JP2017013295A - Printer, notification method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer, a notification method, and a program which allow a user to perform scanning at a proper scanning speed.SOLUTION: A label printer 100 comprises: a printing unit 140; a printing control unit 111; a distance and speed acquisition unit 113; and a notification unit 114. The printing unit 140 has printing elements for printing dots arrayed linearly toward the main-scanning direction, and is scanned manually by a user toward the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main-scanning direction to print the image being a printing object to a printing medium R. The printing control unit 111 causes the printing unit 140 to perform the operation of printing one dot line of the image being the printing object when the printing unit 140 is scanned by a width of one dot toward the sub-scanning direction. The distance and speed acquisition unit 113 acquires the scan distance and the scan speed in and at which the printing unit 140 is scanned toward the sub-scanning direction. The notification unit 114 notifies of information in accordance with the level relation between the target speed at which the user scans the printing unit 140 and the scan speed acquired by the distance and speed acquisition unit 113.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a notification method, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Manual printing apparatuses that print on a print medium by manually scanning the print medium are known. In the manual printing apparatus, printing is performed by a thermal head thermally transferring ink of an ink ribbon to a printing medium according to a scanning distance. Such a manual printing apparatus is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-35028

  If the scanning speed of the manual printing apparatus is too high, the thermal head cannot sufficiently generate heat, so that the ink on the ink ribbon cannot be sufficiently transferred, and printing is faint. In addition, if the scanning speed is too slow, there is a problem that the heat transferred from the thermal head to the ink ribbon or the print medium becomes excessive and the printing quality is deteriorated. Further, it is necessary for the user to adjust the scanning speed of the manual printing apparatus with his / her own sense, and it is not easy to scan while maintaining an appropriate scanning speed.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a printing apparatus, a notification method, and a program that allow a user to scan at an appropriate scanning speed.

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, an aspect of the printing apparatus according to the present invention is:
Printing means that is manually scanned by a user in the sub-scanning direction and prints an image to be printed on a print medium;
Speed acquisition means for acquiring a scanning speed scanned by the printing means in the sub-scanning direction;
Informing means for informing the user of information before or during printing of the image according to a height relationship between a target speed at which the user scans the printing means and the scanning speed acquired by the speed acquisition means;
Comprising
It is characterized by that.

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, an aspect of the notification method according to the present invention is as follows:
A notification method for notifying a user of a scanning speed for scanning a printing unit that is manually scanned by a user in a sub-scanning direction and prints an image to be printed on a print medium,
A speed acquisition step of acquiring the scanning speed scanned by the printing unit in the sub-scanning direction;
A notification step of notifying the user of information before or during printing of the image according to a height relationship between a target speed at which the user scans the printing unit and the scanning speed acquired in the speed acquisition step;
Comprising
It is characterized by that.

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, an aspect of the program according to the present invention is as follows:
A computer that controls a printing apparatus including printing means that is manually scanned by a user in a sub-scanning direction and prints an image to be printed on a print medium;
Speed acquisition means for acquiring a scanning speed scanned by the printing means in the sub-scanning direction;
Informing means for informing the user of information before or during printing of the image according to a height relationship between a target speed at which the user scans the printing means and the scanning speed acquired by the speed acquisition means;
Function as
It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus, a notification method, and a program that allow a user to scan at an appropriate scanning speed.

It is a figure which shows the handy printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the handy printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (B) is a bottom view which shows the handy printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the handy printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the printing process which the handy printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention performs. (A) is a figure which shows the image of printing object, (B) is a figure which shows the graph of target speed. It is a figure which shows the display of the display of the handy printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the graph of target speed. (A) is a figure which shows the image of printing object, (B) is a figure which shows the graph of target speed. (A) is a figure which shows the image of printing object, (B) is a figure which shows the graph of target speed. It is a figure which shows the display of the indicator of the handy printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) is a figure which shows the image of printing object, (B) is a figure which shows the graph of target speed. (A) is a figure which shows the image of printing object, (B) is a figure which shows the graph of target speed. It is a figure which shows the display of the display of the handy printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, a handy printer (printing apparatus) according to an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 101 of the handy printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a quadrangular prism shape that is easy for a user to hold. When the user holds the handy printer 100 and scans the print medium R in the sub-scanning direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 1 while bringing the roller 161 and the thermal head 141 into contact with each other, the print target image is printed on the print medium R. Is done.

  A display 150 for notifying the user of the scanning speed is provided on the upper surface of the housing 101, and a start button 131 for starting printing is provided on the side surface of the housing 101.

