JP2000225738A - Printing and cutting apparatus and memory medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent generation of cutting mistake by a real-time display of the cutting course in a cutting process, and to eliminate complicated operations such as a size definition operation for a cutting line and a cutting frame to be set for a printing subject, and a cutting margin definition operation. SOLUTION: A CPU 2 executes a cutting frame synthesizing process by re-sizing the cutting frame size to accommodate printing data in a selected cutting frame so as to be synthesized with the printing data. The synthesized data are displayed on a display device 4. After printing the synthesized data on a sealing paper by controlling a printer 9, the cutting frame is processed to be line segments as a cut image. The coordinates data (cut starting coordinates) showing each line segment are stored in a cut coordinates memory in a RAM 5. A paper cutting process for cutting the synthesized data printed on the sealing paper according to each line segment data by controlling a cutting device 10 is executed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a print cutting apparatus for reading a text or an image printed on a sheet and cutting it according to a specified cutting frame.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional printing cutting apparatus, for example, a cutter is mounted on a printing carriage which reciprocates along a guide shaft, and the printing carriage is rolled by a cutter while moving the printing carriage along the guide shaft. The printing pen and the cutter are arranged by independent drive mechanisms in the direction of transport of the rolled printing paper, and the printing pen and the cutter are moved up and down. A printer mounted on a printing apparatus that performs control in a reverse manner so as to cut at a position behind a printed portion after printing is generally used.

[0003]

However, in the above-described print cutting processing apparatus mounted on two typical printing apparatuses according to the conventional example, both of the printing and cutting processing apparatuses are arranged so that the rear side of the rolled printing paper is behind the printed portion. Since the paper is cut and the printed part is separated from the core of the printed paper, if only a printed image of characters, graphics, etc. printed on the printed part is needed, the margin around the part is needed. The work of cutting with scissors or a cutter was required manually, which was troublesome.

[0004] When a cut line is input, a previously prepared line is connected to define the cut line, or a user performs an operation of enlarging or reducing a cut type graphic or the like constituted by a closed straight line or a closed curve to a target size. The way to define was done.

However, these methods of defining cut lines are troublesome and troublesome when connecting and defining lines, and a closed straight line or a cut type figure of a closed curve is enlarged or reduced to a target size by a user operation. In such a case, it is necessary to adjust the position and size of the cut-out figure with respect to the position of the content defined in advance such as the print content, and there is a problem that the operation itself is difficult.

Further, when the printing paper is actually cut, the cutting position is not displayed, and it is only possible to determine whether or not the actual cutting has been performed in accordance with the designated cutting line after the cutting. However, there is also a problem that the timing for determining whether the cutting is correct is delayed, and the printing paper is cut wastefully.

Further, when cutting a character sticker, it is necessary to specify a margin such as a rectangle around a printed character. In a conventional print cutting processing apparatus, a user performs an operation of adjusting the margin. There is also a problem that the setting operation is complicated and the work efficiency is poor.

An object of the present invention is to display a cutting trajectory at the time of cutting processing in real time to prevent the occurrence of a cutting error and the like, and to define a size of a cut line or a cut frame to be printed and a definition operation of a cut margin. Is to eliminate the need for complicated operations.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
What is claimed is: 1. A print cutting processing apparatus for performing a cutting process on a print target printed on a printed material by a cutting unit, the cutting position detecting unit obtaining a predetermined cutting position when the print target is cut, and the cutting position detecting unit obtaining the predetermined cutting position. Display control means for displaying, on a display means, a cutting locus where the cutting means has cut the print target up to the predetermined cutting position.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print cutting processing apparatus for performing a cutting process on a print target printed on a printed material by a cutting unit, wherein the cutting position detecting unit performs a cutting process on the print target. Finding the predetermined cutting position of
The display control means displays on the display means up to the predetermined cutting position obtained by the cutting position detecting means as a cutting locus obtained by cutting the printing target by the cutting means.

Therefore, the cutting trajectory of the print target can be confirmed before the cutting process, and the user can grasp the cutting state of the print target and prevent the occurrence of a cutting error or the like.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print cutting processing apparatus for performing a cutting process on a print target printed on a printed material by a cutting unit, wherein the cut frame specifying unit specifies a cut frame for the print target, and A cutting frame size changing unit that changes the size of the cutting frame specified by the cutting frame specifying unit so as to match a target size, and the cutting unit according to the cutting frame whose size has been changed by the cutting frame size changing unit. Cutting control means for controlling the cutting process of the print target.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print cutting processing apparatus for cutting a print target printed on a printed material by a cutting means, wherein the cut frame specifying means specifies a cut frame for the print target. Then, the cutting frame size changing unit changes the size of the cutting frame specified by the cutting frame specifying unit so as to match the size of the print target, and the cutting control unit performs the cutting according to the cut frame whose size has been changed. And controlling a cutting process of the printing target by a cutting unit.

Therefore, since the print target is automatically arranged in the cut frame whose size is automatically changed in accordance with the print target size, the user has to input the cut line and define the size of the cut frame to be enlarged or reduced. The labor can be omitted, and the work efficiency at the time of print cutting processing can be improved.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print cutting processing apparatus for performing a cutting process on a print target printed on a printed material by a cutting unit, wherein the graphic development unit expands the print target graphic into bitmap data. A cutting line generating means for tracing the contour of the bitmap data developed by the graphic developing means to generate a cutting line, and controlling the cutting processing of the print target by the cutting means according to the cutting line generated by the cutting line generating means. Cutting control means.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print cutting processing apparatus for performing a cutting process on a print target printed on a printed material by a cutting unit, wherein the graphic development unit converts the graphic to be printed into a bit map. When developed into data, the cut line generation means traces the contour of the developed bitmap data to generate a cut line, and the cutting control means
In accordance with the generated cut line, a cutting process of the print target by the cutting unit is controlled.

