Patent Publication Number: US-2015062635-A1

Title: Sheet management apparatus, method of controlling sheet management apparatus, and storage medium

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a sheet management apparatus capable of effectively using property information of a sheet held in a sheet holding unit, a method of controlling such a sheet management apparatus, and a storage medium. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In related techniques, in a case where printing is performed using a printing apparatus having a sheet holding unit, it is commonly performed to set in advance sheet property information so as to be related to the sheet holding unit in terms of, for example, a name of a sheet, a size of the sheet, a basis weight of the sheet, a surface property of the sheet, a color of the sheet, and/or the like. To save sheet property information so as to be related to the sheet holding unit, it is necessary to input sheet property information individually for each sheet holding unit each time the setting is performed, which may need a troublesome operation. To handle the above situation, it is known to register in advance property information of each sheet in a sheet management database such that a user is allowed to select desired property information of a sheet from the sheet management database and save the selected sheet property information so as to be related to a particular sheet holding unit (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-241425). 
     In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-241425, in a case where a large number of sheets are registered in the sheet management database, a user may have to perform a troublesome operation to find a particular sheet from the large number of sheets registered each time printing is performed. In a case where a plurality of sheet holding units are used in executing a job, it is necessary to save property information such that property information of a plurality of sheets is correctly related to a corresponding one of the plurality of sheet holding units. In such a situation, to save sheet property information individually for each sheet holding unit, a user may have to perform a complicated and troublesome operation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, a sheet management apparatus includes a storing unit configured to store a combination of a size and first property information of a first sheet and a size and second property information of a second sheet, an obtaining unit configured to obtain a first size of a sheet held in a first sheet holding unit and a second size of a sheet held in a second sheet holding unit, and a setting unit configured to set sheet property information such that the first property information is read out from the combination including the first size and the second size obtained by the obtaining unit and the read first property information is set as sheet property information of a sheet held in the first sheet holding unit, and the second property information is read out from the combination and the read second property information is set as sheet property information of a sheet held in the second sheet holding unit. 
     Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a printing system according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a server according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating data stored in a hard disk drive (HDD) unit of a server according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating a process performed by a server to register sheet information in a sheet information storage unit according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating a process performed by a server to register a group in a group setting storage unit according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an example of a sheet information registration screen for registering sheet information in a sheet information storage unit according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating an example of a group registration screen for registering group setting in a group setting storage unit according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning screen displayed on an operation unit of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating an example of a list of groups registered in a group setting storage unit of a server according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a flow chart illustrating a process performed by a printing apparatus to register sheet property information for a group all at once such that the property information of each sheet is related to a corresponding one of sheet feeding units in the group according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a flow chart illustrating a process performed by a server to search for a group registered in a group setting storage unit according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen displayed on an operation unit of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  are diagrams illustrating examples of sheet property information registered individually for each sheet feeding unit of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. 
         FIGS. 15A and 15B  are diagrams illustrating examples of values of flags associated with respective sheet feeding units in each group registered in a group setting storage unit in a server according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 16  is a flow chart illustrating a process performed by a printing apparatus to register sheet property information for a group all at once such that the property information of each sheet is related to a corresponding one of sheet feeding units in the group according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 17  is a flow chart illustrating a process performed by a server to search for a group registered in a group setting storage unit according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen displayed on an operation unit of a printing apparatus according to the second embodiment. 
         FIG. 19  is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen displayed on an operation unit of a printing apparatus according to the second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to accompanying drawings. Note that the purpose of the embodiments described below is not to limit the invention. Also note that all parts, elements, or steps described in the embodiments are not necessarily needed to practice the invention. 
     First Embodiment 
     Printing system 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a printing system according to a first embodiment of the invention is described below. 
     A printing apparatus (printer)  102  has various functions including scanning, printing, copying, and/or the like. A server  101  has various functions including image processing, print controlling, job managing, and/or the like. An information processing apparatus (computer or the like)  104  has functions including editing an application file, instructing printing, and/or the like. 
     In this printing system, the printing apparatus  102  and the server  101  are connected to each other via a network  105 , and a video cable  106 . Furthermore, the server  101  and the information processing apparatus  104  are connected to each other via a network  103  such as a LAN, a WAN, or the like or a wireless LAN such that they are allowed to communicate with each other. The video cable  106  is used to transfer a print image, and the network  105  is used to transmit/receive other kinds of information. In the following description, the network used to connect the printing apparatus  102  and the server  101  may be a LAN, a WAN, or the like unless otherwise specified and as long as functions of the invention are realized. 
     Note that embodiments are described below by way of example for a case where the information processing apparatus  104  does not transmit or receive data or commands directly to or from the printing apparatus  102 . Instead, in the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus  104  transmits and receives various kinds of data to or from the printing apparatus  102  via the server  101 . The server  101  transfers a print job received from the information processing apparatus  104  connected to the server  101  to the printing apparatus  102 . A user is allowed to check a status of a job or a status of the server  101  or the printing apparatus  102  by using the information processing apparatus  104 . A user is allowed to directly or remotely operate the server  101  to save sheet property information, for example, in the printing apparatus  102  such that the sheet property information is related to a sheet feeding unit (a sheet holding unit) of the printing apparatus  102 . 
     In a case where the information processing apparatus  104  also plays a role as a server instead of the server  101 , the information processing apparatus  104  may transmit/receive data or a command directly to/from the printing apparatus  102 . In this case, the information processing apparatus  104  may be configured in a similar manner to the server  101  except that the information processing apparatus  104  is connected to the printing apparatus  102  via the network  105  and the video cable  106 . 
     Configuration of Server 
     An example of a configuration of the server  101  according to the first embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     A network interface card (NIC)  201  functions as a first network interface providing an interface between the network  103  and lower layer levels. On the other hand, a NIC  204  functions as a second network interface providing an interface with lower layer levels. 
     A raster image processor (RIP) unit  202  performs a process to convert data received via the NIC unit  201  from a format represented in a printing language such as a page description language (PDL) or a particular data format into a raster image. 
     An encoding unit  203  performs a process to convert raster image data into print data in a format supported by the printing apparatus  102  or in other data formats. 
     A hard disk drive (HDD) unit  205  temporarily stores (spools) print data received via the NIC unit  201  or temporarily stores compressed data after being subjected to the RIP process. In the HDD unit  205 , a sheet information storage unit  401  and a group setting storage unit  402  are allocated and data is stored therein as described later with reference to  FIG. 4 . In addition to data stored in the sheet information storage unit  401  and the group setting storage unit  402 , system software used in various processes described below are also stored in the HDD unit  205 . The data stored in the sheet information storage unit  401  and the data stored in the group setting storage unit  402  may be stored in a nonvolatile memory such as a solid state drive (SSD) instead of the HDD unit  205 . 
