to respond to such a case, the function itself was made invalid about the function to stop by the above errors. Examples of invalidating means include selection from a menu on the panel on the printer 1 side, remote setting using a method such as Web, and the like.

  Other parts that are not particularly described are configured in the same manner as the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

  If comprised in this way, it will become possible for a user to set effective / invalidity according to a condition about the temporary overwrite function of the setting value using an automatic detection function.

7). Seventh Embodiment In the seventh embodiment, in the second to sixth embodiments, the paper attribute designated by the print data can be automatically detected on the printer side, and the paper feed tray 30 designated by the print data is automatically detected invalid. In the state where the setting value is given by and the setting of the paper feed tray 30 is overwritten by the paper attribute of the print data, when an error such as no paper occurs during printing, the paper feed tray 30 When the setting is changed to enable automatic detection, the setting overwriting of the paper feed tray 30 is canceled.

  For example, in the case of the printer 1 capable of automatically detecting a standard paper size, consider a state in which the print data is A4 and the setting on the printer side is set to be indefinite with automatic detection disabled. Assume that when an error such as no paper has occurred from this state, the setting of the printer 1 is changed, and the setting of the paper feed tray 30 that is temporarily overwriting the current setting value is changed to automatic detection enabled. Therefore, the condition for temporarily overwriting the set value described in the first embodiment is not satisfied. Therefore, in this case, the temporary overwrite at the time of setting is canceled when the setting is changed.

  Other parts that are not particularly described are configured in the same manner as the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

  With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether or not the paper loaded by automatic detection is correct. For example, when B5 is mistakenly inserted, a size mismatch error can be generated by the automatic detection function. It is possible to make the best use of the automatic detection function.

8). Eighth Embodiment In the eighth embodiment, in the second to sixth embodiments, the paper attribute designated by the print data can be automatically detected on the printer 1 side, and the designated paper feed tray 30 based on the print data is automatically detected. It is valid and the settings of the paper feed tray 30 are automatically detected when an error such as no paper occurs during printing in a state where the paper feed tray 30 settings are not overwritten by the paper attributes of the print data. If the setting value is changed to be invalid and the setting value is changed, the setting overwriting of the paper feed tray 30 is started from this point.

  In contrast to the seventh embodiment, the eighth embodiment enables temporary overwriting of setting values from this point when conditions for overwriting are established from a state in which the setting values are not temporarily overwritten. It is comprised as follows.

  For example, when the printer 1 is capable of automatically detecting a standard paper size, consider a state in which the print data is A4 and the setting on the printer 1 side is set to enable automatic detection. If an error such as no paper occurs from this state, and if the setting of the printer 1 is changed and the setting of the paper feed tray 30 is changed to disable automatic detection, the setting value described in the first embodiment is used. It becomes applicable to the condition for temporary overwriting. Therefore, in this case, the temporary overwrite at the time of setting is switched to valid at the time when the setting is changed. As a result, it is possible to perform printing on A4 paper without changing the setting of the paper feed tray 30 in which automatic detection is disabled to the attribute designated by the print data.

  Other parts that are not particularly described are configured in the same manner as the first embodiment and function in the same manner.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a laser printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the outline of the laser printer of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Printer 2 Controller 3 Host 4 Operation panel 5 Host I / F
6 Program ROM
7 Font ROM
8 Panel I / F
9 CPU
10 RAM
11 NVRAM
12 Engine I / F
13 Printer Engine 14 Option RAM 14
30, 31, 32, 33 Paper feed tray

Claims (18)