  A printing unit 140 is provided at the lower portion of the housing 101 as shown in FIG. The printing unit 140 includes a thermal head 141 and an ink ribbon 143 stored in the cartridge 142. The ink ribbon 143 is stretched over the thermal head 141, sent out from the reel 145a according to the scanning distance, and taken up on the reel 145b. At the tip of the thermal head 141, as shown in FIG. 2B, minute heating elements 144 are provided in a line in the main scanning direction. The main scanning direction is orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction. The minute heating element 144 is selectively heated by energization corresponding to the image to be printed.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 2B, a traveling roller 161 is provided at the lower end of the housing 101 of the handy printer 100. A rotary encoder 160 is fixed to the shaft of the roller 161. The rotary encoder 160 is a sensor that detects the rotation speed and rotation speed of the roller 161. In addition, a communication unit 120 that communicates with an external communication terminal is provided on the top of the housing 101. Below the communication unit 120, a control unit 110 that controls the printing operation of the thermal head 141, the display operation of the display 150, and the like is provided. Under the control unit 110, a power supply unit 190 that supplies power to the thermal head 141, the display 150, and the like is provided.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the handy printer 100 has an electrical configuration including a control unit 110 in addition to the communication unit 120, the printing unit 140, the display 150, and the rotary encoder 160 described above. An input unit 130, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 170, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 180 are provided.

  The control unit 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The control unit 110 implements the functions of the handy printer 100 by executing software processing according to a program stored in the ROM 170. With such a configuration, the control unit 110 functions as the print control unit 111, the speed setting unit 112, the distance / speed acquisition unit 113, and the notification unit 114.

  When the thermal head 141 is scanned a distance corresponding to the diameter of one dot in the sub-scanning direction, the print control unit 111 is a line of one pixel arranged in a line in the main scanning direction of the image to be printed. The thermal head 141 is caused to perform an operation for printing one dot line. The print control unit 111 functions as a print control unit.

  The speed setting unit 112 sets a target speed at which the thermal head 141 is scanned over the print medium R. The target speed is an appropriate speed at which the thermal head 141 is scanned, and is set based on the printing rate of the image to be printed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, the speed setting unit 112 divides an image to be printed into a plurality of blocks divided by a distance DL in the sub-scanning direction, and generates minute heat for each block. A printing rate obtained by dividing the number of pixels that generate heat by the body 144 by the number of pixels in the block is calculated, and a target speed is set for each block based on the printing rate. A target speed for printing a block having a printing rate equal to or higher than the first reference value is set to the low speed mode. As a result, the amount of energy applied to the thermal head 141 per line can be reduced, the power capacity of the power source that supplies heat energy to the thermal head 141 can be kept small, and the density level that can be printed out by the thermal head 141. Can be increased. In addition, the target speed when printing a block whose printing rate is less than the first reference value and greater than or equal to the second reference value smaller than the first reference value is set to the medium speed mode faster than the low speed mode. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid a decrease in printing speed while reducing the amount of energy applied to the thermal head 141 per line. In addition, the target speed when printing a block whose printing rate is less than the second reference value is set to a high speed mode faster than the medium speed mode. This avoids a decrease in printing speed, so that an image to be printed can be printed efficiently. Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously reduce the capacity and size of the power source and optimize the printing speed. The target speed in the high speed mode is, for example, 30 mm / second, the target speed in the medium speed mode is, for example, 20 mm / second, and the target speed in the low speed mode is, for example, 15 mm / second. The speed setting unit 112 functions as target speed setting means.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the distance / speed acquisition unit 113 acquires the scanning distance and the scanning speed at which the thermal head 141 is scanned. Specifically, the distance / speed acquisition unit 113 acquires the rotation speed and the rotation speed output from the rotary encoder 160, and calculates and acquires the scanning distance from the rotation speed. Further, the scanning speed is calculated from the rotation speed and obtained. Further, the distance / speed acquisition unit 113 functions as a speed acquisition unit.

  The notification unit 114 informs the user before or during printing of the image to be printed according to the height relationship between the target speed set by the speed setting unit 112 and the scanning speed acquired by the distance / speed acquisition unit 113. Inform. Specifically, the notification unit 114 displays a target speed and a scanning speed on the display 150 as information. In addition, the notification unit 114 functions as a notification unit.

  The communication unit 120 is for receiving data to be printed. The communication unit 120 is not particularly limited as long as it can receive data to be printed from a portable information terminal or a personal computer, for example. Specifically, the communication unit 120 performs communication based on standards such as IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) and IEEE 802.15.1 (Bluetooth (registered trademark)), for example.