     A central processing unit (CPU)  207  controls processes or operations performed by various units in the server  101 . A first memory unit  206  is used in an image format conversion process performed by the RIP processing unit  202 . On the other hand, a second memory unit  208  is used by the CPU  207  as a temporary data storage area. 
     An operation unit  209  includes a button, a key, a touch panel, and/or the like, and is used to operate the server  101 . A display unit  210  performs a process to provide information to a user using an image or a character. An image interface board  211  and a connector  216  for the image interface board  211  are used in producing image data and transferring the resultant image data to a dedicated transmission line. A switch  212  is operated by a user to turn on/off electric power. When the switch  212  is operated, an interrupt to the CPU  207  occurs. Upon detecting the interrupt, the CPU  207  controls a power supply control unit  213  depending on a state. 
     A data packet from the information processing apparatus  104  to the server  101  is transmitted via the network  103  and is received by the server  101  via a connector  214 . In the server  101 , the NIC unit  201  performs reception processing on data. In a case where print data is received, under the control of the CPU  207 , the received data is stored into the HDD unit  205  as necessary. The storing of data into the HDD unit  205  is generally performed to enhance a data transfer speed. This technique is generally known as cueing (spooling). The data stored in the HDD unit  205  is read out by the RIP processing unit  202  under the control of the CPU  207 . 
     Subsequently, based on preset data formats interpretable by the printing apparatus  102  and the data format of the received data, the encoding unit  203  functioning as the data format conversion unit encodes the data into a data format interpretable by the printing apparatus  102 . It is required that the encoded data has a data format interpretable by the printing apparatus  102 . 
     The data format may vary depending on an ability of an interpretation unit possessed by the printing apparatus  102 . An example of a data format is a particular printing language format or a compressed data format such as JBIG or the like. The resultant data encoded in the above-described manner is again converted by the NIC unit  204  into a data packet for transmission to the network  105  and is transmitted from the connector  215  to the printing apparatus  102  via the network  105 . Alternatively, the encoded data may be transmitted to the printing apparatus  102  via a local interface such as a universal serial bus (USB). 
     Upon receiving the data packet, the printing apparatus  102  performs printing on a recording medium such as a sheet according to a printing procedure defined in the printing apparatus  102 . 
     Another method of transferring data is to transfer the data to the image interface board  211  via the encoding unit  203  and further transmit the data from the connector  216  to the printing apparatus  102  via the video cable  106 . In the transmission of data packets, the information processing apparatus  104  acquires, as necessary, information indicating a power status of the server  101  and the printing apparatus  102  and/or information indicating whether they are in a normal state, and, depending on the acquired information, the information processing apparatus  104  transmits data packet to the server  101 . The information processing apparatus  104  performs polling at regular time intervals to detect the power supply state and the operation state of the server  101  and the printing apparatus  102  thereby acquiring a state change notification packet transmitted from the server  101  or the printing apparatus  102 . For example, in a case where the information processing apparatus  104  receives a power supply state notification packet indicating turning-off of the power of the printing apparatus  102 , the information processing apparatus  104  stops the polling, which makes it possible to prevent unnecessary traffic from occurring on the network. 
     Configuration of Printing Apparatus 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an example of a configuration of the printing apparatus  102  according to the first embodiment of the invention is described below. 
     The printing apparatus  102  includes a plurality of sheet feeding units (sheet holding units)  322 . The sheet feeding units may be sheet feed trays or manual sheet feed trays or a combination of sheet feed trays and manual sheet feed trays. Each sheet feeding unit (sheet holding unit)  322  includes a size detection sensor  325  configured to detect the size of a sheet held in the sheet feeding unit (sheet holding unit), an open/close detection sensor  326  configured to detect an operation of opening/closing the sheet feeding unit, and the like. Each sheet feeding unit (sheet holding unit)  322  may further include a sensor for detecting the remaining number of sheets on the sheet feeding unit (sheet holding unit)  322 , a sensor for detecting a color or a surface property of a sheet held on the sheet feeding unit (sheet holding unit)  322 , and/or the like. 
     The printing apparatus  102  is connected to a scanner  320  functioning as an image input device and a printer engine  301  functioning as an image output device thereby controlling reading or printing of image data. The printing apparatus  102  may be connected to a network, a telephone line, a video cable, or the like to make it possible to input/output image information or device information via the network or the video cable. 
     The CPU  302  is a central processing unit that controls the whole printing apparatus  102 . A RAM  303  is a system work memory used in an operation by the CPU  302 . The RAM  303  is also used as an image memory for temporarily storing input image data. A ROM  307  is a boot ROM in which a system boot program is stored. The HDD  308  is a hard disk drive for storing system software used in various kinds of processing described below. The HDD  308  is also used to store input image data and the like. 
     An operation unit I/F  304  is a unit providing an interface with an operation unit  318  including a display screen capable of displaying image data or the like, and the operation unit I/F  304  is configured to output operation screen data to the operation unit  318 . The operation unit I/F  304  also serves to transfer information input by a user via the operation unit  318  to the CPU  302 . The operation unit  318  includes a touch panel unit and a key input unit, which are not illustrated in the figure. The operation unit  318  provides various kinds of interfaces in performing setting or operations, by a user, on the printing apparatus  102  according to the first embodiment. 
     A network I/F  305  realized, for example, by a LAN card or the like is connected to a network to input/output information from/to an external apparatus. A modem  306  is connected to a telephone line to input/output information from/to an external apparatus. A video I/F  324  is connected to a video cable to input/output information from/to an external apparatus. 
     Note that the units described above are disposed on a system bus  323 . 
     An image bus I/F  309  is an interface for connecting the system bus  323  to an image bus  319  for transferring image data at a high speed, and the image bus I/F  309  provides a function of a bus bridge to convert a data structure. A raster image processor (RIP)  311 , a device I/F  312 , a scanner image processing unit  313 , a printer image processing unit  314 , and an image editing processing unit  315  are disposed on the image bus  319 . 
     The RIP  311  is a raster image processor that converts data expressed in a page description language (PDL) into a raster image. The device I/F  312  performs a synchronous/asynchronous conversion on image data sent/received to/from the scanner  320  or the printer engine  301 . The scanner image processing unit  313  performs various processes such as a correction process on image data input from the scanner  320 . The printer image processing unit  314  performs processes such as a correction process and a resolution conversion process depending on the printer engine and/or the like on image data to be printed. The image editing processing unit  315  performs various kinds of image processing such as rotation, compression/expansion, and/or the like, on image data. 
