JP2002241037A - Printer, and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer capable of reducing labor required for sorting photographic papers. SOLUTION: A plurality of images to be printed are successively printed on the photographic papers, and when discharging the photographic papers with the images printed thereon one by one, a predetermined partition is inserted between the photographic papers forming the predetermined division out of the photographic papers to be discharged one by one. Since the discharged photographic papers need not be sorted by the kind, the labor required for sorting the photographic papers can be reduced, and convenience can be considerably improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer and a printing method, and is suitable for application to, for example, a sublimation printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a digital still camera, a memory card, a CD-ROM (Comp
service that prints an image corresponding to the image data stored in act Disc-Read Only Memory) on a photographic paper, and provides the customer with the photographic paper on which the image is printed (hereinafter referred to as a print image). Are widely spread. Therefore, in recent years, it has been proposed to provide this service using a sublimation printer using continuous roll paper as photographic paper.

[0003]

By the way, in the sublimation printer having such a configuration, when images brought in from a plurality of customers are continuously printed and discharged, the discharged printed images are sorted for each customer. And there is a problem that cannot be avoided.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to propose a printer apparatus and a printing method that can reduce the labor required for sorting printed images.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a plurality of images to be printed are sequentially printed on photographic paper, and each photographic paper on which the image has been printed is discharged one by one. And a partition inserting means for inserting a predetermined partition between photographic papers serving as predetermined breaks among the photographic papers discharged one by one. As a result,
There is no need to sort the discharged photographic papers by type, and the labor involved in sorting the photographic papers can be reduced.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes the overall configuration of a printer system, and a digital still camera 2, a memory card 3, a CD-ROM (Compac
t Disc-Read Only Memory 4 is set at a predetermined position of the personal computer 5.

The personal computer 5 includes the set digital still camera 2, the memory card 3, and the C
Reads image data from D-ROM 4 as needed,
After converting the read image data into image data for printing, the image data is sent to the printer 6.

The printer 6 is a sublimation printer that prints using roll paper, and prints an image corresponding to printing image data supplied from the personal computer 5 on printing paper. The printed photographic paper (hereinafter referred to as a print image) is discharged. Thereafter, the discharged print image is provided to the customer.

Here, the circuit configuration of the printer system 1 is shown in FIG. The personal computer 5 includes a personal computer main body 5A, a keyboard / mouse 5B, and a monitor 5C.

CPU of personal computer main body 5A
(Central Processing Unit) 10 is a ROM (Read O
nly Memory) 11 or a program stored in the hard disk drive 15 as necessary, and reads the read program into a random access memory (RAM).
y) Develop into 12 and store. The CPU 10 controls the operation of each circuit connected to the bus B1 by reading and executing the program developed in the RAM 12.

Keyboard / Mouse Interface 1
3 notifies the CPU 10 of operation information input in response to the operator operating the keyboard / mouse 5B. The CPU 10 analyzes the operation information, and as a result,
If it is determined that the operator has performed an operation for reading image data from the digital still camera 2, instruction information corresponding to the operation is generated and transmitted to the camera control 14.

The camera control 14 reads image data and character data and numerical data accompanying the image data from the digital still camera 2 based on the instruction information, and develops and stores them in the RAM 12. Incidentally, when the data amount of the image data read from the digital still camera 2 is large, the camera control 14 sends the image data to the hard disk drive 15 as necessary and records it.

The CPU 10 includes a keyboard, a mouse,
The operation information supplied from the interface 13 is analyzed, and as a result, when it is determined that the operator has performed an operation for reading image data from the memory card 3, instruction information corresponding to the operation is generated, and The data is sent to the memory card slot 16.

The memory card slot 16 reads image data and character data and numerical data accompanying the image data from the memory card 3 based on the instruction information, and expands and stores them in the RAM 12. Incidentally, when the data amount of the image data read from the digital still camera 2 is large, the camera control 14 sends the image data to the hard disk drive 15 as necessary and records it.

