JP2011201082A - Printing controlling apparatus, printing system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To lengthen a period which can print using both of two sets of printing parts.SOLUTION: Two sets of first printing part 12 and second printing part 13 are respectively equipped with carrying-in openings 40 through which recording media are carried in and carrying-out openings 42 for carrying out the recording media carried in from the carrying-in openings 40, and are capable of performing one side prints and perfecting prints on the recording media carried in from the carrying-in openings 40. A printing apparatus 11 is controlled so that in the printing apparatus 11 in which the first and second printing parts are connected so that the recording medium carried out from the carrying-out opening 42 of the first printing part 12 is carried to the carrying-in opening 40 of the second printing part 13 of the back stage, on at least one of respective remaining amounts of articles of consumption or amounts of use and the amounts of actual use of replacing parts of the first printing part 12 and the second printing part 13, the printing parts used for printing can be switched so as make the difference between the first printing part 12 and the second printing part 13 become at most predetermined value.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing control apparatus, a printing system, and a program.

  Two printers having only one mechanism unit for transferring and printing the toner image developed on the endless recording medium only on one side of the paper, the transfer parts of the endless recording body face each other on the front and back of the paper. The paper is transported from the paper outlet of one printer to the paper inlet of the other printer without reversing the paper, and one printer continuously prints on the front side of the paper and the other printer on the back side of the paper. A double-sided printer having a configuration is known (see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-9-54465

  The present invention includes a carry-in port through which a recording medium is carried in and a carry-out port through which the recording medium carried in from the carry-in port is carried out, compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided, and the recording carried in from the carry-in port Printing in which two printing units capable of single-sided printing and double-sided printing on a medium are connected so that the recording medium carried out from the carry-out port of the preceding printing unit is conveyed to the carry-in port of the subsequent printing unit It is an object of the present invention to provide a print control apparatus, a printing system, and a program that can lengthen a period during which printing using both of the two printing units of the apparatus can be performed.

  The invention of claim 1 comprises a carry-in port through which a recording medium is carried in and a carry-out port through which the recording medium carried in from the carry-in port is carried out, and single-side printing and printing on the recording medium carried in from the carry-in port, The two units in the printing apparatus, in which two printing units capable of duplex printing are connected so that the recording medium carried out from the carry-out port of the preceding printing unit is conveyed to the carry-in port of the subsequent printing unit The printing unit used for printing so that the difference between the two printing units is less than or equal to a predetermined value for at least one of the remaining or used amount of consumables and the actual usage amount of replacement parts. Is a printing control apparatus provided with a control means for controlling the printing apparatus so that the printer can be switched.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the control unit performs double-sided printing with the printing unit, the control unit performs the control according to an instruction to perform the switching from a user, and performs single-sided printing with the printing unit. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control is performed regardless of an instruction from the user.

  The invention of claim 3 is provided with a carry-in port through which a recording medium is carried in and a carry-out port through which the recording medium carried in from the carry-in port is carried out. A printing apparatus in which two printing units capable of duplex printing are connected such that a recording medium carried out from the carry-out port of the preceding printing unit is conveyed to the carry-in port of the subsequent printing unit, and the printing The difference between the two printing units is less than or equal to a predetermined value for at least one of the remaining or used amount of consumables and the actual amount of replacement parts used in each of the two printing units in the apparatus. And a printing control apparatus that controls the printing apparatus so that a printing unit used for printing is switched.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the computer includes a carry-in port into which the recording medium is carried in and a carry-out port through which the recording medium carried in from the carry-in port is carried out, with respect to the recording medium carried in from the carry-in port. In a printing apparatus in which two printing units capable of single-sided printing and double-sided printing are connected such that a recording medium carried out from the carry-out port of a preceding printing unit is conveyed to the carry-in port of a subsequent printing unit Printing is performed so that the difference between the two printing units is less than or equal to a predetermined value for at least one of the remaining or used amount of consumables and the actual amount of replacement parts used in the two printing units. It is a program for functioning as a control means for controlling the printing apparatus so that a printing unit to be used is switched.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to lengthen the period during which printing using both of the two printing units is possible, compared with the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.