     A switch  317  is operated by a user to turn on/off electric power. When the switch  317  is operated, a power supply control unit  316  issues an interrupt to the CPU  302 . Upon detecting the interrupt, the CPU  302  controls the power supply control unit  316  depending on a state. 
     A sheet feeding unit control unit  321  is a module configured to store sheet property information so as to be related to the sheet feeding unit  322  and control a sheet feeding operation. Furthermore, the sheet feeding unit control unit  321  stores setting information given from the operation unit  318 , setting information received from the server  101 , and sheet property information detected for the sheet feeding unit  322 . The printing apparatus  102  controls printing based on the stored sheet property information related to the sheet feeding unit. The sheet property information may include, for example, information indicating a size, a basis weight, a color, a sheet type, and/or the like, of a sheet. 
     For example, based on a size of a sheet used in a print job to be performed, the printing apparatus  102  determines a sheet feeding unit  322  from which to feed the sheet, and controls the operation such that the sheet is fed from the determined sheet feeding unit  322 . Furthermore, the printing apparatus  102  controls a sheet conveying speed and temperature of a fixing unit based on the basis weight and the sheet type of the sheet. The sheet feeding unit control unit  321  acquires information associated with the open/close operation of the sheet feeding unit  322  from the open/close detection sensor  326  to detect whether the sheet feeding unit  322  is closed from an open state. 
     In the present embodiment, the sheet information storage unit  401 , the group setting storage unit  402 , and the status information storage unit  403  are realized in storage areas allocated in the HDD unit  205  of the server  101  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, the sheet information storage unit  401  and the group setting storage unit  402  may be realized in storage areas in the HDD  308  of the printing apparatus  102 . Still alternatively, the sheet information storage unit  401  and the group setting storage unit  402  may be realized in storage areas of a not-illustrated nonvolatile memory in the information processing apparatus  104 . In this case, data stored in the sheet information storage unit  401  and the group setting storage unit  402  may be accessed via the network  103 . 
     The sheet information storage unit  401  stores property information in the form of a list for all sheets registered by a user ( FIG. 7 ). The sheet property information registered in the sheet information storage unit  401  includes, for example, a name, a size, a basis weight, a color, and a sheet type of the sheet. A process of registering sheet information in the sheet information storage unit  401  will be described later with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     The group setting storage unit  402  stores property information in the form of a list such that property information of a sheet is related to one of sheet feeding units belonging to a group ( FIG. 10 ). For example, in a case where book binding printing is performed such that color printing is performed on A3 coated paper for cover paper and black-and-white printing is performed on A3 plain paper for main-part paper, a group for book binding printing may be registered for example such that A3 coated paper may be related to a sheet feeding unit Tray1 and A3 plain paper may be related to a sheet feeding unit Tray2. Note that property information of a sheet to be related to a particular sheet feeding unit may be given such that when a user selects a sheet from sheets registered in the sheet information storage unit  401 , the property information of the selected sheet is read from the sheet information storage unit  401 . A process of registering a group in the group setting storage unit  402  will be described later with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     A process of registering sheet information in the sheet information storage unit  401  is described below with reference to a flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 5 . This process is performed on the server  101  such that the CPU  207  executes a program loaded from the HDD unit  205  into the second memory unit  208 . Although in the present embodiment, the process of registering sheet information in the sheet information storage unit  401  is described for a case where the process is performed on the server  101 , the process may alternatively be performed on the printing apparatus  102 . In the case where the process is performed on the printing apparatus  102 , the CPU  302  may execute a program loaded from the HDD  308  into the RAM  303  to achieve the process. On the other hand, in a case where the information processing apparatus  104  plays a role as a server instead of the server  101 , the process described above may be performed on the information processing apparatus  104 . 
     First, in S 501 , the CPU  207  determines whether a registration screen  701  such as that illustrated in  FIG. 7  is called. Note that the registration screen  701  is displayed on the operation unit  209  of the server  101 . As for the sheet property information, for example, a name, a size, a basis weight, and a sheet type may be registered for a particular sheet in the form of a list. 
     In a case where it is determined in S 501  that the registration screen  701  is called, the processing flow proceeds to S 502 . On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the registration screen  701  is not called, the processing flow remains in S 501 . 
     In S 502 , the CPU  207  displays the registration screen  701  on the operation unit  209  of the server  101 . The processing flow then proceeds to S 503 . 
     In S 503 , the CPU  207  acquires property information representing a name, a size, a basis weight, a color, and a sheet type of a sheet input by a user via a sheet information input screen (not illustrated) on the operation unit  209  of the server  101 . The processing flow then proceeds to S 504 . Note that sheet information about the name, the size, the basis weight, the color, and the sheet type may alternatively be imported from an external apparatus such as the information processing apparatus  104 , the printing apparatus  102 , or the like. 
     In S 504 , in response to pressing of a register button on a non-illustrated sheet information input screen on the operation unit  209  of the server  101 , the CPU  207  registers the sheet property information acquired in S 503  in the sheet information storage unit  401  allocated in the HDD unit  205  of the server  101 . 
     The details of the sequence of steps of the process of registering sheet information in the sheet information storage unit  401  have been described above. In the case where the process is performed on the printing apparatus  102 , the process may be performed in a similar manner to a case where the process is per formed on the server  101  if the units used in the process are read as follows. That is, the CPU  207 , the operation unit  209 , and the HDD unit  205  used in the process on the server  101  respectively may be read as the CPU  302 , the operation unit  318 , and the HDD  308  in the process on the printing apparatus  102 . 
     Next, a process of registering a group in the group setting storage unit  402  is described below with reference to a flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 6 . This process is performed on the server  101  such that the CPU  207  executes a program loaded from the HDD unit  205  into the second memory unit  208 . Although in the present embodiment, the process of registering the group in the group setting storage unit  402  is described for a case where the process is performed on the server  101 , the process may alternatively be performed on the printing apparatus  102 . In the case where the process is performed on the printing apparatus  102 , the CPU  302  may execute a program loaded from the HDD  308  into the RAM  303  to achieve the process. On the other hand, in a case where the information processing apparatus  104  plays a role as a server instead of the server  101 , the process described above may be performed on the information processing apparatus  104 . 
