JP5932377B2 - Recording system, information processing apparatus, recording control method, and recording apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a recording system, an information processing apparatus , a recording control method , and a recording apparatus, and in particular, includes a recording apparatus having an auto cutter for cutting recorded roll paper when recording is performed using roll paper. The present invention relates to a system, an information processing apparatus , a recording control method , and a recording apparatus .

  There has been known a label printer that prints on a sheet in which a label is continuously attached to a long mount. This label printer includes one that manually cuts a label after printing on each label, and one that automatically cuts a label according to an instruction from a host computer or a printer operation panel. is there.

  In a label printer with an auto cutter, a technique is known in which a continuous paper remaining after cutting is long enough to be discharged without being cut (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-117690 A

  However, in the conventional label printer, since printing is finished on a label attached to a long mount, and the label is discharged from the inside of the label printer, the label is cut by an auto cutter. Can not cut shorter than the length of.

  In addition, for example, a group of two labels is printed on a plurality of labels pasted on a long mount at predetermined intervals, and even if it is desired to cut every two sheets, the cut length is the same as the attachment position of the auto cutter. It may be less than the minimum cut length determined from the transport mechanism. In such a case, there is a problem that a desired cut cannot be made and the label remains in the apparatus.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional example. A recording system including a recording apparatus with an autocutter capable of appropriate printing and cutting even when it is desired to cut a label with a length less than the minimum cut length, and information processing An object is to provide an apparatus , a recording control method , and a recording apparatus .

  In order to achieve the above object, the recording system of the present invention has the following configuration.

That is, a recording apparatus having an auto cutter for recording on a recording medium having a plurality of labels attached at predetermined intervals and cutting the recording medium between labels, and an information processing apparatus connected to the recording apparatus are included. In the recording system, the information processing apparatus is responsive to an instruction unit for instructing a cut length of the auto cutter, and a cut length instructed by the instruction unit being less than a minimum cut length of the auto cutter. And issuing means for issuing a cut command so as to cut the recording medium at a position between the labels that is equal to or longer than the minimum cut length of the auto cutter, and the recording device issues from the issuing means following a cut command, and having a control means for controlling the automatic paper cutter to cut the recording medium.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, recording is performed on a recording medium having a plurality of labels attached at predetermined intervals, and a recording apparatus having an auto cutter for cutting the recording medium between the labels is connected, An information processing apparatus for giving a control instruction to a recording apparatus, wherein the instruction means for instructing a cut length of the auto cutter and a response that the cut length instructed by the instruction means is less than a minimum cut length of the auto cutter And an issuing unit that issues a cut command so as to cut the recording medium at a position between the labels that is equal to or longer than the minimum cut length of the auto cutter.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording control method for a recording apparatus having an auto cutter that records on a recording medium having a plurality of labels attached at predetermined intervals and cuts the recording medium between the labels. Instructing the cut length of the auto cutter, and in response to the cut length instructed in the indicating step being less than the minimum cut length of the auto cutter, And a issuing step of issuing a cut command so as to cut the recording medium at a position between the labels .
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording apparatus having an auto cutter for recording on a recording medium having a plurality of labels attached at predetermined intervals and cutting the recording medium between the labels. In response to the cut length of the auto cutter being less than the minimum cut length of the auto cutter, the recording medium is cut at a position between the labels that is equal to or greater than the minimum cut length of the auto cutter. The recording apparatus is characterized by having a control means for controlling the auto cutter.

  Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute each means of the information processing apparatus having the above configuration.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, for example, even when the specified number of labels is less than the minimum cut length, by adding a margin label, it is possible to perform appropriate printing and cutting without leaving a label in the auto cutter. There is an effect that can be done.

