1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technique for inserting sheets, a plurality of which form a set.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally there are printing apparatuses to which multiple types of index sheets can be inserted to print pieces. For example, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-248672, different two types of index sheets are stored in trays A and B respectively and the printing apparatus inserts the index sheets in the tray A and the index sheets in the tray B to each of copies. The printing apparatus, when not using all index sheets included in a set, discharges the remaining index sheets from the trays A and B at the point of finishing outputting each of the copies.
Although in Japanese Patent Laid-Open 2006-248672 the two different types of index sheets are used those index sheets cannot be used in a hierarchical manner. Especially, when not all index sheets included in a set are used i.e., if some index sheets are left unused), the multiple types of the index sheets cannot be used in a hierarchical manner.
For example, it is assumed that a first type of index sheet is a higher layer (e.g., for separating chapters) and a second type of index sheet is a lower layer (e.g., for separating sections), and one set of the second-type index sheet includes N sheets. After the first sheet of the first-type index sheet is output, the first to Mth sheets of the second-type index sheets are output (M<N) (e.g. a single chapter contains M sections). In this case, (N−M) sheets of the second-type index sheet are left on the tray. Accordingly, when the second chapter of the document begins next, it is impossible to output a second sheet of the first-type index sheets and then output the second-type index sheets inserted from the beginning of the sections of the second chapter.
The present invention is to solve the foregoing problem in the conventional technique.
A feature of the present invention lies in that when two types of sheets, a plurality of which form a set, are hierarchically used, remaining unused sheets in a set are appropriately discharged.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a control apparatus comprises a first container unit for containing sheets, a plurality of which form a set, a second container unit for containing sheets, a plurality of which form a set, feed control unit for performing control to feed a sheet from a first set in the first container unit, then a sheet from a first set in the second container unit, again a sheet from the first set in the first container unit, and then a sheet from a second set in the second container unit, and a discharge control unit for performing control to discharge all remaining sheets in the first set in the second container unit after the sheet is fed from the first set in the second container unit and before the sheet is fed again from the first set in the first container unit.
According to the present invention, when two types of sheets, a plurality of which form a set, are hierarchically used, remaining unused sheets are appropriately discharged.
Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to the attached drawings).
Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
Embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafter described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the following embodiments do not limit the scope of claims for the present invention, and not all combinations of features described in those embodiments are essential for means for solving the problem in the present invention.
In general, index sheets (specific sheets) are inserted for the purpose of separating text bodies of a document at position of captions for chapters or sections, and a “caption” for the separated text body, is printed on a tub of each index sheet. Here, index sheets of multiple types with different tub positions are bundled and provided as a set, and the first piece of the index sheet with a tub at the highest position is fed at the start of a print job. Therefore, if the number of the index sheets inserted to print pieces in a print job is different from the number of the index sheets contained in each set of the index sheet prepared in the image forming apparatus, some of the index sheets in a set are left unused at the end of the print job. Accordingly, in that case, it is necessary to discharge those remaining index sheets outside the image forming apparatus and arrange a new complete set of the index sheets for a next printing job.
If only one type of index sheet is used for a print job, remaining index sheets are discharged when no print job exists. However, if multiple-layer index sheets in a parent-child relationship are used, the index sheets that are left unused after an immediately previous printing job have to be discharged. It is desired to achieve such control without placing a burden on an operator of an information processing apparatus or an image forming apparatus.
Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention propose two discharge methods that can be implemented so as to suit features of a print engine in an image forming apparatus.
In a first embodiment, discharge control performed by the print engine in the image forming apparatus that changes a fixing temperature or a paper delivery speed of the print engine based on a print media (including index sheets) is described. In this type of image forming apparatus, a fixing temperature is changed when the print media is changed, and thus printing performance is lowered. Therefore, in the case where multiple layer index sheets of different sheet types are inserted, sheets to be used in a job need to be frequently switched and thus it takes longer time to output a final product unless the timing of discharging remaining index sheets outside the image forming apparatus is adjusted. To solve this problem, according to the first embodiment, the timing of discharging remaining multiple-layer index sheets is controlled to reduce the number of times of switching sheet types, thereby reducing the time taken to output a final product.
