JP2007216693A - Printing apparatus, printing system and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing apparatus in which a printed sheet of paper is efficiently subjected to a predetermined processing such as cutting and creasing. <P>SOLUTION: The printing apparatus is provided in which the requested paper feeding amount Sreq is divided into paper feeding amounts SA and SB (Fig.6(a)) upon a request of paper feed in a paper feeding amount Sreq if the requested paper feeding amount Sreq of paper feeding is performed as it is and an actual cutting position (black downward triangle mark position) is determined to pass by a cutter 16, and a sheet of paper 5 is firstly fed only by the paper feeding amount SA and thereby the actual cutting position has just reached the cutter 16, and the cutter 16 is actuated by driving a motor for cutter in a state where the sheet of paper 5 is stopped to cut the sheet of paper 5 at the cutting position (Fig.6(b)), and after cutting the sheet of paper 5, the sheet of paper 5 is fed only by the remaining paper feeding amount SB by driving a paper feeding motor (Fig.6(c)), and also when performing the remaining paper feeding amount SB of paper feeding, a similar process is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing system, and a printing method including a processing device that processes a predetermined position on a printed sheet.

  Conventionally, some printers use roll paper as paper used for printing. Since printing on the roll paper is continuously performed and the printed paper is continuously connected for a long time, it is necessary to cut at a predetermined position.

  Conventionally, there has been a printer that automatically feeds paper to a position where a person can cut the final printed position of the paper when printing is completed. The end position of printing is determined based on page layout data (page length, top margin, bottom margin, etc.) set in advance by the user before printing, and is cut by a person who has previously stored the end position of printing. The paper feed motor is driven to an easy position to control the roll paper. In this case, the person cuts the final paper, and the person cuts the paper cut at the final end position more finely.

  Printing is performed by the print head while the carriage having the print head moves back and forth in the main scanning direction. A printing apparatus having a function of cutting a sheet when the carriage is moved and the carriage is moved is also known. . This also cuts the final end position of printing after printing.

  In Patent Document 1, in a serial recording apparatus equipped with a cutter, when the paper for the next line is fed, the length (TOF + L2 + L3) from the leading edge of the recording paper to the print position of the next line is the distance L0 between the print position and the cutter. If the recording paper length is longer, the paper is fed by a distance L4 shorter than one line so that the cutting position of the recording paper is positioned at the cutter. A technique for cutting a sheet by operating a cutter is disclosed. After the paper is cut, the recording paper is fed by the difference ΔL = L3−L4 between the paper feeding amount L4 for adjusting the cutting position and the paper feeding amount L3 for one line, and the relative position between the recording head and the recording paper. A technique for adjusting the above is disclosed.

Further, in Patent Document 2, in a tape printer provided with a tape cutting means, the tape feeding means when the judging means determines that the front margin length is shorter than the separation distance between the printing position and the cutting position. And controlling the tape printing means to perform printing on the tape-like member while feeding the tape-like member by the difference between the front margin length and the separation distance. Thereafter, a technique is disclosed in which the tape feeding and printing are interrupted, and the tape feeding and printing are started after the tape-like member is cut by the tape cutting means.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-254770 (for example, paragraphs [0016] and [0021] of the specification, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, etc.) JP-A-10-230653

  However, although the conventional printer can cut the last end position of the last page printed on the paper, it is necessary for a person to manually cut one page at a time from the long paper on which a plurality of pages are printed. There wasn't. Alternatively, it has been unavoidable to install a cutting device in the downstream process of the printer to make it a continuous process. In this case, the user has to separately prepare equipment such as a cutting device.

  There has also been a demand not only to cut printed paper but also to perform processing such as creasing. For example, a decorative paper attached to a case such as a music CD, MD, floppy disk or the like is bent and attached to the case. Therefore, when printing this type of decorative paper, it is efficient to make a crease in the printing process. However, these processes are usually performed by an apparatus prepared separately from the printer.

  In addition, if printing is interrupted for a long time in order to cut or crease the paper, problems such as streaks appear in the interrupted area and the print quality is likely to deteriorate, so the paper is processed. It is necessary to stop printing for the purpose as quickly as possible. Further, when the printed paper is rewound and processed on the paper, there is a concern that a problem such as a scratch on the print image quality occurs due to the rubbing of the printed paper.

  In addition, the printers of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 can perform cutting (processing) automatically without manual intervention during printing, and do not need to rewind the paper after cutting the paper, and can print continuously. can do. However, even when a plurality of processing means are provided to perform a plurality of types of processing such as cutting and creasing, it is desired to appropriately perform a plurality of types of processing on paper while continuously printing.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and its purpose is to perform a predetermined process such as cutting or crease in the process in which the printed paper is sent out in the paper feed direction, and the paper is returned. Therefore, predetermined processing such as cutting and creasing can be efficiently performed on the printed paper, and even if the configuration includes a plurality of processing means, processing can be appropriately performed. To provide a printing apparatus, a printing system, and a printing method.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing unit that prints on a sheet by driving a print head and a carriage, a conveying unit that conveys the sheet from upstream to downstream with the print head interposed therebetween, and a fixed unit downstream of the printing head. Processing means for processing the virtual line on the paper at the position, and the printing means and the transport means so that the paper transportation and the printing execution are alternately performed, and the paper is stopped if necessary. And a control unit that controls the processing unit, wherein the control unit is configured to calculate a virtual absolute line on the sheet as a logical absolute value on the sheet obtained by a cumulative value of a sheet conveyance amount given to the conveyance unit. The gist is to manage by location. The “virtual line on the paper” is a position on the paper to be processed by the processing means. This is only on the paper, and if there are a plurality of virtual lines on the paper to be processed, there is no problem even if there are a plurality of virtual lines corresponding to the positions. Further, the paper here is not limited to pure paper, but may be a printing medium. For example, a plastic film or sheet or a metal film or sheet may be used. The same applies to the following claims.

  According to the present invention, paper conveyance and printing are performed alternately, and the printing unit, conveyance unit, and processing unit are controlled so as to perform processing after stopping the paper as necessary. Then, the virtual line on the paper is managed by the control means at the logical absolute position on the paper determined by the accumulated value of the paper transport amount given to the transport means. The virtual line on the paper is processed by the processing means.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing unit that prints on a sheet by driving a print head and a carriage, a conveying unit that conveys the sheet from upstream to downstream with the print head interposed therebetween, and a fixed unit downstream of the printing head. Processing means for processing the virtual line on the paper at the position, and the printing means and the transport means so that the paper transportation and the printing execution are alternately performed, and the paper is stopped if necessary. And a control means for controlling the processing means, wherein the control means accumulates the virtual lines on the paper by accumulating the transport amount of the paper given to the transport means over a plurality of printing units. Management at the logical absolute position on the paper specified by the value, and the processing position to be processed by the processing means and the additional position specified by the relative position in the printing unit. When converting the position into the logical absolute position and executing the predetermined amount of paper to print the continuous data, it is determined whether the virtual line on the paper exceeds the processing position of the processing means. If it is determined at the logical absolute position and it is determined that it exceeds, the predetermined amount of paper feed is set to the first paper feed amount and the first paper feed amount so that the paper stops when the virtual line on the paper reaches the processing position of the processing means. After performing the calculation process to divide into two paper feed amounts, the paper conveyance of the first paper feed amount is executed prior to the paper feed of the second paper feed amount, so that the virtual line is The gist is to control the processing means so as to process the virtual lines on the paper after the printing of the continuous data is reserved for the paper stopped when the processing position is reached.

  According to the present invention, the virtual line on the paper is managed at the logical absolute position on the paper defined by the accumulated value obtained by accumulating the transport amount of the paper given to the transport means over a plurality of printing units. The processing position to be processed by the processing means, and the processing position designated by the relative position in the printing unit is converted into a logical absolute position. When a predetermined amount of paper feed is executed to print continuous data, whether or not the virtual line on the paper exceeds the processing position of the processing means is determined based on a logical absolute position. When it is determined that the value exceeds the predetermined amount, a calculation for dividing the predetermined amount of paper feed into the first paper feed amount and the second paper feed amount so that the paper stops when the virtual line on the paper reaches the processing position of the processing means. After the processing, the sheet conveyance of the first sheet feed amount is executed prior to the sheet conveyance of the second sheet feed amount, so that the sheet stopped when the virtual line reaches the processing position. The processing means is controlled so that the virtual line on the paper is processed after the printing of the continuous data is reserved.

