JP2002512166A - Adjustable mailbox capacity for network printer systems - Google Patents

Abstract

SUMMARY A computer controlled paper transport system for a printer (10) having a number of physical output bins (15) is disclosed. The system allows the user to combine less than the total number of physical output bins (15) into a single logical output bin by assigning the same alphanumeric name to the bin to be combined. . This allows certain users of the printer to have a larger output capacity. The physical output bins (15) of the logical bins are sequentially filled until each one is full. The printer (10) can have more than one logical output bin and can include a particular physical output bin (15) that is not part of that logical output bin.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the field of computer printers and, more particularly, to a computer controlled paper transport system for such printers.

[0002] 2. 2. Description of the Related Art Computer printers, such as laser printers and ink jet printers, often include multiple media input sources from which paper or envelopes are supplied to the printer. These various sources can be used to supply different sizes and types of paper to the printer. Typically, however, media of the same size and type is loaded into multiple input sources that are logically linked together. This allows the user to configure a printer with one large input source, many small input sources, or some combination thereof.

[0003] While a user is given a great deal of flexibility with respect to the input source, there is usually much less flexibility with respect to the output of the printer. A plurality of output bins (outp) for the printer to receive the output of the printer
ut bin), but the way in which such output bins are used is
Currently very limited. Currently, the options given to the user are: (
Either 1) each physical output bin is uniquely addressed, or (2) all physical output bins are all linked.

[0004] If each physical output bin is uniquely addressed, a host (application / printer driver) or printer selects one physical output bin to receive printer output. If the printer can detect that the output bin is full, the printer stops sending printed output to the full output bin and prompts the user to remove the printed output from the full bin ("""Intervention").

[0005] Alternatively, if all the physical output bins are all linked, they are treated as one large, logically combined output bin. The host does not select a physical output bin for the output of the printer. Instead, the printer operating system fills each physical output bin in a predefined order. When all physical output bins are full, the printer stops printing and signals an intervention requesting the user to remove the printed output from that output bin.

Currently, it is not possible for a user to combine less than the total number of physical output bins into a single logical bin while leaving one or more independent physical output bins. It would be desirable to provide a network printer system having this capability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention fulfills these and other needs by providing a computer controlled paper transport system for a computer printer. The present invention achieves improved functionality when there are output bins that exceed the user (address) of such output bins. In accordance with the present invention, printer control software assigns more than one bin to a user in response to predetermined control inputs from an operator panel or received data. The software then responds to the bin situation as discussed below. Thus, the selected user has a functionally larger bin, and the selection can be easily modified under operator and software control.

[0008] The printing system of the present invention includes a printer having a plurality of physical output bins for receiving a printed media sheet by itself, and at least two, but less than a total, of the physical output bins of the printer. And a programmable electronic data processor programmed to form a single logical output bin. Preferably, the programmable electronic data processor directs the media printed by the printer to a first one of the logical output bins until the first physical output bin is full, and The first
After the physical output bin is full, the printed media is further programmed to be directed to a second physical output bin of the logical output bin. The programmable electronic data processor preferably continues to sequentially fill physical output bins of the logical output bins until all physical output bins are full. And when all physical output bins of the logical output bins are full, the user is further programmed to request that media be removed from the physical output bins of the logical output bins.

With the printing system of the present invention, an improved method of collecting the output of a printer having a plurality of physical output bins can be achieved. The method logically links at least two, but less than the total number of physical output bins of the printer, thereby forming a single logical output bin; Selecting the logical output bin as the desired output location for the media, and printing the media and directing it to a first physical output bin that is part of the logical output bin. Outputting until the output bin is full, and after the first physical output bin is full, printing a medium and transferring it to a second physical output bin that is part of the logical output bin And outputting to the target. The step of logically linking the physical output bins may be accomplished by assigning each of the physical output bins to be logically linked to the same name, such as an alphanumeric name.

The method also includes logically linking at least two of the physical output bins that are not part of the logical output bin, thereby forming a second logical output bin; Selecting the second logical output bin as the desired output location for the printed medium; and printing the medium and directing it to a third physical output bin that is part of the second logical output bin. Outputting the third physical output bin until it is full; and printing the medium after the third physical output bin is full and being part of the second logical output bin. And outputting to the fourth physical output bin.

Alternatively, the method includes selecting a third physical output bin that is not part of the logical bin as a desired output location for the media printed by the printer, and printing the media and rendering it the first physical bin. Output to three physical output bins.

