JP2018083371A - Printer and printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce movement of an operator in repeating printing by a printer.SOLUTION: A printer 1 includes: a printing mechanism part 2 for printing on a recording medium; a control part 50 which makes the printing mechanism part 2 repeat printing operation by repeating control of the printing mechanism part 2 in accordance with print job data transferred from a computer 60; and a start/cancel switch 56 which outputs a signal to the control part 50 when operated by an operator. The control part 50 maintains printing operation of the printing mechanism part 2 in a stopped state after each printing operation of the printing mechanism part 2, and makes the printing mechanism part 2 perform printing operation when the signal is input from the start/cancel switch 58 after each printing operation of the printing mechanism part 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing system.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a flatbed ink jet printer. This ink jet printer has a table on which a recording medium is placed, a print head thereabove, and a displacement mechanism that displaces the print head in two orthogonal directions relative to the table. This ink jet printer is connected to a microcomputer. The microcomputer includes a print data creation unit that creates print data and a control unit that drives and controls the inkjet printer.

  After the print data is created by the control unit of the microcomputer, when the operator gives an instruction to start printing via the operator, the ink jet printer is controlled by the control unit of the microcomputer, and printing according to the print data is recorded. Made to the medium.

JP2015-134410A

  When printing on another recording medium after completion of printing, the operator first takes out the printed recording medium from the ink jet printer and sets a new other recording medium in the ink jet printer. Then, when the operator again gives an instruction to start printing via the operator, printing is performed on a new recording medium.

  Therefore, when printing is repeated, it is necessary for the operator to alternately perform a recording medium exchange operation in the ink jet printer and an operation operation of the operation element in the microcomputer. Therefore, the movement of the worker becomes large and the working time becomes long. In particular, when the microcomputer and the ink jet printer are installed in separate rooms, the worker has to travel between the rooms, and the flow line of the worker becomes long.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a problem to be solved by the present invention is to reduce the movement of an operator when printing is repeated by a printing apparatus.

  One aspect of the invention for solving the above-described problem is that the printing mechanism unit that performs printing on a recording medium and the printing mechanism unit are repeatedly controlled according to print job data transferred from a computer, thereby repeating the printing. A control unit that causes the mechanism unit to repeatedly perform a printing operation; and an operation unit that outputs a signal to the control unit when operated by an operator, and the control unit performs each printing operation of the printing mechanism unit. A printing apparatus that maintains the printing operation of the printing mechanism unit in a stopped state later, and causes the printing mechanism unit to perform a printing operation when a signal is input from the operation unit after each printing operation of the printing mechanism unit. .

  Other aspects of the present invention will be clarified by the description of the specification and drawings to be described later.

  According to the present invention, it is not necessary to operate the computer at the start of the second and subsequent printings, and the movement of the operator can be minimized.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system. FIG. 2 shows the printing apparatus as viewed from the front. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the recording medium and the jig. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the computer of the printing system. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the control unit of the printing apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the control unit of the printing apparatus. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the control unit of the printing apparatus. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining that the number of times display portion is sequentially printed by repeating printing. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining that the number of times display portion is sequentially printed by repeating printing. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining that the number of times display portion is sequentially printed by repeating printing. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining that the number of times display portion is sequentially printed by repeating printing.

  At least the following matters will be apparent from the description and drawings described below.

  A printing mechanism unit that performs printing on a recording medium; and a control unit that causes the printing mechanism unit to repeatedly perform a printing operation by repeatedly controlling the printing mechanism unit according to print job data transferred from a computer; Operating means for outputting a signal to the control unit when operated by an operator, and the control unit stops the printing operation of the printing mechanism unit after each printing operation of the printing mechanism unit. A printing apparatus that maintains the printing mechanism and causes the printing mechanism to perform a printing operation when a signal is input from the operation unit after each printing operation of the printing mechanism is clarified.

  A printing device, and a computer that generates print job data and transfers the print job data to the printing device, wherein the printing device performs printing, and the printing mechanism according to the print job data transferred from the computer. A control unit that causes the printing mechanism unit to repeatedly perform a printing operation by repeating control of the printing unit, and an operation unit that outputs a signal to the control unit when operated by an operator. The printing mechanism unit keeps the printing operation of the printing mechanism unit stopped after each printing operation, and the printing unit receives a signal from the operation means after each printing operation of the printing mechanism unit. A printing system that causes the mechanism unit to perform a printing operation is clarified.

  According to the above, since the stop state of the printing operation is maintained after the end of each printing operation of the printing mechanism unit, the operator can exchange the recording medium during that time. After the replacement of the recording medium, when the operator operates the operation means, the next printing operation of the printing mechanism unit is performed. Therefore, it is not necessary to operate the computer at the start of the next printing, and the movement of the operator can be minimized.

