U.S. patent application number 13/610436 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-25 for printing system and control method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. The applicant listed for this patent is Yukiyoshi Hikichi. Invention is credited to Yukiyoshi Hikichi.
Application Number | 20130099440 13/610436 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48100283 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130099440 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hikichi; Yukiyoshi |
April 25, 2013 |
PRINTING SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
In a printing system which feeds a sheet from a plurality of
sheet storage units and prints an image on the fed sheet, and a
control method thereof, when a sheet storage unit selected as a
paper feed source does not store sheets of a size designated by a
print job, and a sheet storage unit which stores sheets of the size
designated by the print job does not exist in a group to which the
selected sheet storage unit belongs, the user is notified of a
sheet storage unit in the group as a sheet storage unit which
should store sheets.
Inventors: |
Hikichi; Yukiyoshi; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hikichi; Yukiyoshi |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
48100283 |
Appl. No.: |
13/610436 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
271/9.06 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 7/20 20130101; B41J
11/0075 20130101; B41J 11/485 20130101; B65H 1/28 20130101; B65H
3/44 20130101; B65H 5/26 20130101; B41J 13/103 20130101; B65H 1/04
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
271/9.06 |
International
Class: |
B65H 5/26 20060101
B65H005/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 21, 2011 |
JP |
2011-232117 |
Claims
1. A printing system which feeds a sheet from a plurality of sheet
storage units and prints an image on the fed sheet, comprising: a
storage unit configured to store a size of a sheet set in each
sheet storage unit of the plurality of sheet storage units; a
registration unit configured to register, as one group, at least
two sheet storage units out of the plurality of sheet storage
units; a first print control unit configured to, in a case where a
sheet storage unit selected as a paper feed source stores a sheet
of a size designated by a print job, print an image on a sheet fed
from the sheet storage unit; a second print control unit configured
to, in a case where the sheet storage unit selected as the paper
feed source does not store a sheet of the size designated by the
print job, feed a sheet from a sheet storage unit which stores a
sheet of the size designated by the print job within a group to
which the selected sheet storage unit belongs, and print an image
on the fed sheet; and a notification unit configured to, in a case
where the sheet storage unit selected as the paper feed source does
not store a sheet of the size designated by the print job, and a
sheet storage unit which stores a sheet of the size does not exist
in the group to which the selected sheet storage unit belongs,
notify a user of a sheet storage unit in the group as a sheet
storage unit in which a sheet is to be set.
2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a paper
replacement condition setting unit configured to designate, for
each of the plurality of sheet storage units, whether sheet
replacement is possible, wherein said notification unit notifies
the user of the sheet storage unit for which sheet replacement is
set to be possible.
3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a paper feed
history storage unit configured to store a paper feed history of
each of the plurality of sheet storage units, wherein said
notification unit notifies a sheet storage unit having a low paper
feed frequency preferentially as the sheet storage unit in which a
sheet is to be set.
4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a paper
replacement condition setting unit configured to designate, for
each of the plurality of sheet storage units, whether sheet
replacement is possible, wherein in a case where said notification
unit notifies a sheet storage unit for which sheet replacement is
set to be impossible as the sheet storage unit in which a sheet is
to be set, said notification unit notifies the user of a message
which prompts the user to return, after an end of the print job, a
sheet of the sheet-replaced sheet storage unit to an original
sheet.