This image forming apparatus 100 is a printing apparatus such as a multifunction printer (MFP) and has four sheet feeding trays. The sheet feeding trays are provided with four sheet cassettes 101 to 104 respectively. The sheet cassettes 101 and 102 contain a plurality of sets of index sheets 201 and 202, respectively, each set containing five (or a plurality of) sheets form a set respectively. The index sheet 201 and the index sheet 202 are different in sheet type. The sheet cassette 103 contains plain paper sheets on which text body of a document is printed. The sheet cassette 104 is empty.
In the example of final product output in
The image forming apparatus 100, when receiving an order to feed a second index sheet 201 (chapter 2), determines that the first chapter contains only two sections and does not contain three to five sections and so third to fifth index sheet 202 in the first set thereof in the sheet cassette 102 are unnecessary, and discharges the third to fifth index sheets 202 in the first set thereof from the sheet cassette 102 (reference numeral 210 in
The embodiments are hereinafter described in detail with reference to specific examples.
Here an information processing apparatus 300, such as a PC, is connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a network 301. The information processing apparatus 300 prepares print data about a sheet size for editing and outputting print data, sheet type, insertion process for the sheet feeding trays and the index sheets, converts: the print data into PDL data for PostScript(PS)φ or PCL® and end the thus converted print data to the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 receives the print data from the information processing apparatus 300 and performs designated processes such as image formation for each print page and index sheet insertion.
A network I/F (interface) 401 provides a TCP/IP socket I/F to a network controller 402. An application for generating PDL data in the information processing apparatus 300 sends the PS or PCL data according to the RAW or LPR data transmission protocol.
After the network controller 402 receives the PS or PCL data according to the RAW or LPR communication protocol, the image forming apparatus 100 sequentially stores the data as stream data in a HDD 506 (
Meanwhile, page data stored in the page storage 411 is subjected to raster image processing by a RIP (raster image processor) controller 413 and stored as an image optimized for a printer engine 512 (
A system bus 520 is connected to a CPU 501, a RAM 502, an UI I/F 503, the network I/F 504, a ROM 505, and HDD 506, and those components communicate with each other. The components on the system bus 520 access, via an image bus I/F 507, an RIP 508, an image processor 509, and an engine I/F 510 that are connected to an image bus 530. Software shown in
The UI I/F 503 is connected to an operation unit 511 and notifies each module of a signal operated by the operation unit 511. The network I/F 504 receives, via the network 301, stream PDL data from the information processing apparatus 300 and stores the received data in the HDD 506. The ROM 505 stores various parameters and programs necessary for initiating and operating the image forming apparatus 100, and is accessed when necessary by software modules. The HDD 506 temporarily stores the PDL data received is the network, and is accessed by various modules as a data swap area for the RIP 508 and the image. processor 509. The image bus I/F 507 controls data exchange between the system bus 520 and the image bus 530 in the image forming apparatus 100, and intermediates communication between the system bus 520 side where control-related software works and page image processing-related modules that work on the image bus 530. The RIP 508 connected to the image bus 530 applies a page description language (PDL) code to the image file. The image processor 509 performs. resolution conversion and corrections suitable for the printer engine 512 on an image file generated by the RIP 508. The engine I/F 510 is a communication I/F for the engine controller 414 to control the printer engine 512 via the engine I/F 510.
The information processing apparatus 300 has two applications, or a print application 600 for specifically controlling the finish of each page of the print data and a print job spooler 620 for transferring the print data generated by the application to the image forming apparatus 100.