  Preferably, the printing apparatus includes a housing that houses the recording medium and the printing mechanism unit, a cover that is provided at an opening of the housing and that opens and closes the opening, and an open / close detection unit that detects opening and closing of the cover. And the control unit detects the closing of the cover by the opening / closing detection unit after the opening / closing detection unit detects the opening of the cover, and then performs each printing operation of the printing mechanism unit. When a signal is input from the operation means later, the printing mechanism unit is caused to perform a printing operation.

  According to the above, even if the operator operates the operation means without opening / closing the cover, that is, without replacing the recording medium, the next printing operation of the printing mechanism unit is not performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent printing on the same recording medium.

  Preferably, the printing apparatus includes a housing that houses the recording medium and the printing mechanism unit, a cover that is provided at an opening of the housing and that opens and closes the opening, and an open / close detection unit that detects opening and closing of the cover. The control unit starts timing when the opening / closing detection unit detects the opening of the cover, and after the time exceeds a predetermined time, the opening / closing detection unit closes the cover. After the detection, when the signal is input from the operation means after each printing operation of the printing mechanism unit, the printing mechanism unit is caused to perform the printing operation.

  According to the above, even if the cover is accidentally closed after the operator opens the cover and the operation means is operated regardless of the will of the operator, if the predetermined time has elapsed after the cover is opened, the printing is performed. The next printing operation of the mechanism unit is not performed.

  Preferably, the control unit controls the printing mechanism unit so that the printing mechanism unit prints the number of times printing has been completed in each printing operation of the printing mechanism unit. More preferably, the control unit controls the printing mechanism unit so that the printing mechanism unit prints the number of times printing has been performed on the jig holding the recording medium.

  According to the above, it is possible to inform the operator of the progress of repeated printing by the number display unit.

=== Embodiment ===
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are given various technically preferable limitations for carrying out the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[1. (Configuration of printing system)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system includes a printing apparatus 1 and a computer 60. The computer 60 is a general-purpose personal computer, for example. The printing apparatus 1 and the computer 60 can be installed at positions separated from each other, and data transfer is performed between the printing apparatus 1 (particularly, a control unit 50 described later) and the computer 60 by wire or wirelessly.

  The printing apparatus 1 includes a housing 10 (see FIG. 2), a printing mechanism unit 2 that is provided inside the housing 10 and performs printing, a control unit 50 that controls the printing mechanism unit 2, and a control unit 50. An alarm 52 that performs various notifications by being controlled by the operator, an operation unit (first operation means) 54 that outputs a signal corresponding to the operation content to the control unit 50 when operated by the operator, and an operator And a start / stop switch (second operation means) 56 that outputs a signal to the control unit 50 when pressed, and an opening / closing sensor 58 that detects opening / closing of a front cover 12 (see FIG. 2) described later.

  FIG. 2 is a view showing the casing 10 and the printing mechanism portion 2 inside thereof by a perspective projection method (perspective method) when viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 10 is provided in a box shape, and an internal space is formed inside the housing 10. An opening 11 is formed from the front surface to the upper surface of the housing 10, and the opening 11 is opened and closed by a manual front cover 12. The front cover 12 is rotatably connected to the housing 10 in the vicinity of the rear edge of the opening 11 by a hinge. A handle 13 is provided on the front cover 12, and an operator can open and close the front cover 12 by grasping the handle 13.

  The printing mechanism unit 2 is a flat bed type and inkjet printer type printing mechanism unit. Specifically, the printing mechanism unit 2 includes a guide rail 21, a table 22, a servo motor 23, a guide rail 31, a carriage 32, a servo motor 33, a print head 35, an ultraviolet irradiator 37, and the like. The guide rail 21, the table 22, the servo motor 23, the guide rail 31, the carriage 32, the servo motor 33, the print head 35, the ultraviolet irradiator 37, and the like are provided inside the housing 10 as follows.

  A guide rail 21 is attached to the housing 10 so as to extend in the sub-scanning direction (front-rear direction) at the bottom in the housing 10. A table 22 is attached to the guide rail 21 so as to be movable along the guide rail 21. The power of the servo motor 23 is transmitted to the table 22 by a power transmission mechanism (for example, a ball screw transmission mechanism, a pinion rack mechanism, a belt transmission mechanism or a chain transmission mechanism), and the servo motor 23 drives the table 22 in the sub-scanning direction. The The upper surface of the table 22 is flat.

