JP4417284B2 - Method of printing and cutting a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters, and printing and cutting apparatus used therefor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention prints a plurality of types of pictures and / or characters on a print and cut medium in a plurality of rows in the vertical direction, and sequentially prints the plurality of types of pictures and / or characters along a desired cut line. The present invention relates to a cutting method, and a printing and cutting apparatus used in the method.

Stickers, labels, etc. are printed on various media such as people, animals, figures, symbols, and / or characters on media such as print and cut sheets (hereinafter simply referred to as media) with an adhesive layer on the back side. After the image is printed, the picture or / and the character printed on the medium is cut along a desired cut line such as the contour line to create the image.
In many of the creation work of the sticker, label, etc., a picture or / and characters are printed on a medium using a printer such as an ink jet printer, and then a picture printed on the medium using a cutting plotter. Or / and the character is cut along the desired cut line.
There are two types of cutting plotters (hereinafter simply referred to as plotters) called vertical types and horizontal types.
As shown in FIG. 9, the vertical plotter transports the medium 10 in the X direction (vertical direction) on the platen 210 having a substantially bowl shape that is long in the Y direction (horizontal direction). The head 250 is moved in the Y direction over the medium 10 conveyed in the X direction, and the head 250 is relatively moved in the XY direction over the medium 10. The medium 240 is cut along a desired cut line by the cutter 240 attached to the head 250.
As shown in FIG. 10, the horizontal plotter moves the head 250 in the XY directions (vertical and horizontal directions) almost parallel to the surface of the platen 210 over the medium 10 mounted on the wide platen 210 having a bed shape. I am letting. The medium 240 mounted on the platen 210 is cut along a desired cut line by the cutter 240 mounted on the head 250.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-211152

In the production work of stickers, labels, etc. using this printer and plotter, it has traditionally been possible to enclose and print a picture or / and character with position designation marks (register marks) and then use the plotter to place the position designation marks. (Registration marks) were read, and the pictures or / and characters were sequentially cut along the cut lines.
In addition, a picture or / and character type identification (ID code) mark is also printed and used as information for cutting a picture or / and character by a plotter.
In such a printer and plotter configuration, when cutting, it is necessary for the user to visually confirm the direction of setting the media in what direction the printed media is set in the plotter.
If the printed media is set in the plotter in the wrong direction, the plotter will not work, or it will be cut in a pattern different from the printed picture or / and characters, resulting in a waste of working time and printing costs. was there. In addition, a skilled operator was also required.

Also, in the work of creating stickers, labels, etc. using this printer and plotter, conventionally, the same media that are continuous in a strip shape or the like are all of the same size and the same type of pictures and / or the same direction. The characters were printed in multiple lines in the vertical direction. Then, pictures and / or characters of the same size and facing the same direction printed side by side on the same medium are sequentially cut along a desired cut line using a plotter.
Therefore, when creating stickers or labels having the same type of drawings or / and characters or multiple types of drawings or / and characters divided into small rods, the same size of the different sizes. It has been necessary to divide and print different types of pictures and / or characters and plural types of pictures and / or characters on different media. Then, the drawings or / and characters having the same size and type printed separately on the plurality of different media are sequentially cut by a plotter along a desired cut line.
For this reason, it takes a great amount of work and time to create seals and labels of small rods having the same type of pictures or / and characters of different sizes and / or multiple types of pictures or / and characters.
In addition, even if an empty space occurs on the same medium on which the same size or the same type of pictures or / and characters are printed, the same type and / or different sizes of pictures or / Of types of pictures and / or characters could not be additionally printed. Then, the drawings or / and characters having different sizes and types cannot be cut along a desired cut line. And the media could not be used effectively because there was little free space.

In addition, as a medium for a seal or a label, a long medium that is wound in a roll shape is often used. An ink jet printer called a vertical type is generally used for printing a plurality of pictures or / and characters on a long medium in a belt shape.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, an ink jet printer called a vertical type has a belt-like medium 10 in the X direction (longitudinal direction) on a platen 110 having a substantially bowl shape long in the Y direction (lateral direction). It has a structure to convey. In front of the platen 110, media rewinding means 120 is provided for rewinding the long medium 10 in a roll shape and feeding it onto the platen 110. On the rear side of the platen 110, media take-up means 130 for taking up the media 10 fed to the rear of the platen in a roll shape is provided. An ink jet head 180 is provided above the platen 110, and the ink jet head 180 is configured to travel in the Y direction over the medium 10 conveyed on the platen 110 in the X direction. The inkjet head 180 is configured to eject ink droplets from the inkjet head 180 toward the medium 10 at a predetermined timing while relatively moving the inkjet head 180 in the X-Y direction. The medium 10 is structured to print a picture or / and a character composed of an array of a plurality of ink dots.

The picture or / and characters printed on the medium 10 printed by the vertical ink jet printer and wound on the medium winding means 130 behind the platen 110 in a roll shape are reversed in the upper direction, Instead of facing the outside direction of the media wound in a roll shape, it faces the inside direction of the media wound in a roll shape.
Therefore, when cutting a picture or / and a character printed on the medium 10 wound in the roll shape along a desired cut line, the medium 10 wound in the roll shape is wound on another medium. It was rewinded in the opposite direction to the take-up means. Then, the upward direction of the medium 10 is corrected so that the upward direction of the medium 10 faces the outside direction of the medium wound in a roll shape. After that, the media 10 that has been wound up into the roll shape and whose upward direction has been corrected is supported by the media rewinding means 220 of the plotter. Then, the media 10 rewound into a roll is fed onto the platen 210 of the plotter.
As a result, it took a lot of time to cut a picture or / and a character printed on the long medium 10 in a band shape by a plotter along a desired cut line.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to determine the direction of a picture or / and a character to be cut by the plotter, and set the picture or / and character media printed on the plotter. In this case, the first object is to provide a printing and cutting apparatus that can cut accurately regardless of the placement direction of the printed medium.
Also, the same type of drawings or / and characters of different sizes and multiple types of drawings or / and characters can be printed on the same media in various directions with little free space and printed on the same media in various directions. Easily and quickly cut the same type of pictorial figures and / or characters and multiple types of pictorial figures or / and letters that are printed side by side along the desired cut line with a plotter without taking time and effort A second object is to provide a method of printing and cutting a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters, and a printing and cutting apparatus used therefor.
Furthermore, the media that has been printed using a vertical ink jet printer or the like and wound in the form of a roll on the media winding means of the printer without having to rewind the other media rewinding means in the opposite direction, It is possible to easily and quickly cut a picture or / and a character printed on the media facing the inner side of the media whose upper direction is wound in a roll shape, along the desired cut line, without trouble and time. A third object is to provide a method of printing and cutting a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters, and a printing and cutting apparatus used therefor.

In order to achieve the first object, a method of printing and cutting a plurality of types of pictorial figures and / or characters according to the present invention includes the following plurality of requirements.
That is, after a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters are printed on a medium by a printer, the plurality of types of pictures or / and characters printed on the medium are cut along a desired cut line,
Printing a print position designation mark and a print type identification mark of the picture or / and character on a media portion around the print section on which the picture or / and character is printed;
In addition to a print position designation mark and a print type identification mark, a print direction identification mark of the figure or / and character is printed on a media portion around the print section where the diagram or / and character is printed. Yes.

The print position designation mark to be printed on the media portion around the picture section and / or the character print section is typically an "L" character called a registration mark, but a symbol such as a circle or square that defines its role. Is also used. This print position designation mark is for detecting deformation such as elongation or distortion of a picture or / and character, and this is used for plotting information in which the picture or / and character is faithfully cut to the shape printed on the medium. It becomes a mark to give.
When a print type identification mark is printed together with this position designation mark, it is possible to identify what kind and size the picture or / or character printed inside the mark is. An ID code barcode or a two-dimensional barcode can be used as the print type identification mark.
Furthermore, by printing the print direction identification mark of the picture or / and character, it becomes possible to identify the direction of the picture or / and character printed inside the print position designation mark, and the picture or / In addition, it is possible to accurately determine the direction of the characters in the vertical and horizontal directions. As the print direction identification mark, an ID code barcode and a two-dimensional barcode, which are the same as the print type identification mark, can be used.

