Abstract:
A medium stores computer executable programs. The programs cause an information processing apparatus being capable of data communication with an image recording apparatus to perform: generating image data of an image to be recorded; in a case of receiving manual double-sided printing instruction based on the generated image data, transmitting first image data of an image to be recorded on a first surface of a recording medium, together with a recording instruction based on the first image data and identification information to the image recording apparatus; and transmitting second image data of an image to be recorded on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the recording medium, together with a recording instruction based on the second image data and the same identification information as that transmitted with the first image data to the image recording apparatus, after transmitting the first image data.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-067547 filed on Mar. 28, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to programs for an information processing apparatus, an image recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium and an information processing method. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    There has been known a printer driver having a manual double-sided printing function in which an image is printed (recorded) on one surface of a paper, and then a user turns the paper over to set it on a paper feeding tray again, and a remaining image is printed on the other surface of the paper (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-23991, for example). This makes it possible to perform double-sided printing even in a printer not including a sophisticated feeder to invert a paper. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    However, in a case of performing manual double-sided printing, if printing of an irrelevant image is executed by a command from a different user during a period of time from the user sets the paper having an image printed on one surface thereof on the paper feeding tray till processing to print an image on the other surface of the paper is executed, the irrelevant image is printed on the other surface of the paper. 
         [0007]    An object of the present teaching is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of, on the occasion of executing manual double-sided recording, after a recording medium having an image recorded on one surface thereof is set on a supply tray, preventing an irrelevant image from being recorded on the other surface of the recording medium, and programs for an information processing apparatus. 
         [0008]    According to a first aspect of the present teaching, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer executable programs that, when executed by a processor, cause an information processing apparatus being capable of data communication with an image recording apparatus and including an operation unit to perform: generating image data of an image to be recorded; in a case of receiving manual double-sided printing instruction based on the generated image data via the operation unit, transmitting first image data of an image to be recorded on a first surface of a recording medium, together with a recording instruction based on the first image data and identification information, to the image recording apparatus, the first image data being included in the generated image data; and transmitting second image data of an image to be recorded on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the recording medium, together with a recording instruction based on the second image data and the same identification information as that transmitted with the first image data, to the image recording apparatus, after transmitting the first image data, the second image data being included in the generated image data, wherein in a case of transmitting the first image data, the programs cause the information processing apparatus to transmit a restriction instruction, to the image recording apparatus, to restrict supply of another recording medium from a supply tray of the image recording apparatus in image recording to be performed based on a recording instruction without the same identification information as that transmitted with the first image data. 
         [0009]    According to a second aspect of the present teaching, there is provided an image recording apparatus including: a communication unit configured to be capable of executing data communication with an information processing apparatus; a recording unit configured to record an image on a recording medium; a supply tray configured to hold the recording medium to be supplied to the recording unit; and a controller configured to control the communication unit and the recording unit, wherein in a case that the communication unit receives first image data of an image to be recorded on a first surface of the recording medium, a recording instruction based on the first image data, identification information, and a restriction instruction to restrict supply of another recording medium from the supply tray in image recording to be performed based on a recording instruction without the same identification information as that received together with the first image data, the controller is configured to start restriction of supply of another recording medium from the supply tray, during a period of time from start of recording of the image based on the first image data on the first surface to completion of the recording, and in a case that the communication unit receives second image data of an image to be recorded on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the recording medium, a recording instruction based on the second image data, and the same identification information as that received together with the first image data, the controller is configured to release the restriction of the supply of another recording medium from the supply tray, after recording of the image based on the second image data on the second surface is started. 
         [0010]    According to a third aspect of the present teaching, there is provided an image recording apparatus including: a communication unit configured to be capable of executing data communication with an information processing apparatus; a recording unit configured to record an image on a recording medium; a supply tray configured to hold the recording medium to be supplied to the recording unit and to be openable and closable; a sensor configured to output signals indicating an open state and a closed state of the supply tray; and a controller configured to control the communication unit and the recording unit, wherein in a case that the communication unit receives first image data of an image to be recorded on a first surface of the recording medium, a recording instruction based on the first image data, identification information, and a restriction instruction to restrict supply of another recording medium from the supply tray in image recording to be performed based on a recording instruction without the same identification information as that received together with the first image data, the controller is configured to start restriction of supply of another recording medium from the supply tray, after recording of the image based on the first image data on the first surface is completed and during a period of time from the sensor outputs the signal indicating the open state of the supply tray till the sensor outputs the signal indicating the closed state of the supply tray, and in a case that the communication unit receives second image data of an image to be recorded on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the recording medium, a recording instruction based on the second image data, and the same identification information as that received together with the first image data, the controller is configured to release the restriction of the supply of another recording medium from the supply tray, after recording of the image based on the second image data on the second surface is started. 