5. A control method of controlling a printing system which feeds a
sheet from a plurality of sheet storage units and prints an image
on the fed sheet, comprising: a storage step of storing, in a
storage unit, a size of a sheet set in each sheet storage unit of
the plurality of sheet storage units; a registration step of
registering, as one group, at least two sheet storage units out of
the plurality of sheet storage units; a first print control step
of, in a case where a sheet storage unit selected as a paper feed
source stores a sheet of a size designated by a print job, printing
an image on a sheet fed from the sheet storage unit; a second print
control step of, in a case where the sheet storage unit selected as
the paper feed source does not store a sheet of the size designated
by the print job, printing an image on a sheet fed from a sheet
storage unit which stores a sheet of the size designated by the
print job within a group to which the selected sheet storage unit
belongs; and a notification step of, in a case where the sheet
storage unit selected as the paper feed source does not store a
sheet of the size designated by the print job, and a sheet storage
unit which stores a sheet of the size does not exist in the group
to which the selected sheet storage unit belongs, notifying a user
of a sheet storage unit in the group as a sheet storage unit which
is to store a sheet.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a technique for arranging,
grouping, and using a plurality of sheet storage units.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In an image forming apparatus including a plurality of paper
feed cassettes (sheet storage units), these paper feed cassettes
are grouped and handled. According to this technique, for an input
print job which designates a given paper feed cassette, even if
paper in the given paper feed cassette runs out, the print job can
be executed by feeding paper from another paper feed cassette of a
group to which the given paper feed cassette belongs.
[0005] Many companies have proposed methods for increasing the
availability of an image forming apparatus by efficiently using a
plurality of paper feed cassettes in a group. For example, there
has been proposed a method of using first a paper feed cassette in
which paper is left in a small amount, out of paper feed cassettes
in a group, and notifying the operator of the absence of paper in
advance to effectively supply paper (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
2009-256077).
[0006] However, when a print job requiring many paper sizes and
paper types is executed and no necessary paper exists in a
designated group, the operator cannot be instructed about a paper
feed cassette of a paper size or paper type which should be
changed.
[0007] Generally, when notifying the operator of the absence of
paper, the operation panel highlights a paper feed cassette
designated by the printer driver or a paper feed cassette selected
by the paper feed cassette auto select function. In many cases,
however, many print jobs frequently use a paper feed cassette which
runs out of paper. If paper of a paper size or paper type which is
rarely used but happens to be necessary for the current print job
is loaded in the frequently used paper feed cassette, the paper in
the paper feed cassette is highly likely to be replaced again for a
subsequent print job. As a whole, paper replacement work
increases.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An aspect of the present invention is to eliminate the
above-mentioned problems with the conventional technology.
[0009] The present invention provides a technique of, when no
target sheet exists in a sheet storage unit selected as a paper
feed source, reliably notifying the user of an optimum sheet
storage unit in which sheets should be replaced or set in a group
to which the selected sheet storage unit belongs.
[0010] The present invention in its first aspect provides a
printing system which feeds a sheet from a plurality of sheet
storage units and prints an image on the fed sheet, comprising: a
storage unit configured to store a size of a sheet set in each
sheet storage unit of the plurality of sheet storage units; a
registration unit configured to register, as one group, at least
two sheet storage units out of the plurality of sheet storage
units; a first print control unit configured to, in a case where a
sheet storage unit selected as a paper feed source stores a sheet
of a size designated by a print job, print an image on a sheet fed
from the sheet storage unit; a second print control unit configured
to, in a case where the sheet storage unit selected as the paper
feed source does not store a sheet of the size designated by the
print job, feed a sheet from a sheet storage unit which stores a
sheet of the size designated by the print job within a group to
which the selected sheet storage unit belongs, and print an image
on the fed sheet; and a notification unit configured to, in a case
where the sheet storage unit selected as the paper feed source does
not store a sheet of the size designated by the print job, and a
sheet storage unit which stores a sheet of the size does not exist
in the group to which the selected sheet storage unit belongs,
notify a user of a sheet storage unit in the group as a sheet
storage unit in which a sheet is to be set.
[0011] The present invention in its second aspect provides a
control method of controlling a printing system which feeds a sheet
from a plurality of sheet storage units and prints an image on the
fed sheet, comprising: a storage step of storing, in a storage
unit, a size of a sheet set in each sheet storage unit of the
plurality of sheet storage units; a registration step of
registering, as one group, at least two sheet storage units out of
the plurality of sheet storage units; a first print control step
of, in a case where a sheet storage unit selected as a paper feed
source stores a sheet of a size designated by a print job, printing
an image on a sheet fed from the sheet storage unit; a second print
control step of, in a case where the sheet storage unit selected as
the paper feed source does not store a sheet of the size designated
by the print job, printing an image on a sheet fed from a sheet
storage unit which stores a sheet of the size designated by the
print job within a group to which the selected sheet storage unit
belongs; and a notification step of, in a case where the sheet
storage unit selected as the paper feed source does not store a
sheet of the size designated by the print job, and a sheet storage
unit which stores a sheet of the size does not exist in the group
to which the selected sheet storage unit belongs, notifying a user
of a sheet storage unit in the group as a sheet storage unit which
is to store a sheet.