     First, in S 601 , the CPU  207  determines whether a group registration screen  801  such as that illustrated in  FIG. 8  is called. Note that the registration screen  801  is displayed on the operation unit  209  of the server  101 . On the registration screen  801 , it is allowed to select a sheet for a sheet feeding unit from sheets registered in the sheet information storage unit  401  by selecting one of sheets displayed in a drop-down box. Upon selecting the sheet, the property information (the size, the basis weight, the color, and the sheet type) of the selected sheet is related to the sheet feeding unit. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a sheet “Media3” registered in the sheet information storage unit  401  is selected for a sheet feeding unit Tray1, and thus property information “size: A3, basis weight: 128 g/m 2 , color: White, sheet type: thick paper” of the Media3 is related to the sheet feeding unit Tray1. Similarly, a sheet “Paper2” is selected for a sheet feeding unit Tray2, and thus property information of “Paper2” is related to the sheet feeding unit Tray2, and a sheet “MediaEx” is selected for a sheet feeding unit Tray3, and thus property information of “MediaEx” is related to the sheet feeding unit Tray3. On the other hand, as for a sheet feeding unit Tray4, no sheet registered in the sheet information storage unit  401  is selected, and thus no sheet property information is related to the sheet feeding unit Tray4. 
     In a case where it is determined in S 601  that the registration screen  801  is called, the processing flow proceeds to S 602 . On the other hand, in a case where the answer to S 601  is NO, the processing flow remains in S 601  until the registration screen  801  is called. 
     In S 602 , the CPU  207  displays the registration screen  801  on the operation unit  209  of the server  101 . The processing flow then proceeds to S 603 . 
     In S 603 , the CPU  207  acquires information associated with a group name  802  input by a user on the operation unit  209  of the server  101 . The processing flow then proceeds to S 604 . Note that the group name  802  may alternatively be imported from an external apparatus such as the information processing apparatus  104 , the printing apparatus  102 , or the like. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 8 , sheets of groups respectively related to Tray1 to Tray3 are for use in producing booklets. To make it easy to recognize that these groups are for “booklet”, a user may input “booklet” as a group name  802  in a group name box. In S 603 , the group name  802  is acquired. In this specific example, “booklet” is acquired. 
     In S 604 , the CPU  207  determines whether one of sheets registered in the sheet information storage unit  401  allocated in the HDD unit  205  of the server  101  is selected for a sheet feeding unit. 
     In a case where it is determined that the selection is performed, the processing flow proceeds to S 605 . On the other hand, in a case where the answer to S 604  is NO, the processing flow remains in S 604  until a sheet is selected. 
     In S 605 , the CPU  207  retrieves the property information of the sheet selected in S 604  from sheet information registered in the sheet information storage unit  401  allocated in the HDD unit  205  of the server  101 . 
     In S 606 , the CPU  207  acquires the property information of the present sheet from the sheet information retrieved in S 605 . The sheet property information acquired in S 606  may include, for example, information indicating a size, a basis weight, a color, a sheet type, and/or the like, of the sheet. Note that sheet information about the name, the size, the basis weight, the color, and the sheet type, and/or the like may alternatively be imported from an external apparatus such as the information processing apparatus  104 , the printing apparatus  102 , or the like. 
     The processing flow then proceeds to S 607  in which the CPU  207  relates the property information of the sheet acquired in S 606  to the sheet feeding unit. The processing flow then proceeds to S 608 . 
     In S 608 , the CPU  207  waits for a user to perform an operation on the registration screen  801  displayed on the operation unit  209  of the server  101 . 
     When some operation performed by a user is accepted, the process proceeds to step S 609 . If no operation by a user is accepted, the processing flow remains in S 608  until some operation is accepted. 
     In S 609 , the CPU  207  determines whether a finish button  803  is pressed on the registration screen  801  displayed on the operation unit  209  of the server  101 . 
     In a case where it is determined that the finish button  803  is pressed, it is determined that the process of relating the property information of the sheet to the sheet feeding unit is completed, that is, the group setting process is completed, and thus the processing flow proceeds to S 610 . On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the finish button  803  is not pressed, it is determined that the group setting process is not yet completed, and the processing flow returns to S 604 . 
     In S 610 , the CPU  207  determines whether the groups registered in the group setting storage unit  402  allocated in the HDD unit  205  of the server includes such a group for which sheet sizes related to sheet feeding units are all identical to those of the present group subjected to the setting described above. 
     In a case where a combination of a plurality of sheet feeding units and sizes of sheets related to the respective sheet feeding units is equal to that of another group, it is not possible to uniquely identify a group from sizes of sheets held in sheet feeding units. Also in a case where a combination of a plurality of sheet feeding units and sizes of sheets for a certain group is included in a combination for another group, it is not possible to uniquely identify a group from sizes of sheets held in sheet feeding units. Therefore, in the registration according to the present embodiment, it is not allowed to register a plurality of groups for which combinations of sizes of sheets related to sheet feeding unit are completely equal or a combination is included in a combination of another group. 
     For example, in a case where there is an already registered group (first group) having a combination of “Tray1: A3 thick paper, Tray2: B4 plain paper”, it is not allowed to further register a group (second group) defined to have a combination of, for example, “Tray1: A3 plain paper, Tray2: B4 thick paper, Tray3: A4 plain paper” because of the following reason. 
     In these two groups, the sheet size related to Tray1 is equally A3, and the sheet size related to Tray2 is equally B4. On the other hand, Tray3 is not related to any sheet in the group (first group) having the combination of “Tray1: A3 thick paper, Tray2: B4 plain paper”, but the combination associated with the second group includes the combination associated with the first group. Therefore, the first group having the combination of “Tray1: A3 thick paper, Tray2: B4 plain paper” and the second group having the combination of “Tray1: A3 plain paper, Tray2: B4 thick paper, Tray3: A4 plain paper” are determined that the combinations of sheet sizes related to the sheet feeding units are equal. 
     In a case where it is determined in S 610  that a group equal, in terms of the combination, to the present group of interest is already registered, the processing flow proceeds to S 611 . 
     In S 611 , the CPU  207  displays a warning screen  901  ( FIG. 9 ) on the operation unit  209  of the server  101  to notify that the group being tried to be newly registered after being subjected to the setting described above is not allowed to be registered in the group setting storage unit  402  allocated in the HDD unit  205  of the server  101 . 
     On the other hand, in a case where it is determined in S 610  that no such group is registered, the processing flow proceeds to S 612 . 
     In S 612 , the CPU  207  registers the group, for which the setting is completed, in the group setting storage unit  402  allocated in the HDD unit  205  of the server  101 . 
     After S 611  or S 612 , the process of registering the group in the group setting storage unit  402  is ended. 
