JP2004255675A

JP2004255675A - Printer and print control method

Info

Publication number: JP2004255675A
Application number: JP2003048154A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Hironobu Hasegawa; 弘伸長谷川
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-02-25
Filing date: 2003-02-25
Publication date: 2004-09-16

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten printing time by eliminating the need for making a switch between both side processing for printing the last page of each part by single side processing and the single side processing. <P>SOLUTION: The printer 1 has a both side printing function. In the printer 1, a decision is made whether the last page of a both side printing job is an odd page or an even page and if the last page is an odd page and that job is in a mode for printing a plurality of copies, a control means 15 controls the printer to form the even page rear surface of a blank sheet following the last odd page surface and to perform printing in both side mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、両面印刷機能を有する印刷装置及び印刷制御方法に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
両面印刷可能な印刷装置において、従来、両面印刷ジョブの最終頁が奇数頁の場合には片面で印刷するものが知られている（例えば、特許文献１、２）。
また、区切り頁印刷機能を持ち、片面印刷で区切り頁印刷モードの場合には最終頁を両面で印刷し裏面に区切り頁を印刷させるものが知られている（例えば、特許文献３）。
【特許文献１】特開平０９−２４８９４２号公報
【特許文献２】特開２００２−０５９５９４公報
【特許文献３】特開２００１−０８０１３７公報
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
奇数頁ジョブを両面で複数部数印刷する場合、従来の印刷装置のように各部の最終頁を片面処理で印刷を行うと、両面処理、片面処理の切り替えの必要が発生し、印刷時間が短縮できない。特に搬送パスが長いエンジンや印刷頁数が少ない場合には劣化が顕著になる。
また、奇数頁ジョブを両面で印刷する場合、従来の印刷装置のように最終頁を片面処理で印刷を行うと、次ジョブも両面印刷の場合には両面処理、片面処理の切り替えが発生し、印刷時間が短縮できない。特に搬送パスが長いエンジンや印刷頁数が少ない場合には劣化が顕著になる。さらにコスト削減で両面印刷が推進されている現在、サーバーから大量のジョブを一括印刷するような環境においては大きなロスとなる。
本発明の目的は、上記の問題点を解消し、両面奇数頁ジョブの印刷速度を改善することである。
【０００４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、請求項１記載の発明は、両面印刷機能を有する印刷装置において、両面印刷ジョブの最終頁が奇数頁か偶数頁かを判断し、奇数頁の場合にそのジョブが複数部数印刷モードであれば最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行うよう制御する制御手段を備えた印刷装置を最も主要な特徴とする。
請求項２記載の発明は、両面印刷機能を有する印刷装置において、両面印刷ジョブの最終頁が奇数頁か偶数頁かを判断し、奇数頁の場合に次ジョブが片面モードか両面モードかを判断し、両面モードであれば最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行うよう制御する制御手段を備えた印刷装置を最も主要な特徴とする。
請求項３記載の発明は、請求項２に記載の印刷装置において、制御手段は、次ジョブの先頭２頁分の描画が完了しているか否かを判断し、完了している場合には最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行うよう制御する印刷装置を主要な特徴とする。
【０００５】
請求項４記載の発明は、請求項２または３に記載の印刷装置において、制御手段は、両面印刷ジョブの最終頁が奇数頁か偶数頁かを判断した時点で、先立つ頁を両面モードで印刷中か否かを判断し、両面モードで印刷中の場合には最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行うよう制御する印刷装置を主要な特徴とする。
請求項５記載の発明は、請求項１から４のいずれかに記載の印刷装置において、制御手段は、ジョブの総頁数が所定以上の場合には最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行うよう制御する印刷装置を主要な特徴とする。
請求項６記載の発明は、請求項１から４のいずれかに記載の印刷装置において、制御手段は、ジョブの用紙長が所定以下であれば最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行うよう制御する印刷装置を主要な特徴とする。
請求項７記載の発明は、両面印刷ジョブの最終頁が奇数頁か偶数頁かを判断する第１の工程と、印刷ジョブが複数部数印刷モードか否かを判断する第２の工程と、第１の工程で最終頁が奇数頁の場合に第２の工程でそのジョブが複数部数印刷モードであれば最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行う第３の工程を有する印刷制御方法を最も主要な特徴とする。
請求項８記載の発明は、両面印刷ジョブの最終頁が奇数頁か偶数頁かを判断する第１の工程と、次ジョブが片面モードか両面モードかを判断する第２の工程と、第１の工程で奇数頁の場合に第２の工程で次ジョブが片面モードか両面モードかを判断し、両面モードであれば最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行う第３の工程を有する印刷制御方法を最も主要な特徴とする。
【０００６】
