JP6650787B2 - Printer and printing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer and a printing method.

  A thermal transfer printer that prints an image on paper by the thermal transfer method is also called a thermal printer, a sublimation printer, or the like.

  A thermal transfer printer generally includes a thermal head and a platen roller. The ink sheet and the paper are pressed against each other in the gap between the thermal head and the platen roller. Each of the ink sheet and the paper is conveyed while the ink sheet and the paper are kept in pressure contact with each other, and the ink sheet is heated by the thermal head. Thereby, the ink is thermally transferred from the ink sheet to the paper, and an image is formed on the paper. Thermal transfer is performed line by line.

  In a thermal transfer printer, a Y component image, an M component image, and a C component image obtained by decomposing an image into a yellow (Y) component, a magenta (M) component, and a cyan (C) component are generally superimposed. The image is formed on the paper by forming the image on the paper. In addition, an overcoat (OP) layer is formed so as to overlap the formed image. The OP layer improves the weather resistance and fingerprint resistance of the printed matter.

  In a thermal transfer type printer, a plurality of images each having a small size may be printed using an ink sheet for printing a screen having a large size. For example, if two images each having a size of 6 × 4 inches are printed using an ink sheet for printing a screen having a size of 6 × 8 inches, a screen having a size of 8 × 12 inches is printed. In some cases, three images each having a size of 8 × 4 inches are printed using an ink sheet for printing. The techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are examples.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, when an odd number of screens, each of which is a 6 × 4 inch screen, are printed, two screens are printed using a 6 × 8 inch ink ribbon. You. When two screens are printed, after the printing of the first image is completed, the ink ribbon is rewound, and the second image is printed using an unused portion of the ink ribbon. This suppresses the loss of the ink ribbon. However, when it is determined that the first image has high density and the magnitude of the thermal damage received by the ink ribbon is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the ink ribbon is not rewound and a new portion of the ink ribbon is used. You. Thereby, breakage of the ink ribbon and the like are suppressed.

  In the technology described in Patent Literature 2, when an odd number of photos each of which is an L size photo is printed, two photos are printed using a 2L size ink ribbon, and an L size photo is printed. One odd photograph is printed using the ink ribbon. This suppresses printing of one L-size photograph using the 2L-size ink ribbon, and prevents the second half of the 2L-size ink ribbon from remaining unused.

  The technique described in Patent Document 3 is not directly related to an ink sheet. However, the technique described in Patent Document 3 relates to job connection. In the technology described in Patent Document 3, when the printing process of a print job being printed is almost finished, a print job to be subsequently printed is converted into print data, and the converted print data is sent to a printer. Is entered. If the print processing of the print job being printed is not nearly finished, the print job to be subsequently subjected to the print processing is converted into the first print data, but the standby state is executed without completing the conversion state. The newly acquired print job is converted to the second print data, and a concatenation process is performed in which the second print data is added to the first print data. As a result, the time for the cutting process, the positioning process, and the like, which occur between print jobs, and the useless recording paper and the like that occur during the cutting are reduced.

Patent No. 4844330 Patent No. 4178921 Patent No. 5482431

  According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, when an odd number of images each having an oval size are printed using an ink sheet for printing a screen having a large format, the ink sheet is rewound. In some cases, the ink sheet may not be rewound. When the ink sheet is rewound, printing is performed using the damaged ink sheet as compared with the case where the ink sheet is not rewound, so that the quality of printing is reduced. On the other hand, when the ink sheet is not rewound, a part of the ink sheet is not used and is wasted.

  According to the technique described in Patent Literature 2, it is possible to prevent a part of the ink sheet from being wasted. However, the technology described in Patent Literature 2 cannot meet the demand for reducing the number of types of ink sheets.

  The present invention has been made to solve these problems. The problem to be solved by the present invention is to use an ink sheet having an ink sheet surface used to print a screen having a first size, each having a second size smaller than the first size. When printing a plurality of images, it is an object to suppress a decrease in print quality without increasing the types of ink sheets and to suppress a part of the ink sheets from being wasted.

  The present invention relates to a printer and a printing method.

  The ink sheet has an ink sheet surface used to print a screen having a first size.

  At least one job is received, and printing is performed using the ink sheet for the at least one received job. Printing is performed as follows. In the following, the first image data, the second image data, the third image data, and the fourth image data represent the first image, the second image, the third image, and the fourth image, respectively. Each of the first image, the second image, the third image, and the fourth image has a second size smaller than the first size.

In a first aspect of the present invention, a job is received, the job includes first image data and second image data, and second image data is received subsequent to the first image data. If the first time from the end of the reception of the image data to the start of the reception of the second image data is shorter than the first standby time, the first image and the second image are stored in the ink sheet. A first concatenation is performed in which the faces are printed once using the concatenation.

  If the first time is longer than the first waiting time, the first connection is not performed.

A second job is received following the first job, the first job includes third image data from the first concatenation , the second job includes fourth image data, The third image data is received last in the job No. 4, the fourth image data is received first in the second job, and the reception of the fourth reception data is completed after the reception of the third image data is completed. If the second time until the start is shorter than the second standby time longer than the first standby time , the third image and the fourth image are connected using the ink sheet surface once. A second concatenation for printing is performed.

