JP5482632B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus .

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a network printer that prints print data requested by a client by connecting a plurality of clients that request printing and a server to which the printer is connected via a communication network is known. In the network printer, the priority of printing is set by the operator of each client, and the server performs printing by controlling the printer based on this priority (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-81492

Incidentally, as an example of an ink jet image forming system, an ink jet image forming system that forms an image on a plurality of different types of recording media is known.
In recent years, a textile printing system using an ink jet image forming system for forming a hue / pattern image on a textile product (hereinafter referred to as a fabric) such as a cloth or a fabric is also known.

  Such a textile printing system includes a client terminal and an image forming apparatus. In general, an operator (designer) who operates a client terminal and an operator (operator) who operates an image forming apparatus are often different people. An example of the business flow is outlined as follows.

  The designer designates a fabric to be printed using the client terminal, generates image data to be printed on the fabric, and generates print job information including fabric information and image data. The generated print job information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus.

  The operator sets (mounts) a roll wound with a cloth corresponding to the received print job information on the image forming apparatus, makes necessary settings, and then issues a print start instruction. By this operation, the image forming apparatus executes a given print job.

  That is, in the textile printing system, it is necessary to set a roll wound with the type of fabric designated by the print job at the time of job execution. Therefore, after the end of one print job, the operator selects the fabric used in the next print job. If necessary, the cloth is replaced if necessary, and the next print job is executed.

However, there are cases in which multiple print jobs for printing on the same type of fabric are registered, and in such a case, the operator waits for the time during which printing is in progress to wait for the next print job. It is complicated to instruct execution, and since a plurality of print jobs cannot be managed collectively, the machine is also temporarily stopped, so that productivity is poor.
Also, when a plurality of print jobs corresponding to two or more types of fabrics are registered, the operator side executes them in units of fabrics according to the work status and the operating status of the apparatus, or executes them with different priority orders. No flexible system is provided.

In order to improve productivity, it is conceivable to perform continuous printing in which a print job is registered as a continuous print job, the job is once registered in a queue, and the registered job is continuously printed. However, after registration, it has been impossible to change the print order of print jobs registered in a continuous print job or change the recording medium to be printed in a continuous print job.
In particular, in an apparatus in which a recording medium must be specified strictly, in order to change a print target or the like of a registered continuous print job, the registration must be canceled once, and the continuous print job is continuously printed. In some cases, it was inconvenient.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a function of managing a continuous print job separately from a normal job, thereby facilitating change of information held by the continuous print job after registration and improving an operator's work efficiency. .

In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 1
An image forming apparatus that is connected to a client terminal and includes an operation unit, a display unit, and a printing unit that performs printing on a recording medium based on print job information transmitted from the client terminal,
Print job information displayed on the display unit based on the print job information transmitted from the client terminal, and selected from the print job information displayed on the display unit as a print target by the operation unit Print job management means for causing the printing means to perform printing, and
Continuous print job management means for managing a print job as a continuous print job in order to perform continuous printing,
The print job information includes information on the type of recording medium used at the time of printing, and at least one piece of information regarding processing for the recording medium at the end of printing or processing for detecting an end of the recording medium. Has been
The continuous print job management means includes:
A continuous print job registration function for registering, in the continuous print job list, a print job selected as a continuous print target by the operation unit from the print job information displayed on the display unit; When a print job is registered in the job list, all of the registered continuous print jobs are printed on the printing unit, and the registered continuous print job and information on the continuous print job are displayed on the display unit. is displayed,
The continuous print job management means includes:
Information of at least one of processing for a recording medium at the end of printing of a plurality of continuous printing jobs registered in the continuous print job list and having the same information on the type of the recording medium, or processing when an end of the recording medium is detected The image forming apparatus includes a recording medium information editing unit that collectively changes the recording medium information .

The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1,
The continuous print job managing means rearranges two or more continuous print jobs in descending order of priority according to an instruction input by an operator when two or more continuous print jobs are registered in the continuous print job list. A replacement means is provided .

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 ,
When two or more continuous print jobs are registered in the continuous print job list, the continuous print job management unit assigns priority to the two or more continuous print jobs according to the priority assigned to the continuous print job. Automatic sorting means for automatically sorting in descending order .

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The continuous print job management means sets whether to permit printing or issue a warning when continuous print jobs of two or more recording media are registered in the continuous print job list at the start of continuous printing. A continuous print setting means.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 2 to 4 ,
The continuous print job management unit sets the printing order of the continuous print job selected by the operation unit to be first, and prints another continuous print job in which information of the same recording medium type as the continuous print job is set. Rearrangement means for rearranging the order so that the print order is continuous with the first continuous print job is provided.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 2 to 5 ,
The continuous print job information includes information about a background color,
The continuous print job management means includes background color change means for changing a background color included in the print job information of the continuous print job selected by the operation means.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 6 ,
The background color changing unit collectively changes the background colors of all the continuous print jobs in which information of the same recording medium type as the continuous print job selected by the operation unit is set.

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 1,
The continuous print job management means includes:
Means for changing the printing order of a plurality of registered continuous print jobs when a plurality of continuous print jobs are registered in the continuous print job list;
Means for selecting by operation of the operating means whether or not to delete one or more continuous print jobs after completion of printing based on the continuous print jobs registered in the continuous print job list;
Means for setting a maximum print length according to the operation of the operation means, and causing the printing means to perform continuous printing based on the registered continuous print job until the maximum print length is reached;
Means for setting a printing time according to the operation of the operation means, and causing the printing means to perform continuous printing based on the registered continuous print job until the printing time is reached;
Means for outputting a warning when the remaining amount of the recording medium usable for printing falls below a predetermined set value;
Including all .

The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
The continuous print job management means includes:
A deletion unit configured to delete registration of the continuous print job when the continuous print job selected by the operation unit is not being printed;

The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The continuous print job management means includes:
A notification condition setting unit for setting a notification condition for notifying the status of the printing unit and the usage status of the recording medium and a mail address of a notification destination;
Notification means for sending an e-mail for notifying the printer status and recording medium usage status to the set e-mail address when the notification condition set by the notification condition setting means is satisfied;
Is provided.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the continuous print job management means performs printing by the printing means under the control of the print job management means. In some cases, when the operation unit instructs to start printing based on the print job, continuous printing is started when the printing unit transitions from a printing state to a printable state.

The invention according to claim 12 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 11 ,
The continuous print job management means includes:
A new continuous print job list is created for registering a continuous print job set with information on the type of recording medium designated by the operation means separately from other continuous print jobs, and is displayed on the display means. If the information on the type of the designated recording medium is set in the print job to be continuously printed that is newly selected by the operation means from the print job information, the print job to be continuously printed is created. New continuous print job registration means for registering in the new continuous print job list,
New continuous print job deletion means for deleting the new continuous print job list created by the new continuous print job registration means;
Is provided.

Invention of Claim 13 in the invention as described in any one of Claims 1-12,
The image forming apparatus is an apparatus that performs printing using a fabric as a recording medium.

The invention according to claim 13 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The continuous print job management means is instructed to start printing based on the continuous print job by the operation means when the printing means is printing under the control of the print job management means, and the print job being printed When the information on the type of recording medium differs between the continuous print job and the continuous print job, a warning is issued.

