Printing state automatic switching apparatus and method

A printing state automatic switching apparatus comprising:

• printing state switching means for automatically switching a printing state of a printing press from a first printing state to a second printing state through a plurality of switching steps;
• abnormal end detection means for detecting an abnormal end of each switching step of automatic switching from the first printing state to the second printing state by said printing state switching means;
• switching operation interrupting means for, when said abnormal end detection means has detected an abnormal end of a switching step, interrupting that switching step having undergone the above-detected abnormal end;
• error recovery means for, when said abnormal end detection means detects an abnormal end of a switching step, receiving an error recovery instruction and eliminating the error of the switching step with the detected abnormal end;
• error recovery detection means for detecting that the error of the switching step has been eliminated by said error recovery means;
• and
• switching operation lock means for locking the automatic switching of said printing state switching means without operator intervention when said error recovery detection means has failed to detect that the error of the switching step has been eliminated.