If the second time is longer than the second waiting time, the second connection is not performed.
In a second aspect of the present invention, a job is received, the job includes first image data and second image data, and second image data is received subsequent to the first image data; If the first time from the end of the reception of the image data to the start of the reception of the second image data is shorter than the first standby time, the first image and the second image are stored in the ink sheet. A first concatenation is performed in which the faces are printed once using the concatenation.
If the first time is longer than the first waiting time, the first connection is not performed.
A second job is received following the first job, the first job includes third image data, the second job includes fourth image data, and a third image in the first job. Data is received last, the fourth image data is received first in the second job, and the second image data is received from the end of the third image data until the start of the fourth received data. If the time is shorter than the second standby time, a second connection is performed in which the third image and the fourth image are connected and printed using the ink sheet surface once.
If the second time is longer than the second waiting time, the second connection is not performed.
An analysis result is obtained by analyzing at least one job, and a first standby time and a second standby time are set based on the analysis result. The first standby time and the second standby time are changed based on the setting.

  When a plurality of images each having a second size smaller than the first size are printed using an ink sheet having an ink sheet surface used to print a screen having a first size. In many cases, a plurality of images can be connected and printed using the ink sheet surface once. This suppresses a decrease in print quality without increasing the types of ink sheets, and suppresses a waste of a part of the ink sheets.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a printing system including the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an ink sheet provided in the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a job holding state in a printing system including the printer according to the first embodiment. 6 is a time chart illustrating a job reception timing in the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a printed material obtained when connection between jobs is performed in the printer according to the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a printed material obtained when the connection between jobs is not performed in the printer according to the first embodiment; FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a printing system including a printer according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting a standby time in a printing system including a printer according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a printing system including a printer according to a third embodiment. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing for analyzing a job and setting a waiting time Twait in the printer according to the third embodiment. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing for analyzing a job and setting a waiting time Twait in the printer according to the third embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating processing for analyzing a job and setting a waiting time TwaitNextJob in the printer according to the third embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating processing for analyzing a job and setting a waiting time TwaitNextJob in the printer according to the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a printing system including a printer according to a fourth embodiment. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a process for specifying a selected job pattern in a printing system including a printer according to the fourth embodiment.

1 Embodiment 1
1.1 Printing System FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a printing system including the printer according to the first embodiment.

  The printing system 1000 shown in FIG. 1 includes a host personal computer (PC) 1022 and a printer 1024. The printing system 1000 may include components other than these components.

  The printer 1024 is communicably connected to the host PC 1022.

1.2 Printer The printer 1024 is a thermal transfer printer, and includes a printing unit 1042 and a control unit 1044.

  The printing unit 1042 includes a paper roll 1062, paper 1064, an ink bobbin 1066, an ink sheet 1068, an ink bobbin 1070, a pinch roller 1072, a grip roller 1074, a thermal head 1076, a platen roller 1078, a cutting mechanism 1080, a pulse motor 1082, and a pulse motor. 1084. The control unit 1044 includes an image data generation unit 1102, a thermal head control unit 1104, an ink sheet drive control unit 1106, a paper drive control unit 1108, and a standby time control unit 1110. The image data generation unit 1102 includes a memory 1122. The printer 1024 may include components other than these components.

1.3 Communication between Host PC and Printer When the printing system 1000 prints an image, the host PC 1022 and the printer 1024 communicate with each other, and a job including image data is transferred from the host PC 1022 to the printer 1024. A job is also called a print job or the like, and is a unit of printing processing.

  The host PC 1022 generates a job by executing a printer driver and other printer control software and operating according to the printer control software. The host PC 1022 executes the operation system or the application and operates according to the operation system or the application, thereby receiving from the printer 1024 information indicating whether or not the printer 1024 is ready to receive the job. If the information indicates that the job can be received, the generated job is transmitted to the printer 1024. The host PC 1022 performs these processes for each of the plurality of generated jobs, and sequentially transmits the generated plurality of jobs to the printer 1024.

  The printer 1024 transmits information indicating whether or not the job can be received to the host PC 1022. The information indicates that the job can be received when the memory 1122 has a free space necessary for receiving the job. The printer 1024 receives the job from the host PC 1022, and prints an image represented by image data included in the received job on paper 1064. The printer 1024 performs printing on a plurality of jobs sequentially by performing these processes on each of the plurality of jobs. When receiving a plurality of jobs, the printer 1024 prints the jobs in the order in which the jobs were received.

1.4 Printing Unit In the printing unit 1042, the paper 1064 wound around the paper roll 1062 is pulled out from the paper roll 1062. The drawn paper 1064 is sandwiched between the pinch roller 1072 and the grip roller 1074. The sandwiched paper 1064 is conveyed by the rotation of the pinch roller 1072 and the grip roller 1074, and is passed through the gap 1142 between the thermal head 1076 and the platen roller 1078 and the cutting mechanism 1080. The pinch roller 1072 and the grip roller 1074 constitute a transport mechanism that transports the paper 1064. The transport mechanism including the pinch roller 1072 and the grip roller 1074 may be replaced with another transport mechanism. The paper 1064 may be replaced with another type of recording medium that can be a transfer object.

  In the printing unit 1042, the ink sheet 1068 wound around the ink bobbin 1066 is pulled out from the ink bobbin 1066, the drawn ink sheet 1068 passes through the gap 1142, and the passed ink sheet 1068 is wound up by the ink bobbin 1070. . Ink bobbin 1066 and ink bobbin 1070 are rotated by pulse motor 1082 and pulse motor 1084, respectively. Accordingly, the ink sheet 1068 is transported from the ink bobbin 1066 to the ink bobbin 1070, and is reversely transported from the ink bobbin 1070 to the ink bobbin 1066. The ink bobbin 1066, the ink bobbin 1070, the pulse motor 1082, and the pulse motor 1084 constitute a transport mechanism that transports the ink sheet 1068. The transport mechanism including the ink bobbin 1066, the ink bobbin 1070, the pulse motor 1082, and the pulse motor 1084 may be replaced with another transport mechanism. The ink is coated on the ink sheet 1068.

