PRINTING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING PRINTING APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM

Provided is a printing apparatus including: an obtaining unit configured to obtain a print job including first sheet information and margin information from an information processing apparatus, the first sheet information indicating a dimension of a sheet to be used in printing, the margin information indicating whether to provide a margin region in the printing; and a determination unit configured to, in a case where the first sheet information and second sheet information indicating a dimension of a sheet set on a printing apparatus do not match, makes a determination on whether the printing is possible based on region information indicating a printable region and the second sheet information, the printable region being based on the margin information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a technique for performing processing that is based on a print job.

Description of the Related Art

Some inkjet printers intended for personal use are not equipped with a mechanism to load multiple types of print sheets as printable sheets or a function of detecting the type, size, and the like of the sheets loaded in the printer. On the other hand, regarding the types of print sheets, not only plain paper but various types of sheets, such as glossy paper and photographic paper, have been used due to the spread of digital cameras, the improvement in the image quality of inkjet printers, and so on.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-318817 proposes a system which, in a case where a printing apparatus is loaded with sheets of a size that is different from an actual sheet size desired to be used, notifies the user of a possibility of a sheet mismatch.

There has been a demand for a technique that enables printing to be executed as much as possible even in a case where a sheet mismatch occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: an obtaining unit configured to obtain a print job including first sheet information and margin information from an information processing apparatus, the first sheet information indicating a dimension of a sheet to be used in printing, the margin information indicating whether to provide a margin region in the printing; and a determination unit configured to, in a case where the first sheet information and second sheet information indicating a dimension of a sheet set on the printing apparatus do not match, makes a determination on whether the printing is possible based on region information indicating a printable region and the second sheet information, the printable region being based on the margin information.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment does not limit the contents of the present disclosure, and not all of the combinations of the features described in the following embodiment are necessarily essential for the solution provided by the present disclosure. Incidentally, the same elements will be described with the same reference sign given thereto.

First Embodiment

FIG.1is a perspective view illustrating an example of the configuration of a printing apparatus101according to the present disclosure. A structure of the printing apparatus101will now be described with reference toFIG.1. The printing apparatus101has an operation unit102, a carriage103, ink tanks104, conveyance rollers105, sheet discharge rollers106, and a sheet feed port107. Incidentally, the printing method of the printing apparatus used in the present embodiment may be an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, or another method. The printing apparatus101used in the present embodiment is an apparatus capable of performing continuous printing. The operation unit102is an operation region which the user can operate to power on and off the printing apparatus101and change print settings, print sheet settings, and the like. The operation unit102has a liquid crystal display device, operation keys, and the like, and accepts instructions from the user. The operation unit102displays images on the liquid crystal display device to, for example, notify the user of the state of the printing apparatus101and prompt the user to designate a process to be executed by the printing apparatus101. The liquid crystal display device may have a touch panel function. The carriage103is capable of moving in a direction crossing the conveyance direction of print media. The carriage103is a printing unit that forms an image on a conveyed print medium by ejecting inks while moving over the print medium. The ink tanks104are storage units for the inks with which to form images on print media. The conveyance rollers105are a conveyance unit that conveys a print medium. The sheet discharge rollers106are a sheet discharge unit that conveys a print medium on which an image is formed. The sheet feed port107is a sheet feed unit that feeds print media.

FIG.2is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the printing apparatus101as seen from a direction perpendicular to a plane108illustrated with the dotted line inFIG.1. A sheet feed structure of the printing apparatus101will now be described with reference toFIG.2. The printing apparatus101has a conveyance motor201, a sheet feed motor202, a sheet feed roller203, intermediate rollers204and205, an inclined portion206, and a detection sensor207. The conveyance motor201is a motor that rotates the conveyance rollers105and the sheet discharge rollers106. The sheet feed motor202is a motor that rotates the sheet feed roller203and the intermediate rollers204and205. The sheet feed roller203and the intermediate rollers204and205are rollers that are rotated by driving the sheet feed motor202and convey a print medium208in a direction210with the rotational movements. The inclined portion206is an inclined surface provided to allow the print medium208conveyed by the sheet feed roller203to reach the intermediate rollers204. The detection sensor207is a sensor that detects a print medium209conveyed by the intermediate rollers205.

