JPH047183A - Printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent stopping of a printing function by performing printing of an exchanged paper after a predetermined time has passed when the paper size detected by a detecting means for detecting the size of a set paper is not agreed with the paper size designated by a host computer. CONSTITUTION:A command designating the size of a paper is fed together with the printing data from a host computer connected to a printing apparatus 11. A kind of papers is already set in the printing apparatus 11. If the paper size designated by the command is not coincident with the size of papers set in the apparatus 11, a CPU 12 turns a timer 14 ON to measure a predetermined time. This predetermined time is a sufficient time to exchange a paper cassette. When the operator exchanges the papers during monitoring of the predetermined time, the CPU 12 recognizes via a paper cassette detecting part 20 that the exchanged paper is set, with turning OFF the timer 14. Thereafter, the printing data is sent to a printing part 19, where printing is performed on the paper of the newly set size.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a printing device that is connected to a plurality of host computers, receives print data from the host computers, and performs printing by specifying the size of paper to be printed. Regarding.

(Prior Art) There are multiple types of cut sheets used as output media in printing apparatuses such as electrophotographic printers, each of which has a different size. For example, in Japan, B4. B5. A4. A
5. A6 size is commonly used.

On the other hand, when data is created in a host computer connected to a printing device, the size of the paper that will be the final output medium is assumed in advance, and the data is created to match this size. When the created data is to be printed, the host computer sends the created data to the printing device and also sends a command specifying a paper size that matches the created data.

A printing device can normally use cut sheets of each size described above, but only one or two types can be set in the device at any time due to mechanical constraints. Therefore, there are only one or two types of paper sizes that can be automatically printed based on commands sent from the host computer. Conventionally, when a host computer sends a command specifying a paper size that is not set in a printing device, printing is performed by replacing the already set paper with paper of the specified size. The operation in this case will be explained according to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of a conventional printing apparatus.

In FIG. 6, when the printing device receives a specified paper size command sent from the host computer (step 1), it determines whether the specified paper size matches the size of the paper already set in the device. (
Step 2). As a result, if the paper sizes match, the process advances to step 5 and printing is started. If the paper sizes do not match, a paper size error and specified size message is displayed on an operator panel (not shown) to prompt the operator to replace the paper. When the operator replaces the paper and the specified size paper is set, this is detected (step 4).
Start printing (step 5).

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the conventional apparatus described above, if the paper size specified by the host computer and the paper size already set in the apparatus do not match, the operator can change the specified size. It became impossible to print unless the paper was replaced. Therefore, in a system in which a plurality of host computers 2 are connected to one printing device 1 as shown in FIG. If the set paper sizes do not match and the paper has not been replaced, print output from the other host computers 2b, 2C becomes impossible. That is, the printing function as a system stops.

Even when it is time to exchange paper, the host computer 2 and printing device 1 are connected via LAN (Local A).
rea Network), etc., and the host computer 2 and the printing device 1 are usually located apart from each other.
Therefore, actually replace the paper with one of the specified size,
It takes a considerable amount of time to finish printing the print data from the host computer 2a and to restore the printing function of the system. Note that FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the print output system.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide printing functionality even when the paper size specified by the host computer does not match the size of the paper already loaded in the device. To provide a printing device that does not stop printing and does not require much time to recover its printing function.

(Means for solving the problem) The measures taken to solve the above problem include a detection means for detecting the size of the paper set in the device, and a display means for displaying the paper size specified by the host computer. and a timer for measuring the elapse of a predetermined time, and a control means for controlling the display means and the timer of the detection means 1 and comparing the paper size detected by the detection means and the paper size specified by the host computer. If the paper size detected by the detection means does not match the paper size specified by the host computer, the control means displays the paper size specified by the host computer on the display means and sets the timer. If the paper sizes match within a predetermined time, printing is performed on the set paper at the time they match, and if they do not match within a predetermined time, printing is performed on the set paper after a predetermined time has elapsed.

(for production) The present invention based on the above configuration will be explained in detail.