  According to invention of Claim 2, control according to a condition can be performed.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to lengthen the period in which printing using both of the two printing units is possible, compared to the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to lengthen the period during which printing using both of the two printing units is possible, compared to the case where the configuration of the present invention is not provided.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the printing system which concerns on embodiment, and the mechanical structure of a 1st printing part and a 2nd printing part. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a main controller. It is a figure which shows an example of the whole structure of a 1st printing part and a 2nd printing part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing routine performed with a main controller. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing routine performed with a main controller. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing routine performed with a main controller.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to the present embodiment. The printing system according to the present embodiment includes a main controller 10 as a print control device, and a printing device 11 including a first printing unit 12 and a second printing unit 13. FIG. 1 also shows the mechanical configuration of the first printing unit 12 and the second printing unit 13.

  The main controller 10 analyzes print information received from a terminal device (not shown) (for example, described in a page description language) and generates image data (raster data) used for printing in the printing device 11 (RIP processing). : Raster Image Process) and output to the first printing unit 12 and the second printing unit 13 of the printing apparatus 11. The main controller 10 also generates and outputs a control signal that controls the printing operation of the printing apparatus 11.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the main controller 10.

  The main controller 10 of this embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 21, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, an IF (Interface) 23, an image processing unit 24, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). ) 25, the display unit 26, and the operation unit 27 are connected via a bus 38.

  The CPU 20 executes a program stored in the ROM 21 or the HDD 25 (for example, a processing routine program shown in FIGS. 4 to 11 described later) and controls the operation of the main controller 10 as a whole. The ROM 21 stores programs executed by the CPU 20, data necessary for the processing of the CPU 20, and the like. The ROM 21 is used as a work memory. The ROM 21 is also provided with an area as an image memory for storing image data generated by the RIP process.

  The HDD 25 stores programs executed by the CPU 20 and various data.

  Note that the storage medium for storing the program executed by the CPU 20 is not limited to the HDD 25 or the ROM 21. For example, it may be a flexible disk, a DVD disk, a magneto-optical disk, a USB memory (universal serial bus memory) or the like (not shown), or another device connected via a communication means such as a network or a communication line. It may be a storage device.

  The IF 23 is an interface for connecting to the first printing unit 12 and the second printing unit 13 of the printing apparatus 11.

  The image processing unit 24 performs various image processes including the RIP process described above.

  The display unit 26 is configured by a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays various images, messages, and the like under the control of the CPU 20. The operation unit 27 is configured by, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and various types of information are designated when the user operates the operation unit 27.

  The printing apparatus 11 performs printing based on image data and control signals output from the main controller 10.

  Each of the first printing unit 12 and the second printing unit 13 includes a carry-in port 40 into which recording paper as a recording medium is carried in, and a carry-out port 42 through which the recording paper carried in from the carry-in port 40 is carried out. The recording paper carried out from the carry-out port 42 of the first printing unit 12 provided in the printer is connected so as to be conveyed to the carry-in port 40 of the second printing unit 13 provided in the subsequent stage.

  A paper feeding unit 50 is provided in the front stage of the first printing unit 12, and recording paper is carried from the paper feeding unit 50 to the carry-in port 40 of the first printing unit 12. In addition, a paper discharge unit 52 is provided at the subsequent stage of the second printing unit 13 and stores the recording paper carried out from the carry-out port 42 of the second printing unit 13.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the first printing unit 12 and the second printing unit 13 of the printing apparatus 11. Since the first printing unit 12 and the second printing unit 13 have the same configuration, the first printing unit 12 will be described as a representative here.

  The first printing unit 12 includes an IF (Interface) 30, a control unit 31, an image forming unit 32, a paper transport unit 33, a detection unit 34, and a UI (User Interface) 35.

  The IF 30 is an interface for connecting to the main controller 10.

  The control unit 31 controls the printing operation of the first printing unit 12 based on image data and control signals input from the main controller 10 via the IF 30. The control unit 31 may be configured by, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), may be configured by a CPU, or may include both the ASIC and the CPU.