The printing apparatus101drives the sheet feed roller203by driving the sheet feed motor202to feed print media208one by one from the sheet feed port107, in which the print media208can be loaded. Each print medium208conveyed by the sheet feed roller203moves upward along the inclined portion206to reach the intermediate rollers204. Also, by driving the sheet feed motor202, the printing apparatus100rotates the intermediate rollers204and205so as to convey the print medium208in the direction210. The printing apparatus100detects the print medium208conveyed by the intermediate rollers205with the detection sensor207. After the detection, the printing apparatus100calculates the position of the leading edge of the print medium208from the driving amounts of the sheet feed motor202and the conveyance motor201. By driving the conveyance motor201, the printing apparatus100rotates conveyance rollers105and the sheet discharge rollers106so as to convey the print medium209in the direction210and convey the print medium209to under the carriage103. The printing apparatus101then moves the carriage103carrying the ink tanks104in a direction crossing the conveyance direction of the print medium209(direction perpendicular to the sheet ofFIG.2) and causes the carriage103to eject the inks to thereby form an image on the print medium (hereinafter this operation will be referred to as “printing”). The sheet feed roller203, the intermediate rollers204, the intermediate rollers205, the conveyance rollers105, and the sheet discharge rollers106are disposed in this order from the sheet feed port107. In the present embodiment, there are three types of rollers that can be driven by the sheet feed motor202, but the number of rollers may be changed according to the length of the conveyance path or the length of the print medium to be handled. Further, the description has been given based on an example in which the printing apparatus101is configured to convey a print medium with two motors, namely the sheet feed motor202and the conveyance motor201. Alternatively, the printing apparatus101may be configured to use a single motor and switch the rollers to be driven. The printing apparatus100is capable of driving the sheet feed motor202during the printing of the print medium209to feed the next print medium208. Feeding the next print medium208during the printing of the print medium209, which has started being printed earlier, improves the print rate.

FIG.3is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the printing apparatus101in the embodiment of the present disclosure. The hardware configuration of the printing apparatus101will now be described with reference toFIG.3. Note that description of the elements described above is omitted. The printing apparatus101has a control unit302, a printer unit311, and the operation unit102. The control unit302includes a central processing unit (CPU)303, a random access memory (RAM)304, and a read only memory (ROM)305. The control unit302has a power supply circuit board306, an engine interface (I/F)307, an operation unit I/F308, a universal serial bus (USB) I/F309, and a network I/F310. The CPU303is a central processing unit, and executes various types of control by loading control programs stored in the ROM305to the RAM304and reading them out. The RAM304is a primary memory for the CPU303and used as a work area and a temporary storage area to load the various programs stored in the ROM305. The ROM305is a non-volatile storage medium and stores image data, the various programs, and information of various settings, such sheet settings. Also, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the ROM305is considered to be a flash storage or the like, but may be an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD). Note that a single CPU303uses a single memory (RAM304) to execute the processes in the later-described flowcharts, but another configuration may be employed. For example, multiple CPUs and multiple RAMs, ROMs, and storages can be caused to cooperate with one another to execute the processes illustrated in the later-described flowcharts. Alternatively, a hardware circuit may be used to execute some of the processes. The power supply circuit board306transforms electric power supplied from an electric power source314through a power supply cable312and supplies the resulting electric power to the printing apparatus101. Also, the power supply circuit board306may include a rechargeable battery capable of storing electric power. The engine I/F307is an interface that connects the printer unit311and the control unit302. The operation display unit I/F308connects the operation unit102and the control unit302. The USB I/F309and the network I/F310control communication with a host computer313connected to the printing apparatus101. The printer unit311obtains image data from the control unit302through the engine I/F307and prints that image data on a print medium, such as paper. The host computer313is an information processing apparatus that receives and transmits data and/or control information and displays image data. The host computer313may be a personal computer (PC), a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. The printing apparatus101obtains setting information of print jobs from the host computer313through the USB I/F309and/or the network I/F310. The above is the hardware configuration of the printing apparatus101.

FIG.4is a diagram illustrating an example of the software configuration of a control program loaded to the RAM304in the embodiment of the present disclosure for controlling hardware modules. The software configuration of the printing apparatus101will now be described with reference toFIG.4.