Therefore, when cutting graphic data such as an outline font graphic along an outline, the user can save the trouble of defining a cut line, and can cut the graphic data accurately along the outline.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] FIGS. 1 to 11 are diagrams showing a word processor according to a first embodiment to which a print cutting apparatus according to the present invention is applied. First, the configuration will be described. FIG. 1 shows a word processor 1 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an internal main part. In FIG. 1, a word processor 1 includes a CPU 2, an input device 3,
It comprises a display device 4, a RAM 5, a storage device 6, a storage medium 7, a scanner 8, a printing device 9, and a cutting device 10, and each part except the storage medium 7 is connected to a bus 11.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2
Expands various processing programs as a word processor stored in a storage device 6 into a work memory 5e in a RAM 5 (see FIG. 2), controls each unit in the word processor 1, and performs a document creation process as the word processor 1. , A document printing process and the like, and a seal creation process described later (see FIG. 5).

In the sticker creation process, the CPU 2 allows the user to select print data such as figures (illustrations) and paper size data stored in the print data memory 5a and the paper data memory 5b in the RAM 5 in advance, and to select the selected print data. The data is arranged in a designated area in the selected sheet, a rectangular cutout frame is set around the designated area to be selected, and the cutout frame data is displayed on the display device 4. After saving in the frame data memory 5c, a cutting frame selection menu is displayed on the display device 4 based on the cutting frame data of various shapes stored in the storage device 6 in advance, and the cutting frame is selected.

Then, the CPU 2 resizes the size of the cut frame so that the print data is included in the selected cut frame, and synthesizes the cut data with the print data (see FIG. 6).
Is performed, the combined data is displayed on the display device 4, and the combined data is printed on the sticker paper by controlling the printing device 9, and then the cutout frame is line-divided as a cut image,
Coordinate data (cut start coordinates) indicating each line segment is stored in the RAM 5
Then, the cutting data is stored in the cut coordinate memory 5d, and the composite data printed on the sticker paper is controlled in accordance with each line differentiation data by controlling the cutting device 10 to execute a paper cutting process (see FIG. 7).

The input device 3 includes a keyboard on which kana keys, numerical keys, various function keys, etc. are arranged, and a pointing device such as a mouse.
Output to PU2.

The display device 4 is a CRT (Cathode Ray Tub).
e) and a display device (eg, print data, cutout frame data, composite data, etc.) input from the CPU 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 5 has a print data memory 5a, a paper data memory 5b, each cutout frame data memory 5c, a cut coordinate memory 5d, a work memory 5e, and the like. . The print data memory 5a stores a plurality of print data such as figures (illustrations) selected in the sticker creation process, and the sheet data memory 5b stores sheet image data corresponding to various sheet sizes selected in the sticker creation process. Each cutout frame data memory 5c stores the cutout frame data set around the print data selected in the sticker creation process, and the cut coordinate memory 5d stores the cutout frame image of the composite data in the sticker creation process. The coordinate data (cut start coordinates) of each segmented line is stored, and the work memory 5e temporarily stores various programs read from the storage device 6 and various data being processed when the CPU 2 executes various processes. .

The storage device 6 has a storage medium 7 in which programs, data and the like are stored in advance, and this storage medium 7 is constituted by a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory. The storage medium 7 is fixedly provided on the storage device 6 or is detachably mounted. The storage medium 7 includes the above-described document creation processing program,
Document printing processing program, sticker creation processing program,
A cutting frame synthesizing processing program, a paper cutting processing program, and data processed by each program are stored. Further, the storage device 6 stores a plurality of cutout frame data of various shapes selected in the seal creation processing.

The scanner 8 is mounted on a carriage 96 (see FIG. 3) on which an ink ribbon cartridge 98 (see FIG. 3) in the printing device 9 is set. An image is read by scanning a document to be read which is controlled by an input read control signal and is set at a paper feeding position of the printing apparatus 9 and conveyed, and the read image data is read by C.
Output to PU2.

The printing device 9 executes a printing operation and a paper feeding operation under the control of the CPU 2, generates a printing signal based on a printing control signal based on printing data input from the CPU 2, and prints the printing head 97 (see FIG. 3). And a drive operation of a carriage 96 (see FIG. 3) and a feed operation of an ink ribbon in an ink ribbon cartridge 98 (see FIG. 3). ) Prints the document data on the printing paper conveyed by the method.

The printing apparatus 9 controls the paper transport mechanism by a control signal input from the CPU 2 when the CPU 2 executes the above-described seal creation processing, and controls the paper transport mechanism in accordance with the image reading and scanning timing of the scanner 8. In addition to controlling the transport state of the original sheet, the transport state of the seal sheet to be cut is controlled in accordance with the timing of the cutting operation of the cutting device 10.

The cutting device 10 is mounted on a carriage 96 (see FIG. 3) on which an ink ribbon cartridge 98 (see FIG. 3) in the printing device 9 is set.
When U2 executes the above-described paper cutting process, it is controlled by a cutting control signal input from the CPU 2, and the portion surrounded by the cutting line on the sticker paper that is set at the paper feeding position of the printing device 9 and conveyed is removed. cut out.