  According to the present invention, a print job that is likely to change the printing order in continuous printing or a recording medium that is not continuous printing but is likely to be changed after registration is registered as a continuous print job, and is managed separately from normal jobs. By doing so, it is possible to easily change the information that the continuous print job has after registration, and to improve the work efficiency of the operator.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system in the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a data configuration diagram of print job information. It is a data block diagram of printing condition information. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of a client terminal. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the periphery of a conveyor belt. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print job management processing executed by a control unit of the server apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print job management processing executed by a control unit of the server apparatus. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a print job management screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a continuous print job management process executed by a control unit of the server apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a continuous print job management process executed by a control unit of the server apparatus. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a continuous print job management screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a queue setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a warning screen when two or more types of fabrics exist. It is a figure which shows an example of a notification setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a new queue creation screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a new continuous print job management screen. It is a flowchart which shows the background color change process performed by the control part of a server apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of a background color change screen. It is a flowchart which shows the rearrangement button group control processing performed by the control part of a server apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the automatic rearrangement process performed by the control part of a server apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of a fabric edit screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a fabric name change screen. It is a flowchart which shows the continuous printing process performed by the control part of a server apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a continuous print job management screen on which a display during printing is displayed.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[System configuration of image forming system]
FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of the image forming system 100. The image forming system 100 is a textile printing system that forms an image such as a hue and a pattern on a fabric, and is installed in a factory or the like that performs printing on the fabric.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming system 100 includes a client terminal 10, a client terminal 20, and an image forming apparatus 30. Each device is connected to be able to perform data communication via a communication network NT such as Ethernet (registered trademark). Note that the numbers of the client terminals 10 and 20 and the image forming apparatus 30 are not particularly limited.

  The image forming apparatus 30 includes a server device 40 and a printer device 50. The server device 40 and the printer device 50 are connected so as to be capable of data communication via a bus such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) or an electric signal system such as LVDS (Low voltage differential signaling). The server device 40 is connected to an external device (client terminal 10, client terminal 20) or the like via a communication network NT so that data communication is possible.

  The client terminal 10 is a client of the image forming apparatus 30. As the client terminal 10, a computer in which a RIP (Raster Image Processor) program is installed is applicable. The client terminal 10 generates print job information according to an operation of a designer who is a user, and transmits the print job information to the server device 40. That is, a designer who is a user of the client terminal 10 selects an image to be printed on the image forming apparatus 30 and a name of a recording medium (here, a fabric) to be printed on the screen. Then, the designer causes the client terminal 10 to generate print job information and transmits the print job information to the server device 40.

  FIG. 2 shows a data configuration example of the print job information. As shown in FIG. 2, the print job information is composed of print condition information and image data. The image data is data of an image formed on a fabric in a print job executed based on the print job information.

  FIG. 3 shows a data configuration diagram of the printing condition information. As shown in FIG. 3, the printing condition information is composed of information such as printing resolution, printing length, printing width, and fabric name. Here, the fabric name is information indicating the name of the type of the fabric designated as a print target by the designer. The print job information is associated with the fabric information by the fabric name. The fabric information includes, for example, setting information for operation of the printer device 50 when the fabric is used.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the client terminal 20 has the same configuration as the client terminal 10, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The image forming apparatus 30 is an apparatus that forms (prints) an image on a fabric based on print job information. As described above, the image forming apparatus 30 includes the server device 40 and the printer device 50.

  The printer device 50 as a printing unit is a serial head type ink jet printer. The printer device 50 is loaded with a fabric to be printed (image formation target).

  The server device 40 receives print job information from an external device such as the client terminals 10 and 20, and analyzes the print job information. Then, a print control instruction signal is transmitted to the printer device 50. The printer device 50 forms an image on the fabric.

An operator who is a user of the image forming apparatus 30 refers to a list of print job information displayed on the screen of the server apparatus 40 and attaches a fabric to be printed to the printer apparatus 50. Then, the operator selects a print job to be printed in the server device 40 and causes the server device 40 to transmit a print control instruction signal to the printer device 50. Then, the printer device 50 prints an image on the fabric.
Here, in the image forming apparatus 30, the details will be described later. In addition to individually selecting print jobs to be printed and performing printing for each job, a plurality of print job information to be printed are selected and selected. In addition, continuous printing can be performed based on a plurality of print jobs. Individual print jobs selected as continuous print targets are called continuous print jobs.

[Functional configuration of client device]
FIG. 4 shows a functional configuration of the client terminal 10.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the client terminal 10 includes a control unit 11, an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, a communication unit 14, and a storage unit 15, and each unit is connected by a bus 16.

The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).
) And the like, and comprehensively controls the processing operation of each part of the client terminal 10. Specifically, the CPU reads various processing programs stored in the storage unit 15 according to an operation signal input from the operation unit 12 or an instruction signal received by the communication unit 14, and is formed in the RAM. The work area is expanded and various processes are performed in cooperation with the program.

  The operation unit 12 includes a keyboard having cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, and the like, and a pointing device such as a mouse, and controls operation signals input by keyboard operations or mouse operations. 11 is output.

  The display unit 13 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and displays various screens based on display data input from the control unit 11.

  The communication unit 14 includes a LAN (Local Area Network) adapter, a router, a TA (Terminal Adapter), and the like, and transmits / receives data to / from an external device such as the server device 40 connected via the communication network NT.

  The storage unit 15 is composed of a hard disk or the like, and stores a control program, parameters and files necessary for executing the program, and the like. In addition, the storage unit 15 stores the RIP program 151.

  The control unit 11 cooperates with the RIP program 151 stored in the storage unit 15 to generate print job information based on the image data, the fabric name, and the like specified by the operation unit 12. Then, the control unit 11 transmits print job information to the server device 40 in cooperation with the RIP program 151.

[Schematic configuration of image forming apparatus]
Next, a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 30 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 30 includes a server device 40 and a printer device 50. The printer device 50 includes a transport unit 31, a scan unit 32, and an ink rack 33.

  At the top of the transport unit 31, an endless transport belt 311 for transporting a fabric (not shown), which is a storage medium, from the back side and transporting it in the sub-scanning direction Y indicated by the arrow Y in the figure is disposed. Has been. In the present embodiment, the transport unit 31 and the scan unit 32 are formed as separate bodies, but may be formed integrally.

  A bar-shaped carriage rail 321 is arranged in the inner part of the scan unit 32 above the transport belt 311 of the transport unit 31 so as to extend in the main scanning direction X indicated by the arrow X in the figure perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction Y. The carriage rail 321 supports a substantially housing-like carriage 322 that can reciprocate in the main scanning direction X along the carriage rail 321.

  Although not shown, the carriage 322 is equipped with a plurality of recording heads that eject ink of each color such as yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Ink of each color is ejected from the nozzles of the head to the recording medium on the conveyance belt 311.

  In the present embodiment, an ink rack 33 including an ink tank 331 for storing each color ink to be supplied to each recording head is disposed behind the scan unit 32. Ink is supplied from each ink tank 331 to each recording head via a supply pipe (not shown).

  FIG. 6 schematically shows the mechanism of printing on the fabric in the printer device 50. As shown in FIG. 6, when the roll Md around which the fabric is wound is attached to the front side of the transport belt 311 in the transport direction, the fabric M is transported from the roll Md by the transport belt 311. When the transported fabric M passes under the carriage 322 of the scan unit 32 above the transport belt 311, ink is ejected from the recording head of the carriage 322 to the fabric M, whereby an image is formed on the fabric M. It is formed.

[Functional configuration of image forming apparatus]
FIG. 7 shows a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 30.
The server device 40 includes a control unit 41, an operation unit 42, a display unit 43, a communication unit 44, a storage unit 45, a USB device 46, and a PCI device 47, and each unit is connected by a bus 48.

