JP2013161372A - Medium processing system, method for processing medium, and medium processing control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for accurately presenting a progress situation in a medium processing device to a user.SOLUTION: A medium processing system 1 is so configured that a control unit 20 transmits a processing command for causing to perform desired processing to a processing unit 10; the processing unit 10 transmits, to the control unit 20, processing amount information that represents an already-completed amount in the processing based on the processing command; a progress situation information generation part 26 of the control unit 20 generates progress situation information that represents the progress situation of the desired processing; and a progress situation output part 27 outputs the generated progress situation information.

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium processing technique for processing a medium.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133830 discloses a print control apparatus that outputs data created by an application program to a printing apparatus and prints the data, creating means for creating print image data of the data, and print image data created by the creating means Storage means for storing data, first display control means for displaying the print image data created by the creating means on a display device, and when transferring the data to the printing device, the data related to the transfer There is described a print control apparatus having second display control means for reading print image data from the storage means and displaying the print image data on the display device in a form corresponding to a transfer situation.

  By the way, the present inventors have developed a cutting plotter that can perform printing and cutting on a medium to be processed (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2003-99239 A (published April 4, 2003) JP 2011-51192 A (published March 17, 2011)

  However, with the technique described in Patent Document 1, the print control apparatus can present only the print data transfer status to the user. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to accurately grasp the progress status such as how much printing is actually completed and when all printing is completed. For example, even if the print control device estimates the printing work time from the transfer data, it is difficult to present an accurate completion time because errors due to component tolerances and assembly tolerances of the printing device are inevitable. is there. This problem is particularly noticeable in a printing apparatus such as a business printer that has a large screen layout and a large number of plots.

  Here, according to the unique knowledge of the present inventors, it is useful to more accurately present the progress status of the printing apparatus to the user in a system including the printing apparatus. In addition, even in a system including various medium processing apparatuses including the cutting plotter described in Patent Document 2, it is useful to accurately present the progress of the medium processing apparatus to the user. Such a technique is particularly useful when it is difficult for the user to directly confirm the operation of the medium processing apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a technique for accurately presenting the progress of the medium processing apparatus to the user.

  In order to solve the above problems, a medium processing system according to the present invention includes a processing unit that processes a medium, and a control unit that transmits a processing command for causing the processing unit to perform desired processing. The processing unit is configured to transmit processing amount information representing a quantity already completed in processing based on the processing command to the control unit, and the control unit receives the processing amount received from the processing unit. Progress information generating means for generating progress information representing the progress status of the desired processing from processing amount information, and progress status output means for outputting the progress information generated by the progress information generating means It is characterized by.

  According to the above configuration, the processing unit transmits processing amount information indicating the amount of processing work already completed in the processing unit, in other words, information indicating how much processing work has been completed, to the control unit. ing. Thereby, the progress information generating means of the control unit can generate progress information that accurately represents the progress status of the machining operation in the processing unit based on the processing amount information, and the progress status output means can generate the progress information. Can be output. In this way, the control unit can generate information to be presented to the user based on the actual processing progress, so even if there is a large difference between systems or a large variation between devices, an accurate progress status is presented. can do.

  Therefore, according to said structure, the progress in a process part can be correctly shown with respect to a user.

  In the medium processing system according to the present invention, the progress information represents at least one of a scheduled completion time of the desired processing, a processing amount already completed in the desired processing, and an unfinished processing amount in the desired processing. It preferably contains information.

  According to said structure, the progress in a process part can be shown in a form useful for a user.

  In the medium processing system according to the present invention, the control unit includes an elapsed time measuring unit that measures an elapsed time from when the processing command is transmitted to the processing unit until the processing amount information is received from the processing unit. The progress information generation means calculates the desired completion time of the desired machining from the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measurement means and the machining amount information, and calculates the calculated expected completion time of the machining. It is preferable to generate the progress information including information to represent.

  According to said structure, a progress information production | generation means produces | generates progress information from process amount information and elapsed time. In other words, the progress information generating means is provided with information indicating how much processing work has been completed and information indicating how much time has elapsed for that purpose, so that the processing completion scheduled time can be easily determined. Can be estimated. In this way, the control unit can calculate the scheduled completion time based on the performance of the machining operation, so even if the variation for each device, the type of machining, the type of medium, various settings, etc. change, the remaining time remains. It is possible to calculate more accurately how much time is required to perform the machining operation.

  Therefore, according to said structure, the more exact process completion scheduled time can be shown with respect to a user.