As illustrated inFIG.4, the software of the control program for the printing apparatus101is mainly divided into three layers. The three layers refer to an application layer410that manages applications, a middleware layer420that controls the apparatus through the various I/Fs, and an operating system430that manages comprehensive control. Each layer's role will now be discussed. The operating system430provides fundamental functions for the control unit302to execute the control program. The middleware layer420includes a software group that controls the I/Fs of the control unit302and physical devices. The middleware layer420has a printer control module421, an I/F control module423, a power supply module422, and an UI control module424. The printer control module421controls the engine I/F307. The I/F control module423controls the USB I/F309and the network I/F310, which are used for communication with the host computer313. The UI control module424controls the operation unit I/F308. The power supply module422controls the power supply circuit board306. The application layer410has a job management application411and a sheet position management application412. The application layer410implements functions which the printing apparatus101provides to the user, such as printing, by causing the I/Fs of the control unit302and devices to operates through the modules in the middleware layer420.

For example, the UI control module424detects an operation to start printing on the operation unit102by the user through the operation unit I/F308. The UI control module424then notifies the application layer410of that effect. In response to the notification, the application layer410causes the job management application411to start processing for performing printing. The job management application411causes the printer unit311to executes a printing operation by using the printer control module421in the middleware layer420. The sheet position management application412controls the printer unit311by using the printer control module421in the middleware layer420to manage the position of the leading edge of a print medium in the printing apparatus. Specifically, the sheet position management application412calculates position of the leading edge of the print medium209from the timing at which the print medium209is detected by the detection sensor207and the driving amounts of the sheet feed motor202and the conveyance motor201. By calculating the position of the leading edge of the print medium209, it is possible to calculate the position of the trailing edge of the print medium209from its sheet length and to predict the position of the leading edge of the next print medium208from the driving amount of the sheet feed motor202.

FIG.5is a flowchart illustrating an example of print processing by the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The print processing by the printing apparatus101will now be described with reference toFIG.5. The CPU303of the printing apparatus101implements the processing illustrated inFIG.5by loading a program stored in the ROM305to the RAM304and executing it. Incidentally, the functions of some or all of the steps inFIG.5may be implemented with hardware such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or an electronic circuit. The symbol “S” in the description of each process means a step in the flowchart (the same applies to the other flowcharts herein). The processing of this flowchart is started in response to an instruction to start printing into the printing apparatus101. The CPU303receive a print job from the host computer313by controlling the USB I/F309and/or the network I/F310with the I/F control module423. The CPU303then notifies the job management application411of the print job with the I/F control module423. The CPU303notifies the printer control module421of the start of the job with the job management application411.

In S501, the CPU303control the printer unit311through the engine I/F307to start the print processing. The CPU303then proceeds to the process of S502. In S502, the CPU303executes a sheet mismatch determination process to be described later with reference toFIG.6on the print media in the sheet feed port107before feeding a print medium. The CPU303then proceeds to the process of S503. In S503, the CPU303determines whether sheet feed is possible. If determining that sheet feed is possible (Yes), the CPU proceeds to the process of S504and, if not (No), terminates the print processing.

In S504, the CPU303executes a sheet feed process. Specifically, the CPU303controls the printer unit311through the engine I/F307to drive the sheet feed motor202. As the printer unit311drives the sheet feed motor202, the sheet feed roller203, the intermediate rollers204, and the intermediate rollers205rotate so as to convey a print medium in the direction210. The CPU303controls the printer unit311as described above to feed a print medium. The CPU303then proceeds to the process of S505.

In S505, the CPU303executes a printing process. Specifically, the CPU303instructs the printer control module421to perform printing with the job management application411after the print medium feed in S504reaches the detection sensor207. The CPU303then controls the printer unit311through the engine I/F307with the printer control module421to drive the conveyance motor201. As the printer unit311drives the conveyance motor201, the conveyance rollers105and the sheet discharge rollers106rotate so as to convey the print medium in the direction210. The CPU303then controls the carriage103of the printer unit311through the engine I/F307with the printer control module421while conveying the print medium as described above to perform printing. The CPU303then proceeds to the process of S506.