In the method of printing and cutting a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters according to the present invention, the print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark may be in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the print position designation mark. It is preferable to print on the part.
Further, it is preferable that the print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark are printed on the media portion on the side of the picture section and / or character print section to be printed on the medium.

The print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark are individual marks or common marks, and are printed so as to have a certain positional relationship with respect to the print position designation mark. As a result, when the drawing or / and the character is cut by the plotter along the desired cut line, the print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark can be read while reading the print position designation mark.
In a preferred example, both the print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark are present during the mechanical scanning for reading the print position designation mark. In addition, the bar code of the ID code is used for these marks, and at the same time the information for both the picture type identification and / or the print direction identification is expressed in the code, If both the print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark are arranged between the print position designation mark and the character print position designation mark, the print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark can be easily read while reading the print position designation mark. Become.

In the method for printing and cutting a plurality of types of pictures and / or characters according to the present invention, it is preferable to use an ink jet printer as a printer for printing the plurality of types of pictures and / or characters on a medium.
In the method of printing a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters according to the present invention, the print type identification mark, the print direction identification mark, and the print position designation mark are read, and the data of the read marks is read. Based on the above, it is preferable to cut a picture or / and a character printed on the media portion inside the mark along a desired cut line.
Furthermore, in the method of printing and cutting a plurality of types of pictures and / or characters according to the present invention, the cutting apparatus for cutting a plurality of types of pictures and / or characters printed on the medium along a desired cut line. It is preferable to use a cutting plotter.

  A first object of the present invention is that a print position designation mark, a print type identification mark, and a print direction identification mark of a picture or / and character are a media portion around a print section on which the picture or / or character is printed. The mark data can be read and read by the plotter.

In order to achieve the second and third objects, the method of printing and cutting a plurality of types of pictures and / or characters according to the present invention includes the following steps a to m. .
a. A step of creating print data of a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters to be printed on a print and cut medium, and storing the print data in a storage means.
b. Cut data for cutting a plurality of types of pictures and / or characters to be printed on the medium along the desired cut line is created by the print data stored in the storage means, and the cut data is stored in the storage means. Memorizing step.
c. Print type identification mark data for identifying types and sizes of a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters printed on the medium, and a print for identifying the top / bottom / left / right directions of the plurality of types of pictures or / and characters. Creating the direction identification mark data and the print position designation mark data for recognizing the positions of the plurality of types of pictures or / and characters, and storing the data in the storage means;
d. Using the print data stored in the storage means, a plurality of types of pictures and / or characters on the medium, and the same type and size of pictures or / and characters on the same line are oriented in the same direction. A step of aligning and printing a plurality of lines in the vertical direction by aligning the right end of the rightmost picture or / and character print section of each line so as to line up.
e. Using each of the print type identification mark data and the print direction identification mark data stored in the storage means, a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters printed on the medium side by side in a predetermined number of lines in the vertical direction are printed. On the side, a print type identification mark for identifying the type and size of a picture or character printed on the inside, and a print direction identification mark for identifying the vertical or horizontal direction of the picture or / and character Step to print each.
f. Using the print position designation mark data stored in the storage means, print on the inside of each print section corner of each of a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters printed on the medium in a predetermined number of lines in the vertical direction. The print position designation mark for recognizing the position of the picture or / and character to be printed is arranged in a line in the vertical direction with the rightmost picture or / and the print position designation mark at the right corner of the character print section of each line. Step to print each.
g. Printing an index line indicating the cut start position in the vertical direction at the right end of the medium on the right side of the media portion to be printed so that the print position designation marks are arranged in a line in the vertical direction;
h. The print position designation mark at the corner of the rightmost picture or / and character print section on the lowermost line close to the index line printed on the medium, and the rightmost picture or / and character print section side of the lowermost line Reading from the print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark the position data of the picture or / and character inside the mark, and the type, size and vertical / horizontal direction data of the picture or / and character.
i. Based on the picture or / and character position data read from the print position designation mark, the print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark, and the picture or / and character type, size, and data in the vertical and horizontal directions, A step of cutting a picture or / and character printed on a media portion inside the mark along a desired cut line by using the cut data of the picture or / and character stored in the storage means.
j. Hereinafter, the print position designation mark at the corner of the print section of the next picture or / and the character adjacent to the left side of the bottom picture or / and the character, and the print type of the side of the picture or / and the character of the print section Based on the position data of the picture or / and character inside the mark, read from the identification mark and the print direction identification mark, and the type, size and vertical / horizontal direction data of the picture or / and character. A step of cutting a picture or / and character printed on the media part inside the mark along a desired cut line using the cut data of the picture or / and character stored in the line in the bottom row Steps sequentially performed for each picture or / and character.
k. After the plurality of drawings or / and characters arranged in the lowermost row are sequentially cut along the cut line by the step j, the next upper row arranged adjacent to the lowermost drawing or / and characters. The print position designation mark at the corner of the rightmost picture or / and character print section, and the print type identification mark and the print direction identification on the rightmost picture or / and character print section side From the mark, the position data of the picture or / and character inside the mark and the type or size of the picture or / and character and the data in the vertical and horizontal directions are read, and the read picture or / and character position data is read. On the basis of the type and size of the figure or / and the character and the data in the up / down / left / right directions, the cut data of the figure or / and the character stored in the storage means is used. The step of cutting along the printed pictorial or / and text in the media portion of the inner mark a desired cut line.
l. Hereinafter, the print position designation mark at the corner of the print section of the next picture or / and character on the same line adjacent to the left side of the picture or / and character, and the print type of the side of the print section of the picture or / and character Based on the position data of the picture or / and character inside the mark, read from the identification mark and the print direction identification mark, and the type, size and vertical / horizontal direction data of the picture or / and character. A plurality of steps of cutting the picture or character printed on the media part inside the mark along the desired cut line using the cut data of the picture or / and character stored in the line in the same row Steps sequentially performed for each picture or / and character.
m. Hereinafter, the same steps as k to l are sequentially repeated for a plurality of drawings or / and characters from the next upper line to the uppermost line printed on the medium divided into a plurality of lines.

In order to achieve the second and third objects, the printing and cutting apparatus according to the present invention is a printing and cutting apparatus used in the method for printing and cutting a plurality of types of pictures and / or characters according to the present invention. There,
Print data creation means for creating print data of a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters to be printed on a print and cut medium, and a first storage means for storing the print data created by the creation means;
Cut data creation means for creating cut data for cutting a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters printed on the medium along a desired cut line using the print data stored in the first storage means, And second storage means for storing the cut data thereof,
Print type identification mark data for identifying types and sizes of a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters printed on the medium, and a print for identifying the top / bottom / left / right directions of the plurality of types of pictures or / and characters. Additional data creation means for creating direction identification mark data, position data creation means for creating print position designation mark data for recognizing the positions of the plurality of types of pictures or / and characters, and their print type identification mark data Third storage means for storing print direction identification mark data and print position designation mark data;
Using the print data stored in the first storage means, a plurality of types of drawings or / and characters are directed to the medium, and the same type and size of drawings or / and characters are on the same line in the same direction. A first print means for aligning the right end of the rightmost picture or / and character print section of each line in the vertical direction so that a plurality of lines are aligned in a vertical direction,
Using the print type identification mark data and the print direction identification mark data stored in the third storage means, a plurality of types of pictorial figures and / or characters that are printed side by side in the vertical direction on the medium are printed. A print type identification mark for identifying the type and size of a picture or character printed on the inside, and a print direction identification mark for identifying the vertical or horizontal direction of the picture or / and character. A second printing means for printing each;
Using the print position designation mark data stored in the third storage means, print on the inside of the print section corners of a plurality of types of pictures and / or characters that are printed on the medium in a predetermined number of lines in the vertical direction. The print position designation mark for recognizing the position of the picture or / and character to be printed is arranged such that the print position designation mark at the right end of the rightmost picture or / and character print section in each line is aligned in a vertical direction. And a third printing means for printing,
Fourth printing means for printing an index line indicating a cut start position in the vertical direction on the right side of the medium on the right side of the media portion printed so that the print position designation marks are aligned in a vertical direction;
A print position designation mark at the corner of the print section of each picture or / and character printed on the medium in a plurality of vertical lines, a print type identification mark and a print direction on the side of each picture or / and character print section Recognizing means for reading the identification mark and recognizing the position data of the picture or / and character inside the mark and the type or size of the picture or / and character and the data in the vertical and horizontal directions;
Based on the position data of the picture or / and the character read from the print position designation mark, the print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark by the recognition means, and the type or size of the picture or / and the character and the data in the vertical and horizontal directions. Cutting means for cutting the picture or / and character printed on the media portion inside the mark along the desired cut line using the picture or / and character cut data stored in the second storage means It is characterized by being equipped with.