[0012] Further features of the present invention will become
apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments
with reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram exemplifying the configuration of
a printer control system according to an embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a printer
according to the embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a view exemplifying a screen display used in a
paper feed cassette group setting unit;
[0016] FIGS. 4A and 4B are views showing display examples of
guidance information generated by a paper replacement method
guidance generation unit;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining paper replacement
method guidance display processing by the printer according to the
embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining paper size/paper type
search processing in step S501 of FIG. 5;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining paper size/paper type
change guidance generation processing in step S506 of FIG. 5;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining paper size/paper type
switching recommended cassette search processing in step S701 of
FIG. 7; and
[0021] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining cassette guidance
generation processing for another group in step S702 of FIG. 7.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
described hereinafter in detail, with reference to the accompanying
drawings. It is to be understood that the following embodiments are
not intended to limit the claims of the present invention, and that
not all of the combinations of the aspects that are described
according to the following embodiments are necessarily required
with respect to the means to solve the problems according to the
present invention. The same reference numerals denote the same
building components, and a repetitive description thereof will be
omitted. The embodiment will explain a printer control system as an
embodiment of the printing system.
[0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram exemplifying the configuration of
the printer control system according to the embodiment.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, a client PC 120 inputs a print job to a
printer 100 via a network I/F 106. The client PC 120 receives the
notification of a status change of the printer 100, and the
progress of a print job via the network I/F 106. The printer 100
includes a main controller 112 for controlling the printer 100, and
a printing unit 110. Although not shown, the printing unit 110
includes a printing mechanism, mechanical components such as a
sensor, an electrical circuit for controlling them, and
software.
[0025] The printing unit 110 and main controller 112 are connected
by a printing unit I/F 107, and can transmit video signals for
image formation and read out sensor values representing the
remaining amount of paper and the like. A CPU 101 is the center of
the main controller 112. The CPU 101 implements a print operation
by controlling the printing unit 110 while reading out from and
writing data in a RAM 102 in accordance with a control program
stored in a program ROM 104. The main controller 112 also includes
a font 103 for expressing a character, and a data ROM 105 for
saving fixed values. An external memory 109 is used to save a large
amount of data such as image data. The external memory 109 also
stores optional software and the like (not shown). An operation
unit 108 includes input keys for accepting an instruction from the
operator by the printer 100, and a display unit for displaying the
state of the printer 100.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional arrangement
of the printer 100 according to the embodiment.
[0027] A paper feed storage unit 201 and printing process unit 208
are hardware units of the printing unit 110. More specifically, the
paper feed storage unit 201 includes a plurality of paper feed
cassettes (sheet storage units) which store paper (sheets). The
printer 100 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes, and can
store a large amount of sheets and print on a large amount of
sheets without stopping the print operation. Each paper feed
cassette includes a remaining paper amount sensor, and can detect
the absence of paper and the remaining amount of paper in the paper
feed cassette. There are a plurality of types of remaining paper
amount sensors, including one which detects a paper level from the
side using a reflective sensor, and one which measures the moving
amount of a tray for moving up a paper bundle for paper feed. The
printing process unit 208 generates an image by an
electrophotographic process or the like on paper supplied from a
paper feed cassette of the paper feed storage unit 201 that is
designated by a job control unit 207 of the main controller 112.
The printing process unit 208 and job control unit 207 are
important function components of the main controller 112, but are
not directly relevant to the present invention and will not be
described in detail.