  In the printing unit 1042, when thermal transfer of ink from the ink sheet 1068 to the paper 1064 is performed, the paper 1064 and the ink sheet 1068 are overlapped at the gap 1142, and the overlapped paper 1064 and the ink sheet 1068 are The paper 1064 and the ink sheet 1068 are pressed against each other by being sandwiched between the platen rollers 1078, and the ink sheet 1068 is heated by the thermal head 1076. In the printing unit 1042, an image represented by the input image data for printing is printed on the paper 1064 by repeatedly performing the thermal transfer while transporting the paper 1064 and the ink sheet 1068.

  In the printing unit 1042, the paper 1064 on which the image has been printed is cut by the cutting mechanism 1080. As a result, a printed matter composed of a piece of paper on which the image is printed is obtained. The obtained printed matter is discharged from the printer 1024.

1.5 Control Unit The image data generation unit 1102 receives the job transferred from the host PC 1022 to the printer 1024, temporarily stores the image data included in the received job in the memory 1122, and stores the image data in the ink sheet 1068 to be used. The image data for printing is generated from the temporarily held image data, and the generated image data for printing is output to the printing unit 1042. Accordingly, the image data generation unit 1102 generates image data for printing from the received job, and causes the printing unit 1042 to print an image represented by the generated image data for printing. When a plurality of image data are temporarily stored in the memory 1122, the image data generation unit 1102 converts the image data into image data for printing in the order in which the image data was received.

  The image data included in the job is YMC image data including a yellow (Y) color component, a magenta (M) color component, and a cyan (C) color component, and expresses an image to be printed. The image data may be image data including a plurality of color components other than the Y component, the M component, and the C component.

  The thermal head control unit 1104 performs an operation of moving the thermal head 1076 closer to the platen roller 1078 and an operation of moving the thermal head 1076 away from the platen roller 1078 while the paper 1064 and the ink sheet 1068 are being conveyed when printing is performed. Control.

  The ink sheet drive control unit 1106 controls the rotation of the ink bobbin 1066 and the ink bobbin 1070 by controlling the pulse motor 1082 and the pulse motor 1084, pulling out the ink sheet 1068 from the ink bobbin 1066, and It controls the winding of the ink sheet 1068, the winding of the ink sheet 1068 around the ink bobbin 1070, and the drawing out of the ink sheet 1068 from the ink bobbin 1070, and controls the conveyance and reverse conveyance of the ink sheet 1068. The reverse conveyance of the ink sheet 1068 is performed for rewinding the ink sheet 1068.

  The paper control unit 1044 controls the pinch roller 1072, the grip roller 1074, and the like to control the drawing of the paper 1064 from the paper roll 1062 and the winding of the paper 1064 onto the paper roll 1062, and the conveyance and reverse of the paper 1064. Controls transport. The reverse transport of the paper 1064 is performed for rewinding the paper 1064. The rewinding of the paper 1064 is necessary when the paper 1064 is cut.

  When the printing mechanism 1046 including the printing unit 1042, the image data generation unit 1102, the thermal head control unit 1104, the ink sheet drive control unit 1106, and the paper drive control unit 1108 prints a job, the standby time control unit 1110 performs image printing. The printing mechanism 1046 is controlled so as to wait for the printing for the waiting time.

1.6 Ink Sheet The schematic diagram of FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an ink sheet provided in the printer of the first embodiment.

  The ink sheet 1068 shown in FIG. 2 has a web shape, and has a plurality of ink sheet surfaces 1162 arranged in a direction in which the ink sheet 1068 extends. The ink sheet surface 1182 which is each of the plurality of ink sheet surfaces 1162 is used for printing one screen having a large format size. One screen may include only one image having a large format size, or may include n images each having a small format size smaller than the large format size. n is 2 or more. FIG. 2 shows a use state when one screen including n images each having an oval size is printed.

  The ink sheet surface 1182 has a Y ink region 1202, a C ink region 1204, an M ink region 1206, and an overcoat (OP) layer region 1208. The Y ink region 1202, the C ink region 1204, the M ink region 1206, and the OP layer region 1208 are arranged in the described order in the direction in which the ink sheet 1068 extends from the winding side to the drawing side. The Y ink region 1202, the C ink region 1204, and the M ink region 1206 are respectively coated with Y color component, C color component, and M color component inks. An overcoat layer is applied to the OP layer region 1208.

  The Y ink region 1202 has a first region 1222, a second region 1224,..., And an n-th region 1226. The first region 1222, the second region 1224,..., And the n-th region 1226 are respectively composed of a first image, a second image,. When printed, it becomes a supply source of the Y color component ink, and the ink sheets 1068 are arranged in a direction in which the ink sheets 1068 extend from the drawing side to the winding side in the order described.

  The M ink region 1206 also has a first region 1242, a second region 1244,..., And an n-th region 1246. The first area 1242, the second area 1244,..., And the n-th area 1246 are M when the first image, the second image,. The ink sheet 1068 serves as a supply source of color component inks, and is arranged in a direction in which the ink sheets 1068 extend from the drawing side to the winding side in the order described.

  The C ink region 1204 also has a first region 1262, a second region 1264,..., An n-th region 1266. The first area 1262, the second area 1264,..., And the n-th area 1266 are C when the first image, the second image,. The ink sheet 1068 serves as a supply source of color component inks, and is arranged in a direction in which the ink sheets 1068 extend from the drawing side to the winding side in the order described.