請求項９記載の発明は、請求項８に記載の印刷制御方法において、次ジョブの先頭２頁分の描画が完了しているか否かを判断する工程と、完了している場合には最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行う工程を有する印刷制御方法を主要な特徴とする。
請求項１０記載の発明は、請求項８または９に記載の印刷制御方法において、両面印刷ジョブの最終頁が奇数頁か偶数頁かを判断する第１の工程で奇数頁と判断した場合に先立つ頁を両面モードで印刷中か否かを判断する工程と、両面モードで印刷中の場合には最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行う工程を有する印刷制御方法を主要な特徴とする。
請求項１１記載の発明は、請求項７から１０のいずれかに記載の印刷制御方法において、ジョブの総頁数をカウントする工程と、総頁数が所定以上の場合には最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行う工程を有する印刷制御方法を主要な特徴とする。
請求項１２記載の発明は、請求項７から１０のいずれかに記載の印刷制御方法において、用紙長が所定以下か否かを判断する工程と、所定長以下であれば最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行う工程を有する印刷制御方法を主要な特徴とする。
【０００７】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面に従って説明する。
図１は本発明の実施の形態に係るレーザープリンタの機能ブロック図である。
プリンタ１は、コントローラ２と操作パネル３とプリンタエンジン４とを備える。
操作パネル３は、プリンタ１の状態を示す表示部及びプリンタ１のモード、フォント等を切り替えるスイッチ部からなる。プリンタエンジン４は、コントローラ２からのビデオ信号及び制御信号により感光体上に静電潜像を作り、現像し、また給紙部より転写紙を給紙し、転写及び定着し、画像を形成する。
コントローラ２は、その時設定されている制御モード及びホスト５からの制御コードに従って、ホスト５からの印字データを、ビデオデータに変換してプリンタエンジン４へ出力する制御機構の総称で、エミュレーションと呼ばれるプリンタ言語を解析して処理していくプログラムと、ハードウエアの制御や紙への印刷等を司るシステムと呼ばれるプログラムから成り、以下のようなモジュールで構成される。
【０００８】
ホストＩ／Ｆ１１は、ホスト５からプリンタ１への制御信号及びデータ、及びプリンタ１からホスト５へのステータス信号のインターフェースである。プログラムＲＯＭ１２は、コントローラ２内でのデータの処理、管理や、周辺モジュールを制御するためのプログラムが格納されている。
フォントＲＯＭ１３は、印字に使用されるさまざまな種類のフォントを有する。パネルＩ／Ｆ１４は、コントローラ２と操作パネル３とのインタフェースである。ＣＰＵ１５は、プログラムＲＯＭ１２に従ってホスト５からのデータ（印字データ、制御データ）を処理する。
ＲＡＭ１６は、ＣＰＵ１５が処理する時のワークメモリ、ホスト５からのデータをページ単位に管理して一時記憶するバッファ、及びバッファに記憶されたデータを実際の印字パターンに変換し、ビデオデータを記憶するビットマップメモリ等に使われる。
ＮＶ−ＲＡＭ１７は、電源を切っても保持したいデータを格納しておくための不揮発性ＲＡＭである。エンジンＩ／Ｆ１８は、コントローラ２からプリンタエンジン４への制御信号やビデオ信号、及びプリンタ１からコントローラ２へのステータス信号のインタフェースである。オプションＲＡＭ１９は、オプションで装着される。
ホストＩ／Ｆ１１を通してホスト５から送られてきたデータは、ＣＰＵ１５により印字データ及び印字制御データ（ＳＰ、ＣＲ、ＬＦ、ＨＴ、ＶＴ、…等）と、その他に分けられ、印字データ及び印字制御データは、制御コードに変換されてバッファに記憶される。
ホスト５からのプリント命令またはホスト５から受け取ったデータが１ページ分を超えた時、コントローラ２はまず、中間コードをビデオデータに変換し、それが終了したら、エンジンＩ／Ｆ１８を通してプリンタエンジン４にプリントスタートの命令を出す。以上のような一連の流れで、ホスト５からの印字データがプリンタエンジン４を介して印字される。
【０００９】
図２は本発明の第１実施例に係る両面印刷処理のフロー図である。ホスト５から送信される印刷データをプログラムＲＯＭ１２に従ってＲＡＭ１６で管理しながらＣＰＵ１５で印刷処理を行う印刷装置において、ジョブが最終頁であるか否か、ジョブの最終頁が奇数頁か否かをＣＰＵ１５で判断し（Ｓ１、Ｓ２）、最終頁が奇数頁の場合には（Ｓ２でＹ）、続いてＲＡＭ１６上にあるジョブの残印刷部数があるか否かをＣＰＵ１５で判断し（Ｓ３）、残印刷部数がある場合には最終奇数頁表面への印刷に続けて、白紙の偶数頁裏面をＲＡＭ１６上に作成して両面モードで印刷を行う（Ｓ４）。
一方、ジョブの最終頁が偶数頁の場合には通常通り両面モードで印刷を行い（Ｓ５）、ジョブの残印刷部数がない場合には最終奇数頁を片面モードで印刷する（Ｓ６）。
この実施形態では、両面印刷ジョブの最終頁が奇数頁か偶数頁かを判断し、奇数頁の場合にそのジョブが複数部数印刷モードであれば最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行うので、従来の印刷装置のように、各部の最終頁を片面処理で印刷するための両面処理、片面処理の切り替えが発生することがなく印刷時間を短縮できる。特に搬送パスが長いエンジンや印刷頁数が少ない場合には効果が顕著になる（第７実施例にも共通する効果）。
【００１０】
図３は本発明の第２実施例に係る両面印刷処理のフロー図である。ホスト５から送信される印刷データをプログラムＲＯＭ１２内の制御ブログラムに従ってＲＡＭ１６で管理しながらＣＰＵ１５で印刷処理を行う印刷装置において、ジョブが最終頁であるか否か、ジョブの最終頁が最終頁か否かをＣＰＵ１５で判断し（Ｓ１、Ｓ２）、最終頁が奇数頁の場合には（Ｓ２でＹ）続いてＲＡＭ１６上にある次ジョブの属性が両面であるか否かをＣＰＵ１５で判断し（Ｓ３）、両面印刷の場合には最終奇数頁表面への印刷処理に続けて、白紙の偶数頁裏面をＲＡＭ１６上に作成して両面モードで印刷を行う（Ｓ４）。
一方、ジョブの最終頁が偶数頁の場合には通常通り両面モードで印刷を行い（Ｓ５）、次ジョブがない場合や次ジョブが片面モードの場合には最終奇数頁を片面モードで印刷する（Ｓ６）。
この実施形態では、両面印刷ジョブの最終頁が奇数頁か偶数頁かを判断し、奇数頁の場合に次ジョブが片面モードか両面モードかを判断し、両面モードであれば最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行うので、従来の印刷装置のように、最終頁を片面処理で印刷するための次ジョブが両面印刷の場合の両面処理、片面処理の切り替えが発生することがなく印刷時間が短縮できる。特に搬送パスが長いエンジンや印刷頁数が少ない場合には効果が顕著になる。さらにコスト削減で両面印刷が推進されている現在サーバーから大量のジョブを一括印刷するような環境においては大きな改善となる（第８実施例にも共通する効果）。
【００１１】