  In the medium processing system according to the present invention, the control unit includes an initial value information storage unit that stores in advance initial value information associated with the processing unit, and the progress information generation unit includes the processing unit. Before receiving the processing amount information from the initial value information storage means, based on the initial value information associated with the processing unit stored in advance, to calculate the desired completion time of the desired processing, It is preferable to generate the progress information including information indicating a desired processing completion scheduled time.

  According to said structure, the control part can calculate the completion time of a process based on the initial value information linked | related with the process part. The time required for various types of processing constituting the desired processing varies depending on the apparatus configuration of the processing unit, various processing settings in the processing unit, and the like. For example, when performing printing, the number of printing passes, resolution, number of plates, medium conveyance speed, scanning speed, etc. When performing cutting, the thickness of the medium, the moving speed of the cutting tool The vertical movement time of the tool is a main parameter, and the time required for machining changes. According to the above configuration, since the initial value information storage unit can store these parameters as initial value information in association with the processing unit, the control unit can store the processing amount information in the control unit. Even before transmission, it is possible to calculate a reasonable scheduled completion time reflecting the parameter.

  Therefore, according to said structure, even if it is before a process part transmits process amount information to a control part, an appropriate completion time of completion of a process can be shown with respect to a user.

  In the medium processing system according to the present invention, the processing amount information may include information indicating a length of the medium processed based on the processing command.

  According to the above configuration, the processing unit transmits the length of the medium that has been processed to the control unit as processing amount information. Thereby, the control unit can present progress information that more appropriately reflects the progress of the machining operation to the user. In particular, since printing processing and the like are performed in order along the length direction of the medium, according to the above configuration, the progress of the processing work can be more appropriately represented.

  In the medium processing system according to the present invention, the processing command may include data of an arbitrary size, and the processing amount information may include information indicating a size of data that has been processed correspondingly in the processing command. .

  According to said structure, a process part transmits the data size of the process command which process was completed to a control part as process amount information. Thereby, the control unit can present progress information that more appropriately reflects the progress of the machining operation to the user. In particular, since cut processing or the like may not be performed in order along the length direction of the medium, it is preferable to use as an index of progress how many processing commands are completed rather than the length of the medium. Therefore, according to said structure, the progress of a machining operation can be represented more appropriately.

  In the medium processing method according to the present invention, the control unit transmits a processing command for causing the processing unit that processes the medium to perform a desired processing, and the processing unit performs processing based on the processing command. A process of transmitting machining amount information representing the already completed quantity to the control unit, and the control unit generating progress information representing the progress status of the desired machining from the machining amount information received from the machining unit And a step of outputting the generated progress information.

  According to said method, there exists an effect equivalent to the medium processing system which concerns on this invention.

  Further, a program for operating the control unit of the medium processing system according to the present invention, which is a program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the respective means described above, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded, are also included in the present invention. Included in the category.

  According to the medium processing system and the medium processing method according to the present invention, the progress status in the processing unit can be accurately presented to the user.

  Also,

It is a functional block diagram which shows schematic structure of the medium processing system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of schematic operation | movement of the medium processing system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the process progress status in the medium processing system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Embodiment 1
An embodiment (Embodiment 1) of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, a medium processing system that prints a medium will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes, for example, a medium processing system that performs cut processing as described in the second embodiment. The present invention can be applied to a general medium processing system that processes a medium.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medium processing system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the medium processing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a processing unit (medium processing device) 10 and a control unit (medium processing control device) 20.

  The processing unit 10 processes the medium based on the control of the control unit 20, and includes a processing command receiving unit (processing command receiving unit) 11, a processing unit 12, and a processing amount information transmitting unit (processing amount information transmitting unit). 13 is provided. The machining command receiving unit 11 is a communication unit that receives a machining command from the control unit 20. The processing unit 12 is a processing mechanism that processes a medium based on a processing command. The processing amount information transmission unit 13 is a communication unit that transmits processing amount information representing the amount already completed in processing based on the processing command to the control unit 20.

  The control unit 20 includes a processing command generation unit 21, a processing command transmission unit (processing command transmission unit) 22, a processing amount information reception unit (processing amount information reception unit) 23, an elapsed time measurement unit (elapsed time measurement unit) 24, and an initial value. A value information storage unit (initial value information storage unit) 25, a progress information generation unit (progress information generation unit) 26, and a progress status output unit (progress status output unit) 27 are provided.