Further, the CPU 10 analyzes the operation information supplied from the keyboard / mouse interface 13, and if it determines that the operator has performed an operation for reading image data from the CD-ROM 4, And generates instruction information corresponding to the CD-
The data is sent to the ROM drive 17.

The CD-ROM drive 17 reads image data and character data and numerical data accompanying the image data from the CD-ROM 4 based on the instruction information, and expands and stores them in the RAM 12. Incidentally, when the data amount of the image data read from the digital still camera 2 is large, the camera control 14 sends the image data to the hard disk drive 15 as necessary and records it.

In this state, the CPU 10
The image data stored in 12 is sent to the video control 18. The video control 18 is connected to the RAM 1
When the image data is supplied from 2, the thumbnail image of each image constituting the image data is generated, and a list of the thumbnail images is displayed on the monitor 5C.

When the operator performs a selection operation to select an image to be printed by operating the keyboard / mouse 5B while watching the thumbnail images displayed on the monitor 5C, a keyboard / mouse interface is provided. 13 notifies the CPU 10 of operation information corresponding to the selection operation.

[0020] The CPU 10 determines
From the image data stored in the RAM 12, image data corresponding to the thumbnail image selected by the operator is read, and the read image data is sequentially read for each frame by a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface).
rface) 19 to the printer 6 via the SCSI bus B2. At the same time, the CPU 10 generates control data for printing image data, and
19 to the printer 6 via the SCSI bus B2.

The printer 6 is a personal computer 5
The image data transmitted for each frame via the SCSI bus B2 is transferred to the RAM 26 via the SCSI 25 and stored.

The printer 6 notifies the CPU 28 of operation information obtained by operating the key 27 by the operator. The CPU 28 reads out the program stored in the ROM 29 as needed, expands the read out program in the RAM 26 and stores it. And CPU2
8 controls the operation of each circuit connected to the bus B3 by reading and executing the program developed in the RAM 26.

The sensor unit 30 includes various sensors such as a sensor used for positioning when executing printing and a sensor for detecting an edge of the printing paper, and notifies the CPU 28 of the detection result.

The CPU 28 is a personal computer 5
Is stored in the RAM 26 by driving the thermal head 32 via the head controller 31 and the platen / ribbon motor 34 and the paper cutter 35 via the mechanical controller 33 based on the control data sent from the An image corresponding to the image data is printed on a printing paper, and a print image on which the image is printed is discharged. LCD (Liquid Crystal Displa)
y) The unit 36 displays various information such as the current operating state of the printer 6.

In the printer system 1, when continuously printing and discharging image data brought in from a plurality of customers, a separator for sorting the discharged print images for each customer is provided. The paper is stacked and discharged.

That is, the separator is ejected so as to be inserted between print images of different customers, and examples of insertion of the separator are shown in FIGS. FIG. 3 shows the print image P1.
An example is shown in which separators S1 and S2 that are larger in size than P4 and have not been printed are inserted.

FIG. 4 shows a separator S which is smaller in size than the print images P5 to P7 and has not been printed.
3 shows an example in which 3 and S4 are inserted. FIG. 5 shows separators S5 and S6 that have the same size as print images P8 to P11 and are printed with marks, characters, numbers, or the like that can be clearly distinguished from print images P8 to P11, or are not printed. Shows an example in which is inserted.

FIG. 6 shows that separators S7 and S8, which are larger in size than the print images P12 to P15 and on which marks, characters, numbers, and the like that can be clearly distinguished from the print images P12 to P15, are inserted. Here is an example.

Here, when the operator sets the digital still camera 2, the memory card 3, and the CD-ROM 4 at predetermined positions of the personal computer 5, the CPU 10 of the personal computer 5 executes the printing control processing procedure RT1 shown in FIG. . In FIG. 7, the CPU 10
Enters the print control processing procedure RT1, in step SP1, displays a display screen (FIG. 8) for selecting a medium from which image data is supplied on the monitor 5C.