The method includes sequentially filling the physical output bins of the logical bins until all of the physical output bins in the logical output bin are full; Requesting a user to remove media from the physical output bins of the logical output bins when all the physical output bins in the bin are full.

The method also includes determining whether any of the physical output bins in the logical output bin is full or substantially full when the printer is powered on; At power-up, if any of the physical output bins in the logical output bin is full or nearly full, the user may remove media from the physical output bin of the logical output bin. And a power-up algorithm that includes the steps of:

The present invention is more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same or similar parts or processes throughout the several views: Will be appreciated.

As used herein, the terms listed below shall have the following meanings:

[0016] 1. Linked Binset (or Linked Binset) : A " linked binset " is a group of two or more physical bins assigned the same alphanumeric name. NOTE: Linked bin sets are treated as a single bin by the printer's page formatting interpreter and printer operating system. More than one linked binset (or more than one linked binset) may be present in the printer system. It is not required that the linked bin sets have consecutive physical names. For example, if the printer is 1
If zero output bins are presented, bins 2, 3, 6, and 9 may constitute one linked bin set.

[0017] 2. Start Bin : This "start bin" is the first physical bin selected by the printer to receive output when all physical bins in the linked bin set are empty.

[0018] 3. End Bin : This "end bin" is the last physical bin selected by the printer to receive output when all other physical bins in the linked bin set are full.

[0019] 4. Current Bin : This "current bin" is the physical bin within the linked bin set that is currently selected by the printer to receive printed output when the linked bin set is requested as a destination. is there.

[0020] 5. Next Bin : The printer has a fixed order to place the output in each physical bin in the linked bin set. The order starts at the start bin and ends at the end bin. This "next bin" is the next physical bin in its fixed sequence to receive printed output after the current bin is full.

[0021] 6. PCL : "PCL" refers to a well-known printing language with such a name.

[0022] 7. PS : “PS” refers to PostScript, which is also a well-known printing language.

[0023] 8. PPDS : “PPDS” refers to the well-known ASCII, and printing languages based on escape codes are often personal printer data streams.
eam).

9. PJL : "PJL" refers to a control code known as a printer job language in a received data stream.

[0025] 10. Panel : A "panel" refers to the control panel of a printer, by which an operator selects the status of operation of the printer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INTRODUCTION As mentioned above, the present invention is a computer controlled paper transport system. The computer is a standard microprocessor that is a programmable electronic data processor.

FIG. 1 illustrates a printer 10 having multiple physical output bins 15. Other forms, such as a plurality of bins stacked beside the printer, are equally applicable. Selection of the bin 15 from the printer 10 is performed under the control of a computer (not shown). Fully operational printers with output bin selection are currently widely sold by Lexmark International, Inc., the assignee of the present invention. Printers with such multiple bins are known as "Modular Output Stackers for Printers", 19
No. 08 / 854,318, filed May 12, 1997. The details of programming the computer can take various forms and are well known to those skilled in the art.

As described above, the present invention allows a selected user to logically combine two or more physical output bins 15 into a single logical output bin to create a functionally larger bin. It is possible to have. Which physical bin 1
One way to determine if 5 has been combined is to assign an alphanumeric name to each physical bin 15 by the system administrator of the printer. Generally, these names or names are descriptive in nature (eg,
"Ken's mailbox". Of course, each physical bin 15 also has its physical name (eg, "bin # 2").

[0029] Two or more physical bins 15 assigned the same alphanumeric name form a linked bin set. This linked bin set can be referenced using a single alphanumeric name assigned to all physical bins that make up the set. Additionally, such linked bin sets may be referenced using the physical name assigned to any of the physical bins 15 in the linked set.

[0030] 2. The page formatting interpreter of the bin selection printer (eg, PCL,
Each of the PS and the PPDS) needs to select an output destination for each printed sheet. Some interpreters provide a data stream that allows a user to request a bin destination, either by recalling the alphanumeric name of the bin, or by using command parameters that reference a physical name. Supporting commands. Other interpreters only allow the user to request bins by using the command parameter method. Still other interpreters do not support any data stream commands that require a bin destination. Interpreters that do not support any data stream commands simply select the printer's user default output bin. The printer provides the user with various ways to change the user default output bin (eg, PJL control codes, panels, etc.).

Interpreters that support bin selection using alphanumeric names assigned to linked bin sets utilize the simplest method of bin selection. Generally, when the interpreter receives an output destination request using an alphanumeric name, the current bin of the linked bin set is selected as its destination.