  The machining command generation unit 21 is an arithmetic processing unit that generates a series of machining commands for causing the machining unit 10 to perform desired machining. The processing command transmission unit 22 is a communication unit that transmits a processing command to the processing unit 10. The processing amount information receiving unit 23 is a communication unit that receives processing amount information. The elapsed time measuring unit 24 is an arithmetic processing unit that measures an elapsed time from when the machining command is transmitted to the machining unit 10 until the machining amount information is received from the machining unit 10. The initial value information storage unit 25 is a storage unit that stores initial value information associated with the processing unit 10. The progress information generation unit 26 is an arithmetic processing unit that generates progress information representing the progress status of the desired processing in the processing unit 10 from the processing information. The progress status output unit 27 is an output unit that outputs progress information.

(Operation example)
FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a schematic operation of the medium processing system 1. Hereinafter, an example of a schematic operation of the medium processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the processing command generator 21 generates a series of processing commands (so-called print data) for causing the processing unit 10 to perform a desired printing process on a desired medium (S1). Examples of the desired printing process include, but are not limited to, a printing process in which color plate printing, special color plate printing, clear plate printing, UV irradiation, or the like is performed alone or in combination. The desired medium is not particularly limited, and for example, a sheet material such as paper, cloth, a resin sheet, and a metal sheet can be used.

  The progress information generation unit 26 estimates the scheduled completion time based on the machining command generated by the machining command generation unit 21 and the initial value information stored in advance in the initial value information storage unit 25, and the initial of the scheduled completion time. The value is output from the progress output unit 27 as a value (S2).

  In this specification, those skilled in the art will easily understand that “scheduled completion time” may be replaced with “scheduled remaining time until completion”. Further, those skilled in the art can easily understand that the “information indicating the scheduled completion time” may be information indicating the scheduled completion time itself or information indicating the scheduled remaining time until completion.

  As the initial value information, in addition to information unique to the processing unit 10, such as medium conveyance speed, printing or UV irradiation head scanning speed, device tolerance (part tolerance, assembly tolerance, etc.), various information in the processing unit 10 Settings such as the size of the print image, the number of passes for printing (the number of passes to complete the drawing), the resolution of the print image, the number of plates used for printing, the number of multiple print layers of the clear layer, and the number of UV exposure multiple exposures And the like. Based on such parameters, the progress information generation unit 26 calculates the number of scans, a scan amount, a feed amount, and the like for executing an arbitrary machining command, and clarifies the time required for each in advance. Therefore, the estimated completion time of printing can be estimated successfully. The output mode from the progress status output unit 27 will be described later.

  In parallel with this, the machining command transmission unit 22 transmits the machining command to the machining unit 10 (I1) and notifies the elapsed time measurement unit 24 that the machining command has been transmitted (I2). In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the processing command may be transmitted to the processing unit 10 by transmitting all the processing data at a time for the first time or sequentially transmitting the partial data. For example, when the size (number of bytes) of the processing data is larger than the memory buffer of the processing unit 10, the processing command can be smoothly transmitted by sequentially transmitting the partial data.

  Here, for the sake of explanation, it is assumed that, as the processing command, it is instructed to perform printing processing over 10 m on the medium.

  Receiving the notification, the elapsed time measuring unit 24 starts measuring the elapsed time (S3). Further, the processing unit 10 that has received the processing command by the processing command receiving unit 11 starts the processing of the medium in the processing processing unit 12 (S4). The processing unit 12 has various processing commands, such as the number of printing passes, the resolution, the number of plates, the conveyance speed of the medium, the scanning speed, the number of multiple printing layers of the clear layer, the number of times of multiple exposure of the UV irradiation, etc. Based on the settings, media processing is performed. Thereafter, at a predetermined or arbitrary timing, the machining amount information transmission unit 13 acquires how much the machining operation based on the machining command is completed in the machining processing unit 12, and transmits the machining amount information to the control unit 20 (I3). , I6).

  In addition, since the processing speed is sufficiently slow with respect to the communication speed, it is not always necessary to transmit the processing amount information by the processing amount information transmission unit 13, for example, when a specified time has elapsed or the processing processing unit 12 may be performed at a timing such as when processing of a specified length is completed.

  As the processing amount information, for example, information indicating the length of a medium that has been processed can be used, but information indicating the progress of a processing operation (range in which processing has been completed) based on a processing command in the processing processing unit 12. If there is no particular limitation.