In the printing and cutting apparatus used for the method of printing and cutting a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters,
In the step a, using the print data creation means of the printing and cutting apparatus, the same type and size of drawings and / or characters are placed in the same direction on the same line in the vertical direction of the printing and cutting media. For this purpose, it is possible to create print data of a plurality of types of pictorial figures and / or characters that are divided into a plurality of lines and printed. These print data can be stored in the first storage means of the printing and cutting apparatus.
Next, in step b, a plurality of types of pictures and / or characters printed in a plurality of lines in the vertical direction of the medium are printed along the desired cut lines, respectively, according to the print data stored in the first storage means. Cut data to be cut can be created by using cut data creation means of a printing and cutting apparatus. These cut data can be stored in the second storage means of the printing and cutting apparatus.
Next, in step c, print type identification mark data for recognizing the type and size of a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters printed in a plurality of lines in the vertical direction on the surface of the medium, and the plurality Print and cut print direction identification mark data for recognizing the vertical and horizontal directions of various types of pictures and / or characters, and print position designation mark data for recognizing the positions of the multiple types of pictures and / or characters Each can be created using the additional data creation means and the position data creation means of the apparatus. These data can be stored in the third storage means of the printing and cutting apparatus.
Next, in step d), using the print data stored in the first storage means, the first printing means of the printing and cutting apparatus uses a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters on the same line, Align the outer edge of the rightmost picture or / and character print section in each row vertically in the vertical direction so that multiple figures and / or letters of the same type and size are aligned in the same direction. Can be printed in multiple lines.
At the same time, in step e, using the print type recognition mark data and the print direction recognition mark data stored in the third storage means, the second print means of the printing and cutting apparatus applies a plurality of lines to the medium in the vertical direction. A print for recognizing the type and size of the pictures or / and characters printed in the inner print section on each side of the print sections of plural kinds of pictures and / or characters printed side by side A type recognition mark and a print direction recognition mark for recognizing the top / bottom / left / right direction of the picture or / and character can be printed.
At the same time, in step f, the print position designation mark data stored in the third storage means is used and printed by the third printing means of the printing and cutting apparatus, arranged in multiple lines in the vertical direction on the medium. The print position designation mark for recognizing the position of the picture or / and the character printed in the inner print section at the corner of the print section of a plurality of types of pictures and / or characters Alternatively, printing can be performed so that the print position designation marks at the outer corners of the character print section are arranged in a line in the vertical direction.
In addition, in the step g, using the third printing means of the printing and cutting apparatus, at the media edge outside the media portion that is printed so that the print position designation marks are aligned in a vertical direction, An index line indicating the cut start position can be printed in the vertical direction.
Then, in step h, using the recognition means of the printing and cutting apparatus, the rightmost picture or / and the print position designation mark at the corner of the print section of the character near the index line printed on the medium; The print type recognition mark and the print direction recognition mark on the rightmost picture or / and character print section side of the bottom row are read by the recognition means, and the print inside the mark is read from the data of the read marks. It is possible to recognize the position data of the picture or / and character printed on the section and the type and size of the picture or / and character and the data in the vertical and horizontal directions.
In that case, the rightmost picture or / and the character on the bottom line near the index line printed on the media can be identified without error by looking at the index line to see which side of the media is located. Can be reliably identified. Then, based on the determination result, the recognition means of the printing and cutting device is moved above the printing position designation mark at the corner of the rightmost edge of the bottom row near the index line and / or the printing section corner of the character. It is possible to move the print type recognition mark and / or the print direction recognition mark on the side of the rightmost picture or / and character on the lowermost row above the print section and read the data of these marks reliably without error.
Next, in the step i, the position data of the picture or / and character inside the mark and the type or size of the picture or / and character read from the print position mark, print type identification mark and print direction identification mark. Based on the data in the up / down / left / right directions, the cut data of the picture and / or character stored in the second storage means was used to print on the print section inside the mark by the cutting means of the printing and cutting device. A picture or / and a character can be cut along a desired cut line.
Hereinafter, in the step j, in the step j, the next pictorial figure or / and the print position designation mark at the corner of the print section of the same line adjacent to the inside of the pictorial line and / or the character, and the The print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark on the side of the print section of the picture or / and the character can be read by the recognition means. From the read mark data, the position data of the picture or / and character printed in the print section inside the mark and the type or size of the picture or / and character and the data in the vertical and horizontal directions can be recognized. . Then, based on the recognized picture or / and character position data and the type or size of the picture or / and the character in the vertical and horizontal directions, the picture or / or the character stored in the second storage means is stored. In addition, a step of cutting a picture or / and a character printed in a print section inside the mark along a desired cut line by the cutting means of the printing and cutting device using the cut data of the character and the character at the bottom line. It can carry out sequentially about all the several pictorial drawings or / and a character which are located in a line.
In this way, in step j, after the cutting means of the printing and cutting apparatus has sequentially cut all of the plurality of drawings or / and characters arranged in the lowermost row along the desired cut line, K of the bottom line, and / or the next upper line of the picture or / and the rightmost picture or / and the print position designation mark at the corner of the print section of the character, and the The print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark on the right side of the picture or / and the character print section side can be read by the recognition means of the printing and cutting apparatus. Then, from the read mark data, the position data of the picture or / and the character printed in the print section inside the mark and the type or size of the picture or / and the character and the data in the vertical and horizontal directions are recognized. it can. Then, based on the recognized picture or / and character position data and the picture or / and character type, size, and vertical / horizontal data, the picture or / and character stored in the second storage means. Using the cutting data, the cutting means of the printing and cutting apparatus can cut the picture or / and the character printed in the printing section inside the mark along a desired cutting line.
Hereinafter, in the subsequent step l, in the step l, the next picture or / and the print position designation mark in the print section of the same line adjacent to the inside of the picture and / or the character and the picture or / and The print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark on the side of the print section of the character can be read by the recognition means of the printing and cutting apparatus. Then, from the read data, it is possible to recognize the position data of the picture or / and character printed in the print section inside the mark and the type or size of the picture or / and character and the data in the vertical and horizontal directions. Then, based on the recognized picture or / and character position data and the type or size of the picture or / and character and the data in the vertical and horizontal directions, the picture or / and character stored in the second storage means A plurality of steps for cutting a picture or / and a character printed in a print section inside the mark along a desired cut line by the cutting means of the printing and cutting apparatus using the cut data of This can be done sequentially for all of the drawings and / or characters.
Hereinafter, in the step of m, the same steps as the above k to l are performed, and a plurality of drawings from the next upper line to the top line printed on the medium in a plurality of lines are arranged and / or Each character can be repeated in order.
In the steps k to m, when moving from the lower row to the step of cutting a plurality of pictorial figures and / or characters of the next upper line along a desired cut line, the rightmost pictorial chart arranged in each row. Or, and / or because the outer sides of the character print section are aligned in the vertical direction, the outermost side of the rightmost picture or / and character print section arranged in each row is printed with the picture or / and the character arranged side by side. Further, it is possible to determine the upper part of each line above the start line when moving the recognition means. Then, by quickly moving the recognition means above the start line, the rightmost pictorial figure or / and the print position designation mark at the corner of the print section of the line, and the pictorial picture or / and the character at the rightmost end of the line The print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark on the side of the print section can be quickly read by the recognition means without taking time.
Then, by performing the steps from a to m, different sizes and types of drawings or / and characters on the same medium, and the same types and sizes of drawings and / or characters on the same line are the same. It is possible to divide and print in multiple lines in the vertical direction toward the direction, and sequentially cut all of the pictures or / and characters printed on those media along the desired cut line. Become.
In addition, prints of different sizes and types of pictures or / and characters printed on the medium in different sizes and types, sizes, and data in the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively, are printed on the sides of the respective prints and / or characters. The type identification mark and the print direction identification mark can be correctly recognized by being read by the recognition means of the printing and cutting apparatus. Based on the recognition result, using the cutting means of the printing and cutting apparatus, it is possible to always cut the picture or / and the character printed in the print section inside the mark along the desired cut line without error. For this reason, even if the orientations of different sizes and / or types of pictures and / or characters printed side by side on the media are reversed upside down or left and right, the pictures or / and characters are moved along the desired cut line. Can always be cut accurately without any problem.