     The process of registering the group in the group setting storage unit  402  has been described above in detail. In the case where the process is performed on the printing apparatus  102 , the process may be performed in a similar manner to a case where the process is performed on the server  101  if the units used in the process are read as follows. That is, the CPU  207 , the operation unit  209 , and the HDD unit  205  used in the process on the server  101  respectively may be read as the CPU  302 , the operation unit  318 , and the HDD  308  in the process on the printing apparatus  102 . 
     A further description of the first embodiment is given below for a case where property information is registered all at once for a plurality of sheets such that the property information of each sheet is related to corresponding one of sheet feeding units based on sizes of sheets held in the respective sheet feeding units. That is, when a sheet feeding unit is closed, the size of a sheet held in the closed sheet feeding unit is detected, and, based on the detected size, a group is searched for from the group setting storage unit  402 . The property information of sheet of the group detected in the search is registered so as to be related to the closed sheet feeding unit. 
     In the following description of the operation according to the first embodiment, groups illustrated in  FIG. 10  have already been registered in the group setting storage unit  402 . 
     Referring to a flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 11 , a description is given below as to a sequence of processing steps of registering property information of sheets all at once for a group such that the sheet property information is related to a corresponding one of sheet feeding units. This process is performed on the printing apparatus  102  such that the CPU  302  executes a program loaded from the HDD  308  into the RAM  303  to achieve the process. 
     First, in S 1101 , the CPU  302  determines whether a sheet feeding unit in an open state is closed. Note that a user is assumed to open a sheet feeding unit to put sheets to be used in a job into the sheet feeding unit. After the user puts the sheets, the user closes the sheet feeding unit in the open state. In a case where it is determined that a sheet feeding unit is closed, the processing flow proceeds to S 1102 . On the other hand, in a case where the answer to S 1101  is NO, the processing flow remains in S 1101 . Note that closing of a sheet feeding unit from an open state may be detected based on information acquired from the open/close detection sensor  326  illustrated in  FIG. 3  or the like. 
     In S 1102 , the CPU  302  acquires the size of the sheet held in the sheet feeding unit determined to be closed in S 1101 , and transmits information indicating the acquired sheet size together with information indicating the unit number (for example, Tray1) of the closed sheet feeding unit to the server  101  via the network  105 . Note that the sheet size of a sheet held in each sheet feeding unit may be detected based on information acquired from the size detection sensor  325  illustrated in  FIG. 3  or the like. The information transmitted in S 1102  from the printing apparatus  102  is received by the server  101  in S 1201  as described later with reference to  FIG. 12 . 
     The processing flow then proceeds to S 1103  in which the CPU  302  determines whether a response from the server  101  is received via the network  105  after the transmission of the sheet size and the unit number of the closed sheet feeding unit to the server  101  in S 1102 . 
     In a case where it is determined that a response from the server  101  is received, the processing flow proceeds to S 1104 . On the other hand, in a case where the answer to S 1103  is NO, the processing flow remains in S 1103 . In a case where no response from the server  101  is returned within a predetermined period, time out may occur. In this case, it may be allowed to exit the sequence of steps of setting property information of sheets to sheet feeding units belonging to a group illustrated in  FIG. 11 . Note that the information received in S 1103  by the printing apparatus  102  is responded to by the server  101  in S 1210  described below with reference to  FIG. 12 . 
     In S 1104 , the CPU  302  determines whether sheet property information of a group is received from the server  101 . Note that the information received in S 1104  by the printing apparatus  102  is transmitted the server  101  in S 1209  described below with reference to  FIG. 12 . 
     In a case where it is determined that sheet property information of a group is received from the server  101 , the processing flow proceeds to S 1105 . In S 1105 , the CPU  302  displays a confirmation screen  1301  such as that illustrated in  FIG. 13  on the operation unit  318  of the printing apparatus  102  to notify a user of the sheet information of the group received in S 1104  from the server  101 . Based on the information displayed on the confirmation screen  1301 , the user is allowed to determine whether the property information of the sheet of the group received from the server  101  is to be registered for the sheet feeding unit. 
     The processing flow then proceeds to S 1106 , in which the CPU  302  waits for a user to perform an operation on the confirmation screen  1301 . The processing flow remains in S 1106  until an operation of pressing an OK button  1302  or a cancel button  1303  by a user is accepted. In a case where it is determined that the OK button  1302  on the confirmation screen  1301  is pressed, the processing flow proceeds to S 1107 . In S 1107 , the CPU  302  registers the sheet property information of the group received in S 1104  such that it is related to the sheet feeding unit. After that, the process of registering sheet property information of the group so as to be related to the sheet feeding unit at a time for all is ended. 
     On the other hand, in a case where it is determined in S 1106  that the cancel button  1303  on the confirmation screen  1301  is pressed, the process of registering sheet property information of the group all at once so as to be related to the sheet feeding unit is ended. 
     In a case where it is determined in S 1104  that the sheet property information of the group is not received, the process of registering sheet property information of the group all at once so as to be related to the sheet feeding unit is ended. 
     The detailed description has been given above as to the sequence of processing steps of registering sheet property information of the group all at once so as to be related to the sheet feeding unit. 
     Next, a description is given below with reference to a flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 12  as to a sequence of processing steps performed on the server  101  to search for a group registered in the group setting storage unit  402  according to the first embodiment. This process is performed on the server  101  such that the CPU  207  executes a program loaded from the HDD unit  205  into the second memory unit  208 . Although in the first embodiment, the description is given by way of example for the case where the process of searching for a group registered in the group setting storage unit  402  is performed on the server  101 , the process may alternatively be performed on the printing apparatus  102 . In the case where the process is performed on the printing apparatus  102 , the CPU  302  executes a program loaded from the HDD  308  into the RAM  303  to achieve the process. On the other hand, in a case where the information processing apparatus  104  plays a role as a server instead of the server  101 , the process described above may be performed on the information processing apparatus  104 . 
     First, in S 1201 , the CPU  207  receives information from the printing apparatus  102  via the network  105  as to the size of the sheet held in the closed sheet feeding unit and the unit number of the closed sheet feeding unit. Note that the information received in S 1201  by the server  101  is transmitted by the printing apparatus  102  in S 1102  in  FIG. 11  described above. 
     The processing flow then proceeds to S 1202  in which the CPU  207  determines whether the searching is completed for all groups registered in the group setting storage unit  402  allocated in the HDD unit  205  of the server  101 . 
     In a case where it is determined that the searching is not completed for all registered groups, the processing flow proceeds to S 1203 . 