In S506, the CPU303determines whether the printing has been completed. If determining that the printing has been completed (Yes), the CPU303terminates the print processing and, if not (No), proceeds to S505again. Specifically, the CPU303continues the process of S505with the printer control module421until the printing for the fed print medium ends.

FIG.6is a flowchart illustrating an example of the sheet mismatch determination process in S502. Details of the sheet mismatch determination process executed by the printing apparatus101will now be described with reference toFIG.6. The CPU303of the printing apparatus101implements the processing illustrated inFIG.6by loading a program stored in the ROM305to the RAM304and executing it. The processing of this flowchart is started before the print medium is fed from the sheet feed port107.

In S601, the CPU303starts the sheet mismatch determination process after the process of S501. In S602, the CPU303determines whether a sheet mismatch function is enabled. The CPU303proceeds to the process of S603if determining that the sheet mismatch function is enabled (Yes) and, if not (No), proceeds to the process of S606. Incidentally, the user can enable and disable the sheet mismatch function by operating a screen as illustrated inFIG.7to be mentioned later which is displayed on the display unit (not illustrated) of the operation unit102or the host computer313.

In S603, the CPU303obtains sheet setting information of the printing apparatus101(second sheet information). Specifically, if determining in S602that the sheet mismatch function is enabled, the CPU303obtains the second sheet information from the job management application411with the printer control module421. The CPU303then proceeds to the process of S604. The second sheet information set on the printing apparatus101(hereinafter referred to as “printing apparatus side”) includes sheet size information and sheet type information. The sheet size information is information indicating the dimensions of sheets. Specifically, the sheet size information is information of the size of the sheets indicating the sheet width and the sheet length. For example, the sheet size is an A4 sheet is 210 mm (sheet width)×297 mm (sheet length). Note that the sheet size information is not limited to the information indicating the sheet width and the sheet length, and may be information on the standard of the sheet size, such as A4 or Letter. The sheet type information is information indicating the type of the sheets. Examples of the type of the sheets include B5, Executive, reply-paid postcard, 6P, A4, FS, Foolscap, Letter, Legal, B-OFICIO, M-OFICIO, and so on.

In S604, the CPU303obtains sheet setting information of the host computer313, which is included in the print job. Specifically, the CPU303obtains the sheet setting information from the job management application411with the printer control module421. The CPU303then proceeds to the process of S605. The sheet setting information set on the host computer313(hereinafter referred to as “host side” includes sheet size information and sheet type information (first sheet information), margin information indicating bordered printing or borderless printing, and information of the maximum print width. The sheet size information and the sheet type information are similar to those described above, and description thereof is therefore omitted. The margin information is information indicating whether to perform printing with a margin region formed around the print medium to be printed. In a case where bordered printing is set as the margin information, the margin information includes margin width information. The margin width information is information indicating the width of the margin region (margin width), which will not be printed, from the outer periphery of the set sheet size. For example, in a case where bordered printing using A4 as the sheet type with a margin width of 5 mm on the top, bottom, left, and right is set as the sheet setting information, the print region on the A4 (210 mm×297 m) print medium is 200 mm×287 mm. The information of the maximum print width is information indicating the length of one side of the printable region on the print medium that can be printed (region information). Specifically, the maximum print width is a value derived by subtracting the margin width from the set sheet width. For example, the maximum print width is 200 mm in a case where bordered printing using A4 as the sheet type with a margin width of 5 mm on the left and right is set as the sheet setting information. In other words, the maximum print width varies according to the margin width setting. Incidentally, in a case of a printing system for which only one margin region width (margin width) or one set of margin region widths is set, the margin information does not necessarily have to include information of the margin region width(s) (margin width(s)), and only needs to be information indicating whether a margin is set.

