Patent Description:
In recent years, inkjet printing apparatuses capable of continuous printing using roll paper (roll-shaped printing paper) have been widely used as digital printing apparatuses for printing without printing plates. The printing using roll paper, that is, printing on continuous paper, achieves high productivity compared to printing on sheet-fed paper. Further, an inkjet printing apparatus with an automatic switching function for roll paper has been developed to further increase productivity. According to the automatic switching function for roll paper, when the remaining amount of roll paper in use becomes small, the terminal end of the roll paper in use and the starting end of new roll paper are automatically joined without requiring manpower. This makes it possible to continue continuous printing without stopping the operation of the apparatus even when switching to new roll paper is required during execution of printing. Note that an apparatus including a plurality of slots each for holding roll paper and having an automatic switching function for roll paper to be used for printing (roll paper supplied to the body of the printing apparatus) is called an "autochanger".

The following prior art documents are known in connection with the present invention. <CIT> discloses an invention of a printing apparatus that reduces the number of times of roll paper replacements and achieve a reduction in total printing time by grouping print jobs for each type of paper (i.e., for type of roll paper) to be used and then determining the printing order so that print jobs included in a group corresponding to the type of paper set in the printing apparatus are executed preferentially. <CIT> discloses an invention of a printing system in which print jobs are grouped and then sorted according to a pre-registered sorting policy so that the number of times of roll paper replacements is reduced.

According to the invention disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT>, print jobs are grouped so that print jobs using the same type of roll paper are in the same group, and hence the number of roll paper replacements can be reduced as much as possible. However, even when the number of times of roll paper replacements decreases, productivity cannot be enhanced if there is a need to stop the printing operation accompanying the roll paper replacement.

In addition, when print jobs that use a different type of roll paper from the roll paper loaded in each of the plurality of slots constituting the autochanger (hereinafter referred to as a "Job JX" for convenience) are included among the plurality of print jobs subject to continuous printing, the roll paper of the paper type associated with the job JX needs to be loaded in a slot by the scheduled start time of printing based on the job JX in order not to stop the printing operation. However, neither <CIT> nor <CIT> describes anything about not stopping the printing operation. A further prior art document is <CIT> which discloses a method of foil-stamping printing being capable of reducing the number of foil roll replacements by rearranging jobs based on a sorting policy, for example, by rearranging the jobs so as to execute jobs using the same type of foil roll consecutively.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing method capable of preventing a decrease in printing productivity due to switching of roll paper to be used for printing and loading of roll paper into a slot. This object is achieved by the subject-matters of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the invention are subject-matters of the dependent claims.

The objects, features, modes, and advantageous effects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification, a schedule for the printing order of a plurality of print jobs subject to continuous printing is referred to as a "job execution schedule", a schedule for using roll paper loaded in each slot and a schedule for loading roll paper into each slot are referred to as a "roll paper loading schedule", and a job execution schedule and a roll paper loading schedule are collectively referred to as a "print schedule". The type of roll paper may be abbreviated as a "roll type".

<FIG> is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printing system includes a printer <NUM>, an autochanger <NUM> including a plurality of slots each for holding roll paper, a paper winder <NUM> for winding printing paper PA after printing, and a print controller <NUM> for controlling the operations of the printer <NUM>, the autochanger <NUM>, and the paper winder <NUM>. The printer <NUM> performs printing by discharging ink onto the printing paper PA without using a printing plate, and the autochanger <NUM> has an automatic switching function for roll paper to be used for printing. That is, this printing system achieves an inkjet printing apparatus with an automatic switching function for roll paper. The print controller <NUM> is provided with print job data (hereinafter referred to as "job data") via a communication line such as a local area network (LAN). Note that the autochanger <NUM> will be described later in detail.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the printer <NUM> includes a first driving roller <NUM> for conveying the printing paper PA supplied from the autochanger <NUM> to the inside, a plurality of support rollers <NUM> for conveying the printing paper PA inside the printer <NUM>, a printing unit <NUM> that performs printing by discharging ink onto the printing paper PA, a drying unit <NUM> that dries the printing paper PA after printing, an inspection unit <NUM> that inspects a state of printing on the printing paper PA, and a second driving roller <NUM> for outputting the printing paper PA from the inside of the printer <NUM>.

The printing unit <NUM> includes a C inkjet head 130c, an M inkjet head <NUM>, a Y inkjet head 130y, and a K inkjet head <NUM> that discharge cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) inks, respectively. Typically, each of the inkjet heads 130c, <NUM>, 130y, and <NUM> includes a plurality of head modules arranged in a staggered manner. Each head module has many nozzles.

In the above configuration, when an instruction to start printing is given to the print controller <NUM>, the print controller <NUM> controls the operations of the autochanger <NUM>, the printer <NUM>, and the paper winder <NUM> so that the printing paper PA is supplied from the autochanger <NUM> to the printer <NUM> and the printing paper PA after printing is wound up by the paper winder <NUM>. Then, in the process of conveying the printing paper PA, first, printing is performed by discharging the ink from each of the inkjet heads 130c, <NUM>, 130y, and <NUM> in the printing unit <NUM>, next, the printing paper PA is dried by the drying unit <NUM>, and finally, the printing state is inspected by the inspection unit <NUM>.