         [0011]    According to fourth aspect of the present teaching, there is provided an information processing method to be executed by an information processing apparatus being capable of data communication with an image recording apparatus and comprising an operation unit, the information processing method including: generating image data of an image to be recorded; in a case of receiving manual double-sided printing instruction based on the generated image data via the operation unit, transmitting first image data of an image to be recorded on a first surface of a recording medium, together with a recording instruction based on the first image data and identification information, to the image recording apparatus, the first image data being included in the generated image data; and transmitting second image data of an image to be recorded on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the recording medium, together with a recording instruction based on the second image data and the same identification information as that transmitted with the first image data, to the image recording apparatus, after transmitting the first image data, the second image data being included in the generated image data, wherein in a case of transmitting the first image data, a restriction instruction, which restricts supply of another recording medium from a supply tray of the image recording apparatus in image recording to be performed based on a recording instruction without the same identification information as that transmitted with the first image data, is transmitted to the image recording apparatus. 
         [0012]    According to the present teachings, on the occasion of executing manual double-sided recording, a supply tray to be used for image recording on a second surface is restricted by a restriction instruction transmitted together with the first image data. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an irrelevant image from being recorded on the second surface of the recording medium set on the supply tray. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a schematic side view illustrating inside of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present teaching. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of the printer illustrated in  FIG. 1  and a PC. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show a flowchart illustrating processing procedures of manual double-sided printing executed by a driver installed in the PC illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  are examples of a setting window and a notification window to be displayed on the PC illustrated in  FIG. 2  respectively. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  are examples of print instructions to be displayed on the PC illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0018]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  show a flowchart illustrating processing procedures of manual double-sided printing executed by the printer illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is an example of a display screen to be displayed on the printer illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0020]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  show a flowchart illustrating processing procedures of manual double-sided printing executed by the printer according to a second embodiment of the present teaching. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
       [0021]    Hereinafter, there will be explained a first embodiment of the present teaching in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In this embodiment, the present teaching is applied to a printer and a driver that is installed in a personal computer (an information terminal apparatus) for the purpose of controlling the printer. 
         [0022]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a printer  1  has an upper casing  11  and a lower casing  12  each having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Incidentally, of the printer  1 , the left side surface in  FIG. 1  is a front surface  3 , and the right side surface in  FIG. 1  is a rear surface  4 . The upper casing  11  has an opening in a lower surface, and the lower casing  12  has an opening in an upper surface. The upper casing  11  is coupled to the lower casing  12  to be able to pivot on a horizontal pivot shaft  13 . On the front surface  3  of the upper casing  11 , a paper feeding tray  16  is provided. One end of the paper feeding tray  16  is fixed to a horizontal pivot shaft  3   a  provided on the vicinity of the front surface  3  to be able to easily pivot thereon. The paper feeding tray  16  can be brought into a closed position coming close to the front surface  3  and an open position separated from the front surface  3 . On the front surface  3 , a tray open/close sensor  19  is provided. The tray open/close sensor  19  outputs OFF when the paper feeding tray  16  is at a closed position and outputs ON when the paper feeding tray  16  is at an open position. An upper surface of each of papers P mounted on a mounting surface (an upper surface) of the paper feeding tray  16  at an open position is a surface to be printed. On a top surface of the upper casing  11 , a paper discharge tray  15  is provided. Onto the paper discharge tray  15 , the paper P on which printing has been completed is discharged sequentially with a printed surface facing downward. 
         [0023]    Further, in an inner space of the printer  1 , an ink-jet head  2 , a paper feeding tray  20 , a conveying mechanism  30 , and a platen  9  are disposed. The paper feeding tray  20  can hold plural papers P in a stacked state, and is disposed on a bottom surface of the lower casing  12  to be easily attachable/detachable. A lower surface of each of the papers P stacked in the paper feeding tray  20  is a surface to be printed. 