  Accordingly, since the virtual line on the paper is processed without simply returning the paper in the paper feeding direction for printing, the printing time is not so long even if an operation for processing the paper is added. Further, since the sheet is not returned when the processing is performed, the print interruption time required for the processing is relatively short. For this reason, for example, uneven printing that is a concern when the printing interruption time is long is unlikely to occur. Further, if the method of feeding the paper back and then processing it again and feeding it in the paper feeding direction is used, for example, the position of the paper may be slightly shifted due to backlash (play) of the gear that transmits the power of the conveying means, and the printing accuracy may be reduced. However, since the paper does not return, there is no worry about that kind of printing unevenness. Therefore, the printed paper is subjected to predetermined processing such as cutting and crease in the process of feeding in the paper feeding direction, and does not involve back-turning of the paper. Therefore, predetermined processing such as cutting and crease to the printed paper is performed. Can be applied efficiently. Furthermore, even if it is the structure provided with the some processing means, it can process appropriately.

  In the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the virtual line and the processing position are managed as positions on the paper corresponding to the print head shifted by a distance between the processing unit and the print head.

According to the present invention, even when there are a plurality of processing means, the processing position can be managed without particularly distinguishing the processing content.
In the invention of the printing apparatus, the control unit causes the conveyance unit to execute the sheet conveyance of the second sheet feeding amount after the processing unit processes the sheet with a virtual line on the sheet. It is preferable to resume the printing of the continuous data.

  Further, according to the present invention, after the processing means performs processing on the paper by the virtual line on the paper, the paper transport of the second paper feed amount is executed by the transport means, and the data printing is continued on that. Resumed.

In the invention of the printing apparatus, it is preferable that the virtual line on the paper is obtained based on a set paper size, a print area on the paper, or user designation.
According to this invention, in addition to the operation of the above invention, the virtual line on the paper is obtained based on the set paper size, the print area on the paper, or user designation.

In the invention of the printing apparatus, it is preferable that the processing is one of cutting the paper, making a crease on the paper, or making a perforation on the paper.
According to this invention, in addition to the effects of the above invention, the paper is cut, the paper is creased, or the paper is perforated as processing by the processing means.

In the invention of the printing apparatus, it is preferable that the printing apparatus further includes a processing position specifying unit that can specify an arbitrary position on the paper as a virtual line to be processed.
According to the present invention, the paper conveyance and the printing execution are alternately performed, and the printing unit, the conveyance unit, and the processing unit are controlled to perform the processing after the paper is stopped as necessary. Further, a virtual line to be processed can be specified at an arbitrary position on the sheet by the processing position specifying means.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing unit that prints on a sheet by driving a print head and a carriage, a conveying unit that conveys the sheet from upstream to downstream with the print head interposed therebetween, and a fixed unit downstream of the printing head. Processing means for processing the virtual line on the paper at the position, and the printing means and the transport means so that the paper transportation and the printing execution are alternately performed, and the paper is stopped if necessary. And a control device for controlling the processing means, and a printing system comprising a host computer, wherein the control means defines a virtual line on the paper as a transport amount of the paper fed to the transport means. The gist is to manage at a logical position on the paper determined by the cumulative value.

  According to the present invention, paper conveyance and printing are performed alternately, and the printing unit, conveyance unit, and processing unit are controlled so as to perform processing after stopping the paper as necessary. Then, the virtual line on the sheet is managed by the control unit at a logical position on the sheet which is obtained from the accumulated value of the sheet conveyance amount given to the conveyance unit. The virtual line on the paper is processed by the processing means.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing unit that prints on a sheet by driving a print head and a carriage, a conveying unit that conveys the sheet from upstream to downstream with the print head interposed therebetween, and a fixed unit downstream of the printing head. Processing means for processing the virtual line on the paper at the position, and the printing means and the transport means so that the paper transportation and the printing execution are alternately performed, and the paper is stopped if necessary. And a control device for controlling the processing means, and a printing system comprising a host computer, wherein the control means determines a virtual line on the paper and a transport amount of the paper given to the transport means. This is a processing position that is managed by a logical absolute position on the paper defined by the cumulative value accumulated over a plurality of printing units, and that is to be processed by the processing means. When the processing position designated by the relative position in the printing unit is converted to the logical absolute position and the predetermined amount of paper feeding is executed to print the continuous data, the virtual line on the paper is converted into the processing position. Whether or not the processing position of the means is exceeded is determined based on the logical absolute position. If it is determined that the processing position is exceeded, the predetermined amount is set so that the paper stops when the virtual line on the paper reaches the processing position of the processing means. After performing a calculation process to divide the paper feed into the first paper feed amount and the second paper feed amount, the paper transport of the first paper feed amount precedes the paper transport of the second paper feed amount. Control the processing means to process the virtual line on the paper after the printing of the continuous data is reserved for the paper stopped when the virtual line reaches the processing position. To do with the gist That.

  According to the present invention, the virtual line on the paper is managed at the logical absolute position on the paper defined by the accumulated value obtained by accumulating the transport amount of the paper given to the transport means over a plurality of printing units. The processing position to be processed by the processing means, and the processing position designated by the relative position in the printing unit is converted into a logical absolute position. When a predetermined amount of paper feed is executed to print continuous data, whether or not the virtual line on the paper exceeds the processing position of the processing means is determined based on a logical absolute position. When it is determined that the value exceeds the predetermined amount, a calculation for dividing the predetermined amount of paper feed into the first paper feed amount and the second paper feed amount so that the paper stops when the virtual line on the paper reaches the processing position of the processing means. After the processing, the sheet conveyance of the first sheet feed amount is executed prior to the sheet conveyance of the second sheet feed amount, so that the sheet stopped when the virtual line reaches the processing position. The processing means is controlled so that the virtual line on the paper is processed after the printing of the continuous data is reserved.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing unit that prints on a sheet by driving a print head and a carriage, a conveying unit that conveys the sheet from upstream to downstream with the print head interposed therebetween, and a fixed unit downstream of the printing head. Processing means for processing the virtual line on the paper at the position, and the printing means and the transport means so that the paper transportation and the printing execution are alternately performed, and the paper is stopped if necessary. And a control means for controlling the processing means, wherein the control means obtains a virtual line on the paper by a cumulative value of the transport amount of the paper given to the transport means The process of managing at the above logical absolute position, the process of controlling the conveying means to stop the paper when it is determined that the virtual line on the paper has reached the processing execution position by the processing means, and continuing data On which reserves the printing, and controlling the processing means so as to perform the machining on the imaginary line 該用 paper, by having the subject matter.

  According to the present invention, the virtual line on the sheet is managed at a logical absolute position on the sheet which is obtained from the accumulated value of the sheet conveyance amount given to the conveying unit. When it is determined that the virtual line on the paper has reached the processing position by the processing means, the transport means is controlled to stop the paper. Then, the processing means is controlled so as to process the virtual line on the paper after the printing of the continuous data is reserved for the stopped paper.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing unit that prints on a sheet by driving a print head and a carriage, a conveying unit that conveys the sheet from upstream to downstream with the print head interposed therebetween, and a fixed unit downstream of the printing head. Processing means for processing the virtual line on the paper at the position, and the printing means and the transport means so that the paper transportation and the printing execution are alternately performed, and the paper is stopped if necessary. And a control means for controlling the processing means, the printing method of the printing apparatus comprising: a cumulative line obtained by accumulating a virtual line on the paper across a plurality of print units, the amount of paper transport given to the transport means A process of managing at a logical absolute position on the sheet specified by the value, and a processing position to be processed by the processing means, and the processing position specified by a relative position in the printing unit. When the predetermined amount of paper feed is performed to print the continuous data and the process of converting to the logical absolute position, whether the virtual line on the paper exceeds the processing position of the processing means A step of determining at a certain absolute position, and when it is determined that the position is exceeded, the predetermined amount of paper feed is set to the first paper feed amount so that the paper stops when the virtual line on the paper reaches the processing position of the processing means. After performing the arithmetic processing for dividing into the second paper feed amount, the virtual line is obtained by executing the paper transport of the first paper feed amount prior to the paper transport of the second paper feed amount. A step of stopping the paper when it reaches the processing position, a step of controlling the processing means to process the virtual line on the paper after the printing of the data to be stopped is reserved for the stopped paper, The main point is to have

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of the printer. As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 1 as a printing apparatus is a roll paper type ink jet printer that performs printing on paper continuously fed from roll paper 3 loaded in a case 2. The printer 1 is actually configured by stacking a plurality of printing units in a plurality of stages, but only one of them is shown in FIG.