The control unit 41 includes a CPU, a RAM, and the like, and comprehensively controls processing operations of each unit of the server device 40. Specifically, the CPU reads the control program 451 stored in the storage unit 45 in accordance with an operation signal input from the operation unit 42 or an instruction signal received by the communication unit 44, and is formed in the RAM. The work area is expanded and various processes are performed in cooperation with the program.
For example, the control unit 41 functions as a print job management unit by executing a print job management process described later in cooperation with the control program 451. Further, the control unit 41 functions as a continuous print job management unit by executing a continuous print job management process described later in cooperation with the control program 451.

  The operation unit 42 includes a keyboard having cursor keys, numeric input keys, various function keys, and the like, and a pointing device such as a mouse. The control unit 42 controls operation signals input by keyboard operation or mouse operation. 41 is output.

  The display unit 43 is configured by an LCD or the like, and displays various screens based on display data input from the control unit 41.

  The communication unit 44 includes a LAN adapter, a router, a TA, and the like, and transmits and receives data to and from external devices such as the client terminals 10 and 20 connected via the communication network NT.

  The storage unit 45 includes a hard disk or the like, and stores a control program 451, a mail server program, parameters and files necessary for executing the program, and the like. The control program 451 includes a print job management processing program for executing print job management processing described later, a continuous print job management processing program for executing continuous print job management processing, and a subroutine program called by these programs. Etc. are included. Further, the storage unit 45 stores a print job list F1, a continuous print job list F2, a queue setting file F3, a fabric information file F4, a notification setting file F5, a fabric management list F6, and the like.

  The print job list F1 is a file for storing and managing print job information transmitted from the client terminals 10 and 20. The print job list F1 includes, for example, “job name”, “status”, “creation date”, “update date”, “print width”, “print length”, “fabric name”, “main scanning resolution”, “sub scan It has items such as “scanning resolution”, “printing direction”, “printing mode”, “background color”, “client name”, and “user name”. When print job information is received from the client terminals 10 and 20, a record is added to the print job list F1 by the control unit 41, and the received print job information is stored.

The continuous print job list (print queue) F2 is a file for storing and managing information of print jobs that are instructed to be registered as continuous print targets by the operation unit. The continuous print job list F2 includes items such as “priority”, “job name”, “fabric name”, “memo”, and fabric information items to be described later. When a print job to be registered as a continuous print job is selected from the print job management screen 431 (see FIG. 9) described later by the operation unit 42 and registration is instructed, a priority is given and a record is recorded in the continuous print job list F2. Information of a predetermined item of the print job added and instructed to register is stored. The priority is initially given a registration number indicating the order of registration, but can be changed. At the time of printing, printing is executed in descending order of priority. Here, registering a print job to be continuously printed in the continuous print job list F2 is referred to as registering in the print queue. The operator can newly create a continuous print job list and provide a continuous print job list for each fabric name (referred to as a new continuous print job list F21). A plurality of new continuous print job lists F21 can be created.
Here, the print jobs registered in the “continuous print job list” are described as a plurality of print jobs for continuous printing, but the print jobs registered in the “continuous print job list” in the present invention are The print job is not necessarily limited to a plurality of jobs, and is registered so as to be managed separately from a normal job. Therefore, a single print job may be used.

The queue setting file F3 is a file for storing queue setting information set from a queue setting screen 433 (see FIG. 12) described later.
The fabric information file F4 stores, for each type of fabric, fabric information as recording medium information, for example, setting information for the name of the fabric and the operation (processing) of the printer device 50 when the fabric is used. It is a file. The setting information of the operation of the printer device 50 includes, for example, processing for a fabric at the end of one continuous print job (printing end processing), processing when a fabric end is detected (processing at the trailing end detection), Processing when a joint is detected (joint detection processing) and the like are included.
The notification setting file F5 is a file for storing notification setting information set from a notification setting screen 434 (see FIG. 14) described later.
The fabric management list F6 is a file that stores list information of fabric names for which a new continuous print job list F21 can be created.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the USB device 46 is a device for performing data communication with an external device in accordance with the USB standard. The USB device 46 is connected to the printer device 50.

  The PCI device 47 is a device for performing data communication with an external device using an electric signal system such as LVDS. The PCI device 47 is connected to the printer device 50.

[Operation of server device when fabric is worn]
Next, a printing operation in the server device 40 will be described.
In the server device 40, a print operation is performed by executing a print job management process or a continuous print job management process.
Here, in a printer in which the recording medium is a roll-like cloth like the image forming apparatus 30, it is necessary to set the cloth according to the print job to be performed and perform printing. Therefore, conventionally, in a printer using a roll-shaped fabric as a recording medium, a print job to be executed next by the operator every time printing is performed, as in the case of executing printing from the print job management screen 431 in the print job management processing described below. A print job is executed according to the selection.
However, when a plurality of print jobs to be printed on the same type of fabric are registered, it is troublesome for the operator to instruct the execution of the next print job in consideration of the time when the printing in progress is finished. However, productivity is poor because it stops once. In addition, when a plurality of print jobs corresponding to two or more kinds of fabrics are registered, the operator can execute them in units of fabrics according to the work status and the operation status of the apparatus, or execute them with different priority orders. Inconvenient.

  Therefore, the server device 40 enables registration as a continuous print job, and includes a separate continuous print job management unit, and manages the continuous print job registered for continuous printing separately from a normal job. Therefore, it is possible to easily change the information of the registered continuous print job, and the operator can work efficiently.

  8A to 8B are flowcharts of the print job management process. The print job management process is executed in cooperation with the control unit 41 and the print job management process program stored in the storage unit 45.

  When the operator attaches the roll Md of the fabric to be printed at a predetermined mounting position of the printer device 50 and instructs the display of the print job management screen 431 by the operation unit 42, the print job list stored in the storage unit 45 is stored. F1 is read, and the print job management screen 431 is displayed on the display unit 43 (step S1).

FIG. 9 shows an example of the print job management screen 431.
As shown in FIG. 9, the print job management screen 431 includes a job list display field 431a, a print job information detail display field 431b, a queue registration button 431c, a print button 431d, a delete button 431e, and the like.
The job list display field 431a is a field for displaying a list of print job information stored in the print job list F1. By selecting print job information from the job list display field 431a using the operation unit 42, a print job to be processed can be selected. The print job information detailed display column 431b is a column for displaying detailed information of the print job selected in the job list display column 431a. The queue registration button 431c is a button for instructing registration of the print job selected in the job list display field 431a to the print queue, that is, registration as a continuous print job. The print button 431d is a button for instructing execution of the print job selected in the job list display field 431a. The delete button 431e is a button for instructing to delete the print job selected in the job list display field 431a from the print job list F1.

  When a print job is selected from the job list display field 431a by the operation unit 42 (step S2; YES), it is determined whether or not the queue registration button 431c is pressed (step S3). If the operation unit 42 determines that the queue registration button 431c has not been pressed (step S3; NO), the process proceeds to step S9. If it is determined by the operation unit 42 that the queue registration button 431c has been pressed (step S3; YES), the process proceeds to step S4.

In step S4, it is determined whether or not a new queue exists in the storage unit 45, that is, whether or not a new continuous print job list F21 is stored.
If it is determined that the new continuous print job list F21 is stored in the storage unit 45 (step S4; YES), the fabric name of the selected print job matches the fabric name of any new continuous print job list F21. It is determined whether or not to perform (step S5). If it is determined that the fabric name of the selected print job matches the fabric name in any of the new continuous print job lists F21 (step S5; YES), it is selected in the new continuous print job list F21 with the same fabric name. The print job is registered (step S6), and the process proceeds to step S8.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the new continuous print job list F21 does not exist in the storage unit 45 (step S4; NO), or the fabric name of the selected print job is any fabric of the new continuous print job list F21 If it is determined that the name does not match (step S5; NO), the selected print job is registered in the continuous print job list F2 (step S7), and the process proceeds to step S8.
Here, when a print job is registered in the continuous print job list F2 and the new continuous print job list F21, a priority indicating the registration order is given, which indicates the registration order for each list. In addition, when a print job is registered in the continuous print job list F2, the data on the fabric information specified by the “fabric name” of the print job is read from the fabric information file F4 and registered together.