[0028] A paper feed cassette group setting unit (sheet storage unit
group setting) 202 and intra-group paper feed switching control
unit 205 are implemented by software programs saved in the program
ROM 104, and the CPU 101. The software programs notify the operator
of information by displaying an image on a display unit 108a of the
operation unit 108. The printer 100 accepts an input from the
operator using the key of the operation unit 108. More
specifically, the paper feed cassette group setting unit 202 is a
function of creating a paper feed group. The paper feed cassette
group setting unit 202 groups paper feed cassettes in the paper
feed storage unit 201 by using a user interface screen shown in
FIG. 3 (to be described later). When a paper feed cassette during
use runs out of paper, the intra-group paper feed switching control
unit 205 determines, based on information of paper stored in the
paper feed storage unit 201 and information of the paper feed
cassette group setting unit 202, a paper feed cassette in the group
from which a sheet should be supplied.
[0029] A paper replacement (sheet replacement) method guidance
generation unit 204, paper replacement (sheet replacement)
condition setting holding unit 209, and paper feed history storage
unit 210 are also implemented by software programs saved in the
program ROM 104, the CPU 101, the external memory 109, and the
like. The main controller 112 stores a paper feed history in the
external memory 109 (paper feed history storage unit 210) every
time paper is fed from a paper feed cassette in the paper feed
storage unit 201. The paper replacement condition setting holding
unit 209 stores, in the external memory 109, a condition input by
the operator via the operation unit 108. Based on these pieces of
stored information, the paper replacement method guidance
generation unit 204 creates guidance about a paper replacement
method for displaying a screen as shown in FIG. 4A on the display
unit of the operation unit 108. The contents of the guidance are,
for example, the paper size of a paper feed cassette, the confirmed
amount of paper in the paper feed cassette, paper feed cassette
grouping information, and a paper feed cassette in which paper
should be replaced.
[0030] FIG. 4A exemplifies the paper size and amount of paper
stored in each of grouped paper feed cassettes. In this case,
printing is done on A4-size paper and A3-size paper. Paper feed
cassette 2 of group 1 stores A4-size plain paper, and paper feed
cassette 2 is recommended as a paper feed cassette for storing
A3-size paper. As will be described with reference to FIG. 3, paper
feed cassette 1 of group 1 is a paper feed cassette preferentially
used for other print jobs, and a change of its paper type and paper
size is inhibited. Paper feed cassette 8 of group 3 stores A3-size
plain paper. However, it is displayed that paper feed cassette 8 is
not available because it belongs to another group.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a view exemplifying a screen display used in the
paper feed cassette group setting unit 202.
[0032] In a printer including a plurality of paper feed cassettes,
these paper feed cassettes are grouped and can be used as a
large-volume paper feed cassette. That is, when one paper feed
cassette in a given group becomes empty or a print job requests
paper not stored in the paper feed cassette, paper in another paper
feed cassette in the group is used. The printer can print
continuously without stopping print processing.
[0033] The display unit 108a of the operation unit 108 displays a
group setting screen, and an item is selected based on an input
from the touch panel of the operation unit 108.
[0034] A paper feed cassette list serving as an example of the
paper feed storage unit 201 is displayed on the left side of the
screen. The remaining amount of paper in each paper feed cassette
is displayed as an icon, and the paper size and paper type are
displayed as text. A check box representing whether sheet
replacement is possible, and a pull-down choice are prepared beside
each paper feed cassette. No check mark in the check box means that
sheet replacement is possible. A check mark means that paper change
is inhibited. A paper feed cassette with the check mark is excluded
from paper feed cassettes serving as paper replacement candidates
detected by a paper search unit 203. A pull-down list at the right
end is used to designate a group to which each paper feed cassette
is to belong. All paper feed cassettes are grouped based on
designated group numbers.
[0035] In the example of FIG. 3, paper feed cassettes 1 to 3 are
grouped into group 1. Paper feed cassettes 4 and 5 are grouped into
group 2. Paper feed cassettes 6 to 8 are grouped into group 3. For
the first paper feed cassettes (paper feed cassettes 1, 4, and 7)
of the respective groups, their check boxes are checked to inhibit
paper change.