  In the case 2, a roll paper shaft 4 that rotatably supports the roll paper 3 and a paper (continuous paper) 5 fed from the roll paper 3 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the paper path to guide the paper. A paper feed roller 6, a paper feed roller 7, and a paper discharge roller 8. A platen 9 is disposed between the paper feed roller 6 and the paper feed roller 7. Above the platen 9, a carriage 11 having a print head 10 on its lower surface is provided so as to be able to reciprocate in the main scanning direction (in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in the figure).

  For the paper guided between the paper feed roller 6 and the paper feed roller 7, the carriage 11 moves in the main scanning direction via a timing belt (not shown) by driving the carriage motor 12. Printing is performed on the upper surface of the paper 5 by ejecting ink supplied from an ink cartridge (for color ink and black ink) 13 mounted on the carriage 11 from the print head 10 when the carriage 11 moves. .

  Between the paper feed roller 7 and the paper discharge roller 8, a folding device 15 and a cutter 16 are disposed as processing devices. In the paper feeding process between the paper feeding roller 7 and the paper discharge roller 8, the folding machine 15 can crease the paper and the cutter 16 can cut the paper. A dust box (not shown) for collecting the cut chips is disposed below the cutter 16.

  The roll paper shaft 4 is driven by a roll paper motor 20 and is driven in accordance with the paper feed timing during printing. The drive roller 6a of the paper feed roller 6 is driven by a paper feed motor 21 via a gear mechanism (not shown). The drive roller 7a of the paper feed roller 7 and the drive roller 8a of the paper discharge roller 8 are synchronously driven by a paper feed motor 22 via a gear mechanism (not shown). In the present embodiment, the paper feed motor 22 is a stepping motor.

  The folding device 15 is composed of a movable edge 15a and a fixed edge 15b. The movable edge 15a is moved in the main scanning direction by a folding device motor 23 as an actuator through a mechanism (not shown) across the sheet 5 in the width direction. Driven to move. As the movable edge 15 a crosses the paper 5, the paper 5 is folded.

  On the other hand, the cutter 16 includes a movable blade 16a and a fixed blade 16b, and the movable blade 16a is moved in the main scanning direction by a cutter motor 24 as an actuator through a mechanism (not shown) across the sheet 5 in the width direction. Driven to do. The sheet 5 is cut when the movable blade 16 a crosses the sheet 5.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system.
As shown in the figure, the printing system includes a printer 1 and a host computer (PC) 31.

  The host computer 31 is installed with a video driver program and a printer driver program as a driver program by reading from a CD-ROM as a recording medium. A video driver 32 and a printer driver 33 are constructed in the host computer 31 by these programs and the CPU. An image processing application program (hereinafter simply referred to as an application) 34 is installed in the host computer 31 by reading from a CD-ROM as a recording medium, and the application 34 is executed by the CPU. Various processes for handling image data are performed. The application 34, for example, processing for capturing image data from a scanner or digital camera, processing for processing image data, processing for sending image data to the video driver 32 and displaying an image on the screen 35A of the display device 35, and processing on the screen 35A It manages the process of sending image data to the printer driver 33 in order to cause the printer 1 to print the displayed image.

  For example, when a print command is operated using the input device (keyboard, mouse, etc.) 36, the image data stored in the video buffer (not shown) is sent to the printer driver 33 and converted into print data PD. It is transferred to the printer 1. In order to perform print processing for this purpose, the printer driver 33 includes a resolution conversion processing unit 37, a color conversion processing unit 38, a halftone processing unit 39, a rasterization processing unit 40, and a command generation unit 41.

  The resolution conversion processing unit 37 converts the resolution of the image data received from the application 34 into a print resolution for the printer 1 to print. The color conversion processing unit 38 receives image data from the resolution conversion processing unit 37 and performs color conversion processing for converting image data of RGB gradation values into data of CMYK gradation values used in the printer 1. This color conversion process is performed with reference to a color conversion table (lookup table) (not shown).

  The halftone processing unit 39 receives the CMYK image data after the color conversion process, and performs a halftone process for converting the data into four-tone CMYK dot data that can be expressed by the printer 1. The four gradations of dot data distinguish three types of large, medium and small dot areas (ink discharge amounts) and four states without dot formation.

  The rasterization processing unit 40 receives dot data for each color ink dot from the halftone processing unit 39, and rearranges the four gradation dot data in the order to be transferred to the printer 1 in consideration of the dot formation order. I do. The command generation unit 41 attaches a command after interlace processing and outputs it to the printer 1 as print data PD. The print data PD is transferred to the printer 1 by packet communication.

  In addition, the printer driver 33 includes a layout position receiving unit 42 and a setting screen display data storage unit 43. The setting screen display data storage unit 43 stores setting screen display data (input screen display data). When the layout position receiving unit 42 receives a setting screen display request by operating the input device 36, the layout position receiving unit 42 reads the setting screen display data from the storage unit 43 and displays the setting screen (see FIG. 2) on the screen 35 </ b> A via the video driver 32. A display control function for displaying an input screen 45 is also provided. This setting screen 45 is for inputting and specifying a page layout. The user can set the print page layout by operating the input device 36 while viewing the setting screen 45 on the screen 35A.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the layout setting screen 45, the page length PL, the top margin TM, the bottom margin BM, the cut positions C1 and C2, and the fold positions F1 and F2 are input and designated in the input field 46 for one page. It is possible. By operating the input device 36, the line on the page image 47 (broken line in the figure) can be shifted up and down. For example, when a line is shifted by a mouse operation, each value corresponding to the position of the line can be specified in the input field 46. For example, if a numerical value is input in the input field 46 by a keyboard operation, a line is placed at the corresponding position. shift. These values PL. When the OK button 48 is operated after all of TM, BM, C1, C2, F1, and F2 are input, the page data PL, TM, BM and the processing position data C1, C2, F1, and F2 are input to the layout position receiving unit 42. Accepted. Hereinafter, the position on the paper to be processed by the processing device is referred to as a “virtual line on the paper”. Therefore, since the “virtual line on the paper” is a position on the paper to be processed by the processor, if there are a plurality of positions on the paper to be processed, there are a plurality of virtual lines corresponding to the positions. If there are other perforations as virtual lines on the paper that can be set on the setting screen 45 in FIG. 2 and the printer 1 is equipped with a perforation processing device (not shown), the perforation virtual lines are also laid out. It is possible to set. Therefore, in this embodiment, the cut positions C1 and C2, the fold positions F1 and F2, and the perforation correspond to the positions of virtual lines on the paper.

  In addition, a unit area (usually one page) corresponding to the page image 47 that is minimum required for layout setting corresponds to a printing unit. Note that a print image (not shown) is also displayed on the page image 47, and the user confirms the position of the print image while checking the position of the print image at each processing position C1, C2. , F1, F2, etc. can be specified.

  The command generation unit 41 receives the page data PL, TM, BM and the processing position data (virtual line data) C1, C2, F1, F2 from the layout position reception unit 42, and based on these data, the header PH of the print data PD. Command. That is, a paper feed command is given based on the page data PL, TM, BM. In the paper feed command, a paper feed command and its paper feed amount are designated. Further, a cut position designation command is attached to the header PH of the print data PD based on the cut position data C1 and C2 as the machining position data, and the crease position designation command is printed based on the fold position data F1 and F2 as the machining position data. It is added to the header PH of the data PD. The machining position command, the crease position command, and the (perforation command) correspond to virtual line designation data.

  The printer 1 includes a control unit 50, motors 12, 22 to 24, the print head 10, motor drive circuits 51 to 54 and a head drive circuit 55 for driving and controlling these 10, 12 and 22 to 24. Is provided.

  The control unit 50 includes a command analysis unit 61, an image development unit 62, a print execution unit 63, an absolute position counter 64, a position calculation unit 65, a position storage unit 66, a paper feed processing control unit 67, and a processing execution unit 68. ing. The printing execution unit 63, the paper feed processing control unit 67, the processing execution unit 68, and the motor drive circuits 52, 53, and 54 constitute a control means.

  The command analysis unit 61 analyzes a command attached to the header PH of the print data PD. When there is a cut position designation command or a crease position designation command in the header PH, a cut position C or a crease position F indicated as a relative position on the page is obtained by analyzing the command. Further, the command analysis unit 61 analyzes the paper feed command and acquires the paper feed amount Sreq. The data of the cut position C, the crease position F, and the paper feed amount Sreq obtained by analysis are sent to the position calculation unit 65. The print data after the command analysis is sent to the next image development unit 62.

  The image development unit 62 performs data development. The data after the data expansion is sent to the print execution unit 63. The print execution unit 63 performs ink ejection control (piezoelectric control) of the print head 10 via the head drive circuit 55 so that the print head 10 ejects ink droplets of a predetermined color in a predetermined dot pattern based on the data after image development. Execute.

