CN214727577U - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model discloses a printing device. A printer (1) in which the inside of the printer (1) can be visually confirmed can be reduced in size and the display can be enlarged. A printer (1) for printing on a print medium (2) is provided with a see-through section (51) which is provided on the exterior of the printer (1) and which enables the interior of the printer (1) to be visually confirmed, wherein at least a part of the see-through section (51) is formed of a see-through touch display (512) which is capable of displaying information.

Description

Printing device

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a printing device.

Background

Conventionally, a printing apparatus capable of visually confirming the inside of the printing apparatus is known. For example, patent document 1 discloses a printing apparatus including: the exterior body is provided with a transparent cover, and an operation panel having a display is provided at a position different from the transparent cover of the exterior body.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2016-215522

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In the printing apparatus described in patent document 1, it has been conventionally desired to reduce the size of the apparatus and to increase the size of the display. However, in the printing apparatus of patent document 1, in order to make the region where the inside of the printing apparatus can be visually confirmed small, it is necessary to provide a display at a position different from the transparent cover, and thus at least a portion corresponding to the display becomes large, and it is difficult to downsize the printing apparatus. In the printing apparatus of patent document 1, in order to reduce the size of the apparatus, it is necessary to reduce the display area of the display to a minimum necessary area, and it is difficult to increase the size of the display.

In an aspect to solve the above-described problems, a printing apparatus that prints on a print medium includes a see-through portion that is provided on an exterior body of the printing apparatus and that enables visual confirmation of an interior of the printing apparatus, and at least a part of the see-through portion is configured by a see-through display that can display information.

Preferably, the printing apparatus includes a display control unit that switches on and off of information display of the see-through display according to an operation by a user.

Preferably, the see-through display is capable of detecting a touch operation, and the display control unit switches on and off of information display of the see-through display according to the touch operation detected by the see-through display.

Preferably, the see-through type display is provided above a transport path of the print medium, and has a display area equal to or larger than a maximum width of the print medium printable by the printing device in a direction intersecting a transport direction of the print medium, and the display control unit displays the print image printed on the print surface in a size printed on the print surface in a corresponding area of the display area corresponding to the print surface of the print medium disposed on the transport path.

Preferably, the printing apparatus includes a printing unit and a printing control unit that causes the printing unit to print, the see-through display is capable of detecting a touch operation, the display control unit changes a display position of the print image in the display area according to the touch operation detected by the see-through display, and the printing control unit prints the print image by the printing unit based on the display position changed by the display control unit.

Preferably, the printing apparatus includes a printing unit and a printing control unit that causes the printing unit to print, the see-through display is capable of detecting a touch operation, the display control unit causes the see-through display to display a drawing image that is an image drawn by the touch operation detected by the see-through display, and the printing control unit causes the printing unit to print the drawing image displayed by the see-through display.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a printer.

Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the inside of the apparatus main body.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of functions of the printer.

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on the see-through touch display.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer.

Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining display of a print image.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer.

Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining display of a drawing image.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the display control unit.

Description of the reference numerals

1 … printer (printing device); 2 … print media; 2A … printing surface; 3 … device body; 3B … paper discharge port; 4 … feet; 5 … cover; 5A … upper surface; 10 … printing section; 11 … guide shaft; 12 … a carriage; 13 … ink jet head; 21 … delivery part; 30 … lighting part; 51 … perspective; 111 … printing control part; 112 … display control unit; 511 … frame parts; 512 … see-through touch display (see-through display); 512a … display area; BG … depicts an image; HK … conveying path; IG … prints the image.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the components are illustrated in a scale different from the actual ones for the sake of easy understanding.

In fig. 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8, for convenience of explanation, the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis are illustrated as three axes orthogonal to each other. In the installed state of the printer 1, the Z axis corresponds to the vertical direction, and the X axis and the Y axis are directions along the horizontal plane. The tip side of each arrow shown in the axial direction is referred to as "+ side" and the base side is referred to as "-side". The + Z axis direction is the up direction. the-Z-axis direction is the down direction. The + Y-axis direction is the forward direction. The Y-axis direction is the rear direction. The + X axis direction is the left direction. The X-axis direction is the right direction.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the printer 1. The printer 1 corresponds to an example of a printing apparatus.

The printer 1 is a device that forms an image on the printing surface 2A of the printing medium 2 by ejecting ink to the printing medium 2 by an inkjet method, and is a large format printer that performs printing on a relatively large printing medium 2 such as a0 format and a B0 format according to JIS standards, for example.

As the printing medium 2, for example, high-quality paper, cast paper, coated paper, synthetic paper, a film or fabric made of PET (Polyethylene terephthalate), PP (Polypropylene), or the like can be used.

The printer 1 includes a device main body 3 and a leg portion 4. In the printer 1, the leg portion 4 is attached to the apparatus main body 3.