As shown in FIG. 3, a main part of a carriage portion inside the printing apparatus 9 includes a platen 94 having both ends fixedly supported by a part of a paper transport mechanism, and a drive belt of a carriage drive mechanism. A carriage 96 that is moved in the left-right direction in the figure while being suspended in the drawing and an ink ribbon 98a (see FIG. 3A) of an in-ribbon cartridge 98 set on the carriage 96 are movably provided vertically. Print head 97.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the scanner 8 is integrally provided on the right side of the carriage 96 in the figure, and the cutting device 10 is integrally provided on the left side of the carriage 96 in the figure. Is provided. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the print head 97 is located at a position where the ink ribbon 98a of the ink ribbon cartridge 98 set on the carriage 96 is exposed, and at the time of printing, the print head 97 is driven by a print head driving mechanism (not shown) inside the carriage 96. The ink ribbon 98a is moved downward in the figure to melt and press the ink ribbon 98a onto the paper P conveyed on the platen 94, thereby printing the print data.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the original image is cut, the original moves downward in the figure by the action of an electromagnetic solenoid (not shown) having a built-in cutter 10a provided at the tip of the cutting device 10. Then, a portion of the sheet P conveyed on the platen 94 is surrounded by a cut line. Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the cutter 10a of the cutting device 10 has a built-in rotary drive mechanism (not shown), the blade edge 10b is rotated at the time of cutting, and the original image surrounded by the curved cutting line is also cut. It is configured so that it can be cut off.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. First, the seal creation process executed by the CPU 2 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5, the CPU 2 first sets the RAM 5
A plurality of print data stored in the print data memory 5a is read out, a graphic (including illustrations and characters) selection menu is displayed on the display device 4 to prompt the user to select the print data (step S1), and the print data is selected. Then, the selected figure (illustration) data is displayed on the display device 4 (step S2). Next, the CPU 2 reads a plurality of paper image data stored in the paper data memory 5b in the RAM 5, displays a paper size selection menu on the display device 4, and prompts the user to select a paper size (Step S).
3) When the paper size is selected, the selected paper image is displayed on the display device 4 (step S4).

Then, the CPU 2 designates a predetermined area in the displayed paper image, arranges the print data in the designated area, displays the print data (step S5), and surrounds the print data with a rectangle indicating the selection target. Is set and displayed (step S6). This rectangular cutting frame data is RA
It is stored in each cutout frame data memory 5c in M5.

Next, the CPU 2 reads out the cutting frame data of various shapes stored in the storage device 6 in advance, displays a cutting frame selection menu on the display device 4, and prompts the user to select a cutting frame (step S7). When a frame is selected, a cutting frame combining process for combining the selected cutting frame and print data is executed (step S8).

The cutout frame combining process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG.
U2 first detects the size and display position of the cutting frame (step S41), and sets an interval (gap) including the margin between the cutting frame and the print data (step S4).
2) Resize (enlarge or reduce) the cutout frame size detected according to the set interval (step S).
43). Next, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the shape of the resized cutting frame line is a non-rectangular variant (step S44). If not, the process proceeds to step S9 in FIG. The rectangular range of the cutout frame data indicating the selection target set in step S6 of FIG. 5 and stored in each of the cutout frame data memories 5c in the RAM 5 is compared with a rectangular range preset in the cutout frame of the irregular shape. Then, the odd-shaped cutting frame is resized so that the selected print data falls within the selected odd-shaped cutting frame, and the print data is arranged in the resized cutting frame (step S4).
5).

That is, the odd-shaped cutting frame is resized (enlargement processing or reduction processing) so as to enter the odd-shaped cutting frame without changing the size of the selected print data. After this resizing process, the process moves to step S9 in FIG.
Further, the CPU 2 stores the synthesized data in the work memory 5e in the RAM 5.

In step S9 of FIG.
Displays composite data in which print data is arranged in a cutout frame in a paper image being displayed on the display device 4, generates print data based on the composite data, and outputs the generated print data to the printing device 9. In step S10, the composite data is printed on the sticker paper (step S10). Next, the CPU 2 sets R
Based on the synthetic data stored in the work memory 5e in the AM 5, the cutout frame is line-divided as a cut image,
The coordinate data of each line (cut start coordinates of each line in the paper image) is stored in the cut coordinate memory 5d in the RAM 5 (step S11).

Then, the CPU 2 outputs a sheet reversal control signal to the printing apparatus 9 to convey the sticker sheet printed by the printing apparatus 9 in the reverse direction in the sheet feeding direction opposite to the sheet discharging direction.
The sticker sheet is returned to the cutting position (step S1).
2) A sheet cut process for cutting the sticker sheet is executed according to the coordinate data of each line stored in the cut coordinate memory 5d in the RAM 5 (step S13).

The paper cutting process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, CP
U2 first deletes the cut image (cut frame) display of the combined data displayed in step S9 of FIG. 5 (step S21), and stores the cut start coordinates of the first line segment from the cut coordinate memory 5d in the RAM 5. It reads out (Step S22), generates a paper feed control signal and a carriage movement control signal so as to feed the seal paper and the carriage on which the cutting device 10 is mounted to the cut start coordinate position, and outputs it to the printing device 9 (Step S2).
3).

The printing device 9 drives and controls the paper transport mechanism to transport the seal paper to the cut start position and drives and controls the carriage drive mechanism in accordance with the paper feed control signal and the carriage movement control signal input from the CPU 2. The carriage 96 is moved to the cutting start position by using the cutting device 10 provided on the carriage 96.
Is moved so that the cutter 10a is positioned at the cutting start position of the cutting frame printed on the sticker paper.

Next, the CPU 2 sets the cut coordinate memory 5
The cut start coordinate of the next line segment is read from d (step S24), and a cutter down signal is output to the cutting device 10 to lower the cutter 10a on the sheet paper (step S25). Then, the CPU 2 generates a sheet feed control signal, a carriage movement control signal, and a cut control signal to cut the sticker sheet to the cut start position of the next line segment based on the next cut start coordinate read earlier. The output is output to the printing device 9 and the cutting device 10 (step S26), and while the printing paper 9 moves the sticker sheet from the first cut start position to the next cut start position, the cutting device 10 corresponds to the first line segment. Cut the cut line.

Next, the CPU 2 displays a line connecting the previous first cut start coordinate to the current cut end point, ie, the next cut start coordinate, around the print data being displayed on the display device 4 (step S27). ). By this display processing, the cut line being cut is displayed on the display device 4 in real time.