         [0024]    The ink-jet head  2  has a jetting surface on its lower surface. On the jetting surface, a plurality of nozzles from which ink drops are jetted are formed. The platen  9  is a plate member supporting the paper, and is fixed to the lower casing  12  to face the jetting surface of the ink-jet head  2  when the upper casing  11  is at a closed position. 
         [0025]    The conveying mechanism  30  constitutes a conveyance route of the paper P that is conveyed from the paper feeding tray  16  or the paper feeding tray  20  to the paper discharge tray  15  through a space between the ink-jet head  2  and the platen  9 . The conveying mechanism  30  includes a pickup roller  31 , nip rollers  32   a  to  32   f , and guides  33   a  to  33   e . The nip roller  32   f  delivers the papers P stacked on the paper feeding tray  16  one by one from the top. The pickup roller  31  delivers the papers P stacked in the paper feeding tray  20  one by one from the top. The nip rollers  32   a  to  32   e  are disposed along the conveyance route to apply a conveyance force to the paper P. The guide  33   a  is disposed between the pickup roller  31  and the nip roller  32   a , the guide  33   b  is disposed between the nip roller  32   a  and the nip roller  32   b , the guide  33   c  is disposed between the nip roller  32   c  and the nip roller  32   d , and the guide  33   d  is disposed between the nip roller  32   d  and the nip roller  32   e  on the conveyance route, and the guides  33   a  to  33   d  guide the paper P to which a conveyance force is applied by each of the nip rollers  32   a  to  32   e . The guide  33   e  guides the paper P delivered by the nip roller  32   f  to the nip roller  32   b . While the paper P conveyed by the conveying mechanism  30  passing through between the ink-jet head  2  and the platen  9 , an image is printed on a printing surface of the paper P by ink drops jetted from the nozzles of the ink-jet head  2 . The paper P on which the image has been printed is further conveyed by the conveying mechanism  30  and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray  15 . 
         [0026]    On the immediate downstream side of the nip roller  32   b  on the conveyance route, a paper sensor  18  is disposed. When a downstream-side end portion in the conveyance direction of the paper P that is being conveyed by the conveying mechanism in the conveyance direction passes below the paper sensor  18 , an output signal of the paper sensor  18  changes. By the timing at which the output signal of the paper sensor  18  changes, the jet timing of ink drops to be jetted from the nozzles of the ink-jet head  2  is determined. 
         [0027]    The printer  1  has a controller  1   p . The controller  1   p  is provided with a CPU  51 , a ROM  52 , and a RAM  53  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Further, the controller  1   p  is electrically connected to a flash memory  54 , a network interface  55 , the head  2 , the conveying mechanism  30 , a touch panel  17 , the paper sensor  18 , and the tray open/close sensor  19 . 
         [0028]    The touch panel  17  is a user interface provided with an input function and a display function, and displays an operation condition of the printer  1  and accepts an input manipulation by a user. 
         [0029]    In the ROM  52 , firmware being a control program  52   a  used for controlling the printer  1 , various settings, initial values, and the like are stored. The RAM  53  and the flash memory  54  are used as a working area from which various control programs are read, or a storage area in which data are stored temporarily. Further, in the flash memory  54 , tray lock information  54   a  indicating whether or not uses of the paper feeding trays  16  and  20  are locked is stored. In the tray lock information  54   a , information on whether or not each of the paper feeding trays  16  and  20  is locked (use is regulated) is stored. Further, when each of the paper feeding trays  16  and  20  is locked, a user ID of a user who locked the paper feeding tray and a lock start time are stored. Further, in the flash memory  54 , as unique information of the printer  1 , an IP (Internet Protocol) address and the like are stored. 
         [0030]    The CPU  51  controls individual components of the printer  1  while storing processing results in the RAM  53  or the flash memory  54  in accordance with the control program  52   a  read from the ROM  52  and signals transmitted from various sensors. 
         [0031]    The network interface  55  performs transmission and reception of data with various apparatuses such as a PC (Personal Computer)  70  connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) to which the printer  1  is connected. The transmission and reception of data may be performed by communication in a wireless system, or may also be performed by communication in a wired system. 