The leg portion 4 includes a plurality of casters for allowing the printer 1 to move on the floor surface at a lower end portion thereof, and supports the main body 3 at an upper portion thereof.

The apparatus main body 3 includes a printing mechanism therein. The printing mechanism is a mechanism related to printing, such as the printing portion 10, a carriage drive motor that drives the carriage 12, a power transmission mechanism that transmits power of the carriage drive motor to the carriage 12, and a conveying portion 20 that conveys the printing medium 2 in the conveying direction. The apparatus body 3 includes an illumination unit 30 therein.

Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the inside of the apparatus main body 3.

As shown in fig. 2, the conveying unit 20 includes a feeding unit 21, conveying rollers 22, 23, and 24, and driven rollers 25, 26, and 27. The conveying unit 20 forms a conveying path HK inside the apparatus main body 3 by the feeding unit 21, conveying rollers 22, 23, 24, and driven rollers 25, 26, 27.

The feeding unit 21 is provided at the rear upper portion inside the apparatus main body 3. The feeding unit 21 feeds the printing medium 2 to the printing unit 10. The delivery unit 21 includes a cylindrical or columnar delivery shaft 211 and a bearing unit 212 that rotatably supports the delivery shaft 211. The feeding unit 21 includes a not-shown rotation driving unit that operates the feeding shaft 211 in accordance with control of the control unit 100. The feed shaft 211 holds a cylindrical roll R in which the tape-shaped printing medium 2 is wound, and feeds the printing medium 2 in the transport direction by the rotation of the feed shaft 211. The transport direction is a direction indicated by an arrow F and corresponds to the + Y axis direction.

The transport rollers 22, 23 are disposed downstream of the feeding portion 21 and upstream of the printing portion 10 in the transport direction.

The conveying roller 22 is disposed upstream of the conveying roller 23 in the conveying direction. A driven roller 25 is provided at a position facing the conveyance roller 22 with the printing medium 2 interposed therebetween. The driven roller 25 is driven to rotate in contact with the printing medium 2. The transport roller 22 and the driven roller 25 nip the print medium 2, and transport the print medium 2 in the transport direction by being rotationally driven by a drive motor, not shown.

The conveying roller 23 is disposed downstream of the conveying roller 22 in the conveying direction. A driven roller 26 is provided at a position facing the transport roller 23 with the printing medium 2 interposed therebetween. The driven roller 26 is driven to rotate in contact with the printing medium 2. The transport roller 23 and the driven roller 26 nip the print medium 2, and transport the print medium 2 in the transport direction by being rotationally driven by a drive motor, not shown.

The conveyance roller 24 is disposed downstream of the printing portion 10 in the conveyance direction. A driven roller 27 is provided at a position facing the conveyance roller 24 with the printing medium 2 interposed therebetween. The driven roller 27 is driven to rotate in contact with the printing medium 2. The transport roller 24 and the driven roller 27 nip the print medium 2, and transport the print medium 2 in the transport direction by being rotationally driven by a drive motor, not shown. The transport roller 24 discharges the printing medium 2 from a paper discharge port 3B formed in the front surface of the apparatus main body 3.

The printing unit 10 includes a carriage 12 that reciprocates in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the print medium 2 along a guide shaft 11 provided inside the apparatus main body 3. In the present embodiment, the intersecting direction is a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, that is, corresponds to the X-axis direction. The guide shaft 11 extends in the cross direction of the printer 1. Therefore, the carriage 12 reciprocates in the cross direction of the printer 1, i.e., the X-axis direction.

An inkjet head 13 is mounted on the carriage 12. Various devices other than the inkjet head 13 may be mounted on the carriage 12.

The inkjet head 13 has a plurality of nozzle rows in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink are arranged in the transport direction, the nozzle rows being arranged in the cross direction on a surface facing the printing surface 2A of the printing medium 2. The inkjet head 13 of the present embodiment ejects cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) inks, and thus has four nozzle rows corresponding to the four colors, respectively.

The inkjet head 13 is supplied with ink from an ink supply unit, not shown, and ejects the ink onto the printing surface 2A of the printing medium 2.

The ink ejected from the ink jet head 13 is not limited to the above-described color ink, and may be light cyan, light magenta, orange, green, gray, light gray, white, metallic, or the like. The liquid ejected from the inkjet head 13 is not limited to ink, and may be a liquid other than ink, such as a precoating liquid.

The printing unit 10 includes a platen 14. The platen 14 is provided at a position opposed to the inkjet head 13, and supports the printing medium 2.