  In the printing and cutting apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters and a plurality of types of pictures or figures printed in a plurality of rows in the vertical direction of the media stored in the first and third storage means. And / or print information specifying character print position, print type identification mark and print direction identification mark, respectively, and / or a plurality of lines printed in a plurality of lines in the vertical direction of the medium stored in the second storage means. It is preferable to have a structure provided with first display means for displaying cut information for cutting various types of pictures or / and characters along desired cut lines.

In such a case, from the print information or / and the cut information displayed on the first display means, the print information of a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters printed in a plurality of lines in the vertical direction of the medium, and the information All the print information of the print position designation mark, the print type identification mark, and the print direction identification mark of the picture or / and character is left in the first and third storage means for driving the first, second, and third print means, respectively. It can be easily and reliably confirmed whether or not it has been memorized.
Alternatively, or in addition thereto, cutting information for cutting means driving for cutting a plurality of types of pictorial figures and / or characters printed along a desired cut line in a line divided into a plurality of lines in the vertical direction of the medium. It is possible to easily and surely confirm whether or not everything has been stored in the second storage means for driving the cutting means.

  In the printing and cutting apparatus according to the present invention, the first printing means is used to print a plurality of types of pictorial figures and / or characters printed in multiple lines in the vertical direction of the medium, or for each of the plurality of types. Using the cutting means, the plurality of types of pictures or / and characters printed in a plurality of lines in the vertical direction of the medium are printed along a desired cut line. It is preferable to have a structure provided with second display means for displaying the cut total value or the pictorial figures or / and characters of the plurality of types cut along the desired cut line side by side.

  In such a case, the total number of prints of a plurality of types of pictures and / or characters printed by dividing them into a plurality of lines in the vertical direction of the medium by the first printing means, or the total number of prints of pictures or / and characters for each of the plurality of types. And a cutting total value obtained by cutting a plurality of types of pictorial figures or / and characters printed along a desired cut line on a medium in a vertical direction by cutting means, or pictorial figures for each of the plural types, and / or The total number of cuts obtained by cutting the characters along a desired cut line can be displayed side by side on the second display means. Then, from the difference between the total print value and the cut total value displayed side by side on the second display means, all of a plurality of types of pictorial figures and / or characters printed on the medium divided into a plurality of lines in the vertical direction are displayed. Whether or not all of the drawings or / and characters printed on the media have been cut along the desired cut line. It can be confirmed easily and reliably.

As described above, according to the method for printing and cutting a plurality of types of pictures and / or characters according to the present invention, when the printing and cutting apparatus according to the present invention is used, the printed media is in the wrong direction. Even if it is set on the plotter, the plotter will not become inoperable and will not be cut in a pattern different from printed pictures or / and characters, eliminating the waste of working time and waste of printing costs. .
Moreover, mistakes can be reduced by incorrect work even if the operator is not skilled.
Furthermore, the following effects can be obtained. That is, different sizes and different types of drawings or / and characters on the same medium are used to make the media as small as possible, and the different sizes and different types of drawings or / and characters can be used as much as possible. It can be printed in multiple lines in the vertical direction, facing different directions in the vertical and horizontal directions. Then, all of the different sizes and / or different types of drawings or / and characters printed on those media, which are oriented in different directions, etc., sequentially along the desired cut line It is possible to cut accurately without distorting without mistaking the vertical and horizontal directions.
Also, the print type identification mark and the print direction identification printed on the side of the print section of each picture or / and character, respectively, in the vertical and horizontal directions of the picture or / and character of different sizes and types printed side by side on the media The mark can be correctly recognized by being read by the recognition means of the printing and cutting apparatus. Then, based on the recognition result, using the cutting means of the printing and cutting device, the picture or / and the character printed in the print section inside the mark is converted into the picture or / and the character along the desired cut line. You can always cut accurately without misreading the top, bottom, left and right directions. Therefore, as described above, the media that is printed by the vertical ink jet printer and wound in a roll shape on the media winding means behind the platen, without having to rewind to other media winding means, The upper direction is reversed to face the inner side of the roll-wrapped media, and drawings and / or characters of different sizes and types printed side by side on the media are multiplied along the desired cut line by taking time and effort. Therefore, it is possible to cut easily and accurately without going crazy.

  1 and 3 show a preferred embodiment of a printing and cutting apparatus according to the present invention used in a method for printing and cutting a plurality of types of pictorial figures and / or characters according to the present invention. FIGS. It is a schematic block diagram. The printing and cutting apparatus will be described below.