  A plurality of recording media 9 are placed on the table 22. Specifically, the jig 40 is attached to the table 22, and the recording medium 9 is positioned with respect to the table 22 by the jig 40, so that the recording medium 9 is two-dimensionally arrayed (lattice) on the table 22. Arranged. More specifically, as shown in the plan view of FIG. 3, the jig 40 is formed with a plurality of openings 41 arranged in a two-dimensional array, and the recording medium 9 is fitted into the openings 41. Thus, the recording medium 9 is positioned. The recording medium 9 can be attached to and detached from the jig 40 and the table 22, and the jig 40 can be attached to and detached from the table 22. The recording medium 9 is, for example, a case or a plate material.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a guide rail 31 is attached above the table 22 so as to extend in the main scanning direction (left-right direction). A carriage 32 is attached to the guide rail 31 so as to be movable along the guide rail 31. The power of the servo motor 33 is transmitted to the carriage 32 by a power transmission mechanism (for example, a belt transmission mechanism, a chain transmission mechanism, a ball screw transmission mechanism or a pinion rack mechanism), and the carriage 32 is driven by the servo motor 33 in the main scanning direction. The

  A plurality of print heads 35 that are vertically opposed to the table 22 are mounted on the carriage 32. The print head 35 is an inkjet head. That is, a plurality of nozzles are formed on the lower surface of the print head 35, and the print head 35 ejects ink downward from the nozzles. Among these print heads 35 are process color heads 35 that eject process color inks (for example, yellow, magenta, cyan, and block), and special inks other than process colors (for example, special color inks, white inks, transparent inks). And a special ink head 35 that ejects ink, base ink).

  The ink ejected from the print head 35 is made of an ultraviolet curable resin. Therefore, ultraviolet irradiators 37 that irradiate ultraviolet rays downward are attached to the left and right side surfaces of the carriage 32 in order to cure the ejected ink.

  The carriage 32 is provided with an ink tank (not shown) for each ink color, and ink is supplied from the ink tank to the print head 35. An ink remaining amount sensor is provided in the ink tank. The ink remaining amount sensor detects the ink remaining amount in the ink tank and outputs a signal representing the ink remaining amount to the control unit 50.

  When the servo motors 23 and 33 and the print head 35 described above are controlled by the control unit 50, the printing mechanism unit 2 performs a printing operation. The printing operation of the printing mechanism unit 2 is to alternately repeat the movement of the table 22 by the servo motor 23 by a predetermined distance, the movement of the carriage 32 by the servo motor 33, and the ink ejection by the print head 35. Specifically, the table 22 is intermittently moved by a servo motor 23 for a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction. During each temporary stop of the table 22, the carriage 32 is moved in the main scanning direction by the servo motor 33, and the print head 35 ejects ink while the carriage 32 is moving.

  A control unit 50 (see FIG. 1) is provided inside the housing 10. The control unit 50 is a control circuit having various drive circuits (for example, a motor driver), electronic circuits (for example, a comparator, AD converter), a microcomputer (for example, a programmable logic controller), and the like. The control unit 50 incorporates a semiconductor storage device, and a program executable for the control unit 50 is stored in the semiconductor storage device.

  The control unit 50 recognizes the ink remaining amount in each ink tank by inputting an ink remaining amount signal from the ink remaining amount sensor. The control unit 50 may calculate the remaining ink amount by adding the ink usage amount by counting the number of ink ejections from the print head 35 and subtracting the ink usage amount from the capacity of the ink tank. Good.

The control unit 50 is connected to the computer 60 via wired or wireless.
The computer 60 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a GPU, a system bus, a hardware interface, and the like.

  A display device (for example, a liquid crystal display) 61 and an input device (for example, a keyboard, pointing device, push switch, etc.) 62 are connected to the computer 60. The computer 60 has a built-in storage device (for example, a semiconductor memory or a hard disk drive) in which programs and various data are stored.

[2. Operation and usage of printing system]
The method for using the printing system will be described, and the operation of the printing mechanism unit 2, the processing of the control unit 50, and the processing of the computer 60 will be described. The processing of the computer 60 described below is executed in accordance with a program recorded in a storage device built in the computer 60. The control unit 50 described below is a semiconductor built in the control unit 50. It is executed in accordance with a program recorded in the storage device.

  First, the operator opens the front cover 12 and sets the jig 40 and the plurality of recording media 9 on the table 22. Thereafter, the operator closes the front cover 12.

  In addition, the worker causes the computer 60 to read various images (for example, vector images). At this time, when a plurality of images are read by the computer 60, the computer 60 combines the images so as to be arranged on the same plane. Various image processing may be performed by the computer 60.