         [0032]    The printer  1  executes the control program  52   a  in accordance with commands received from the touch panel  17  or the PC  70  via the LAN (the network interface  55 ), to thereby execute various processings including printing processing. When the printing processing is executed, an image of print data received with the command is printed on the paper by the ink-jet head  2 . 
         [0033]    The PC  70  has a CPU  71 , a ROM  72 , a RAM  73 , a HDD (Hard Disk Drive)  74 , a network interface  75 , an input interface  76  (an example of an operation unit), and a display interface  77 . 
         [0034]    The network interface  75  performs transmission and reception of data with various apparatuses connected to the LAN to which the PC  70  is connected. The transmission and reception of data may be performed by communication in a wireless system, or may also be performed by communication in a wired system. In  FIG. 2 , the network interface  75  is connected to the network interface  55  of the printer  1  via the LAN. Thereby, the PC  70  and the printer  1  can perform data communication with each other. 
         [0035]    To the input interface  76 , an input device (a mouse and a keyboard)  76   a  is connected, and to the display interface  77 , a display device (a monitor)  77   a  is connected. In the HDD  74 , an OS (Operating System)  80  is installed. The OS  80  includes a registry  80   a  in which management information regarding individual installed drivers, and the like are stored. In the HDD  74 , an application program  81 , and printer drivers  82  and  83  are installed. The printer driver  82  corresponds to the printer  1 , and the printer driver  83  corresponds to another type of printer. The CPU  71  executes the printer drivers  82  and  83 , thereby controlling operations of the printers corresponding to the executed printer drivers  82  and  83 . 
         [0036]    The printer driver  82  can make the printer  1  execute manual double-sided printing processing, in addition to normal printing processing. The manual double-sided printing processing is that printing is performed on one surface (to be referred to as a first surface, hereinafter) of a paper, and then a user is made to set the paper with the printed first surface on the paper feeding tray again, and a remaining image is printed on the other surface (to be referred to as a second surface, hereinafter) of the paper. This allows even the printer  1  that is not provided with a sophisticated conveying mechanism that inverts a paper to perform double-sided printing. 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIG. 3A  to  FIG. 5 , there will be explained in detail operation procedures of the manual double-sided printing processing executed by the CPU  71  in accordance with the printer driver  82 . 
         [0038]    First, when by the input device  76   a , a print request of displayed document data or the like is input in the application program  81  such as a document creation application executed by the CPU  71 , the application program  81  displays a print instruction window. The print instruction window includes a pull-down menu used for selecting either the printer driver  82  or the printer driver  83  installed in the PC  70 , a print instruction icon, and a print setting icon. When the print setting icon is selected by the input device  76   a , by the printer driver  82  or the print driver  83  selected on the pull-down menu, a setting window illustrated in  FIG. 4A  is further displayed. A user manipulates the input device  76   a , to thereby select a paper size (“A4” in  FIG. 4A ), an orientation (“portrait” in  FIG. 4A ), a layout (“1 in 1” in  FIG. 4A ), a method of the double-sided printing processing (“manual” in  FIG. 4A ), and a paper feeding tray to be used for printing processing of the second surface (“tray 1” in  FIG. 4A ). Incidentally, in  FIG. 4A , “tray 1” corresponds to the paper feeding tray  16 . 
         [0039]    Further, the user selects whether or not to regulate use of the paper feeding tray to be used for printing processing of the second surface, (which has been already set in the processing above), for another printing (perform tray lock) by the time when printing of the second surface is started after printing of the first surface is completed. When selecting to regulate use of the paper feeding tray (tray lock ON), the user inputs the user ID as identification information to identify print data. When an OK icon is selected, the print setting is completed. 
         [0040]    Thereafter, when the print instruction icon is selected on the print instruction window, the print instruction being input is transmitted to the printer driver  82  via the OS  80 . Then, the CPU  71  executes the manual double-sided printing processing illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  in accordance with the printer driver  82 . First, the CPU  71  generates print data of the first surface and the second surface based on a data file of the document data with the print request input in the application program  81  (generation processing: S 101  and S 102 ). The CPU  71  determines whether or not the tray lock is ON by the print setting (S 103 ). When the CPU  71  determines that the tray lock is not ON (S 103 : NO), the processing proceeds to S 110  (to be explained later). 