図４は本発明の第３実施例に係る両面印刷処理のフロー図である。ホスト５から送信される印刷データをプログラムＲＯＭ１２に従ってＲＡＭ１６で管理しながらＣＰＵ１５で印刷処理を行う印刷装置において、ジョブが最終頁であるか否か、ジョブの最終頁が奇数頁か否かをＣＰＵ１５で判断し（Ｓ１、Ｓ２）、最終頁が奇数頁の場合には（Ｓ２でＹ）、続いてＲＡＭ１６上にある次ジョブの属性が両面であるか否かをＣＰＵ１５で判断し（Ｓ３）、両面の場合にはさらに次ジョブの先頭２頁分の描画が完了しているか否かをＣＰＵ１５で判断し（Ｓ４）、完了している場合には最終奇数頁表面への印刷処理に続けて、白紙の偶数頁裏面をＲＡＭ１６上に作成して両面モードで印刷を行う（Ｓ５）。
一方、ジョブの最終頁が偶数頁の場合には通常通り両面モードで印刷を行い（Ｓ６）、次ジョブがない場合や次ジョブが片面モードの場合、次ジョブの先頭２頁分の描画が完了していない場合には最終奇数頁を片面モードで印刷する（Ｓ７）。
この実施例では、次ジョブの先頭２頁分の描画が完了しているか否かを判断し、完了している場合に最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行うので、次ジョブの先頭１枚分の２頁データが複雑で描画に時間が掛かるような連続した両面シーケンスを維持することができない場合には片面印刷となり、モータ等の無駄な駆動時間を発生させて機械への負荷を増加させることなく印刷速度を改善できる（第９実施例にも共通する効果）。
【００１２】
図５は本発明の第４実施例に係る両面印刷処理のフロー図である。第２実施例に記載の両面印刷処理において、ジョブの最終頁であるか否か、ジョブの最終頁が奇数頁か否かをＣＰＵ１５で判断した後に（Ｓ１，Ｓ２）、前頁を両面印刷中か否かをＣＰＵ１５で判断し（Ｓ３）、両面印刷中の場合にＲＡＭ１６上にある次ジョブの属性が両面であるか否かをＣＰＵ１５で判断して（Ｓ４）、次ジョブの属性が両面の場合には最終奇数頁表面に対する印刷処理に続けて、白紙の偶数頁裏面をＲＡＭ１６上に作成して両面モードで印刷を行う（Ｓ５）。
一方、ジョブの最終頁が偶数頁の場合には通常通り両面モードで印刷を行い（Ｓ６）、前頁の印刷が終了している場合や次ジョブがない場合、次ジョブが片面モードの場合には最終奇数頁を片面モードで印刷を行う（Ｓ７）。第３実施例に記載の両面印刷処理においても同様にジョブの最終頁が奇数頁か否かの判断と次ジョブの属性が両面であるか否かの判断の間に前頁を両面印刷中か否かの判断を行う。
両面印刷ジョブの最終頁が奇数頁か偶数頁かを判断した時点で、先立つ頁を両面モードで印刷中か否かを判断し、両面モードで印刷中の場合に最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行うので、最終奇数頁のデータが複雑で奇数頁が印刷可能になった時点で既に連続した両面シーケンスを維持できない場合には片面印刷となり、モータ等の無駄な駆動時間を発生させて機械への負荷を増加させることなく印刷速度を改善できる（第１０実施例にも共通する効果）。
【００１３】
図６は本発明の第５実施例に係る両面印刷処理のフロー図である。第２実施例に記載の両面印刷処理において、ジョブの最終頁であるか否か、ジョブの最終頁が奇数頁か否かをＣＰＵ１５で判断した後に（Ｓ１，Ｓ２）、ＲＡＭ１６上で管理しているジョブの総頁数が所定以上か否かをＣＰＵ１５で判断し（Ｓ３）、所定以上の場合には次ジョブの属性が両面であるか否かをＣＰＵ１５で判断するようにする（Ｓ４）。
次ジョブの属性が両面である場合は最終奇数頁表面に対する印刷処理に続けて白紙の偶数頁裏面をＲＡＭ１６上に作成して両面モードで印刷を行う（Ｓ５）。
一方、ジョブの最終頁が偶数頁の場合には通常通り両面モードで印刷を行い（Ｓ６）、総頁数が所定未満の場合には片面モードで印刷を行う（Ｓ７）。
この実施例では、ジョブの総頁数が所定以上の場合に最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行うので、総頁数が少ないジョブ、例えば１頁ジョブが連続するような場合には（両面処理を行わないので）、印刷速度の低下を引き起こすことなく、また両面処理を行うことによるモータ等の無駄な駆動時間を発生させて機械への負荷を増加させることなく印刷速度を改善できる（第１１実施例にも共通する効果）。
第６実施例では、第５実施例に記載の印刷処理において、ジョブの総頁数が所定以上か否かの判断のステップで、総頁数ではなくＲＡＭ１６上で管理しているジョブの用紙長が所定以下か否かをＣＰＵ１５で判断するようにする。用紙長が所定以上の場合には片面モードで印刷を行う。
この実施例によれば、両面印刷ジョブの最終頁が奇数頁か偶数頁かを判断し、奇数頁の場合に用紙長が所定以下であれば最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行うので、用紙長が長いサイズのジョブ、例えば長尺用紙であるＡ３ジョブが連続するような場合には（両面処理を行わないので）、印刷速度の低下を引き起こすことなく、また両面処理を行うことによるモータ等の無駄な駆動時間を発生させて機械への負荷を増加させることなく印刷速度を改善できる（第１２の実施例にも共通する効果）。
【００１４】
図７は本発明の第７実施例に係る両面印刷処理のフロー図である。まず残印刷部数カウンタと総頁数カウンタを用意する。ジョブの開始に先立ち、残印刷部数カウンタには操作パネル３の設定やコマンドによる指定値を反映する。一方、総頁数カウンタは０に初期化する。ジョブが開始されると残印刷部数カウンタを１減算する（Ｓ１）。続いてデータが両面モードか否かをチェックする（Ｓ２）。
片面モードの場合には、１頁分のデータの描画が完了するのを待って（Ｓ３でＹ）、総頁数カウンタを１加算し（Ｓ４）、片面印刷処理を実行する（Ｓ５）。
上記一連の処理をジョブの終了まで繰り返す（Ｓ６でＹ）。ジョブの終了はジョブの終了を示すコマンドやネットワーク通信におけるＥＯＦ、最終データ受信終了後の予め決められた時間の経過等により判断する。
両面モードの場合には表面頁の描画が完了するのを待って（Ｓ７でＹ）、総頁数カウンタを１加算する（Ｓ８）。続いて裏面頁の描画が完了したか否かをチェックする（Ｓ９）。完了している場合には裏面頁分の総頁数カウンタを１加算し（Ｓ１０）両面印刷処理を実行する（Ｓ１１）。ここまでの処理をジョブの終了まで繰り返す。一方、完了していない場合にはジョブの終了か否かをチェックし（Ｓ１２）、ジョブが終了していない場合には裏面頁の作成完了を待つ。
ジョブ終了の場合には残印刷部数カウンタをチェックし（Ｓ１３）、カウンタが０でなければ白紙裏面を作成して（Ｓ１４）両面印刷処理を実行する（Ｓ１５）。カウンタが０の場合は両面モードを解除し、片面印刷処理を実行する（Ｓ１６）。最後に残印刷部数がある場合には（Ｓ１７でＹ）２部目以降のソート印刷処理を実行する（Ｓ１８）。
第８実施例では、第７実施例に記載の残印刷部数チェックステップ（Ｓ１３、Ｓ１７）の代わりに次ジョブが両面モードか否かをチェックする。
【００１５】
図８は本発明の第９実施例に係る両面印刷処理のフロー図である。図７及び図８実施例と異なる点は、次ジョブが両面か否かをチェックして（Ｓ１３）、両面の場合には続いて次ジョブの先頭２頁の描画が完了しているか否かをチェックし（Ｓ１４）、完了している場合のみ白紙裏面の作成（Ｓ１５）、両面印刷処理へと移行する（Ｓ１６）。一方、完了していない場合には両面モードを解除し片面印刷処理を実行する（Ｓ１７）。