  The image forming unit 32 is a printing mechanism unit that forms (that is, prints) an image on the conveyed recording paper, and as shown in FIG. 1, the photosensitive member 1 is charged by a charger 2 and charged. The exposed photosensitive member 1 is exposed by the exposure device 2 based on the image data, the electrostatic latent image generated by the exposure is developed with toner by the developing device 4, and the developed image is transferred to a recording sheet by the transfer device 5. May be an electrophotographic image forming unit that transfers the transferred image by a fixing device 6 having a heating roll and a pressure roll, and ejects ink droplets onto a recording medium based on the image data. An inkjet image forming unit may be used. Further, the image forming unit may form a color image using a plurality of colors of toner. Alternatively, the image forming unit 32 may perform the primary transfer of the developed image using the transfer belt and then the secondary transfer from the transfer belt to the recording paper.

  The paper transport unit 33 includes a plurality of transport rollers or a transport belt, and transports recording paper.

  In the first printing unit 12, the image forming unit 32 is disposed in the middle of the path along which the recording sheet is conveyed by the sheet conveying unit 33, and the recording sheet carried in from the carry-in port 40 is on the carry-out side 42. A first conveyance path 44 that is conveyed to the first conveyance path 44, and a reverse conveyance path 46 that feeds the recording paper printed by the image forming unit 32 to the first conveyance path 44 again.

  When single-sided printing is performed by the first printing unit 12, the recording sheet is printed by the image forming unit 32 disposed in the first conveyance path 44 and is unloaded from the unloading port 42 as it is. When double-sided printing is performed by the printing unit 12, first, the front surface is printed, and then the recording paper on which the front surface is printed is reversed by the paper reversing unit 33 a included in the paper conveying unit 33, and the reversing conveyance path 46 performs the reversal. The fed recording sheet is fed, and the recording sheet is conveyed again from the reverse conveying path 46 to the first conveying path 44 to print the back surface.

  The detection unit 34 detects the remaining amount (or usage amount) of the consumables provided in the first printing unit 12 and the actual usage amount of replacement parts (not shown in FIG. 1). The consumables refer to, for example, toner used for developing by the developing device 4, staples for binding printed matter, and the like. The replacement parts refer to, for example, a toner collection bottle in which used toner is accumulated, the photoreceptor 1, a cleaning web (cloth-like member) of the fixing device 6, a transfer belt, a heating roll of the fixing device 6, and the like.

  The cleaning web of the photosensitive member 1 and the fixing device 6 is also a consumable item in a broad sense, but in this embodiment, an item whose amount is reduced by use is called a consumable item and needs to be replaced due to deterioration or full capacity. This is called a replacement part.

  For example, the remaining amount of toner is detected by a sensor. The detection result is stored in a memory (not shown). For replacement parts such as the photoconductor 1, a counter corresponding to each of the replacement parts is provided in advance, and the number of printed sheets after the replacement is counted, and this count value is detected as the actual usage amount. . The count value is stored in a memory (not shown). The amount of staple needle used is also counted in the same manner. When the cumulative value (the count value) of the number of printed sheets after the replacement part is replaced reaches the upper limit value determined in advance for each replacement part, it is assumed that the replacement part has reached the end of its life.

  In addition, the object detected by the detection unit 34 is not limited to these, and may include the remaining amount and usage of other consumables, the actual usage of other replacement parts, and at least of the above. There may be one.

  The UI 35 includes, for example, a touch panel display in which a touch panel is superimposed on a display, operation buttons, and the like (not illustrated in FIG. 1). Various information is displayed on the UI 35, and various information and settings are input by the user's operation.

  In the printing apparatus 11, when the first printing unit 12 prints the front surface of the recording paper and the second printing unit 13 prints the back surface of the recording paper, double-sided printing is performed. After the surface is printed by the printing unit 12, the sheet is reversed by the sheet reversing unit 33a of the first printing unit 12, and the recording sheet is conveyed again from the reversing conveyance path 46 via the first conveyance path 44 to the carry-out port. Control is performed so that the back side of the recording paper is printed by the second printing unit 13.

  Next, the flow of printing control in the present embodiment will be described.