The CPU 10 allows the operator to operate the digital still camera 2, the memory card 3, the CD-ROM 4,
If one of the media is specified, the following step SP
The process proceeds to step S2, where the image data and the accompanying data such as the shooting date and the shooting conditions are read from the designated medium and stored in the RAM 12.

Next, in step SP3, the CPU 10 displays a list of the thumbnail images of the respective images constituting the read image data on the monitor 5C (FIG. 9), and proceeds to step SP4 where the thumbnail image is displayed in accordance with the designation operation by the operator. It is determined whether the read image data includes an image to be printed.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP4, this means that the read image data does not include the image to be printed.
U10 moves to step SP1 and repeats steps SP1 to SP4 until a positive result is obtained.

On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP4, this means that the read image data includes an image to be printed. At this time, the CPU 10 proceeds to step SP5, In response to a designation operation performed by the operator while viewing the display screen (FIGS. 10 and 11), an image to be printed is selected from among images constituting the read image data, and, for example, rotation, inversion, color After setting printing conditions such as adjustment and character insertion, the user further sets the presence / absence of separator insertion, the size of the separator, the presence / absence of printing of marks, characters, numbers, etc. on the separator, and the content of printing on the separator.

Then, in step SP6, the CPU 10 highlights (highlights) the thumbnail image of the image selected by the operator, and then proceeds to step S6.
Moving to P7, it is determined whether or not an instruction to permit printing of the selected image has been issued by the operator.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP7, this means that the operator has not permitted the printing of the selected image.
The process moves to step SP5, and repeats steps SP5 to SP7 until a positive result is obtained.

On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP7, this means that the operator has permitted the printing of the selected image. At this time, the CPU 10 proceeds to step SP8 and performs the selection. The image data corresponding to the thumbnail image thus set, the printing condition data indicating the set printing conditions, and control data for controlling the printing operation of the printer 6 are sent to the printer 6 and the operator is notified that printing is in progress. Is displayed on the monitor 5C to perform the operation (FIG. 12).

Then, in step SP9, the CPU 10 determines whether or not all the images selected by the operator have been printed. If a negative result is obtained in step SP9, this means that the printer 6 has not printed all the selected images. At this time, the CPU 10 proceeds to step SP8 and repeats steps until a positive result is obtained. Repeat SP8 and SP9.

On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP9, this means that the printer 6 has printed all the selected images.
The PU 10 proceeds to step SP10, and determines whether or not insertion of a separator is instructed by the operator.

If a positive result is obtained in step SP10, this means that the operator has instructed insertion of the separator, and at this time, the CPU
The process proceeds to step SP11, in which separator insertion data such as the size of the separator, the presence or absence of printing on the separator, and the content of printing on the separator are transmitted to the printer 6.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP10, this means that the insertion of the separator has not been instructed by the operator.
At this time, the CPU 10 proceeds to step SP1 and repeats the above processing.

Next, the image data printing processing procedure RT2 by the printer 6 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 13, when the CPU 28 of the printer 6 enters the image data printing processing procedure RT2, it waits for data to be transferred from the personal computer 5 in step SP20. It is determined whether or not has been sent.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP21, this means that no data has been sent from the personal computer 5, and at this time C
The PU moves to step SP20, and repeats steps SP20 and SP21 until a positive result is obtained.

On the other hand, if a positive result is obtained in step SP21, this means that data has been sent from the personal computer 5, and at this time, the CPU 28 proceeds to step SP22 and It is determined whether or not the data sent from is data for instructing printing of image data.

If a positive result is obtained in step SP22, this means that the data sent from the personal computer 5 is data for instructing printing of image data. Then, the printing paper is sent to the printing start position, and the process proceeds to step SP24, where the image data sent from the personal computer 5 is printed on the printing paper.