  In addition, the computer 60 displays a print setting screen on the display device 61, and displays a print start icon (button) on the display device 61 (step S1). Then, the computer 60 waits for input of print settings and determination of selection of a print start icon (steps S2 and S3).

  By the operator operating the input device 62, the presence or absence of repeated printing (printing a plurality of copies) is set on the print setting screen (step S2: YES). Further, when the repeated printing is valid, the operator sets the number of times of printing by operating the input device 62 (step S2: YES). Along with this, the computer 60 acquires the setting of the presence / absence of repeated printing and the setting of the number of printings according to the input signal from the input device 62 (step S4).

  When the operator selects and determines a print start icon by operating the input device 62 (step S3: YES), the computer 60 receives a print start command (step S5). Note that when the operator decides to select the print start icon without performing the print setting on the print setting screen, the default setting is acquired by the computer 60 according to the program. The default setting content is, for example, that the setting for repeated printing is invalid and the setting for the number of times of printing is one time.

  After receiving the print start command, the computer 60 determines whether the repeated print setting is valid or invalid (step S6). When the setting of repeated printing is invalid, the process of the computer 60 proceeds to step S7, and when the setting of repeated printing is invalid, the process of the computer 60 proceeds to step S10.

  In step S7, the computer 60 determines whether or not the ink remaining amount (the ink remaining amount is detected by the ink remaining amount sensor and transferred from the control unit 50 to the computer 60) is sufficient (step S7). ). Specifically, the computer 60 multiplies the set number of printings acquired in step S4 by the amount of ink used per printing and compares the product with the remaining ink amount. As a result of the comparison, if the remaining amount of ink is equal to or greater than the product, the computer 60 determines that the remaining amount of ink is sufficient (step S7: YES). If the remaining amount of ink is lower than the product, the computer 60 Determines that the remaining amount of ink is insufficient (step S7: NO).

  When the ink remaining amount is sufficient (step S7: YES), the processing of the computer 60 proceeds to step S10, and when the ink remaining amount is insufficient (step S7: NO), the processing of the computer 60 is performed. Goes to step S8.

  In step S8, the computer 60 causes the display device 61 to display a confirmation screen together with the print start icon and the cancel icon. The confirmation screen displays that the remaining amount of ink is low and that an inquiry is made as to whether or not to start printing. When the operator operates the input device 62 on the confirmation screen to select and decide the cancel icon (step S9: NO), the processing of the computer 60 returns to step S1. On the other hand, when the print start icon is selected and determined (step S9), the processing of the computer 60 proceeds to step S10.

In step S10, the computer 60 generates print job data (print command code group) based on the read image by executing processing for converting the read image from the vector format to the raster format.
Then, the computer 60 transfers the set number of prints together with the print job data to the control unit 50 (step S11). The set print count is a default value or the value set in step S4. Hereinafter, the set number of prints is denoted as M.

When the control unit 50 inputs the set number of times of printing and print job data from the computer 60, the following processing is executed.
First, the control unit 50 resets the count value N representing the number of printing processes to zero and stores it (step S21).
Next, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the ink remaining amount detected by the ink remaining amount sensor is sufficient (step S22). Specifically, the control unit 50 compares the ink remaining amount detected by the ink remaining amount sensor with a predetermined threshold (ink usage per printing). As a result of the comparison, if the remaining amount of ink is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the control unit 50 determines that the remaining amount of ink is sufficient (step S22: YES), and if the remaining amount of ink is lower than the predetermined threshold. The control unit 50 determines that the remaining amount of ink is insufficient (step S22: NO).

  When the ink remaining amount is sufficient (step S22: YES), the process of the control unit 50 proceeds to step S26, and when the ink remaining amount is insufficient (step S22: NO), the computer 60 The process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S <b> 23, the control unit 50 outputs an error signal to the notification device 52. Then, the alarm 52 notifies that the ink is insufficient. For example, when the notification device 52 is a light emitting element, the notification device 52 blinks or lights up. When the notification device 52 is a dot matrix display device, the notification device 52 displays that the ink is insufficient. When 52 is an electroacoustic transducer (speaker), the alarm 52 outputs a sound indicating that ink is insufficient. Thereafter, it is determined whether the control unit 50 has input a print start signal or a print stop signal from the operation unit 54 or the start / stop switch 56 (steps S24 and S25). When a print stop signal is output from the operation unit 54 or the start / stop switch 56 to the control unit 50 by an operation of the operation unit 54 or the start / stop switch 56 (for example, long press) by the operator (step S24: YES). Then, the control unit 50 ends the process. On the other hand, when a print start signal is output from the operation unit 54 or the start / stop switch 56 to the control unit 50 (step S25: YES), the process of the control unit 50 proceeds to step S26.