The illumination unit 30 includes a first light source 31, a second light source 32, and a third light source 33 as light sources for illuminating the inside of the apparatus body 3. The first Light source 31, the second Light source 32, and the third Light source 33 are formed of, for example, an LED array in which a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting diodes) are arranged, and are turned on and off according to the control of the control section 100. The first light source 31 is provided above the printing unit 10, and irradiates illumination light over the entire region where an image is formed on the printing medium 2 by the printing unit 10. The second light source 32 is provided above the transport rollers 22 and 23, and irradiates illumination light over the entire region where the transport rollers 22 and 23 are provided. The third light source 33 is provided in front of the delivery unit 21, and irradiates the delivery unit 21 with illumination light.

A cover 5 is provided as an exterior body at an upper front portion of the apparatus main body 3. The cover 5 is positioned above the conveyance path HK of the print medium 2, and the see-through portion 51 provided on the cover 5 and the conveyance path HK are vertically aligned. The cover 5 has a width in the cross direction equal to or larger than the maximum width of the print medium 2 in the cross direction in which the printer 1 can print. The cover 5 is opened by pushing up the cover 5 and rotated about the X axis to expose the inside of the apparatus main body 3, and is closed by pushing down and rotated about the X axis to cover the inside of the apparatus main body 3. Fig. 1 and 2 show the cover 5 in a closed state. The cover 5 has a see-through portion 51 on an upper surface 5A in a closed state.

The see-through unit 51 includes a frame portion 511 and a see-through touch display 512. The see-through touch display 512 corresponds to an example of a see-through display. The see-through touch display 512 may be provided in the entire see-through section 51 or in a part thereof. The frame portion 511 is formed in a frame shape by a member such as steel. The frame portion 511 forms a rectangular-shaped region having the following length in the cross direction: the printer 1 has a length equal to or greater than the maximum width of the print medium 2 in the cross direction in which printing is possible, and supports the see-through touch display 512 in this region. In the present embodiment, the see-through touch display 512 is provided over the entire rectangular region formed by the frame portion 511. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the display area 512A of the see-through touch display 512 has a length in the cross direction equal to or longer than the maximum width of the print medium 2 in the cross direction that can be printed by the printer 1.

The see-through touch display 512 includes a see-through display configured by EL (Electroluminescence) elements, and a see-through touch panel configured to detect a touch operation by a resistive film method, an electrostatic capacitance method, or the like. The see-through touch display 512 displays various information in accordance with the control of the control section 100. The see-through touch display 512 detects a touch operation and outputs the detection result to the control unit 100. The control unit 100 executes processing corresponding to a touch operation based on an input from the see-through touch display 512.

By providing the see-through touch display 512 on the cover 5, which is the exterior of the apparatus main body 3, the user can visually confirm the inside of the apparatus main body 3, particularly the printing portion 10 and the printing surface 2A of the printing medium 2 on the downstream side in the transport direction from the printing portion 10, through the see-through touch display 512 when the cover 5 is in the closed state.

Next, a functional configuration of the printer 1 will be explained.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of functions of the printer 1.

The printer 1 includes a control unit 100.

The control unit 100 includes a processor 110 for executing programs such as a CPU and an MPU, and a storage unit 120, and controls each unit of the printer 1. The control unit 100 executes various processes by cooperation of hardware and software so that the processor 110 reads the control program 121A stored in the storage unit 120 and executes the processes. The control unit 100 functions as a print control unit 111 and a display control unit 112 by reading out and executing the control program 121A by the processor 110 d.

The storage unit 120 has a storage area for storing a program executed by the processor 110 and data processed by the processor 110. The storage unit 120 stores a control program 121A executed by the processor 110 and setting data 121B including various setting values related to the operation of the printer 1. The storage unit 120 has a nonvolatile storage area in which programs and data are stored in a nonvolatile manner. The storage unit 120 may have a volatile storage area, and temporarily store a program executed by the processor 110 and data to be processed.

As shown in fig. 3, the communication unit 101 is connected to the control unit 100.

The communication unit 101 includes communication hardware conforming to a predetermined communication standard, and communicates with the control device 6 that controls the printer 1 in conformity with the predetermined communication standard under the control of the control unit 100. The communication specification of the communication unit 101 and the control device 6 may be a wireless communication specification or a wired communication specification. For example, the communication unit 101 receives print data from the control device 6. The print data includes image data of an image to be printed on the printing surface 2A of the print medium 2 and various control commands. In the following description, an image indicated by image data of print data received from the control device 6 or an image indicated by image data received from the control device 6 is referred to as a "print image" and denoted by an "IG" reference numeral.

The conveying unit 20 is connected to the control unit 100.

The transport unit 20 drives a drive motor that rotationally drives the feeding unit 21 and the transport rollers 22, 23, and 24 in accordance with the control of the control unit 100, and transports the print medium 2 in the transport direction.

The printing unit 10 is connected to the control unit 100.