Although the configuration of the printer <NUM> for performing color printing has been exemplified here, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a printer for performing monochrome printing has been employed. Further, although the configuration of the printer <NUM> using aqueous ink has been exemplified here, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a printer using ultraviolet (UV) ink (ultraviolet curing ink), such as an inkjet printing apparatus for label printing, has been employed. In this case, an ultraviolet irradiation unit that cures UV ink on the printing paper PA by ultraviolet irradiation is provided inside the printer <NUM> (cf. <FIG>) instead of the drying unit <NUM>. Moreover, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a configuration in which the printer <NUM> is directly connected to a post-processing machine has been employed instead of the configuration in which the paper winder <NUM> is provided. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a configuration in which duplex printing is enabled by connecting two printers <NUM> via a reversing unit has been employed. In addition, the present invention can also be applied to a case where an autochanger similar to those illustrated in <FIG> is connected to the paper outputting end of the printer <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the print controller <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the print controller <NUM> includes a body <NUM>, an auxiliary storage device <NUM>, an optical disk drive <NUM>, a display unit <NUM>, a keyboard <NUM>, a mouse <NUM>, and the like. The body <NUM> includes a central processing unit (CPU) <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a first disk interface unit <NUM>, a second disk interface unit <NUM>, a display control unit <NUM>, an input interface unit <NUM>, an output interface unit <NUM>, and a network interface unit <NUM>. The CPU <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, the first disk interface unit <NUM>, the second disk interface unit <NUM>, the display control unit <NUM>, the input interface unit <NUM>, the output interface unit <NUM>, and the network interface unit <NUM> are connected to each other via a system bus. The auxiliary storage device <NUM> is connected to the first disk interface unit <NUM>. The optical disk drive <NUM> is connected to the second disk interface unit <NUM>. The display unit (display device) <NUM> is connected to the display control unit <NUM>. The keyboard <NUM> and the mouse <NUM> are connected to the input interface unit <NUM>. The printer <NUM> is connected to the output interface unit <NUM> via a communication cable. A communication line <NUM> is connected to the network interface unit <NUM>. The auxiliary storage device <NUM> is a magnetic disk device or the like. An optical disk <NUM> as a computer-readable recording medium such as a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) or a digital versatile disk (DVD)-ROM is inserted into the optical disk drive <NUM>. The display unit <NUM> is a liquid crystal display or the like. The display unit <NUM> is used to display information desired by an operator. The keyboard <NUM> and the mouse <NUM> are used by an operator to input instructions to the print controller <NUM>.

The auxiliary storage device <NUM> stores a print control program P. In the present embodiment, the print control program P includes a subprogram that creates a print schedule so that efficient printing is performed utilizing the function of the autochanger <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> reads the print control program P stored in the auxiliary storage device <NUM> into the memory <NUM> and executes the program to achieve various functions of the print controller <NUM>. The memory <NUM> includes a random-access memory (RAM) and a read-only memory (ROM). The memory <NUM> functions as a work area for the CPU <NUM> to execute the print control program P stored in the auxiliary storage device <NUM>. Note that the print control program P is provided by being stored into the computer-readable recording medium (non-transitory recording medium). That is, for example, a user purchases the optical disk <NUM> as a recording medium of the print control program P, inserts the optical disk <NUM> into the optical disk drive <NUM>, reads the print control program P from the optical disk <NUM>, and installs the print control program P in the auxiliary storage device <NUM>. Alternatively, the print control program P transmitted via the communication line <NUM> may be received by the network interface unit <NUM> and installed in the auxiliary storage device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the autochanger <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the autochanger <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes four slots (first slot <NUM>, second slot <NUM>, third slot <NUM>, and fourth slot <NUM>) each for holding the roll paper RL, a switching mechanism <NUM> that automatically switches the roll paper RL to be used for printing (i.e., automatically switches the slot from which the roll paper RL to be supplied to the printer <NUM> is drawn), and a splicer <NUM> that joins the terminal end of the roll paper RL in use and the starting end of the roll paper RL to be used next (i.e., the starting end of the roll paper RL held in the slot selected by the switching mechanism <NUM>) using an adhesive tape or the like. As above, the autochanger <NUM> supplies the roll paper drawn out from one of the four slots to the printer <NUM> as continuous paper. In a case where the roll paper RL to be used is switched when the remaining amount of the roll paper in use is not <NUM>, the roll paper in use is cut, and the terminal end of the roll paper RL in use after cutting and the starting end of the roll paper RL to be used next are joined by the splicer <NUM>.

The printing system according to the present embodiment is provided with the autochanger <NUM> having the configuration as described above, so that the roll paper RL to be used can be switched without stopping the conveyance of the printing paper PA. Note that the physical structure of the autochanger <NUM> is not directly related to the present invention, and hence its description and illustration are omitted.

As described above, the print control program P includes a subprogram for creating a print schedule. <FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration achieved by executing the subprogram (i.e., a functional configuration related to the creation of a print schedule). Note that, the components in the autochanger <NUM> are achieved by a computer provided in the autochanger <NUM> executing a predetermined program.

The print controller <NUM> includes a setting unit <NUM>, a storage unit <NUM>, a job processing unit <NUM>, and a communication unit <NUM>. The setting unit <NUM> includes a priority mode setting unit <NUM>, a roll replacement timing setting unit <NUM>, a preferentially used roll setting unit <NUM>, a required roll replacement time registration unit <NUM>, and an active slot registration unit <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> includes a priority mode storage unit <NUM>, a roll replacement timing storage unit <NUM>, a preferentially used roll storage unit <NUM>, a required roll replacement time storage unit <NUM>, an active slot storage unit <NUM>, and a loading information storage unit <NUM>. The job processing unit <NUM> includes a job reception unit <NUM>, a roll type identification unit <NUM>, a job grouping unit <NUM>, a job group classification unit <NUM>, a job execution scheduling unit <NUM>, and a roll paper loading scheduling unit <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> includes a loading information transmission unit <NUM>.

The priority mode setting unit <NUM> sets a priority mode at the time of performing scheduling (the creation of a print schedule) on the basis of the operation of the operator. In the present embodiment, a job list registration order mode for executing printing in the order of print jobs registered in a job list (information of a plurality of print jobs subject to continuous printing, which is held in a list format so that the information can be referred to), a production time reduction mode for prioritizing a reduction in time required for executing continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs registered in the job list, and a roll specification order mode for executing printing in a specified "order of roll types" are prepared, and the priority mode setting unit <NUM> sets any one of the three modes as the priority mode. At the time of setting the roll specification order mode to the priority mode, the order of roll types is also specified. The information on the priority mode set by the priority mode setting unit <NUM> is stored into the priority mode storage unit <NUM>.

The roll replacement timing setting unit <NUM> sets whether to replace the roll paper at an early timing after the start of the continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs or to replace the roll paper at a later timing from the start of the continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs in a case where the roll paper replacement is necessary, on the basis of the operation of the operator. The matter set by the roll replacement timing setting unit <NUM> is stored into the roll replacement timing storage unit <NUM>.