Next, the CPU 2 checks whether or not a cut stop instruction has been input (step S28). If the cut stop instruction has been input, the CPU 2 outputs a cutter up signal to the cutting device 10 to raise the cutter 10a. At the same time, the output of the sheet feed control signal and the carriage movement control signal to the printing device 9 is stopped, the conveyance of the sticker sheet and the movement of the carriage 96 are stopped, and the process proceeds to a cut resuming process described later (see FIG. 12).

If the cut stop instruction is not input, it is determined whether or not the cut has been completed up to the final cut position with reference to the cut start coordinate data read from the cut coordinate memory 5d (step S29), and the process is terminated. If not, the process returns to step S24, and the cut coordinate memory 5
The next cut start coordinate data is read out from d, and thereafter, the processing of steps S25 to S28 is repeatedly executed in the same manner, and the cut of the sticker sheet is repeatedly executed until the final cut position. If the cutting to the final cutting position has been completed, the present paper cutting process ends, and the sticker creating process of FIG. 5 ends.

The procedure for creating a seal based on the seal creation processing in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 8, when the user selects an illustration to be printed from the figure (illustration) selection menu displayed on the display device 4, a rectangle surrounding the selected illustration and an illustration indicating a selection target is displayed in the same figure. Is displayed on the display device 4. At this time, it is also possible to specify the print data by combining the illustration and the character string. The maximum size (Xmin, Ymin) to (Xma
x, Ymax) is detected and the cutout frame (broken line portion) is set and displayed.

When the user selects the shape of the cut frame from the cut frame selection menu displayed on the display device 4, the cut frame detected and set in FIG. The designated cutting frame is resized so as to fall within the cutting frame shape, and the print data is automatically arranged. Then, in the same figure, combined data in which the cutout frame and the print illustration are combined is displayed on the display device 4.

Thereafter, when the paper cutting process is started, for example, the cutout frame lines set and displayed around the illustrations and the character strings shown in FIG. 9 are cut as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. For an illustration that does not exist, the cutting frame line is deleted once, and a cutting trajectory is displayed in real time according to the cutting operation around the illustration where cutting is completed or being cut.

As described above, according to the word processor 1 of the first embodiment, in the sticker creation processing, the user selects the desired print data, paper size, and cutout frame shape, and selects the print data size. Is automatically placed in the resized cutting frame without changing the
The user can save the trouble of inputting the cut line and the work of enlarging or reducing the size of the cut frame, thereby improving the work efficiency at the time of creating the seal.

When an illustration or the like printed on a sticker sheet is cut, the cutting trajectory is displayed in real time, so that the user can grasp the cutting state of the sheet and immediately when a cutting error occurs in the sheet. Actions such as stopping can be taken. As a result, a situation where printing paper is wasted can be prevented beforehand, and the reliability of the print cutting processing function can be improved.

Next, step S of the paper cutting process shown in FIG.
The cut resumption processing executed by the CPU 2 after the cut stop instruction is input at 28 and the paper cut processing is interrupted will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The cut resuming process is a process that allows another cutting frame to be selected after the middle stage of the cutting process, combines with the first cutting frame, and allows cutting to be continued.

In FIG. 12, first, the CPU 2 reads out various shapes of cut frame data stored in the storage device 6, displays a cut frame selection menu as shown in FIG. (Step S10)
1) When a cutting frame is selected, a selection screen for selecting the method of arranging the selected new cutting frame is displayed on the display device 4, and the method of arranging the new cutting frame is selected (step S).
102). At this time, as a method of arranging a new cutting frame, a selection screen thereof is not shown, but it is assumed that a user selects whether or not to connect a new cutting frame to a previously selected cutting frame where cutting has been interrupted. I do.

Then, the CPU 2 determines whether or not an arrangement method for connecting a new cutting frame to the cutting frame where cutting has been interrupted has been selected (step S103). If no such arrangement method has been selected, the process proceeds to step S113. I do.
If the connecting arrangement method is selected, the entire area of the cutting frame where the cutting is interrupted is obtained (step S104).
A memory area of the same size as the obtained area is secured in each of the cutout frame data memories 5c in the RAM 5 (step S1).
05), resizing (enlarging or reducing) the new cutout frame on the secured memory area (step S1)
06).

Next, the CPU 2 divides the resized new cutting frame at the position where the cutting was interrupted (step S1).
07), the cut portion of the cut frame where the cut was interrupted is combined with the portion corresponding to the cut restart portion of the divided new cut frame (step S108), and the combined cut image is displayed on the display device 4. (Step S10
9). Then, the CPU 2 determines whether or not a cut restart instruction has been input (step S110). If the cut restart instruction has not been input, the CPU 2 continues the display state of step S109. The point coordinates are read out (step S111), only the display of the newly cut image portion of the displayed composite image is erased (step S112), and the process returns to the paper cutting process from step S25 in FIG.

Therefore, the cut frame whose cut has been interrupted is cut again according to the newly synthesized cut frame by restarting the cut.

If, in step S103, an arrangement method for connecting a new cutting frame to the cutting frame in which cutting has been interrupted is not selected, the CPU 2 obtains the area of the entire cutting frame in which cutting has been interrupted in step S113. A memory area of the same size as the area is secured in each of the cutout frame data memories 5c in the RAM 5 (step S114).
The new cutout frame is resized (enlargement processing or reduction processing) on the secured memory area (step S115), and the resized new cutout frame is enlarged by a predetermined amount (step S116).

Then, the CPU 2 re-combines the enlarged new cutting frame and the print data (step S117), and displays the combined cut image on the display device 4 at a position different from the image where the cut was interrupted. (Step S11
8) It is determined whether or not a cut restart instruction has been input (step S119). If the cut resumption instruction is not input, the display state of step S109 is continued, and if the cut resumption instruction is input, only the display of the new cut image portion is deleted (step S120), and step S120 of FIG.
The process returns to the paper cutting process after 21.