         [0041]    When determining that the tray lock is ON (S 103 : YES), the CPU  71  obtains the number of paper feeding trays of the printer  1  (S 104 ), and determines whether or not plural paper feeding trays exist (S 105 ). For example, in this embodiment, the printer  1  has the two paper feeding trays  16  and  20 . When determining that plural paper feeding trays do not exist (S 105 : NO), the CPU  71  notifies the user that the tray lock is impossible (S 106 ) as illustrated in  FIG. 4B , and the processing proceeds to S 110 . When determining that plural paper feeding trays exist (S 105 : YES), the CPU  71  determines whether or not lock of the specified paper feeding tray is possible (S 107 ). The case where lock is not possible includes the case where the paper feeding tray is already locked by a different print command, and the like. When lock of the specified paper feeding tray is not possible (S 107 : NO), the CPU  71  notifies the user that the tray lock is impossible (S 106 ), and the processing proceeds to S 110 . 
         [0042]    When lock of the specified paper feeding tray is possible (S 107 : YES), the CPU  71  adds a tray lock command (an example of a restriction instruction) to the print data of the first surface (S 108 ), and adds the user ID (see  FIG. 4A ) to each of the print data of the first surface and the print data of the second surface (S 109 ). Then, the processing proceeds to S 110 . 
         [0043]    The CPU  71 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5A , displays a first instruction window urging the user to execute printing of the first surface on the display device  77   a  (S 110 ). The CPU  71  determines whether or not a print instruction to the first instruction window is input by the user based on whether or not an OK icon on the first instruction window is selected by the input device  76   a  (S 111 ). When determining that a cancel icon is selected by the input device  76   a , namely when determining that no print instruction is input (S 111 :NO), the CPU  71  discontinues the manual double-sided printing, and finishes the processing illustrated in a flowchart in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . When determining that a print instruction is input (S 111 : YES), the CPU  71  creates a print job by the print data of the first surface (including the tray lock command and the user ID added in the above-described processing) and the command to execute the printing processing (including the specification of the paper feeding tray) to transmit the created print job to the printer  1  (S 112 ). 
         [0044]    The CPU  71 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5B , displays a second instruction window urging the user to execute printing of the second surface on the display device  77   a  (S 113 ). The CPU  71  determines whether or not a print instruction to the second instruction window is input by the user based on whether or not an OK icon on the second instruction window is selected by the input device  76   a  (S 114 ). When determining that a cancel icon is selected by the input device  76   a , namely when determining that no print instruction is input (S 114 : NO), the CPU  71  discontinues the manual double-sided printing, and finishes the processing illustrated in the flowchart in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . When determining that a print instruction is input (S 114 : YES), the CPU  71  creates a print job by the print data of the second surface (including the user ID added in the above-described processing) and the command to execute the printing processing (including the specification of the paper feeding tray) to transmit the created print job to the printer  1  (S 115 ). Then, the CPU  71  finishes the processing illustrated in the flowchart in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
         [0045]    Next, there will be explained operation procedures of the printer  1  in the printing processing with reference to  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B and  7 . The CPU  51  waits until the CPU  51  receives the print job from the PC  70  (S 201 : NO). When receiving the print job from the PC  70  (S 201 : YES), the CPU  51  refers to the tray lock information  54   a  and determines whether or not the paper feeding tray specified by the command contained in the received print job is locked (S 202 ). When determining that the paper feeding tray is not locked (S 202 : NO), the CPU  51  executes the printing processing in accordance with the received print job (S 203 ). While executing the printing processing, the CPU  51  determines whether or not the tray lock command is added to the received print job (whether or not data is the print data of the first surface) (S 204 ). This determination may also be performed before the printing processing starts. When determining that the tray lock command is not added (S 204 : NO), the CPU  51  finishes the processing illustrated in a flowchart in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
         [0046]    When determining that the tray lock command is added to the print job (S 204 : YES), the CPU  51  locks the specified paper feeding tray and stores the fact that the specified paper feeding tray is locked, the user ID of the user who locked the paper feeding tray, and the lock start time in the tray lock information  54   a  at the time when the printing processing is completed (S 205 ). Then, the CPU  51  finishes the processing illustrated in the flowchart in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
         [0047]    When determining that the paper feeding tray specified by the command contained in the print job is locked (S 202 : YES), the CPU  51  refers to the tray lock information  54   a  and determines whether or not an elapsed time from the lock start time regarding the paper feeding tray exceeds a previously determined time-out time (predetermined time) (S 206 ). When determining that the elapsed time exceeds the time-out time (S 206 : YES), the CPU  51  releases the lock of the specified paper feeding tray and stores the fact that the specified paper feeding tray is not locked in the tray lock information  54   a  (S 207 ). Then, the CPU  51  proceeds to S 203  and executes the printing processing. 