The print application 600 is designed for reducing a workload of an operator who configures advanced settings for printing. A user inputs specific finish settings for each page via a UI controller 601. A print settings controller 602 checks consistency regarding whether or not the print job can be implemented with the print settings ordered by the UI, and at to same time, cross-sectionally checks each of the orders such as patterning processing, adjustment parameters for color image processing, bookbinding, and index sheet insertion. If any of the orders cannot be executed, the print settings controller 602 performs conflict control such as displaying an alert. The print parameters that pass this conflict processing are stored from the print settings controller 602 to an application data manager 609.
After print start is ordered with the settings configured by the user, a print job data generator 603 reads out the print data from the application data manager 609, and a page generator 604 works with a driver SDK 606 to create print page data. The user selects a print format by selecting a driver for the image forming apparatus 100 at the time of printing. Two PDL drivers 607 and 608 are installed on the driver SDK 606. If the PDL driver 607 is selected, the page generator 604 outputs the page data according to Adobe PostScript format. If the PDL driver 608 is selected, the page generator 604 outputs the page data according to PCL format. At this time, the page generator 604 writes the sheet size and sheet type in the relevant PDL language. If an index sheet is used, the index sheet controller 605 sets a sheet feeding tray containing the index sheet to a designated sheet feeding tray, or designates the index sheet for the sheet size and sheet type information.
The job spooler 620 has an UI controller 621 and a print job list controller 622 for providing a spooler list screen. The spooler controller 623 temporarily stores the stream data generated by the driver SDK 606 and commands a print protocol controller 624 to transfer the data to the image forming apparatus 100. The print protocol controller 624 selects the RAW or LPR protocol and transfers the data via a network I/F controller 625 to the image forming apparatus 100 on the network 301.
A system bus 720 is connected to a CPU 701, a RAM 702, a USB I/F 703, a network I/F 704, a ROM 705, and an HDD 706, and those components communicate with each other. Software shown in
Referring to
In the first embodiment, the index sheets 202-3 to 202-5 are not immediately discharged, but the index sheet 201-2 indicating the beginning of chapter 2 is first fed and inserted, and then the index sheets 202-3 to 202-5 are discharged. Then, as shown in
The index sheet 201-1 indicating chapter 1 is inserted at frame 801, and the index sheet 202-1 indicating section 1 of chapter 1 is inserted at frame 802. Frames 803 represent text body print pages of section 1 of chapter. At frame 804 the second index sheet 202-2 indicating section 2 of chapter 1 is inserted. Frames 305 represent text body print pages of section 2 of chapter 1.
When insertion of the index sheet 201-2 for chapter 2 is ordered at point 806, the second index sheet 201-2 is inserted at frame 807. After that, remaining three index sheet 202-3 to 202-5 (third and fifth pieces of the index sheet 202 in the first set) are discharged at frames 808. Then, at frame 809, the index sheet 202-1 in the second set indicating section 1 of chapter 2 is inserted. Frames 810 represent text body print pages of section 1 of chapter 2. At frame 811, the index sheet 202-2 in the second set indicating section 2 of chapter 2 is inserted. Frames 812 represent text body print pages of section 2 of chapter 2. When a job end is ordered at point 813, three remaining index sheet 202-3 to 202-5 in the second set (third to fifth index sheets 202 in the second set) are discharged at frames 314. Then, at frames 815, the three remaining index sheet 201-3 to 201-5 in the first set (third to fifth index sheets 201 in the first set) are discharged.
As described above, when feed of the higher-layer (chapter) index sheet 201 is requested, the lower-layer (section) index sheets 202 that are left unused. at this moment are not immediately discharged, but the second higher-layer (chapter) index sheet 201 is first fed. Then, prior to feed of the index sheet 202 in the second set, which is an index for section 1 of chapter 2, the third to fifth index sheets 202 in the first set that a left unused at the end of chapter 1 are discharged.