  The OP layer region 1208 also has a first region 1282, a second region 1284,..., And an n-th region 1286. The first area 1282, the second area 1284,..., And the n-th area 1286 are respectively used when the first image, the second image,. The ink sheets 1068 serve as a layer supply source and extend in the order described from the drawing side to the winding side.

  The large format size is 6 × 8 inch size, the small format size is 6 × 4 inch size, and n is 2. However, the large format size may be other than the 6 × 8 inch size, the small format size may be other than the 6 × 4 inch size, and n may be 3 or more. For example, the large format size may be 8 × 10 inch size, 8 × 12 inch size, etc., the small format size may be 8 × 4 inch size, 8 × 6 inch size, etc., and n is 3 Is also good.

1.7 Connection of Images in Job The image data generation unit 1102 receives at least one job, and sequentially receives a plurality of image data included in at least one job. Each of the plurality of received image data represents an image having an oval size.

  The standby time control unit 1110 is configured such that the image data generating unit 1102 receives the job Job, the job Job includes the image data Job_1 and Job_2, and the image data generating unit 1102 receives the image data Job_2 following the image data Job_1. If the time from the end of the reception of the data Job_1 to the start of the reception of the image data Job_2 is shorter than the waiting time Twait, a job for printing by connecting the images Img_1 and Img_2 using the ink sheet surface 1182 once. The printing mechanism 1046 is controlled so that the images in the image are connected. Image data Job_1 and Job_2 represent images Img_1 and Img_2, respectively. Each of the images Img_1 and Img_2 has an oval size.

  When the images in the job are connected, the ink sheet 1068 is conveyed, and while the ink sheet surface 1182 passes through the gap 1142, the image is formed using the ink sheet surface 1182 passing through the gap 1142. One screen containing Img_1 and Img_2 is printed. In this case, the ink sheet 1068 is not rewound after the ink sheet surface 1182 passes through the gap 1142, and the ink sheet surface 1182 that has passed through the gap 1142 does not pass through the gap 1142 again. First regions 1222, 1242, 1262 and 1282 and second regions 1224, 1244, 1264 and 1284 are used. The fact that rewinding is not performed suppresses printing using the damaged ink sheet surface 1182, and improves print quality. The fact that rewinding is not performed eliminates the time required for rewinding, restoring components included in the printer after rewinding, and the like, and shortening the time required for printing. The use of the first areas 1222, 1242, 1262, and 1282 and the second areas 1224, 1244, 1264, and 1284 suppresses wasting of a part of the ink sheet 1068 and reduces printing cost. Let it.

  The connection of the images Img_1 and Img_2 is performed in the printer 1024. Therefore, the host PC 1022 does not perform image composition for generating image data representing an image having a large format from the image data Job_1 and Job_2.

  The memory 1122 has a capacity capable of holding image data necessary for printing two or more screens. For this reason, printing of two or more screens each including two images is performed without interruption.

  The paper 1064 on which the screen including the images Img_1 and Img_2 is printed is cut by the cutting mechanism 1080. Thereby, a printed matter on which the image Img_1 is printed and a printed matter on which the image Img_2 is printed are obtained. Each of the printed matter on which the image Img_1 is printed and the printed matter on which the image Img_2 is printed has an oval size.

  If the time from the end of the reception of the image data Job_1 to the start of the reception of the image data Job_2 is longer than the wait time Twait, the standby time control unit 1110 performs printing so that the images in the job are not connected. The mechanism 1046 is controlled.

  When the images in the job are not connected, the ink sheet 1068 is conveyed and passes through the gap 1142 while the first ink sheet surface, which is the ink sheet surface 1182, passes through the gap 1142. A first screen including only the image Img_1 is printed using the first regions 1222, 1242, 1262, and 1282 of the first ink sheet surface.

  If the first ink sheet surface is greatly damaged during the printing of the first screen, the ink sheet is further transported, and the second ink sheet surface 1182, which is the ink sheet surface 1182 following the first ink sheet surface, is moved. While passing through the gap 1142, a second screen containing only the image Img_2 is printed using the second areas 1124, 1244, 1264 and 1284 of the second ink sheet surface passing through the gap 1142. Is done. In this case, the ink sheet 1068 is not rewound after the first ink sheet surface passes through the gap 1142, and the first ink sheet surface that has passed through the gap 1142 does not pass through the gap 1142 again. The second areas 1224, 1244, 1264, and 1284 of the first ink sheet surface are discarded without being used.

  If the first ink sheet surface is not significantly damaged during printing of the first screen, the ink sheet 1068 is rewound, and the first ink sheet surface passes through the gap 1142 again. A second screen containing only the image Img_2 is printed using the second areas 1124, 1244, 1264 and 1284 of the first ink sheet surface passing through the gap 1142. In this case, the first regions 1222, 1242, 1262, and 1282 of the first ink sheet surface and the second regions 1224, 1244, 1264, and 1284 are used, but the first ink sheet surface has a gap 1142. After passing through the ink sheet 1068, the ink sheet 1068 is rewound, and the first ink sheet surface that has passed through the gap 1142 passes through the gap 1142 again.

  Whether or not the first ink sheet surface has been significantly damaged is determined based on the density of the image Img_1. If the density of the image Img_1 is higher than the reference, it is determined that the first ink sheet surface has been greatly damaged. Whether or not the first ink sheet surface has been severely damaged may be determined by another method.