  The print execution unit 63 controls the carriage motor 12 via the motor drive circuit 51 to reciprocate the carriage 11 in the main scanning direction for printing. Further, the print execution unit 63 controls the drive of the paper feed motor 22 via the motor drive circuit 52, and drives the paper feed motor 22 so that a predetermined amount of paper is fed when the paper 5 needs to be fed. Let The print execution unit 63 instructs the motor drive circuit 52 to drive the paper feed motor 22. The paper feed amount follows the paper feed amount instructed from the paper feed processing control unit 67.

  An absolute position counter (hereinafter referred to as a position counter) 64 is a 4-byte counter, for example, which is reset when the printer 1 is turned on, and counts the number of steps of the paper feed motor 22 thereafter. In this example, the predetermined reference position (head position) of the print head 10 is managed based on the count value of the position counter 64. The current printing position (recording position) is managed from the count value of the head position. That is, when the printer 1 is powered on, the position counter 64 is reset, and then, for example, the leading edge of the fed paper 5 is detected by a paper detection sensor (not shown), and paper is fed a predetermined number of steps from that position. When the sheet 5 is cued, the count value of the position counter 64 at that time is set as the current head position. For example, if the count value at the completion of this cueing of the paper is “1000”, the current head position (printing position) where the paper has been fed a predetermined number of steps (eg, “200” in terms of count value) from this cueing position. ) Is "1200". As long as the printer 1 is not turned off in this way, the position counter 64 continues to add the number of drive steps of the paper feed motor 22, and each time the paper is cued again, for example, by replacing the roll paper, the head position count value is obtained. Obtain again from the position counter 64. Thus, the current head position (current print position) is managed as an absolute position by the count value (cumulative value) of the position counter 64. In the absolute position counter 64, the logical position on the sheet can be specified by a count value as a unique address. For example, a long paper such as roll paper that has not been fed can be designated as a logical position on the paper. Note that the position counter 64 may continue to add the number of drive steps regardless of whether the power is on or off.

  The position calculation unit 65 performs a calculation to convert the cut position C indicated by the relative position received from the command analysis unit 61 into the cut position AC indicated by the absolute position. Further, the calculation is performed to convert the fold position F indicated by the relative position into the fold position AF indicated by the absolute position. Here, the print data for the page before the printing process that has already been sent to the printer 1 is accumulated in a reception buffer (not shown), and the position calculation unit 65 receives command information of the print data accumulated in the reception buffer. Based on the above, the relative positions of the cut position C and the crease position F based on the current print position (head position) can be recognized. Since the current print position (absolute position) Ppre can be known from the count value of the position counter 64, the absolute positions AC and AF of the cut position C and the crease position F can be calculated.

  In the present embodiment, two types of virtual line positions AC and AF on the paper 5 are not managed individually, but all the virtual line positions are managed in terms of head position values (absolute positions). That is, the value of the current print position (absolute position) Ppre when the virtual cut line on the paper 5 exactly matches the cutter 16 is set as the cut position P, and the virtual crease line on the paper 5 and the folding device 15 are exactly the same. The value of the current printing position (absolute position) Ppre at the time of coincidence is the crease position P. That is, all the virtual line positions are managed by the current print position converted value Pn (where n = 1, 2,..., K and P1 <P2 <... <PK). That is, the cut position is managed by a value Pn (= AC−Sc) larger than the actual virtual cut line position AC by a distance (corresponding to a counter value) Sc between the print head 10 and the cutter 16 and the crease position is an actual virtual position. It is managed by a value Pn (= AF−Sf) larger than the crease line position AF by a distance (corresponding to a counter value) Sf between the print head 10 and the folder 15. Here, the count value Sc corresponding to the distance between the recording position of the print head 10 and the cutter 16 and the count value Sf corresponding to the distance between the recording position of the print head 10 and the folding device 15 are stored in a memory (storage means). These values Sc and Sf are used to convert the values AC and AF into Pn (= AC-Sc) and Pn (= AF-Sf), respectively. Further, the subscript “n” of Pn is a number assigned in order from the smallest with respect to the processing position before processing.

  Therefore, the cutting position and the crease position are not particularly distinguished up to the processing content, and the next cutting position or the crease position based on the current position is simply managed as the processing position P1, and the next cutting position or The fold position is simply managed as the processing position P2. When the two processing positions P1 and P2 are equal (P1 = P2), the virtual cut line on the paper 5 matches the cutter 16, and the actual virtual crease line on the paper 5 matches the folding device 15. When it is in the paper position to be printed. Then, the type of machining to be performed at the machining positions P1 and P2 (whether the cutting operation or the folding operation) is separately determined based on the cutting command or the folding command. The position calculation unit 65 stores the calculated machining position Pn and the corresponding machining content (cutting operation or creasing operation) data in the position storage unit 66. The position storage unit 66 stores all machining positions Pn for machining to be executed from now on, and a reference table used for judging machining contents corresponding to each machining position Pn.

  The paper feed processing control unit 67 stores a paper feed processing control program in its storage unit. The paper feed processing control routine shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is for performing the paper feed control of the printed paper 5 and the processing control for processing the processing position of the paper. The paper feed processing control unit 67 executes this routine before the print execution unit 63 instructs the next paper feed, thereby setting a schedule for paper feed control and processing control.

  Hereinafter, the paper feed processing control routine of FIG. 5 will be described. The paper feed processing control unit 67 reads in advance the current position (absolute position) Ppre, the requested paper feed amount Sreq, and the two processing positions P1 and P2 before starting this routine. The requested paper feed amount Sreq is the one sent from the command analysis unit 61 and managed.

  In step (hereinafter simply referred to as “S”) 10, the position Psc = Ppre + Sreq is calculated. That is, the absolute position Psc when the required paper feed amount Sreq is fed from the current position Ppre is calculated.

  In S20, it is determined whether Psc <P1 is satisfied. If Psc <P1 is established, the next processing position P1 does not reach the corresponding processing device even if the paper feed of the required paper feed amount Sreq is performed, so the process proceeds to S120, and the paper feed Sreq is executed. On the other hand, when Psc <P1 is not established, the process proceeds to S30.

  In S30, it is determined whether Psc = P1 is satisfied. If Psc = P1 is established, the processing position P1 will reach the corresponding processing device when the required paper feed amount Sreq is fed, so the process proceeds to S70 in this case. On the other hand, when Psc = P1 is not established, that is, when Psc> P1, if the paper feed of the required paper feed amount Sreq is performed, the processing position P1 passes through the corresponding processing machine. Proceed to

In S40, a paper feed amount division calculation is performed. That is, SA = P1-Ppre and SB = Sreq-SB are calculated, and the required paper feed amount Sreq is divided into SA and SB.
In S50, SA is set as the required paper feed amount Sreq.

In S60, SB is set as the next requested paper feed amount (Sreq).
In S70, it is determined whether P1 = P2. That is, it is determined whether or not both the virtual cut line and the virtual crease line reach the corresponding processing tools 15 and 16, respectively.
If P1 = P2 is established, the process proceeds to S80. On the other hand, when P1 = P2 is not established, the process proceeds to S90.

In S80, a cut operation and a crease operation are scheduled as the next processing of paper feeding.
In S90, it is determined whether or not the process in P1 is a cutting operation. If the process at P1 is a cut operation, the process proceeds to S100. On the other hand, if the process at P1 is not a cut operation, the process proceeds to S110.

In S100, the cutting operation is scheduled as the next process of paper feeding.
In S110, a crease operation is scheduled as the next process of paper feeding.
In S120, the paper feed amount Sreq is executed. That is, when the processing position P1 does not reach the corresponding processing device and when the processing position P1 just reaches the corresponding processing device, the paper feed of the requested paper feed amount Sreq is executed. Also, when the paper feed amount Sreq requested is fed, if the processing position P1 passes the corresponding processing device, SA obtained by dividing the required paper feed amount Sreq is set as a new required paper feed amount Sreq (= SA). Only perform paper feeding. If the remaining paper feed amount SB obtained by dividing the required paper feed amount Sreq in S60 is set as the next required paper feed amount (Sreq), the next time this routine is executed, the requested paper feed amount set in S60 is executed. The quantity Sreq (= SB) is used. Even when the remaining paper feed amount Sreq (= SB) is fed, it is necessary to determine whether the next processing position P1 reaches the corresponding processing device or passes the processing device. In addition, the remaining paper feed amount Sreq (= SB) is also divided.