1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a recording system that is a typical embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view illustrating an outline of a configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus included in the recording system illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a recording paper feed operation of the recording apparatus shown in FIG. 2. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit of the recording apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the print setting screen at the time of using an auto cutter. It is a schematic diagram which shows that it cannot cut because it is less than the minimum cut length when it wants to cut every two labels. It is a flowchart which shows the setting process of a cut. It is a figure which shows the example of the print setting screen which shows a mode that the margin for one label is added when it wants to cut for every two labels. It is a flowchart which shows a message control process. It is a flowchart which shows a margin addition process. It is a figure which shows a mode that the margin label was added to the continuous paper. It is a figure which shows the example of the message which confirms addition of a margin. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a last cut length is less than a minimum cut length in continuous paper cutting at the end of a print job. 10 is a flowchart illustrating margin addition processing at the end of a print job. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating the addition of a margin at the end of a print job.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described more specifically and in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In this specification, “recording” (sometimes referred to as “printing”) is not limited to the case of forming significant information such as characters and graphics, but may be significant. Furthermore, it also represents a case where an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like is widely formed on a recording medium or a medium is processed regardless of whether or not it is manifested so that a human can perceive it visually.

  “Recording medium” refers not only to paper used in general recording apparatuses but also widely to cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, and the like that can accept ink. Shall.

  Further, “ink” (sometimes referred to as “liquid”) should be interpreted widely as in the definition of “recording (printing)”. Therefore, by being applied on the recording medium, it is used for formation of images, patterns, patterns, etc., processing of the recording medium, or ink processing (for example, solidification or insolubilization of the colorant in the ink applied to the recording medium). It shall represent a liquid that can be made.

<Overview of recording system (FIGS. 1 to 4)>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a recording system which is a typical embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the recording system 300 includes an inkjet recording device 301 and a personal computer (PC) 310 connected by a USB cable 340 or the like. The personal computer (PC) 310 is called a host or an information processing apparatus in the following description. Connected to the host 310 are a display 320 for displaying various information and an instruction unit 330 including a keyboard and a pointing device for giving instructions to the host. The host 310 includes a CPU 311 for executing various programs and a memory 312 for storing these programs and data. The memory 312 includes a semiconductor memory such as a ROM and a RAM, a hard disk, and the like.

  On the other hand, the ink jet recording apparatus 301 is equipped with a roll-shaped recording medium, and is provided with an auto cutter 306 for performing recording while conveying the recording medium and then cutting the recorded portion. However, there is a certain length between the discharge port of the roll-shaped recording medium of the recording apparatus and the cutting portion of the auto cutter 310, and the recording medium cannot be cut shorter than this length. This length is called the minimum cut length.

  Since the inkjet recording apparatus 301 is controlled by the host 310, a printer driver (a kind of control program) for operating the inkjet recording apparatus 301 and controlling recording is installed in the host 310. When this printer driver is executed by the CPU 311 during recording, various menu screens related to the recording operation are displayed on the display 320 of the host. Various instructions related to cutting the label can be performed using the auto cutter described below.

  As a matter of course, the host generates a print job and generates image data for printing.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the host and the inkjet recording apparatus are connected by a USB cable. However, the connection method is not limited to this. For example, it can be connected by a LAN cable or a wireless interface.

  2 is an internal side view showing an outline of the configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a recording apparatus) included in the recording system shown in FIG.

  The recording apparatus 301 includes four full-line recording heads 305 that discharge yellow (Y) ink, magenta (M) ink, cyan (C) ink, and black (K) ink, respectively. Further, the recording apparatus 301 includes a print buffer memory (hereinafter referred to as VRAM) for temporarily storing image data for each color sent from the host 310, and when the expansion of the image data is completed in the VRAM, the following is performed. Perform the recording operation. That is, the roll holder 302 and the transport unit 303 are operated to run the recording paper 304, which is a roll-like continuous paper composed of a base paper and a plurality of labels, and according to the contents of the VRAM, each YMCK ink is ejected to perform recording. . A plurality of labels are affixed on the mount at predetermined intervals to the roll-shaped continuous paper.

  The recording apparatus 301 receives various setting data such as a paper type, an ink type, and an image data size from the host 310.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the recording paper feed operation of the recording apparatus shown in FIG.