After the job is started, when the index sheet 201 (“index sheet 1”) is first fed from the sheet cassette 101 (“CST1”), “index sheet 1”and “Lv=1” are registered. Next, the index sheet 202 (“index sheet 2”) is fed from the sheet cassette 102 (“CST2”), then “index sheet 2” and “Lv=2” are registered. The parental relationship between CST1 and CST2 (CST1 is higher than CST2) is not changed during this job. However, once the job ends, the content of the relevant entries in the index sheet management table is cleared. Accordingly, for example, if in the next job feed of the index sheet in CST2 is ordered before feed of the index sheet in CST1 is ordered, the parental relationship is changed such that CST2 is higher than CST1. Every time a new index sheet is registered for the index sheet management table, the CST, SIZE, Num, Cnt, Flag, and Time entries for this index sheet are also registered.
The term “Num” indicates the number of the set index sheets per set, and the term “Cnt” indicates the number of sheets that have been fed so far in a set. Specifically, Num-Cnt is the number of remaining index sheets. The initial value of the Cnt entry is zero. The term “Flag” indicates whether or not a new set of the index sheets in the corresponding sheet feeding tray needs to be reset. “Flag=T (TRUE)” means that before Num-Cnt index sheets have to be discharged from this sheet feeding tray to the outside the image forming apparatus 100 before next feed of the index sheet from this sheet feeding tray. The initial value of the Flag entry is F (False). The term “Time” means a time stamp, and the time when the information on the relevant sheet feeding tray was update is stored. By searching the entire table for the latest record, the index sheet that was fed last time can be immediately found out. It is the information necessary for determining whether or not the index sheet to be fed next and the index sheet that was fed last time is the same.
First, in S1 the print page controller 409 checks whether or not any page to be printed exists. If exists, the processing proceeds to S2 and the index sheet discharge controller 410 determines whether or not the sheet to be fed next is the index sheet based on the sheet type, sheet size, and the sheet feeding tray for the page. The process differs between type A (the case where only the sheet size and sheet type are designated) and type B (the case where only the sheet feeding tray is designated).
In the case of type A, the sheet type and sheet size are designated but the sheet feeding tray is not expressly designated. Therefore the index sheet discharge controller 410 determines whether or not the sheet to be fed next is the index sheet based on the designated sheet type, and refers to the sheet feeding tray table and selects the sheet cassette containing the sheet of the designated sheet type and sheet size. If there are two or more sheet cassettes that meet the conditions, the sheet cassettes is selected in the order of CST1>2>3>4. Meanwhile, in the case of type B, only the sheet feeding tray is designated but the sheet size and sheet type are not defined. Therefore the index sheet discharge controller 410 refers to the sheet feeding tray table and checks the sheet type and sheet size for the sheet feeding tray. Then, the index sheet discharge controller 410 determines whether or not the sheet to be fed next is the index sheet based on the checked sheet type. In any case, the processing proceeds to S3 if it is determined in S2 that the sheet to be fed next is the index sheet (first specific sheet). In S3, the index sheet discharge controller 410 searches for the above-described index sheet. management table and acquires the sheet size, sheet type, and sheet feeding tray of the index sheet (second specific sheet) that was fed last time. Meanwhile, if the sheet to be fed next is not the index sheet, the processing proceeds to S4 and the print page controller 409 feeds the sheet for printing the text body.