図９は本発明の第１０実施例に係る両面印刷処理のフロー図である。第９実施例に記載の次ジョブが両面モードか否かのチェックステップの代わりに前頁を両面印刷中か否かをチェックする（Ｓ１３）。両面印刷中でない場合には両面モードを解除し、片面印刷処理を実行する（Ｓ１７）。両面印刷中の場合には、前実施例における次ジョブの先頭２頁の描画が完了しているか否かのチェックステップの代わりに、次ジョブが両面モードか否かをチェックする（Ｓ１４）。
第１１実施例では、第１０実施例に記載の前頁を両面印刷中か否かのチェックステップの代わりに総頁数カウンタの値が予め定められた値以上か否かをチェックする。総頁数カウンタの値が所定値未満の場合には両面モードを解除し片面印刷処理を実行する。
第１２実施例では、第１０実施例に記載の前頁を両面印刷中か否かのチェックステップの代わりにジョブの用紙長が予め定められた値以下か否かをチェックする。所定値を超える場合には両面モードを解除し片面印刷処理を実行する。
【００１６】
【発明の効果】
請求項１、７に記載の印刷装置及び印刷制御方法においては、両面印刷ジョブの最終頁が奇数頁か偶数頁かを判断し、奇数頁の場合にそのジョブが複数部数印刷モードであれば最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行うので、従来の印刷装置のように、各部の最終頁を片面処理で印刷するための両面処理、片面処理の切り替えが発生することがなく印刷時間を短縮できる。特に搬送パスが長いエンジンや印刷頁数が少ない場合には効果が顕著になる。
請求項２、８に記載の印刷装置及び印刷制御方法においては、両面印刷ジョブの最終頁が奇数頁か偶数頁かを判断し、奇数頁の場合に次ジョブが片面モードか両面モードかを判断し、両面モードであれば最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行うので、従来の印刷装置のように、最終頁を片面処理で印刷するための次ジョブが両面印刷の場合の両面処理、片面処理の切り替えが発生することがなく印刷時間が短縮できる。特に搬送パスが長いエンジンや印刷頁数が少ない場合には効果が顕著になる。さらにコスト削減で両面印刷が推進されている現在サーバーから大量のジョブを一括印刷するような環境においては大きな改善となる。
請求項３、９に記載の印刷装置及び印刷制御方法においては、請求項２、８に記載の印刷装置及び印刷制御方法に加えて、次ジョブの先頭２頁分の描画が完了しているか否かを判断し、完了している場合に最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行うので、次ジョブの先頭１枚分の２頁データが複雑で描画に時間が掛かるような連続した両面シーケンスを維持することができない場合には片面印刷となり、モータ等の無駄な駆動時間を発生させて機械への負荷を増加させることなく印刷速度を改善できる。
【００１７】
請求項４、１０に記載の印刷装置及び印刷制御方法においては、両面印刷ジョブの最終頁が奇数頁か偶数頁かを判断した時点で、先立つ頁を両面モードで印刷中か否かを判断し、両面モードで印刷中の場合に最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行うので、最終奇数頁のデータが複雑で奇数頁が印刷可能になった時点で既に連続した両面シーケンスを維持できない場合には片面印刷となり、モータ等の無駄な駆動時間を発生させて機械への負荷を増加させることなく印刷速度を改善できる。
請求項５、１１に記載の印刷装置及び印刷制御方法においては、ジョブの総頁数が所定以上の場合に最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行うので、総頁数が少ないジョブ、例えば１頁ジョブが連続するような場合にも印刷速度の低下を引き起こすことなく、また両面処理を行うことによるモータ等の無駄な駆動時間を発生させて機械への負荷を増加させることなく印刷速度を改善できる。
請求項６、１２に記載の印刷装置及び印刷制御方法においては、両面印刷ジョブの最終頁が奇数頁か偶数頁かを判断し、奇数頁の場合に用紙長が所定以下であれば最終奇数頁表面の後に白紙の偶数頁裏面を作成して両面モードで印刷を行うので、用紙長が長いサイズのジョブ、例えばＡ３ジョブが連続するような場合にも印刷速度の低下を引き起こすことなく、また両面処理を行うことによるモータ等の無駄な駆動時間を発生させて機械への負荷を増加させることなく印刷速度を改善できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の形態に係るレーザープリンタの機能ブロック図である。
【図２】本発明の第１実施例に係る両面印刷処理のフロー図である。
【図３】本発明の第２実施例に係る両面印刷処理のフロー図である。
【図４】本発明の第３実施例に係る両面印刷処理のフロー図である。
【図５】本発明の第４実施例に係る両面印刷処理のフロー図である。
【図６】本発明の第５実施例に係る両面印刷処理のフロー図である。
【図７】本発明の第７実施例に係る両面印刷処理のフロー図である。
【図８】本発明の第９実施例に係る両面印刷処理のフロー図である。
【図９】本発明の第１０実施例に係る両面印刷処理のフロー図である。
【符号の説明】
１プリンタ、２コントローラ、３操作パネル、４プリンタエンジン、５ホスト、１１ホストＩ／Ｆ、１２プログラムＲＯＭ、１３フォントＲＯＭ、１４パネルＩ／Ｆ、１５ＣＰＵ（制御手段）、１６ＲＡＭ、１７ＮＶ−ＲＡＭ、１８エンジンＩ／Ｆ、１９オプションＲＡＭ。[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus having a duplex printing function and a printing control method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In a printing apparatus capable of performing double-sided printing, conventionally, when the last page of a double-sided print job is an odd-numbered page, printing on one side is known (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
There is also known a printer that has a separator page printing function and prints the last page on both sides and prints a separator page on the back side in the case of single-sided printing in the separator page printing mode (for example, Patent Document 3).