  The waiting time Twait is determined based on a transfer time required to transfer image data from the host PC 1022 to the printer 1024, and is set longer as the transfer time becomes longer. Preferably, the waiting time Twait is based on a transfer time required to transfer image data representing an image having a size printable by the printer 1024 from the host PC 1022 to the printer 1024 when the host PC 1022 is in a standard state. It is determined. The standard state means that there is no special state such as a state in which the host PC 1022 is performing a high load process and the transfer time is extremely long. This increases the number of cases where images Img_1 and Img_2 can be connected and printed using ink sheet surface 1182 once. Therefore, the print quality is prevented from deteriorating without increasing the number of types of ink sheets, a part of the ink sheet 1068 is prevented from being wasted, the time required for printing is reduced, and the printing cost is reduced. I do. When printing is performed for a job including a large number of image data, two or more screens each including two images are printed without interruption by using the memory 1122 as a buffer.

  The waiting time Twait is generally determined in seconds. When the waiting time Twait is determined in seconds, when the transfer time becomes longer due to an abnormality or the like, there is no need to wait for a long time for the printed matter on which the image Img_1 is printed to be discharged from the printer 1024, Work efficiency is improved. However, the waiting time Twait may not be determined in seconds.

  When the oval size is a 6 × 4 inch size, the waiting time Twait is desirably set to about 5 seconds. When the waiting time Twait is determined to be about 5 seconds, it is likely that the images Img_1 and Img_2 represented by the continuously received image data Job_1 and Job_2 respectively can be connected and printed.

1.8 Connection of Images Between Jobs FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a job holding state in the printing system including the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a time chart illustrating a job reception timing in the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a printed matter obtained when images are linked between jobs in the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a printed material obtained when images are not connected between jobs in the printer according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, image data JobB_1, JobB_2, JobB_3, JobB_4, and JobB_5 generated by the host PC 1022 but not transmitted to the printer 1024 are temporarily stored in a memory 1302 provided in the host PC 1022. The image data JobA_n-5, JobA_n-4, JobA_n-3, JobA_n-2, JobA_n-1, and JobA_n received from the host PC 1022 but not printed are temporarily held in the memory 1122 provided in the generation unit 1102. ing. The image data JobB_1, JobB_2, JobB_3, JobB_4, and JobB_5 are included in the job JobB. The image data JobA_n-5, JobA_n-4, JobA_n-3, JobA_n-2, JobA_n-1, and JobA_n are included in the job JobA.

  In the job holding state shown in FIG. 3, the host PC 1022 has already generated the image data JobB_1, JobB_2, JobB_3, JobB_4, and JobB_5 included in JobB, but further generates the remaining image data included in JobJobB. ing. In the job holding state illustrated in FIG. 3, the transfer of image data from the host PC 1022 to the printer 1024 is not performed because the generation of the job JobB has not been completed.

  In the job holding state illustrated in FIG. 3, the printer 1024 controls the six image data JobA_n-5, JobA_n-4, JobA_n-3, JobA_n-2, JobA_n-1, and JobA_n-1 included in the job JobA. The printing of n-6 pieces of image data is being performed, and the remaining image data JobA_n-5, JobA_n-4, JobA_n-3, JobA_n-2, JobA_n-1, and JobA_n are held.

  The image data generation unit 1102 receives the job JobA after the job JobA, as shown in FIG. When the job JobA is received, the image data JobA_1, JobA_2,..., JobA_n-1, JobA_n included in the job JobA are sequentially received. When the job JobB is received, the image data JobB_1, JobB_2,..., JobB_n-1, JobB_n included in the job JobB are sequentially received. The job holding state shown in FIG. 3 is after the reception of the last received image data JobA_n in the job JobA and before the start of the reception of the first image data JobB_1 received in the job JobB. Things. The image data JobA_n and JobB_1 represent the images ImgA_n and ImgB_1, respectively. Each of the images ImgA_n and ImgB_1 has an oval size.

  The standby time control unit 1110 starts measuring the elapsed time T after ending the reception of the image data JobA_n at the time TAend, and starts receiving the image data JobB_1 at the time TBstart after ending the reception of the image data JobA_n at the time TAend. If the time TBstart-TAend until the start is shorter than the waiting time TwaitNextJob, printing is performed so that the images ImgA_n and ImgB_1 are connected once using the ink sheet surface 1182 and the images are connected between the jobs to be printed. The mechanism 1046 is controlled. The connection of images between jobs is performed by connecting image data within a job, such as when image data JobA_1, JobA_2, ..., JobA_n-1, and JobA_n included in job JobA are odd-numbered image data. Performed when JobA_n exists.

  When images are connected between jobs, the ink sheet 1068 is conveyed, and while the ink sheet surface 1182 passes through the gap 1142, the image is formed using the ink sheet surface 1182 passing through the gap 1142. One screen containing ImgA_n and ImgB_1 is printed. In this case, the ink sheet 1068 is not rewound after the ink sheet surface 1182 passes through the gap 1142, and the ink sheet surface 1182 that has passed through the gap 1142 does not pass through the gap 1142 again. First regions 1222, 1242, 1262 and 1282 and second regions 1224, 1244, 1264 and 1284 are used. The fact that rewinding is not performed suppresses printing using the damaged ink sheet surface 1182, and improves print quality. Further, the fact that the rewinding is not performed eliminates the waiting time required for the rewinding and the return of the components provided in the printer 1024 after the rewinding, and shortens the time required for printing. The use of the first areas 1222, 1242, 1262, and 1282 and the second areas 1224, 1244, 1264, and 1284 suppresses wasting of a part of the ink sheet 1068 and reduces printing cost. Let it.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the paper 1322 on which the screen including the images ImgA_n and ImgB_1 is printed is cut by the cutting mechanism 1080. Thus, a printed matter 1342 on which the image ImgA_n is printed and a printed matter 1344 on which the image ImgB_1 is printed are obtained. Each of the prints 1342 and 1344 has an oval size.