         [0048]    When determining that the elapsed time does not exceed the time-out time (S 206 : NO), the CPU  51  determines whether or not the user ID added to the received print data and the user ID of the user who locked the paper feeding tray that is stored in the tray lock information  54   a  match each other (whether or not data is the print data of the second surface) (S 208 ). When determining that the user ID added to the received print data and the user ID of the user who locked the paper feeding tray match each other (S 208 : YES), the CPU  51  executes the printing processing in accordance with the received print job (S 209 ). Then, the CPU  51  releases the lock of the specified paper feeding tray and stores the fact that the specified paper feeding tray is not locked in the tray lock information  54   a  (S 210 ) after the printing processing starts. Then, the CPU  51  finishes the processing illustrated in the flowchart in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . Incidentally, the timing at which the lock is released is not limited to the time during the printing processing, may be at the time of completion of the printing processing, or may also be after that as long as it is after start of the printing processing. However, it is preferably immediately after start of the printing processing. 
         [0049]    When determining that the user ID added to the received print data and the user ID of the user who locked the paper feeding tray do not match each other (S 208 : NO), as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the CPU  51  notifies the user of a message indicating that the specified paper feeding tray is locked (S 211 ) and of a message urging the user to select the other usable paper feeding tray and to change the specified paper feeding tray (S 212 ) on the touch panel  17 . The CPU  51  determines whether or not the user manipulates the touch panel  17  to change selection of the paper feeding tray (S 213 ). When determining that the user did not change selection of the paper feeding tray (S 213 : NO), the CPU  51  finishes the processing illustrated in the flowchart in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . When determining that the user changed selection of the paper feeding tray (S 213 : YES), the CPU  51  proceeds to S 202  and executes the above-described processing repeatedly for the changed paper feeding tray. 
         [0050]    As explained in detail above, according to the printer driver  82  and the printer  1  in this embodiment, in the manual double-sided printing, the supply tray to be used for printing on the second surface is reserved by the print job of the first surface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an irrelevant image from being printed on the second surface of the paper set on the supply tray. 
         [0051]    Further, the paper feeding tray to be used for the printing processing of the second surface (see  FIG. 4A ) can be selected from the paper feeding trays  16  and  20  on the setting window by the printer driver  82 , so that the supply tray according to the user&#39;s desire can be used. 
         [0052]    Further, the PC  70  obtains the number of paper feeding trays controlled by the CPU  51  and performs the tray lock only in the case when the obtained number of paper feeding trays is plural, so that it is possible to shorten the time during which printing performed by a different user is regulated. 
         [0053]    Further, in the manual double-sided printing, the same user ID is given to the print data of the first surface and the print data of the second surface, to thereby make the both associated with each other, so that the processing is simplified. 
         [0054]    Further, when the elapsed time from the lock start time exceeds the time-out time, the lock is released, so that it is possible to prevent the time of the paper feeding tray being locked from being prolonged more than necessary. 
         [0055]    Additionally, only the single supply tray is locked when the manual double-sided printing is performed one time, so that there is no case that the supply tray is locked unnecessarily. 
         [0056]    Further, when the specified paper feeding tray is locked, the user is urged to change the specified paper feeding tray to the other usable paper feeding tray. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently use the supply tray. 