Next, a paper feed / processing operation when this paper feed processing control is performed will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the hatched area on the paper 5 is a print area.
Assume that there is a paper feed request for the paper feed amount Sreq when the paper 5 is positioned in the state of FIG. At this time, if the paper feed of the required paper feed amount Sreq is performed as it is, the virtual cut line position (▼ position) on the paper passes the cutter 16 (because the cut position P1 passes the head position). The feed amount Sr eq is divided into SA and SB. The paper feed amount SA is a value until the processing position P1 reaches the current position Ppre, that is, SA = P1-Ppre. The remaining paper feed amount SB (= Sreq−SA) obtained by subtracting this SA from the requested paper feed amount Sreq is set as the next required paper feed amount Sreq.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, first, the paper 5 is fed by the paper feed amount SA. Then, the virtual cut line position (▼ position) on the paper just reaches the cutter 16. Then, by driving the cutter motor 24 with the paper 5 stopped, the cutter 16 is operated to cut the paper 5 along the virtual cut line.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, after the paper 5 is cut, the paper feed motor 22 is driven to feed the paper 5 by the remaining paper feed amount SB. As a result, the paper feed of the initial required paper feed amount Sreq is completed. Further, since the remaining paper feed amount SB is set to the next requested paper feed amount Sreq, before the remaining paper feed is performed, the next processing position is obtained when the paper feed of the remaining paper feed amount SB is performed. It is similarly determined whether P1 is a value that the virtual cut line passes the corresponding processing machine. When the corresponding processing device is passed, the remaining paper feed amount SB is further divided into two. Then, after the further divided paper feed amount is fed, the processing unit is operated to process a predetermined virtual line on the paper 5. Therefore, when a plurality of virtual lines pass through the corresponding processing devices in the process of paper feed of the required paper feed amount Sreq, the virtual lines at a plurality of locations on the paper are divided while the paper feed is divided little by little. Is processed. When the two processing positions P1 and P2 have the same value, the folder 15 and the cutter 16 are operated at the same sheet 5 position. At this time, the folder 15 and the cutter 16 are operated almost simultaneously. Of course, the operation timings of both the processing units 15 and 16 may be operated one by one in order.

  If there is a print end command in the print data PD, the paper feed processing control unit 67 determines that printing has ended. Then, the required paper feed amount Sreq is set so that the paper 5 can be cut at the final virtual cut line (final processing position). That is, a step value corresponding to a counter value equal to the distance between the final cut line and the cutter 16, that is, the distance until the final cut position Pend reaches the head position is set as the required paper feed amount Sreq. Note that the final processing position can be set to the end position of the final page.

  Then, the paper feed processing control routine of FIG. 5 is also executed at the time of paper feed after the end of printing. Therefore, when the paper 5 is sent out for final cutting, if a virtual line to be processed remains on the paper 5 between the print head 10 and the cutter 16, the paper 5 is sent out after the printing is completed. The paper 5 is processed while being temporarily stopped. Finally, the sheet 5 is cut at the final virtual cut line. After this final cutting, the paper feed motor 22 is driven in the paper feed direction, and a paper sensor (not shown) detects the discharge of the cut paper, and then the paper feed motor 22 is driven in reverse so that the paper 5 The leading end is returned to a state where it is gripped by the paper feed roller 7. Then, it waits for the next print data to be transferred.

  On the other hand, if a paper jam occurs during printing, the paper is manually fed to the position of the unprinted area. Even after the manual operation at the time of paper jam, since the data of the processing contents corresponding to the processing positions Pn and the respective processing contents remain in the position storage unit 66, the printer 1 resumes printing again based on the processing information. .

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The paper 5 can be processed in the process of feeding the paper 5. That is, the printed paper 5 is cut and creased without being returned only by being sent out in the paper feed direction. Therefore, even if the processing devices 15 and 16 are mounted on the printer 1 to process the paper 5, there is no loss of printing time, and the printing surface is rubbed due to repeated passage of the rollers 6, 7, etc. There is almost no worry about scratches. In addition, since the paper 5 is not returned when the processing is performed, the printing interruption time required for the processing is relatively short, and therefore printing unevenness (color change streaks) which is a concern when the printing interruption time is long is unlikely to occur. Further, when the method of reversing the paper 5 once and processing it and feeding it again in the paper feeding direction, the backlash (play) of the gear constituting the gear mechanism for transmitting the power of the paper feeding motor 22 to the drive rollers 7a and 8a is adopted. As a result, the position of the paper 5 is slightly shifted, which causes uneven printing. However, since the paper 5 does not return, there is no concern about this kind of uneven printing caused by gear backlash.

  (2) Even when a single paper feed amount is long due to a blank paper portion that is not printed, the paper feed amount is divided according to the processing position. Therefore, the virtual line on the paper always matches the processing device. The sheet 5 can be stopped. For this reason, it is possible to perform processing without returning the paper 5 even when the paper feed amount per time is long. For this reason, the printing stop time for performing the processing can be shortened as much as possible. For example, the problem that the color changes at the printing interruption point due to the long printing interruption time hardly occurs.

  (3) At the end of printing, if there is a print end command in the print data, it is determined that printing has ended, the paper 5 is automatically sent out, and the end of the last page (final cut position) is automatically cut. If there is a virtual line that is not only cut at the end of the last page but also passes through the processing device in the middle of the paper feed, the virtual line of the paper 5 is processed while being temporarily stopped. Therefore, even after the printing is finished, all virtual lines are automatically processed without omission and the end of the last page is automatically cut. At this time, the paper 5 is temporarily stopped and processed while being fed out without returning in the paper feeding direction, so that it does not take time and scratches due to rubbing on the printing surface are less likely to occur.

  (4) Since the folding device 15 and the cutter 16 mounted on the printer 1 are configured to sequentially crease and cut while temporarily stopping the paper 5 in the paper feeding direction, the cutting position and folding Processing can be performed without omission regardless of the layout of the eye position. Further, since the folding device 15 and the cutter 16 are provided, when printing the decorative paper attached to the CD case or the like, when the printed paper 5 is discharged from the printer 1, the decorative paper is printed, creased and cut. Since all of this is completed, the productivity of this type of printed product is very high.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the printer driver 33 calculates the paper feed amount based on the processing position data such as the cut position, the crease position, and the perforation position input from the input device 36. Therefore, it is not necessary to calculate the paper feed amount on the printer side, and it is sufficient to feed the paper with the paper feed amount according to the paper feed command attached to the print data. Moreover, the input setting operation of the virtual line position to be processed on the screen is simplified.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the printing system.
The difference from the first embodiment is that the printer driver 33 includes a paper feed amount calculation unit 71 that calculates the paper feed amount based on the processing position data. The command generation unit 72 generates a paper feed command based on the paper feed amount calculated by the paper feed amount calculation unit 71. Then, the print data with the paper feed command is transmitted (output) to the printer 1. On the printer 1 side, there is no position calculation unit 65 in the first embodiment.

  The layout position setting unit 73 provided in the printer driver 33 controls screen display based on various data stored in the setting screen display data storage unit 74 and changes the setting of machining position data on the screen using the input device 36. To help. As described above, the printer driver 33 performs processing position data setting change support processing and paper feed command generation processing for generating a paper feed command from the processing position data.

  The printer driver 33 is constructed by installing a printer driver program as a print control program stored in the CD-ROM in the host computer 31. The layout position setting unit 73 includes a machining position setting change support program shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the screen processing for supporting the machining position setting change will be described with reference to FIGS. The printer 1 is provided with a perforation processing device (not shown) for perforating the paper 5 between the folding device 15 and the cutter 16. FIG. 8 shows a setting screen 75. On this setting screen 75, a cutter, a crease, and a perforation can be set. One of the programs for supporting the setting change of the virtual line position on these sheets is the flowchart of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the layout setting screen 75 includes page length PL, top margin TM, bottom margin BM, cut positions C1, C2, fold positions F1, F2, and perforation positions for one page as a print unit. M1 and M2 can be designated by operating the input device 36. In the setting screen 75, a cut button 76, a crease button 77, a perforation button 78, and a display line setting button 79 are prepared. Each button 76, 77, and 78 has a cut position (a black triangle position mark in the figure), a crease position (a white triangle position mark in the figure), and a perforation position (a black and white triangle in the figure) on the page image 47. For setting the position mark). When each button 76, 77, 78 is operated, each corresponding position mark and a line at a position corresponding to the position mark, that is, a cut line (solid line in the figure), a crease line (dashed line in the figure), and a perforation line (same as the same) A one-dot chain line in FIG. 6 is displayed, and an input field 46 is displayed together with the name of the corresponding position data. That is, the input fields 46 are automatically set as many times as the buttons 76, 77, and 78 are operated.