  In step S <b> 26, the control unit 50 determines the open / closed state of the front cover 12 based on the output of the open / close sensor 58. When it is detected by the open / close sensor 58 that the front cover 12 is closed (step S26: YES), the processing of the control unit 50 proceeds to step S28. On the other hand, when the open / close sensor 58 detects that the front cover 12 is opened (step S26: NO), the control unit 50 outputs an error signal to the alarm device 52 (step S27). Thereby, the alarm 52 notifies that the front cover 12 is opened. After the output of the error signal, the process of the control unit 50 returns to step S26, so that the control unit 50 outputs the output of the opening / closing sensor 58 until the opening / closing sensor 58 detects that the front cover 12 is closed (step S26: YES). And the determination is repeated, and further the notification by the notification device 52 is continued.

In step S28, the control unit 50 controls the printing mechanism unit 2 (specifically, the servo motors 23 and 33 and the print head 35) according to the print job data. As a result, the printing mechanism unit 2 performs a printing operation. That is, the print head 35 ejects ink while the carriage 32 moves in the scanning direction and the table 22 is alternately fed a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction. As a result, an image is printed on the recording medium 9. When the setting of the repeated printing is valid, a number display portion indicating the number of times of printing may be printed on the predetermined area 42 (see FIG. 3) of the jig 40 together with the printing of the image on the recording medium 9. The number display portion printed in the predetermined area 42 will be described in detail later.
When the printing is completed, the printing operation of the printing mechanism unit 2 is stopped by the control unit 50, and the stopping operation of the printing operation is maintained until the next printing. If the printing operation of the printing mechanism unit 2 is stopped, the printing mechanism unit 2 may perform other operations (for example, maintenance operations such as flushing and wiping).

After the printing is finished, the control unit 50 updates the count value N by adding 1 to the count value N (step S29).
Then, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the repeated printing setting is valid (step S30). That is, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the set print count M transferred from the computer 60 is 2 or more. If the result of determination is that the setting for repeated printing is invalid (step S30: NO), the processing of the control unit 50 ends. On the other hand, when the setting of repeated printing is valid (step S30: YES), the process of the control unit 50 proceeds to step S31.

  In step S <b> 31, the control unit 50 outputs a print end signal to the notification device 52. Then, the notification unit 52 notifies the end of printing. Thereby, the operator can recognize the end of the printing operation of the printing mechanism unit 2. When the printing operation of the printing mechanism unit 2 is completed, the table 22 and the carriage 32 are stopped, so that the operator can recognize the completion of the printing operation of the printing mechanism unit 2.

  Next, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the ink remaining amount detected by the ink remaining amount sensor is sufficient (step S32). When the ink remaining amount is sufficient (step S32: YES), the process of the control unit 50 proceeds to step S36, and when the ink remaining amount is insufficient (step S32: NO), the control unit 50. The process proceeds to step S33. In step S <b> 33, the control unit 50 outputs an error signal to the alarm device 52. Thereafter, it is determined whether the control unit 50 has input a print start signal or a print stop signal from the operation unit 54 (steps S34 and S45). When a print stop signal is output from the operation unit 54 to the control unit 50 by the operation of the operation unit 54 by the operator (step S34: YES), the control unit 50 ends the process. On the other hand, when a print start signal is output from the operation unit 54 to the control unit 50, the process of the control unit 50 proceeds to step S35. Steps S33, S34, and S35 are the same as steps S23, S24, and S25.

  In step S <b> 36, the control unit 50 determines the open / closed state of the front cover 12 based on the output of the open / close sensor 58. When the opening / closing sensor 58 detects that the front cover 12 is opened (step S36: YES), the processing of the control unit 50 proceeds to step S37. On the other hand, when the opening / closing sensor 58 detects that the front cover 12 is closed (step S36: NO), until the opening / closing sensor 58 detects that the front cover 12 is opened (step S36: YES), the controller 50 monitors the output of the open / close sensor 58 and repeats the determination.

  Here, the worker who has recognized the end of the printing operation of the printing mechanism unit 2 opens the front cover 12 in order to take out the recording medium 9 from the housing 10. Thereby, the process of the control part 50 transfers to step S37.

  In step S37, the control unit 50 starts timing. And the control part 50 continues time-measurement until time-measurement time becomes predetermined value (step S38: NO). When a predetermined time has elapsed from the time measurement start time (step S38: YES), the control unit 50 ends the time measurement and resets the time measurement to zero (step S39).