When a paper size signal is sent from the host computer together with print data, the control section compares the sent paper size with the size of the paper set in the apparatus as detected by the detection means. If they match, the print data is set as is and printed on a certain paper.

If they do not match, the paper size designated by the host computer is displayed on the display means to prompt the operator to replace the paper, and a timer is set. The timer measures the passage of a predetermined time. When the paper of the specified size is replaced within a predetermined time, the detection means detects this, the control means recognizes that the sizes match, and prints on the replaced paper.

If the paper sizes do not match within a predetermined time, printing is performed on the paper that is set at the time when the predetermined time elapses.

By doing so, it is possible to prevent the printing function of the system from stopping.

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

Note that elements common to each drawing are given the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a printing apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a printing apparatus 11 is provided with a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 12 that controls the entire apparatus, and a pass line 13 is connected to the CPU 12. The pass line 13 has a timer 14. Read-only memory (ROM)15. Random access memory (RA)
M) A 16° external interface 17 and an I10 control unit 18 are connected, and the CPU I 2 controls each of these elements. The timer 14 measures the passage of a predetermined time, and in this embodiment, as will be described later, if the paper size specified by the host computer and the paper size set in the device do not match, it is determined that they do not match. The passage of a predetermined period of time is measured from the time of determination. R
The OM 15 stores control programs and the like for controlling the entire device. When print data created by the host computer is sent, the RAM 16 temporarily stores the print data. The external interface 17 is connected to a host computer (not shown) and receives print data and commands sent from the host computer.

The I10 control unit 18 includes a printing unit 19 and a paper cassette detection unit 2.
0 and an operator panel 21 are connected to it, and these are controlled.

The printing unit 19 prints print data on cut paper set in the device. The paper cassette detection unit 20 detects the size of paper set in the device. The principle of the paper cassette detection section 20 is shown in FIG. To explain in detail with reference to FIG. 2, sheets are stored in a cassette 22, and this cassette 22 is set at a predetermined position in the apparatus 11. One or more protrusions 23 are formed on the side of the cassette 22. In other words, the number and position of the protrusions differ depending on the paper size. On the other hand, a switch 24 is provided on the device side at a position facing the protrusion 23. Therefore, the combination of switches 24 to be pressed differs depending on the presence or absence of the protrusion 23, so that the size of the set paper can be detected. Note that the printing device 1 in this embodiment
1, it is assumed that only one type of paper cassette can be set.

The operator panel 21 is a panel for operator operation, an example of which is shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the operator panel 21 is provided with a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) lighting sections 25a to 25d, a display section 26, and a plurality of key switches 27a to 27d. The LED lighting units 25a to 25d inform the operator of the status of the device 11. For example, if the paper size specified by the host computer and the size of the paper set in the device 11 do not match, the LED lighting units 25b are turned off. Turn it on. The display section 26 is composed of a liquid crystal display device, and displays the paper size, etc. specified by the host computer. The key switches 27a to 27d are pressed when the operator operates the device 11.

The printing device 11 of this embodiment having the above structure is as follows:
Similar to the system shown in FIG.
7 to multiple host computers.

Next, the operation will be explained mainly with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the paper size specified by one host computer is A4 size.

When a host computer (not shown) connected to the printing device 11 sends a command specifying print data and the size of paper (A4 in this case) on which this print data is to be printed, the process shown in FIG. The CPU 12 receives this via the external interface 17 (step 11). One type of paper is already set in the printing device 11, and the size of the set paper is detected by the paper cassette detection section 20 described above, and the size data is stored in the RAM 16 shown in FIG.

Upon receiving a paper size designation command and print data from the host computer, the CPU 12 compares the size data stored in the RAM 16 with the paper size designated by the command (step 12). At the same time, print data is written into the RAM 16.

As a result of comparing the paper sizes, if they match, that is, if the size of the paper set in the device 11 is A4, the process directly proceeds to step 20, where print data is read from the RAM 16 and printed by the printing unit 19. Start.