The preferentially used roll setting unit <NUM> sets whether to preferentially use roll paper with a large remaining amount or to preferentially use roll paper with a small remaining amount in a case where the same type of roll papers are held in plural slots, on the basis of the operation of the operator. The matter set by the preferentially used roll setting unit <NUM> is stored into the preferentially used roll storage unit <NUM>.

The required roll replacement time registration unit <NUM> registers a time per slot required for replacement of the roll paper by the operator (hereinafter referred to as "required roll replacement time") on the basis of the operation of the operator. The information on the required roll replacement time registered by the required roll replacement time registration unit <NUM> is stored into the required roll replacement time storage unit <NUM>.

The active slot registration unit <NUM> registers available slots (active slots) among the four slots (first slot <NUM>, second slot <NUM>, third slot <NUM>, and fourth slot <NUM>) provided in the autochanger <NUM> on the basis of the operation of the operator. The information on the active slots registered by the active slot registration unit <NUM> is stored into the active slot storage unit <NUM>.

The job reception unit <NUM> receives job data provided to the print controller <NUM> via the communication line <NUM>. The job data includes, in addition to image data to be printed, information on the type of roll paper necessary for executing the corresponding print job, and the like.

The roll type identification unit <NUM> identifies a roll type necessary for execution of each print job on the basis of the job data received by the job reception unit <NUM>.

The job grouping unit <NUM> groups a plurality of print jobs registered in a job list. Note that this grouping is performed using the roll type as a key. Hereinafter, a set of plural print jobs associated with the same roll type is referred to as a "job group". For example, in a case where four types of roll paper are used by executing a plurality of print jobs registered in a job list, grouping into four job groups is performed for the plurality of print jobs.

The job group classification unit <NUM> classifies job groups obtained by the grouping by the job grouping unit <NUM> into an executable job group and an inexecutable job group. The executable job group is a job group including only print jobs enabling the completion of printing using one or more roll papers loaded in the active slots. The inexecutable job group is a job group including print jobs not enabling the completion of printing in a case in which only one or more roll papers loaded in the active slots are used. For example, it is assumed that one job group is made up of two print jobs (job J1 and job J2) associated with a roll type of "type TA", and the total print distance of the two print jobs is <NUM>,<NUM>. At this time, when the roll paper of Type TA is loaded in only one slot, and the remaining amount (remaining distance) of the roll paper is <NUM>,<NUM>, the job group is classified as an executable job group. On the other hand, when the roll paper of Type TA is loaded in only one slot, and the remaining amount of the roll paper is <NUM>, the job group is classified as an inexecutable job group. As thus described, the job group is classified by the job group classification unit <NUM> in consideration of the remaining amount of roll paper loaded in each active slot and the total print distance for each roll type.

The information stored in the priority mode storage unit <NUM>, the roll replacement timing storage unit <NUM>, the preferentially used roll storage unit <NUM>, the required roll replacement time storage unit <NUM>, and the active slot storage unit <NUM> (hereinafter referred to as "scheduling condition information") is referred to by the job execution scheduling unit <NUM> and the roll paper loading scheduling unit <NUM>.

The job execution scheduling unit <NUM> determines the printing order for the plurality of print jobs registered in the job list (i.e., creates a job execution schedule) on the basis of the scheduling condition information.

The roll paper loading scheduling unit <NUM> creates a roll paper loading schedule that is a schedule for using a roll paper loaded in each slot and a schedule for loading a roll paper into each slot on the basis of the scheduling condition information. At that time, regarding a case where the loading of the roll paper into the slot is required when the printing is executed in the order based on the job execution schedule created by the job execution scheduling unit <NUM>, the roll paper loading scheduling unit <NUM> obtains a time at which the loading of the roll paper into a loading target slot (a slot to which the roll paper is loaded) can be started (hereinafter referred to as a "possible loading start time") and a time indicating when the loading of the roll paper into the loading target slot is to be started at the latest in order not to stop the printing operation (hereinafter referred to as a "loading start deadline time"). The information on the possible loading start time and the loading start deadline time obtained by the roll paper loading scheduling unit <NUM> is stored into the loading information storage unit <NUM>.

The loading information transmission unit <NUM> transmits the information on the possible loading start time and the loading start deadline time (hereinafter referred to as "loading information") stored in the loading information storage unit <NUM> to the autochanger <NUM>.

The autochanger <NUM> includes a communication unit <NUM> and an information display unit <NUM>. The communication unit <NUM> includes a loading information reception unit <NUM>. The information display unit <NUM> includes a loading information notification unit <NUM>. The loading information reception unit <NUM> receives the loading information transmitted from the loading information transmission unit <NUM>. The loading information is provided to the loading information notification unit <NUM>. The loading information notification unit <NUM> notifies the outside of the loading information.

Next, how the print schedule (job execution schedule and roll paper loading schedule) is created in the present embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, the roll paper to be loaded into the slot is referred to as "loading target roll paper".

A procedure for scheduling processing (a series of processing related to the creation of a print schedule) will be described with reference to a flowchart illustrated in <FIG>. Note that this scheduling processing is achieved by the subprogram included in the print control program P. That is, this scheduling processing is processing performed by the print controller <NUM>.

After the scheduling processing is started, initial processing is performed (step S100). The initial processing will be described with reference to the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>.

In the initial processing, first, various conditions related to the operation of the autochanger <NUM> are set (step S101), specifically as follows. The priority mode setting unit <NUM> sets a mode to be employed as the priority mode (any one of the job list registration order mode, the production time reduction mode, and the roll specification order mode is set as the priority mode). The roll replacement timing setting unit <NUM> sets whether to replace the roll paper at an early timing after the start of the continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs or to replace the roll paper at a later timing from the start of the continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs in a case where the roll paper replacement is necessary. The preferentially used roll setting unit <NUM> sets whether to preferentially use roll paper with a large remaining amount or to preferentially use roll paper with a small remaining amount. The required roll replacement time registration unit <NUM> registers the required roll replacement time. The active slot registration unit <NUM> registers active slots.