  After the timing is over, the controller 50 determines the open / close state of the front cover 12 based on the output of the open / close sensor 58 (step S40). When it is detected by the open / close sensor 58 that the front cover 12 is closed (step S40: YES), the processing of the control unit 50 proceeds to step S41. On the other hand, when the opening / closing sensor 58 detects that the front cover 12 is opened (step S40: NO), until the opening / closing sensor 58 detects that the front cover 12 is closed (step S40: YES), the controller 50 monitors the output of the open / close sensor 58 and repeats the determination.

  Here, after opening the front cover 12, the operator takes out the recording medium 9 from the housing 10. Then, the operator sets a new recording medium 9 on the table 22 with the jig 40 set on the table 22 as it is. Thereafter, the operator closes the front cover 12. Thereby, the process of the control part 50 transfers to step S41.

  In step S <b> 41, the control unit 50 determines whether a print start signal is input from the start / stop switch 56 or the operation unit 54. For example, when a print start signal is input from the start / stop switch 56 or the operation unit 54 to the control unit 50 by pressing the start / stop switch 56 or the operation unit 54 for a short time (step S41: YES), the control is performed. The process of the unit 50 proceeds to step S42. On the other hand, when the print start signal is not input from the start / stop switch 56 and the operation unit 54 to the control unit 50 (step S41: NO), the print start signal is input to the control unit 50 (step S41: YES). The control unit 50 monitors the output of the start / stop switch 56 and repeats the determination.

  Here, after the front cover 12 is closed, the operator short-presses the start / stop switch 56. Thereby, the process of the control part 50 transfers to step S42.

In step S42, the control unit 50 controls the servo motors 23 and 33 and the print head 35, whereby the printing mechanism unit 2 performs a printing operation. Here, when the control unit 50 has a print job data temporary storage function, the print job data transferred in step S11 is temporarily stored by the control unit 50. Therefore, the print job temporarily stored by the control unit 50 is stored. The servo motors 23 and 33 and the print head 35 are controlled according to the data. On the other hand, when the control unit 50 does not have the print job data temporary storage function, when the control unit 50 requests the print job data from the computer 60, the computer 60 is the same as the print job data at the time of transfer in step S11. The print job data is transferred to the control unit 50, and the control unit 50 controls the servo motors 23 and 33 and the print head 35 according to the print job data received from the computer 60. Therefore, in any case, the image printed on the recording medium 9 in step S42 is the same as the image printed on the recording medium 9 in step S28.
In addition to the printing of the image on the recording medium 9, a number display portion indicating the number of times of printing may be printed by the printing mechanism portion 2 in a predetermined area 42 (see FIG. 3) of the jig 40. The number display portion printed in the predetermined area 42 will be described in detail later.

When printing is completed, the control unit 50 updates the count value N by adding 1 to the count value N (step S43).
Then, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the number of times of printing has reached the set number of times of printing M (step S44). That is, the control unit 50 compares the count value N with the set print count M.
As a result of the comparison, if the count value N is less than the set number of prints M, the control unit 50 determines that the number of prints has not reached the set number of prints M (step S44: NO), and the process of the control unit 50 proceeds to step S31. Return. Therefore, if the operator opens the front cover 12, replaces the recording medium 9, closes the front cover 12, and further presses the start / stop switch 56 for a short time, the printing mechanism unit 2 performs the printing operation again (step). S42).
On the other hand, if the count value N is equal to the set number of prints M, the control unit 50 determines that the number of prints has reached the set number of prints M (step S44: YES), and the process of the control unit 50 ends.

When the processing shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 is executed by the control unit 50, the operator operates the operation unit 54 or the start / stop switch 56 (for example, long press) to start the operation unit 54 or start. When an interruption signal is input from the stop switch 56 to the control unit 50, the control unit 50 interrupts the process at that time. Even when the timing at which the interruption signal is input from the operation unit 54 or the start / stop switch 56 to the control unit 50 is in the middle of the printing process in step S28 or step S42, the control unit 50 interrupts the process. 23 and 33 are stopped, and the ejection of the print head 35 is interrupted. Therefore, the printing operation of the printing mechanism unit 2 is interrupted.
After the processing of the control unit 50 is interrupted, when the operator operates the operation unit 54 or the start / stop switch 56 (for example, long press), a restart signal is sent from the operation unit 54 or the start / stop switch 56 to the control unit 50. Is input, the control unit 50 resumes the process.

[4. (Printing the number display section)
As described above, at the time of the printing processing in step S28 and step S42, the number display portion indicating the number of printing is printed in the predetermined area 42 (see FIG. 3) of the jig 40. As long as the number display unit displays the number of times, the display mode is not particularly limited. For example, the number of times display unit displays the number of times of printing by a numerical value, a mark, a code, a gauge, a symbol, or the like.