  The input unit 130 receives information for operating the handy printer 100. For example, an instruction to start printing is received from the start button 131.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the printing unit 140 includes the thermal head 141, the cartridge 142, and the ink ribbon 143 stored in the cartridge 142. Based on the control of the print control unit 111, the printing unit 140 energizes the minute heating element 144 provided in the thermal head 141 according to the print data, and selectively heats the minute heating element 144. The heated minute heating element 144 melts the ink of the ink ribbon 143 and transfers it to the printing medium R, and pixels (one dot line) arranged in a line in the main scanning direction of the thermal head 141 are printed. . The printing unit 140 functions as a printing unit, and the minute heating element 144 functions as a printing element.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the above-described display 150 is a display device that displays information according to the level relationship between the target speed and the scanning speed, and specifically includes a liquid crystal display.

  The rotary encoder 160 detects the rotation speed and rotation speed of the roller 161 and outputs the detected rotation speed and rotation speed to the distance / speed acquisition unit 113.

  The ROM 170 is composed of a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, and stores programs for the control unit 110 to realize various functions as described above. In addition, the ROM 170 stores the distance DL in the sub-scanning direction of the block when the image to be printed is divided into blocks, the target speed in the high speed mode, the target speed in the medium speed mode, the target speed in the low speed mode, and the print rate. Data such as a reference value of 1 and a second reference value of the printing rate are stored. Details of these data will be described later. The RAM 180 is composed of a volatile memory, and is used as a work area for executing programs for the control unit 110 to perform various processes. The RAM 180 stores data to be printed, a scanning distance, and the like.

  Next, a case where the user prints using the handy printer 100 will be described. The user transmits data to be printed to the handy printer 100 in advance from a portable information terminal or the like. In the handy printer 100, the communication unit 120 receives data to be printed and stores it in the RAM 180. When the print target data to be printed is stored in the RAM 180 and the start button 131 is pressed by the user, the control unit 110 starts the printing process shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the printing process executed by the control unit 110 will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  The distance / speed acquisition unit 113 resets the scanning distance stored in the RAM 180 (step S101). The speed setting unit 112 sets a target speed for printing an image to be printed (step S102). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, an image to be printed is divided into a plurality of blocks divided by a distance DL in the sub-scanning direction, and the minute heating element 144 is caused to generate heat for each block. A printing rate obtained by dividing the number of pixels by the number of pixels in the block is calculated, and a target speed is set for each block based on the printing rate. A target speed for printing a block having a printing rate equal to or higher than the first reference value is set to the low speed mode. The target speed of the block whose printing rate is less than the first reference value and greater than or equal to the second reference value is set to the medium speed mode. The target speed of the block whose printing rate is less than the second reference value is set to the high speed mode.

  Next, the distance / speed acquisition unit 113 acquires a scanning distance and a scanning speed at which the thermal head 141 is scanned after the start button 131 is pressed (step S103). Specifically, the distance / speed acquisition unit 113 acquires the rotation speed and the rotation speed output from the rotary encoder 160, and calculates and acquires the operation distance from the rotation speed. Further, the scanning speed is calculated from the rotation speed and obtained. The distance / speed acquisition unit 113 stores the scanning distance in the RAM 180.

  Next, the notification unit 114 updates the display on the display 150 (step S104). Specifically, the target speed set by the speed setting unit 112 and the scanning speed acquired by the distance / speed acquisition unit 113 are displayed on the display 150 before or during printing of the image to be printed. Specifically, it is determined which block is currently printed, and the target speed of the block or the next block and the scanning speed acquired in step S103 are displayed. Thereby, the user can recognize whether the scanning speed is faster or slower than the target speed by looking at the display on the display 150. As a result, the user increases the scanning speed when the scanning speed is lower than the target speed, and decreases the scanning speed when the scanning speed is higher than the target speed. Thus, the user can easily adjust the scanning speed of the thermal head 141 to the target speed.

  Next, after the start button 131 is pressed, or the printing control unit 111 updates data for one line in step S107 described later, the scanning distance scanned by the thermal head 141 corresponds to the diameter of one dot. It is determined whether or not the distance has been exceeded (step S105).

  If the scanned scanning distance does not exceed the distance of one dot (step S105; No), the print control unit 111 creates one line of print data to be printed next (step S106). One line of print data is data of pixels arranged in a line in the main scanning direction.