In S605, the CPU303determines whether the second sheet information obtained in S603and the first sheet information obtained in S604match. That is, in S605, the CPU303determines whether the printing apparatus-side sheet and the host-side sheet match. The CPU303proceeds to the process of S606if determining that the sheets match (Yes) and, if not (No), proceeds to the process of S607. Specifically, the CPU303compares the sheet size information and the sheet type information included in the first sheet information and those in the second sheet information and determines whether each type of information matches. The CPU303compares the printing apparatus-side sheet size information and the host-side sheet size information. For example, the CPU303determines that the sheet sizes match if the printing apparatus-side sheet size is 216 mm×279 mm and the host-side sheet size is 216 mm×279 mm. On the other hand, the CPU303determines that the sheet sizes do not match if the printing apparatus-side sheet size is 216 mm×279 mm and the host-side sheet size is 216 mm×356 mm. In sum, in this determination, the CPU303compares both the sheet widths and the sheet lengths. The CPU303also compares the printing apparatus-side sheet type information and the host-side sheet type information. For example, the CPU303determines the sheet types match if the printing apparatus-side sheet type is A4 and the host-side sheet type is A4. On the other hand, the CPU303determines the sheet types do not match if the printing apparatus-side sheet type is A4 and the host-side sheet type is B4. The CPU303determines the sheets match if both the sheet size information and the sheet type information of the printing apparatus101and those of the host computer313match as above. Otherwise, the CPU303determines that the sheets do not match.

In S606, the CPU303sets the current status such that sheet feed is possible, and terminates the sheet mismatch determination process. In S607, the CPU303executes a forced continuation determination process inFIG.8AandFIG.8Bto be described later. The CPU303then proceeds to the process of S608. In S608, the CPU303determines whether printing is possible. The CPU303proceeds to the process of S609if determining that printing is possible (Yes) and, if not (No), proceeds to the process of S610. In S609, the CPU303sets the current status such that sheet feed is possible, and terminates the sheet mismatch determination process. In S610, the CPU303sets the current status such that sheet feed is impossible, and terminates the sheet mismatch determination process.

FIG.7is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for the sheet mismatch function displayed on the operation unit102of the printing apparatus101. The setting of the sheet mismatch function will now be described with reference toFIG.7. The setting screen inFIG.7has an “enable” button and a “disable” button. The “enable” button is a control for enabling the sheet mismatch function with the user's operation. In a case of executing print processing, the CPU303executes the sheet mismatch determination in S605as described earlier if the sheet mismatch function is enabled by the user's operation. The “disable” button is a control for disabling the sheet mismatch function with the user's operation. In a case of executing print processing, the CPU303does not execute the sheet mismatch determination in S605if the sheet mismatch function is disabled by the user's operation. Incidentally, the CPU303may send screen data of the setting screen for the sheet mismatch function to the host computer313in order to display the setting screen for the sheet mismatch function on the display unit of the host computer313and allow the user to configure the setting of the sheet mismatch function. Then, from the host computer313, the CPU303may receive setting information indicating whether to enable or disable to the sheet mismatch function that is based on the operation on the display unit of the host computer313. In this way, the user can set whether to enable or disable the sheet mismatch function on the host computer313without having to operate the operation unit102of the printing apparatus101.

FIG.8AandFIG.8Bare a flowchart illustrating an example of the forced continuation determination process in S607. Details of the forced continuation determination process will now be described with reference toFIG.8AandFIG.8B. The CPU303of the printing apparatus101implements the processing illustrated inFIG.8AandFIG.8Bby loading a program stored in the ROM305to the RAM304and executing it. The processing of this flowchart is started before the print medium is fed from the sheet feed port107.

In S801, the CPU303starts the sheet mismatch determination process after determining in S605that the printing apparatus-side sheet and the host-side sheet do not match. In S802, the CPU303determines whether the printing is bordered printing. The CPU303proceeds to the process of S803if determining that the printing is bordered printing (Yes), and proceeds to the process of S815if determining that the printing is borderless printing (No). Specifically, the CPU303determines whether the sheet setting information obtained in S604includes margin information with the printer control module421. The CPU303determines that the printing is bordered printing if determining that the sheet setting information includes margin information. On the other hand, the CPU303determines that the printing is borderless printing if determining that the sheet setting information does not include margin information.