  When the elapsed time T exceeds the waiting time TwaitNextJob, that is, when the time TBstart-TAend is longer than the waiting time TwaitNextJob, the waiting time control unit 1110 controls the printing mechanism 1046 so that images are not connected between jobs. Control.

  When images are not connected between jobs, the ink sheet 1068 is conveyed and passes through the gap 1142 while the first ink sheet surface, which is the ink sheet surface 1182, passes through the gap 1142. A first screen including only the image ImgA_n is printed using the first areas 1222, 1242, 1262, and 1282 of the first ink sheet surface.

  If the first ink sheet surface is greatly damaged during the printing of the first screen, the ink sheet 1068 is further transported, and the second ink sheet surface 1182 which is the ink sheet surface 1182 following the first ink sheet surface While passing through the gap 1142, one screen containing only the image ImgB_1 is formed using the second areas 1224, 1244, 1264, and 1284 of the second ink sheet surface passing through the gap 1142. Printed. In this case, the ink sheet 1068 is not rewound after the first ink sheet surface passes through the gap 1142, and the first ink sheet surface that has passed through the gap 1142 does not pass through the gap 1142 again. The second areas 1224, 1244, 1264 and 1284 of the first ink sheet surface are not used.

  If the first ink sheet surface is not significantly damaged during printing of the first screen, the ink sheet 1068 is rewound, and the first ink sheet surface passes through the gap 1142 again. A second screen containing only the image ImgB_1 is printed using the second areas 1224, 1244, 1264 and 1284 of the first ink sheet surface passing through the gap 1142. In this case, the first regions 1222, 1242, 1262, and 1282 of the first ink sheet surface and the second regions 1224, 1244, 1264, and 1284 are used, but the first ink sheet surface has a gap 1142. After passing through the ink sheet 1068, the ink sheet 1068 is rewound, and the first ink sheet surface that has passed through the gap 1142 passes through the gap 1142 again.

  From the paper 1362 on which the screen including only the image ImgA_n is printed, a printed matter 1382 on which the image ImgA_n is printed is obtained as shown in FIG. From the paper 1364 on which the screen including only the image ImgB_1 is printed, a printed matter 1384 on which the image ImgB_1 is printed is obtained as shown in FIG. Each of the prints 1382 and 1384 has an oval size.

  Whether or not the first ink sheet surface has been significantly damaged is determined based on the density of the image ImgA_n. If the density of the image ImgA_n is higher than the reference, it is determined that the first ink sheet surface has been greatly damaged. Whether or not the first ink sheet surface has been severely damaged may be determined by another method.

  The waiting time TwaitNextJob is determined based on the time required from the time when the user performs the operation of generating the preceding job to the time of performing the operation of generating the subsequent job, and is set longer as the time becomes longer. As a result, in a situation where there is image data JobA_n that has fluctuated from the connection of the images in the job, the image ImgA_n and the image ImgB_1 can often be connected and printed using the ink sheet surface 1182 once. Therefore, the print quality is prevented from deteriorating without increasing the number of types of ink sheets, a part of the ink sheet 1068 is prevented from being wasted, the time required for printing is reduced, and the printing cost is reduced. I do.

  The waiting time TwaitNextJob is generally determined in minutes. However, the waiting time TwaitNextJob may not be determined in minutes.

  The waiting time TwaitNextJob is not shared with the waiting time Twait, and is longer than the waiting time Twait. The waiting time TwaitNextJob is not shared with the waiting time Twait because the desired waiting time Twait depends on the printing system 1000 while the desired waiting time TwaitNextJob depends on the user. The reason why the waiting time TwaitNextJob is longer than the waiting time Twait is that the time from the end of the reception of the image data Job_1 to the start of the reception of the image data Job_2 is assumed to be relatively short, and the image data JobA_n This is because it is assumed that the time from the end of receiving the image data to the start of receiving the image data JobB_1 is relatively long.

2 Embodiment 2
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a printing system including the printer according to the second embodiment.

  The printing system 2000 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes a host PC 2022 and a printer 2024. The printer 2024 includes a printing unit 2042 and a control unit 2044. The control unit 2044 includes an image data generation unit 2062, a thermal head control unit 2064, an ink sheet drive control unit 2066, a paper drive control unit 2068, and a standby time control unit 2070.

  The printing unit 2042, the image data generation unit 2062, the thermal head control unit 2064, the ink sheet drive control unit 2066, and the paper drive control unit 2068 provided in the printing system 2000 include a printing unit 1042, image data This is the same as the generation unit 1102, the thermal head control unit 1104, the ink sheet drive control unit 1106, and the paper drive control unit 1108.

  The difference between the printing system 1000 and the printing system 2000 is that the waiting times Twait and TwaitNextJob are fixed in the printing system 1000, but the waiting times Twait and TwaitNextJob can be changed in the printing system 2000. . Hereinafter, the configuration of the printing system 2000 that causes the difference will be exclusively described.

  The host PC 2022 executes the printer control software and operates according to the printer control software, thereby accepting the setting of the waiting time Twait and TwaitNextJob by the user, and generating the waiting time setting data indicating the content of the setting, A job including the image data and the standby time setting data is transmitted to the printer 2024.