  In step S8, an * mark indicating that the job has been registered as a continuous print job is displayed in the “Q” column of the print job registered as a continuous print job on the print job management screen 431 (step S8). The process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S9, it is determined whether the selected print job is being executed (printing) (step S9). If it is determined that the selected print job is being executed (step S9; YES), the process proceeds to step S19 in FIG. 8B. That is, when the selected print job is being executed, the delete button 431e and the print button 431d are disabled.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the selected print job is not being executed (step S9; NO), it is determined whether or not the delete button 431e is pressed by the operation unit 42. If it is determined by the operation unit 42 that the delete button 431e has not been pressed (step S10; NO), the process proceeds to step S12. If it is determined by the operation unit 42 that the delete button 431e has been pressed (step S10; YES), the print job is deleted from the print job list F1 and the continuous print job list F2 (step S11), and the process is the step of FIG. 8B. The process proceeds to S19.

In step S12, it is determined whether or not the print button 431d is pressed by the operation unit 42. If the operation unit 42 determines that the print button 431d has not been pressed (step S12; NO), the process proceeds to step S19.
If it is determined that the print button 431d is pressed by the operation unit 42 (step S12; YES), the variable i is initialized to 0 (step S13), and it is determined whether the printer device 50 is in a printable state. (Step S14). For example, when the printer device 50 is in a print waiting state, it is determined that the printer device 50 is in a printable state.

  If it is determined that the printer device 50 is ready for printing (step S14; YES), the printer device 50 is controlled based on the print job, and the print job is executed (step S15). When the print job in the printer device 50 is completed, the process proceeds to step S19.

  If it is determined that the printer device 50 is not in a printable state (step S14; NO), it is determined whether or not the variable i> 5 (step S16). If it is determined that the variable i is not 5 (step S16; NO), the process waits for a predetermined time (step S17), the variable i is incremented by 1 (step S18), and the process returns to step S14. If it is determined that the variable i> 5 (step S16; YES), the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S19, it is determined whether or not an instruction to shift the print job management screen 431 to another screen is input by the operation unit 42 (step S19). If it is determined by the operation unit 42 that an instruction to shift to another screen has not been input (step S19; NO), the process returns to step S2. If it is determined that an instruction to shift to another screen is input by the operation unit 42 (step S19; YES), the print job management process ends.

Next, the continuous print job management process will be described.
10A to 10B are flowcharts of the continuous print job management process. The continuous print job management process is executed in cooperation with the control unit 41 and the continuous print job management process program stored in the storage unit 45.

  When the operation unit 42 instructs to display the continuous print job management screen 432, the continuous print job information file F2 stored in the storage unit 45 is read, and the continuous print job management screen 432 is displayed on the display unit 43. (Step S21).

  FIG. 11 shows an example of the continuous print job management screen 432. As shown in FIG. 11, the continuous print job management screen 432 includes a continuous print job display field 432a, a head button 432b, an up button 432c, a down button 432d, a tail button 432e, a rearrange button 432f, and an edit button 432g. A background color button 432h, a queue setting button 432i, a start button 432j, a release button 432k, a new queue creation button 432l, and the like are provided.

  The continuous print job display field 432a is a field for displaying a list of continuous print jobs registered in the continuous print job list F2.

The top button 432b to the rearrangement button 432f are buttons for rearranging the priority of the continuous print job, that is, the print order.
The top button 432b is a button for inputting an instruction to rearrange the continuous print jobs selected in the continuous print job display field 432a to the top of the list (set the priority to 1). The up button 432c is a button for inputting an instruction to rearrange the continuous print job selected in the continuous print job display field 432a by one on the list (increase the priority). The down button 432d is a button for inputting an instruction to rearrange the continuous print jobs selected in the continuous print job display field 432a one position down in the list (decrease the priority by 1). The back button 432e is a button for inputting an instruction to rearrange the continuous print jobs selected in the continuous print job display field 432a to the end of the list (priority is lowest). The rearrangement button 432f rearranges the continuous print job selected in the continuous print job display field 432a to the top of the list (priority is set to 1), and continuous printing with the same fabric name as the selected continuous print job. This is a button for inputting an instruction to automatically rearrange jobs so as to be continuous with the continuous print job.

The edit button 432g is a button for inputting an instruction to change the fabric information setting of the fabric used in the continuous print job selected in the continuous print job display field 432a. The background color button 432h is a button for instructing to change the background color of the continuous print job selected in the continuous print job display field 432a.
The queue setting button 432i is a button for instructing input of settings regarding the print queue. The start button 432j is a button for inputting an instruction to start continuous printing based on the continuous print job displayed in the continuous print job display field 432a. The cancel button 432k is a button for inputting an instruction to delete the continuous print job selected in the continuous print job display field 432a from the continuous print job list F2. The new queue creation button 432l is a button for instructing creation of a new continuous print job list for the designated fabric.

  Next, in the continuous print job management screen 432, it is determined whether or not the queue setting button 432i is pressed by the operation unit 42 (step S22). If the operation unit 42 determines that the queue setting button 432i has not been pressed (step S22; NO), the process proceeds to step S26. If it is determined that the queue setting button 432i is pressed by the operation unit 42 (step S22; YES), the queue setting screen 433 is displayed on the display unit 43 (step S23).

FIG. 12 shows an example of the queue setting screen 433. The queue setting screen 433 is a screen for setting an operation when executing a continuous print job registered in the print queue. Specifically, for each item of “leave print job”, “specify maximum print length”, “specify print time”, “notify warning”, “continuous printing of different fabrics”, or You can set whether to allow or not.
When “leave print job” is turned ON, a continuous print job can remain in the print queue even after the end of continuous printing. When “Specify maximum print length” and “Specify print time” are set to ON, printing can be terminated when the specified value is exceeded.
When “notify warning” is turned on, an operator or the like can be notified by a warning or e-mail when the notification condition set on the notification setting screen 434 displayed by pressing the detail button 433a is satisfied. .
When “Allow different fabric continuous printing” is set to “Allowed”, printing is performed as usual even when two or more types of fabrics are mixed in a continuous print job. When “not permitted” is set, the start button 432j cannot be pressed when two or more kinds of fabrics are mixed in the continuous print job. When “select when printing” is selected, a warning screen 439 shown in FIG. 13 pops up on the display unit 43 when the start button 432j is pressed, and the user can select whether or not to print. .

FIG. 14 shows an example of the notification setting screen 434. As shown in FIG. 14, in the notification setting screen 434, notification means and notification conditions are set for each item of “cloth remaining amount”, “used fabric amount”, “remaining printing time”, and “elapsed printing time”. It can be done.
The notification means can set one of four types of “none”, “warning”, “mail”, and “warning + mail”. When “Mail” or “Warning + Mail” is set, the mail address item can be input. If it is desired to notify all the items at the same time to the same mail address, checking the check box 434a makes it possible to enter the notification destination mail address in the edit box below it.
The notification condition is “cloth remaining amount”, and notification is performed when the remaining amount of the fabric becomes equal to or less than the value set in the notification condition. In the “used fabric amount”, a notification is made when the amount of fabric used after the start of continuous printing is equal to or greater than the value set in this notification condition. In “print remaining time”, notification is performed when the time until printing of all the registered print queues is less than or equal to the time set in the notification condition. In “print elapsed time”, notification is performed when the print time from the start of continuous printing is equal to or longer than the time set in the notification condition.
When the notification condition is satisfied and “mail” is included in the notification means, the current status of the printer device 50 and the current value of the item satisfying the notification condition are transmitted to the mail address. When “warning” is included in the notification means, the current status of the printer device 50 and the current value of the item satisfying the notification condition are displayed in a pop-up on the screen.