  According to FIG. 3, the recording paper 304 is inserted from the roll holder 302 to the transport unit 303, and the recording paper 304 is transported in the direction of recording an image (the arrow direction in FIG. 3) by the transport force of the transport unit 303. This operation is called a feed operation.

  When the development of the image data on the VRAM is completed, the recording head 305 is driven in synchronization with the feed operation, thereby recording on the recording paper 304 based on the image data developed on the VRAM.

  When the printing on the label is completed, the printing completion portion is conveyed and discharged out of the apparatus. As described above, an auto cutter is attached to the discharge portion of the apparatus, and the printed label portion can be cut from a roll-shaped continuous paper.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit of the recording apparatus.

  4, 400 is an MPU that controls the entire apparatus, 401 is a program ROM that stores various control programs executed by the MPU 401, and 402 is a RAM that is used as a work area when the MPU 401 executes the above-described control program. . Reference numeral 403 denotes a CGROM storing font information for printing, 404 denotes a VRAM 404 used as a print buffer for bit-developing recording data for one page of recording paper, and 405 denotes a communication driver serving as an interface with the host 310. is there. Further, reference numeral 406 denotes a motor driver for controlling roll paper conveyance and movement control of the recording head and the recovery unit, and reference numeral 407 denotes a motor driven by the motor driver 406. Further, reference numeral 408 denotes a head driving circuit that drives the four full-line recording heads 305C, 305M, 305Y, and 305K. The VRAM 404 is configured so that the recording data can be stored in a separate buffer frame for each color component of YMCK.

  Reference numeral 410 denotes a gate array (G / A) having an interface between the VRAM 404 and the CPU 311 and a copy function in the VRAM 404. The gate array (G / A) performs various functions according to instructions from the CPU 311, but can operate independently of the CPU 311.

<Label cutting with auto cutter>
(1) Explanation of print setting screen (FIGS. 5 to 6)
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen when a cutting method is designated from the printer driver when a label is cut using an auto cutter. This is displayed on the host display 320. Here, the cut interval setting screen 40 exemplifies a state in which printing is performed on nine labels 1 to 9 and cut every three consecutive labels. The cut location is indicated by a broken line.

  In FIG. 5, “Cut at the beginning of the job” 41 means to cut the continuous paper before printing the first sheet, that is, before printing on the label printed for the first time in the print job. Means to start. “Cut at the end of the job” 42 means to cut the last label after printing at the end of the print job.

  Now, as in the example shown in FIG. 6, when the smallest number exceeding the minimum cut length is 3, the cut interval 43 in the print setting screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed as the first 3 pages. The

(2) Initial setting (Fig. 7)
Here, setting processing by the user on the print setting screen will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an initial setting process by the user. 7 is executed by the CPU 311.

  First, in step S101, the CPU 311 determines whether the label length (L) is less than the minimum cut length (Lminc) or greater than the minimum cut length from the numerical value displayed in the cut interval 43. This is determined from the length of one label and the auto-cutter specification regarding the conveyance direction of the continuous paper affixed to the continuous paper used by the user. If L <Lminc, the process proceeds to step S102. If L ≧ Lminc, the process proceeds to step S105.

  In step S102, when the label length is less than the minimum cut length, the CPU 311 sets the default cut interval to be equal to or greater than the minimum cut length. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, since the minimum cut length is between the second and third sheets, the default value of the cut interval is set to “3”. Next, in step S103, since the label length is less than the minimum cut length, the CPU 311 may not satisfy the minimum cut length with the remaining number of sheets depending on the number of printed sheets. “42” is unchecked. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S104.

  On the other hand, when the process proceeds to step S105, in step S105, the CPU 311 sets the default value of the cut interval to “1”. In step S106, since the label length (L) is equal to or longer than the minimum cut length, the CPU 311 checks “Cut at the end of the job” 41. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, the CPU 311 causes the print setting screen to display other displays related to the cutter setting sheet.