Therefore, the selected illustration is cut again according to the new cutting frame, not the interrupted cutting frame.

The procedure for restarting the cut of the sticker sheet based on the above-described cut restart processing will be described with reference to FIG.
After a new cutting frame is selected by the user, an area of the entire cutting frame (dot-dash line) where the cutting was interrupted is obtained in FIG. 14, and an area of the same size as the area obtained in FIG. The new cutting frame is resized and arranged. In addition, in each of the above, the black circles on each cutting frame indicate cut interruption points. In the same figure, the new cut frame is divided into upper and lower portions at the cut interruption point, and in FIG. 3, the cut image portion which has been cut is combined with the cut resumable portion of the new cut frame divided by. Then, cutting is resumed. In this case, an example is shown in which a part of a new rectangular cutting frame is combined with an uncut portion of the elliptical cutting frame.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show the display state of the cut image on the display device 4 after the cut is restarted. FIG. 15 shows a state in which the cut image of the synthesized new cutting frame is displayed in real time in the cut image of the cigarette illustration after the cut is resumed, and FIG. 16 shows the cut in which the cutting of the new cutting frame has been completed. This shows a state where an image is displayed.

By adding the above-described cut resuming processing function, the user can restart the cut by combining a new cut frame with the cut image in which the cut is interrupted even while the paper is being cut. Processing such as changing the frame and restarting cutting can be facilitated, and the convenience of the paper cutting function can be improved.

In the first embodiment, the cut locus is displayed in real time when the print data is cut. However, before the cut, the cut coordinate memory in the RAM 5 is operated according to a predetermined operation. It is also possible to read out the cut coordinate data stored in 5d and display the cut locus in the print data being displayed by simulation.

Further, the printing apparatus 9 is provided with a paper feed position detection sensor and a movement position detection sensor of the cutting device 10 mounted on the carriage 96. The output of these sensors detects the actual cut position, and the detection position is detected. May be sequentially displayed as a cut locus.

[Second Embodiment] FIGS. 17 to 20 show
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a word processor according to a second embodiment to which the print cutting control processing device of the present invention is applied. In addition,
Since the configuration of the word processor according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the word processor 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 in the first embodiment, illustration and description of the configuration will be omitted.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a seal creation process executed by the CPU 2 in the word processor 1 according to the second embodiment. In this sticker creation process, the user inputs a cut ratio set between the character string that is the print data and the cut frame, and automatically sets the size of the cut frame set around the character string according to the input cut ratio. This implements the function of adjusting.

In FIG. 17, CPU 2 first sets RA
A plurality of print data stored in the print data memory 5a in the M5 is read out, a graphic (including illustrations and character strings) selection menu is displayed on the display device 4 to prompt the user to select the print data (step S201), and When a character string is selected, the selected character string data is displayed on the display device 4 (step S202). Next, the CPU 2
A plurality of paper image data stored in the paper data memory 5b in the RAM 5 is read out, a paper size selection menu is displayed on the display device 4 to prompt the user to select a paper size (step S203), and when the paper size is selected, The selected paper image is displayed on the display device 4 (step S
204).

Then, the CPU 2 designates a predetermined area in the displayed paper image, arranges and displays character string data in the designated area (step S205), and then cuts out the cutout frame and the character string data. A frame combining process is executed (step S206). This cutout frame combining process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In FIG. 18, first, the CPU 2 displays a cut ratio input screen (not shown) on the display device 4 for prompting the input of a cut ratio set between the character string data and the cut frame (step S221). ), When the cutting ratio is input, the vertical dimension of the outer shape of the cutting frame in consideration of the cutting ratio is calculated by the following equation (1) (step S2).
22), and calculate its lateral dimension by the following equation (2) (step S223).

Vertical dimension = input character size data × (1 + ratio input value × 2/100) (1) Horizontal dimension = (digit pitch × (number of input characters−1) + input character horizontal size data) + input character Horizontal size data × (1 + Ratio input value × 2/100) (2) Next, the CPU 2 determines the outer rectangular dimension frame size based on the calculated vertical dimension and horizontal dimension of the cutting frame ( (Step S224), the cutout frame size is displayed on the display device 4 (Step S225). Next, the CPU 2 checks whether or not the user has performed a release key operation or an execution key operation on the displayed cutout frame size (steps S226 and S227). If the release key operation has been performed, the process proceeds to step S221. When the execution key operation is performed again, the candidate of the cutting frame type is displayed on the display device 4 to urge the selection of the cutting frame type by the cursor key operation (step S228). ).

When the type of the cutting frame is selected while moving the type of the cutting frame to be selected in response to the operation of the cursor key (steps S229 and S230), the user presses the release key for the selected type of the cutting frame. It is confirmed whether the operation or the execution key operation has been performed (step S23).
1, S232), when the release key operation is performed, FIG.
7, the sticker creation processing is terminated, and when the execution key operation is performed, the cutout frame to be selected is displayed on the display device 4 (step S233), and the cutout frame type is determined (step S234).

Then, the CPU 2 adjusts the size of the determined cutout frame type to the cutout frame size determined in step S224 (step S235), and displays the cutout frame after the size adjustment on the display device 4 (step S236). . Next, the CPU 2 checks whether or not the execution key operation has been performed (step S237).
The character string to be printed and the cutout line data of the cutout frame are combined (step S238), the combined data is stored in the work memory 5e in the RAM 5, and the cutout frame combining process ends.