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-09-248942 [Patent Document 2] JP-A-2002-059594 [Patent Document 3] JP-A-2001-080137
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When printing a plurality of copies of an odd-numbered page job on both sides, if the last page of each copy is printed by single-sided processing as in a conventional printing apparatus, it is necessary to switch between double-sided processing and single-sided processing, and the printing time cannot be reduced. . In particular, when the engine has a long transport path or when the number of printed pages is small, the deterioration is remarkable.
Also, when printing an odd-numbered page job on both sides, if the last page is printed by single-sided processing as in a conventional printing apparatus, when the next job is also double-sided printing, switching between double-sided processing and single-sided processing occurs. Printing time cannot be reduced. In particular, when the engine has a long transport path or when the number of printed pages is small, the deterioration is remarkable. Further, as double-sided printing is being promoted to further reduce costs, a large loss occurs in an environment where a large number of jobs are printed from a server at once.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and improve the printing speed of a double-sided odd page job.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in a printing apparatus having a two-sided printing function, it is determined whether the last page of a two-sided printing job is an odd-numbered page or an even-numbered page. In the multi-copy printing mode, the most important feature is a printing apparatus provided with a control unit for controlling the printing so that the back side of the even-numbered page is created after the front side of the final odd-numbered page and printing is performed in the duplex mode.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a printing apparatus having a two-sided printing function, it is determined whether the last page of a two-sided print job is an odd-numbered page or an even-numbered page. In the double-sided mode, the most important feature is a printing apparatus provided with a control unit for controlling the printing in the double-sided mode by creating a blank even-numbered page backside after the final odd-numbered page front side.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the second aspect, the control means determines whether drawing of the first two pages of the next job is completed, and if completed, ends. The main feature of the printing apparatus is that a blank even page back surface is created after an odd page front surface and printing is performed in a duplex mode.
[0005]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the second or third aspect, when the control unit determines whether the last page of the double-sided print job is an odd-numbered page or an even-numbered page, the control unit prints the preceding page in the double-sided mode. The main feature of the printing apparatus is to judge whether the printing is in the middle or not, and if printing is being performed in the duplex mode, a blank even page back side is created after the final odd page front face and printing is performed in the duplex mode.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the total number of pages of the job is equal to or more than a predetermined number, the back of the even-numbered page after the front of the final odd-numbered page. The main feature of the present invention is a printing apparatus which controls to print in the duplex mode.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the control unit creates a blank even-numbered page back surface after the last odd-numbered page surface if the sheet length of the job is equal to or less than a predetermined length. The main feature of the present invention is a printing apparatus that controls printing in the duplex mode.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a first step of determining whether the last page of a double-sided print job is an odd-numbered page or an even-numbered page, a second step of determining whether the print job is in a multi-copy print mode, If the last page is an odd-numbered page in the first step, and if the job is a multi-copy print mode in the second step, a blank even-numbered page back side is created after the last odd-numbered page front side and printing is performed in the duplex mode. The printing control method having the steps described above is the most main feature.
According to the present invention, a first step of determining whether the last page of a double-sided print job is an odd-numbered page or an even-numbered page, a second step of determining whether the next job is a single-sided mode or a double-sided mode, In the case of an odd numbered page in the step 2, it is determined in the second step whether the next job is a single-sided mode or a double-sided mode. If the double-sided mode, a blank even-numbered page back side is created after the last odd-numbered page front side and printed in the double-sided mode. The most main feature is a print control method having a third step of performing the following.
[0006]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the print control method of the eighth aspect, it is determined whether or not rendering of the first two pages of the next job has been completed, and if the rendering has been completed, the final odd number is determined. The main feature of the present invention is a print control method including a step of creating a back surface of an even-numbered blank page after the front surface of a page and performing printing in the duplex mode.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the print control method according to the eighth or ninth aspect, the first step of determining whether the last page of the double-sided print job is an odd-numbered page or an even-numbered page is performed before determining that the last page is an odd-numbered page. A step of determining whether the page is being printed in the duplex mode and, if printing in the duplex mode, a step of creating a blank even-page reverse side after the last odd-page front side and printing in the duplex mode The main feature is the control method.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the print control method according to any one of the seventh to tenth aspects, the step of counting the total number of pages of the job; The main feature of the present invention is a print control method including a step of creating a back surface of an even-numbered blank page and performing printing in the duplex mode.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the print control method according to any one of the seventh to tenth aspects, a step of determining whether or not the sheet length is equal to or less than a predetermined length; A main feature of the present invention is a print control method including a step of creating a back surface of an even-numbered blank page and performing printing in a duplex mode.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a laser printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The printer 1 includes a controller 2, an operation panel 3, and a printer engine 4.
The operation panel 3 includes a display unit for displaying the status of the printer 1 and a switch unit for switching the mode, font, and the like of the printer 1. The printer engine 4 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor based on a video signal and a control signal from the controller 2, develops the image, feeds a transfer sheet from a sheet feeding unit, transfers and fixes the image, and forms an image. .
The controller 2 is a general term of a control mechanism that converts print data from the host 5 into video data and outputs the video data to the printer engine 4 in accordance with the control mode set at that time and the control code from the host 5. It consists of a program that analyzes and processes the language and a program called a system that controls hardware control and printing on paper, and is composed of the following modules.
[0008]
The host I / F 11 is an interface for control signals and data from the host 5 to the printer 1 and status signals from the printer 1 to the host 5. The program ROM 12 stores programs for processing and managing data in the controller 2 and controlling peripheral modules.