  In addition, the number-of-times display unit may be printed at the time of the printing processing of steps S28 and S42 all times, or the number of times is displayed at the time of the printing processing of steps S28 and S42 every predetermined number of times (for example, nine times). May be printed. The frequency with which the number display section is printed may be input by the operator operating the input device 62 on the print setting screen displayed in step S1, or may be set in advance.

  As described above, the control unit 50 performs count-up processing of the count value N after the printing processing in steps S28 and S42 (see steps S29 and S43). Therefore, in steps S28 and S42, the control unit 50 controls the servo motors 23 and 33 and the print head 35 based on the value obtained by adding 1 to the count value N, so that the number display unit is a jig. It is printed in 40 predetermined areas 42. Note that the print job data may be generated so that the computer 60 counts the number of times of printing and includes in the print job data a print command code for instructing a frequency display unit according to the number of times of printing. In this case, the control unit 50 controls the servo motors 23 and 33 and the print head 35 in accordance with the print job data at the time of the printing processing in steps S28 and S42, thereby printing an image on the recording medium 9 and displaying the number of times. The portion is printed in a predetermined area 42 of the jig 40.

With reference to FIGS. 8 to 11, some specific examples of the display mode of the number display section will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8, in the first printing process (step S28), printing is performed so that a plurality of commas are arranged on the left and right, and the number of times display portion A ₁ (the subscript indicates the number of times of printing). Is printed on the left side of the leftmost comma. In the second and subsequent printing processes (step S42), the number of display parts A ₂ , A ₃ ,... Are printed between the commas so as to continue to the right of the number of times display part A ₁ .

As shown in FIG. 9, the 10th print processing (9th step S42), while being printed as a plurality of comma are arranged to the left and right, the number display section A ₁₀ Numeric leftmost comma Printed on the left side. In the subsequent printing process (step S42), the number of times display portions A ₂₀ , A ₃₀ ,... Are printed between the commas so as to continue to the right of the number of times display portion A ₁₀ .

Fig As shown in 10, the first printing process (step S28), while being printed as a plurality of comma are arranged to the left and right, the left number display portion A ₁ of the leftmost comma by black circle marks Printed. In the second and subsequent printing processes (step S42), the number of display parts A ₂ , A ₃ ,... Are printed between the commas so as to continue to the right of the number of times display part A ₁ .

As shown in FIG. 11, the first printing process (step S28), together with the scale is printed, the number display section A ₁ by the gauge is printed on the left end of the scale. In the second and subsequent printing processes (step S42), the number display parts A ₂ , A ₃ ,... Are printed on the scale so as to continue to the right of the number display part A ₁ .

[5. effect〕
According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) Since the stop state of the printing operation is maintained after each printing operation of the printing mechanism unit 2 is completed, the recording medium 9 can be replaced during that time. After the replacement of the recording medium 9, when the operator operates the start / stop switch 56 or the operation unit 54 (for example, short press) of the printing apparatus 1, the next printing operation of the printing mechanism unit 2 is performed. Therefore, the operation of the computer 60 becomes unnecessary at the start of the next printing, and the movement of the operator can be minimized.

(2) When the opening / closing sensor 58 detects the opening of the front cover 12 and the closing of the front cover 12 is detected, the operator operates the start / stop switch 56 or the operation unit 54 (step S36). , S40, S41), the next printing operation of the printing mechanism unit 2 is performed. That is, even if the operator operates the start / stop switch 56 or the operation unit 54 without exchanging the recording medium 9 (that is, without opening and closing the front cover 12), No printing operation is performed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent printing on the same recording medium 9 in an overlapping manner.

(3) After a predetermined time has elapsed since the opening of the front cover 12 was detected by the opening / closing sensor 58, the opening / closing sensor 58 detected the closing of the front cover 12, and then the operator started or stopped the switch 56 or When the operation unit 54 is operated (see steps S36 to S41), the next printing operation of the printing mechanism unit 2 is performed. Therefore, even if the operator makes a mistake, the next printing operation of the printing mechanism unit 2 is not performed. Specifically, after the operator opens the front cover 12, the front cover 12 may be accidentally closed during the replacement work of the recording medium 9, and the start / stop switch 56 may be short-pressed by the impact force. . Even in this case, since the predetermined time has not elapsed after the front cover 12 is opened, the next printing operation of the printing mechanism unit 2 is not performed.

(4) Since the number display part is printed on the jig 40, the operator can grasp the progress of the repeated printing.

=== Modification ===
As mentioned above, although the form for implementing this invention was demonstrated, the said embodiment is for making an understanding of this invention easy, and is not for limiting and interpreting this invention. Further, the present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and equivalents thereof are also included in the present invention. Changes from the above embodiment will be described below. The changes described below may be applied in combination as much as possible.