If the paper sizes do not match in step 12, the CPU 12 lights up the LED lighting section 25b of the operator panel 21 shown in FIG. Display the specified paper size (A4) as, for example, "A4REQUESTED" (
In step 14), since the LED lighting section 25b lights up, the operator can know that the paper set in the apparatus is not the specified size. In addition, the display section 26
By displaying the specified paper size, the operator can know the size of the paper to be replaced. After this, the CPU 12 uses the timer 14 to measure the passage of a predetermined time.
is turned on (step 15). This predetermined time is sufficient time for the operator to notice the discrepancy in paper size and replace the paper cassette, and is, for example, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Note that this predetermined time can be changed arbitrarily. After turning on the timer 14, the CPU 12 continuously monitors the paper cassette detection section 20 within the predetermined time period.

During monitoring within a predetermined time, if the operator replaces the paper with A4 size paper, the CPU
Step 2 recognizes that A4 size paper is set (step 16) and turns off the timer 14 (step 17).
). This will stop monitoring. Also, along with that, the third
The LED lighting section 25b of the operator panel 21 shown in the figure is turned off, and the display on the display section 26 is erased (step 19).
.

Thereafter, the print data is sent to the printing section 19 and printed on the set A4 size paper.

If the paper is not replaced with A4 size paper within the predetermined time in step 16 and the predetermined time elapses (step 18)
, the CPU 2 turns off the LED lighting section 25b and erases the display section 26 in step 19, and then starts printing on paper other than the A4 size that has been set in advance (step 20).

In this case, if the size of the paper previously set in the device 11 is larger than A4, such as 84, for example, if the origin of the printing area is the upper left corner of the paper, as shown in FIG.
The print data to be printed in the print area A of the 4-size paper 29 is printed in the offset print area B of the B4-size paper 30. Conversely, when the paper 31 of a size smaller than A4, such as B5 size, is set, if the origin of the print area is the upper left corner of the paper, the print area A1 shown with diagonal lines will be The print data that should be printed will not be printed. FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the printing state when the paper sizes do not match and the paper is not replaced.

As explained above, even if the paper size specified by the host computer and the paper size set in the device do not match, printing will be forcibly started after a predetermined period of time, so the printing function as a system will be improved. is guaranteed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, instead of providing a separate timer 14 as in the above embodiment, a predetermined time may be set in the RAM 16 to measure the time. In addition, if the paper size specified by the host computer does not match the size of the paper preset in the device, the display section 26 of the operator panel 21 will display not only the specified paper size but also the message ``After XXX seconds''. It is also possible to display a message such as "Forcibly print later." Such a display can prompt the operator to perform prompt processing.

(Effects of the Invention) As described in detail above, according to the present invention, in a printing device connected to a plurality of host computers, the paper size specified by the host computer and the size of the paper set in the device are different from each other. If they do not match, for example, even if paper of the specified size is not replaced, printing will be forcibly started on the paper set in the device after a predetermined period of time, so the printing function of the system will be ensured. It has the effect of

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper cassette detection section of the embodiment, FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an operator panel of the embodiment, and FIG. The figure is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment, and FIG.
(bl is an explanatory diagram showing the printing state, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of a conventional printing device, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the print output system. 11...Printing device, 12... CPU, 14...Timer. 20... Paper cassette detection unit, 21... Operator panel.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A printing device that is connected to a plurality of host computers, receives a paper size signal specifying the size of paper to be printed and print data from one of the host computers, and prints on the set paper. , a detection means for detecting the size of the paper to be set; a display means for displaying the paper size designated by the host computer; a timer for measuring the elapse of a predetermined time; and controlling the detection means, the display means, and the timer. and a control means for comparing the paper size detected by the detection means and the paper size specified by the host computer, and the control means compares the paper size detected by the detection means and the paper size specified by the host computer. If the paper sizes do not match, the paper size specified by the host computer is displayed on the display means and the timer is set. If the paper sizes match within a predetermined time, then when they match, A printing device characterized in that, if not, printing is performed on the set paper after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.