In a printing apparatus comprising control means for receiving print data from a host computer via a communication line, analyzing the print data, creating a bitmap to be printed, and performing printing,
When the attribute of the paper stored in the paper feed tray is different from the attribute of the paper specified by the print data, the control means stores the paper in the paper feed tray under a preset condition. A printing apparatus that performs printing by regarding an attribute of a sheet being regarded as an attribute of a sheet designated by the print data.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an automatic detection unit that automatically detects an attribute of the paper stored in the paper feed tray. Automatic detection means for automatically detecting the paper attributes of the paper set in the paper feed tray;
When setting paper with a paper attribute that cannot be automatically detected by the automatic detection means in the paper feed tray, setting means for disabling the automatic paper feed detection and giving a setting value;
A printing means for performing printing by temporarily overwriting the set value of the paper feed tray with the paper attribute designated by the print data only during the job;
Setting means for setting whether to allow the overwriting function for each paper feed tray;
Control means for receiving print data from a host computer via a communication line, analyzing the print data, creating a bitmap to be printed, and performing printing;
In a printing apparatus comprising
In the control device, the designation by the print data designates a paper feed tray, and the designated paper feed tray is set to permit the overwrite function.
(1) When the paper attribute specified by the print data cannot be automatically detected by the printing apparatus and the paper feed tray specified by the print data is set to enable automatic detection,
(2) When the paper attribute specified by the print data cannot be automatically detected by the printing apparatus, and the paper feed tray specified by the print data is set to a value that disables automatic detection,
(3) When the paper attribute specified by the print data can be automatically detected by the printing apparatus, the specified paper feed tray based on the print data is automatically detected invalid, and a setting value is given.
When the above condition is satisfied, printing is performed by overwriting the paper feed tray setting with a paper attribute designated by print data temporarily only during the job.   The control means can automatically detect a paper attribute designated by the print data on the printing apparatus side, and the paper set on the tray designated by the print data is a paper attribute designated by the print data by the automatic detection means. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when it is recognized that the data does not match, the printing is stopped and an error message is displayed. 5.   If the paper attribute designated by the print data cannot be automatically detected, the control means sets the paper set on the tray designated by the print data to the wrong paper from the information obtained by the automatic detection means. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is recognized that printing has been performed, printing is stopped and an error message is displayed on the display unit. 6.   The control means determines that the paper attribute designated by the print data cannot be automatically detected, and that the paper set on the tray designated by the print data is highly likely to be correct from the information obtained by the automatic detection means. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus temporarily displays the paper attribute to be overwritten and displayed on the display unit.   5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising selection means for selecting whether or not to confirm the paper attribute based on the display of the paper attribute to be overwritten.   8. The printing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit causes the printing to be executed when the user selects the confirmation of the paper attribute by the selecting unit and the printing is permitted by the user. When the paper attribute of the print data is changed from a halfway page and the designated paper feed tray setting is overwritten again with the changed paper attribute, the control unit sets the paper before printing the changed page. For the paper that is displayed on the display unit and reset,
(1) The paper attribute designated by the print data can be automatically detected by the printing apparatus, and the paper set in the paper feed tray designated by the print data is the paper attribute designated by the print data by the automatic detection means. If it does not match, the printing is stopped and an error message is displayed.
(2) The paper attribute designated by the print data cannot be automatically detected, and the paper set in the paper feed tray designated by the print data is clearly estimated as a result of estimation based on the information obtained by the automatic detection means. If it is recognized that an incorrect paper is set, the printing is stopped and an error message is displayed.
(3) It is determined that the paper attribute designated by the print data cannot be automatically detected, and the paper set in the paper feed tray designated by the print data is highly likely to be correct from the information obtained by the automatic detection means. If this happens, printing is temporarily stopped and the paper attributes to be overwritten are displayed.
The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein any one of the processes is executed.   In the case of displaying the paper attribute, the image processing apparatus further comprises selection means for selecting whether or not to confirm the paper attribute based on the display of the paper attribute to be overwritten, and the control means confirms the paper attribute by the selection means. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein printing is executed when printing is selected and printing is permitted by a user. When the set paper is recognized as an error by the automatic detection function, it further comprises a selection means for selecting whether to stop with an error or to overwrite and print without stopping with an error,
11. The control unit according to claim 4, wherein when the latter is selected, even if an incorrect sheet is selected, the control unit forcibly overwrites the sheet with a sheet attribute designated by the print data. The printing apparatus according to any one of the above.   The paper attribute specified by the print data can be automatically detected by the printing device, the specified paper feed tray based on the print data is automatically disabled, and the setting value is given. If the paper feed tray setting is changed to auto-detection enabled when an error such as out of paper occurs during printing in the state of overwriting, the control means cancels overwriting of the paper feed tray setting. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the printing apparatus is a printing apparatus.   The paper attribute specified by the print data can be automatically detected by the printer, the specified paper feed tray based on the print data is automatically detected, and the paper tray setting is not overwritten by the paper attribute of the print data In this case, when an error such as no paper occurs during printing, if the setting of the paper feed tray is changed to give a setting value with automatic detection disabled, the control means overwrites the setting of the paper feed tray. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the printing apparatus starts at this point. In a printing method for receiving print data from a host computer via a communication line, generating a bitmap to be printed by analyzing the print data and performing printing,
If the attributes of the paper stored in the paper feed tray are different from the attributes of the paper specified by the print data, the attributes of the paper stored in the paper feed tray under the preset conditions are set. A printing method characterized in that printing is performed by regarding the attribute of the sheet designated by the print data. The preset condition is such that the designation by the print data designates the paper feed tray, and the designated paper feed tray permits the overwrite function,
(1) When the paper attribute specified by the print data cannot be automatically detected by the printing apparatus and the paper feed tray specified by the print data is set to enable automatic detection,
(2) When the paper attribute specified by the print data cannot be automatically detected by the printing apparatus, and the paper feed tray specified by the print data is set to a value that disables automatic detection,
(3) When the paper attribute specified by the print data can be automatically detected by the printing apparatus, the specified paper feed tray based on the print data is automatically detected invalid, and a setting value is given.
When any of these conditions is satisfied, the paper feed tray setting is temporarily overwritten with the paper attribute designated by the print data only during the job, and printing is performed. The printing method according to claim 14. When the paper attribute of the print data is changed from an intermediate page and the specified paper feed tray setting is overwritten again with the changed paper attribute, the display unit is configured to reset the paper before printing the changed page. For paper that has been displayed and reset,
(1) The paper attribute designated by the print data can be automatically detected by the printing apparatus, and the paper set in the paper feed tray designated by the print data is the paper attribute designated by the print data by the automatic detection means. If it does not match, the printing is stopped and an error message is displayed.
(2) The paper attribute designated by the print data cannot be automatically detected, and the paper set in the paper feed tray designated by the print data is clearly estimated as a result of estimation based on the information obtained by the automatic detection means. If it is recognized that an incorrect paper is set, the printing is stopped and an error message is displayed.
(3) It is determined that the paper attribute designated by the print data cannot be automatically detected, and the paper set in the paper feed tray designated by the print data is highly likely to be correct from the information obtained by the automatic detection means. If this happens, printing is temporarily stopped and the paper attributes to be overwritten are displayed.
The printing method according to claim 15, wherein one of the processes is executed.   A computer program comprising a procedure for executing the printing method according to any one of claims 14 to 17 on a computer. 18. A recording medium, wherein the computer program according to claim 17 is read by a computer and recorded so as to be executable.

Images