       Modified Example 
       [0057]    In this embodiment, the user ID is used as the identification information used for performing the association of the print data of the first surface and the print data of the second surface, but as long as the association can be performed, all the types of identification information are applied. The identification information may be, for example, a user account to be used when a user logs in to a network, or may also be unique information of a transmission source apparatus (for example, the PC  70 ). Further, it may also be an ID that the printer driver issues every time it generates print data. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0058]    There will be explained a second embodiment of the present teaching with reference to  FIGS. 8A and 8B . Incidentally, the same symbols and numerals are given to substantially the same members and processing procedures as those in the first embodiment, and their explanations are omitted. This embodiment is different in operation procedure of the printer in the printing processing from the first embodiment, so that the operation procedure of the printer in the printing processing will be explained below. In the first embodiment, the tray open/close sensor  19  outputs OFF when the paper feeding tray  16  is at a closed position and outputs ON when the paper feeding tray  16  is at an open position, but in this embodiment, the tray open/close sensor  19  outputs the same signals with regard also to the paper feeding tray  20 . 
         [0059]    As illustrated in  FIG. 8A , the CPU  51  determines whether or not the tray lock command is added to the received print job (whether or not data is the print data of the first surface) (S 204 ). When determining that the tray lock command is not added (S 204 : NO), the CPU  51  finishes processing illustrated in a flowchart in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . When determining that the tray lock command is added (S 204 : YES), the CPU  51  waits until the tray open/close sensor  19  is turned ON with regard to the specified paper feeding tray to be used for the printing processing of the second surface (S 301 : NO). When determining that the tray open/close sensor  19  is turned ON (S 301 : YES), the CPU  51  locks the specified paper feeding tray and stores the fact that the specified paper feeding tray is locked and the user ID of the user who locked the specified paper feeding tray, and the lock start time in the tray lock information  54   a  (S 205 ). Then, the CPU  51  finishes the processing illustrated in the flowchart in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . The other processings are the same as those in the first embodiment, so that their explanations are omitted. 
         [0060]    As explained in detail above, according to the printer driver  82  and the printer  1  of this embodiment, when the manual double-sided printing is executed, the supply tray to be used for printing on the second surface is reserved by the print job of the first surface, so that it is possible to prevent an irrelevant image from being printed on the second surface of the paper set on the supply tray. 
         [0061]    Incidentally, these embodiments are merely examples and are not limited to the present teaching. Thus, it is a matter of course that the present teaching can be variously improved and modified without departing from the spirit of the teaching. For example, the above-described first embodiment is configured that at the time of completion of the printing processing of the first surface, the lock of the specified paper feeding tray is started, but the timing at which the lock of the paper feeding tray is started may be an arbitrary timing as long as it is between the time when the printing processing of the first surface is started and the time when it is completed. 
         [0062]    Further, in the above-described second embodiment, the printing processing of the first surface is completed, and immediately after the signal output from the tray open/close sensor is turned ON with regard to the specified paper feeding tray, the lock of the specified paper feeding tray is started, but the timing at which the lock of the paper feeding tray is started may be an arbitrary timing as long as it is between the time when the signal output from the tray open/close sensor is turned ON and the time when it is turned OFF. 
         [0063]    Further, in the above-described embodiments, the paper feeding tray to be used for the printing processing of the second surface (see  FIG. 4A ) can be selected from the paper feeding trays  16  and  20  on the setting window by the printer driver  82 , but the supply tray that can be used for the printing processing of the second surface may also be determined previously. 
         [0064]    Further, in the above-described embodiments, the PC  70  obtains the number of paper feeding trays of the printer  1  and only in the case when the obtained number of paper feeding trays is plural, the tray lock is performed, but the tray lock may also be performed even when the number of paper feeding trays is one. 
         [0065]    Further, in the above-described embodiments, the lock is released when the elapsed time from the lock start time exceeds the time-out time, but it is also possible that such a time-out time is not provided. 
         [0066]    Additionally, in the above-described embodiments, only the single supply tray is locked when the manual double-sided printing is performed one time, but all the paper feeding trays may also be locked when the manual double-sided printing is performed one time. 
         [0067]    Further, in the above-described embodiments, when the specified paper feeding tray is locked, the user is urged to change the specified paper feeding tray to the other usable paper feeding tray, but it is also possible that such change of selection is not performed. 
         [0068]    Further, the example where the present teaching is applied to the printer has been explained, but the present teaching is applicable to all the apparatuses capable of executing printing processing, and is applicable also to, for example, a facsimile machine.