[0036] A print job input from the client PC 120 designates a paper
feed cassette to be used for the print job. When paper in the
designated paper feed cassette runs out or when paper of a size or
type not stored in the paper feed cassette becomes necessary, it is
detected whether the necessary paper exists in a paper feed
cassette in the same group as that of the designated paper feed
cassette. If the necessary paper is detected in the group, the
printer 100 continues the print job using paper in the detected
paper feed cassette.
[0037] The operation of the printer 100 when there is no paper
necessary for a print job is explained with reference to FIG. 4A.
FIG. 4A is a view exemplifying a paper replacement guidance screen
in which the display unit 108a of the operation unit 108 displays
guidance information generated by the paper replacement method
guidance generation unit 204.
[0038] In this example, eight paper feed cassettes 1 to 8 are
displayed. In correspondence with FIG. 3, paper feed cassettes 1 to
3 are classified into group 1, paper feed cassettes 4 and 5 are
classified into group 2, and cassettes 6 to 8 are classified into
group 3. In this example, a print job is a size-mixed job using A4
and A3 sizes. Since no A3-size paper exists in group 1, a paper out
error occurs. This job requests the paper feed source to use group
1.
[0039] By referring to the display in FIG. 4A, the operator can
cancel the error by changing the paper size of designated cassette
2 without hesitation.
[0040] FIG. 4B is a view exemplifying a paper replacement guidance
screen when the paper feed cassette group setting unit 202 inhibits
paper replacement of all paper feed cassettes in a group.
[0041] The screen is the same as that of FIG. 4A except for
guidance at the top of the screen, and a description thereof will
not be repeated. Since paper replacement is inhibited for all paper
feed cassettes of group 1, the guidance prompts the operator to
replace, with A3-size paper, paper in any paper feed cassette in
group 1 designated by the job. In this example, it is considered
that the printer 100 often receives jobs which use all the paper
feed cassettes of group 1 for the A4 size. Hence, the main
controller 112 displays a message to return to original A4-size
paper in the changed paper feed cassette after the end of the print
job using the A3 size during execution. Subsequent A4-size print
jobs can be executed using all the paper feed cassettes of group
1.
[0042] A paper replacement method guidance display processing
sequence by the main controller 112 according to the embodiment
will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5. Note
that a program regarding this sequence for the main controller 112
is stored in the program ROM 104 or external memory 109 (for
example, hard disk) of the main controller 112, read out into the
RAM 102, and executed by the CPU 101.
[0043] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining paper replacement
method guidance display processing by the printer 100 according to
the embodiment. This processing starts in a situation in which no
necessary paper exists in a paper feed cassette designated by a
print job while the main controller 112 processes the print job.
This processing is achieved by executing, by the CPU 101, a program
which is stored in the program ROM 104 and expanded in the RAM
102.
[0044] When a paper feed cassette designated by a print job stores
paper of a designated paper size and paper type, printing is
performed on the paper (sheet) fed from the paper feed cassette
(first print control). When a paper feed cassette designated by a
print job does not store sheets of a size and type designated by
the print job, a paper feed cassette which stores sheets of the
paper size and paper type designated by the print job is determined
in the group. An image is printed on a sheet fed from the
determined paper feed cassette (second print control).
[0045] In step S501, the main controller 112 searches a currently
selected group for a paper feed cassette capable of storing paper
of a paper size and paper type necessary for a print job. Details
of the paper size/paper type search processing will be explained
with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6.
[0046] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the paper size/paper
type search processing in step S501 of FIG. 5.