When the cutout frame synthesizing process is completed, the CPU
2 returns to step S207 in FIG. 17, displays the combined data of the combined character string and cutout frame, generates print data based on the displayed combined data, outputs the print data to the printing device 9, and outputs the print data to the printing device 9. To print the character string and its cutout frame on the sticker paper (step S208). Then, CPU
Reference numeral 2 denotes a line segmentation of the cutout frame as a cut image based on the composite data stored in the work memory 5 e in the RAM 5, and coordinates data of each line (cut start coordinates of each line in the paper image) in the RAM 5. (Step S209).

Then, the CPU 2 outputs a sheet reversal control signal to the printing device 9 to cause the sticker sheet printed by the printing device 9 to be conveyed in the reverse direction in the sheet feeding direction opposite to the sheet discharging direction.
The sticker sheet is returned to the cutting position (step S21).
0), a sheet cutting process for cutting the sticker sheet according to the coordinate data of each line stored in the cut coordinate memory 5d in the RAM 5 is executed (step S211), and the sticker creating process ends.

The procedure for creating a sticker sheet based on the above-described sticker creation process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
(A), the character string "no smoking" which is the selected print data is displayed on the display device 4, and in FIG.
According to the input margin ratio (in this case, 10%), the size of the cut character frame is calculated and displayed around the character string, and the selected cut frame type (in this case, a rectangle) in FIG. Is displayed on the cutting frame, and in FIG.
According to the execution instruction, the cutting along the cutting line of the cutting frame is executed. In addition, FIGS. 20A to 20C show an example of the cutting frame type.

As described above, according to the word processor 1 of the second embodiment, in the process of creating a character string sticker, the user can select the desired print data, paper size, cutting margin ratio, and cutting frame type. If specified, the rectangle size of the cutting frame surrounding the character string is automatically adjusted according to the cutting margin ratio, and the cutting line of the cutting frame type selected based on the rectangle size is synthesized and the character string seal is cut, The user can omit the definition of the cutout frame when cutting the character string seal and the operation of adjusting the size including the cutout margin, and can improve the work efficiency when creating the character string seal.

[Third Embodiment] FIGS. 21 to 23 are similar to FIGS.
It is a figure showing a word processor in a 3rd embodiment to which a print cutting control processing device of the present invention is applied. In addition,
The configuration of the word processor according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the word processor 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 in the first embodiment, and the illustration and description of the configuration are omitted.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a seal creation process executed by the CPU 2 in the word processor 1 according to the third embodiment. In this sticker creation process, the outline font image is developed into bitmap data, contour data for tracing the contour of the bitmap data is generated, and a sticker sheet cutting function for cutting a sticker sheet according to the contour data is realized. is there.

In FIG. 21, the CPU 2 first reads a plurality of outline font images stored in advance in the storage device 6, displays the image designation screen on the display device 4, and prompts the user to designate the outline font image. (Step S301) When an outline font image is designated, the designated image is displayed on the display device 4 (Step S302). Then, the CPU 2 confirms whether or not the end instruction for the image designation has been input (step S303). If the end instruction has not been input, the process returns to the designation process of step S301. The outline font image is developed into bitmap data in the work memory 5e in the RAM 5 (step S30).
4).

When the CPU 2 confirms that all the outline font images have been developed into the bitmap (step S305), the CPU 2 traces the outline based on the developed bitmap data and generates outline data (step S306). ), The contour data is corrected and linearized (step S307), and the work memory 5 in the RAM 5
e (step S308). Then, CPU2
Generates print data based on the image developed into the bitmap data, outputs the print data to the printing device 9, and causes the printing device 9 to print the bitmap image on a sticker sheet (step S309).

Then, the CPU 2 outputs a sheet reversal control signal to the printing device 9 to cause the sticker sheet printed by the printing device 9 to be conveyed in the reverse direction in the sheet feeding direction opposite to the sheet discharging direction.
The sticker sheet is returned to the cutting position (step S31).
0), the contour data is read from the work memory 5e in the RAM 5 (step S311), a sheet cutting process for cutting the sticker sheet is performed according to the read contour data (step S312), and the sticker creating process ends.

By the above-described seal creation processing, for example, the outline font image of “no smoking” shown in FIG. 9 is developed into a bitmap image, and outline data obtained by tracing the outline is generated and stored. The "No Smoking" string sticker is cut.

Therefore, for an image having a complicated outline such as an outline font character string, the user can omit the operation of defining a cutout line, thereby improving the work efficiency when creating an outline font character string seal. it can.

Next, a description will be given, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 22, of a seal creation process for setting a cutout frame and making a cut when creating a character string sticker of an outline font.

In FIG. 22, the CPU 2 first reads a plurality of outline font images stored in the storage device 6 in advance, displays the image designation screen on the display device 4, and prompts the user to designate an outline font image. (Step S321) When the outline font image is designated, the designated image is displayed on the display device 4 (Step S322). Then, the CPU 2 confirms whether or not the end instruction of the image designation has been input (step S323). If the end instruction has not been input, the process returns to the designation process of step S321. The outline font image is developed into bitmap data in the work memory 5e in the RAM 5 (step S32).
4).

When the CPU 2 confirms that all the outline font images have been developed into the bitmap (step S325), the CPU 2 traces the outline based on the developed bitmap data and generates outline data (step S326). ), The contour data is corrected and linearized (step S327). Next, the CPU 2 reads out the cutout frame data of various shapes stored in the storage device 6 in advance, and specifies a cutout frame arrangement position and a cutout frame selection screen for the character string being displayed. (Not shown) is displayed on the display device 4 (step S328).

When the layout position of the cutout frame is designated and the cutout frame is selected, the CPU 2 develops the cutout frame into a bitmap in the work memory 5e in the RAM 5 (step S32).
9) It is determined whether or not it intersects another cutting frame (step S330). That is, if there is a cutting frame that has been previously selected and bitmap-expanded, it is determined whether or not there is a portion that intersects with the cutting line of the currently selected and bitmap-expanded cutting frame. You. If the cut lines of the cut frames intersect, the CPU 2 deletes the cut lines other than the outline formed by the plurality of cut frames (step S3).
31) That is, the cut line drawn inside the cut frame crossing the cut line of the contour is deleted.