  The display line setting button 79 is used to specify the line type and line color of the display line. One of the buttons 76, 77, and 78 is selected (enabled), and the display line setting button 79 is set. When operated, the display line selection screen 80 shown in the figure is displayed. When the line type and line color are selected on this screen 80, the display line corresponding to the selected button among cut, crease, and perforation is set to the selected content. The printing unit is a unit for setting a layout.

  By operating the input device 36, a position mark can be selected on the page image 47 with the mouse (mouse arrow in the figure) and the position mark can be shifted up and down. Each value can be designated, and if a numerical value is entered in the input field 46, the line is shifted to the corresponding position. These values PL. When the OK button 48 is operated after all of TM, BM, C1, C2, F1, and F2 are input, the page data PL, TM, BM and the processing position data C1, C2, F1, and F2 are input to the layout position receiving unit 42. Accepted.

Processing for supporting the machining position setting change will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, each process of S210 to S230 is a process for determining whether any one of the cut button 76, the crease button 77, and the perforation button 78 is selected.
In S210, it is determined whether or not a cut is selected. That is, it is determined whether or not the cut button 76 has been selected. In S220, it is determined whether or not a fold is selected. That is, it is determined whether or not the fold button 77 has been selected. In S230, it is determined whether the perforation is selected. That is, it is determined whether or not the perforation button 78 has been selected. When the corresponding button is not selected in each of S210 to S230, the process proceeds to the next button selection determination process, and when the corresponding button is selected, the process proceeds to S240. That is, when one of the three buttons 76 to 78 is selected, the process proceeds to S240.

  In S240, the marks CM, FM, MM and designated lines CL, FL, ML of the selected item (cut, crease, perforation) are displayed. For example, when the cut button 76 is selected, a mark CM (black triangle) and a designated line ML are displayed. At this time, the designated line CL is displayed in the line type and line color set in advance on the display line selection screen 80 opened by selecting the display line setting button 79. In addition, the position of the designated line CL displayed at this time is a default value, for example, and is not necessarily the position desired by the user. The user operates the position of the designated line with the mouse to set a desired position. Although not shown in FIG. 8, since the print image is also displayed on the page image 47, the user can set an appropriate cut position, fold position, and perforation position while viewing the print image.

  In S250, it is determined whether or not the mark has been selected and moved with the mouse. If the mark has not been moved, the process waits until the next operation is performed. Here, only the process of determining whether or not a mark movement operation has been performed by the mouse is shown, but this process can also be exited when other operations (such as other button selection operations) are performed. If there is an operation for moving the mark, the process proceeds to the next S260.

  In S260, display processing for moving the mark and the designated line in the moving direction of the mouse is performed. For example, by operating the mouse to move the mark upward or downward to adjust the position, the designated line is shifted together with the mark, and the designated line is set and changed at the position desired by the user.

  In S <b> 270, a process for displaying the position dimension of the designated line in the display frame (input field) 46 is executed. As a result, a numerical value indicating the position dimension of the designated line is displayed in the input field 46 corresponding to the mark operated with the mouse, and the user can adjust the position of the designated line while viewing this numerical value. For example, when the cut button 76 is selected as shown in FIG. 8 and the mark (black triangle mark) is operated with the mouse (the arrow mark in the figure is its pointer) to adjust the position of the designated line, the input field 46 As shown in the figure, a numerical value ("35" in this example) indicating the position dimension of the designated line is displayed.

  Thus, the cut position, the crease position, and the perforation position can be set on the page image 47 by the operation of the buttons 76 to 78 prepared on the setting screen 75 and the mark position adjustment operation by the mouse. When the numerical value input and displayed in the input field 46 is changed by operating the keyboard, the position mark and the designation line corresponding to the input field 46 are shifted to the position of the input value. When all desired ones of the cut position, the crease position, and the perforation position have been set to the desired positions, the OK button 48 on the setting screen 75 is operated, and each virtual line to be processed on the paper Confirm the position of.

  Each confirmed processing position data (cut position data, crease position data, perforation position data) and other layout data (top margin and bottom margin) are sent from the layout position setting unit 73 to the paper feed amount calculation unit 71. .

  The paper feed amount calculation unit 71 calculates the paper feed amount based on the print condition data, the print data, and each processing position data. That is, data such as a paper feed pitch at the time of printing and a paper feed amount for a page break is determined from the print condition data set in the printer driver 33. Further, if there is a blank portion in the image to be printed in the rasterize processing unit 40, the blank portion is a target of paper feeding. The paper feed amount calculation unit 71 appropriately divides the paper feed amount determined from the print condition data and the print data so that the virtual line to be processed stops in a state that matches the corresponding processing device. The paper feed amount is calculated based on the data. The print position and the processing position in the paper feed direction based on the position data TM, BMCi, Fj, Mk (i, j, k = 1, 2,...) In the page image 47 and the print position determined from the raster data of the print image. The paper feed amount is calculated so that the paper is stopped at. The command generator 72 generates a paper feed command (print data command) using the paper feed amount obtained by the paper feed amount calculator 71 as a command, and attaches this to the header to create print data. That is, the paper feed command of the first embodiment is an instruction for the paper feed amount for stopping the print position on the paper at the print head position. On the other hand, the paper feed command generated by the printer driver 33 of this embodiment stops the print position on the paper at the print head position and the virtual line on the paper at a position that matches the processing device. Specify the amount of paper to be fed.

  The folding device 15, the cutter 16 and the perforation processing device, which are processing devices, are arranged at different distances on the discharge side of the print head 10. Considering each distance between the print head 10 and each processing device 15, 16, etc., paper feed is stopped in a state where the virtual line matches the corresponding processing device (positional state where the virtual line can be processed). A paper feed amount to be obtained is calculated. The paper feed command includes a paper feed command and a paper feed amount.

  In the command generation unit 72, a command for instructing a process to be executed after the paper feed is generated together with the paper feed command. This command includes a command (actuator command) for instructing which processing unit actuator to operate after feeding paper for processing. That is, the cutter operation command is set as the next instruction of the paper feed command determined from the cutter position data, and the folding device operation command is set as the instruction of the paper feed command determined from the fold position data. Further, a perforation machining operation command is set as an instruction next to the paper feed command determined from the perforation position data. In accordance with the instruction of the perforation machining operation command, the machining execution unit 68 controls driving of the perforation machining motor 81 via the motor drive circuit 82. The print data command includes various commands necessary for print control in addition to the paper feed command.

  Then, the print data PD to which the command generated by the command generation unit 72 is attached is transferred from the printer driver 33 to the printer 1. A command analysis unit 61 in the printer 1 analyzes a command attached to the print data PD. Data indicating the paper feed amount obtained by the command analysis and the type of actuator to be operated after the paper feed is sent to the position calculation unit 65.

  The absolute position Ppre of the current head position (printing position) can be known from the count value of the position counter 64 as in the first embodiment. The position calculation unit 65 calculates the cut position AC, the crease position AF, and the perforation position AM for the page before processing based on the count value of the position counter 64 (current print position Ppre) and the paper feed amount Sreq. . The calculated position data AC, AF, and AM are stored in the position storage unit 66. The position data stored in the position storage unit 66 is used to determine the timing for driving the actuator, and is not used to divide and change the paper feed amount Sreq as in the first embodiment. Absent.

  The paper feed processing control unit 67 sets a schedule for paper feed with the paper feed amount Sreq obtained from the command analysis, and when the count value of the position counter 64 becomes the value of the position data stored in the position storage unit 66. And schedule the operation of the corresponding actuator.

  The print execution unit 63 instructs the motor drive circuit 52 to specify the number of steps (paper feed amount Sreq) for driving the paper feed motor 22. The paper is fed by the paper feed motor 22 being driven by the paper feed amount Sreq. When the count value of the position counter 64 matches the position data stored in the position storage unit 66, the processing execution unit 68 drives the actuator corresponding to the position data after confirming the stop of the paper feed motor 22. That is, when the count value coincides with the cut position AC, the cutter motor 24 is driven via the motor drive circuit 54, and the sheet is cut. When the count value coincides with the crease position AF, the folding machine motor 23 is driven via the motor drive circuit 53, and a crease process for crease the sheet 5 is performed. Further, when the count value coincides with the perforation position AM, the perforation machining motor 81 is driven via the motor drive circuit 82, and the perforation machining for perforating the paper 5 is performed.

According to this embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(5) A paper feed command that calculates the paper feed amount in consideration of the fact that the printer driver 33 in the host computer 31 stops at the machining position based on the inputted processing position data, and uses the paper feed amount as a command. The print data PD marked with is created. Therefore, the printer 1 can feed the paper 5 by stopping the paper 5 so that the virtual line on the paper 5 coincides with the processing devices 15, 16 and the like only by performing paper feeding control according to the paper feeding command. For this reason, since the CPU in the host computer 31 having a high processing capacity is responsible for the calculation processing for dividing the paper feed amount, the CPU in the printer 1 is not burdened.