The printing and cutting apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 includes, for example, the above-described vertical ink jet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) 100, the above-described vertical plotter 200, and the printer and plotter drive control. And a common host computer 300 for use. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 100 and the plotter 200 are provided separately from each other. Then, a structure in which the media 10 on which the pictures or / and characters printed in a roll on the media winding means 130 behind the platen 110 of the printer is printed is supported by the media rewinding means 220 in front of the platen 210 of the plotter is supported again. I am doing. The medium 10 is then sent onto the platen 210 of the plotter.
As the printing and cutting apparatus, it is also possible to use a structure in which the platens 110 and 210 of the printer 100 and the plotter 200 are arranged close to each other and arranged in parallel as shown in FIG. . In this printing and cutting apparatus, the media 10 on which the pictures or / and characters sent out from the platen 110 of the printer are printed back is directly and continuously fed onto the platen 210 of the plotter arranged side by side. Has a structure. Then, a picture or / and a character printed on the medium 10 by a printer are sequentially cut along the cut line.
This printing and cutting apparatus prints a plurality of drawings of the same type and size in the same line in the vertical direction of the medium 10 and / or letters A and B in the same direction, divided into a plurality of lines. Print data creation means 310 for creating print data of various types of pictures and / or characters, and first storage means 320 for storing the print data created by the creation means are provided. As the print data creation means 310, for example, a host computer for driving a printer is used as shown in FIG. Similarly, the first memory means 320 uses an electronic memory mechanism of a host computer for driving the printer or / and an electronic memory mechanism built in the printer 100.
Also, using the print data stored in the first storage means 320, a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters printed in a plurality of lines in the vertical direction of the medium 10 are cut along a desired cut line. Cut data creation means 330 for creating cut data to be performed, and second storage means 340 for storing the cut data created by the creation means. As the cut data creation means 330, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a host computer 300 for driving the plotter is used. Similarly, the second memory means 340 uses the electronic memory mechanism of the host computer 300 for driving the plotter or / and the electronic memory mechanism built in the plotter 200.
Also, a print type comprising a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters A, B, etc., which are printed in line in the vertical direction of the medium 10, and an ID code 20 such as a barcode for identifying the size. Additional data creation means 350 for creating print direction identification mark data comprising the identification mark data and the ID code 20 such as a barcode for recognizing the vertical and horizontal directions of the plurality of types of pictures or / and characters A and B, Position data creating means 360 for creating print position designation mark data composed of L-shaped and cross-shaped marks 22 called register marks for recognizing the positions of the plurality of types of pictures or / and characters A and B, Print type identification mark data, print direction identification mark data, and print position designation mark created by the creation means. And a third storage means 370 for storing Kudeta. As the additional data creation means 350 and the position data creation means 360, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a host computer 300 for driving the printer is used. Similarly, the third memory means 370 uses the electronic memory mechanism of the host computer 300 for driving the printer and / or the electronic memory mechanism built in the printer 100.
In addition, using the print data stored in the first storage unit 320, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of types of pictorial figures or / and characters A, B, etc. are stored on the same line in the same line. The outermost side 11a of the rightmost picture or / and character square print section in each row is vertically arranged so that a plurality of the same size picture and / or letters A, B, etc. are arranged in the same direction. A first printing unit 140 is provided that prints in a straight line and divided into a plurality of lines in the vertical direction. As the first printing means 140, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a printing mechanism of the printer 100 and a host computer 300 for driving the printer are used.
Further, using the print type identification mark data and the print direction identification data stored in the third storage unit 370, as shown in FIGS. A plurality of types of pictorial figures or / and pictorial figures printed on the inner side print section 11 on each of the four sides of a square-shaped print section (side portion surrounded by a broken line) 11 such as characters A and B Or / and a print type identification mark comprising an ID code 20 for identifying the type and size of the characters A, B, etc., and an ID code for recognizing the picture or / and the characters A, B, etc. The second printing means 150 for printing the print direction identification marks 20 is provided. As the second printing means 150, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a printing mechanism of the printer 100 and a host computer 300 for driving the printer are used.
Further, using the print position designation mark data stored in the third storage means 370, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a plurality of types of prints arranged side by side in a plurality of lines in the vertical direction on the surface of the medium 10. In order to recognize the positions of the pictures or / and characters A, B, etc. printed on the inner print section 11 at the four corners of each of the print sections 11 having a rectangular shape such as a picture or / and letters A, B, etc. The L-shaped print position designation marks 22 are printed in such a manner that the outermost corner marks 22 of the rightmost picture and / or character print section 11 of each line are arranged in a line in the vertical direction. 3 printing means 160 are provided. As the third printing means 160, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a printing mechanism of the printer 100 and a host computer 300 for driving the printer are used.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, an index line 15 such as a straight line indicating a cut start position is formed at the end of the medium 10 outside the media portion to be printed so that the print position designation marks 22 are arranged in a line in the vertical direction. Is provided with fourth printing means 170 for printing the image in the vertical direction. As the fourth printing unit 170, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a printing mechanism of the printer 100 and a host computer 300 for driving the printer are used.
In addition, each picture or print and / or one or more print position designation marks 22 at the four corners of the print section 11 such as characters A, B, etc., which are printed in a line divided into a plurality of lines in the vertical direction of the medium 10, and each picture Or, and / or each of the print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark made up of one or more ID codes 20 on the four sides of the print section 11 such as characters A and B is read and printed on the print section 11 inside the mark. A recognition means 400 for recognizing the position data of the pictorial figure or / and characters A, B, etc. and the type, size and vertical / horizontal data of the pictorial figure or / and character. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the recognition unit 400 includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element that are attached to a head 250 of a plotter and move relative to the medium 10 in the XY direction together with the head 250. A combination optical sensor or CCD (charge coupled device) camera 410 and an electronic comparison circuit built in the host computer 300 for driving the plotter are used.
In addition, the position data of the picture or / and character recognized from the print type identification mark, the print direction identification mark and the print position designation mark read by the recognition unit 400 and the type, size and vertical / horizontal direction of the picture or / and character. Based on the data, the picture or / and character cut data stored in the second storage means 340 is used to obtain the desired picture or / and characters A, B, etc. printed in the print section 11 inside the mark. Cutting means 260 for cutting along the cut line is provided. As the cutting means 260, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a cutting mechanism of the plotter 200 and a host computer 300 for driving the plotter are used.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show a picture type to be cut individually and / or characters A, B, etc., and a print type designation mark such as letters A, B, etc., along with a print position designation mark 22 and a print direction. A state in which an ID code 20 as an identification mark is printed is shown.
It is possible to add a print direction identification mark such as a picture to be cut using several codes among all codes or / and letters A and B to the ID code 20, and a print type identification mark and a print direction identification The form which put the mark together is shown. This can achieve the desired function even if expressed in a separate code.
In the code 20, an example is shown in which the ID code 20-1 and the print direction identification mark can be inserted into the code 20 as the direction mark 201, and other than the direction mark 201 can be used as a print type identification mark such as “A”. . The ID codes 20-1 to 20-4 are examples in which the direction mark 201 is inserted, the ID code 20-1 indicates the upper part of the picture or / and the character to be cut, and the ID code 20-2 is the lower part of the picture or / and the character to be cut. ID codes 20-3 and 4 indicate the right side and the left side of the picture or / and character to be cut.
FIG. 6 shows an example in which the letter “B” is inverted and the ID codes 20-1 to 20-4 are shown accordingly.
Further, the print type identification mark and the ID mark 20 for the print direction identification mark are arranged and printed at a rectangular position having a fixed positional relationship with respect to the print position designation mark 22, so that the head 250 shown in FIG. Movable control is possible. As a preferred example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the ID mark 20 is printed on the inner side of each of the four sides of the print section (side portion surrounded by a broken line) 11 of the print position designation mark 22. The The print position finger mark 22 and the ID code 20 are not neatly aligned, and are arranged so as not to enter the cut lines 12 and 14.
The ID codes 20-1 to 20-4 are in a square position, but the function can be achieved at one or two places instead of four.

  Next, a preferred embodiment of a method for printing and cutting a plurality of types of pictures and / or characters according to the present invention using the printing and cutting apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 will be described.