Next, on the basis of the job data received by the job reception unit <NUM>, a print job (to execute the continuous printing from now on) is registered in the job list (step S102). Here, it is assumed that a plurality of print jobs are registered. Note that the roll type identification unit <NUM> identifies the roll type associated with each print job.

Next, information on the type of roll paper loaded in each active slot of the autochanger <NUM> is acquired (step S103). When the active slot is not loaded with roll paper, information indicating that the active slot is an empty slot is acquired. Next, the job grouping unit <NUM> groups the plurality of print jobs registered in step S102 (i.e., the plurality of print jobs registered in the job list) using the roll type as a key (step S104). Next, the job group classification unit <NUM> classifies the job groups obtained by the grouping in step S104 into the executable job group described above and the inexecutable job group described above (step S105). Thereby, the initial processing ends.

After the end of the initial processing, it is determined whether or not a first determination condition that "continuous printing based on a plurality of print jobs registered in a job list can be executed without requiring loading of roll paper into a slot or replacement of roll paper loaded in the slot during execution of printing" is satisfied (step S110). In the determination in step S110, the result of the classification in step S105 is referred to. When all the job groups are classified as executable job groups, it is determined that the first determination condition is satisfied. In addition, even when there is a job group classified as an inexecutable job group, it is determined that the first determination condition is satisfied in a case where the continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs registered in the job list is enabled by loading roll paper into an empty slot before the start of printing or by replacing roll paper in a slot loaded with roll paper that is not scheduled to be used before the start of printing. When it is necessary to load or replace the roll paper during execution of printing, it is determined that the first determination condition is not satisfied. When it is determined in step S110 that the first determination condition is satisfied, the processing proceeds to step S112, and when it is determined in step S110 that the first determination condition is not satisfied, the processing proceeds to step S120.

In step S112, the printing order for the plurality of print jobs registered in the job list is determined according to the priority mode set in step S101. When the priority mode is the job list registration order mode, the printing order is determined according to the order of print jobs registered in the job list. When the priority mode is the production time reduction mode, the printing order is determined so that the time required to execute the continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs becomes the shortest (typically, the printing order is determined so that the number of times of roll paper splicing is minimized). When the priority mode is the roll specification order mode, the printing order is determined so that the continuous printing is executed in the specified "order of roll types". After the end of step S112, the processing proceeds to step S190.

In step S120, it is determined whether or not a second determination condition that "the priority mode set in step S101 is the job list registration order mode" is satisfied. As a result, when the second determination condition is satisfied, the processing proceeds to step S122, and when the second determination condition is not satisfied, the processing proceeds to step S130.

In step S122, the printing order is determined according to the order of the print jobs registered in the job list. The loading target slot corresponding to each loading target roll paper is identified in consideration of the determined printing order and the setting as to whether to preferentially use roll paper with a large remaining amount or to preferentially use roll paper with a small remaining amount (this setting was made in step S101 of <FIG>). After the end of step S122, the processing proceeds to step S190.

In step S130, information of the roll type necessary for executing the print job constituting the job group classified as the inexecutable job group in step S105 (i.e., information of the roll type associated with the print job constituting the job group classified as the inexecutable job group) is acquired.

In step S140, it is determined whether or not a third determination condition that "the priority mode set in step S101 is the production time reduction mode" is satisfied. As a result, when the third determination condition is satisfied, the processing proceeds to step S150, and when the third determination condition is not satisfied, the processing proceeds to step S160. That is, when the priority mode is the production time reduction mode, the processing proceeds to step S150, and when the priority mode is the roll specification order mode, the processing proceeds to step S160.

In step S150, it is determined whether or not a fourth determination condition that "a setting of 'replacing the roll paper at an early timing after the start of the continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs in a case where the roll paper replacement is necessary' was made in step S101" is satisfied. As a result, when the fourth determination condition is satisfied, the processing proceeds to step S152, and when the fourth determination condition is not satisfied, the processing proceeds to step S154.

In step S152, the printing order of the plurality of print jobs is determined so that the print job constituting the job group classified as the inexecutable job group is later in the order, and the print job associated with the roll type having a shorter total print distance is earlier in the order. Similarly to step S122, the loading target slot corresponding to each loading target roll paper is identified. After the end of step S152, the processing proceeds to step S170.

In step S154, the printing order of the plurality of print jobs is determined so that the print job constituting the job group classified as the executable job group is earlier in the order, and the print job associated with the roll type having a longer total print distance is earlier in the order. Similarly to step S122, the loading target slot corresponding to each loading target roll paper is identified. After the end of step S154, the processing proceeds to step S170.

In step S160, it is determined whether or not the fourth determination condition described above is satisfied. As a result, when the fourth determination condition is satisfied, the processing proceeds to step S162, and when the fourth determination condition is not satisfied, the processing proceeds to step S164.

In step S162, the printing order for the plurality of print jobs is determined so that printing is executed in the "order of roll types" specified in step S101. On the basis of the determined printing order, the loading target slot corresponding to each loading target roll paper is identified on the assumption that the roll paper is loaded into the slot at the timing as early as possible from the printing start time point. After the end of step S162, the processing proceeds to step S170.

In step S164, the printing order for the plurality of print jobs is determined so that printing is executed in the "order of roll types" specified in step S101. In addition, on the basis of the determined printing order, the loading target slot corresponding to each loading target roll paper is identified on the assumption that the roll paper is loaded into the slot at the timing as late as possible from the printing start time point. After the end of step S164, the processing proceeds to step S170.

In step S170, the possible loading start time is obtained for each loading target roll paper on the basis of the printing order and the loading target slot determined in any one of steps S122, S152, S154, S162, and S164.

In step S180, the loading start deadline time is obtained for each loading target roll paper on the basis of the printing order referred to in step S170 and the required roll replacement time set in step S101. Specifically, a time earlier by the required roll replacement time than the scheduled time at which printing on the roll paper after the replacement is started is obtained as the loading start deadline time. Note that a period from the possible loading start time to the loading start deadline time corresponds to a possible loading time (a time at which roll paper can be loaded into the loading target slot).