Then, in step SP25, the CPU 28 sends the printing paper on which the image data has been printed to the cutting position, and proceeds to step SP26, where the printing paper is cut. Next, in step SP27, the CPU 28 discharges the cut photographic paper, that is, the print image, on which the image data has been printed, and then returns to step SP27.
The process moves to step S20, and the above processing is repeated.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP22, this means that the data transmitted from the personal computer 5 is not data for instructing printing of image data.
The PU 28 proceeds to step SP28, and determines whether or not the data sent from the personal computer 5 is separator insertion data for instructing insertion of a separator.

If a positive result is obtained in step SP28, this indicates that the data sent from the personal computer 5 is separator insertion data for instructing insertion of a separator. Moving to SP29, it is determined whether or not to print a mark, a character, a number, or the like on the separator based on the separator insertion data.

If a positive result is obtained in step SP29, this means that separator print data such as marks, characters, and numbers are printed on the separator. At this time, the CPU 28 proceeds to step SP30 and
The printing paper is fed to the printing start position, and the subsequent step SP31
Then, the printing data for the separator sent from the personal computer 5 is printed on the printing paper.

Then, in step SP25, the CPU 28 sends the printing paper on which the printing data for the separator has been printed to a cut position corresponding to the size of the specified separator, and proceeds to step SP26 to remove the printing paper. Cut it. Next, the CPU 28 proceeds to step SP2
In step 7, after the separator obtained by cutting the printing paper on which the printing data for the separator has been printed is discharged, the process proceeds to step SP20 to repeat the above-described processing.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step SP29, this is marked on the separator,
This indicates that the print data for separators such as characters and numerals is not printed, and at this time, the CPU 28 proceeds to step SP.
25, the photographic paper is sent to the cut position corresponding to the size of the specified separator, and the process proceeds to step SP26, where the photographic paper is cut, and then the process proceeds to step SP27.
In, the separator obtained by cutting the photographic paper is discharged.

If a negative result is obtained in step SP28, this means that the data sent from the personal computer 5 is not data for instructing printing of image data, but a separator insertion for instructing insertion of a separator. At this time, the CPU 28 proceeds to step SP32, and the data sent from the personal computer 5 is another control command such as a command for knowing the operation state of the printer 6, for example. Then, the process proceeds to step SP33 to execute a process according to the control command, and then proceeds to step SP20 to repeat the above process.

In the above configuration, when continuously printing and discharging image data brought in from a plurality of customers, the printer system 1 inserts a separator between print images of different customers. By discharging the paper,
There is no need to sort the print images for each customer, and the labor involved in sorting the print images can be further reduced.

When a separator which is smaller in size than the print image and is not printed (FIG. 4) is used, the ribbon and the printing paper can be saved.

According to the above arrangement, when continuously printing and discharging image data brought in from a plurality of customers,
By discharging the paper so that a separator is inserted between print images of different customers, it is not necessary to sort the print images for each customer, so that the labor required for sorting the print images can be reduced, and thus the usability is further improved. be able to.

In the above-described embodiment, the SCSI bus B is connected between the personal computer 5 and the printer 6.
2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the connection may be made through various other connection means such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the content of printing on the separator is set on the personal computer 5 side is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the content of printing on the separator is set on the printer 6 side. You may do it.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where marks, characters, numbers, and the like are printed on the separators has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be printed so as to display a list of reduced images obtained by reducing.

In the above embodiment, the digital still camera 2, the digital still camera 2,
Although the case where the memory card 3 and the CD-ROM 4 are applied has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and other various media may be applied.