     In S 1203 , the CPU  207  selects one group to be next subjected to the searching from the groups stored in the group setting storage unit  402  allocated in the HDD unit  205  of the server  101 . The processing flow then proceeds to S 1204 . 
     In S 1204 , the CPU  207  checks the group selected in S 1203  as being to be next subjected to the searching to determine whether the selected group includes sheet property information related to the closed sheet feeding unit. 
     In the following description, it is assumed by way of example that the group selected in S 1203  as the next group to be subjected to the searching is a booklet  1001  in the example illustrated in  FIG. 10 , and the closed sheet feeding unit is Tray3. In this specific case, it is determined in S 1204  that no sheet property information is related to the closed sheet feeding unit (Tray3) in the group “booklet  1001 ”. 
     In a case where it is determined in S 1204  that there is sheet property information related to the closed sheet feeding unit (Tray3) in the group “booklet  1001 ”, the processing flow proceeds to S 1205 . On the other hand in a case where it is determined that there is no sheet property information related to the closed sheet feeding unit (Tray3) in the group “booklet  1001 ”, the processing flow returns to S 1202  and the process is performed again from S 1202 . 
     In S 1205 , the CPU  207  checks the group selected in S 1203  as the next group to be subjected to the searching to determine whether the size of the sheet related to the closed sheet feeding unit is equal to the size of the sheet held in the closed sheet feeding unit indicated by the information received in S 1201 . 
     In a case where it is determined that the sheet sizes are equal, the processing flow proceeds to S 1206 . In S 1206 , for the group selected in S 1203  and being subjected to the searching, the CPU  207  updates the value of a judgment flag corresponding to the closed sheet feeding unit such that it is overwritten to true. Thereafter, the processing flow returns to S 1202 . Note that the initial value of the judgment flag corresponding to any sheet feeding unit is false for any sheet in the group. The updated value of the judgment flag is stored in a nonvolatile manner in the HDD unit  205  of the server  101 . 
     On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the sheet sizes are not equal, the processing flow proceeds to S 1207 . In S 1207 , for the group selected in S 1203  and being subjected to the searching, the CPU  207  updates the value of a judgment flag corresponding to the closed sheet feeding unit such that it is overwritten to false. Thereafter, the processing flow returns to S 1202 . 
     On the other hand, in a case where it is determined in S 1202  that the searching is completed for all registered groups, the processing flow proceeds to S 1208 . In S 1208 , the CPU  207  determines whether there is a group in which the judgment flag is set to true for all sheet feeding units in the group. 
     In a case where it is determined that such a group exists, the processing flow proceeds to S 1209 . In S 1209 , the CPU  207  transmits information to the printing apparatus  102  via the network  105  as to the property information of all sheets of the group in which the value of the judgment flag is true for all sheet feeding units in the group. Thereafter the processing flow proceeds to S 1210 . Note that the sheet property information transmitted in S 1209  to be registered for the sheet feeding unit may include information indicating the basis weight, the color, the sheet type, and/or the like in addition to the sheet size. Note that the information transmitted in S 1209  by the server  101  is received by the printing apparatus  102  in S 1104  in  FIG. 11  described above. 
     On the other hand, in a case where the answer to S 1208  is NO, that is in a case where there is no such group in which the judgment flag is set to true for all sheet feeding units in the group, the processing flow proceeds to S 1210 . 
     In S 1210 , the CPU  207  returns a response to the printing apparatus  102  via the network  105  to notify that the processing on the server  101  is completed. Note that the information returned in S 1210  from the server  101  is received by the printing apparatus  102  in S 1103  in  FIG. 11  described above. 
     After the process in S 1210  is completed, the process of searching for groups registered in the group setting storage unit  402  is ended. 
     The sequence of processing steps of searching for groups registered in the group setting storage unit  402  has been described above in detail. In the case where the process is performed on the printing apparatus  102 , the process may be performed in a similar manner if the units used in the process are read as follows for all steps. That is, the CPU  207 , the operation unit  209 , and the HDD unit  205  used in the process on the server  101  respectively may be read as the CPU  302 , the operation unit  318 , and the HDD  308  in the process on the printing apparatus  102 . 
     Furthermore, details of S 1201 , S 1205 , S 1209 , and S 1210  are read as follows. In S 1201 , “information indicating the sheet size and the unit number of the closed sheet feeding unit is received from the printing apparatus  102  via the network  105 ” is read as “the information indicating the sheet size is acquired from the size detection sensor  325 , and the information indicating the unit number of the closed sheet feeding unit is acquired from the open/close detection sensor  326 ”. In S 1205 , “the size of the sheet held in the closed sheet feeding unit indicated by the information received in S 1201 ” is read as “the size of the sheet held in the closed sheet feeding unit indicated by the information received in S 1201 ”. In S 1209 , “all sheet property information of the group is transmitted to the printing apparatus  102  via the network  105 ” is read as “sheet property information of the group is acquired”. In S 1210 , “a response is returned via the network  105  to notify that the process on the side of the server  101  is completed” is read as “nothing is performed”. 
     The above reading makes it possible for the printing apparatus  102  to perform the operation in a similar manner to the case where the operation is performed on the server  101 . 
     An example of a result of the searching for groups registered in the group setting storage unit  402  according to the first embodiment is described below with reference to  FIGS. 14A and 14B  and  FIGS. 15A and 15B . 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrates examples of property information of sheets related to respective sheet feeding units of the printing apparatus  102 . Note that the groups illustrated in  FIGS. 15A and 15B  are the same as those illustrated in  FIG. 10 , and thus the same reference symbols are used. 
     In the example in  FIG. 14A , registration is made such that A3 thick paper is related to Tray1, B4 plain paper is related to Tray2, A3 tab sheet is related to Tray3, and A4 plain paper is related to Tray4. Sheets held in the respective sheet feeding units have sizes indicated by the corresponding sheet property information. In this case, the judgment flags for the sheet feeding units in the respective groups are given as illustrated in  FIG. 15A . 
     For example, let it be assumed that a user opens the sheet feeding unit Tray2 and replaces sheets of “B4 plain paper” held in the sheet feeding unit Tray2 with sheets of “A3 plain paper” to use in a job, and then the user closes the sheet feeding unit Tray2. In this case, searching is performed to find groups in which sheet size “A3” equal to that of new sheets put in the closed sheet feeding unit (Tray2) is related to Tray2. 
     As a result of the searching, in the example illustrated in  FIG. 15A , “booklet”  1001  and “lecture material”  1002  are found as such groups. Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 15B , the values of the judgment flags of the groups “booklet”  1001  and “lecture material”  1002  are overwritten from “false” to “true”. 