The font ROM 13 has various types of fonts used for printing. The panel I / F 14 is an interface between the controller 2 and the operation panel 3. The CPU 15 processes data (print data, control data) from the host 5 according to the program ROM 12.
The RAM 16 is a work memory for the CPU 15 to process, a buffer for managing data from the host 5 in page units and temporarily storing the data, and converts the data stored in the buffer into an actual print pattern and stores video data. Used for bitmap memory, etc.
The NV-RAM 17 is a non-volatile RAM for storing data to be retained even when the power is turned off. The engine I / F 18 is an interface for control signals and video signals from the controller 2 to the printer engine 4 and status signals from the printer 1 to the controller 2. The option RAM 19 is installed as an option.
The data sent from the host 5 through the host I / F 11 is divided into print data and print control data (SP, CR, LF, HT, VT, etc.) and others by the CPU 15, and the print data and print control data Is converted into a control code and stored in the buffer.
When the print command from the host 5 or the data received from the host 5 exceeds one page, the controller 2 first converts the intermediate code into video data and, when the conversion is completed, sends the intermediate code to the printer engine 4 through the engine I / F 18. Issue a print start command. The print data from the host 5 is printed via the printer engine 4 in a series of flows as described above.
[0009]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the duplex printing process according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In a printing apparatus that performs print processing with the CPU 15 while managing the print data transmitted from the host 5 in the RAM 16 according to the program ROM 12, the CPU 15 determines whether or not the last page of the job is an odd-numbered page. If the last page is an odd page (Y in S2), the CPU 15 determines whether there is a remaining number of copies of the job in the RAM 16 (S3), and the remaining printing is performed. If there is a copy, following the printing on the front side of the final odd-numbered page, the back side of the even-numbered page is created on the RAM 16 and printed in the duplex mode (S4).
On the other hand, when the last page of the job is an even-numbered page, printing is performed in the double-sided mode as usual (S5). When there is no remaining number of print copies of the job, the last odd-numbered page is printed in the single-sided mode (S6).
In this embodiment, it is determined whether the last page of the duplex print job is an odd page or an even page, and if the job is an odd page, and if the job is in a multi-copy print mode, a blank even page back is created after the last odd page front. Since printing is performed in the double-sided mode, switching between double-sided processing and single-sided processing for printing the last page of each unit by single-sided processing unlike the conventional printing apparatus does not occur, and the printing time can be reduced. In particular, the effect becomes remarkable when the engine has a long transport path or when the number of printed pages is small (the effect common to the seventh embodiment).
[0010]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the duplex printing process according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In a printing apparatus which performs print processing by the CPU 15 while managing print data transmitted from the host 5 in the RAM 16 according to a control program in the program ROM 12, whether or not the last page of the job is the last page is determined. The CPU 15 determines whether or not the last page is an odd page (Y in S2). Subsequently, the CPU 15 determines whether or not the attribute of the next job on the RAM 16 is double-sided ( S3) In the case of double-sided printing, following the printing process on the front side of the final odd-numbered page, the back side of the even-numbered blank page is created on the RAM 16 and printing is performed in the double-sided mode (S4).
On the other hand, if the last page of the job is an even-numbered page, printing is performed in the double-sided mode as usual (S5). If there is no next job or the next job is in the single-sided mode, the last odd-numbered page is printed in the single-sided mode (S5). S6).
In this embodiment, it is determined whether the last page of the double-sided print job is an odd-numbered page or an even-numbered page. If the last page is an odd-numbered page, it is determined whether the next job is a single-sided mode or a double-sided mode. Later, the back side of the even-numbered blank page is created and printing is performed in the duplex mode, so that the next job for printing the last page in the duplex mode is a double-sided process and a single-sided process when the next job for printing the final page is a single-sided process. Printing time can be reduced without switching. In particular, the effect becomes remarkable when the engine has a long transport path or the number of printed pages is small. Further, this is a great improvement in an environment where a large number of jobs are simultaneously printed from a server where double-sided printing is being promoted due to cost reduction (an effect common to the eighth embodiment).
[0011]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a double-sided printing process according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In a printing apparatus that performs print processing with the CPU 15 while managing the print data transmitted from the host 5 in the RAM 16 according to the program ROM 12, the CPU 15 determines whether or not the last page of the job is an odd-numbered page. If the last page is an odd-numbered page (Y in S2), the CPU 15 then determines whether the attribute of the next job in the RAM 16 is double-sided (S3). In the case of, the CPU 15 further determines whether or not the drawing of the first two pages of the next job is completed (S4). Are created on the RAM 16 and printing is performed in the duplex mode (S5).
On the other hand, if the last page of the job is an even-numbered page, printing is performed in the double-sided mode as usual (S6). If there is no next job or the next job is in the single-sided mode, drawing of the first two pages of the next job is completed. If not, the last odd page is printed in the one-sided mode (S7).
In this embodiment, it is determined whether or not drawing of the first two pages of the next job has been completed. If the drawing has been completed, a blank even page back surface is created after the last odd page front surface and printed in the duplex mode. Is performed, if the two-page data for the first sheet of the next job cannot be maintained in a continuous double-sided sequence where the drawing is time-consuming and complicated, single-sided printing is performed. The printing speed can be improved without causing the load on the machine to increase (the effect common to the ninth embodiment).
[0012]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the double-sided printing process according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the double-sided printing process described in the second embodiment, after the CPU 15 determines whether or not the last page of the job is an odd-numbered page (S1, S2), the previous page is being printed on both sides. The CPU 15 determines whether or not the attribute of the next job in the RAM 16 is double-sided (S4). In this case, following the printing process on the front side of the final odd page, the back side of the even page of the blank page is created on the RAM 16 and printing is performed in the duplex mode (S5).
On the other hand, if the last page of the job is an even-numbered page, printing is performed in the double-sided mode as usual (S6), and if printing of the previous page has been completed, if there is no next job, or if the next job is in the single-sided mode, Prints the last odd page in the single-sided mode (S7). Similarly, in the double-sided printing process described in the third embodiment, whether the previous page is being printed on both sides is determined between whether the last page of the job is an odd-numbered page and whether the attribute of the next job is double-sided. A determination is made as to whether or not it is.