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the printer 6 which is a sublimation printer that performs printing using roll paper is used as the printing means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, various other printing means may be applied in which a plurality of images to be printed are sequentially printed on printing paper, and the printing paper on which the images are printed is discharged one by one.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the personal computer 5 is applied as the partition inserting means has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a predetermined one of the photographic papers discharged one by one may be used. Various other partition inserting means for inserting a predetermined partition between photographic papers serving as delimiters may be applied.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the printer system 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of images to be printed are sequentially printed on photographic paper. A printing means for discharging each photographic paper on which an image is printed, one by one, and a partition insertion for inserting a predetermined partition between photographic papers serving as predetermined breaks among the photographic papers discharged one by one The present invention can be widely applied to various other printer devices including the means.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a plurality of images to be printed are sequentially printed on photographic paper, and each of the photographic papers on which the images are printed is discharged one by one, the corresponding one of the images is printed. By inserting a predetermined partition between the photographic papers that become the predetermined breaks among the photographic papers that are ejected one by one, it is not necessary to sort each ejected photographic paper by type, making it possible to sort photographic paper. Such labor can be reduced, and thus usability can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a printer system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the printer system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of inserting a separator.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of inserting a separator.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of inserting a separator.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of inserting a separator.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a print control processing procedure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display screen.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display screen.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display screen.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display screen.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a display screen.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an image data printing processing procedure.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 printer system, 2 digital still camera, 3 memory card, 4 CD-ROM, 5
Personal computer, 6 Printer, 10, 28
... CPU, 11, 29 ... ROM, 12, 26 ... R
AM, 13: Keyboard / mouse interface, 14: Camera control, 15: Hard disk drive, 16: Memory card slot, 17:
... CD-ROM drive, 18 ... Video control, 19, 25 ... SCSI, 27 ... Key, 30 ...
Sensor unit 31, head controller 32, thermal head 33, mechanical controller 34, platen ribbon motor 35, paper cutter

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/387 H04N 1/387 5C076 // B41J 25/20 B41J 25/20 (72) Inventor Naoki Takizawa Tokyo 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Keitaro Hayakawa 6-35-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation F-term (reference) 2C087 AB01 AC05 BA03 BA05 BB02 BC12 BC14 CA05 CA12 CB17 CB20 DA17 2C187 AC05 AE01 CC02 CD15 CD17 3F107 AA01 AB01 AC02 BA02 CA05 CB03 5B021 AA02 CC05 KK03 5B057 AA11 CA12 CA16 CB12 CB16 CC01 CD05 CE08 CH20 5C076 AA14 AA16 AA19 BA02

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A printing means for sequentially printing a plurality of images to be printed on a printing paper, and discharging each of the printing papers on which the images are printed, one by one, and the printing being discharged one by one. A partition inserting means for inserting a predetermined partition between the photographic papers serving as predetermined partitions of the paper. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the partition inserting means inserts the partition which is larger in size than the photographic paper to be discharged and has not been printed. apparatus. 3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the partition inserting means inserts the partition having a size smaller than that of the photographic paper to be discharged and having not been printed. apparatus. 4. The partition inserting device according to claim 1, wherein the partition inserting unit inserts the partition having the same size as the photographic paper to be discharged and having predetermined identification information printed thereon. Printer device. 5. The partition inserting device according to claim 1, wherein the partition inserting unit inserts the partition having a size larger than that of the discharged photographic paper and having predetermined identification information printed thereon. Printer device. 6. The partition inserting means, wherein the partition that has been printed so as to display a list of reduced images of images printed on the photographic paper discharged between the partition and the partition that has been discharged most recently is displayed. The printer device according to claim 1, wherein the printer device is inserted. 7. A first step of sequentially printing a plurality of images to be printed on printing paper, and discharging each of the printing papers on which the images have been printed one by one; And a second step of inserting a predetermined partition between the photographic papers serving as predetermined breaks in the photographic paper. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein in the second step, the partition having a size larger than that of the photographic paper to be discharged and having not been printed is inserted. Printing method. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein in the second step, the partition which is smaller in size than the photographic paper to be discharged and which has not been printed is inserted. Printing method. 10. The method according to claim 7, wherein, in the second step, the partition having the same size as the photographic paper to be discharged and having predetermined identification information printed thereon is inserted. The printing method described. 11. The method according to claim 7, wherein in the second step, the partition having a size larger than that of the discharged photographic paper and having predetermined identification information printed thereon is inserted. The printing method described. 12. In the second step, the partition which has been printed so as to display a list of reduced images of images printed on the photographic paper discharged between the partition and the partition which has been discharged most recently is displayed. The printing method according to claim 7, wherein the printing is performed.