     Thus, in the situation such as that in the example in  FIG. 15B , a group in which all judgment flags for sheet feeding units are true is identified as “booklet”  1001 . 
     Therefore, in S 1209  in  FIG. 12  described above, the sheet property information associated with the group “booklet”  1001  is transmitted to the printing apparatus  102 . In S 1105  in  FIG. 11  described above, the confirmation screen  1301  illustrated in  FIG. 13  is displayed on the operation unit  318  of the printing apparatus  102 . Thus, if a user presses the OK button  1302  on the confirmation screen  1301 , then the sheet property information of the group “booklet”  1001  is registered so as to be related to Tray1 and Tray2 as illustrated in  FIG. 14B . 
     Upon the registration of the sheet property information for the group “booklet”  1001 , the sheet property information for Tray1 is changed from “A3 coated paper” to “A3 thick paper”. However, sheets held in Tray 1 is not of “A3 thick paper” but still of “A3 coated paper”. Therefore, not “A3 thick paper” but “A3 coated paper” is fed from Tray1 when a job for the group “booklet”  1001  is executed, and it is necessary to prevent this situation from occurring. To handle such a situation, when the sheet property information associated with the group “booklet”  1001  is registered for Tray 1, a notification may further be given to prompt a user to replace sheets held in Tray1 with correct sheets. 
     In the first embodiment, as described above, when a sheet feeding unit is closed, groups are searched for from the group setting storage unit  402  based on the size of sheets held in the closed sheet feeding unit and the unit number of the closed sheet feeding unit. In a case where the result of the search indicates that there is a group in which the values of the judgment flags are true for all sheet feeding units in the group, it is allowed to register, all at once, sheet property information of sheets so as to be related to corresponding sheet feeding units belonging to the group. That is, in a case where a plurality of sheets are used in executing one job, property information of the sheets is correctly registered so as to be related to corresponding sheet feeding units all at once, which makes it unnecessary for a user to input every detail of property information for all sheets each time registration is performed. 
     In the first embodiment described above, it is assumed by way of example but not limitation that when a sheet feeding unit in an open state is closed, the information indicating the size of the sheet held in the closed sheet feeding unit and the information indicating the unit number of the closed sheet feeding unit are transmitted to the server  101 , and the following process is performed based on the transmitted information. Alternatively, for example, a button may be provided on the operation unit  318  such that when the button is pressed, the information indicating the size of the sheet held in the sheet feeding unit is transmitted to the server  101 , and the following process is performed based on the transmitted information. 
     It is also assumed by way of example that the information transmitted to the server  101  is as to the size of a sheet held in a sheet feeding unit. Alternatively, another item of sheet property information may be transmitted. For example, in a case where a sensor is provided on a sheet feeding unit to detect a color of a sheet, and sheet color information is registered in the sheet information storage unit  401  and the group setting storage unit  402 , then the sheet color information may be transmitted together with the sheet size information to the server  101 , and a sheet may be selected based on the color and the size. Alternatively, only sheet color information instead of the sheet size information may be transmitted to the server  101 , and a sheet may be selected based only on the sheet color. 
     Second Embodiment 
     In the first embodiment described above, in a case where the result of the searching for groups from the group setting storage unit  402  indicates that there is no group in which the values of the judgment flags for corresponding sheet feeding units are all true, a response is returned to the printing apparatus  102  to notify that the process on the server  101  is completed. 
     In contrast, in a second embodiment described below, in a case where the result of the searching for groups indicates that there is no group in which the values of the judgment flags are true for all corresponding sheet feeding units belonging to the group, sheet property information of a particular group registered in the group setting storage unit  402  is transmitted to the printing apparatus  102 . Thereafter, a response is transmitted to the printing apparatus  102  to notify that the processing on the server  101  is completed. 
     In the second embodiment, a sequence of processing steps of registering sheet information in the sheet information storage unit  401  allocated in the HDD unit  205  of the server  101  (or in the HDD unit  308  of the printing apparatus  102 ) is similar to that illustrated in the flow chart in  FIG. 5 , and thus a further detailed description thereof is omitted. A sequence of processing steps of registering a group in the group setting storage unit  402  allocated in the HDD unit  205  of the server  101  (or in the HDD unit  308  of the printing apparatus  102 ) is similar to that illustrated in the flow chart in  FIG. 6 , and thus a further detailed description thereof is omitted. 
     In the printing apparatus  102  according to the second embodiment, a sequence of processing steps of registering, all at once, sheet property information so as to be related to corresponding one of sheet feeding units belong to a group includes similar steps to those according to the first embodiment described above with reference to the flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 11 , and thus a further detailed description of such similar steps (S 1101  to S 1104  and  1107 ) is omitted. 
     However, in the second embodiment, in a case where the answer to S 1104  in  FIG. 11  is YES, the following steps (S 1601  to S 1605 ) are performed differently from the first embodiment, and thus, focus is placed on a difference from the first embodiment in the following description of the second embodiment with reference to a flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 16 . 
     In S 1104 , the CPU  302  determines whether sheet property information of a group is received from the server  101 . In a case where it is determined that sheet property information of a group is received from the server  101 , the processing flow proceeds to S 1601 . 
     In S 1601 , the CPU  302  displays, on the operation unit  318  of the printing apparatus  102 , a list of groups received from the server  101  via the network  105 . More specifically, a selection screen  1801  such as that illustrated in  FIG. 18  is displayed such that particular candidates for groups registered in the group setting storage unit  502  are listed. A user is allowed to select one of groups on the selection screen  1801 . Note that the information received in S 1601  by the printing apparatus  102  is transmitted in S 1701  in  FIG. 7  described below from the server  101 . Information as to a history of use of groups registered all at once so as to be related to corresponding sheet feeding units in the above-described manner may be stored in the HDD  308  such that the CPU  302  is allowed to refer to the use history information and display the list of groups on the operation unit  318  based on the use history information such that the groups are sorted according to the date/time when the groups are used or according to the frequency of use. 
     Thereafter, the processing flow proceeds to S 1602 , in which the CPU  302  accepts a selection of a group performed by a user on the selection screen  1801 . After one group is accepted, the processing flow proceeds to S 1603 , in which a determination is performed as to whether the OK button  1802  on the registration screen  801  is pressed by a user. If the OK button  1802  is pressed, the processing flow proceeds to S 1604 . In a case where it is determined in S 1603  that the OK button  1802  is not pressed, the processing flow remains in S 1603  until the OK button  1802  is pressed. 