  The processing amount information receiving unit 23 that has received the processing amount information provides the processing amount information to the progress information generating unit 26 (I4, I7). The elapsed time measuring unit 24 notifies the progress information generating unit 26 of the elapsed time from when the machining command is transmitted to the machining unit 10 until the machining amount information is received from the machining unit 10 (I5, I8). . The progress information generation unit 26 generates progress information based on the processing amount information and the elapsed time, and the progress output unit 27 outputs the progress information (S5, S6).

  Here, in I3, the machining amount information indicating that the machining for 3 m has been completed is transmitted to the control unit 20, and in I5, it was notified that 3 minutes had passed before the machining amount information was received. Shall. At this time, in S5, the progress information generation unit 26 estimates that the remaining 7m of processing is completed in 7 minutes because the processing unit 10 has completed processing of 3m in 3 minutes, and the scheduled completion time is “7 minutes later”. The progress information indicating that is generated. The progress information generation unit 26 also generates progress information indicating that 30% of the machining has been completed since 3 m of the 10 m of machining has been completed.

  Then, the progress output unit 27 outputs the progress information generated by the progress information generating unit 26 by displaying a screen D0 as shown in FIG. That is, the character string D1 indicating the scheduled completion time is displayed, and a semi-transparent gray image D3 indicating a range (70%) where the processing is not completed is superimposed and displayed on the preview image (image representing the medium) D2. To do. Thereby, the processing completion scheduled time and the processing completion range can be presented to the user.

  In addition, in the case of processing a plurality of layers on one medium, or when performing a plurality of types of processing, the progress output unit 27 displays the processing completion range indicated by the gray image D3 on the screen D0. It is preferable to display the layer or which processing corresponds to it. For example, when color plate printing, special color plate printing, clear plate printing, and UV irradiation are performed, the type of processing and the completion state of each layer at that time are shown, as in the character string D4 in FIG. It is preferable. Thereby, in the case of multi-layer printing, the user can easily grasp which processing has been completed up to what layer even when many types of printing are performed. In the example of FIG. 3A, the character string D4 indicates that the first layer is printed out of all two layers of the clear plate.

  Note that the configuration of the screen D0 illustrated in FIG. 3A is an example, and can be appropriately modified as long as it indicates the above-described progress information. For example, the scheduled completion time may be displayed with an analog clock or the like, or the processing completion range may be displayed with a character string. A processing amount that has already been completed or an incomplete processing amount may be displayed as a character string or an image without displaying the scheduled completion time. Further, the image indicating the processing completion range is not limited to a gray image. In the above description, the progress status output unit 27 includes a display screen and displays progress information on the display screen. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and the progress status output unit 27 displays the progress information. A configuration that outputs sound, a configuration that prints on a predetermined medium, a configuration in which the progress output unit 27 transmits progress information to another information terminal or the like by wired or wireless communication, or the like may be used.

  Subsequently, the same processing is performed in S6. For example, in I6, machining amount information indicating that machining for 8 m has been completed is transmitted to the control unit 20, and in I8, it is notified that 7 minutes have passed before the machining amount information is received. Then, in S6, the progress information generation unit 26 estimates that the remaining 2m of processing is completed in 1 minute 45 seconds because the processing unit 10 has completed processing of 8m in 7 minutes, and the scheduled completion time is “1 more. Progress information indicating "45 minutes" is generated. The progress information generation unit 26 also generates progress information indicating that 80% of machining has been completed since 8 m of machining of 10 m has been completed. Then, the progress output unit 27 outputs the progress information.

  As described above, after the progress output unit 27 outputs the progress information at a predetermined or arbitrary timing, when the processing operation in the processing unit 12 is completed, finally, the processing unit 10 completes the processing in the control unit 20 Information indicating that this has been done is transmitted (I9). In response to this, the control unit 20 performs processing at the time of machining completion (S7), and notifies the elapsed time measuring unit 24 and the progress information generating unit 26 that machining has been completed (I10, I11). Receiving the notification, the progress information generation unit 26 performs processing completion processing (S8), and the elapsed time measurement unit 24 stops measuring time. The processing completion processing includes, for example, processing for presenting to the user that processing has been completed.

  Thus, in one aspect, in the medium processing system 1, for example, the user can easily grasp how far the processing operation has actually been completed in the processing unit 10 simply by confirming the output of the control unit 20. it can.

  Further, in one aspect, the media processing system 1 uses the elapsed time (actual time) of actual processing work to re-estimate the processing completion scheduled time, so that the user knows the processing completion scheduled time more accurately. Can do.