When it is determined whether the last page of the double-sided print job is an odd-numbered page or an even-numbered page, it is determined whether or not the preceding page is being printed in the double-sided mode. Since the back side of the even-numbered page is created and printing is performed in the duplex mode, if the data of the final odd-numbered page is complicated and a continuous double-sided sequence cannot be maintained when the odd-numbered page can be printed, the printing is performed on a single side, such as a motor. The printing speed can be improved without increasing the load on the machine by generating unnecessary driving time (the effect common to the tenth embodiment).
[0013]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a double-sided printing process according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the double-sided printing process described in the second embodiment, after the CPU 15 determines whether or not the last page of the job is an odd page (S1, S2), it is managed on the RAM 16 The CPU 15 determines whether or not the total number of pages of the current job is equal to or more than a predetermined value (S3). If the total number of pages is equal to or more than the predetermined number, the CPU 15 determines whether the attribute of the next job is double-sided (S4).
If the attribute of the next job is double-sided, after printing the final odd-numbered page front side, a blank even-numbered page back side is created on the RAM 16 and printing is performed in the double-sided mode (S5).
On the other hand, when the last page of the job is an even-numbered page, printing is performed in the double-sided mode as usual (S6), and when the total number of pages is less than a predetermined number, printing is performed in the single-sided mode (S7).
In this embodiment, when the total number of pages of a job is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a blank even-numbered page back surface is created after the final odd-numbered page front surface, and printing is performed in the duplex mode. When printing is continuous (since double-sided processing is not performed), the load on the machine is increased without causing a reduction in printing speed and generating unnecessary driving time for a motor or the like due to double-sided processing. It is possible to improve the printing speed without causing the printing (the effect common to the eleventh embodiment).
In the sixth embodiment, in the printing process described in the fifth embodiment, in the step of determining whether or not the total number of pages of a job is equal to or more than a predetermined number, not the total number of pages but the sheet length of the job managed on the RAM 16. Is determined by the CPU 15 as to whether or not is less than a predetermined value. If the paper length is longer than a predetermined length, printing is performed in the simplex mode.
According to this embodiment, it is determined whether the last page of the double-sided print job is an odd page or an even page, and in the case of an odd page, if the sheet length is equal to or less than a predetermined length, a blank even page back side is created after the last odd page front side. When printing is performed in the double-sided mode, if a long-size job such as an A3 job, which is a long sheet, continues (because double-sided processing is not performed), the printing speed may be reduced. In addition, the printing speed can be improved without increasing the load on the machine by generating useless driving time of a motor or the like by performing the double-sided processing (an effect common to the twelfth embodiment).
[0014]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the duplex printing processing according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. First, a remaining print counter and a total page counter are prepared. Prior to the start of the job, the value set by the operation panel 3 and the value specified by the command are reflected in the remaining print copy number counter. On the other hand, the total page counter is initialized to zero. When the job is started, the remaining print copy counter is decremented by one (S1). Subsequently, it is checked whether the data is in the duplex mode (S2).
In the case of the one-sided mode, the CPU waits for drawing of data for one page to be completed (Y in S3), adds 1 to the total page number counter (S4), and executes the one-sided printing process (S5).
The above series of processing is repeated until the end of the job (Y in S6). The end of the job is determined based on a command indicating the end of the job, EOF in network communication, elapse of a predetermined time after the end of the final data reception, and the like.
In the case of the double-sided mode, after the drawing of the front page is completed (Y in S7), the total page number counter is incremented by 1 (S8). Subsequently, it is checked whether the drawing of the back page is completed (S9). If completed, the total page number counter for the back page is incremented by 1 (S10), and the duplex printing process is executed (S11). The processing up to this point is repeated until the end of the job. On the other hand, if the job has not been completed, it is checked whether or not the job has been completed (S12). If the job has not been completed, the completion of creation of the back page is waited.
If the job has ended, the remaining copy counter is checked (S13). If the counter is not 0, a blank back surface is created (S14) and the duplex printing process is executed (S15). If the counter is 0, the duplex mode is canceled and the simplex printing process is executed (S16). Finally, if there is a remaining number of copies (Y in S17), the sort printing process for the second copy and thereafter is executed (S18).
In the eighth embodiment, instead of the remaining print copy number check step (S13, S17) described in the seventh embodiment, it is checked whether the next job is in the duplex mode.
[0015]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the duplex printing processing according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is that it is checked whether or not the next job is double-sided (S13). A check is made (S14), and only when the check is completed, a blank back side is created (S15), and the process shifts to double-sided printing processing (S16). On the other hand, if the printing has not been completed, the duplex mode is canceled and the simplex printing process is executed (S17).
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the duplex printing process according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention. Instead of the step of checking whether or not the next job described in the ninth embodiment is in the duplex mode, it is checked whether or not the preceding page is being printed on both sides (S13). If the duplex printing is not being performed, the duplex mode is released and the simplex printing process is executed (S17). If double-sided printing is being performed, instead of the step of checking whether or not drawing of the first two pages of the next job has been completed in the previous embodiment, it is checked whether the next job is in the double-sided mode (S14).
In the eleventh embodiment, instead of the step of checking whether the preceding page is being printed on both sides in the tenth embodiment, it is checked whether the value of the total page number counter is equal to or larger than a predetermined value. When the value of the total page number counter is less than the predetermined value, the duplex mode is canceled and the simplex printing process is executed.
In the twelfth embodiment, instead of the step of checking whether or not the previous page described in the tenth embodiment is being printed on both sides, it is checked whether the sheet length of the job is equal to or less than a predetermined value. If the value exceeds the predetermined value, the duplex mode is canceled and the simplex printing process is executed.
[0016]
【The invention's effect】
In the printing apparatus and the print control method according to the first and seventh aspects, it is determined whether the last page of the double-sided print job is an odd-numbered page or an even-numbered page. Since the even-numbered page back side is created after the odd-numbered page front side and printing is performed in the two-sided mode, switching between two-sided processing and one-sided processing for printing the last page of each part in one-sided processing as in a conventional printing apparatus is performed. The printing time can be reduced without any occurrence. In particular, the effect becomes remarkable when the engine has a long transport path or the number of printed pages is small.