[0047] In step S601, the main controller 112 initializes a list for
notifying a switching candidate paper feed cassette prior to
processing. The process advances to step S602, and the main
controller 112 determines, for all paper feed cassettes in a
currently selected group, whether a paper feed cassette capable of
storing a paper size and paper type requested by the print job
exists in the group. If all the paper feed cassettes have not been
checked, the process advances to step S603, and the main controller
112 reads out, from a paper feed cassette of the group, a paper
size and paper type serving as attributes of the paper feed
cassette. The paper size may be automatically detected from the
position of a paper guide, or input by the operator using the
operation unit 108. The paper type cannot be detected
automatically, and thus is input by the operator via the operation
unit 108. Then, the process advances to step S604, and the main
controller 112 determines whether the paper size and paper type
requested by the print job coincide with the attributes of the
target paper feed cassette. If the paper size and paper type
coincide with the attributes, the process advances to step S605,
and the main controller 112 stores the number of the detected paper
feed cassette in the switching candidate cassette list. Then, the
process advances to step S606. If the main controller 112
determines in step S604 that the paper size and paper type do not
coincide with the attributes, the process advances to step S606,
and the main controller 112 changes the paper feed cassette to be
checked to the next paper feed cassette. If all the paper feed
cassettes have been checked in step S602, the main controller 112
notifies the calling source of the switching candidate cassette
list, and ends the search processing.
[0048] Referring back to FIG. 5, in step S502, the main controller
112 determines, by referring to the switching candidate cassette
list, whether a paper feed cassette coincident with the paper size
and paper type exists in the current group. If the main controller
112 determines that a coincident paper feed cassette exists, the
process advances to step S503, and the main controller 112
determines whether paper remains in the paper feed cassette. If
paper remains, the process advances to step S505, and the main
controller 112 continues the job by switching the paper feed
cassette for use to the coincident paper feed cassette.
[0049] If the main controller 112 determines in step S503 that no
paper remains in the paper feed cassette, the process advances to
step S504, and the main controller 112 displays a message on the
display unit 108a of the operation unit 108 to prompt the operator
to replenish the paper feed cassette with paper. After the paper
feed cassette is replenished with necessary paper, the main
controller 112 continues the interrupted print job.
[0050] If the main controller 112 determines in step S502 that a
paper feed cassette coincident with the paper size and paper type
does not exist in the current group, the process advances to step
S506 to notify the operator to change the paper size and paper type
of any paper feed cassette. For this purpose, the main controller
112 generates guidance representing a paper feed cassette which
should store paper of the paper size and paper type necessary for
the print job. Details of the generation processing will be
described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7. The
process advances to step S507, and the main controller 112 displays
the guidance obtained by the processing of step S506 on the display
unit 108a of the operation unit 108, and presents (notifies), to
the user, a sheet storage unit capable of storing sheets of the
designated size and type.
[0051] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining paper size/paper type
change guidance generation processing in step S506 of FIG. 5.
[0052] The guidance generation processing is roughly divided into
two. First, in step S701, paper size/paper type switching
recommended cassette search processing is performed. Details of
this processing will be explained later with reference to FIG. 8.
In general, the guidance is displayed to replace paper of a paper
feed cassette designated by the client computer 120. In many cases,
however, such a designated paper feed cassette is frequently used,
so it is not preferable to change the paper size and paper type of
the paper feed cassette. This is because, when another job is
input, the paper size and the like of the paper feed cassette are
highly likely to be changed again and the productivity of the
overall apparatus may decrease.
[0053] Then, the process advances to step S702 to perform cassette
guidance generation processing for another group. Details of this
processing will be explained later with reference to FIG. 9. For a
print job using a paper cassette group, paper is selected only
within the same group. When paper necessary for the print job is
stored in another group, the determination contents of the printer
100 are presented as guidance, and the operator of the printer 100
can execute the operation without confusion.
[0054] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the paper size/paper
type switching recommended cassette search processing in step S701
of FIG. 7.
[0055] A paper feed cassette whose paper size and paper type are to
be switched is preferably a paper feed cassette which is rarely
used. First, in step S801, the paper feed cassette search order is
changed using the paper feed frequency. The main controller 112
incorporates and uses the paper feed history storage unit 210 (FIG.