  (6) When inputting the processing position data on the setting screen 75 using the input device 36, the processing position can be easily set by adjusting the position of the designated line by the button operation and the mouse operation. Easy to operate. Further, since the line type and line color of the designated line can be displayed differently for each processing content, it is easy to distinguish and easy to set in terms of visibility.

In addition, embodiment is not limited above, It can implement also in the following aspects.
(Modification 1) In the second embodiment, the print execution unit 63 that performs print control and the processing execution unit 68 that controls the processing device actuator are divided into two execution units. It can also be an execution unit. That is, one CPU or one ASIC executes printing control and processing control. For example, a paper feeding processing control unit 67 that sets a schedule for printing and processing by one CPU and program, and printing and processing are performed. And a printing processing execution unit to be executed. The other absolute position counter 64, position calculation unit 65, and position storage unit 66 are abolished or not used for the control. In this case, an actuator command generated for the printer driver 33 to issue an operation command for the processing device actuator is attached to the header of the print data together with a paper feed command. Based on the command analysis result of the command analysis unit 61, the paper feed processing control unit 67 sets a schedule for the paper feed operation of the paper feed amount Sreq and the operation of the processing device actuator. The print processing execution unit controls the operation of the paper feed motor 22 and the processing machine actuators 23, 24, 81 in accordance with the schedule set by the paper feed processing control unit 67. According to this configuration, since the paper feeding operation and the operation of the processing device actuator are controlled according to the command, it is not necessary to manage the processing position in order to determine the operation timing of the processing device actuator. This contributes to further reduction of the burden.

  (Modification 2) In 1st Embodiment, a processing device is not limited to a cutter and a folder. You may add the perforation processing machine which puts a perforation in the printed paper. Of course, processing devices other than these may be provided. In short, any processing device that performs predetermined processing on printed paper may be used. Even with other processing devices, printed paper can be processed efficiently during the paper feeding process.

  (Modification 3) Although two or three processing tools are provided in each of the above-described embodiments, only one processing tool may be provided. For example, a configuration in which only a cutter is provided may be used. Moreover, the structure which provides only a folding device may be sufficient. Furthermore, the structure which provides only a perforation processing machine may be sufficient. In any of these configurations, it is possible to efficiently process the paper printed by one processing device in the paper feeding process.

  (Modification 4) When providing a some processing tool, it is not limited to the combination of a cutter and a folder. For example, a combination of a perforation machine and a cutter may be used. A combination of a perforation machine and a folder may be used. Further, three cutters, a folding device, and a perforation processing device may be provided. In any of these configurations, a plurality of types of processing can be efficiently performed on a printed sheet by a plurality of processing units in the paper feeding process.

  (Modification 5) A paper feed amount for processing is designated from the beginning in the paper feed command attached to the print data, and that the paper feed is for the operation of the processing device, not for printing, and which processing This command is used to specify whether to actuate the actuator (actuator). On the printer side, it is also possible to employ printing paper processing control that controls the operation of the paper feed motor and the actuator of the processing device in accordance with the instruction of the command.

  (Modification 6) Although the paper feed processing control is performed by managing the processing position at the print head position based on the count value (absolute position) of the position counter 64, the reference position for managing the absolute position of the paper is other than the print head position. You can take any position. If there is one processing device, the paper feed processing control may be performed using the position of the virtual line on the paper as the processing position.

  (Modification 7) Input screen display data for specifying a processing position, a reception processing program for receiving processing position data, and the like are not limited to those provided in the printer driver. It may be provided in the application program.

(Modification 8) The paper is not limited to roll paper, and the printer is not limited to roll paper compatible paper. The paper may be a long form or any printer that can print long forms.
(Modification 9) A cutter may be provided on the carriage, and the same paper feed processing control as in the above embodiment may be performed. In this case, the actuator is a carriage motor.

(Modification 10) In the above-described embodiment, the printing operation is temporarily stopped when processing is performed. However, the processing device may be operated in parallel with the printing operation.
(Modification 11) In each of the embodiments described above, the present invention is applied to a printer (printing apparatus) that performs printing based on print data received from a host computer (PC). However, a so-called stand-alone that can be printed independently without using a host computer (PC). The present invention can also be applied to a type of printer. A stand-alone printer (printing apparatus) includes a reading device, and reads image data from a memory card inserted into a slot of the reading device. A control device (for example, a CPU and an ASIC) having an image processing unit that performs conversion processing for converting the image data into print data, and a print processing unit that performs printing processing based on the print data converted by the image processing unit Is built into the main unit. In this case, the control device includes a control unit 50 having the same functions as those in the above embodiments, but includes processing condition designation information such as a machining type and a machining position (including machining type designation information and virtual line designation data). It also has a function that allows the user to make input settings on the operation panel. The operation panel provided in the main body of the stand-alone printer has, for example, a display screen (setting screen) of a display device (display means) composed of a liquid crystal display unit, and input operation means for setting and operating various setting conditions. An operation unit (operation switch) is provided. On the setting screen, the processing type and virtual line position can be selected and set. The stand-alone printer includes a monitor device in the main body, and a print image selected by the user on the setting screen is displayed as a preview on the monitor screen of the monitor device. In the second embodiment, the configuration is such that the user inputs and sets the virtual line designation data on the host computer side. However, in the stand-alone printer, the operation unit can be viewed while the user views the setting screen using the operation panel of the main body. The virtual line designation data can be directly input and set to the printer by operating. The processing position can be finely adjusted by numerical input, and the input content is reflected on the print image of the monitor screen, and the processing position is the same as the processing content in the second embodiment, for example. The line is drawn with a line type or line color that can identify the type. Menu data for setting screen display, drawing processing data for monitor display, and drawing processing program are stored in the memory, and the CPU executes the setting program based on the input data from the operation unit, so that the display processing and drawing are performed. A setting process including the process is executed.

  (Modification 12) The virtual line designation data is not limited to the method of generating from the machining position data (virtual line data) input by the user from the input operation means (input device 35). For example, it is possible to adopt a method in which the control unit (CPU) determines and obtains the machining position from other setting information and generates virtual line designation data based on this. For example, based on the information on the set paper size, the control unit determines and acquires the position at which the paper is cut with the set paper size as virtual line designation data. In this case, the paper size can be designated on the setting screen, and the control device (CPU) determines and acquires the position where the paper is cut with the set paper size as virtual line designation data based on the information on the set paper size. Like that. In the setting screen, it is possible to specify a print area (for example, layout information), and the control device (CPU) specifies a virtual line for the position where the paper is cut for each print area based on the specified print area information. Judge as data and get it. When one cut is performed according to the image area (one cut position between images), the boundary position between adjacent images is determined and acquired as virtual line designation data. In the case of two cuts (two cut positions between images to cut off margins), the virtual line designation data is determined and acquired so as to cut at two positions where the margins between images can be removed. Further, the information on the paper size and the print area is not limited to information directly designated by the user, and the control device may make a determination based on other information such as detection information of the paper size sensor and an image designation area. According to these configurations, the sheet is processed at an appropriate position by automatically recognizing the processing position (virtual line position) on the printer side. Therefore, the user does not need to input the machining position (virtual line position), and if the automatically recognized machining position is inappropriate, only the inappropriate position needs to be input for correction. User input operations are reduced.

  (Modification 13) The virtual line position managed by a counter or the like for controlling the actuator of the processing device is not limited to the absolute position on the sheet. A method of managing the virtual line position at the relative position on the paper and controlling the actuator of the processing machine can also be adopted.

The technical idea grasped from the embodiment and another example will be described below.
(1) A printing unit that prints on a sheet by driving a print head and a carriage, a conveying unit that conveys the sheet from upstream to downstream across the print head, and a virtual line on the sheet at a fixed position downstream from the printing head. And a control means for controlling the printing means, the conveying means, and the processing means so as to perform the processing after alternately stopping the paper as necessary. And an input operation unit that inputs and sets a virtual line at an arbitrary position on the sheet, and the control unit determines the position of the virtual line on the sheet based on the virtual line data from the input operation unit. Acquires and conveys the paper so that it stops when the virtual line on the paper reaches the processing position of the processing means when executing a predetermined amount of paper to print the continuous data Printing apparatus controls the stage, on which reserves print data to the continue, and controlling the processing means so as to perform the machining on the sheet by the virtual line of 該用 paper.