When the interpreter receives an output destination request using physical bins, the printer first determines whether the bin associated with the requested physical name is part of a linked bin set. If so, the current bin of the linked bin set is typically selected for the destination. If not, the bin associated with the requested physical name is simply selected.

[0033] 3. Power-On Initialization Algorithm When the printer is first powered on, it goes through the power-on initialization algorithm shown in FIG. 2 to request the user to remove media from a full or nearly full bin. . The printer allows the user to pass this algorithm to help ensure that page matching or missing page checking of the output is preserved when bins that are part of the linked bin set are selected to receive the output.

After the power is turned on (step 20), the printer determines which of the printer's output bins are linked. If no output bins are linked, the printer checks to see if the user default output bin is full or nearly full (step 24). If so, the printer signals an intervention requesting removal of the media from the user default output bin and waits for the user to comply (step 25). Once the media has been removed from the user default output bin, or if the user default output bin is not full or nearly full, the printer is ready to receive a print job (step 26).

[0035] Alternatively, if it is determined that two or more output bins are linked (at step 21), then the printer may fill any bin in the linked bin set. It is determined whether or not it is almost full (step 22). If any such bins are full or nearly full, the printer signals an intervention requesting removal of media from its linked bin set and waits for the user to comply (step 23). After the media has been removed from the linked bin set, the algorithm returns to step 22 to determine if any bin in any other linked bin set is full or nearly full. If none of the linked bin sets is full or nearly full, the algorithm proceeds to step 24 as described above.

During power-up initialization, each linked bin set is identified by the printer operating system. Further, for each linked bin set, the current bin is initialized as the start bin. The printer is now ready to receive a print job.

[0037] 4. Steady State Bin Selection Algorithm When a user creates a print job, the printer routes each sheet to the appropriate output bin according to the algorithm illustrated in FIG. The printer first receives a request to print a sheet (step 30). The request includes the bin selection information according to item 2 above.

After the printer receives the request, it first determines whether the selected bin is part of a linked bin set (step 32). If not, the printer determines if the selected bin is full (step 34). If so, the printer notifies the intervention requesting removal of the media from the selected bin and waits for the user to comply (step 38). Once the media has been removed from the selected bin, or if the selected bin is not full, the selected bin is set as the sheet destination (step 36). The sheet is then printed and the printer waits for the next request (step 54).

However, if it is determined that the selected bin is part of the linked bin set (step 32), then the algorithm determines whether the current bin in the linked bin set is full. A check is made to check (step 40). If not, the current bin is set as the sheet destination (step 42) and the sheet is printed as described above (step 54).

If the current bin is full, the printer then determines whether the current bin in the linked bin set is an end bin (step 44). If so, the printer signals an intervention requesting removal of the media from the multi-bin linked bin set and waits for the user to comply (step 50). Next, the start bin is set as the sheet destination, and then the current bin is
It is set as a bin (step 52). The sheet is then printed as described above (step 54).

Alternatively, if it is determined that the current bin is not an end bin (
Step 44), then the algorithm determines whether the next bin in the linked bin set is full or nearly full (step 46). If so, the intervention of step 50 is signaled and the algorithm proceeds as described above. If the next bin is not full or nearly full, the next bin is set as the sheet destination and the current bin is set to the next bin (step 48). The sheet is then printed as described above (step 54).

[0042] 5. Other benefits All of the printer subsystems treat the linked bin set as a single bin, and when reporting removal media intervention or a status alert indicating that the linked bin set is full or nearly full, Use the assigned alphanumeric name to refer to the bin.

Further, for users using an interpreter that does not support bin requests via the data stream, the alphanumeric name of the linked bin set will be
Instead of listing the names, they appear in the user default output bin value list.

Conclusion The present invention provides the user with the ability to reconfigure output bins (or "mailboxes") to gain more capacity as needed, while providing other mailboxes with It is possible to specify addresses individually. In addition, the present invention allows the user to make the best use of the printer hardware in a given environment.

For example, if a printer has 10 200-sheet mailboxes and 1 500
Assume that you have a sheet mailbox. 200 bottles 1-10 each
While having a capacity for sheets, the bin 11 can have a capacity for 500 sheets. The system administrator may only need three mailboxes and one general purpose bin. User "Sue" needs a mailbox with a capacity of 200 sheets, user "Ben" needs a mailbox with a capacity of 400 sheets, and user "John" needs a mailbox with a capacity of 600 sheets. Assume that The generic bin will get the remaining capacity.