The printing unit 10 drives a carriage drive motor that scans the carriage 12 in the cross direction and drives the inkjet head 13 in accordance with the control of the control unit 100, thereby printing a print image IG on the printing surface 2A of the print medium 2.

The lighting unit 30 is connected to the control unit 100.

The lighting unit 30 turns on or off the first light source 31, the second light source 32, and the third light source 33, respectively, in accordance with the control of the control unit 100.

The see-through touch display 512 is connected to the control unit 100.

The see-through touch display 512 displays various information and outputs a detection result of a touch operation in accordance with the control of the control unit 100.

As described above, the control unit 100 functions as the print control unit 111 and the display control unit 112.

The print control unit 111 controls the printing unit 10 and causes the printing unit 10 to execute printing based on the print data received from the control device 6. When receiving the image data from the control device 6, the print control unit 111 performs various image processing and addition of a control command to generate print data, and causes the printing unit 10 to execute printing based on the generated print data.

The display control unit 112 causes the see-through touch display 512 to display various information. In the present embodiment, display control unit 112 causes see-through touch display 512 to display operation screen SG as information. Further, the display control unit 112 causes the see-through touch display 512 to display the print image IG. Further, the display control unit 112 causes the see-through touch display 512 to display an image drawn by a touch operation. In the following description, an image drawn by a touch operation is referred to as a "drawing image" and denoted by a "BG" reference numeral.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of operation screen SG displayed on see-through touch display 512.

The operation screen SG includes an operation display area SHA which is an area where various kinds of information are displayed. The operation screen SG includes, as operation buttons SB of software, menu buttons MB for displaying menus for performing various operations and various settings of the printer 1 in the operation display area SHA, a shift button IB for shifting the hierarchy of the menus displayed in the operation display area SHA to an upper hierarchy, four direction buttons HB corresponding to the upper, lower, left, and right sides, and a determination button KB for determining an item selected on the display panel.

Among the direction buttons HB, the direction button HB1 corresponding to the top, the direction button HB2 corresponding to the left, the direction button HB3 corresponding to the bottom, and the direction button HB4 corresponding to the right are buttons having a function of changing a selected item in a menu displayed on the display panel. The user can select a specific item from the menu displayed in the operation display area SHA by operating the direction button HB and the determination button KB, and can set the printer 1 with respect to the selected item. In addition, the user can cause the printer 1 to perform an operation corresponding to the selected item.

Since the see-through touch display 512 can display the operation screen SG in this way, it is not necessary to provide an operation panel on the exterior of the printer 1, and the size of the printer 1 can be reduced by reducing the size of the portion corresponding to the operation panel. Further, by providing the see-through touch display 512 on the upper surface 5A of the cover 5, the display area 512A of the see-through touch display 512 can be an area corresponding to the upper surface 5A of the cover 5, and the display for displaying information can be increased in size. Thus, the printer 1 can provide the user with the operation screen SG with improved operability and visual confirmation.

Next, the operation of the printer 1 related to the display of the print image IG by the see-through touch display 512 will be described.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer 1. Fig. 5 particularly shows the operation of the printer 1 in accordance with the display of the print image IG by the see-through touch display 512.

The control unit 100 of the printer 1 determines whether or not the print image IG is displayed on the see-through touch display 512 (step SA 1).

For example, when the user selects an item indicating the display of print image IG on operation screen SG displayed on see-through touch display 512, control unit 100 makes an affirmative determination at step SA 1.

When determining that printed image IG is not to be displayed on see-through touch display 512 (no at step SA1), display control unit 112 executes the process at step SA1 again.

On the other hand, when determining that printed image IG is displayed on see-through touch display 512 (yes in step SA1), display control unit 112 causes see-through touch display 512 to display printed image IG (step SA 2).

Here, the processing of step SA2 is described in detail.

In step SA2, the display control unit 112 acquires the positions of both ends of the printing medium 2 disposed on the conveyance path HK in the intersecting direction.

For example, the display control unit 112 communicates with the control device 6 via the communication unit 101 and acquires the positions of both ends of the print medium 2 in the cross direction. For example, when the user inputs information indicating the positions of both ends of the print medium 2 in the intersecting direction to the printer 1 in advance, the display control unit 112 acquires the positions indicated by the input information as the positions of both ends of the print medium 2 in the intersecting direction. For example, when the carriage 12 and the conveyance path HK are provided with detection sensors for detecting the positions of both ends of the printing medium 2 in the intersecting direction, the display control unit 112 acquires the positions of both ends of the printing medium 2 in the intersecting direction by the detection sensors.

Next, the display control unit 112 specifies the corresponding area 512B in the display area 512A of the see-through touch display 512 based on the acquired positions of both ends of the print medium 2 in the intersecting direction.

The corresponding region 512B is a region in the display region 512A corresponding to the printing surface 2A of the printing medium 2 when viewed from the vertical direction, i.e., the Z-axis direction.

Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining display of a print image IG.

The display control unit 112 specifies a position in the display area 512A of the see-through touch display 512, which coincides with the position of the right end of the acquired print medium 2 in the intersecting direction.

In the case of fig. 6, the display control section 112 determines a position PS1 on the left of the distance L1 from the right end of the display area 512A as a position that coincides with the position of the right end of the print medium 2 in the intersecting direction.

Next, the display control unit 112 specifies a position in the display area 512A of the see-through touch display 512, which coincides with the position of the left end of the acquired print medium 2 in the intersecting direction. In the case of fig. 6, the display control section 112 determines a position PS2 on the right of the distance L2 from the left end of the display area 512A as a position that coincides with the position of the left end of the print medium 2 in the intersecting direction.

Next, the display control unit 112 determines the combination of the two positions determined as the position in the intersecting direction of the corresponding region 512B, and determines the distance separating the two positions as the length in the intersecting direction of the corresponding region 512B.

In the case of fig. 6, the display controller 112 determines the combination of the positions PS1 and PS2 as the position in the intersecting direction of the corresponding region 512B, and determines "L3- (L1+ L2)" as the length in the intersecting direction of the corresponding region 512B.

Next, the display control unit 112 determines the length of the see-through touch display 512 in the conveyance direction as the length of the corresponding area 512B in the conveyance direction.

In the case of fig. 6, the display control unit 112 determines "L4" as the length of the corresponding region 512B in the conveying direction.

Based on the above determination, the display control unit 112 specifies the corresponding area 512B from the display area 512A of the see-through touch display 512.

When the corresponding area 512B is determined, the display control unit 112 causes the print image IG to be displayed in the corresponding area 512B in the same size as the size printed on the printing surface 2A and at a position corresponding to the printing position where the print image IG is printed on the printing surface 2A. For example, the display control unit 112 acquires the size and the printing position of the print image IG based on the print data or the image data received from the control device 6, and displays the print image IG in the corresponding area 512B.

In the case of fig. 6, the display control unit 112 causes the print image IG indicating "a" to be displayed in the corresponding area 512B in the same size as the size printed on the printing surface 2A. In the case of fig. 6, the display control unit 112 causes the print image IG indicating "a" to be displayed at a position PS3 that is a position coinciding with the printing position on the printing surface 2A in the intersecting direction.

Here, when the length of the print image IG in the conveyance direction is longer than the length of the see-through touch display 512 in the conveyance direction, the display control unit 112 causes the see-through touch display 512 to display an image of the print image IG in a predetermined range corresponding to the length of the see-through touch display 512 in the conveyance direction. In the case of fig. 6, when the length of the printed image IG in the conveyance direction is longer than L4, the display controller 112 causes the see-through touch display 512 to display an image of the printed image IG in a predetermined range in the conveyance direction corresponding to L4. For example, the display control unit 112 causes the see-through touch display 512 to display an image in a range corresponding to L4 from the forefront of the print image IG in the conveyance direction.

As described above, by displaying the print image IG on the corresponding area 512B of the see-through touch display 512, the display control unit 112 can display the print image IG on the see-through touch display 512 so as to overlap the printing surface 2A in the vertical direction. Therefore, the user can grasp how the print image IG is printed on the printing surface 2A of the print medium 2.

Further, the user can visually confirm both the print image IG and the print surface 2A of the print medium 2 by visually confirming the print surface 2A via the see-through touch display 512, and can adjust the print start position of the print image IG by conveying the print medium 2 in the conveying direction or the direction opposite to the conveying direction by operating a conveying switch, not shown. Since the print start position can be easily adjusted, when printing the print image IG concerning a plurality of print jobs in one cylinder R, waste of the print medium 2 occurring between print jobs can be reduced.

Here, the see-through touch display 512 is vertically separated from the print medium 2 disposed on the conveyance path HK. Therefore, a parallax is generated between the printing surface 2A and the print image IG displayed on the see-through touch display 512 when the user visually confirms the height of the eye of the see-through touch display 512. Therefore, the display control unit 112 may correct the size of the print image IG according to the height of the eyes of the user. In this case, the printer 1 is provided with a sensor such as a camera for acquiring the height of the eyes of the user, and the display control unit 112 corrects the size of the print image IG based on the detection value of the sensor. Thus, the user can accurately grasp how the print image IG is printed on the printing surface 2A of the print medium 2 without being affected by the height of the user's eyes.

Further, the display control unit 112 may display the print medium 2 on the see-through touch display 512 together with the print image IG. In this case, the display control unit 112 causes the image indicating the printing surface 2A of the printing medium 2 to be displayed in the identified corresponding area 512B. Thus, the user can accurately grasp how the print image IG is printed on the printing surface 2A of the print medium 2 without being affected by the height of the user's eyes. In addition, a sensor for detecting the height of the eyes of the user, image processing for correcting parallax, and the like are not required.