  If the scanned scanning distance exceeds the width of one dot (step S105; Yes), the print control unit 111 updates the print data that the printing unit 140 performs line printing to the next one-dot line print data (step S105). S107). The printing unit 140 energizes the minute heating element 144 based on the print data, and selectively heats the minute heating element 144. The minute heating element 144 transfers the ink of the ink ribbon 143 to the printing medium R, and pixels (one dot line) arranged in a line in the main scanning direction of the thermal head 141 are printed on the printing medium R.

  Next, the control unit 110 determines whether or not printing of all images to be printed has been completed (step S108). Specifically, if the image to be printed has been printed to the end, it is determined that printing has been completed.

  If it is determined that printing has not ended (step S108; No), the process returns to step S103, and the distance / speed acquisition unit 113 performs a process of acquiring a scanning distance and a scanning speed. As described above, the control unit 110 repeatedly executes the processes in steps S103 to S107 until the printing of the image to be printed is completed. Thus, when the handy printer 100 is printing an image to be printed, the user can print the image to be printed before or during printing depending on the level relationship between the scanning speed displayed on the display 150 and the target speed. Thus, the user can easily adjust the scanning speed of the handy printer 100 to the target speed. As a result, the user can scan the handy printer 100 at a target speed, which is an appropriate scanning speed, and can prevent printing from becoming defective due to the scanning speed being too fast or too slow.

  If it is determined that the printing has been completed (step S108; Yes), a printing end process is performed (step S109). Specifically, the printing is finished, and the fact that the printing is finished is displayed on the display 150. Thereafter, the printing process is terminated.

  Next, a printing process executed by the handy printer 100 according to the present embodiment will be described based on a specific example with reference to the drawings.

  A case where the handy printer 100 prints an image to be printed shown in FIG. First, the handy printer 100 starts print processing when data to be printed is selected and the start button 131 is pressed by a user operation. When the handy printer 100 starts the printing process, the distance / speed acquisition unit 113 resets the scanning distance stored in the RAM 180 (step S101; FIG. 4). The speed setting unit 112 sets a target speed (step S102; FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 5A, the target speed is a pixel in which an image to be printed is divided into a plurality of blocks divided by a distance DL in the sub-scanning direction, and the minute heating element 144 generates heat for each block. The printing rate is calculated by dividing the number of pixels by the number of pixels of the block, and the target speed is set for each block based on the printing rate. A target speed for printing a block having a printing rate equal to or higher than the first reference value is set to the low speed mode. Assume that the speed setting unit 112 sets the target speed for printing a part (black square part) where the printing rate of the image to be printed is equal to or higher than the first reference value to the low speed mode. Further, the target speed when printing a portion (“ABC” portion) in which the printing rate of the image to be printed is less than the first reference value and is equal to or higher than the second reference value lower than the first reference value. Is set to medium speed mode. Further, it is assumed that the target speed for printing a portion (blank portion) where the printing rate of the image to be printed is less than the second reference value is set to the high speed mode. The target speed set by the speed setting unit 112 is shown in the graph of FIG.

  Next, the distance / speed acquisition unit 113 acquires the scanning distance and the scanning speed at which the thermal head 141 is scanned (step S103; FIG. 4). Next, the notification unit 114 causes the display 150 to display the target speed and the scanning speed before or during printing of the image to be printed (step S104; FIG. 4). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the notification unit 114 displays the target speed and the scanning speed on the display 150 with vertical lines. The vertical line indicating the scanning speed is displayed forward in the sub-scanning direction as the scanning speed is high, and is displayed backward in the sub-scanning direction as the scanning speed is low. The display of FIG. 6 indicates that the scanning speed is faster than the target speed. The user who sees this display can easily adjust the scanning speed of the thermal head 141 to the target speed (appropriate scanning speed) by reducing the scanning speed to approach the target speed. Further, the display of FIG. 6 is displayed while scrolling the image to be printed. A vertical line at the current position indicates a dot line printed by the thermal head 141.

  Next, the print control unit 111 determines whether or not the scanned scanning distance exceeds the distance of one dot (step S105; FIG. 4). When the scanned scanning distance does not exceed the width of one dot (step S105; No; FIG. 4), the print control unit 111 creates print data to be printed next (step S106; FIG. 4).