In step S190, the entire print schedule (the printing order for the plurality of print jobs registered in the job list, the printing start time and the print end time for each print job, the association between the print job and the slot, the possible loading start time and the loading start deadline time for each loading target roll paper, etc.) is fixed.

Thereafter, in step S200, the loading information is transmitted from the print controller <NUM> to the autochanger <NUM>, and the loading information is displayed on the information display unit <NUM> of the autochanger <NUM>. Thereby, the scheduling processing ends. Note that, in step S200, for example, the loading information may be transmitted to an information transmission destination, such as a mail address specified in advance, by e-mail or the like. Further, when the possible loading start time is reached during the period in which the continuous printing is executed according to the print schedule fixed in step S190, a notification that the roll paper is to be loaded into the slot may be transmitted to an information transmission destination, such as a mail address specified in advance, by e-mail or the like.

Meanwhile, in steps S122, S152, S154, S162, and S164, the job execution schedule and the roll paper loading schedule are created on the basis of the type and the remaining amount of the roll paper loaded in each of the plurality of slots constituting the autochanger <NUM>, the type of the roll paper required to execute each of the plurality of print jobs subject to continuous printing, and the print distance of each of the plurality of print jobs.

In the present embodiment, a priority mode setting step, a required roll replacement time registration step, and a roll replacement timing setting step are achieved by step S101, a print job registration step is achieved by step S102, a job grouping step is achieved by step S104, a job group classification step is achieved by step S105, a scheduling step is achieved by step S112, step S122, step S152, step S154, step S162, and step S164, a possible loading time calculation step is achieved by step S170 and step S180, a possible loading start time calculation step is achieved by step S170, a loading start deadline time calculation step is achieved by step S180, and a loading information notification step is achieved by step S200.

Next, a detailed specific example of the scheduling processing will be described. In the present specific example, situations described in the following (a) to (i) are assumed.

In step S104 of <FIG>, eight print jobs (jobs J1 to J8) registered in the job list are grouped into four job groups. Here, for convenience, a job group made up of the print jobs (Jobs J3, J4, and J8) associated with the roll type "Type TA" is referred to as a "job group JGA", a job group made up of the print jobs (Jobs J5 and J7) associated with the roll type "Type TB" is referred to as a" job group JGB", a job group made up of the print job (job J6) associated with the roll type "Type TC" is referred to as a "job group JGC", and a job group made up of the print jobs (Jobs J1 and J2) associated with the roll type "Type TD" is referred to as a " job group JGD".

The total print distance for the job group JGA is <NUM>,<NUM>, and the remaining amount of the roll paper of Type TA loaded in the active slot is <NUM>,<NUM>. It is thus necessary to load the roll paper of Type TA into the active slot. The total print distance for the job group JGB is <NUM>, and the remaining amount of the roll paper of Type TB loaded in the active slot is <NUM>,<NUM>. Thus, it is not necessary to load the roll paper of Type TB into the active slot. The total print distance for the job group JGC is <NUM>,<NUM>, and there is no roll paper of Type TC loaded in the active slot. It is thus necessary to load the roll paper of Type TC into the active slot. The total print distance for the job group JGD is <NUM>,<NUM>, and the remaining amount of the roll paper of Type TD loaded in the active slot is <NUM>,<NUM>. Thus, it is not necessary to load the roll paper of Type TD into the active slot. From the above, in step S105 of <FIG>, the job group JGA and the job group JGC are classified as the inexecutable job groups, and the job group JGB and the job group JGD are classified as the executable job groups.

There is an inexecutable job group, and roll paper needs to be loaded during printing. Thus, in step S110 of <FIG>, it is determined that the first determination condition is not satisfied. Further, since the priority mode is the roll specification order mode, it is determined that the second determination condition is not satisfied in step S120 of <FIG>, and it is determined that the third determination condition is not satisfied in step S140 of <FIG>. The setting of "replacing the roll paper at an early timing after the start of the continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs in a case where the roll paper replacement is necessary" has been made, so that it is determined in step S160 of <FIG> that the fourth determination condition is satisfied.

The specified "order of roll types" is "Type TB, Type TD, Type TA, and Type TC", and hence the printing order is determined in step S162 of <FIG> as illustrated in <FIG>. Therefore, hereinafter, the job group JGB is referred to as a "first print job group", the job group JGD is referred to as a "second print job group", the job group JGA is referred to as a "third print job group", and the job group JGC is referred to as a "fourth print job group".

For job J5, the print distance is <NUM>, and the print time is <NUM> minutes. The remaining amount of the roll paper of Type TB loaded in the second slot <NUM> is <NUM>. The printing start time is <NUM>:<NUM>. From the above, in step S170 of <FIG>, the possible loading start time is determined to be <NUM>:<NUM> for the loading of the roll paper of Type TA necessary for executing the third print job group into the loading target slot (second slot <NUM>).

Note that, when the setting of "replacing the roll paper at later timing from the start of the continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs in a case where the roll paper replacement is necessary" has been made, a roll paper loading schedule for loading the roll paper of Type TA into the fourth slot <NUM> after the end of printing based on the second print job group is created. At this time, in step S170 of <FIG>, the possible loading start time is determined to be <NUM>:<NUM>, which is a time at which printing based on the second print job group ends.

The first slot <NUM> is loaded with the roll paper of Type TA with a remaining amount of <NUM>,<NUM>. The print distance of job J4 is <NUM>,<NUM>. The printing speed is "<NUM>/min". From the above, the remaining amount of the roll paper loaded in the first slot <NUM> becomes <NUM> ten minutes after the start of the execution of the job J4. That is, at <NUM>:<NUM>, the remaining amount of the roll paper loaded in the first slot <NUM> becomes <NUM>. The required roll replacement time is five minutes. Thus, in step S180 of <FIG>, the loading start deadline time is determined to be <NUM>:<NUM> for the loading of the roll paper of Type TA necessary for executing the third print job group into the loading target slot (second slot <NUM>).