  Returning to FIG. 10A, when input is performed from the queue setting screen 433 (including the notification setting screen 434) by the operation unit 42 and the setting button 434b is pressed (step S24), the setting information input from the queue setting screen 433 is entered. Is stored in the queue setting file F3 (step S25). Then, the process proceeds to step S26.

  In step S <b> 26, it is determined whether or not the new queue creation button 432 l is pressed by the operation unit 42 on the continuous print job management screen 432. If the operation unit 42 determines that the new queue creation button 432l has not been pressed (step S26; NO), the process proceeds to step S31.

  If it is determined on the continuous print job management screen 432 that the new queue creation button 432l has been pressed by the operation unit 42 (step S26; YES), a new queue creation screen 435 is displayed on the display unit 43 (step S27).

  FIG. 15 shows an example of the new queue creation screen 435. As shown in FIG. 15, the new queue creation screen 435 is provided with a fabric name input field 435a, a setting button 435b, a cancel button 435c, and the like. From the fabric name input field 435a, any fabric name can be selected from the fabrics registered in the fabric management file F6. A fabric name that has already been selected cannot be selected in duplicate. When any fabric name is selected from the fabric name input field 435a and the setting button 435b is pressed, a new continuous print job list F21 for managing only continuous print jobs of the selected fabric name is created. This is called creating a new queue.

  In the new queue creation screen 435, when a fabric name for creating a new queue is selected by the operation unit 42 and the setting button 435b is pressed (step S28), only a continuous print job of the selected fabric name is managed. A new continuous print job list F21 for registering a queue, that is, a continuous print job of the selected fabric name is created (step S29). By creating a new queue, a continuous print job with the selected fabric name can be managed separately from the continuous print jobs with other fabric names. When a new queue is created, a new continuous print job management screen 440, which is a dedicated screen for managing a continuous print job of the selected fabric name, is created (step S30), and the process proceeds to step S31. To do.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of a new continuous print job management screen 440. As shown in FIG. 16, the new continuous print job management screen 440 is provided with a tab T on which the fabric name of the continuous print job for which a new queue is to be created is displayed. By pressing the button, the new continuous print job management screen 440 can be displayed on the display unit 43. The new continuous print job management screen 440 does not have a new queue creation button, but has all the configurations and functions of the other continuous print job management screen 432. The new continuous print job management screen 440 is provided with a delete button 440a. When the delete button 440a is pressed, the control unit 41 deletes the new continuous print job management screen 440 and the new continuous print job list F21 of fabric names corresponding to the new continuous print job management screen 440 from the storage unit 45. The

  In step S31 of FIG. 10A, it is determined whether or not a continuous print job is selected from the continuous print job display field 432a of the continuous print job management screen 432 by the operation unit. If the operation unit 42 determines that a continuous print job is not selected from the continuous print job display field 432a (step S31; NO), the process proceeds to step S47. If it is determined by the operation unit 42 that a continuous print job has been selected (step S31; YES), the process proceeds to step S32.

  In step S32, it is determined whether or not the background color button 432h is pressed by the operation unit 42 on the continuous print job management screen 432 (step S32). If the operation unit 42 determines that the background color button 432h has not been pressed (step S32; NO), the process proceeds to step S34. If it is determined by the operation unit 42 that the background color button 432h has been pressed (step S32; YES), background color change processing is executed (step S33).

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the background color changing process executed in step S33. The background color changing process is executed in cooperation with the control unit 41 and the program stored in the storage unit 45.

First, it is determined whether or not there is one selected continuous print job (step S301). If it is determined that there is not one selected continuous print job (step S301; NO), the process proceeds to step S34 in FIG. 10B.
When it is determined that there is one selected continuous print job (step S301; YES), a background color change screen 438 is displayed on the display unit 43 (step S302).

FIG. 18 shows an example of the background color change screen 438.
As illustrated in FIG. 18, the background color change screen 438 includes a collective / single selection button 438 a,
A job name display field 438b, a fabric name display field 438c, a background color input field 438d, a setting button 438f, a cancel button 438e, and the like are provided.
The batch / single selection button 438a is a button for selecting whether to change the background color of continuous print jobs having the same fabric name at once or to select only the background color of the selected continuous print job. is there.
The job name display field 438b is a field for displaying the job name of the continuous print job whose background color is to be changed. The fabric name display column 438c is a column for displaying the fabric name of the continuous print job whose background color is to be changed.
The background color input field 438d is a field for inputting a background color by setting each of R, G, and B with a value in the range of 0 to 255.

  When the changed background color or the like is input from the background color change screen 438 by the operation unit 42 and the setting button 438f is pressed (step S303), whether or not the background color batch change is selected on the background color change screen 438 is determined. Is determined (step S304). If it is determined that the background color batch change has been selected (step S304; YES), the continuous print job having the same fabric name as the fabric name of the selected continuous print job is searched in the continuous print job list F2. Then, it is determined whether or not there is a continuous print job having the same fabric name as that of the selected continuous print job (step S305). If it is determined that there is a continuous print job having the same fabric name as the fabric name of the selected continuous print job (step S305; YES), the selected continuous print job and the same as this are displayed in the continuous print job list F2. The background color of all the continuous print jobs having the fabric name is changed to the input background color (step S306), and the process proceeds to step S34 in FIG. 10B.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that background color batch change has not been selected (step S304; NO), or there is no continuous print job having the same fabric name as the selected continuous print job in the continuous print job list F2. Is determined (step S305; NO), the background color of the selected continuous print job is changed to the input background color in the continuous print job list F2 (step S307), and the process proceeds to step S34 in FIG. 10B. Transition.

  In step S34, it is determined whether the selected continuous print job is being executed. If it is determined that the selected continuous print job is being executed (step S34; YES), the process proceeds to step S47. When it is determined that the selected continuous print job is not being executed (step S34; NO), a button group related to rearrangement (head button 432b, up button 432c, down button 432d, rear button 432e, rearrangement). A control process for the button 432f) is performed (step S35).

  FIG. 19 shows a flowchart of the sort button group control process executed in step S35. The rearrangement button group control process is executed in cooperation with the control unit 41 and the program stored in the storage unit 45.

  First, it is determined whether only one continuous print job is selected (step S101). If it is determined that only one continuous print job is selected (step S101; YES), it is determined whether two or more continuous print jobs are registered in the continuous print job list F2 (step S102). . When it is determined that two or more continuous print jobs are registered in the continuous print job list F2 (step S102; YES), the buttons related to the rearrangement are controlled to be usable (step S103), and the process is as shown in FIG. 10B. Control goes to step S36.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there is not only one selected continuous print job (step S101; NO), or if it is determined that two or more continuous print jobs are not registered in the continuous print job list F2 ( Step S102; NO), it is determined that the rearrangement is impossible, the use of the buttons related to the rearrangement is controlled to be disabled (step S104), and the process proceeds to step S36 in FIG. 10B.