  When a plurality of image data are transmitted, the waiting time Twait is set for each of the plurality of image data. A common waiting time Twait may be set for two or more pieces of image data. Two or more pieces of image data for which the common wait time Twait is set are selected according to the state of the host PC 2022, the state of the job generation work, and the like so as to improve usability.

  When a plurality of jobs are transmitted, the waiting time TwaitNextJob is set for each of the plurality of jobs. The setting of a common waiting time TwaitNextJob for two or more jobs may be performed. Two or more jobs for which the common wait time TwaitNextJob is set are selected according to the state of the host PC 2022, the state of the job generation operation, and the like so as to improve usability.

  The waiting time control unit 2070 changes the waiting times Twait and TwaitNextJob based on the waiting time setting data included in the received job. Thereby, the waiting time Twait and TwaitNextJob are changed according to the setting by the user. The waiting time Twait and TwaitNextJob may be changed based on data other than the waiting time setting data. For example, the printer 2024 may accept the settings of the waiting times Twait and TwaitNextJob, and the waiting time control unit 2070 may change the waiting times Twait and TwaitNextJob based on the settings.

  The setting of the waiting time Twait is performed according to the purpose of the setting and the state of the host PC 2022. The setting of the wait time TwaitNextJob is performed according to the purpose of the setting and the state of the job generation work.

  FIG. 8 shows a setting example of the waiting time Twait in a printing system including the printer according to the second embodiment.

  In the setting example of the waiting time Twait shown in FIG. 8, when the purpose of the setting is to print images one by one, the setting of the waiting time Twait is performed so that the waiting time Twait becomes 0 second. Thus, when the preceding image data is received, the image represented by the preceding image data is printed without waiting for the reception of the subsequent image data, and the ink sheet 2082 is rewound. That is, the images in the job are not linked, and the ink sheet 2082 is rewound each time an image is printed.

  If the purpose of the setting is to link and print the images in the job and the transfer speed of the image data is high, the waiting time Twait is set so that the waiting time Twait becomes 5 seconds. Accordingly, when the image data is transferred at a transfer speed such that the reception of the subsequent image data can be started within 5 seconds after the reception of the preceding image data is completed, the images in the job are connected. .

  If the purpose of the setting is to connect and print the images in the job and the transfer speed of the image data is low, the waiting time Twait is set so that the waiting time Twait becomes 100 seconds. Accordingly, when the image data is transferred at a transfer speed at which the reception of the subsequent image data can be started within 100 seconds after the reception of the preceding image data is completed, the images in the job are connected. .

  The transfer speed of the image data changes depending on the state of the host PC 2022. When the specifications of the host PC 2022 are standard and the host PC is not performing high-load processing, the transfer speed of image data is increased. When the specifications of the host PC 2022 are lower than the standard ones, or when the host PC 2022 performs a high-load process, the transfer speed of the image data is reduced.

  More generally, when the purpose of the setting is to print images one by one, the setting of the waiting time Twait is performed so that the waiting time Twait is relatively short, and the setting purpose is set in the job. When the images are to be connected and printed, the wait time Twait is set so that the wait time Twait is relatively long. Further, the standby time Twait is set such that the higher the transfer speed of the image data, the shorter the standby time Twait.

  In the setting example of the waiting time TwaitNextJob shown in FIG. 8, if the purpose of the setting is to print an image by separating the jobs, the setting of the waiting time TwaitNextJob is performed so that the waiting time TwaitNextJob becomes 0 second. Will be Thus, when the last image data included in the preceding job is received, the last image data included in the preceding job is represented by the last image data included in the preceding job without waiting for the reception of the first image data included in the succeeding job. The image to be printed is printed, and the ink sheet 2082 is rewound. That is, the connection of images between jobs is not performed, and the ink sheet 2082 is rewound for each job. In this case, the image represented by the image data included in the preceding job and the image represented by the image data included in the subsequent job are printed without being mixed.

  If the purpose of the setting is to connect and print images between jobs and the job generation work is simple and takes no time, the waiting time TwaitNextJob is set so that the waiting time TwaitNextJob becomes 30 seconds. As a result, when a job is generated at a generation speed such that the reception of the first image data included in the succeeding job can be started within 30 seconds after the reception of the last image data included in the preceding job is completed. Next, the connection of images between jobs is performed.

  If the purpose of the setting is to connect and print images between jobs and the job generation work is complicated and takes a long time, the waiting time TwaitNextJob is set so that the waiting time TwaitNextJob becomes 180 seconds. As a result, when a job is generated at such a generation speed that the reception of the first image data included in the succeeding job can be started within 180 seconds after the reception of the last image data included in the preceding job ends. Next, the connection of images between jobs is performed. When the job generation operation is complicated and time-consuming, an editing operation may be required.

  More generally, when the purpose of the setting is to print images separated for each job, the setting of the waiting time TwaitNextJob is performed so that the waiting time TwaitNextJob becomes relatively short, and the setting purpose is set for the job. In the case where the images are to be connected and printed, the wait time TwaitNextJob is set so that the wait time TwaitNextJob becomes relatively long. Also, the setting of the waiting time TwaitNextJob is performed so that the waiting time TwaitNextJob becomes shorter as the job generation work becomes simpler and takes less time.

  Also in the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, a decrease in print quality is suppressed, a part of the ink sheet 2082 is prevented from being wasted, a time required for printing is reduced, and printing is performed. Costs are reduced. In addition, in the second embodiment, printing suitable for the purpose of setting, the state of the host PC 2022, and the state of the job generating operation is performed, and the usability of the printing system is improved.

3 Embodiment 3
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a printing system including the printer according to the third embodiment.