  When the main controller 10 receives the print information from the terminal device, the main controller 10 performs RIP processing based on the received print information. The image data generated by the RIP process and the control signal for printing the first printing unit 12 and the second printing unit 13 in synchronization are the first printing unit 12 and the second printing of the printing apparatus 11. The data is output to each control unit 31 of the unit 13. When printing is performed by either one of the first printing unit 12 and the second printing unit 13, the image data generated by the RIP process is output to the printing unit that performs printing. . The printing apparatus 11 performs printing based on image data and control signals from the main controller 10. Further, the main controller 10 requests the detection results of the detection unit 34 from the control units 31 of the first printing unit 12 and the second printing unit 13 of the printing apparatus 11 at predetermined time intervals. To do. In response to the request, the control unit 31 of the first printing unit 12 and the second printing unit 13 reads the detection result from the memory storing the detection result and notifies the main controller 10 of the detection result.

  When printing is started by the printing apparatus 11, the main controller 10 starts a processing routine shown in FIG.

  In step 100, a detection result is requested | required with respect to each control part 31 of the 1st printing part 12 of the printing apparatus 11, and the 2nd printing part 13, and a detection result is received from each.

  In step 102, based on each detection result, the printing part in which consumption is advancing among the 1st printing part 12 and the 2nd printing part 13 is judged.

  Here, the printing unit that has been consumed is a printing unit in which the remaining amount of consumables is less than that of the other printing unit or the actual amount of replacement parts used is greater than that of the other printing unit.

  If the detection unit 34 has one detection target (for example, only the remaining amount of toner is detected or only the life of the toner collection bottle is detected), the detection result indicates that the remaining amount is lower, Alternatively, it may be determined that the printing unit with the larger usage record amount is a printing unit that is consumed, but if there are a plurality of detection targets, the printing unit that is determined to be consumed depending on the detection target is It may be different.

  For example, the remaining amount of the first printing unit 12 is less than the remaining amount of the second printing unit 13 for a certain consumable item, but the remaining amount of the second printing unit 13 is different for other consumable items. When the remaining amount of the first printing unit 12 is less than the remaining amount of the first printing unit 12 or for some consumables, the remaining amount of the first printing unit 12 is less than the remaining amount of the second printing unit 13, but for some replacement parts For example, the actual usage amount of the first printing unit 12 is smaller than the actual usage amount of the second printing unit 13.

  Therefore, for example, a priority order is determined for each detection target of the detection unit 34, and when the determination result is different for each detection target, the determination may be made based on the detection result of the detection target having a high priority. Good. In addition, the determination results for each detection target may be aggregated, and it may be determined that the printing unit with the larger number determined to be consumed is finally consumed.

  In step 104, it is determined whether printing is currently being performed by the printing unit that has been determined that the consumption has progressed in step 102. If the determination in step 104 is affirmative, printing that is being performed by the printing apparatus 11 is stopped. In step 108, the recording paper remaining in the first printing unit 12 and the second printing unit 13 is moved to operate the respective paper transport units 33, and the first printing unit 12 and the second printing unit 12 are operated. The paper is discharged to a purge unit (not shown) provided in each of the printing units 13, and printing is not performed on the paper discharge unit 52 at a printing unit where consumption has not progressed (that is, it has not been determined that consumption has progressed). Image data and a control signal are output so that printing is resumed from the page immediately after the page printed on the recording paper discharged last among the recording paper discharged before being stopped, and the above-mentioned consumption progresses. If the printing unit is determined to be in the printing position, only the recording paper is transported and a control signal is output so that printing is not resumed. Then, the process proceeds to Step 110.

  If a negative determination is made in step 104, step 106 and step 108 are skipped and the process proceeds to step 110.

  In step 110, it is determined whether printing based on the print information received from the terminal device has been completed. If it is determined that printing has not ended, the process returns to step 100. If it is determined in step 110 that the process has been completed, the process routine ends.

  As described above, in the processing routine shown in FIG. 4, the difference in the remaining amount of consumables and the difference in the actual usage amount of the replacement parts are set to 0 between the first printing unit 12 and the second printing unit 13. Print control is performed.