A system administrator can assign the following names to physical bins to achieve the desired result.

[0047]

Using the present invention, each user of the printer obtains his or her required output capacity, and the remaining capacity (1300 sheets) is for general purpose output (ie, using the printer but assigning bins). For users who do not have one).

Although the system described herein constitutes a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to this exact form, and various changes and modifications may be claimed. This can be done without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined within the scope.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer having a plurality of physical output bins that can be combined into one or more logical output bins in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating power-on initialization according to the present system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the steady state bin selection algorithm of the present system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Printer 15 Physical output bin

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE ), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SL, SZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR , BY, CA, CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS , JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW (72) Inventor Gall, Charles Michael United States 40515 Kentucky, Lexington, Farmview Drive 1813 (72) Inventor Johan, Edward William Jr. United States 40514 Kentucky, Lexington, Corona Drive 1321 F-term (reference) 3F050 BE06 CA05 CA08 LA02 LA06 LB03

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A printing system, comprising: a. A printer having a plurality of physical output bins for receiving media sheets printed by the printer; b. Less than the total number of physical output bins of the printer but at least 2
A programmable electronic data processor programmed to logically link the two, thereby forming a single logical output bin. 2. The programmable electronic data processor directs media printed by the printer to a first physical output bin of the logical output bins until the first physical output bin is full. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: directing a print medium to a second one of the logical output bins after the first physical output bin is full. The printing system as described. 3. The programmable electronic data processor sequentially fills the physical output bins of the logical output bins until all of the physical output bins are full. A user removes media from the physical output bins of the logical output bins when all of the physical output bins are full. The printing system according to claim 1, further programmed to request. 4. A method for collecting output of a printer having a plurality of physical output bins, comprising: a. Less than the total number of physical output bins of the printer but at least 2
Logically linking the two, thereby forming a single logical output bin; b. Selecting the logical output bin as a desired output location for media printed by the printer; c. Printing a medium and outputting it to a first physical output bin that is part of the logical output bin until the first physical output bin is full; Printing a medium and outputting it to a second physical output bin that is a part of the logical output bin after is full. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein: Logically linking at least two of said physical output bins that are not part of said logical output bin, thereby forming a second logical output bin; b. Selecting the second logical output bin as a desired output location for media printed by the printer; c. Printing a medium and outputting it to a third physical output bin that is part of the second logical output bin until the third physical output bin is full; d. Printing the medium and outputting it to a fourth physical output bin that is part of the second logical output bin after the third physical output bin is full. The printer output collecting method according to claim 4, wherein 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein: a. Selecting a third physical output bin that is not part of the logical bin as a desired output location for media printed by the printer; b. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: printing a medium and outputting it to the third physical output bin. 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein: a. Continuing to sequentially fill said physical output bins of said logical bins until all said physical output bins within said logical output bins are full; b. 5. Requesting a user to remove media from the physical output bins of the logical output bins when all of the physical output bins in the logical bins are full. Printer output collection method described in 1. 8. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of logically linking the physical output bins is accomplished by assigning the same name to each of the physical output bins to be logically linked. Printer output collection method. 9. A. Determining whether any of the physical output bins in the logical output bin is full or substantially full when the printer is powered on; b. If at power up any of the physical output bins in the logical output bin is full or nearly full, media is removed from the physical output bin of the logical output bin. 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: requesting a user from the printer. 10. A printing system, comprising: a. A printer having a plurality of physical output bins; b. Less than the total number of physical output bins of the printer but at least 2
Means for logically linking the two, thereby forming a single logical output bin; c. Means for selecting the logical output bin as a desired output location for media printed by the printer; d. Means for printing a medium and outputting it to a first physical output bin that is part of said logical output bin until said first physical output bin is full; e. Means for printing a medium after the first physical output bin is full and outputting it to a second physical output bin that is part of the logical output bin. 11. A. Means for selecting a third physical output bin that is not part of the logical output bin as a desired output location for media printed by the printer; b. 11. The printing system of claim 10, further comprising: means for printing a medium and outputting it to the third physical output bin. 12. A. Means for logically linking at least two of said physical output bins that are not part of said logical output bin, thereby forming a second logical output bin; b. Means for selecting said second logical output bin as a desired output location for media printed by said printer; c. Means for printing a medium and outputting it to a third physical output bin that is part of said second logical output bin until said third physical output bin is full; d. Means for printing a medium and outputting it to a fourth physical output bin that is part of the second logical output bin after the third physical output bin is full. The printing system according to claim 10.