Returning to the description of the flowchart of fig. 5, when the print image IG is displayed in the corresponding area 512B, the display control unit 112 starts receiving a change in the display position of the print image IG by the touch operation (step SA 3).

In step SA3, the display control unit 112 starts receiving a change in the display position in the conveyance direction and the intersecting direction.

Based on the detection result of the touch operation on see-through touch display 512, display control unit 112 determines whether or not a change in the display position of printed image IG is accepted (step SA 4).

When determining that the change of the display position of the printed image IG is accepted (yes in step SA4), the display control unit 112 changes the display position of the printed image IG in accordance with the touch operation (step SA 5). For example, in the case of fig. 6, when a touch operation for changing the display position of the print image IG indicating "a" to the left is received, the display control unit 112 changes the display position of the print image IG to the left in accordance with the touch operation.

Next, the display control unit 112 determines whether or not an instruction to start printing by a touch operation has been accepted from the user (step SA 6). When determining that the change of the display position of the print image IG has not been accepted in step SA5, the display control unit 112 also performs the determination of step SA 6.

If it is determined that the instruction to start printing has not been accepted (no in step SA6), display control unit 112 returns the process to step SA 4.

On the other hand, when determining that the instruction to start printing has been accepted (yes in step SA6), the display controller 112 outputs the display position of the print image IG at the time when the affirmative determination is made in step SA6 to the print controller 111 (step SA 7).

Then, the print control unit 111 starts printing based on the display position of the print image IG inputted from the display control unit 112 (step SA 8). When the display position of the print image IG is changed, the print control unit 111 prints the print image IG at the print position on the printing surface 2A corresponding to the changed display position. When the display position of the print image IG is not changed, the print control unit 111 prints the print image IG at the print position on the printing surface 2A corresponding to the display position of the print image IG displayed at step SA 2.

In step SA3 of the flowchart in fig. 5, the display control unit 112 may be configured to start receiving a change in the display position in the corresponding area 512A. In the case of this configuration, the display control unit 112 may be configured to notify information indicating that at least a part of the print image IG is not printed, when receiving a change that at least a part of the print image IG is outside the corresponding area 512B.

Next, the operation of the printer 1 related to the display of the drawing image BG by the see-through touch display 512 will be described.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer 1. Fig. 7 particularly shows the operation of the printer 1 when the see-through touch display 512 displays the drawing image BG.

The control unit 100 of the printer 1 determines whether or not the drawing image BG is displayed on the see-through touch display 512 (step SB 1).

For example, when the user selects an item indicating the display of the drawing image BG on the operation screen SG displayed on the see-through touch display 512, the control unit 100 makes an affirmative determination at step SB 1.

When determining that the drawing image BG is not displayed on the see-through touch display 512 (no at step SB1), the display controller 112 executes the process at step SB1 again.

On the other hand, when determining that the drawing image BG is displayed on the see-through touch display 512 (yes in step SB1), the display controller 112 starts receiving an input of the drawing image BG to the see-through touch display 512 (step SB 2).

Next, the display control section 112 determines whether or not the see-through touch display 512 detects a touch operation (step SB 3).

When determining that the touch operation has not been detected on the see-through touch display 512 (no at step SB3), the display control unit 112 again shifts the process to step SB 3.

When determining that the see-through touch display 512 has detected the touch operation (yes in step SB3), the display control unit 112 causes the see-through touch display 512 to display the drawing image BG drawn by the touch operation (step SB 4).

Next, display control unit 112 determines whether or not an instruction to start printing of drawing image BG is accepted from the user by the touch operation (step SB 5).

When determining that the instruction to start printing of the drawing image BG has not been received (no at step SB5), the display control unit 112 executes the process at step SB5 again.

On the other hand, when determining that the instruction to start printing the drawing image BG has been received (yes at step SB5), the display controller 112 outputs the image data of the drawing image BG and the position of the drawing image BG in the display area 512A to the print controller 111 (step SB 6).

Then, the print control unit 111 starts printing of the drawing image BG based on the image data of the drawing image BG and the display position of the drawing image BG, which are input from the display control unit 112 (step SB 7). The print control unit 111 prints the drawing image BG at a position of the printing surface 2A corresponding to the display position of the drawing image BG. The print control unit 111 may print the drawing image BG so as to overlap the print data received from the control device 6 or the image indicated by the image data.

In the above-described operation, the input of the drawing image BG is received in the display region 512A, but the display control unit 112 may not receive the input of the drawing image BG in a region other than the corresponding region 512B.

Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining display of the drawing image BG.