  When the scanned scanning distance exceeds the width of one dot (step S105; Yes; FIG. 4), the print control unit 111 updates the print data that the printing unit 140 performs line printing to the next one line of print data. (Step S107; FIG. 4). The printing unit 140 energizes the minute heating element 144 based on the print data and selectively heats it. The minute heating element 144 melts the ink of the ink ribbon 143 and transfers it to the printing medium R, and pixels (one dot line) arranged in a line in the main scanning direction of the thermal head 141 are printed on the printing medium R. The

  Next, the control unit 110 determines whether or not the image to be printed has been printed to the end (step S108; FIG. 4). When it is determined that the image to be printed has been printed to the end (step S108; Yes; FIG. 4), a print end process is performed (step S109; FIG. 4). When it is determined that the image to be printed has not been printed to the end (Step S108; No; FIG. 4), the scanning speed is acquired (Step S103; FIG. 4), and the acquired scanning speed is displayed on the display 150 (Step S108). S104: FIG. 4), the process of creating the print data or updating the print data is repeated. The handy printer 100 prints an image to be printed on the print medium R by repeating the processing of step S103 to step S108.

  In this way, when printing the print content on the print medium R, the handy printer 100 displays information on the display 150 before or during printing of the image to be printed, depending on the level relationship between the target speed and the scanning speed. Thus, the user can adjust the scanning speed to approach the target speed while viewing the display 150. As a result, it is possible to prevent the printing from becoming defective due to the scanning speed being too fast or too slow. Further, the handy printer 100 sets the target speed to the low speed mode for the portion of the printing rate that is equal to or higher than the first reference value, thereby suppressing the power capacity of the power supplied to the thermal head 141 as much as possible and The density level that can be printed by the head 141 can be increased. Further, in a portion where the printing rate is less than the first reference value and is equal to or higher than the second reference value which is lower than the first reference value, a printable density level is set by setting the target speed to the medium speed mode. It is possible to avoid a decrease in printing speed while increasing the printing speed. In a portion where the printing rate is less than the second reference value, it is possible to print at a high speed by setting the target speed to the high speed mode, so that an image to be printed can be printed efficiently.

(Modification)
The handy printer 100 according to the above-described embodiment may further include a prediction unit that predicts the scanning speed scanned by the user from the time-series change in the scanning speed acquired by the distance / speed acquisition unit 113. If the scanning speed is predicted to deviate from the target speed by predicting the scanning speed, the notification unit 114 can notify a message or the like that warns the user. For example, the prediction unit stores the scanning speed acquired by the distance / speed acquisition unit 113 in the RAM 180 at regular time intervals (several milliseconds). The prediction unit approximates the scanning speed stored a certain time before (for example, several seconds) from the current time by a function such as a linear function, and predicts the scanning speed by extrapolating this function. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the handy printer 100 is scanned while the scanning speed is increasing, the prediction unit approximates a linear function to a scanning speed a certain time before the current time, and scans from the linear function. The speed is predicted to be even greater as indicated by the dotted line. The notification unit 114 may notify information for guiding the speed at which the thermal head 141 is scanned to the target speed based on the scanning speed and the target speed predicted by the prediction unit. The information for guiding to the target speed includes, for example, blinking a display indicating the target speed. The prediction unit functions as a prediction unit.

  Moreover, you may provide the 1st target speed update part which changes a target speed based on the scanning speed which the estimation part estimated. When the scanning speed predicted by the prediction unit is predicted to deviate from the target speed, it is possible to prevent the scanning speed from deviating from the target speed by updating the target speed. For example, when the scanning speed predicted by the prediction unit is faster than the target speed by a certain speed or more, the target speed is slowed down. When the target speed is slower than the constant speed, the target speed is fastened. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, when the predicted scanning speed is larger than the target speed and the deviation is predicted to increase, the target speed is changed to be smaller (the changed target speed in FIG. 7). To do. By changing the target speed, the user is notified of an increase in the difference between the scanning speed and the target speed, thereby prompting the user to bring the scanning speed closer to the target speed. The first target speed update unit functions as first target speed update means.

  Further, although the handy printer 100 of the above-described embodiment does not set the target speed based on the temperature of the thermal head 141, the speed setting unit 112 predicts a change in the temperature of the thermal head 141 and sets the target speed. It may be set. Since the temperature of the thermal head 141 is low immediately after the operation is started, printing is faint when the scanning speed is increased. However, the temperature becomes high after operating for a certain period of time, and printing is not faint even if the scanning speed is increased. When the blocks of the image to be printed with a high printing rate are continuous, the first predetermined block (for example, 3 blocks) is set to a target speed slower by predicting that the temperature of the thermal head 141 is low, and is next to the predetermined block. From this block (fourth block), the temperature of the thermal head 141 may be predicted to increase, and the target speed may be set higher. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, when printing an image to be printed with a high printing rate, the first three blocks are set to the low speed mode as shown in FIG. 8B. The medium speed mode is set from the fourth block.