2) which stores a paper feed cassette, size, and paper count. In
step S802, the main controller 112 determines whether all the paper
feed cassettes of the paper feed storage unit have been checked. If
all the paper feed cassettes have not been checked, the process
advances to step S803. In step S803, the main controller 112
determines whether the paper feed cassette group setting unit 202
inhibits paper change of the paper feed cassette. If the main
controller 112 determines that change is not inhibited, the process
advances to step S806, and the main controller 112 interrupts the
search, generates guidance to change paper of the paper feed
cassette, and ends the processing.
[0056] If the main controller 112 determines in step S803 that
change of the paper size and paper type of the paper feed cassette
is inhibited, the process advances to step S804, and the main
controller 112 adds display guidance representing that the paper
feed cassette inhibits paper replacement. The process advances to
step S805 to check the next paper feed cassette, and then to step
S802.
[0057] If all the paper feed cassettes in the group have been
checked in step S802, this group does not include a paper feed
cassette capable of setting paper usable for the print job. In this
case, the process advances to step S807, and the main controller
112 displays a message that this group does not include a paper
feed cassette capable of setting paper usable for the print job. In
this case, the user changes paper of any paper feed cassette in the
group to the paper size or paper type designated by the print job,
and continues the print job. At this time, the main controller 112
generates a message to prompt the user to return paper in the paper
feed cassette to an original paper size and paper type set by the
administrator after the end of the print job. A paper feed cassette
number is substituted into "% d" used in a guidance character
string in FIG. 8. A paper size name and paper type name are
substituted into "% s".
[0058] Although the determination of step S803 uses the paper
change inhibition/permission setting value designated by the paper
feed cassette group setting unit 202, it may use another condition.
For example, when it is recognized in advance that a print job
spooled in the main controller 112 uses a paper feed cassette, the
use of the paper feed cassette may be inhibited.
[0059] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the cassette guidance
generation processing for another group in step S702 of FIG. 7.
This search processing is executed for all the paper feed cassettes
of the printer 100.
[0060] In step S901, the main controller 112 determines whether all
the paper feed cassettes of the printer 100 have been checked. If
all the paper feed cassettes of the printer 100 have not been
checked, the process advances to step S902, and the main controller
112 determines whether the paper feed cassette to be checked
belongs to the same group as that of a paper feed cassette
designated by the print job. Since the guidance for the same group
has already been generated in the switching recommended cassette
search processing described with reference to FIG. 8, the process
advances to step S905. However, this processing targets only a
paper feed cassette belonging to another group, and the process
advances to step S903.
[0061] In step S903, the main controller 112 determines whether
there is a paper feed cassette for which the same paper size and
paper type as those requested by the print job are set. If there is
a paper feed cassette for which the same paper size and paper type
are set, the process advances to step S904, and the main controller
112 generates guidance representing that the paper feed cassette is
not available because it belongs to a different group. After that,
the process advances to step S905. If a paper feed cassette for
which the same paper size and paper type are set does not exist in
step S903, the process advances to step S905. In step S905, the
main controller 112 targets the next paper feed cassette. The
process returns to step S901 to continue the search.
[0062] The embodiment has made an explanation on the premise of a
plurality of paper feed cassettes. However, the same effects can be
obtained even when all paper feed cassettes are handled as one
group.
[0063] The embodiment has explained the operation unit using the
liquid crystal display unit and touch panel. However, the present
invention is not limited to this technique. The same effects can be
obtained even when, for example, a Web user interface is used via a
network.
Other Embodiments
[0064] Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a
computer of a system or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU)
that reads out and executes a program recorded on a memory device
to perform the functions of the above-described embodiment(s), and
by a method, the steps of which are performed by a computer of a
system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing a
program recorded on a memory device to perform the functions of the
above-described embodiment(s). For this purpose, the program is
provided to the computer for example via a network or from a
recording medium of various types serving as the memory device (for
example, computer-readable medium).
[0065] While the present invention has been described with
reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.
The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent structures and functions.
[0066] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent
Application No. 2011-232117, filed Oct. 21, 2011, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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