  Further, in one aspect, various processing settings are reflected in the estimated completion time, so that various settings can be performed in consideration of the processing time.

  Also, in one aspect, the user can grasp the status of multi-layer printing, etc. Therefore, even if an error occurs midway, it is possible to grasp how far the processing has been completed.

  The medium processing system 1 according to the present embodiment may be configured not to include the elapsed time measuring unit 24. Even if it is such a structure, the progress information generation part 26 can generate | occur | produce the progress information showing the process completion range successfully from process amount information. The progress information generation unit 26 can also calculate the remaining machining amount until all machining is completed from the machining amount information, so that the estimated completion time is appropriately re-estimated and a more accurate completion scheduled time is calculated. can do.

  The medium processing system 1 according to the present embodiment may be configured not to include the initial value information storage unit 25. In this case, in S2 of FIG. 2, the progress information generation unit 26 may be configured not to estimate the initial value of the scheduled completion time, or the progress information generation unit 26 may obtain the initial value of the scheduled completion time from only the machining command. You may make it estimate.

  Further, in S8 of FIG. 2, the progress information generation unit 26 associates with the processing unit 10 so as to store the actual processing time until the completion of the processing in the current processing in the initial value information storage unit 25. At the time of machining, the progress information generation unit 26 may calculate the initial value of the scheduled completion time based on the previous actual machining time stored in the initial value information storage unit 25 in S2 of FIG. .

  Further, in the medium processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, when an error occurs, the update of the screen D0 displaying the progress information may be stopped, and further, the error content and the error solution method may be displayed. . Since the progress information is displayed on the screen D0 as described above, the user can recognize the occurrence of an error and the like and can accurately grasp how far the machining operation in the machining unit 10 has been completed. .

  Further, in the medium processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, when a plurality of types of images are included in the processing command, the progress information generation unit 26 determines how many images are formed for each type of image. It may be calculated and included in the progress information. An example of the screen D0 representing such progress information will be described later.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, another embodiment (Embodiment 2) of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the processing performed by the processing unit 10 is not the printing processing as described above but a cutting processing. Hereinafter, only different parts from the first embodiment will be described, and description of similar parts will be omitted.

  The processing unit 10 in the present embodiment may be a so-called cutting plotter or a printing apparatus having a cutting function. The processing unit 10 includes a cutting tool (processing tool) for cutting.

  In the present embodiment, the machining command generated by the machining command generation unit 21 instructs to cut the medium into a predetermined shape. For example, the machining command is instructed to move the cutting tool in the vertical direction or the in-plane direction of the medium. And a command group for instructing each moving speed, a pressing pressure of the cutting tool, and the like. The processing unit 12 realizes cut processing by sequentially executing these commands.

  In addition, as the initial value information in the present embodiment, in addition to information unique to the apparatus such as the maximum scanning speed, vertical speed, apparatus tolerance (part tolerance, assembly tolerance, etc.) of the cutting tool of the machining section 10, in the machining section 10 Various settings, for example, parameters such as the scanning speed of the cutting tool can be mentioned. The progress information generation unit 26 can successfully estimate the scheduled cutting completion time based on the number of commands or data amount of the machining command and such parameters.

  In addition, the processing amount information in the present embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is information indicating the progress of processing work based on the processing command in the processing processing unit 12 (the range in which processing is completed). The amount of processing command data can be used. Since cut processing may not be performed in order along the length direction of the medium, how many processing commands, such as the above data amount, have been completed rather than the length of the medium is used as an indicator of progress. It is preferable to do.

  Then, in S5 and S6 shown in FIG. 2, the progress information generation unit 26 estimates the time required to process the remaining data from the data amount of the processing command that has been processed and the elapsed time therefor, and completes the processing. The scheduled time can be calculated. The progress information generation unit 26 can also calculate the machining completion range from the data amount of the machining command for which machining has been completed.

  The progress status output unit 27 can display the obtained progress information, for example, as in the first embodiment. That is, in the screen D0 as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the character string D1 indicating the scheduled completion time is shown, and the preview image (image representing the medium) D2 is a half indicating the range where the processing has not been completed. A transparent gray image D3 can be superimposed and displayed.