Fig. 8 illustrates a case where the see-through touch display 512 displays a drawing image BG drawn by the user with a finger FI. In fig. 8, a drawing image BG is drawn in the corresponding region 512B, and the drawing image BG is displayed in the corresponding region 512B by the see-through touch display 512.

In the case of fig. 8, when the display control unit 112 determines that the start of printing of the drawing image BG is accepted, the print control unit 111 prints the drawing image BG displayed in the display area 512A at the position of the printing surface 2A corresponding to the corresponding area 512B in the vertical direction.

Next, an operation related to switching between on and off of the information display of the see-through touch display 512 will be described. The information displayed on and off in see-through touch display 512 includes various information such as operation screen SG, print image IG, drawing image BG, and others.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the display control unit 112.

The display control unit 112 determines whether or not the see-through touch display 512 detects a touch operation (step SC 1).

Next, when an affirmative determination is made at step SC1, the display control unit 112 determines whether or not the touch operation detected by the see-through touch display 512 is a touch operation for turning off the information display of the see-through touch display 512 (step SC 2).

For example, the display control unit 112 causes the see-through touch display 512 to display a software button for turning off the information display of the see-through touch display 512. When the touch operation detected by the see-through touch display 512 is a touch operation for selecting the software button, the display control unit 112 makes an affirmative determination at step SC 2.

When determining that the touch operation detected by the see-through touch display 512 is a touch operation for turning off the information display on the see-through touch display 512 (yes in step SC2), the display control unit 112 turns off the information display on the see-through touch display 512 (step SC 3).

Thereby, the user can visually confirm the inside of the apparatus main body 3 via the see-through touch display 512.

On the other hand, when determining that the touch operation detected by the see-through touch display 512 is not a touch operation for turning off the information display on the see-through touch display 512 (no in step SC2), the display control unit 112 determines whether or not the touch operation detected by the see-through touch display 512 is a touch operation for turning on the information display on the see-through touch display 512 (step SC 4).

For example, the display control unit 112 causes the see-through touch display 512 to display a software button for turning on the information display of the see-through touch display 512. When the touch operation detected by the see-through touch display 512 is a touch operation for selecting the software button, the display control unit 112 makes an affirmative determination at step SC 4.

When determining that the touch operation detected by the see-through touch display 512 is a touch operation for turning on the information display on the see-through touch display 512 (yes in step SC4), the display control unit 112 turns on the information display on the see-through touch display 512 (step SC 5).

Thus, the user can visually confirm various information through the see-through touch display 512.

In step SC5, the display control unit 112 may control the illumination unit 30 to turn on at least the first light source 31. Accordingly, the illumination light emitted from the first light source 31 functions as a backlight of the see-through touch display 512, and the visibility of various information displayed on the see-through touch display 512 can be improved.

On the other hand, when determining that the touch operation detected by the see-through touch display 512 is not a touch operation for turning on the information display of the see-through touch display 512 (no at step SC4), the display control unit 112 executes a process corresponding to a touch operation other than a process for turning on and off the information display of the see-through touch display 512 (step SC 6).

As described above, the printer 1 includes the see-through portion 51 provided in the exterior body of the printer 1 and allowing the inside of the printer 1 to be visually confirmed. At least a part of the see-through section 51 is constituted by a see-through touch display 512 capable of displaying information.

Accordingly, since the see-through portion 51 that enables the inside of the printer 1 to be visually confirmed is configured by the see-through touch display 512, it is not necessary to provide a display at a position different from the region where the inside of the printer 1 can be visually confirmed, and thus the portion corresponding to the display is reduced, and miniaturization of the printer 1 can be achieved. In addition, the see-through touch display 512 can be increased in size according to the size of the see-through portion 51 of the exterior body of the printer 1. Therefore, the printing apparatus in which the inside of the printer 1 can be visually confirmed can be downsized and the display can be enlarged.

The printer 1 includes a display control unit 112 that switches on and off of information display on the see-through touch display 512 in accordance with an operation by a user.

Accordingly, the display control unit 112 switches the information display on and off according to the user operation, and therefore the user can switch the information display on and off of the see-through touch display 512 at an arbitrary timing.

The see-through touch display 512 is capable of detecting touch operations. The display control unit 112 turns on and off the information display of the see-through touch display 512 in accordance with the touch operation detected by the see-through touch display 512.

Accordingly, the user can switch on and off of information display by touching the see-through touch display 512. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a switch for switching on and off of the information display on the exterior of the printer 1, and the printer 1 can be further downsized.

The see-through touch display 512 is provided above the conveyance path HK of the printing medium 2, and has a display area 512A equal to or larger than the maximum width of the printing medium 2 printable by the printer 1 in the intersecting direction. The display control unit 112 causes the display area 512A to display a print image IG printed on the printing surface 2A in a size printed on the printing surface 2A in a corresponding area 512B corresponding to the printing surface 2A of the printing medium 2 disposed on the conveyance path HK.