For job J7, the print distance is <NUM>, and the print time is <NUM> minutes. Although the remaining amount of the roll paper of Type TB loaded in the third slot <NUM> is <NUM>,<NUM>, the roll paper of Type TB is not used for printing after the end of the printing based on the job J7. Thus, the third slot <NUM> can be used as the loading target slot for the roll paper of Type TC necessary for executing the fourth print job group. From the above, in step S170 of <FIG>, the possible loading start time is determined to be <NUM>:<NUM> for the loading of the roll paper of Type TC necessary for executing the fourth print job group into the loading target slot (the third slot <NUM>).

Note that, when the setting of "replacing the roll paper at a later timing from the start of the continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs in a case where the roll paper replacement is necessary" has been made, a roll paper loading schedule for loading the roll paper of Type TC into the first slot <NUM> after the remaining amount of the roll paper of Type TA loaded in the first slot <NUM> becomes <NUM> is created. At that time, in step S170 of <FIG>, the possible loading start time is determined to be <NUM>:<NUM>, which is a time at which the remaining amount of the roll paper loaded in the first slot <NUM> becomes <NUM>.

It takes one hour and <NUM> minutes to execute the first print job group, the second print job group, and the third print job group. The required roll replacement time is five minutes. Thus, in step S180 of <FIG>, the loading start deadline time is determined to be <NUM>:<NUM> for the loading of the roll paper of Type TC necessary for executing the fourth print job group into the loading target slot (the third slot <NUM>).

As described above, for the loading of the roll paper of Type TA into the second slot <NUM>, the possible loading start time is determined to be <NUM>:<NUM> and the loading start deadline time is determined to be <NUM>:<NUM>. For the loading of the roll paper of Type TC into the third slot <NUM>, the possible loading start time is determined to be <NUM>:<NUM> and the loading start deadline time is determined to be <NUM>:<NUM>. On the basis of these, in step S200 of <FIG>, for example, a roll paper loading schedule as illustrated in <FIG> is displayed on the information display unit <NUM> of the autochanger <NUM>. The "possible loading start time" column shows a time at which the new roll paper can be loaded into each slot. The "possible loading time length" column shows a time length from the possible loading start time to the loading start deadline time.

Hereinafter, various specific examples related to the scheduling processing will be described. Again, it is assumed that all of the four slots (first slot <NUM>, second slot <NUM>, third slot <NUM>, and fourth slot <NUM>) provided in the autochanger <NUM> are active slots.

A first case is a case where creation of a job execution schedule (hereinafter referred to as "job execution scheduling") is performed in step S112 of <FIG>. For the first case, the following situation is assumed. As illustrated in <FIG>, four print jobs (jobs J1 to J4) are registered in the job list. The states of the first to fourth slots <NUM> to <NUM> in the initial state are as illustrated in <FIG>. The priority mode has been set to the job list registration order mode.

In this case, only a job group including the print jobs (jobs J1 and J4) associated with the roll type "Type TA" is the inexecutable job group. In the initial state, the fourth slot <NUM> is an empty slot. When the roll paper of Type TA having a length of <NUM>,<NUM> or more is loaded into the fourth slot <NUM> before the start of printing, it is not necessary to load the roll paper into the slot during execution of printing. Therefore, a roll paper loading schedule for loading the roll paper of Type TA into the fourth slot <NUM>, which is an empty slot, before the start of printing is created. According to the roll paper loading schedule, the states of the first to fourth slots <NUM> to <NUM> at the printing start time point are, for example, the states illustrated in <FIG>. Note that, since the priority mode is the job list registration order mode, the printing order determined by the scheduling processing is as illustrated in <FIG>.

A second case is also a case where the job execution scheduling is performed in step S112 of <FIG>. For the second case, the following situation is assumed. As illustrated in <FIG>, four print jobs (jobs J1 to J4) are registered in the job list. The states of the first to fourth slots <NUM> to <NUM> in the initial state are as illustrated in <FIG>. The priority mode has been set to the production time reduction mode.

In this case, as in the first case, only a job group including the print jobs (jobs J1 and J4) associated with the roll type "Type TA" is the inexecutable job group. In the initial state, there is no empty slot, but the fourth slot <NUM> is loaded with the roll paper of Type TD that is not used for printing. When the roll paper loaded in the fourth slot <NUM> is replaced with the roll paper of Type TA having a length of <NUM>,<NUM> or more before the start of printing, it is not necessary to load the roll paper into the slot during execution of printing. Therefore, a roll paper loading schedule for replacing the roll paper loaded in the fourth slot <NUM> with the roll paper of Type TA before the start of printing is created. According to the roll paper loading schedule, the states of the first to fourth slots <NUM> to <NUM> at the printing start time point are, for example, the states illustrated in <FIG>. In addition, since the priority mode is the production time reduction mode, the printing order is determined so that the job J1 and the job J4 are executed in succession. Therefore, the printing order determined by the scheduling processing is as illustrated in <FIG>.

A third case is a case where the job execution scheduling is performed in step S122 of <FIG>. For the third case, the following situation is assumed. As illustrated in <FIG>, six print jobs (jobs J1 to J6) are registered in the job list. The states of the first to fourth slots <NUM> to <NUM> in the initial state are as illustrated in <FIG>. The priority mode has been set to the job list registration order mode.