  In another aspect, the progress output unit 27 may output a screen D0 as shown in FIG. 3B, for example. In other words, the cut line D5 that has been processed can be superimposed and displayed on the preview image (image representing the medium) D2. Thereby, the processing completion range can be presented to the user in an easy-to-understand manner. Here, as described above, since the machining command is configured by the movement command of the cutting tool, the cutting line D5 can be calculated by the progress information generation unit 26 based on the machining amount information. That is, the progress information generation unit 26 can detect which command in the machining command is completed based on the machining amount information by referring to the machining command generated by the machining command generation unit 21. Then, the progress status output unit 27 can easily cut if the locus of movement of the cutting tool in contact with the medium is drawn on the screen D0 based on the command generated by the processing command generation unit 21. Line D5 can be output. In still another aspect, the progress output unit 27 processes the movement trajectory of the cutting tool in a state where the cutting tool is in contact with the medium without referring to the command generated by the processing command generation unit 21. It may be acquired from the unit 10 and the locus of the movement may be drawn on the screen D0.

  Further, as in the first embodiment, when a plurality of types of images are included in the processing command, the progress information generation unit 26 calculates how many images are formed for each type of image, and the progress information May be included. An example of the display of the progress information generated in this way is shown in a character string D6 in FIG.

(Modification)
In the embodiment of the present invention, the processing performed by the processing unit 10 is not limited to printing processing and cutting processing, and may be general processing performed on a medium. The processing unit 10 may perform, for example, cutting using an end mill or the like, ruled processing, and the like.

(Program and recording medium)
Finally, in each embodiment, each block of the control unit 20 may be realized by hardware by a logic circuit formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip), or using a CPU (Central Processing Unit). It may be realized by software.

  In the latter case, the control unit 20 includes a CPU that executes instructions of a program that realizes each function, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that expands the program, the program, and various types of programs. A storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing data is provided. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium in which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the control unit 20 that is software that realizes the above-described functions is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. This can also be achieved by supplying to the control unit 20 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include tapes such as magnetic tapes and cassette tapes, magnetic disks such as floppy (registered trademark) disks / hard disks, and disks including optical disks such as CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. IC cards (including memory cards) / optical cards, semiconductor memories such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM, PLD (Programmable logic device), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc. Logic circuits can be used.

  The control unit 20 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited as long as it can transmit the program code. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication network, and the like can be used. The transmission medium constituting the communication network may be any medium that can transmit the program code, and is not limited to a specific configuration or type. For example, even with wired lines such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, and ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) line, infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE 802.11 wireless, HDR ( It can also be used by radio such as High Data Rate (NFC), Near Field Communication (NFC), Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), mobile phone network, satellite line, and digital terrestrial network.

<Additional notes>
As described above, the medium processing system 1 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment controls the processing unit 10 that processes the medium and the processing command for causing the processing unit 10 to perform desired processing. The processing unit 10 is configured to transmit processing amount information representing a quantity already completed in processing based on the processing command to the control unit 20, and the control unit 20 includes the processing unit 10. The progress information generating unit (progress information generating unit) 26 that generates progress information indicating the progress status of the desired processing from the processing amount information received from the process, and the progress status that outputs the progress information generated by the progress information generating unit 26 And an output unit (progress status output means) 27.

  According to the above configuration, the processing unit 10 transmits to the control unit 20 processing amount information indicating the amount of processing work already completed in the processing unit 10, in other words, information indicating how much processing work has been completed. It is like that. Thereby, the progress information generation unit 26 of the control unit 20 can generate progress information that accurately represents the progress status of the machining operation in the processing unit 10 based on the processing amount information. The progress information can be output. Thus, since the control part 20 can produce | generate the information shown to a user based on the progress of an actual process, even if the difference for every system and the dispersion | variation for every apparatus are large, an exact progress condition is shown. Can be presented.

  Therefore, according to said structure, the progress in the process part 10 can be correctly shown with respect to a user.

  In the medium processing system 1 according to the first and second embodiments, the progress information includes the scheduled completion time of the desired processing, the processing amount that has already been completed in the desired processing, and the processing amount that has not been completed in the desired processing. It includes information representing at least one of them.

  According to said structure, the progress in the process part 10 can be shown in a form useful for a user.

  In the medium processing system 1 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the control unit 20 measures the elapsed time from when the processing command is transmitted to the processing unit 10 until the processing amount information is received from the processing unit 10. The measuring unit (elapsed time measuring means) 24 is provided, and the progress information generating unit 26 calculates and calculates the expected completion time of the desired machining from the elapsed time and machining amount information measured by the elapsed time measuring unit 24. Progress information including information indicating the scheduled completion time of the desired machining is generated.