In S5, the index sheet. discharge controller 410 compares the index sheet to be fed next determined in S2 with the index sheet that was fed last time acquired in S3 and checks whether or not those two index sheets are the same. If the two index sheets are the same, the processing proceeds to S9 and the index sheet of the current layer is inserted. Meanwhile, if the two index sheets are different, the processing proceeds to S6. The processing also proceeds to S6 when the index sheet that was fed last time does not exist. In S5, the index sheet discharge controller 410 checks whether or not the index sheet determined in S2 is one registered for the index sheet management table. If the index sheet determined in S2 is already registered for the index sheet management table, the processing proceeds to S7 and the index sheet discharge controller 410 changes the Flag entry for the index sheet of the lower layer than the index sheet determined in S2 from “F” to “T.” This example is shown in
In S9, the index sheet discharge controller 410 checks the Flag entry for the index sheet to be fed next in the index sheet management table. If Flag=T, the processing proceeds to S10 at the index sheet discharge controller 410 discharges Num-Cnt index sheets outside the image forming apparatus 100. Further, the index sheet discharge controller 410 sets the Cnt entry for the index sheet to be fed next to zero and the Flag entry to F (False). Meanwhile, if Flag=F in S9, the processing proceeds to S11 and the print page controller 409 feeds the designated index sheet (the index sheet determined in S2) (feed control). After the index sheet is fed in S11, the processing proceeds to S12 and the index sheet discharge controller 410 adds one to the Cnt entry for the index sheet fed in S11, then the processing returns to S1.
Meanwhile, if in S1 there is no page to print, the processing proceeds to S13 and the index sheet discharge controller 410 discharges outside the image forming apparatus 101 the index sheet with Num-Cnt not being zero. It should be noted that the index sheet discharge in S10 is different. from the index sheet discharge in S13. S10 is a step of discharging remaining index sheets before the index sheet of the same layer as the index sheet to be discharged is fed, which is exactly the point of this embodiment.
As described above, according to the first embodiment, the timing of discharging remaining multiple-layer index sheets provided in sets is controlled and the number of times of switching the index sheets is reduced, thus the time taken to output the final product is reduced.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention is described. The configuration and system configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 and the information processing apparatus 300 in the second embodiment is the same as the above-described first embodiment so the description thereof is omitted.
Further, the second embodiment is available when the print engine in to image forming apparatus is capable of fixing or transferring all index sheets to be fed at a fixed speed, and in that case it is not necessary to consider the deterioration in performance occurring when sheet types are switched. Accordingly, multiple-layer index sheets that are left unused can be discharged outside the image forming apparatus 100 at different (earlier) timing from the first embodiment.
In
Next, when feed of the index sheet 201-2 indicating the beginning of chapter 2 is instructed, the second index sheet 201-2 is fed and inserted, and then the index sheet 202-1 for section 1 of chapter 2 is fed and inserted. After that, three consecutive pages of the text body are output, and the index sheet 202-2 for section 2 of chatter 2 is fed and inserted. Then three consecutive pages of the text body are output, and chapter 2 ends.
According to the second embodiment, as shown in
At frame 1101, the index sheet 201-1 indicating chapter 1 is inserted, and at frame 1102 the index sheet 202-1 indicating section 1 of chapter 1 is inserted. Frames 1103 represent text body print pages (three pages) of section 1 of chapter 1. At frame 1104, the index sheet 202-2 indicating section 2 of chapter 1 is inserted. Frames 1105 represent text body print pages of section 2 of chapter 1. When at point 1106 insertion of the index sheet 201-2 for chapter 2 is ordered, at frames 1107 remaining index sheet 202-3 to 202-5 in the first set (third to fifth index sheets 202 in the first set) are discharged.
At frame 1108 the second index sheet 201-2 is inserted, and then at frame 1109 the index sheet 202-1 in the second set indicating section 1 of chapter 2 is inserted. Frames 1110 represent text body print pages of section 1 of chapter 2. At frame 1111 the index sheet 202-2 in the second set indicating section 2 of chapter 2 is inserted. Frames 1112 represent text body print pages of section 2 of chapter 2. When the job end is ordered at point 1113, remaining index sheets 207-3 to 202-5 in the second set (third to fifth index sheets 202 in the second set) are discharged at frames 1114. Further, at frame 1115 remaining index sheets 201-3 to 201-5 in the first set (third to fifth index sheets 201 in the first set) are discharged.