  In addition, the handy printer 100 includes a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the thermal head 141, and a second target speed update unit that increases the target speed when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or higher than a reference value. You may prepare. When the temperature of the thermal head 141 is increased, when printing a block with a high printing rate, printing does not fade even if the scanning speed is increased. For this reason, printing can be performed in a short time by increasing the target speed when the temperature of the thermal head 141 exceeds the reference value. Specifically, when the image to be printed illustrated in FIG. 9A is printed, the speed setting unit 112, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, displays the solid line illustrated in the graph, as in the above-described embodiment. Set the target speed to low speed mode. Next, while the thermal head 141 is printing an image to be printed, the temperature detection unit detects the temperature of the thermal head 141. The second target speed update unit changes the target speed to the target speed in the medium speed mode indicated by the dotted line shown in the graph when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit becomes equal to or higher than the reference value. As described above, since the handy printer 100 further includes the temperature detection unit, an optimum target speed can be set according to the temperature of the thermal head 141. The temperature detection unit functions as a temperature detection unit, and the second target speed update unit functions as a second target speed update unit.

  In addition, the notification unit 114 displays the target speed and the scanning speed on the display 150 before or during the printing of the image to be printed, but as shown in FIG. 10, the relationship between the target speed and the scanning speed is high or low. Accordingly, information may be displayed by an LED indicator before or during printing of the image to be printed. In this case, as information, when the scanning speed matches the target speed, the middle LED is lit, and when the scanning speed is faster than the target speed, the right LED (Light Emitting Diode) is lit and the scanning speed is If it is slower than the target speed, the left LED lights. Further, the notification unit 114 may notify the information before printing or during printing of the image to be printed according to the height relationship between the target speed and the scanning speed by voice from a speaker or the like.

  The speed setting unit 112 may set the target speed based on the required resolution of the image to be printed. The scanning speed of the thermal head 141 is generally slower, and printing can be performed with higher resolution. For this reason, set the target speed for blocks that require high resolution to the low speed mode, set the target speed for blocks that want to achieve both resolution and printing speed to the medium speed mode, and set the print speed to priority over the resolution. Set the target speed to high speed mode. Specifically, the speed setting unit 112 sets a target speed based on conditions stored in advance in the ROM 170. For example, the speed setting unit 112 sets the target speed to the low speed mode for blocks such as characters having a font size of 9 points or less, high resolution photos, and dot pattern images such as QR codes (registered trademark). The speed setting unit 112 sets the target speed to the medium speed mode for blocks such as characters having a font size of 10 to 20 points and low resolution photos. The speed setting unit 112 sets the target speed to the low speed mode for blocks such as characters having a font size of 21 points or more.

  When printing the image to be printed shown in FIG. 11A, as shown in FIG. 11B, the target speed of the block of “ABC company” having a large font size (for example, 24 points) is set to the high-speed mode. Is set. When the font size of the character is greater than or equal to a certain level, setting the high-speed mode avoids a decrease in printing speed, so that an image to be printed can be printed efficiently. The target speed of the block whose font size is small (for example, 12 points) “please see here for the access map” is set to the medium speed mode. As a result, it is possible to avoid a decrease in printing speed while ensuring the resolution and suppressing the occurrence of problems such as the characters being crushed and becoming unreadable. The target speed of the two-dimensional barcode block is set to the low speed mode. As a result, since printing is performed at a high resolution, it is possible to prevent the two-dimensional barcode dot from being crushed.

  Further, the speed setting unit 112 may set a target speed having a width. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the speed setting unit 112 sets an upper limit of the target speed and a lower limit of the target speed. For example, a value obtained by adding a fixed rate (for example, 20%) to the target speed set by the handy printer 100 of the above-described embodiment is set as the upper limit of the target speed, and a value obtained by subtracting the fixed rate (for example, 20%) of the target speed is obtained. The lower limit of the target speed. As shown in FIG. 13, the notification unit 114 displays the set upper limit of the target speed, the lower limit of the target speed, and the scanning speed on the display 150 before or during printing of the image to be printed. In this way, the user can set the upper limit of the target speed, the lower limit of the target speed, and the scanning speed by observing the display on the display 150 before or during printing of the image to be printed. It can be easily adjusted between the upper limit of the target speed and the lower limit of the target speed. Since the target speed is wide, even a user who is not good at fine adjustment of the scanning speed can easily print using the handy printer 100. Further, the speed setting unit 112 may set an upper limit of the target speed or a lower limit of the target speed.