If the cutting lines of the respective cutting frames do not intersect, and after the processing in step S331, the processing proceeds to step S331.
The process proceeds to 332, where the CPU 2 confirms whether or not an end instruction for specifying the cutout frame has been input.
Returning to the contour data generation processing at 326, if there is an end instruction, the generated contour data is stored in the work memory 5 in the RAM 5.
e (step S333).

Next, the CPU 2 generates print data based on the image developed into the bitmap data in step S324, outputs the print data to the printing device 9, and causes the printing device 9 to print the bitmap image on a sticker sheet (step S334). . Then, the CPU 2 outputs a sheet reversal control signal to the printing device 9 to reversely convey the sticker sheet printed by the printing device 9 in the sheet feeding direction opposite to the sheet discharging direction, and moves the sticker sheet to the cut position. Return (Step S
335), the contour data is read from the work memory 5e in the RAM 5 (step S336), and a sheet cutting process for cutting the sticker sheet is performed according to the read contour data (step S337), and the sticker creating process ends.

By the above-described seal creation processing, for example, as shown in FIG. 23A, a bitmap image developed from the outline font image “No Smoking” of FIG. When a round cutting frame is first selected and arranged, and then a rectangular cutting frame shown in FIG. (C) is selected and arranged next, as shown in FIG. Only the outline based on the outline data is generated and stored, and the sticker sheet is cut in accordance with the outline data.

When the cutout frame can be selectively arranged on the bitmap image developed from the outline font character string by the above-described seal creation processing, a plurality of cutout frames are arranged on the same character string. In this case, the intersection is determined, the contour belonging to the outer shape is automatically erased, and the cut processing is executed. Therefore, the user can create a character string seal having a more various shape by a simple operation. .

In the third embodiment, a case has been described in which the outline of a character string is traced and a cut line is automatically generated. However, even if a user can freely designate a free line drawn as an outline, Good.

Further, the shape of the cutout frame, the composite data of the print data and the cutout frame, etc. shown in each of the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and other print data and the cutout frame are of course applicable. is there.

[0094]

According to the print cutting processing apparatus of the present invention and the storage medium of the present invention, the cutting locus of the printing target can be confirmed before the cutting processing, and the user can check the cutting state of the printing target. By grasping it, it is possible to prevent cutting errors from occurring.

According to the printing and cutting processing apparatus of the present invention, since the cutting trajectory during cutting is displayed in real time in accordance with the cutting process, the user can grasp the cutting state of the printing target. When a cutting error occurs, it is possible to take measures such as immediately stopping. As a result, a situation where printing paper is wasted can be prevented beforehand, and the reliability of the print cutting processing function can be improved.

According to the print cutting apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, even when the print target is being cut, the user can restart the cutting process by combining a new cut frame with the interrupted cut frame. In addition, the processing of changing the cutting frame and restarting the cutting processing can be facilitated, and the convenience can be improved.

[0097] The print cutting apparatus according to the fifth aspect,
According to the storage medium of the twelfth aspect, the print target is automatically arranged in the cutout frame whose size is automatically changed in accordance with the print target size, so that the user has to input a cutoff line and the cutout frame. The work of defining the size to be enlarged or reduced can be omitted, and the work efficiency in the print cutting process can be improved.

According to the print cutting processing apparatus of the invention, the user can freely select the cutting frame for cutting the print target, and can diversify the shape of cutting the print target.

According to the print cutting apparatus of the present invention, the user can omit the operation of defining the cut frame when cutting the print object and adjusting the size including the cut margin. It is possible to improve the work efficiency when cutting by setting a cutting frame.

According to the print cutting apparatus of the present invention, it is possible for the user to omit the operation of defining the cut frame when cutting the character string and adjusting the size including the cut margin. Can improve the working efficiency when cutting.

According to the print cutting apparatus of the ninth aspect, the user can save the trouble of arranging the print target when setting the cutout frame of the deformed figure for the print target.

According to the print cutting processing apparatus of the present invention and the storage medium of the present invention, a user defines a cut line when cutting graphic data such as an outline font graphic along an outline. The trouble can be omitted, and the graphic data can be cut accurately along the contour.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part inside a word processor 1 according to a first embodiment to which a print cutting apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a memory configuration in a RAM 5 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a carriage 96 in the printing apparatus 9 of FIG. 1 and an operation state of a print head 97.

FIG. 4 is an operating state of the cutter 10a of the cutting device 10 at the carriage 96 shown in FIG. 3 (FIG. 4A).
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operating state of the cutting edge 10b (FIG. 2B).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a seal creation process executed by the CPU 2 of FIG. 1;

6 is a flowchart showing a cut-out frame combining process executed by the CPU 2 in the seal creating process of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a sheet cutting process executed by the CPU 2 in the sticker creating process of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a procedure for creating a seal based on the seal creation processing of FIG. 5;

9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an illustration and a character string in which a cutout frame is displayed by the seal creation processing of FIG. 5;

10 is a diagram showing a process of displaying a cut locus during a cutting operation for the illustration of FIG. 9;

11 is a diagram illustrating a process of displaying a cut locus during a cutting operation for the illustration of FIG. 9;

12 is a flowchart showing a cut resumption process executed by the CPU 2 after the interruption of the cutting in the paper cutting process of FIG. 7;

13 is a diagram showing a cutout frame selection menu screen displayed in the cut resumption processing of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a cut frame combining process based on the cut restart process of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a process of displaying a cut locus after cut resumption by the cut resumption processing of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display state of a cut trajectory in a state where the cut is completed after the cut restart by the cut restart processing of FIG. 12;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a seal creation process executed by the CPU 2 of the word processor 1 according to the second embodiment to which the print cutting device of the present invention is applied.