As described above, if feed of a higher-layer (chapter) index sheet 1 (201) is requested, lower-layer (section) index sheets 202 that are left unused at that moment are immediately discharged, and then a second piece of the higher-layer (chapter) index sheet 201 is fed and inserted.
First, in S21 the print page controller 409 checks whether or not any page to print next exists. If a page to print exists, the processing proceeds to 322 and the index sheet discharge controller 410 determines whether or not the sheet to be fed next is an index sheet based on the sheet type, sheet size, and sheet feeding tray for the page. The procedure differs between type A (in the case where only the sheet size and the sheet type are designated) and type B (in the case where only the sheet feeding tray is designated).
In the case of type A, only the sheet type and sheet size are designated in the acquired information and the sheet feeding tray is not expressly designated. Therefore, the index sheet discharge controller 410 determines whether or not the sheet to be fed next is an index sheet based on the designated sheet type, and refers to the sheet feeding tray table and selects the sheet cassette that contains the sheet of the designated sheet type and sheet size. If two or more sheet cassettes meet the conditions, the sheet cassette is selected in the order of CST1>2>3>4. Meanwhile, in the case of type B, only the sheet feeding tray is designated and the sheet size, sheet type are not defined. Therefore, the index sheet discharge controller 410 refers to the sheet feeding tray table and checks the sheet type and sheet size of the sheet feeding tray. Then, the index sheet discharge controller 410 determines whether or not the sheet to be fed next is an index sheet based on the thus checked sheet type. In any case, the processing proceeds to S23 if in S22 the sheet to be fed next is determined to be an index sheet. In S23, the index sheet discharge controller 410 searches the above-described index sheet management table and acquires the sheet size, sheet type, and sheet feeding tray of the index sheet that was fed last time. If the sheet to be fed next is not an index sheet, the processing proceeds to S24 and the print page controller 409 feeds a sheet for printing text body.
In S25, the index sheet discharge controller 410 compares the index sheet to be fed next determined in S22 with the index sheet that was fed last time acquired in S23 and checks whether or not those two index sheets are the same. If the two index sheet are the same, the processing proceeds to S29 and the index sheet of the current layer is inserted. Meanwhile, if the two index sheets are different, the processing proceeds to S26. The processing also proceeds to S26 if there is no index sheet that was fed last time.
In S26, the index sheet discharge controller 410 checks whether or not the index sheet determined in S22 is registered for the index sheet management table. If the index sheet determined in S22 corresponds to a registered index sheet, the processing proceeds to S27. Then the index sheet discharge controller 410 discharges the index sheet of the lower layer than the index sheet determined in S22, and the processing proceeds to S29. Meanwhile, if the index sheet determined in S22 is not registered in the index sheet management table, the processing proceeds to S28, and the index sheet discharge controller 410 adds the index sheet determined in S22 as a new index sheet to the index sheet management table.
In S29, the print page controller 409 feeds the index sheet determined in S22, and in 330 the index sheet discharge controller 410 adds one to the Cnt entry for the index sheet fed S29 and returns to S21.
It should be noted that the index sheet discharge in S27 is different from the index sheet in S30. S27 is a step of discharging the index sheet of a lower layer than the index sheet to be fed next, which is exactly the point of the second embodiment. Meanwhile, in S31, the index sheet discharge controller 410 discharges Num-Cnt index sheets with Num-Cnt not being zero.
As described above, the second embodiment can achieve optimal discharge of index sheets suitable for engine properties of the image forming apparatus in which multiple-layer index sheets are available.
It should be noted that the mode of the first embodiment, compared with the second embodiment, can reduce the number of times of switching index sheets at the time of index sheet discharge caused due to the multiple-layer index sheets. Such a mode is necessary for image forming apparatuses that are not good at switching sheet types.
Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus for 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 (e.g., computer-readable medium).
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.
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-091471, filed Apr. 15, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2011-091471 | Apr 2011 | JP | national |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 13447533 | Apr 2012 | US |
Child | 14135681 | US |