  According to said structure, the progress information generation part 26 produces | generates progress information from process part information and elapsed time. That is, since the progress information generating unit 26 is provided with information indicating how much machining work has been completed and information indicating how much time has elapsed for that purpose, the processing completion scheduled time can be easily set. Can be estimated. Thus, since the control unit 20 can calculate the scheduled completion time based on the performance of the machining operation, even if the variation for each device, the type of machining, the type of medium, various settings, etc. change, It is possible to calculate more accurately how much time is required to perform the remaining machining operations.

  Therefore, according to said structure, the more exact process completion scheduled time can be shown with respect to a user.

  In the medium processing system 1 according to the first and second embodiments, the control unit 20 includes an initial value information storage unit (initial value information storage unit) 25 that stores in advance initial value information associated with the processing unit 10. The progress information generation unit 26 includes the desired value based on the initial value information associated with the processing unit 10 stored in advance in the initial value information storage unit 25 before receiving the processing amount information from the processing unit 10. The scheduled completion time of the machining is calculated, and progress information including information indicating the calculated scheduled completion time of the desired machining is generated.

  According to said structure, the control part 20 can calculate the completion time of a process based on the initial value information linked | related with the process part 10. FIG. The time required for various processes constituting the desired process varies depending on the apparatus configuration of the processing unit 10, various processing settings in the processing unit 10, and the like. For example, when performing printing, the number of printing passes, resolution, number of plates, medium conveyance speed, scanning speed, etc. When performing cutting, the thickness of the medium, the moving speed of the cutting tool The vertical movement time of the tool is a main parameter, and the time required for machining changes. According to the above configuration, since these parameters can be stored in the initial value information storage unit 25 as initial value information in association with the processing unit, the control unit 20 allows the processing unit 10 to store the processing information. Even before transmission to the control unit 20, it is possible to calculate a reasonable scheduled completion time reflecting the parameter.

  Therefore, according to said structure, even if it is before the process part 10 transmits process part information to the control part 20, it can show an appropriate process completion scheduled time with respect to a user.

  In the medium processing system 1 according to the first embodiment, the processing amount information includes information indicating the length of the medium processed based on the processing command.

  According to the above configuration, the processing unit 10 transmits the length of the medium that has been processed to the control unit 20 as processing amount information. Thereby, the control unit 20 can present progress information that more appropriately reflects the progress of the machining operation to the user. In particular, since printing processing and the like are performed in order along the length direction of the medium, according to the above configuration, the progress of the processing work can be more appropriately represented.

  In the medium processing system 1 according to the second embodiment, the processing command includes data of an arbitrary size, and the processing amount information includes information indicating the size of data that has been processed correspondingly in the processing command.

  According to said structure, the process part 10 transmits the data size of the process command which process was completed to the control part 20 as process amount information. Thereby, the control unit 20 can present progress information that more appropriately reflects the progress of the machining operation to the user. In particular, since cut processing or the like may not be performed in order along the length direction of the medium, it is preferable to use as an index of progress how many processing commands are completed rather than the length of the medium. Therefore, according to said structure, the progress of a machining operation can be represented more appropriately.

  In the medium processing system according to the second embodiment, the processing command includes a command for instructing cutting of the medium, and the progress information generation unit 26 has completed cutting on the medium from the processing amount information received from the processing unit 10. The cutting line may be calculated, and the progress output unit 27 may output the cutting line superimposed on the image representing the medium.

  According to the above configuration, the progress information generating unit 26 can calculate a cutting line that has been cut on the medium, and the progress output unit 27 can output the superimposed cutting line on the image representing the medium. . Thereby, regarding the cutting process, the progress status in the processing unit 10 can be more suitably presented to the user.

  In the medium processing method according to the first and second embodiments, the control unit 20 transmits a processing command for causing the processing unit 10 that processes the medium to perform a desired processing, and the processing unit 10 , A process of transmitting machining amount information representing a quantity already completed in machining based on the machining command to the control unit 20, and the control unit 20 from the machining amount information received from the machining unit 10, the progress status of the desired machining. Generating progress information to be output, and outputting the generated progress information.

  According to said method, there exists an effect equivalent to the medium processing system 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2. FIG.

  Moreover, it is a program for operating the control part 20 of the medium processing system 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, Comprising: The program which implement | achieves the function of said each means in a computer, and the computer which recorded this program are readable Such a recording medium is also included in the category of the first and second embodiments.