In the printing apparatus and the print control method according to the present invention, it is determined whether the last page of the double-sided print job is an odd-numbered page or an even-numbered page. In the case of the double-sided mode, a blank even-numbered page back side is created after the last odd-numbered page front side, and printing is performed in the double-sided mode. Therefore, as in a conventional printing apparatus, the next job for printing the last page in one-sided processing is performed. Does not require switching between double-sided processing and single-sided processing in the case of double-sided printing. In particular, the effect becomes remarkable when the engine has a long transport path or the number of printed pages is small. This is a great improvement in an environment where a large number of jobs are printed at once from a server where double-sided printing is being promoted due to cost reduction.
In the printing apparatus and the printing control method according to the third and ninth aspects, in addition to the printing apparatus and the printing control method according to the second and eighth aspects, whether or not drawing of the first two pages of the next job is completed If it is completed, a blank even-numbered page back side is created after the last odd-numbered page front side and printing is performed in the double-sided mode. When it is not possible to maintain a continuous double-sided sequence that takes a long time, single-sided printing is performed, and the printing speed can be improved without generating unnecessary driving time of a motor or the like and increasing the load on the machine.
[0017]
In the printing apparatus and the print control method according to the fourth and tenth aspects, when it is determined whether the last page of the double-sided print job is an odd-numbered page or an even-numbered page, it is determined whether or not the preceding page is being printed in the double-sided mode. When printing in double-sided mode, a blank even-numbered page back side is created after the last odd-numbered page front side, and printing is performed in double-sided mode, so when the data of the final odd-numbered page is complicated and odd-numbered pages can be printed, If a continuous double-sided sequence cannot be maintained, single-sided printing is performed, and the printing speed can be improved without increasing the load on the machine by generating useless driving time of a motor or the like.
In the printing apparatus and the printing control method according to the fifth and eleventh aspects, when the total number of pages of a job is equal to or more than a predetermined number, a blank even-numbered page back surface is created after the last odd-numbered page surface, and printing is performed in the duplex mode. Even when a job with a small total number of pages, for example, a one-page job, is continued, the printing speed is not reduced, and a wasteful driving time of a motor or the like due to performing double-sided processing is generated, so that a machine is not used. The printing speed can be improved without increasing the load.
In the printing apparatus and the print control method according to the sixth and twelfth aspects, it is determined whether the last page of the double-sided print job is an odd page or an even page. Since the even-numbered back side of a blank page is created after the front side and printing is performed in the double-sided mode, the printing speed is not reduced even when long-size jobs, for example, A3 jobs are continuous, The printing speed can be improved without increasing the load on the machine by generating useless driving time of a motor or the like due to the processing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a laser printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a duplex printing process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a duplex printing process according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a duplex printing process according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a duplex printing process according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a duplex printing process according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a duplex printing process according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a duplex printing process according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a duplex printing process according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Printer, 2 Controller, 3 Operation Panel, 4 Printer Engine, 5 Host, 11 Host I / F, 12 Program ROM, 13 Font ROM, 14 Panel I / F, 15 CPU (Control Means), 16 RAM, 17 NV- RAM, 18 engine I / F, 19 optional RAM.

Claims

In a printing apparatus having a double-sided printing function, it is determined whether the last page of a double-sided print job is an odd-numbered page or an even-numbered page. A printing apparatus, comprising: control means for controlling the creation of a back surface of an even-numbered blank page and printing in a duplex mode.

In a printing apparatus having a duplex printing function, it is determined whether the last page of a duplex printing job is an odd page or an even page, and if the last page is an odd page, it is determined whether the next job is a single-sided mode or a duplex mode. If there is a printing apparatus, a printing device is provided with control means for creating a back surface of an even-numbered page after a front surface of the last odd-numbered page and performing printing in a duplex mode.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit determines whether drawing of the first two pages of the next job has been completed, and if completed, the even number of blank pages after the surface of the final odd page. A printing apparatus wherein a back side of a page is controlled and printing is performed in a duplex mode.

4. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit determines whether the preceding page is being printed in the duplex mode at the time of determining whether the last page of the duplex print job is an odd page or an even page. 5. A printing apparatus characterized in that when printing is performed in the double-sided mode, a back side of a blank even-numbered page is created after the front side of the final odd-numbered page and printing is performed in the double-sided mode.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the total number of pages of the job is equal to or more than a predetermined number, the control unit creates a blank even page back surface after the final odd page front surface and prints in the duplex mode. A printing apparatus for controlling the printing apparatus.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs printing in the duplex mode by creating a blank even page back surface after the final odd page surface if the sheet length of the job is equal to or less than a predetermined length. A printing apparatus characterized by performing control as described above.

A first step of determining whether the last page of the double-sided print job is an odd page or an even page; a second step of determining whether the print job is in a multi-copy print mode; In the case of a page, if the job is a multi-copy printing mode in the second step, a third step of creating a blank even page back surface after the final odd page front surface and printing in the duplex mode is provided. Printing control method.

A first step of determining whether the last page of the double-sided print job is an odd page or an even page; a second step of determining whether the next job is in a one-sided mode or a two-sided mode; In the second case, it is determined in the second step whether the next job is the one-sided mode or the two-sided mode. If the next job is the two-sided mode, a blank even-page back side is created after the last odd-numbered page front side and printing is performed in the two-sided mode. A printing control method comprising the steps of:

9. The print control method according to claim 8, wherein a step of determining whether or not drawing of the first two pages of the next job is completed, and, if completed, a blank even page after the surface of the last odd page. A printing control method comprising a step of creating a back surface and performing printing in a duplex mode.

10. The printing control method according to claim 8, wherein the first step of determining whether the last page of the two-sided print job is an odd page or an even page is an odd page, and a page preceding the page is being printed in the duplex mode. A printing control method, comprising: determining whether or not the printing is completed, and, when printing in the duplex mode, creating a blank even-page reverse face after the final odd-page front face and performing printing in the duplex mode.

11. The printing control method according to claim 7, wherein the step of counting the total number of pages of the job and, when the total number of pages is equal to or more than a predetermined number, creating the back side of the even-numbered page after the front side of the final odd page. And printing in a double-sided mode.

11. The printing control method according to claim 7, further comprising: determining whether a sheet length is equal to or less than a predetermined length. A printing control method for performing printing in a double-sided mode.