In this case, a job group including the print jobs (Jobs J1 and J5) associated with the roll type "Type TA" and a job group including the print jobs (Jobs J2 and J6) associated with the roll type "Type TB" are the inexecutable job groups. In the initial state, there is neither an empty slot nor a slot loaded with a type of roll paper that is not used for printing. It is thus necessary to load the roll paper of Type TA and the roll paper of Type TB into the slot during execution of printing. Since the priority mode is the job list registration order mode, the printing order determined by the scheduling processing is as illustrated in <FIG>. The total print distance of the two print jobs (jobs J1 and J5) associated with the roll type "Type TA" is <NUM>,<NUM>, whereas the remaining amount of the roll paper of Type TA loaded in the first slot <NUM> is <NUM>. Here, the roll paper of Type TD is required at the latest timing among the four types of roll paper. Therefore, a roll paper loading schedule for replacing the roll paper loaded in the fourth slot <NUM> with the roll paper of Type TA before the start of printing is created. The remaining amount of the roll paper of Type TA loaded in the first slot <NUM> becomes <NUM> during the execution of the job J1, and hence a roll paper loading schedule for loading the roll paper of Type TB into the first slot <NUM> is created. The roll paper of Type TD is being taken out from the fourth slot <NUM>, so that it is necessary to load the roll paper of Type TD into the slot before the execution of the job J4 is started. In this regard, the remaining amount of the roll paper of Type TB loaded in the second slot <NUM> becomes <NUM> during the execution of the job J2, and hence a roll paper loading schedule for loading the roll paper of Type TD into the second slot <NUM> is created. According to the roll paper loading schedule created as described above, the states of the first to fourth slots <NUM> to <NUM> at the printing start time point are, for example, the states illustrated in <FIG>. In addition, the states of the first to fourth slots <NUM> after the remaining amount of the roll paper loaded in the first slot <NUM> becomes <NUM> by the execution of the job J1 are, for example, the states illustrated in <FIG>. Note that, since the printing based on the job J1 is continued even during the work of loading the roll paper into the first slot <NUM>, the remaining amount of the roll paper of Type TA loaded in the fourth slot <NUM> is actually smaller than <NUM>,<NUM> at the time when the loading of the roll paper of Type TB into the first slot <NUM> is completed. Further, the states of the first to fourth slots <NUM> to <NUM> after the remaining amount of the roll paper loaded in the second slot <NUM> becomes <NUM> by the execution of the job J2 are the states illustrated in <FIG>. Note that, in practice, at the time when the loading of the roll paper of Type TD into the second slot <NUM> is completed, the remaining amount of the roll paper of Type TB loaded in the first slot <NUM> is less than <NUM>,<NUM>.

A fourth case is a case where the job execution scheduling is performed in step S152 of <FIG>. For the fourth case, the following situation is assumed. As illustrated in <FIG>, six print jobs (jobs J1 to J6) are registered in the job list. The states of the first to fourth slots <NUM> to <NUM> in the initial state are as illustrated in <FIG>. The priority mode has been set to the production time reduction mode. The setting of "replacing the roll paper at an early timing after the start of the continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs in a case where the roll paper replacement is necessary" has been made.

In this case, only a job group including the print jobs (jobs J1 and J5) associated with the roll type "Type TA" is the inexecutable job group. In the initial state, there is neither an empty slot nor a slot loaded with a type of roll paper that is not used for printing. It is thus necessary to load the roll paper of Type TA into the slot during execution of printing. Since the priority mode is the production time reduction mode, the printing order is determined so that the job J1 and the job J5 are continuously executed, the job J2 and the job J6 are continuously executed, and the print jobs (jobs J1 and J5) constituting the inexecutable job group are later in the order. Further, the setting of "replacing the roll paper at an early timing after the start of the continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs in a case where the roll paper replacement is necessary" has been made, and hence the printing order is determined so that the print job associated with the roll type having a shorter total print distance is earlier in the order. From the above, the printing order determined by the scheduling processing is as illustrated in <FIG>. Concerning the loading of the roll paper of Type TA into the slot, the roll paper of Type TB is not used for printing after the end of printing based on job J6. Thus, a roll paper loading schedule for loading the roll paper of Type TA into the second slot <NUM> after the end of the printing based on the job J6 is created. According to the roll paper loading schedule, the states of the first to fourth slots <NUM> to <NUM> after the end of printing based on the job J6 are, for example, the states illustrated in <FIG>. Note that, in practice, at the time when the loading of the roll paper of Type TA into the second slot <NUM> is completed, the remaining amount of the roll paper of Type TC loaded in the third slot <NUM> is less than <NUM>,<NUM>.

A fifth case is a case where the job execution scheduling is performed in step S154 of <FIG>. For the fifth case, the following situation is assumed. As illustrated in <FIG>, six print jobs (jobs J1 to J6) are registered in the job list. The states of the first to fourth slots <NUM> to <NUM> in the initial state are as illustrated in <FIG>. The priority mode has been set to the production time reduction mode. The setting of "replacing the roll paper at a later timing from the start of the continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs in a case where the roll paper replacement is necessary" has been made.

In this case, as in the fourth case, only a job group including the print jobs (jobs J1 and J5) associated with the roll type "Type TA" is the inexecutable job group. In the initial state, there is neither an empty slot nor a slot loaded with a type of roll paper that is not used for printing. It is thus necessary to load the roll paper of Type TA into the slot during execution of printing. Since the priority mode is the production time reduction mode, the printing order is determined so that the job J1 and the job J5 are continuously executed, the job J2 and the job J6 are continuously executed, and the print jobs (jobs J1 and J5) constituting the inexecutable job group are later in the order. Further, the setting of "replacing the roll paper at a later timing from the start of the continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs in a case where the roll paper replacement is necessary" has been made, and hence the print ordering is determined so that the print job associated with a roll type having a longer total print distance is earlier in the order. From the above, the printing order determined by the scheduling processing is as illustrated in <FIG>. Concerning the loading of the roll paper of Type TA into the slot, the roll paper of Type TD is not used for printing after the end of printing based on job J4. Thus, a roll paper loading schedule for loading the roll paper of Type TA into the fourth slot <NUM> after the end of the printing based on the job J4 is created. According to the roll paper loading schedule, the states of the first to fourth slots <NUM> to <NUM> after the end of printing based on the job J4 are, for example, the states illustrated in <FIG>. Note that, in practice, at the time when the loading of the roll paper of Type TA into the fourth slot <NUM> is completed, the remaining amount of the roll paper of Type TC loaded in the third slot <NUM> is less than <NUM>,<NUM>.

A sixth case is a case where the job execution scheduling is performed in step S162 of <FIG>. For the sixth case, the following situation is assumed. As illustrated in <FIG>, six print jobs (jobs J1 to J6) are registered in the job list. The states of the first to fourth slots <NUM> to <NUM> in the initial state are as illustrated in <FIG>. The priority mode has been set to the roll specification order mode. The setting of "replacing the roll paper at an early timing after the start of the continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs in a case where the roll paper replacement is necessary" has been made. The setting of "preferentially using roll paper with a small remaining amount" has been made.