(1) Steps S37 to S39 may be omitted. That is, when the opening / closing sensor 58 detects that the front cover 12 is opened (step S36: YES), the processing of the control unit 50 may shift to step S40.

(2) In the above embodiment, the table 22 is guided in the sub scanning direction by the guide rail 21, and the table 22 is moved in the sub scanning direction by the power of the servo motor 23. On the other hand, the table 22 may be fixed without moving. In this case, the guide rail 31 is guided in the sub-scanning direction by the guide rail 21, and the guide rail 31 is moved in the sub-scanning direction together with the carriage 32 and the print head 35 by the power of the servo motor 23.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing apparatus, 2 ... Printing mechanism part, 9 ... Recording medium, 40 ... Jig, 10 ... Housing, 11 ... Opening, 12 ... Front cover, 50 ... Control part, 52 ... Alarm, 54 ... Operation part, 56 ... Start / stop switch (operation means), 58 ... Open / close sensor (open / close detection unit), 60 ... Computer

Claims (10)

A printing mechanism for printing on a recording medium;
A control unit that causes the printing mechanism unit to repeatedly perform a printing operation by repeatedly controlling the printing mechanism unit according to print job data transferred from a computer;
Operation means for outputting a signal to the control unit by being operated by an operator,
The control unit maintains a state in which the printing operation of the printing mechanism unit is stopped after each printing operation of the printing mechanism unit, and when a signal is input from the operation unit after each printing operation of the printing mechanism unit A printing apparatus that causes the printing mechanism unit to perform a printing operation. A housing containing the recording medium and the printing mechanism,
A cover provided at the opening of the housing and opening and closing the opening;
An opening / closing detection unit for detecting opening / closing of the cover,
The control unit is configured to detect a signal from the operation unit after each printing operation of the printing mechanism unit after the opening / closing detection unit detects the opening of the cover after the opening / closing detection unit detects the opening of the cover. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a printing operation is performed by the printing mechanism unit when an input is made. A housing containing the recording medium and the printing mechanism,
A cover provided at the opening of the housing and opening and closing the opening;
An opening / closing detection unit for detecting opening / closing of the cover,
The control unit starts timing by detecting the opening of the cover by the opening / closing detection unit, and after the timing exceeds a predetermined time, the opening / closing detection unit detects the closing of the cover, The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing mechanism unit performs a printing operation when a signal is input from the operation unit after each printing operation of the printing mechanism unit. The said control part controls the said printing mechanism part so that the said printing mechanism part may print the frequency | count of having been printed at the time of each printing operation of the said printing mechanism part. The printing apparatus according to item. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit controls the printing mechanism unit so that the printing mechanism unit prints the number of times printing is performed on a jig that holds the recording medium. A printing device;
A computer that generates print job data and transfers it to the printing device,
The printing device is
A printing mechanism that performs printing;
A control unit that repeatedly causes the printing mechanism unit to perform a printing operation by repeatedly controlling the printing mechanism unit according to print job data transferred from the computer;
Operation means for outputting a signal to the control unit by being operated by an operator,
The control unit maintains a state in which the printing operation of the printing mechanism unit is stopped after each printing operation of the printing mechanism unit, and when a signal is input from the operation unit after each printing operation of the printing mechanism unit A printing system for causing the printing mechanism unit to perform a printing operation. The printing device is
A housing containing the recording medium and the printing mechanism,
A cover provided at the opening of the housing and opening and closing the opening;
An opening / closing detection unit for detecting opening / closing of the cover;
The control unit performs a printing operation on the printing mechanism unit when a signal is input from the operation unit after each printing operation of the printing mechanism unit after the opening / closing detection unit detects the closing of the cover. The printing system according to claim 6. The printing device is
A housing containing the recording medium and the printing mechanism,
A cover provided at the opening of the housing and opening and closing the opening;
An opening / closing detection unit for detecting opening / closing of the cover,
The control unit starts timing by detecting the opening of the cover by the opening / closing detection unit, and after the timing exceeds a predetermined time, the opening / closing detection unit detects the closing of the cover, The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the printing mechanism unit performs a printing operation when a signal is input from the operation unit after each printing operation of the printing mechanism unit. The said control part controls the said printing mechanism part so that the said printing mechanism part may print the frequency | count of having been printed in each printing operation of the said printing mechanism part. The printing system according to item. The printing system according to claim 9, wherein the control unit controls the printing mechanism unit such that the printing mechanism unit prints the number of times printing is performed on a jig that holds the recording medium.

Images