  By performing such initial setting, it is possible to clearly indicate to the user that the label cannot be cut for each sheet when the label length (L) is less than the minimum cut length (Lminc).

(3) Corresponding process for user setting ignoring minimum cut length (FIGS. 8 to 12)
Next, when the smallest number exceeding the minimum cut length is three as in the example shown in FIG. 6, the user deliberately sets the cut interval 43 to “2” on the cutter setting screen as shown in FIG. Processing executed when the setting is made will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 9 to FIG. 10 are flowcharts showing the corresponding processing when the user makes a setting that prevents the label from being cut correctly, FIG. 9 shows the message control processing, and FIG. 10 shows the margin addition processing. 9 and 10 is executed by the CPU 311.

  First, in step S201, the CPU 311 monitors the value of the cut interval (Cintv) 43 on the print setting screen, and compares the cut interval (Cintv) with the minimum cut length (Lminc). Here, if Cintv ≧ Lminc, the CPU 311 ends the process as it is. On the other hand, if Cintv <Lminc, the process proceeds to step S202.

  In step S202, when the set cut interval is less than the minimum cut, the CPU 311 displays a message on the host display 320 to automatically add a blank page during printing. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the preview of the cut interval setting screen 40 also has a blank page added.

  The margin page is added by executing a process as shown in FIG.

  In step S401, the CPU 311 determines that the print length (Plength) up to the current cut timing is less than the minimum cut length (Lminc) after the previous cut command is issued when the cut timing comes according to the end of label printing and continuous paper conveyance. Find out if. If Plength ≧ Lminc, the CPU 311 ends the process as it is. On the other hand, if Plength <Lminc, the process proceeds to step S402.

  In step S402, when the print length is less than the minimum cut length, the CPU 311 adds a blank page until the print length is equal to or greater than the minimum cut length, that is, issues a cut command after transporting continuous paper.

  With the above processing, even if the user sets the cut interval 43 to a value less than the minimum cut length, margins are automatically added when actual printing and cutting are performed. In the example shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, since the minimum cut length is three labels, a margin is added for one label, two prints are made, and every three labels are cut. It becomes like this. As a result, label printing as shown in FIG. 11 is performed, and the cut is made not in the portion of the broken line A set by the user by the auto cutter but in the portion of the broken line B in consideration of the minimum cut length.

  Note that the addition of a margin also means that the label is discharged out of the apparatus without being printed. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a message prompting the user to confirm the addition of the margin is displayed, and the user's A margin may be added according to an affirmative response.

(4) Cut processing at the end of the job (FIGS. 13 to 15)
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a continuous sheet is cut every three labels and cut at the end of the print job, and the cut cannot be performed correctly because the final portion of the print job is less than the minimum cut length. .

  In FIG. 13, a broken line A indicates a portion that is correctly cut, and a broken line B indicates a portion at the end of the print job. Therefore, in this case, the end portion of the print job cannot be cut because it is less than the minimum cut length.

  The handling process in such a case will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the processing in FIG. 14 is executed by the CPU 311.

  First, in step S301, the CPU 311 checks whether the label length (L) is greater than or equal to the minimum cut length (Lminc) or less than the minimum cut length. Here, if L ≧ Lminc, the CPU 311 ends the process as it is. On the other hand, if L <Lminc, the process proceeds to step S302.

  In step S302, when the label length is less than the minimum cut length, the CPU 311 checks the check box of “cut at the end of job” 42 on the print setting screen shown in FIG. Here, the CPU 311 advances the process to step S303 only when the check box is checked, and ends the process as it is when the check box is not checked.

  In step S303, when the CPU 311 cuts continuous paper at the end of the print job, if the cut length is less than the minimum cut length, a message indicating that a blank page is automatically added is displayed on the screen of the host display 320. To display.

  In this way, when the print length at the end of the print job is, for example, two label sheets and less than the minimum cut length, the margin for one label is automatically set as shown in FIG. By adding, it can cut at the part of the broken line E following the broken line D.