  (2) In the technical idea (1), a display unit that displays the setting screen of the virtual line is provided, and on the paper based on virtual line data selected and input on the setting screen by the operation of the input operation unit A printing apparatus that acquires the position of a virtual line.

  (3) In the technical idea (2), a reading unit that reads image data from a storage medium, a display unit that displays a print image based on the image data on a screen, and the screen specified by the input operation unit A printing apparatus comprising drawing means for drawing a virtual line at a position on a print image corresponding to the virtual line.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment. The setting screen figure for page layout setting. Print data diagram. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer. The flowchart of a paper feed processing control routine. (A)-(c) Explanatory drawing explaining paper feeding process control. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the printing system in 2nd Embodiment. The setting screen figure for page layout setting. The flowchart of a process position setting assistance process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer as printing apparatus, 3 ... Roll paper, 5 ... Paper, 10 ... Print head which comprises printing means, 11 ... Carriage, 15 ... Folding machine as a processing device, 16 ... Cutter as a processing device, 22 ... Paper feeding motor (stepping motor) as paper feeding means, 23 ... Folding motor as actuator, 24 ... Cut motor as actuator, 31 ... Host computer, 33 ... Printer driver (driver program), 35 ... Display means A display device as 36, an input device as a processing position specifying means and an input operation means, 37 a resolution conversion unit constituting the printing means, 38 a color conversion processing part constituting the printing means, 39 constituting a printing means. Halftone processing unit, 40... Rasterizing processing unit constituting the printing unit, 41. Mand generating unit, 42... Layout position receiving unit constituting printing control means and processing position specifying means, 43, 74... Setting screen display data storage unit, 45... Input screen (setting screen), 52, 53, 54. , 61 ... command analysis unit, 63 ... print execution unit constituting control means, 64 ... absolute position counter 65 ... position calculation unit, 66 ... position storage unit, 67 ... paper feed constituting control means Processing control unit 68 ... Processing execution unit constituting control means, 71 ... Paper feed amount calculation part, 72 ... Command generation part, 73 ... Layout position setting part constituting processing position designation means, 75 ... Input screen (setting screen) 81, perforation processing motor, Ppre, Psc, absolute position, AC, AF, virtual line (absolute position), P1, P2, processing position.

Claims (11)

Printing means for printing on paper by driving the print head and carriage;
Conveying means for conveying the paper from upstream to downstream across the print head;
Processing means for processing a virtual line on the paper at a fixed position downstream of the print head;
In a printing apparatus having control means for controlling the printing means, the conveying means, and the processing means so as to perform the processing after alternately performing paper conveyance and printing execution and stopping the paper as necessary.
The printing apparatus is characterized in that the control means manages the virtual line on the paper at a logical absolute position on the paper determined by a cumulative value of the paper transport amount given to the transport means. Printing means for printing on paper by driving the print head and carriage;
Conveying means for conveying the paper from upstream to downstream across the print head;
Processing means for processing a virtual line on the paper at a fixed position downstream of the print head;
Control means for controlling the printing means, the conveyance means, and the processing means so as to perform the processing after alternately performing paper conveyance and printing execution and stopping the paper as necessary;
In a printing apparatus having
The control unit manages the virtual line on the sheet at a logical absolute position on the sheet defined by a cumulative value obtained by accumulating the sheet conveyance amount given to the conveyance unit over a plurality of printing units. In addition, the processing position to be processed by the processing means, the processing position specified by the relative position in the printing unit is converted to the logical absolute position,
When executing the predetermined amount of paper feed to print the continuous data, it is determined whether the virtual line on the paper exceeds the processing position of the processing means based on the logical absolute position;
When it is determined that the number exceeds the predetermined amount, the calculation is performed to divide the predetermined amount of paper feed into the first paper feed amount and the second paper feed amount so that the paper stops when the virtual line on the paper reaches the processing position of the processing means. The paper that has been processed and is stopped when the virtual line reaches the processing position by executing the paper transport of the first paper feed amount prior to the paper transport of the second paper feed amount. On the other hand, the printing apparatus controls the processing means so as to process the virtual line on the paper after the continuous printing of the data is reserved.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the virtual line and the processing position are managed as positions on a sheet corresponding to a print head shifted by a distance between the processing unit and the print head. .   The control means causes the conveying means to execute paper conveyance of the second paper feed amount after the processing means has processed the paper on a virtual line on the paper, and then prints the data continuously. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing apparatus is restarted.   5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the virtual line on the sheet is obtained based on a set sheet size, a printing area on the sheet, or a user designation.   The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the processing is one of cutting a sheet, crease the sheet, or perforate the sheet.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising processing position designation means capable of designating an arbitrary position on the sheet as a virtual line. A printing unit that prints on a sheet by driving a print head and a carriage, a conveying unit that conveys the sheet from upstream to downstream across the print head, and a virtual line on the sheet at a fixed position downstream from the printing head. Processing means for performing processing, and control means for controlling the printing means, the conveying means, and the processing means so as to perform the processing after alternately performing paper conveyance and printing execution and stopping the paper as necessary. A printing apparatus having
A host computer;
In a printing system equipped with
The printing system is characterized in that the control means manages the virtual line on the paper at a logical position on the paper determined by a cumulative value of the paper transport amount given to the transport means. A printing unit that prints on a sheet by driving a print head and a carriage, a conveying unit that conveys the sheet from upstream to downstream across the print head, and a virtual line on the sheet at a fixed position downstream from the printing head. Processing means for performing processing, and control means for controlling the printing means, the conveying means, and the processing means so as to perform the processing after alternately performing paper conveyance and printing execution and stopping the paper as necessary. A printing apparatus having
A host computer;
In a printing system equipped with
The control unit manages the virtual line on the sheet at a logical absolute position on the sheet defined by a cumulative value obtained by accumulating the sheet conveyance amount given to the conveyance unit over a plurality of printing units. In addition, the processing position to be processed by the processing means and the processing position designated by the relative position in the printing unit is converted into the logical absolute position, and the data is printed in order to print the continuous data. When performing a fixed amount of paper feed, it is determined whether or not the virtual line on the paper exceeds the processing position of the processing means based on the logical absolute position. An arithmetic process is performed to divide the predetermined amount of paper feed into a first paper feed amount and a second paper feed amount so that the paper stops when it reaches the processing position of the processing means, and then the first paper Handle the amount of paper transport By executing the second paper feed amount prior to the conveyance of the paper, the printing of the continuous data is reserved for the paper stopped when the virtual line reaches the processing position, and then on the paper. A printing system characterized by controlling processing means so as to process a virtual line. A printing unit that prints on a sheet by driving a print head and a carriage, a conveying unit that conveys the sheet from upstream to downstream across the print head, and a virtual line on the sheet at a fixed position downstream from the printing head. Processing means for performing processing, and control means for controlling the printing means, the conveying means, and the processing means so as to perform the processing after alternately performing paper conveyance and printing execution and stopping the paper as necessary. A printing method for a printing apparatus comprising:
The control means manages the virtual line on the paper at a logical absolute position on the paper determined by a cumulative value of the paper transport amount given to the transport means;
Determining that the virtual line on the paper has reached the processing position by the processing means, controlling the transport means to stop the paper;
A step of controlling the processing means so as to process the virtual line on the paper after the printing of the continuous data is reserved;
A printing method characterized by comprising: A printing unit that prints on a sheet by driving a print head and a carriage, a conveying unit that conveys the sheet from upstream to downstream across the print head, and a virtual line on the sheet at a fixed position downstream from the printing head. Processing means for performing processing, and control means for controlling the printing means, the conveying means, and the processing means so as to perform the processing after alternately performing paper conveyance and printing execution and stopping the paper as necessary. A printing method for a printing apparatus,
Managing the virtual line on the paper at a logical absolute position on the paper defined by a cumulative value obtained by accumulating the transport amount of the paper given to the transport means over a plurality of printing units; and the processing A process position to be processed by the means, and converting the process position designated by a relative position in the printing unit to the logical absolute position;
A step of determining, based on the logical absolute position, whether or not a virtual line on the paper exceeds the processing position of the processing means when performing the predetermined amount of paper feed to print the continuous data;
When it is determined that the number exceeds the predetermined amount, the calculation is performed to divide the predetermined amount of paper feed into the first paper feed amount and the second paper feed amount so that the paper stops when the virtual line on the paper reaches the processing position of the processing means. After carrying out the processing, the paper conveyance of the first paper feed amount is executed prior to the paper conveyance of the second paper feed amount, so that the paper is stopped when the virtual line reaches the processing position. A process of
A process of controlling the processing means so as to process the virtual line on the paper after retaining the printing of the continuous data for the stopped paper;
A printing method comprising:

Images