Thus, display control unit 112 can display print image IG on see-through touch display 512 so that print image IG overlaps print surface 2A. Therefore, the user can grasp how the print image IG is printed on the printing surface 2A of the print medium 2.

The printer 1 includes a printing unit 10 and a printing control unit 111 that performs printing by the printing unit 10. Display control unit 112 changes the display position of print image IG in display area 512A in accordance with the touch operation detected by see-through touch display 512. The print control unit 111 prints the print image IG on the printing unit 10 based on the display position changed by the display control unit 112.

Accordingly, since the print image IG is printed on the print medium 2 based on the changed display position of the print image IG, the user can easily change the print position of the print image IG by touching the see-through touch display 512.

The display controller 112 causes the drawing image BG to be displayed on the see-through touch display 512. The print control unit 111 causes the printing unit 10 to print the drawing image BG displayed on the see-through touch display 512.

Accordingly, since the image drawn by the user can be printed on the print medium 2, the user can easily print the drawn image on the print medium 2 by performing a touch operation on the see-through touch display 512.

The above embodiment is merely a specific example to which the present invention is applied. The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and can be implemented in various ways without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the above-described embodiment, the serial-head type inkjet head that is mounted on the movable carriage 12 and ejects ink while moving in the X-axis direction is exemplified as the inkjet head 13, but a line-head type inkjet head that extends in the X-axis direction including the width of the print medium 2 and is fixedly arranged may be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the see-through section 51 is configured such that the frame section 511 supports the see-through touch display 512. However, the see-through part 51 is not limited to this configuration, and may be configured as follows: the frame portion 511 supports a transparent member such as acrylic or glass to form a window portion, and the see-through touch display 512 is disposed to overlap the window portion.

In the above-described embodiment, the see-through type touch display 512 capable of detecting a touch operation is exemplified as the see-through type display, but the see-through type display constituting the see-through portion 51 may be a display incapable of detecting a touch operation. In this case, operation switches for operating menus displayed on the display are provided on the exterior of the printer 1. Even in this case, it is not necessary to provide a display at a position different from the region where the inside of the printer 1 can be visually confirmed, and the portion corresponding to the display is reduced, so that downsizing of the printer 1 can be achieved. In addition, the see-through display can be made larger in size according to the size of the see-through portion 51 in the exterior body of the printer 1.

The printer 1 may further include a winding unit that winds the printing medium 2 discharged from the paper discharge port 3B. The printer 1 may further include a heating unit that heats the printing medium 2 and dries the ink ejected onto the printing surface 2A.

In the printer 1, the number and arrangement of the rollers forming the conveyance path HK and the motors of the driving rollers are arbitrary, and can be changed as appropriate in accordance with the size of the printing medium 2.

The functions of the control unit 100 may be realized by a plurality of processors or semiconductor chips.

At least a part of the functional blocks shown in fig. 3 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by cooperation of hardware and software. The processing units in the flowcharts of fig. 5, 7, and 9 are divided according to the main processing contents for easy understanding of the operation of the printer 1, but the embodiment is not limited by the illustrated dividing mode and name of the processing unit.

Claims (6)

1. A printing apparatus for printing on a printing medium,

the printing device includes a see-through section provided on an exterior body of the printing device and capable of visually confirming an interior of the printing device,

at least a part of the see-through part is formed of a see-through display capable of displaying information.

2. Printing device according to claim 1,

the printing apparatus includes a display control unit that switches on and off information display of the see-through display according to a user operation.

3. Printing device according to claim 2,

the see-through display is capable of detecting touch operations,

the display control unit switches on and off of information display of the see-through display according to a touch operation detected by the see-through display.

4. A printing device according to claim 2 or 3,

the see-through type display is provided above a transport path of the print medium, and has a display area that is greater than or equal to a maximum width of the print medium printable by the printing device in a direction intersecting a transport direction of the print medium,

the display control unit causes the display area to display a print image printed on a print surface in a size printed on the print surface in a corresponding area of the display area corresponding to the print surface of the print medium disposed on the transport path.

5. Printing device according to claim 4,

the printing device comprises a printing portion and a printing control portion for printing by the printing portion,

the see-through display is capable of detecting touch operations,

the display control unit changes a display position of the print image in the display area in accordance with a touch operation detected by the see-through display,

the printing control unit prints the print image by the printing unit based on the display position changed by the display control unit.

6. Printing device according to claim 2,

the printing device comprises a printing portion and a printing control portion for printing by the printing portion,

the see-through display is capable of detecting touch operations,

the display control unit causes the see-through display to display a drawing image that is an image drawn by the touch operation detected by the see-through display,

the printing control unit causes the printing unit to print the drawing image displayed on the see-through display.

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