In this case, a job group including the print job (job J3) associated with the roll type "Type TC" and a job group including the print job (job J4) associated with the roll type "Type TD" are the inexecutable job groups. In the initial state, there is neither an empty slot nor a slot loaded with a type of roll paper that is not used for printing. It is thus necessary to load the roll paper of Type TC and the roll paper of Type TD into the slot during execution of printing. Since the priority mode is the roll specification order mode, the printing order determined by the scheduling processing is as illustrated in <FIG>. The setting of "preferentially using roll paper with a small remaining amount" has been made, so that the remaining amount of the roll paper of Type TA loaded in the first slot <NUM> becomes <NUM> during the execution of the job J1, and the remaining amount of the roll paper of Type TB loaded in the second slot <NUM> becomes <NUM> during the execution of the job J2. Thus, a roll paper loading schedule for loading the roll paper of Type TC into the first slot <NUM> and the roll paper of Type TD into the second slot <NUM> is created. According to the roll paper loading schedule, the states of the first to fourth slots <NUM> to <NUM> after the remaining amount of the roll paper loaded in the first slot <NUM> becomes <NUM> by the execution of the job J1 are, for example, the states illustrated in <FIG>, and the states of the first to fourth slots <NUM> to <NUM> after the remaining amount of the roll paper loaded in the second slot <NUM> becomes <NUM> by the execution of the job J2 are, for example, the states illustrated in <FIG>. Note that, in practice, the remaining amount of the roll paper of Type TA loaded in the third slot <NUM> is less than <NUM>,<NUM> at the time when the loading of the roll paper of Type TC into the first slot <NUM> is completed, and the remaining amount of the roll paper of Type TB loaded in the fourth slot <NUM> is less than <NUM>,<NUM> at the time when the loading of the roll paper of Type TD into the second slot <NUM> is completed.

Incidentally, the roll paper is manually loaded into each slot of the autochanger <NUM>. In this regard, a configuration may be employed in which a roll shaft supporting the roll paper is controlled as follows so that the loading of the roll paper to be loaded into the loading target slot is quickly performed according to the roll paper loading schedule.

<FIG> is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of one slot in the autochanger <NUM>. A roll shaft <NUM>, a roll shaft moving path <NUM>, and an arm <NUM> are provided in a housing <NUM> forming the slot. The roll shaft <NUM> rotatably supports the roll paper. The position of the roll shaft <NUM> can be moved in the roll shaft moving path <NUM> as indicated by an arrow denoted by reference numeral <NUM> by operating the arm <NUM>. When the roll paper is being supplied to the printer <NUM>, the roll shaft <NUM> is placed at a position denoted by reference numeral <NUM> (hereinafter referred to as a "normal position"). At the time of replacing the roll paper, the roll shaft <NUM> is placed at a position denoted by reference numeral <NUM> (hereinafter referred to as an "unmount position"). Note that the normal position corresponds to the first position, and the unmount position corresponds to the second position. The autochanger <NUM> is provided with a roll shaft control unit that controls the position of the roll shaft <NUM> by moving the arm <NUM>. Then, during the period in which printing is being executed on the basis of the print schedule determined as described above, at the timing when the loading target roll paper is to be loaded into the loading target slot (typically, at the possible loading start time described above), a predetermined instruction signal is provided from the print controller <NUM> to the roll shaft control unit in the autochanger <NUM>. On the basis of the instruction signal, the roll shaft control unit moves the roll shaft <NUM> of the loading target slot from the normal position to the unmount position by operating the arm <NUM> (roll shaft moving step). This enables the operator to quickly replace the roll paper.

According to the present embodiment, in the printing system including the autochanger <NUM> having the plurality of slots, in a case where it is necessary to load roll paper into a slot during execution of continuous printing, after the determination of the printing order for a plurality of print jobs subject to continuous printing and a loading target slot being a slot into which the roll paper is to be loaded, a possible loading start time that is the earliest time at which the roll paper can be loaded into the loading target slot and a loading start deadline time that is a time indicating when the loading of the roll paper into the loading target slot is to be started at the latest (the latest time at which the loading of the roll paper into the loading target slot is to be started) are obtained. Thus, in a case where the operation of loading the roll paper is required, it is possible to present the time during which the operation is to be performed to the operator, and hence the operator can load the roll paper into the loading target slot quickly so that the printing operation is not stopped. As above, according to the present embodiment, in the printing system including the autochanger <NUM>, it is possible to prevent a decrease in printing productivity due to switching of roll paper to be used for printing and loading of roll paper into a slot.

Claim 1:
A printing method in a printing system including a printer (<NUM>) configured to perform printing on continuous paper and an autochanger (<NUM>) including a plurality of slots each holding a roll paper and a switching mechanism (<NUM>) that automatically switches a slot from which a roll paper to be supplied to the printer (<NUM>) is drawn, the autochanger (<NUM>) being configured to supply a roll paper drawn from any one of the plurality of slots to the printer (<NUM>) as the continuous paper, the plurality of slots being capable of holding a plurality of roll papers with different types and different remaining amounts, the printing method comprising:
a print job registration step (S102) of registering a plurality of print jobs to be executed by the printer (<NUM>) in a job list;
a scheduling step (S112, S122, S152, S154, S162, and S164) of creating a print schedule including a job execution schedule defining an execution order of the plurality of print jobs and a roll paper loading schedule defining a schedule for using a roll paper loaded in each of the plurality of slots and a schedule for loading a roll paper into each of the plurality of slots on a basis of a type and a remaining amount of roll paper loaded in each of the plurality of slots, a type of roll paper necessary for execution of each of the plurality of print jobs, and a print distance of each of the plurality of print jobs; and
a possible loading time calculation step (S170 and S180) of obtaining, on a basis of the print schedule, a possible loading time that is a time at which a roll paper is loadable into a loading target slot being a slot into which a roll paper is to be loaded during execution of continuous printing based on the plurality of print jobs among the plurality of slots.