In the method of printing and cutting a plurality of types of pictures and / or characters using the printing and cutting apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
In the step a, a printing and cutting apparatus, for example, a printer-driven host computer 300 is used as the print data creation means 310, and the print data creation means 310 causes the strip to be long as shown in FIG. In the vertical direction of the medium 10, the same type and size of pictures or / and the letters A, B, etc. are printed in the same direction, divided into a plurality of lines and printed in multiple lines. Print data such as A and B are created. The print data is stored in the first storage means 320 of the printing and cutting apparatus using, for example, a host computer 300 for driving the printer or a memory mechanism built in the printer as the first storage means 320. .
Next, in step b, a plurality of types of pictorial figures or / and characters A, B, etc. printed in a plurality of lines in the vertical direction of the medium 10 by the print data stored in the first storage means 320 are displayed. 5 and FIG. 6, the cut data to be cut along the desired cut lines 12 and 14 such as the contour lines thereof, the cutting data of the host computer 300 for driving the plotter, for example, the plotter drive It is used by the creation means 330 and is created by the cut data creation means 330. Then, the cut data is stored in the second storage unit 340 by using, for example, a host computer 300 for driving the printer or a memory mechanism built in the plotter of the printing and cutting apparatus as the second storage unit 340.
Next, in step c, print type identification mark data for identifying the types and sizes of a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters A, B, etc. printed in a line divided into a plurality of lines in the vertical direction of the medium 10. , And / or print direction identification mark data for recognizing the up / down / left / right directions of the pictures or / and characters A and B, and print positions for recognizing the positions of the plurality of types of pictures or / and characters A and B, etc. For the designated mark data, for example, a host computer 300 for driving the printer of the printing and cutting apparatus is used as the additional data creating means 350 and the position data creating means 360, and the additional data creating means 350 and the position data creating means 360 are used. Each is created. Then, the print type identification mark data, the print direction identification mark data, and the print position designation mark data are stored in the third storage unit 370 of the printing and cutting apparatus, for example, the host computer 300 for driving the printer or the memory mechanism built in the printer. And stored in the third storage means 370.
Next, in step d, using the print data stored in the first storage means 320, the printing mechanism of the printing and cutting apparatus, for example, the printing mechanism of the printer 100 and the host computer 300 for driving the printer are connected to the first printing means 140. As shown in FIG. 4, the first print means 140 uses a plurality of types of pictures or / and letters A, B, etc., on the same line in the same line and the same size as shown in FIG. The outer edge 11a of the rightmost drawing or / and character square print section of each line is linearly formed in the vertical direction so that a plurality of the drawings or / and characters A or B are arranged in the same direction. They are aligned and printed in multiple lines in the vertical direction. In FIG. 4, an arrow indicates a belt shape after a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters A and B are arranged in a plurality of lines in the vertical direction on the long medium 10 by a vertical printer. A direction in which the long medium 10 is wound into a roll is shown.
At the same time, in step e, the print type identification mark data and the print direction identification mark data stored in the third storage means 370 are used to print, for example, the printing mechanism of the printer 100 and the printer drive The host computer 300 is used as the second printing means 150, and the second printing means 150 prints the plurality of types printed in a plurality of lines in the vertical direction of the medium 10 as shown in FIGS. And / or the types, sizes, and upper and lower sides of the drawings or / and letters A, B, etc. printed on the inner print section 11 on the four sides of each of the print sections 11 of the print sections 11 of characters A, B, etc. A print type identification mark and a print direction identification mark comprising an ID code 20 for recognizing the left and right direction are respectively provided. It is printing.
At the same time, in step f, the print position designation mark data stored in the third storage means 370 is used to set the printing mechanism of the printing and cutting device, for example, the printing mechanism of the printer 100 and the host computer 300 for driving the printer. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a plurality of types of pictorial figures and / or characters that are used in the three-printing means 160 and printed in multiple lines in the vertical direction of the medium 10 as shown in FIGS. Print position designation marks 22 for recognizing the positions of pictorial figures and / or characters A, B, etc. printed on the inner print section 11 are shown at the four corners of the print sections 11 such as A and B. As shown in FIG. 4, the mark 22 at the outer corner of the rightmost picture or / and character print section 11a of each line is up and down. So as to be aligned in a row, it is printed, respectively.
In addition, in the step g, the printing mechanism of the printing and cutting apparatus, for example, the printing mechanism of the printer 100 and the host computer 300 for driving the printer are used as the fourth printing means 170, and the fourth printing means 170 uses the printing mechanism. As shown in FIG. 4, an index line 15 indicating the cut start position is provided in the vertical direction at the edge of the medium 10 outside the portion of the medium 10 to be printed so that the print position designation marks 22 are aligned in the vertical direction. It is printing.
Next, in step h, an electronic sensor or a CCD camera 410 mounted on the plotter head 250 of the printing and cutting apparatus as shown in FIG. 3, for example, and an electronic device built in the host computer 300 for driving the plotter. A comparison circuit or the like is used for the recognition unit 400, and the recognition unit 400 causes the rightmost pictorial diagram or / and the character A or the like on the bottom line close to the index line 15 printed on the medium 10 as shown in FIG. One or more print position designation marks 22 at the four corners of the print section 11 and one or more ID codes on the four sides of the print section 11 such as a picture or / and character A at one end of the bottom row of the print section 11 A print type identification mark 20 and a print direction identification mark 20 are respectively read. Then, from the read print position designation mark 22, the ID code 20, and the print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark, position data such as a picture or / and character A printed in the print section 11 inside the mark. And its picture or / and the type, size and vertical / horizontal data of the letter A, etc. are recognized.
In that case, the index line indicating which side of the surface of the medium 10 is located at the rightmost picture or / and the letter A etc. in the lowermost row close to the index line 15 printed on the medium 10. As shown in FIG. 15, the determination is made without error. Then, based on the determination result, the optical sensor 410 or the like of the recognition means 400 of the printing and cutting apparatus is changed to the four corners of the printing section 11 such as the rightmost picture or / and the letter A on the bottom row close to the index line 15. One or more print position designation marks 22 above and the rightmost picture on the bottom line or / and one or more ID codes 20 on the four sides of the print section 11 such as the letter A etc. The print position identification mark 22 and the ID code 20 and the print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark are reliably read by the recognizing unit 400 without misunderstanding. Yes.
In FIG. 7, the bottom rightmost picture or / and the letter A etc. near the index line 15 printed on the medium 10 is apparently positioned at the upper left end of the medium 10, unlike FIG. 4. The reason is that, using the vertical printer as described above, a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters A, B, etc. are arranged in a plurality of lines in the vertical direction of the medium 10 which is long in a belt shape, and the medium is printed. This is because in the state where the roll 10 is wound around the medium winding means 130 of the printer, the upward direction of the medium 10 is reversed and faces the inner side of the roll wound medium. . In FIG. 7, an arrow indicates a direction in which the media 10 wound in the roll shape is rewound and fed into the platen 210 of the plotter. That is, here, the rightmost end refers to one end on the side where the index line 15 is printed.
Next, in the step i, the graphic data or / and the position data such as the letter A recognized from the print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark composed of the read print position designation mark 22 and the ID code 20, and the graphic data or / And cutting means 260 of the printing and cutting apparatus using the picture and / or character cut data stored in the second storage means 340 based on the type and size of the letter A, etc., and the vertical and horizontal data. As shown in FIG. 5, a desired cut line (outline of black boldface) such as the outline of the picture or / or the letter A printed on the mark 22 and the print section 11 inside the ID code 20 is obtained. 12 is cut. As the cutting means 260, for example, a cutting mechanism of the plotter 200 and a host computer 300 for driving the plotter are used.
Subsequently, in the step j, the four corners of the print section 11 of the next picture or / and the letter A etc. in the same line adjacent to the inside of the picture or / and the letter A etc. of the bottom line in the step j. A print type identification mark and a print direction identification mark comprising one or more print position designation marks 22 and one or more ID codes 20 on the four sides of the print section 11 such as a picture or / and character A thereof. And by the recognition means 400 of the cutting device. Then, from the read print position designation mark 22, the ID code 20, and the print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark, position data such as a picture or / and character A printed in the print section 11 inside the mark. And its picture or / and the type, size and vertical / horizontal data of the letter A, etc. are recognized. Then, based on the recognized position data of the picture or / and character A and the type, size and vertical / horizontal data of the picture or / and character A, the data is stored in the second storage means 340. As shown in FIG. 5, the cutting position 260 of the printing and cutting device is used to print the cut position data 22 and the ID code 20 inside the print section 11 by using the cut data such as the picture or / and the letter A. The step of cutting the picture or / and the letter A or the like along the desired cut line 12 is sequentially performed for all of the plural pictures or / and the letter A or the like arranged in the lowermost row.
In this way, after a plurality of drawings or / and characters A, etc. arranged in the bottom row are sequentially cut along the desired cut line 12 in the step j, the lowest step is followed in the next step k. One or more print position designations at the four corners of the print section 11 such as a lower line picture or / and a character A etc. and a next upper line picture or / and a character A etc. The printing and cutting device recognizes the mark 22 and the print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark which are made up of one or more ID codes 20 on the four sides of the printing section such as the rightmost picture or / and the letter A. Reading by means 400. Then, a picture or / and character printed on the print section 11 inside the print position designation mark 22 and the ID code 20 from the print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark composed of the read mark 22 and the ID code 20. It recognizes the position data such as A and the type, size and vertical / horizontal data of the picture or / and character A. Then, based on the recognized position data of the picture or / and character A and the type, size and vertical / horizontal data of the picture or / and character A, the data is stored in the second storage means 340. As shown in FIG. 5, using the cut data of the pictorial drawing or / and the letter A, the cutting means 260 of the printing and cutting device, as shown in FIG. And the letter A and the like are cut along a desired cut line 12.
Hereinafter, in the step l, one of the four corners of the print section 11 of the next picture or / and the letter A etc. in the same line arranged next to each other inside the picture or / and the letter A etc. A printing and cutting device that prints the print position designation mark 22 and the print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark, each of which includes one or more ID codes 20 on the four sides of the print section 11 such as the picture or / and character A thereof. Is recognized by the recognition means 400. Then, from the read print position designation mark 22 and the print type identification mark consisting of the ID code 20 and the print direction identification mark, a picture printed on the print section 11 inside the print position designation mark 22 and ID code 20 or The position data of / and the character A and the like and the picture or / and the type and size of the character A and the data in the vertical and horizontal directions are recognized. Then, based on the recognized position data of the picture or / and the letter A and the type, size and vertical / horizontal data of the picture or / and the letter A, the data is stored in the second storage means 340. Using the cut data such as the picture or / and the letter A etc., the picture or / and the letter A etc. printed on the print section designation mark 22 and the print section 11 inside the ID code 20 by the cutting means 260 of the printing and cutting device Are sequentially performed for all of a plurality of drawings or / and characters A arranged in the same row.
Subsequently, in the step m, the same steps as k to l are performed from the next upper line printed on the medium 10 to the top line as indicated by the broken line arrows in FIG. A plurality of pictorial drawings or / and letters B are repeatedly performed in order.
In the steps k to m, when moving from a lower row to a step of cutting a plurality of drawings or / and characters A, B, etc. in the next upper row along a desired cut line, they are arranged in each row. Since the outer side 11a of the rightmost picture or / and the printed section having a square shape such as the letters A and B are aligned in a straight line in the vertical direction, the rightmost picture or / and the letters A, The outer side 11a of the print section such as B can be defined above the start line when moving the recognition means 400 above each row. Then, the recognition means 400 is quickly moved above the start line, and one or more print position designation marks 22 at the four corners of the print section 11 of the rightmost picture or / or characters A, B, etc. The recognition means 400 determines the print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark composed of one or more ID codes 20 on the four sides of the print section 11 such as the rightmost picture or / and characters A and B. It can be read quickly without having to hang it.
Then, by performing the steps from a to m, a plurality of drawings or / and letters A, B, etc. of different sizes and types on the same medium 10 and the same type of the same size on the same line. Drawings or / and letters A, B, etc. are printed in the same direction, divided into a plurality of lines in the vertical direction, printed in different sizes and / or different types of drawings or / and letters A, B printed on the medium 10. Etc. are sequentially cut along the desired cut lines 12 and 14 respectively.
In that case, the same type of media 10 printed in multiple lines in the vertical direction are printed in different sizes and types, and / or the types and sizes of characters A, B, etc. and their drawings or / and characters. The data in the vertical and horizontal directions such as A and B and the position data such as the picture or / and the characters A and B are printed on the four sides of the print section 11 such as the picture or / and the letters A and B, respectively. One or more print type identification marks and print direction identification marks made up of one or more ID codes 20 and one or more printed on each of the four corners of the print section 11 such as each picture or character A, B, etc. The print position designation mark 22 is read and recognized correctly by the recognition unit 400 of the printing and cutting apparatus. Then, based on the recognition results, using the cutting means 260 of the printing and cutting device, the mark 22 and the picture or / and characters A and B printed on the print section 11 inside the ID code 20 are desired. It always cuts without error along the cut lines 12 and 14. Then, the direction of a plurality of drawings or / and characters A, B, etc. of different sizes and types printed in a plurality of lines in the vertical direction on the surface of the medium 10 is as shown in FIG. Even if it is reversed or reversed left and right, each of these types of drawings or / and letters A, B, etc. can be cut sequentially and accurately along the desired cut line without any trouble. .