  In the printing control performed in this processing routine, the degree of wear of the first printing unit 12 and the second printing unit 13, that is, the remaining amount of consumables and the actual usage amount of replacement parts are averaged. This printing control is called average printing control.

  On the other hand, control for performing printing without switching the printing unit used for printing based on the detection result of the remaining amount of consumables and the actual amount of replacement parts used is called normal printing control.

  In the averaged printing control, printing is stopped every time the printing unit is switched. Therefore, as the number of times of switching increases, the time until the printing ends is longer. Therefore, the user may specify in advance whether to perform averaged print control or normal print control in the printing system.

  When printing based on double-sided printing information, the user can specify whether to perform average printing control or normal printing control, and when printing based on single-sided printing information, You may comprise so that average printing control may be performed, without making a user designate.

  For example, when printing on both sides, the terminal device specifies either the speed priority mode that prioritizes printing speed or the averaging priority mode that prioritizes wear level averaging over speed. The print information including the designation may be generated and transmitted to the main controller 10, or any mode may be set by the operation unit 27 of the main controller 10. When the speed priority mode is designated, the main controller 10 performs normal printing control so that duplex printing is performed by two printing units, and when the averaging priority mode is designated, the average printing is performed. Make control.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the processing routine.

  In step 200, it is determined whether or not the printing condition specified by the print information received from the terminal device is duplex printing. If it is determined in step 200 that the designated printing condition is duplex printing, it is determined in step 202 whether the set mode is the speed priority mode or the averaging priority mode. If it is determined in step 202 that the speed priority mode is set, the process proceeds to step 204 to perform normal printing control.

  If it is determined in step 200 that the designated printing condition is single-sided printing, and if it is determined in step 202 that the averaging priority mode is set, the process proceeds to step 206, where average printing is performed. Take control.

  In addition, there are other cases where the averaged print control is performed, because the number of print information received from the terminal device is small (the print information to be processed is small), and printing is not urgent, or the RIP process based on the print information The printing speed of the printing apparatus 11 may be slow, and post-processing (for example, stapling processing in which recording paper on which an image is formed is bound with a needle) may take a long time. It is done. Such a situation may be detected by the main controller 10 to determine whether to perform averaged print control or normal print control.

  Note that the flow of the average printing control is not limited to the processing routine shown in FIG. For example, the processing routine shown in FIG. 6 may be executed. In FIG. 6, steps that perform the same processing as in FIG. 4 are assigned the same step numbers as in FIG. 4, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  After receiving the detection result from each of the first printing unit 12 and the second printing unit 13 of the printing apparatus 11 in step 100, in step 101, the first printing unit 12 and the second printing unit 13 It is determined whether or not the difference between the remaining amount of consumables or the actual amount of replacement parts used exceeds a predetermined threshold.

  When the detection unit 34 has a plurality of detection targets, a threshold value is set for each detection target, and it is determined whether or not the threshold value is exceeded for each detection target. If the difference exceeds a threshold value in at least one of the plurality of detection targets, an affirmative determination is made in step 101, and a negative determination is made otherwise.

  If an affirmative determination is made in step 101, the process proceeds to step 102.

  In step 102, based on the detection result of the detection target for which it is determined that the difference exceeds the threshold value, a printing unit that has been consumed is determined among the first printing unit 12 and the second printing unit 13. To do.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of detection targets for which it is determined that the difference exceeds the threshold value, for example, a priority order is determined in advance for each detection target of the detection unit 34, and the determination result is different for each detection target. Alternatively, the determination may be made based on the detection result of the detection target having a high priority. In addition, the determination results for each detection target may be aggregated, and it may be determined that the printing unit with the larger number determined to be consumed is finally consumed.

  Since Step 104 to Step 110 are as described above, description thereof is omitted.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 101, the process proceeds to step 112.

  In step 112, it is determined whether the printing currently being executed by the printing apparatus 11 is double-sided printing. If it is determined that the printing is duplex printing, it is determined in step 114 whether or not duplex printing is currently being performed by one printing unit. If an affirmative determination is made in step 114, printing in progress is stopped in step 116, and control is performed so that double-sided printing is resumed in two printing units in step 118.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 112 and step 114, the process proceeds to step 110, where it is determined whether printing based on the print information received from the terminal device has been completed, and if it has not been completed. Return to step 100. If it is determined in step 110 that the process has been completed, the process routine ends.