  In step S36 of FIG. 10B, it is determined whether any of the button groups related to the rearrangement is pressed by the operation unit 42 (step S36). If it is determined by the operation unit 42 that none of the buttons related to the rearrangement has been pressed (step S36; NO), the process proceeds to step S38. If it is determined that one of the buttons related to the rearrangement is pressed (step S36; YES), the rearrangement process corresponding to the operated button is executed (step S37), and the process proceeds to step S38. The display in the continuous print job display field 432a is updated according to the rearrangement.

Here, when any one of the top button 432b, the up button 432c, the down button 432d, and the last button 432e is pressed, the order of the selected continuous print jobs is changed to a position corresponding to the pressed button. Is done.
When the top button 432b is pressed, the priority of the selected continuous print job is changed to 1 in the continuous print job list F2, and the selected continuous print job is moved to the head of the file (print queue). . Other continuous print jobs are decremented by one priority.
When the up button 432c is pressed, the continuous print job selected in the continuous print job list F2 is replaced with the continuous print job having a priority higher than the selected continuous print job.
When the down button 432d is pressed, the continuous print job selected in the continuous print job list F2 is replaced with the continuous print job having a priority one lower than the selected continuous print job.
When the button 432e to the end is pressed, the priority of the selected continuous print job is changed to the end (the number of the current registered number) in the continuous print job list F2, and the selected continuous print job is a file. Move to the end of (print queue). Other continuous print jobs are incremented by one priority.

When the sort button 432f is pressed, automatic sort processing (see FIG. 20) is executed.
FIG. 20 shows a flowchart of the automatic rearrangement process executed when the rearrangement button 432f is pressed. The automatic rearrangement process is executed in cooperation with the program stored in the control unit 41 and the storage unit 45.

First, the selected continuous print job is moved to the head (priority 1) of the print queue (step S201).
Next, the initial value 2 is set in the counter n (pre-conversion counter n), and the initial value 2 is set in the counter m (post-conversion counter m) (step S202).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the fabric name of the continuous print job having the priority n matches the fabric name of the selected continuous print job in the continuous print job list F2 (step S203). If it is determined that the fabric name of the continuous print job with the priority n matches the fabric name of the selected continuous print job (step S203; YES), the priority after the rearrangement of the continuous print jobs with the priority n is determined. m is set (step S204). Priorities before conversion and priorities after conversion are associated with each other and stored in the RAM of the control unit 41. Then, 1 is added to the counter m (step S205), 1 is added to the counter n (step S206), and the process proceeds to step S207.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the fabric name of the continuous print job with priority n does not match the fabric name of the selected continuous print job (step S203; NO), 1 is added to the counter n (step S206). The process proceeds to step S207.

  In step S207, it is determined whether the value of the counter n exceeds the number of continuous print jobs in the continuous print job list F2 (step S207). If it is determined that the value of the counter n does not exceed the number of continuous print jobs (step S207; NO), the process returns to step S203. If it is determined that the value of the counter n exceeds the number of continuous print jobs (step S207; YES), priorities after priority m are assigned to continuous print jobs for which the priorities after conversion have not yet been set. (Step S208). Allocation is performed in order from the highest priority. Then, based on the converted priority set in the RAM, the continuous print jobs in the continuous print job list F2 are rearranged (step S209), and the process proceeds to step S38 in FIG. 10B.

In step S38 of FIG. 10B, it is determined whether or not the edit button 432g has been pressed by the operation unit. If it is determined by the operation unit 42 that the edit button 432g has not been pressed (step S38; NO), the process proceeds to step S42.
When it is determined that the edit button 432g is pressed by the operation unit 42 (step S38; YES), the fabric edit screen 436 is displayed on the display unit 43 (step S39).

FIG. 21 shows an example of the fabric edit screen 436. As shown in FIG. 21, the fabric editing screen 436 includes a collective / single selection button 436a, a basic information column 436b, an end processing method column 436c, a setting button 436d, a cancel button 436e, and the like.
The collective / single selection button 436a is a button for selecting whether to change the fabric information of continuous print jobs having the same fabric name in a batch or to select only the fabric information of the selected continuous print job. is there.
The basic information column 436b is a column for inputting a fabric name, a fabric-head distance, a memo, and the like.
The edge processing method column 436c is used to input processing for the fabric, for example, a joint detection processing method, a print end processing method, a trailing edge detection processing method, a winder interleaving paper processing method, and a feed amount in each processing. It is a column to do.

  In the fabric editing screen 436, “collective” is selected by the operation unit 42, the contents of the items to be changed are input from the basic information column 436b and the end processing method column 436c, and the setting button 436d is selected. The fabric information of all the continuous print jobs having the same fabric name as the fabric name of the continuous print job is changed.

  In the fabric edit screen 436, “single” is selected by the operation unit 42, the contents of the item to be changed are input from the basic information column 436b and the end processing method column 436c, and the setting button 436d is selected. The fabric information of the continuous print job is changed. However, when continuous print jobs having the same fabric name are stored in the continuous print job list F2, it is necessary to change the fabric name. This is because the same fabric name is assumed to have the same fabric information. Therefore, when a continuous print job having the same fabric name as the selected continuous print job is stored in the continuous print job list F2, a fabric name change screen 437 shown in FIG. 22 is popped up. By inputting a new fabric name from the fabric name input field 437a of the fabric name change screen 437 and pressing the setting button 437b, the fabric name can be changed. By changing the fabric name, the operation of the printer device 50 with respect to the fabric can be changed by the selected continuous print job alone.

  When the change information of the cloth information is input from the cloth edit screen 436 by the operation unit 42 (step S40), the cloth information of the continuous print job of the selected cloth name is changed according to the input contents (or (It is changed to fabric information of a new fabric name) (step S41), and the process proceeds to step S42.

  In step S42 of FIG. 10B, it is determined whether or not the release button 432k is pressed by the operation unit 42 on the continuous print job management screen 432 (step S42). If it is determined by the operation unit 42 that the release button 432k has not been pressed (step S42; NO), the process proceeds to step S44. If it is determined by the operation unit 42 that the release button 432k has been pressed (step S42; YES), the selected continuous print job is deleted from the continuous print job list F2 (step S43), and the process proceeds to step S44.

  In step S44, it is determined whether or not a continuous print job is being executed. If it is determined that a continuous print job is being executed (step S44; YES), the process proceeds to step S47. In other words, the start button 432j is in an invalid state, and a print start instruction cannot be given. If it is determined that the continuous print job is not being executed (step S44; NO), it is determined whether or not the start button 432j is pressed by the operation unit 42 on the continuous print job management screen 432. If it is determined by the operation unit 42 that the start button 432j has not been pressed (step S45; NO), the process proceeds to step S47. If it is determined by the operation unit 42 that the start button 432j has been pressed (step S45; YES), continuous printing processing is executed (step S46).

  FIG. 23 shows a flowchart of the continuous printing process executed when the start button 432j is pressed. The continuous printing process is executed in cooperation with the control unit 41 and a program stored in the storage unit 45.

First, it is determined whether or not a continuous print job is registered in the continuous print job list F2 (step S401). If it is determined that no continuous print job is registered in the continuous print job list F2 (step S401; NO), the process proceeds to step S47 in FIG. 10B.
If it is determined that continuous print jobs are registered in the continuous print job list F2 (step S401; YES), continuous print jobs with different (two or more) fabric names are mixed in the continuous print job list F2. It is determined whether or not there is (step S402). If it is determined that continuous print jobs with different (two or more) fabric names are mixed in the continuous print job list F (step S402; YES), the queue setting file F3 is read, and “different fabric continuous” is read. It is determined whether or not “print” is permitted (step S403).