In the printing and cutting apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a plurality of types of pictorial diagrams or / and prints divided into a plurality of lines in the vertical direction of the medium 10 stored in the first and third storage means 320 and 370. And a print type identification mark and a print direction identification mark comprising the characters A and B and their ID code 20, a print position designation mark 22, and a plurality of types of pictures printed in a plurality of lines in the vertical direction of the medium 10. Alternatively, it is preferable that the structure includes the first display unit 500 that displays cut information for cutting the characters A and B along the desired cut lines 12 and 14, respectively. As the first display unit 500, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a liquid crystal display or the like may be used, and the display may be provided in the main body of the printer 100 of the printing and cutting apparatus.
Then, from the print information or / and cut information displayed on the first display means 500, a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters A, B, etc., which are printed in a plurality of lines in the vertical direction of the medium 10, and their IDs All of the print information of the print type identification mark, the print direction identification mark, and the print position designation mark 22 including the code 20 are stored in the first and third memories for driving the first, second, and third printing means 140, 150, and 160. It may be possible to easily and surely confirm whether or not all the means 320 and 370 are stored. Then, it is possible to easily and surely confirm whether or not the printing and cutting apparatus is set in a printable state without leaving all of a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters A and B on the medium 10. It is good to make it.
Alternatively, or in addition, a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters A, B, etc. printed in multiple lines in the vertical direction of the medium 10 are cut along desired cut lines 12, 14, respectively. It is preferable that it is possible to easily and surely confirm whether or not all the cutting information for driving the cutting means 260 is stored in the second storage means 340. Then, the printing and cutting apparatus is set to a state in which all of a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters A and B printed on the medium 10 can be cut along the desired cut lines 12 and 14 without leaving any spaces. It is good to be able to confirm whether it is easy or sure.

In the printing and cutting apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the first printing means 140 is used to print a plurality of types of pictures or / and letters A, B, etc. printed in a plurality of lines in the vertical direction of the medium 10. Using the total number value or a plurality of types of pictorial figures or / and the total number of prints of characters A, B, etc., and the cutting means 260, a plurality of types of pictorial figures printed on the medium 10 divided into a plurality of lines in the vertical direction / And the total number of cuts of the characters A, B, etc. cut along the desired cut lines 12, 14, or a picture of each of the plural types or / and the letters A, B, etc. are cut along the cut lines 12, 14 It is preferable to have a structure provided with second display means 600 that displays the total number of cuts side by side. As the first display means 600, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, a liquid crystal display may be used, and the display may be provided in the main body of the plotter 200 of the printing and cutting apparatus.
Then, a plurality of types of pictorial figures or / and printed total values of characters A, B, etc. printed by the first printing means 140 divided into a plurality of lines in the vertical direction of the medium 10 or pictorial figures or / and letters A for each of the plural types. , B, and the like, and a plurality of types of pictures or / and letters A, B, etc. printed on the medium 10 by being divided into a plurality of lines in the vertical direction by the cutting means 260 along the desired cut lines 12, 14. The total number of cuts or the pictorial figures for each of the plurality of types or / and the total number of cuts obtained by cutting the characters A and B along the desired cut lines 12 and 14 can be displayed side by side on the second display means 600. It is good to make it. Then, based on the difference between the total print value and the total cut value displayed side by side on the second display means 600, a plurality of types of pictures or / and letters A and B printed on the medium 10 are all desired. It is preferable to be able to easily and surely confirm whether or not all the cut lines 12 and 14 have been cut. Or, it is easy and reliable whether or not all of the plurality of types of pictures or / and letters A and B printed on the medium 10 are cut along the desired cut lines 12 and 14 respectively. It is good to be able to confirm.

The method for printing and cutting a plurality of types of drawings or / and characters according to the present invention, and the printing and cutting apparatus used therefor can be widely used in apparatuses that drive and control the above-described vertical ink jet printer and plotter by a host computer. It is.
Further, the method of printing and cutting a plurality of types of pictorial figures and / or characters according to the present invention and the printing and cutting apparatus used therefor are as shown in FIG. 8 instead of a vertical ink jet printer or a vertical plotter. The ink droplets ejected from the inkjet head 180 that moves in the X-Y direction (up, down, left and right) above the bed-shaped wide platen 110 cause a plurality of ink dots to be formed on the medium 10 mounted on the platen 110. The present invention can also be widely used in a printer called a horizontal type that prints pictures or / and characters composed of arrays, or an apparatus using the above-described horizontal plotter shown in FIG.
Furthermore, the method of printing and cutting a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters according to the present invention and the printing and cutting apparatus used therefor can be replaced with other types of printers such as laser printers or plotters instead of inkjet printers. Thus, the present invention can be widely used for apparatuses using other types of cutting devices.

It is a schematic block diagram of the printing and cutting apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the printing and cutting apparatus of this invention. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a printing and cutting apparatus according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the method of printing and cutting the multiple types of picture figure and / or character of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the method of printing and cutting the multiple types of picture figure and / or character of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the method of printing and cutting the multiple types of picture figure and / or character of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the method of printing and cutting the multiple types of picture figure and / or character of this invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a horizontal ink jet printer. It is a schematic block diagram of a vertical plotter. It is a schematic block diagram of a horizontal type plotter. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vertical ink jet printer. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vertical ink jet printer.

Explanation of symbols

10 Media 11 Print section 12, 14 Cut line 15 Index line 20 ID code 22 Print position designation mark 100 Inkjet printer 110 Platen 120 Media rewinding means 130 Media take-up means 140 First print means 150 Second print means 160 Third print Means 170 Fourth printing means 180 Inkjet head 200 Plotter 210 Platen 220 Media rewinding means 230 Media winding means 240 Cutter 250 Head 260 Cutting means 300 Host computer 310 Print data creation means 320 First storage means 330 Cut data creation means 340 2 storage means 350 additional data creation means 360 position data creation means 370 third storage means 400 recognition means 500 first display hand 600 second display means

Claims (10)