  In the averaged print control, the printing unit to be used is switched according to the degree of consumption, but there may be a difference in print quality before and after switching the printing unit to be used. Accordingly, a plurality of pages of image data (that is, a plurality of recording sheets to be printed) are generated based on the print information received from the terminal device, and a plurality of pages are printed when printing is performed based on the image data. Rather than stopping printing halfway and switching the printing part to print, it is better to stop after printing based on the received printing information and switch the printing part when starting printing based on the next printing information. Even if the print quality varies before and after the printing stop, the influence is small. Also, when printing a plurality of copies, the switching between the cuts in the number of copies is not noticeable even if there is a variation between before and after the printing is stopped.

  Therefore, when the print stop timing is determined in advance so that there may be a difference between the print quality before the print stop and after the print restart, when the print is stopped in the above step 106, the print stop timing is reached. It is possible to wait and stop printing when the print stop timing arrives. The printing stop timing may be set in advance by the user.

  In average printing control and normal printing control, if it is detected that one of the printing units is out of consumables or the replacement part has reached the end of its life, printing is stopped and the other printing unit Printing may be resumed, and control may be performed so that only printing paper is conveyed and printing is not performed in one printing unit.

  In each of the above embodiments, each processing routine is executed by the CPU 20 executing a program (that is, by software). However, the same function may be realized by hardware.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Main controller 11 Printing apparatus 12 1st printing part 13 2nd printing part 20 CPU
21 ROM
22 RAM
23 IF
24 Image processing unit 25 HDD
26 Display unit 27 Operation unit 30 IF
31 Control Unit 32 Image Forming Unit 33 Paper Conveying Unit 34 Detection Unit 35 UI
40 carry-in entrance 42 carry-out exit 44 first transport path 46 reverse transport path 48 second transport path 50 paper feed section 52 paper discharge section

Claims (4)

Two units each having a carry-in port for carrying a recording medium and a carry-out port for carrying out the recording medium carried from the carry-in port, and capable of single-sided printing and double-sided printing with respect to the recording medium carried from the carry-in port Consumption of each of the two printing units in the printing apparatus connected so that the recording medium carried out from the carry-out port of the preceding printing unit is conveyed to the carry-in port of the subsequent printing unit The printing is performed so that the printing unit used for printing is switched so that the difference between the two printing units is equal to or less than a predetermined value for at least one of the remaining amount or usage amount of the product and the actual usage amount of the replacement part. A printing control apparatus comprising control means for controlling the apparatus. The control unit performs the control according to an instruction to perform the switching from the user when performing double-sided printing with the printing unit, and from the user when performing single-sided printing with the printing unit. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control is performed regardless of the instruction. Two units each having a carry-in port for carrying a recording medium and a carry-out port for carrying out the recording medium carried from the carry-in port, and capable of single-sided printing and double-sided printing with respect to the recording medium carried from the carry-in port A printing apparatus connected so that the recording medium carried out from the carry-out port of the preceding printing unit is conveyed to the carry-in port of the latter printing unit;
The difference between the two printing units is equal to or less than a predetermined value for at least one of the remaining or used amount of consumables and the actual usage amount of replacement parts in each of the two printing units in the printing apparatus. A printing control device for controlling the printing device so that a printing unit used for printing is switched,
Printing system equipped with. Computer
Two units each having a carry-in port for carrying a recording medium and a carry-out port for carrying out the recording medium carried from the carry-in port, and capable of single-sided printing and double-sided printing with respect to the recording medium carried from the carry-in port Consumption of each of the two printing units in the printing apparatus connected so that the recording medium carried out from the carry-out port of the preceding printing unit is conveyed to the carry-in port of the subsequent printing unit The printing is performed so that the printing unit used for printing is switched so that the difference between the two printing units is equal to or less than a predetermined value for at least one of the remaining amount or usage amount of the product and the actual usage amount of the replacement part. A program for functioning as a control means for controlling the device.

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