In S803, the CPU303compares the host-side maximum print width and the printing apparatus-side sheet width and determines whether the printing apparatus-side sheet width is larger. The CPU303proceeds to the process of S804if determining that the printing apparatus-side sheet width is larger (Yes) and, if not (No), proceeds to the process of S805. Specifically, in a case as illustrated inFIG.9A, the CPU303determines that the printing apparatus-side sheet width is larger than the host-side maximum print width.FIG.9Ais a diagram illustrating an example of a case where it is determined printing is possible in S803. A case of determining that printing is possible for bordered printing will now be described with reference toFIG.9A. The substantially rectangular region depicted with the solid line inFIG.9Arepresents the printing apparatus-side sheet size in a case where the sheet type is A4. The substantially rectangular region depicted with the dotted line inFIG.9Ais the largest printable region on the host side in a case where the sheet type is Letter. The printing apparatus-side sheet width in the horizontal direction of the sheet ofFIG.9Ais 210 mm. The host-side maximum print width, on the other hand, is 205.9 mm. The maximum print width is calculated as follows. For example, in a case of bordered printing with a margin width of 5 mm set on the top, bottom, left, and right, the maximum print width is a value derived by subtracting the margin width of 5 mm on the left and right from a sheet width of 215.9 mm (215.9 mm−10 mm=205.9 mm). In other words, “host-side maximum print width<printing apparatus-side sheet width” is satisfied. Since the printable region fits within the printing apparatus-side sheet width, the printing can be performed normally. On the other hand, in a case as illustrated inFIG.9B, the CPU303determines that the host-side maximum print width is larger than the printing apparatus-side sheet width.FIG.9Bis a diagram illustrating an example of a case where it is determined printing is impossible in S803. A case of determining that printing is impossible for bordered printing will now be described with reference toFIG.9B. The substantially rectangular region depicted with the solid line inFIG.9Brepresents the printing apparatus-side sheet size in a case where the sheet type is A4. The substantially rectangular region depicted with the dotted line inFIG.9Bis the largest printable region on the host side in a case where the sheet type is Letter. The printing apparatus-side sheet width in the horizontal direction of the sheet ofFIG.9Bis 210 mm. The host-side maximum print width, on the other hand, is 213.9 mm. InFIG.9B, a margin width of 1 mm is set on the top, bottom, left, and right by the bordered printing, unlikeFIG.9A. By applying the derivation equation mentioned above, 213.9 mm is obtained as the maximum print width. In other words, “host-side maximum print width>printing apparatus-side sheet width” is satisfied. Since the printable region does not fit within the printing apparatus-side sheet width, the printing cannot be performed normally. As described above, the CPU303makes a different determination according to the set margin width. Incidentally, in S803, the CPU303does not compare the sheet lengths of the host computer313and the printing apparatus101. The CPU303does not compare the sheet lengths because it has already determined in S605that the sheets for the host computer313and the printing apparatus101does not match, and does not therefore need to make a determination on the sheet lengths again.

Referring back toFIG.8A, in S804, the CPU303sets the current status such that forced continuation is possible. Specifically, since the CPU303has determined in S803that the printing can be performed normally with the sheet set for the printing apparatus101, the CPU303sets the current status such that forced continuation, which allows printing even in a case where the printing apparatus-side sheet and the host-side sheet are different, is possible. The CPU303then proceeds to the process of S806. In S805, the CPU303sets the current status such that forced continuation is impossible. Specifically, since the CPU303has determined in S803that the printing cannot be performed normally with the sheet set for the printing apparatus101, the CPU303sets the current status such that forced continuation is impossible. The CPU303then proceeds to the process of S806.