A method of printing a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters on a medium by a printer and then cutting the plurality of types of pictures or / and characters printed on the medium along a desired cut line,
In addition to the print position designation mark and print type identification mark of the picture or / and character, the print direction identification mark of the picture or / and character is printed on the media portion around the print section where the picture or / and character is printed. how to cut and print a plurality of types of pictorial and / or characters, characterized in that to print. The print format identification mark and the print direction identification mark, a plurality of types of pictorial according to claim 1, wherein the printing on the media portion to be in fixed positional relationship relative to the print position specified mark or / And a method of printing and cutting characters. The print format identification mark and the print direction identification mark, a plurality of types of pictorial according to claim 1, wherein the printing on the media portion of the print compartment sides of the pictorial and / or characters printed on the media or / And a method of printing and cutting characters. Wherein a plurality of types of pictorial and / or characters to the printer to print on media, a method of cutting by printing the claim 1 a plurality of types of pictorial and / or letters, wherein the use of an ink jet printer. The print type identification mark, the print direction identification mark, and the print position designation mark are read, and based on the read mark data, a picture or / and character printed on the media portion inside the mark is cut to a desired cut line. A method of printing and cutting a plurality of types of pictures and / or characters according to claim 1, wherein: A cutting device for cutting along a plurality of types of pictorial and / or text desired cut lines which are printed on the media, a plurality of types of pictorial and / or characters according to claim 1, characterized by using a cutting plotter How to print and cut. A method of printing and cutting a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters, comprising the following steps:
a. A step of creating print data of a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters to be printed on a print and cut medium, and storing the print data in a storage means.
b. Cut data for cutting a plurality of types of pictures and / or characters to be printed on the medium along the desired cut line is created by the print data stored in the storage means, and the cut data is stored in the storage means. Memorizing step.
c. Print type identification mark data for identifying types and sizes of a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters printed on the medium, and a print for identifying the top / bottom / left / right directions of the plurality of types of pictures or / and characters. Creating the direction identification mark data and the print position designation mark data for recognizing the positions of the plurality of types of pictures or / and characters, and storing the data in the storage means;
d. Using the print data stored in the storage means, a plurality of types of pictures and / or characters on the medium, and the same type and size of pictures or / and characters on the same line are oriented in the same direction. A step of aligning and printing a plurality of lines in the vertical direction by aligning the right end of the rightmost picture or / and character print section of each line so as to line up.
e. Using each of the print type identification mark data and the print direction identification mark data stored in the storage means, a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters printed on the medium side by side in a predetermined number of lines in the vertical direction are printed. On the side, a print type identification mark for identifying the type and size of a picture or character printed on the inside, and a print direction identification mark for identifying the vertical or horizontal direction of the picture or / and character Step to print each.
f. Using the print position designation mark data stored in the storage means, print on the inside of each print section corner of each of a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters printed on the medium in a predetermined number of lines in the vertical direction. The print position designation mark for recognizing the position of the picture or / and character to be printed is arranged in a line in the vertical direction with the rightmost picture or / and the print position designation mark at the right corner of the character print section of each line. Step to print each.
g. Printing an index line indicating the cut start position in the vertical direction at the right end of the medium on the right side of the media portion to be printed so that the print position designation marks are arranged in a line in the vertical direction;
h. The print position designation mark at the corner of the rightmost picture or / and character print section on the lowermost line close to the index line printed on the medium, and the rightmost picture or / and character print section side of the lowermost line Reading from the print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark the position data of the picture or / and character inside the mark, and the type, size and vertical / horizontal direction data of the picture or / and character.
i. Based on the position data of the picture or / and character read from the print position designation mark, print type identification mark and print direction identification mark, and the type or size of the picture or / and character and the data in the vertical and horizontal directions, A step of cutting the picture or / and the character printed on the media portion inside the image or / and the character along the desired cut line using the cut data of the picture or / and the character stored in the storage means.
j. Hereinafter, the print position designation mark at the corner of the print section of the next picture or / and the character adjacent to the left side of the bottom picture or / and the character, and the print type of the side of the picture or / and the character of the print section Based on the position data of the picture or / and character inside the mark, read from the identification mark and the print direction identification mark, and the type, size and vertical / horizontal direction data of the picture or / and character. A step of cutting a picture or / and character printed on the media part inside the mark along a desired cut line using the cut data of the picture or / and character stored in the line in the bottom row Steps sequentially performed for each picture or / and character.
k. After the plurality of drawings or / and characters arranged in the lowermost row are sequentially cut along the cut line by the step j, the next upper row arranged adjacent to the lowermost drawing or / and characters. The print position designation mark at the corner of the rightmost picture or / and character print section, and the print type identification mark and the print direction identification on the rightmost picture or / and character print section side And / or the position of the read picture or / and character and the type or size of the picture or / and the character and the data in the up / down / left / right directions. A step of cutting a picture or / and a character printed on a media portion inside the mark along a desired cut line using the character cut data.
l. Hereinafter, the print position designation mark at the corner of the print section of the next picture or / and character on the same line adjacent to the left side of the picture or / and character, and the print type of the side of the print section of the picture or / and character Based on the position data of the picture or / and character inside the mark, read from the identification mark and the print direction identification mark, and the type, size and vertical / horizontal direction data of the picture or / and character. A plurality of steps of cutting the picture or character printed on the media part inside the mark along the desired cut line using the cut data of the picture or / and character stored in the line in the same row Steps sequentially performed for each picture or / and character.
m. Hereinafter, the same steps as k to l are sequentially repeated for a plurality of drawings or / and characters from the next upper line to the uppermost line printed on the medium divided into a plurality of lines. A printing and cutting apparatus for use in a method of printing and cutting a plurality of types of pictures and / or characters according to claim 7 ,
Print data creation means for creating print data of a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters to be printed on a print and cut medium, and a first storage means for storing the print data;
Cut data creation means for creating cut data for cutting a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters printed on the medium along a desired cut line using the print data stored in the first storage means, And second storage means for storing the cut data;
Print type identification mark data for identifying types and sizes of a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters printed on the medium, and a print for identifying the top / bottom / left / right directions of the plurality of types of pictures or / and characters. Additional data creation means for creating direction identification mark data, position data creation means for creating print position designation mark data for recognizing the positions of the plurality of types of pictures or / and characters, and their print type identification mark data Third storage means for storing print direction identification mark data and print position designation mark data;
Using the print data stored in the first storage means, a plurality of types of drawings or / and characters are directed to the medium, and the same type and size of drawings or / and characters are on the same line in the same direction. A first printing means for aligning the right end of the rightmost picture or / and character print section of each line in a vertical direction so that a plurality of lines are aligned in a vertical direction,
Using the print type identification mark data and the print direction identification mark data stored in the third storage means, a plurality of types of pictorial figures and / or characters that are printed side by side in the vertical direction on the medium are printed. A print type identification mark for identifying the type and size of a picture or character printed on the inside, and a print direction identification mark for identifying the vertical or horizontal direction of the picture or / and character. A second printing means for printing each;
Using the print position designation mark data stored in the third storage means, print on the inside of the print section corners of a plurality of types of pictures and / or characters that are printed on the medium in a predetermined number of lines in the vertical direction. The print position designation mark for recognizing the position of the picture or / and character to be printed is arranged such that the print position designation mark at the right end of the rightmost picture or / and character print section in each line is aligned in a vertical direction. And a third printing means for printing,
Fourth printing means for printing an index line indicating a cut start position in the vertical direction on the right side of the medium on the right side of the media portion printed so that the print position designation marks are aligned in a vertical direction;
A print position designation mark at the corner of the print section of each picture or / and character printed on the medium in a plurality of vertical lines, a print type identification mark and a print direction on the side of each picture or / and character print section Recognizing means for reading the identification mark and recognizing the position data of the picture or / and character inside the mark and the type or size of the picture or / and character and the data in the vertical and horizontal directions;
Based on the position data of the picture or / and the character read from the print position designation mark, the print type identification mark and the print direction identification mark by the recognition means, and the type or size of the picture or / and the character and the data in the vertical and horizontal directions. Then, using the picture or / and character cut line data stored in the second storage means, cutting the picture or / and the character printed on the media portion inside the mark along the desired cut line Means for printing and cutting. 9. The printing and cutting apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein a plurality of types of pictorial figures and / or character print pattern information printed on a plurality of lines arranged in the vertical direction of the medium stored in the first storage means or / and the First display means is provided for displaying cut pattern information for cutting a plurality of types of pictures or / and characters printed on a medium stored in the second storage means along a desired cut line. Printing and cutting equipment. 10. The printing and cutting apparatus according to claim 8 or 9 , wherein a total of cuts of pictures and / or characters obtained by cutting a picture or / and characters printed in a plurality of rows in the vertical direction of the medium along a desired cut line. Pictorial figures cut along numerical values or desired cut lines or / and the total number of cuts for each type of character, and plural types of pictorial figures printed by arranging a plurality of lines in the vertical direction of the medium using the first printing means A printing and cutting apparatus, comprising: second display means for displaying side by side the total print value of characters and / or the total number of prints for each picture type and / or character type.

Images