If it is determined that “different fabric continuous printing” is permitted (step S403; YES), the process proceeds to step S407. If it is determined that “different fabric continuous printing” is set for printing selection (warning display) (step S403; NO, step S404; YES), a warning screen 439 is displayed on the display unit 43 (step S403). S405).
FIG. 13 shows an example of the warning screen 439. As shown in FIG. 13, a warning screen 439 is a screen for warning that a continuous print job using two or more kinds of fabrics is mixed and for allowing the user to select whether or not to continue printing. is there.

  If the “Yes” button 439a is pressed from the warning screen 439 by the operation unit 42 to instruct to continue printing (step S406; YES), the process proceeds to step S407. When the “no” button 439b is pressed from the warning screen 439 by the operation unit 42 (step S406; NO), the continuous printing process ends, and the process proceeds to step S47 in FIG. 10B. If it is determined that “different fabric continuous printing” is not permitted (step S404; NO), the process proceeds to step S47 in FIG. 10B.

In step S407, continuous printing is started (step S407). At the start of continuous printing, the elapsed printing time and remaining printing time are started. In addition, an initial value 1 is set to a variable N and a variable i indicating the printing priority. In addition, a printing display P is displayed on the continuous print job management screen 432.
FIG. 24 shows an example of the continuous print job management screen 432 on which the printing display P is displayed. As shown in FIG. 24, in the printing display P, in addition to the characters “printing” indicating that continuous printing based on the current continuous print job is being performed, the number of remaining print queues, the total transport distance, and the total Status information such as the number of scans is displayed.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the printer device 50 is ready for printing (step S408). For example, when the printer device 50 is in a print waiting state, it is determined that the printer device 50 is in a printable state. If it is determined that the printer device 50 is not in a printable state (step S408; NO), it is determined whether i> 5 (step S409). If it is determined that i> 5 is not satisfied (step S409; NO), the process waits for a predetermined time (step S410). Then, i is incremented by 1 (step S411), and the process returns to step S408. If it is determined that i> 5 (step S409; YES), the continuous printing process ends, and the process proceeds to step S47 in FIG. 10B.

  If it is determined that the printer device 50 is in a printable state (step S408; YES), the printer device 50 is controlled based on the priority N continuous print job (and the fabric information included therein), and the printer device. At 50, printing is performed based on the continuous print job (a continuous print job is executed) (step S412).

  During printing by the printer device 50, the control unit 41 counts the remaining amount of fabric, the amount of used fabric, the remaining printing time, the elapsed printing time, etc., and notifies each item set in the queue setting file F3. It is determined whether the condition is satisfied. When it is determined that the notification condition is satisfied, the user is notified of the current printer status and the current value of the item satisfying the notification condition by the set notification means. That is, when the notification means includes a mail, an electronic mail for notifying the current printer status and the current value of the item satisfying the notification condition is created and transmitted to the set mail address. When a warning is included in the notification means, the current value of the item satisfying the current printer status and notification conditions is displayed in a pop-up on the display unit 43 for a predetermined time. In addition, when the elapsed printing time exceeds the printing time stored in the queue setting file F3, or when the amount of used fabric exceeds the maximum printing length, the continuous printing process is stopped.

  When printing is completed (step S413), 1 is added to the variable N (step S414), and it is determined whether N> the number of continuous print jobs (step S415). If it is determined that N> not a continuous print job (step S415; NO), the process returns to step S408, and printing is performed based on a continuous print job with priority N. If it is determined that N> the number of continuous print jobs (step S415; YES), the queue setting file F3 is referred to and it is determined whether the setting for leaving print jobs is ON (step S416). If it is determined that the setting for leaving a print job is OFF (step S416; NO), the continuous print job is deleted from the continuous print job list F2 (step S417), and the continuous print process ends. If it is determined that the setting to leave a print job is ON (step S414; YES), the continuous print job is terminated without deleting the continuous print job from the continuous print job list F2. And a process transfers to step S47 of FIG. 10B.

  In step S47 of FIG. 10B, it is determined whether or not an instruction to shift to another screen is input by the operation unit 42 (step S47). If it is determined by the operation unit 42 that an instruction to shift to another screen has not been input (step S47; NO), the process returns to step S22. When it is determined that an instruction to shift to another screen is input by the operation unit 42 (step S47; YES), the continuous print job management process ends.

  It should be noted that the processing object when each button except the delete button 440a described above is pressed from the new continuous print job management screen 440 is the continuous print job stored in the new continuous print job list F21 created together with the screen 440. It is. The operation when each button is pressed from the new continuous print job management screen 440 is the same as the above-described continuous print job management process except that there is no new queue creation step in steps S26 to S30 in FIG. 10A. .

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 30, the print job management screen 431 is displayed on the display unit 43 based on the print job information transmitted from the client terminals 10 and 20, and the job list on the print job management screen 431 is displayed. The print job management means for executing the print job selected as the print target by the operation unit 42 from the print jobs displayed on the screen and causing the printer device 50 to perform printing, and the prints displayed in a list on the print job management screen 431 A print job selected as a target of continuous printing by the operation unit 42 from among the jobs is registered in the continuous print job list, and the continuous print jobs registered in the continuous print job list are sequentially executed and continuously printed on the printer device 50. Continuous print job management means for performing

  Therefore, since a print job for performing individual printing and a continuous print job for performing a plurality of continuous printings are managed separately, it is possible to perform continuous printing without affecting a normal print job. In addition, it is possible to easily change the information that the continuous print job has after registration, and to improve the work efficiency of the operator.

  When the edit button 432g is pressed from the continuous print job management screen 432, the fabric information set for the continuous print job registered in the continuous print job list can be changed from the fabric edit screen 436. When the fabric information of the continuous print job becomes necessary after registration in the print job list, it can be easily changed, and convenience is improved. The fabric edit screen 436 is provided with a batch / individual selection button. When “collective” is selected, the fabric information set in a plurality of continuous print jobs of the same name registered in the continuous print job list. Are collectively changed, it becomes easy to edit the contents of the fabric information of the same name.

  When the queue setting button 432i is pressed from the continuous print job management screen 432, whether or not printing is permitted when continuous print jobs of two or more kinds of fabrics are registered in the continuous print job list at the start of continuous printing. In addition, since it is possible to set in advance whether to issue a warning, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use image forming apparatus.

  When the rearrangement button 432f is pressed from the continuous print job management screen 432, among the continuous print jobs registered in the continuous print job list, the job selected by the operation unit 42 is set as the first print order, and Since the print order of a continuous print job in which the same fabric information as that of the continuous print job is set is automatically rearranged so as to be continuous with the continuous print job, the continuous print job using the same fabric that does not require the cloth to be attached or detached Continuous printing can be easily performed.

  Also, when the background color button 432h is pressed from the continuous print job management screen 432, the background color included in the continuous print job selected by the operation unit 42 can be changed. The background color can be easily changed. Further, when the “collective” of the collective / single selection button 436a is pressed, the background colors of all the continuous print jobs in which the same fabric information as the selected continuous print job is set are collectively changed. It becomes easy to change the background color for a plurality of continuous print jobs for which information is set. This makes it easier for the operator to recognize jobs by fabric.

  Further, in the continuous print job management screen 432, the registration of the continuous print job registered in the continuous print job list can be deleted when printing is not being performed, so it is possible to avoid performing unnecessary printing. Become.

  Further, when the queue setting button 432i is pressed on the continuous print job management screen 432, the notification condition for notifying the current status of the printer device 50 and the current value such as the use status of the fabric and the mail address of the notification destination Can be set, and when the set notification condition is satisfied during printing, the current status of the printer device 50 and the current value of the fabric usage are notified to the set mail address. Since the electronic mail is transmitted, the user can know that the printer device 50 is in the notification condition state even at a position away from the printer device 50.