In S815, the CPU303compares the host-side sheet width and the printing apparatus-side sheet width and determines whether the printing apparatus-side sheet width is larger. Specifically, since the CPU303has determined in S802that the printing is borderless printing, the CPU303performs the process of S815with the host-side maximum printable width as the sheet width. The CPU303proceeds to the process of S816if determining that the printing apparatus-side sheet width is larger (Yes) and, if not (No), proceeds to the process of S817. Specifically, in a case as illustrated inFIG.9C, the CPU303determines that the printing apparatus-side sheet width is larger than the host-side sheet width.FIG.9Cis a diagram illustrating an example of a case where it is determined printing is possible in S815. A case of determining that printing is possible for borderless printing will now be described with reference toFIG.9C. The substantially rectangular region depicted with the solid line inFIG.9Crepresents the printing apparatus-side sheet size in a case where the sheet type is Letter. The substantially rectangular region depicted with the dotted line inFIG.9Crepresents the host-side sheet size in a case where the sheet type is A4. The printing apparatus-side sheet width in the horizontal direction of the sheet ofFIG.9Cis 215.9 mm. The host-side sheet width, on the other hand, is 210 mm. In other words, “host-side sheet width<printing apparatus-side sheet width” is satisfied. Since the printable region fits within the printing apparatus-side sheet width, the printing can be performed normally. On the other hand, in a case as illustrated inFIG.9D, the CPU303determines that the host-side sheet width is larger than the printing apparatus-side sheet width.FIG.9Dis a diagram illustrating an example of a case where it is determined printing is impossible in S815. A case of determining that printing is impossible for borderless printing will now be described with reference toFIG.9D. The substantially rectangular region depicted with the solid line inFIG.9Drepresents the printing apparatus-side sheet size in a case where the sheet type is A4. The substantially rectangular region depicted with the dotted line inFIG.9Drepresents the host-side sheet size in a case where the sheet type is Letter. The printing apparatus-side sheet width in the horizontal direction of the sheet ofFIG.9Dis 210 mm. The host-side sheet width, on the other hand, is 215.9 mm. In other words, “host-side sheet width>printing apparatus-side sheet width” is satisfied. Since the printable region does not fit within the printing apparatus-side sheet width, the printing cannot be performed normally. As described above, the CPU303makes a different determination according to the sheet width.

Referring back toFIG.8A, in S816, the CPU303sets the current status such that forced continuation is possible. Specifically, since the CPU303has determined in S815that the printing can be performed normally with the sheet set for the printing apparatus101, the CPU303sets the current status such that forced continuation is possible. The CPU303then proceeds to the process of S806. In S817, the CPU303sets the current status such that forced continuation is impossible. Specifically, since the CPU303has determined in S815that the printing cannot be performed normally with the sheet set for the printing apparatus101, the CPU303sets the current status such that forced continuation is impossible. The CPU303then proceeds to the process of S806.

In S806, the CPU303determines whether forced continuation is possible. The CPU303proceeds to the process of S807if determining that forced continuation is possible (Yes) and, if not (No), proceeds to the process of S808. In S807, the CPU303displays a sheet mismatch screen. Specifically, the CPU303displays a display screen as illustrated inFIG.10on the operation unit102. The CPU303then proceeds to the process of S809.FIG.10is a diagram illustrating an example of the sheet mismatch screen. The sheet mismatch screen displayed in the case where it is determined in S806that forced continuation is possible will now be described with reference toFIG.10. The sheet mismatch screen inFIG.10has a “print with the loaded sheets” button, a “change the sheets and print” button, and a “stop printing” button. The “print with the loaded sheets” button is a control that accepts forced continuation of the printing in response to being operated by the user. The “change the sheets and print” button is a control that accepts changing of the print medium by the user. The “stop printing” button is a control that accepts stopping of the printing. The user can select one of the controls to cause the printing apparatus101to execute a desired process. Note that the CPU303may send screen data of the sheet mismatch screen to the host computer313to display the sheet mismatch screen on the display unit of the host computer313and execute a process desired by the user. Then, from the host computer313, the CPU303may receive information indicating a selected process corresponding to an operation on the display unit of the host computer313. In this way, the user can cause the printing apparatus101to execute a process desired by the user from the host computer313, without having to operate the operation unit102of the printing apparatus101.

Referring back toFIG.8A, in S808, the CPU303displays a sheet mismatch screen. Specifically, the CPU303displays a display screen as illustrated inFIG.11on the operation unit102. The CPU303then proceeds to the process of S809.FIG.11is a diagram illustrating an example of the sheet mismatch screen. The sheet mismatch screen displayed in the case where it is determined in S806that forced continuation is impossible will now be described with reference toFIG.11. The sheet mismatch screen inFIG.11has a “change the sheets and print” button and a “stop printing” button. The “change the sheets and print” button and the “stop printing” button are as described above, and description thereof is therefore omitted. Since it has been determined in S806that forced continuation is impossible, the “print with the loaded sheets” button displayed in the screen inFIG.10is not displayed in the sheet mismatch screen inFIG.11. As described above, in the case where the current status is set such that forced continuation is impossible, the “print with the loaded sheets” button is not displayed as a choice in the display screen inFIG.11in order to keep the printing apparatus101from forcibly continuing the printing. Incidentally, as described in S807, the CPU303may sent screen data of the sheet mismatch screen to the host computer313and then receive information indicating a selected process from the host computer313.