  Therefore, according to the embodiment described above, a label can be printed and cut for each desired number of sheets.

  Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, when the label is not a die-cut label, the control may be performed so that the label is conveyed to the minimum cut length instead of adding a blank page.

  The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus executes the program. It is a process to read and execute.

Claims (14)

A recording system comprising: a recording apparatus having an auto cutter for recording on a recording medium to which a plurality of labels are attached at predetermined intervals, and cutting the recording medium between labels; and an information processing apparatus connected to the recording apparatus Because
The information processing apparatus includes:
Instruction means for instructing the cut length of the auto cutter;
In response to the cut length instructed by the instruction means being less than the minimum cut length of the auto cutter, the recording medium is cut at a position between the labels that is equal to or greater than the minimum cut length of the auto cutter. And issuing means for issuing a cut command to
The recording device comprises:
A recording system comprising: control means for controlling the auto cutter so as to cut the recording medium in accordance with a cut command issued by the issuing means. It said issuing means, said the cut length instructed by the instruction means is responsive to less than the minimum cut length of the automatic paper cutter, and the minimum cut length or by adding a label margin to the cut length The recording system according to claim 1, wherein a cut command is issued so as to cut the recording medium at a position between labels . An information processing apparatus for recording on a recording medium having a plurality of labels attached at predetermined intervals, connecting a recording apparatus having an auto cutter for cutting the recording medium between labels, and giving a control instruction to the recording apparatus There,
Instruction means for instructing the cut length of the auto cutter;
In response to the cut length instructed by the instruction means being less than the minimum cut length of the auto cutter, the recording medium is cut at a position between the labels that is equal to or greater than the minimum cut length of the auto cutter. An information processing apparatus comprising: an issuing unit that issues a cut command to the computer. It said issuing means, said the cut length instructed by the instruction means is responsive to less than the minimum cut length of the automatic paper cutter, and the minimum cut length or by adding a label margin to the cut length The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a cut command is issued so as to cut the recording medium at a position between labels .   In response to the fact that the cut length instructed by the instructing means is less than the minimum cut length of the auto cutter, the confirmation means further confirms to the user that a margin label is added in addition to the label to be recorded. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:   6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising display means for displaying on a screen a label on which recording is performed and a location where cutting is performed by the auto cutter.   The display means displays a margin label in addition to the label to be recorded in response to the cut length instructed by the instruction means being less than the minimum cut length of the auto cutter. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the display unit displays a message for confirmation by the confirmation unit.   9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a designation unit that designates a cutting interval for cutting with the auto cutter by a number of labels. A recording control method for a recording apparatus having an auto cutter that performs recording on a recording medium having a plurality of labels attached at predetermined intervals and cuts the recording medium between labels,
An instruction step for instructing the cut length of the auto cutter;
In response to the cut length instructed in the instruction step being less than the minimum cut length of the auto cutter, the recording medium is cut at a position between the labels that is equal to or greater than the minimum cut length of the auto cutter. A recording control method comprising: issuing a cut command. The issuing step, the label cut length instructed in the instruction step in response to being less than the minimum cut length of the auto cutter, the minimum cut length or by adding a label margin to the cut length The recording control method according to claim 10, wherein a cut command is issued so as to cut the recording medium at a position in between . A recording apparatus having an auto cutter that records on a recording medium with a plurality of labels attached at predetermined intervals and cuts the recording medium between the labels,
In response to the instructed cut length of the auto cutter being less than the minimum cut length of the auto cutter, the recording medium is cut at a position between the labels that is equal to or greater than the minimum cut length of the auto cutter. A recording apparatus comprising control means for controlling the auto cutter. 13. The control unit further includes adding a blank label to the cut length to cause the auto cutter to cut the recording medium at a position between the labels that is equal to or greater than the minimum cut length. The recording device described in 1.   A program for causing a computer to execute each unit of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 9.

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