  A control unit (medium processing control device) 20 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment is a medium processing control device of a processing unit (medium processing device) 10 that processes a medium. A machining command transmission unit (machining command transmission means) 22 for transmitting a machining command for performing machining, and a machining amount information for receiving machining amount information representing a quantity already completed in machining based on the machining command from the machining unit 10. A progress information generating unit (progress information generating unit) that generates progress information indicating the progress status of the desired processing from the receiving unit (processing amount information receiving unit) 23 and the processing amount information received by the processing amount information receiving unit 23. 26 and a progress status output unit (progress information output means) 27 for outputting the progress information generated by the progress information generating unit 26.

  According to the above configuration, the progress information generation unit 26 of the control unit 20 is based on the processing amount information received from the processing unit 10, in other words, information indicating how much processing work has been completed in the processing unit 10. Since the progress information that accurately represents the progress status of the machining operation in the processing unit 10 can be generated, and the progress status output unit 27 can output the progress information, the medium according to the first and second embodiments. The same effect as the processing system 1 is achieved.

  A processing unit (medium processing device) 10 according to the first and second embodiments is a medium processing device that processes a medium based on a processing command, and a control unit (medium processing control device) 20 that controls the processing unit 10. From the machining command receiving unit (machining command receiving means) 11 that receives the machining command, and the control unit 20, machining amount information that indicates the amount already completed in machining based on the machining command received by the machining command receiving unit 11 is provided. A processing amount information transmitting unit (processing amount information transmitting means) 13 for transmission.

  According to the above configuration, the processing unit 10 transmits to the control unit 20 processing amount information indicating the amount of processing work already completed in the processing unit 10, in other words, information indicating how much processing work has been completed. Thus, the same effects as those of the medium processing system 1 according to the first and second embodiments can be obtained.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be suitably used in the field of manufacturing a medium processing system for processing a medium.

1 Media processing system 10 Processing section (Media processing equipment)
11 Processing command receiving part (processing command receiving means)
12 processing unit 13 processing amount information transmission unit (processing amount information transmission means)
20 control unit (medium processing control device)
21 machining command generation unit 22 machining command transmission unit (machining command transmission means)
23 Processing amount information receiving unit (processing amount information receiving means)
24 Elapsed time measurement unit (Elapsed time measurement means)
25 Initial value information storage unit (initial value information storage means)
26 progress information generation unit (progress information generation means)
27 progress output section (progress status output means)
D0 screen D2 Preview image (image representing the medium)
D5 cutting line

Claims (8)

A processing section for processing the medium;
A control unit that transmits a processing command for causing the processing unit to perform a desired processing, and
The machining unit is configured to transmit machining amount information representing a quantity already completed in machining based on the machining command to the control unit,
The control unit
Progress information generating means for generating progress information representing the progress status of the desired processing from the processing amount information received from the processing unit;
A medium processing system comprising: progress status output means for outputting the progress information generated by the progress information generating means.   The progress information includes information indicating at least one of a scheduled completion time of the desired machining, a machining amount already completed in the desired machining, and an unfinished machining amount in the desired machining. The medium processing system according to claim 1. The control unit includes an elapsed time measuring unit that measures an elapsed time from when the machining command is transmitted to the machining unit until the machining amount information is received from the machining unit,
The progress information generation means calculates the expected completion time of the desired machining from the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measurement means and the machining amount information, and represents information indicating the calculated expected completion time of the machining. The medium processing system according to claim 1, wherein the progress information is generated. The control unit includes initial value information storage means for storing in advance initial value information associated with the processing unit,
The progress information generating means, before receiving the processing amount information from the processing section, based on initial value information associated with the processing section stored in advance in the initial value information storage means, for the desired processing. The medium processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a scheduled completion time is calculated, and the progress information including information indicating the calculated estimated completion time of the desired processing is generated.   The medium processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processing amount information includes information indicating a length of the medium processed based on the processing command. The above processing command consists of data of any size,
6. The medium processing system according to claim 1, wherein the processing amount information includes information indicating a size of data for which the corresponding processing is completed among the processing instructions. A step in which the control unit transmits a processing command for causing the processing unit that processes the medium to perform a desired processing;
A step of transmitting, to the control unit, machining amount information indicating a quantity already completed in machining based on the machining command;
The control unit includes a step of generating progress information representing the progress status of the desired processing from the processing amount information received from the processing unit, and outputting the generated progress information. A method for processing a medium.   A medium processing control program for causing a computer to operate as a control unit included in the medium processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the computer functions as each unit included in the control unit. Medium processing control program for

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