  The continuous print job management screen 432 accepts the start of continuous printing even when the start button 432j is pressed during execution of the print job, and the printer device 50 transitions from a printing state to a printable state. Since the continuous printing is started at this time, the user can instruct the start of the continuous print job without waiting for the end of the print job. If the fabric name of the print job being printed is different from the fabric name of the continuous print job, a pop-up screen warning that effect is displayed on the display unit 43.

  In addition, when the new queue creation button 432l is pressed, the continuous print job management screen 432 displays a new continuous for registering a continuous print job in which designated fabric information is set separately from other continuous print jobs. When the print job list is created and the fabric information designated for the continuous print target print job newly selected by the operation unit 42 from the job list displayed on the print job management screen 431 is set, the continuous print Register the target print job in the created new continuous print job list. Therefore, it is possible to manage continuous print jobs for each fabric.

  Other functions that change the printing order of continuous print jobs registered in the continuous print job list according to operations from the continuous print job management screen 432, and completion of printing based on the continuous print jobs registered in the continuous print job list Thereafter, a function for selecting whether or not to delete the continuous print job, a maximum print length, a function for causing the printer device 50 to perform continuous printing based on the continuous print job until the maximum print length is reached, and a print time are set. A function for performing continuous printing based on a continuous print job registered in the printer device 50 until the printing time is reached, and when the remaining amount of fabric usable for printing falls below a predetermined set value Since a function for outputting a warning or the like can be realized, an easy-to-use image forming apparatus can be provided.

  In addition, the description content in the said embodiment is a suitable example of this invention, and is not limited to this.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus using a recording medium as a fabric has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus using a recording medium as paper. The present invention may be applied.

  For example, in the above description, an example in which an HDD or a semiconductor nonvolatile memory is used as a computer-readable medium of the program according to the present invention is disclosed, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As another computer-readable medium, a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM can be applied. Further, a carrier wave is also applied as a medium for providing program data according to the present invention via a communication line.

  In addition, the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each apparatus constituting the image forming system 100 can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Client terminal 11 Control part 12 Operation part 13 Display part 14 Communication part 15 Storage part 16 Bus | bath 20 Client terminal 30 Image forming apparatus 31 Transport unit 32 Scan unit 33 Incrack 40 Server apparatus 41 Control part 42 Operation part 43 Display part 44 Communication Unit 45 Storage unit USB device 47 PCI device 48 Bus 50 Printer device 100 Image forming system 151 RIP program 311 Conveying belt 321 Carriage rail 322 Carriage 331 Ink tank 431 Print job management screen 432 Continuous print job management screen 432a Continuous print job display field 432b Top button 432c Up button 432d Down button 432e Back button 432f Rearrange button 432g Edit button 432h Background color button 432i Setting button 432j Start button 432k Release button 432l New queue creation button 433 Queue setting screen 434 Notification setting screen 435 New queue creation screen 436 Fabric edit screen 437 Fabric name change screen 438 Background color change screen 439 Warning screen 440 New continuous print job management screen NT communication network

Claims (14)

An image forming apparatus that is connected to a client terminal and includes an operation unit, a display unit, and a printing unit that performs printing on a recording medium based on print job information transmitted from the client terminal,
Print job information displayed on the display unit based on the print job information transmitted from the client terminal, and selected from the print job information displayed on the display unit as a print target by the operation unit Print job management means for causing the printing means to perform printing, and
Continuous print job management means for managing a print job as a continuous print job in order to perform continuous printing,
The print job information includes information on the type of recording medium used at the time of printing, and at least one piece of information regarding processing for the recording medium at the end of printing or processing for detecting an end of the recording medium. Has been
The continuous print job management means includes:
A continuous print job registration function for registering, in the continuous print job list, a print job selected as a continuous print target by the operation unit from the print job information displayed on the display unit; When a print job is registered in the job list, all of the registered continuous print jobs are printed on the printing unit, and the registered continuous print job and information on the continuous print job are displayed on the display unit. is displayed,
The continuous print job management means includes:
Information of at least one of processing for a recording medium at the end of printing of a plurality of continuous printing jobs registered in the continuous print job list and having the same information on the type of the recording medium, or processing when an end of the recording medium is detected An image forming apparatus provided with a recording medium information editing unit that collectively changes . The continuous print job managing means rearranges two or more continuous print jobs in descending order of priority according to an instruction input by an operator when two or more continuous print jobs are registered in the continuous print job list. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a replacement unit . When two or more continuous print jobs are registered in the continuous print job list, the continuous print job management unit assigns priority to the two or more continuous print jobs according to the priority assigned to the continuous print job. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an automatic rearrangement unit that automatically rearranges the images in descending order . The continuous print job management means sets whether to permit printing or issue a warning when continuous print jobs of two or more recording media are registered in the continuous print job list at the start of continuous printing. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a continuous print setting unit. The continuous print job management unit sets the printing order of the continuous print job selected by the operation unit to be first, and prints another continuous print job in which information of the same recording medium type as the continuous print job is set. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a rearrangement unit that rearranges the order so that the print order is continuous with the first continuous print job. The continuous print job information includes information about a background color,
The image according to claim 1, wherein the continuous print job management unit includes a background color changing unit that changes a background color included in print job information of a continuous print job selected by the operation unit. Forming equipment. 7. The background color changing unit according to claim 6, wherein the background color changing unit collectively changes the background color of all the continuous print jobs in which information of the same recording medium type as the continuous print job selected by the operation unit is set. Image forming apparatus. The continuous print job management means includes:
Means for changing the printing order of a plurality of registered continuous print jobs when a plurality of continuous print jobs are registered in the continuous print job list;
Means for selecting by operation of the operating means whether or not to delete one or more continuous print jobs after completion of printing based on the continuous print jobs registered in the continuous print job list;
Means for setting a maximum print length according to the operation of the operation means, and causing the printing means to perform continuous printing based on the registered continuous print job until the maximum print length is reached;
Means for setting a printing time according to the operation of the operation means, and causing the printing means to perform continuous printing based on the registered continuous print job until the printing time is reached;
Means for outputting a warning when the remaining amount of the recording medium usable for printing falls below a predetermined set value;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, including all of the above. The continuous print job management means includes:
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a deletion unit that deletes registration of the continuous print job when the continuous print job selected by the operation unit is not in the printing. The continuous print job management means includes:
A notification condition setting unit for setting a notification condition for notifying the status of the printing unit and the usage status of the recording medium and a mail address of a notification destination;
Notification means for sending an e-mail for notifying the printer status and recording medium usage status to the set e-mail address when the notification condition set by the notification condition setting means is satisfied;
An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.   The continuous print job management means, when the printing means is printing under the control of the print job management means, when the operation means is instructed to start printing based on the continuous print job, the printing means The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein continuous printing is started when the printer transits from a printing state to a printable state. The continuous print job management means includes:
A new continuous print job list is created for registering a continuous print job set with information on the type of recording medium designated by the operation means separately from other continuous print jobs, and is displayed on the display means. If the information on the type of the designated recording medium is set in the print job to be continuously printed that is newly selected by the operation means from the print job information, the print job to be continuously printed is created. New continuous print job registration means for registering in the new continuous print job list,
New continuous print job deletion means for deleting the new continuous print job list created by the new continuous print job registration means;
An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11 .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a device that performs printing using a fabric as a recording medium. The continuous print job management means is instructed to start printing based on the continuous print job by the operation means when the printing means is printing under the control of the print job management means, and the print job being printed The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a warning is issued when information on a type of recording medium differs between the continuous print job and the continuous print job.

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