18 is a flowchart showing a cut-out frame combining process executed by the CPU 2 in the seal creating process of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a seal creation process based on the cut-out frame combining process of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cutout frame type selected in the cutout frame combining process of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a seal creation process executed by the CPU 2 of the word processor 1 according to the third embodiment to which the print cutting device of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a process of adding a cutout frame setting process in the seal creation process of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a view showing a seal creation process based on the seal creation processing of FIG. 22;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 word processor 2 CPU 3 input device 4 display device 5 RAM 6 storage device 7 storage medium 8 scanner 9 printing device 10 cutting device 10a cutter 10b cutting edge 96 carriage 97 print head 98 ink ribbon cartridge 98a ink ribbon

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhito Hayashida 3-2-1 Sakaemachi, Hamura-shi, Tokyo Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Hamura Technical Center (72) Inventor Tsuyoshi Takiguchi 3-2-2 Sakaemachi, Hamura-shi, Tokyo No. 1 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Hamura Technical Center F term (reference) 2C058 AB12 AD02 AF31 AF51 LA03 LA29 LB09 LC05 LC16 LC22 LC26 LC27

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A print cutting apparatus for cutting a print target printed on a printed material by a cutting unit, comprising: a cut position detecting unit for obtaining a predetermined cut position when the print object is cut; And a display control unit for displaying, on a display unit, a cutting locus obtained by cutting the print target on the display unit up to a predetermined cutting position obtained by a position detecting unit. 2. A cutting position storing means for storing a plurality of predetermined cutting positions when cutting the print object, wherein the cutting position detecting means sequentially reads out the cutting positions stored in the cutting position storing means. The display control unit sequentially obtains a predetermined cutting position when cutting the print target, and the display control unit sequentially displays the cutting positions sequentially obtained by the cutting position detection unit as a cutting locus cut by the cutting unit. The print cutting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display is displayed. 3. A cutting frame storing means for storing a plurality of kinds of cutting frames, a selecting means for selecting a cutting frame stored in the cutting frame storing means, and an instruction to suspend or restart the processing during the cutting processing. Input means for inputting, and cutting control means for controlling cutting processing by the cutting means, further comprising: a cutting position detecting means, based on a cutting frame selected from the cutting frame storage means by the selecting means. A predetermined cutting position at the time of performing the cutting process is obtained, and the cutting control unit controls the cutting process of the printing target by the cutting unit according to the predetermined cutting position obtained by the cutting position detecting unit. When an interruption instruction is input from the input unit, the cutting process is interrupted to allow a change in the cutout frame for the print target, and a new cutout frame is selected by the selection unit. If resumption instruction is input from the printing cutting processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the resume cutting process of the printed by said cutting means in accordance with the newly selected cut frame. 4. A cutting position detecting means for sequentially reading out cutting positions stored in the cutting position storage means and cutting the printing object when the cutting means executes the cutting processing of the printing object. The display control means sequentially displays predetermined cutting positions sequentially obtained by the cutting position detection means on the display means as a cutting trajectory until the cutting processing by the cutting means is completed. The print cutting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 5. A print cutting processing apparatus for cutting a print target printed on a printed material by a cutting unit, wherein the cut target frame specifies a cut frame for the print target, and the cut target frame is adapted to match the size of the print target. Cutting frame size changing means for changing the size of the cutting frame specified by the cutting frame specifying means, and cutting the print target by the cutting means according to the cutting frame whose size has been changed by the cutting frame size changing means. And a cutting control means for controlling the printing. 6. The print cutting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said cutout frame designating means arbitrarily selects a desired cutout frame from a plurality of types of cutout frames. 7. The cutting frame size changing means changes the size of the cutting frame according to a margin size set between the designated cutting frame and the print target. A print cutting apparatus according to claim 5. 8. The margin size is a value indicating a space between the character to be printed and the designated cutout frame or a ratio indicating the space between the cutout frame and the character size. 8. The print cutting apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a margin size designating means for designating a margin size. 9. The cutting frame size changing means, if the specified cutting frame is a deformed figure, places the print target in a predetermined area in the deformed figure. 6. The print cutting apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the size of the cutting frame is changed. 10. A print cutting processing apparatus for cutting a print target printed on a printed material by a cutting means, comprising: a graphic developing means for developing the graphic to be printed into bitmap data; Cutting line generation means for tracing the contour of the developed bitmap data to generate a cutting line, and cutting control means for controlling the cutting processing of the print target by the cutting means according to the cutting line generated by the cutting line generation means. A print cutting processing device, comprising: 11. A storage medium storing a computer-executable program for performing a cutting process on a print target printed on a printed material by a cutting unit, wherein a predetermined cutting position when the print target is cut is determined. A computer-executable program code for obtaining, and a computer-executable program code for displaying the obtained predetermined cutting position to a display unit as a cutting trajectory obtained by cutting the print target by the cutting unit. A storage medium storing a program including: 12. A storage medium storing a computer-executable program for performing a cutting process on a print target printed on a printed material by a cutting unit, the computer executing the computer for designating a cutout frame for the print target. Possible program code, computer-executable program code for changing the size of the specified cutout frame to match the size of the print target, and the cutting means according to the cutout frame whose size has been changed. A storage medium storing a program including: a computer-executable program code for controlling the cutting process of the print target. 13. A storage medium storing a computer-executable program for performing a cutting process on a print target printed on a printed material by a cutting unit, wherein the graphic to be printed is developed into bitmap data. Computer-executable program code; computer-executable program code for tracing the outline of the expanded bitmap data to generate a cut line; and performing the printing by the cutting unit according to the generated cut line. A storage medium storing a program including: a computer-executable program code for controlling a target cutting process;