Referring back toFIG.8B, in S809, the CPU303determines whether a controls displayed in S807or S808is selected by the user's operation. The CPU303proceeds to the process of S810if determining that a control is selected (Yes) and, if not (No), proceeds to the process of S809again. Specifically, the CPU303continues the process of S809until one of the controls displayed in the sheet mismatch screen inFIG.10or11is selected.

In S810, the CPU303determines whether forced continuation is selected. The CPU303proceeds to the process of S811if determining that forced continuation is selected (Yes) and, if not (No), proceeds to the process of S812. Specifically, the CPU303proceeds to the process of S811if determining that the “print with the loaded sheets” button in the sheet mismatch screen inFIG.10is pressed by the user's operation. On the other hand, the CPU303proceeds to the process of S812if determining that the “change the sheets and print” button or the “stop printing” button in the sheet mismatch screen inFIG.10or11is pressed. In S811, the CPU303sets the current status such that the printing is possible and terminates the forced continuation determination process.

In S812, the CPU303determines whether changing the sheets is selected. The CPU303proceeds to the process of S813if determining that changing the sheets is selected (Yes) and, if not (No), proceeds to the process of S814. Specifically, the CPU303proceeds to the process of S813if the “change the sheets and print” button in the sheet mismatch screen inFIG.10or11is selected by the user's operation. On the other hand, the CPU303proceeds to the process of S814if the “stop printing” button in the sheet mismatch screen inFIG.10or11is selected by the user's operation.

In S813, the CPU303determines whether the sheets have been changed. The CPU303proceeds to the process of S811if determining that the sheets have been changed (Yes) and, if not (No), proceeds to the process of S813again. In other words, the CPU303continues the process of S813until the sheets are changed. As for the determination of whether the sheets have been changed, the CPU303determines that the sheets have been changed if there is an input from the user into the operation unit102or the display unit of the host computer313connected to the printing apparatus101. In S814, the CPU303sets the current status such that the printing is impossible and terminates the forced continuation determination process.

As described above, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, printing can be performed as is in a case where the printing apparatus-side sheet width is larger than the host-side maximum print width. This increases the number of patterns with which printing is possible.

FIG.12is a table illustrating an example of patterns with which printing is possible through forced continuation of the printing. Patterns with which printing is possible in a case of bordered printing will be described with reference toFIG.12. The second and third rows from the left inFIG.12are a list of sheet types which can be set on the printing apparatus101and a list of sheet widths corresponding to those sheet types. Also, the second and third rows from the top inFIG.12are a list of sheet types which can be set on the host computer313and a list of maximum print widths corresponding to those sheet types. Each circle inFIG.12represents a pattern with which printing has been conventionally possible. For example, one circle represents a pattern in a comparative example with which printing is possible even in a case where the sheet type set on the printing apparatus101is A4 and the sheet type set on the host computer313is B5, that is, the sheet types are different, regardless of whether borderless printing is set or bordered printing is set. Each double circle inFIG.12represents a pattern with which printing is possible through the forced continuation determination process by the printing apparatus101in the embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, one double circle represents a pattern with printing is possible the sheet type set on the printing apparatus101is A4 and the sheet type set on the host computer313is Letter, unlike the comparative example. Note that the maximum print widths listed inFIG.12are set with a margin width of 3.4 mm on the left and right. Needless to say, the number of patterns with which printing is possible further increases as the margin width increases. In a case where the sheets loaded in the printing apparatus have a smaller sheet width than that of the actual sheet size that is desired to be used, the inks may contaminate the inside of the printing apparatus. Thus, printing can be kept from being executed. In this case, however, the patterns with which printing is possible are limited. On the other hand, forced continuation of printing increases the number of patterns with which printing is possible even in a case where the setting on the host side, which inputs print jobs, and the setting on the printing apparatus side are different.

Other Embodiments

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-119722, filed Jul. 24, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.