  Alternatively, the speed setting unit 112 may set a scanning speed (upper limit critical speed) at which characters on the ink ribbon 143 cannot be thermally transferred when the upper limit of the target speed is scanned faster than this. The lower limit of the target speed may be, for example, a scanning speed (lower critical speed) at which the heat transferred from the thermal head 141 to the ink ribbon 143 or the printing medium R becomes excessive when scanning is performed slower than this, and the printing quality is lowered. The upper limit critical speed and the lower limit critical speed are stored in the ROM 170 in advance. In this case, when the scanning speed exceeds the upper limit (lower limit) of the target speed, the notification unit 114 displays a message indicating that the upper limit (lower limit) of the target speed is exceeded before or during printing of the image to be printed. To display. Further, when the target speed is exceeded, the notification unit 114 may notify the user that the speed has been exceeded with a sound such as a buzzer.

  In the handy printer 100 of the above-described embodiment, the image to be printed is divided into a plurality of blocks, and the target speed is set for each block. The handy printer 100 may set the target speed without dividing the image to be printed into a plurality of blocks. In this case, since the target speed does not change during printing, even a user who is not good at scanning while changing the scanning speed can easily scan. Further, the image to be printed may be divided into a plurality of blocks of the same size, or may be divided into blocks of different sizes. In the handy printer 100 of the above-described embodiment, the target speed is set in three stages, but the target speed may be set in two stages, or the target speed may be set in multiple stages.

  In the handy printer 100 according to the above-described embodiment, the thermal melting type in which the thermal head 141 melts and transfers the ink of the ink ribbon 143 to the printing medium R has been described as the printing unit 140. The printing unit 140 is not particularly limited as long as it can print while manually scanning. The printing unit 140 may use, for example, a sublimation type printer that transfers sublimation dye ink applied to an ink ribbon by sublimation with heat. The printing unit 140 prints ink by ejecting ink to the print medium R from fine holes provided in the printing unit by an ink jet method or by hitting thin pins arranged in a line by a dot impact method against the ink ribbon. It may be transferred to the medium R.

  In the handy printer 100 according to the above-described embodiment, the distance / speed acquisition unit 113 detects the rotation speed and rotation speed of the roller 161 with the rotary encoder 160, and the scanning distance and scanning speed are detected from the detected rotation speed and rotation speed. The case of calculating is described. The means for detecting the scanning distance and the scanning speed is not particularly limited. For example, an optical that detects the movement of the printing medium R with a camera sensor that irradiates the printing medium R with a light source such as an LED and captures an image of the printing medium R. The distance / speed acquisition unit 113 may acquire the data of the detected scanning distance and the data of the scanning speed by detecting the scanning distance and the scanning speed by using a detection device of the type.

  In addition, a central part that performs a printing process executed by a printing apparatus including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like can be executed using a normal information portable terminal, a personal computer, or the like without using a dedicated system. . For example, a computer program for executing the above-described operation is stored on a computer-readable recording medium (flexible disc, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), etc.). An information terminal that performs the above-described processing may be configured by storing and distributing and installing this computer program in an information portable terminal or the like. Alternatively, the computer program may be stored in a storage device included in a server device on a communication network such as the Internet, and the information processing device may be configured by being downloaded by a normal information processing terminal or the like.

  Further, when the functions of the printing apparatus are realized by sharing an OS (Operating System) and an application program, or by cooperation between the OS and the application program, only the application program part is stored in a recording medium or a storage device. May be.

  It is also possible to superimpose a computer program on a carrier wave and distribute it via a communication network. For example, this computer program may be posted on a bulletin board (BBS: Bulletin Board System) on a communication network and distributed through the network. The computer program may be started and executed in the same manner as other application programs under the control of the OS, so that the above-described processing can be executed.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and the present invention includes the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof. included. Hereinafter, the invention described in the scope of claims of the present application will be appended.

(Appendix 1)
Printing means that is manually scanned by a user in the sub-scanning direction and prints an image to be printed on a print medium;
Speed acquisition means for acquiring a scanning speed scanned by the printing means in the sub-scanning direction;
Informing means for informing the user of information before or during printing of the image according to a height relationship between a target speed at which the user scans the printing means and the scanning speed acquired by the speed acquisition means;
Comprising
A printing apparatus characterized by that.