     In S 1604 , because it is necessary to replace sheets, the CPU  302  displays information on the operation unit  318  of the printing apparatus  102  to indicate a sheet feeding unit for which it is necessary to replace sheets. More specifically, the confirmation screen  1901  is displayed as illustrated in  FIG. 19  so as to notify a user of a sheet feeding unit for which the current sheet property information is different from the sheet property information input in S 1602  for the particular group thereby prompting the user to replace sheets. 
     Thereafter, the processing flow proceeds to S 1605  in which the CPU  302  determines whether the OK button  1812  on the confirmation screen  1901  is pressed. In a case where it is determined that the OK button  1902  is pressed, the processing flow proceeds to S 1107  in  FIG. 11  to continue the following process. On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the OK button  1812  is not pressed, the processing flow remains in S 1605 . 
     The detailed description has been given above as to the process of registering, all at once, sheet property information so as to be related to corresponding sheet feeding units in a group according to the second embodiment while placing the focus on the difference from the first embodiment. 
     Next, a description is given below as to a sequence of processing steps of searching for groups registered in the group setting storage unit  402  in the server  101  according to the second embodiment. The sequence of processing steps includes similar steps to those according to the first embodiment described above with reference to  FIG. 12 , and a further detailed description of the similar steps is omitted. 
     In the second embodiment, in the case where the answer to S 1208  in  FIG. 12  is NO, the following processing steps are performed differently from the first embodiment. Referring to a flow chart illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the sequence of processing steps according to the second embodiment is described below with a focus on the difference from the first embodiment. 
     In S 1208  in  FIG. 12 , the CPU  207  determines whether there is a group in which the judgment flag has a value of true for all sheet feeding units in the group. In a case where it is determined that there is no such group, the processing flow proceeds to S 1701 . Note that in a case where the process is performed on the printing apparatus  102 , the CPU  302  determines whether there is a group in which the judgment flag has a value of true for all sheet feeding units in the group, and in a case where it is determined that there is no such group, the processing flow proceeds to S 1701 . 
     In S 1701 , the CPU  207  transmits, to the printing apparatus  102  via the network  105 , sheet property information of a particular one of the groups registered in the group setting storage unit  402  allocated in the HDD unit  205  of the server  101 . Note that the information transmitted in S 1701  by the server  101  is received by the printing apparatus  102  in S 1601  in  FIG. 16  described above. An alternative process in S 1701  is to detect a group in which judgment flags have a value of true for many sheet feeding units, and preferentially transmit information indicating the detected group from the server  101  to the printing apparatus  102 . A still alternative process is to detect a group in which judgment flags have a value of false for a small number of sheet feeding units, and preferentially transmit information indicating the detected group from the server  101  to the printing apparatus  102 . Alternatively, sheet property information of all groups registered in the group setting storage unit  402  may be transmitted to the printing apparatus  102  from the server  101 . Note that in the case where the process is performed on the printing apparatus  102 , the CPU  302  acquires sheet property information of a particular group of the groups registered in the group setting storage unit  402  allocated in the HDD  308  of the printing apparatus  102 . 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 15A , there is no group in which the values of judgment flags are true for all corresponding sheet feeding units. On the other hand, “manual”  1003  is a group in which the values of judgment flags are true for the greatest number of sheet feeding units, and “booklet”  1001  is a group in which the values of judgment flags are true for the second greatest number of sheet feeding units. When groups in which the values of judgment flags are true for many sheet feeding units are detected in the above-described manner, these groups may be selected as high-priority candidates. 
     After the process in S 1701  is completed, the processing flow proceeds to S 1210  in  FIG. 12  to continue the following process. 
     The detailed description has been given above as to the process of searching for groups registered in the group setting storage unit  402  according to the second embodiment while placing the focus on the difference from the first embodiment. 
     In the second embodiment, as described above, when there is no group in which the values of the judgment flags are true for all corresponding sheet feeding units, sheet property information of a group selected from particular groups may be registered, all at once, so as to be related to corresponding sheet feeding units. That is, in a case where a plurality of sheets are used in executing one job, property information of the sheets is correctly registered, all at once, so as to be related to corresponding sheet feeding units, which makes it unnecessary for a user to input every detail of property information for all sheets each time registration is performed. 
     Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications (including a combination of embodiments) are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     In the embodiments described above, by way of example, a size is detected as one of items of sheet property information of the sheet feeding unit  322 . However, alternatively, a plurality of items of sheet property information may be detected and transmitted, and the following process may be performed based on these items of the sheet property information. 
     In the embodiments described above, by way of example, the information transmitted to the server  101  is as to the size of a sheet held on the sheet feeding unit  322 . In a case where sensors are provided on the sheet feeding unit  322  to detect a color of a sheet, a basis weight of the sheet, the sheet type of the sheet, and/or the like, and furthermore the color, the basis weight, the sheet type and/or the like of the sheet are registered in the sheet information storage unit  401  and the group setting storage unit  402 , then information about the color, the basis weight, the type and/or the like of the sheet may be transmitted together with the size information to the server  101 , and a sheet may be selected based on the sheet size, the sheet color, the basis weight of the sheet, the sheet type of the sheet, and/or the like. Alternatively, only sheet color information instead of the sheet size information may be transmitted to the server  101 , and a sheet may be selected based only on the sheet color. 
     That is, in a case where acquired property information of the sheet feeing unit  322  includes at least one of the size, the basis weight, the color, and the sheet type of the sheet, it is allowed to set the sheet property information related to the sheet feeding unit such that the sheet property information includes additionally at least one item other than the acquired property information. 
     In the embodiments described above, by way of example, the printing apparatus  102  and the external server  101  are connected to each other via the network  105 . Alternatively, the printing apparatus  102  and a printing control apparatus disposed in the printing apparatus  102  and functioning as a server may perform part or all of the control processes described above. Alternatively, part or all of the control processes described above may be performed only by the printing apparatus  102  without performing the process by the server  101  functioning as a printing control apparatus. That is, the server  101  functioning as the printing control apparatus may be disposed in the printing apparatus  102  or the information processing apparatus  104 . Alternatively, the printing apparatus  102  may be connected to a plurality of information processing apparatuses  104  via the network  103  such as a LAN, a WAN, or a wireless LAN thereby making it possible to perform part or all of the control processes described above. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to various embodiments and examples, the scope of the invention is not limited to particular descriptions given above. 
     Other Embodiments 
     Embodiments of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions recorded on a storage medium (e.g., non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) of the present invention, and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU), or other circuitry, and may include a network of separate computers or separate computer processors. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions. 
     This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-181187, filed Sep. 2, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.