Printing apparatus and control device for option equipment connected thereto

摘要

A printing apparatus is provided with a main body including a video controller, having video signal generation device for generating a video signal from image information based on a recording command from an external apparatus and control device, and with a supervisory controller including optional unit control device for controlling at least an optional unit connectable to the main body. The video controller includes a process time informing device for informing the supervisory controller of an image development process time, and the supervisory controller includes a paper transport time memory for storing the paper transport time from the optional paper feed source to the entrance of the printing apparatus, a comparator for comparing the process time informed by the process time informing device with the paper transport time stored in the paper transport time memory, and a paper feed source changing device for changing the paper feed source in case the comparator identifies that the process time is shorter. The supervisory controller effects change of the order of process, determination of the paper feed unit, continuation of the printing process in case of paper jamming. There is provided a printing apparatus for printing text data received from an external apparatus, including paper feed units and paper ejecting units provided as standard components and paper feed units and paper ejecting units connectable as optional units, wherein an optimum combination is selected among the usable ones among the above-mentioned paper feed and ejecting units.