(Appendix 2)
The image processing apparatus further includes target speed setting means for dividing the image to be printed into a plurality of blocks in the sub-scanning direction and setting the target speed for each of the blocks.
The printing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein

(Appendix 3)
The target speed setting means calculates a printing rate obtained by dividing the number of dots printed by the printing means for each block by the number of dots of the block, and the printing rate is higher than a reference value for the printing rate. Setting the target speed for each block so that the target speed is slower than a block less than a reference value;
The printing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein

(Appendix 4)
The target speed setting means sets an upper limit or / and a lower limit of the target speed;
The printing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 2 or 3, wherein:

(Appendix 5)
Prediction means for predicting the scanning speed scanned by the user from a time-series change in the scanning speed acquired by the speed acquisition means;
When the scanning speed predicted by the prediction unit is faster than the target speed by a certain value or more, the target speed is slowed down, and when the scanning speed predicted by the prediction unit is slower than the target value by the constant value, First target speed update means for increasing the target speed;
The printing apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, further comprising:

(Appendix 6)
Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the printing means;
A second target speed update means for increasing the target speed when the temperature detected by the temperature detection means is equal to or higher than a reference temperature;
The printing apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, further comprising:

(Appendix 7)
A notification method for notifying a user of a scanning speed for scanning a printing unit that is manually scanned by a user in a sub-scanning direction and prints an image to be printed on a print medium,
A speed acquisition step of acquiring the scanning speed scanned by the printing unit in the sub-scanning direction;
A notification step of notifying the user of information before or during printing of the image according to a height relationship between a target speed at which the user scans the printing unit and the scanning speed acquired in the speed acquisition step;
Comprising
A notification method characterized by the above.

(Appendix 8)
A computer that controls a printing apparatus including printing means that is manually scanned by a user in a sub-scanning direction and prints an image to be printed on a print medium;
Speed acquisition means for acquiring a scanning speed scanned by the printing means in the sub-scanning direction;
Informing means for informing the user of information before or during printing of the image according to a height relationship between a target speed at which the user scans the printing means and the scanning speed acquired by the speed acquisition means;
Function as
A program characterized by that.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Handy printer, 101 ... Case, 110 ... Control part, 111 ... Print control part, 112 ... Speed setting part, 113 ... Distance / speed acquisition part, 114 ... Notification part, 120 ... Communication part, 130 ... Input part, 131 ... Start button, 140 ... Printing section, 141 ... Thermal head, 142 ... Cartridge, 143 ... Ink ribbon, 144 ... Micro heating element, 145a, 145b ... Reel, 150 ... Display, 160 ... Rotary encoder, 161 ... Roller, 162 ... Axis, 170 ... ROM, 180 ... RAM, 190 ... Power supply

Claims (8)

Printing means that is manually scanned by a user in the sub-scanning direction and prints an image to be printed on a print medium;
Speed acquisition means for acquiring a scanning speed scanned by the printing means in the sub-scanning direction;
Informing means for informing the user of information before or during printing of the image according to a height relationship between a target speed at which the user scans the printing means and the scanning speed acquired by the speed acquisition means;
Comprising
A printing apparatus characterized by that. The image processing apparatus further includes target speed setting means for dividing the image to be printed into a plurality of blocks in the sub-scanning direction and setting the target speed for each of the blocks.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The target speed setting means calculates a printing rate obtained by dividing the number of dots printed by the printing means for each block by the number of dots of the block, and the printing rate is higher than a reference value for the printing rate. Setting the target speed for each block so that the target speed is slower than a block less than a reference value;
The printing apparatus according to claim 2. The target speed setting means sets an upper limit or / and a lower limit of the target speed;
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing apparatus is a printer. Prediction means for predicting the scanning speed scanned by the user from a time-series change in the scanning speed acquired by the speed acquisition means;
When the scanning speed predicted by the prediction unit is faster than the target speed by a certain value or more, the target speed is slowed down, and when the scanning speed predicted by the prediction unit is slower than the target value by the constant value, First target speed update means for increasing the target speed;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the printing means;
A second target speed update means for increasing the target speed when the temperature detected by the temperature detection means is equal to or higher than a reference temperature;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A notification method for notifying a user of a scanning speed for scanning a printing unit that is manually scanned by a user in a sub-scanning direction and prints an image to be printed on a print medium,
A speed acquisition step of acquiring the scanning speed scanned by the printing unit in the sub-scanning direction;
A notification step of notifying the user of information before or during printing of the image according to a height relationship between a target speed at which the user scans the printing unit and the scanning speed acquired in the speed acquisition step;
Comprising
A notification method characterized by the above. A computer that controls a printing apparatus including printing means that is manually scanned by a user in a sub-scanning direction and prints an image to be printed on a print medium;
Speed acquisition means for acquiring a scanning speed scanned by the printing means in the sub-scanning direction;
Informing means for informing the user of information before or during printing of the image according to a height relationship between a target speed at which the user scans the printing means and the scanning speed acquired by the speed acquisition means;
Function as
A program characterized by that.

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