  The printing system 3000 illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a host PC 3022 and a printer 3024. The printer 3024 includes a printing unit 3042 and a control unit 3044. The control unit 3044 includes an image data generation unit 3062, a thermal head control unit 3064, an ink sheet drive control unit 3066, a paper drive control unit 3068, a standby time control unit 3070, and a job state analysis unit 3072.

  The printing unit 3042, the image data generation unit 3062, the thermal head control unit 3064, the ink sheet drive control unit 3066, and the paper drive control unit 3068 provided in the printing system 3000 include a printing unit 2042, image data This is the same as the generation unit 2062, thermal head control unit 2064, ink sheet drive control unit 2066, and paper drive control unit 2068.

  The difference between the printing system 2000 and the printing system 3000 is that in the printing system 2000, the setting of the waiting time Twait and TwaitNextJob is performed based on the waiting time setting data included in the received job. Is that the standby time Twait and TwaitNextJob are set based on the analysis result of the status of the received job without including the standby time setting data in the received job. Hereinafter, the configuration of the printing system 3000 that causes the difference will be exclusively described.

  The job status analysis unit 3072 obtains an analysis result by analyzing the status of the received job, and sets the waiting time Twait and TwaitNextJob based on the obtained analysis result.

  The standby time control unit 3070 changes the standby times Twait and TwaitNextJob based on the setting.

  Each of FIGS. 10 and 11 is a flowchart illustrating a process for analyzing the job status and setting the waiting time Twait in the printer according to the third embodiment.

  In step S301 shown in FIG. 10, a job transmitted from host PC 3022 is received.

  In the following step S302, it is determined whether the number of image data included in the received job, that is, the number of images to be printed is N or more. N is a positive integer. If the number of images is N or more, the process proceeds to step S303. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S304.

  In step S303, the wait time Twait is set so that the wait time Twait is relatively short. In step S304, the wait time Twait is set so that the wait time Twait is relatively long.

  As a result, when there are many images to be printed, the waiting time Twait is set so that the waiting time Twait is relatively short, and priority is given to increasing the printing speed.

  On the other hand, when the number of images that need to be printed is small, the waiting time Twait is set so that the waiting time Twait is relatively long, and a plurality of images are connected and printed to reduce the printing cost. Has priority.

  The algorithm for setting the waiting time Twait may be changed. For example, the set value of the waiting time Twait may be calculated from the number of images to be printed using a mathematical expression or a numerical table so that the waiting time Twait becomes shorter as the number of images that need to be printed increases.

  In step S311 shown in FIG. 11, a job transmitted from host PC 3022 is received.

  In the following step S312, it is determined whether or not the transfer interval of the image data included in the received job is equal to or longer than the determination value Timage. If the image data transfer interval is equal to or longer than the determination value Timage, the process proceeds to step S313. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S314.

  In step S313, the wait time Twait is set so that the wait time Twait becomes relatively long. In step S314, the wait time Twait is set so that the wait time Twait becomes relatively short.

  As a result, when the transfer interval of the image data included in the received job is short and the transfer speed is fast, the waiting time Twait is set so that the waiting time Twait becomes relatively short, and the printing speed is increased. Has priority.

  On the other hand, when the transfer interval of the image data included in the received job is long and the transfer speed is slow, the waiting time Twait is set so that the waiting time Twait is relatively long, which may lower the printing cost. have priority. As a result, the number of cases where a plurality of images can be connected and printed can be increased, the deterioration of the printing quality is suppressed, and the waste of a part of the ink sheet 3082 is suppressed.

  The algorithm for setting the waiting time Twait may be changed. For example, the set value of the wait time Twait may be calculated from the image data transfer interval using a mathematical expression or a numerical table such that the longer the transfer interval of the image data is, the longer the wait time Twait is.

  FIGS. 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing processing for analyzing the job state and setting the waiting time TwaitNextJob in the printer according to the third embodiment.

  In step S321 shown in FIG. 12, the job transmitted from host PC 3022 is received.

  In the following step S322, it is determined whether or not the number of jobs transferred per hour is N or more. N is a positive integer. If the number of jobs transferred per hour is N or more, the process proceeds to step S323. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S324.

  If the number of jobs transferred per hour is equal to or less than one hour before the current time when the job generation job is continued for a long time and the job transfer is continued for a long time, This is the number of jobs transferred up to the current time, and if the job transfer was started shortly after the job generation was started, the past work history, that is, the past transfer history The number of jobs based on the number of jobs. Instead of the number of jobs transferred per hour, the number of jobs transferred per specific time longer or shorter than one hour may be used. The specific time is determined in units of minutes, days, weeks, or the like, and is determined so as to be suitable for the job generating operation.

  In step S323, the wait time TwaitNextJob is set so that the wait time TwaitNextJob becomes relatively short. In step S324, the wait time TwaitNextJob is set so that the wait time TwaitNextJob becomes relatively long.

  Accordingly, when the number of jobs transferred per hour is large and there are many images that need to be printed, the waiting time TwaitNextJob is set so that the waiting time TwaitNextJob becomes relatively short, and the printing speed is reduced. Faster is a priority.

  On the other hand, if the number of jobs transferred per hour is small and the number of images that need to be printed is small, the waiting time TwaitNextJob is set so that the waiting time TwaitNextJob is relatively long. , And priority is given to lowering the printing cost.

  In step S331 shown in FIG. 13, the job transmitted from host PC 3022 is received.

  In the following step S332, it is determined whether or not the transfer interval of the job is equal to or longer than the determination value Tjob. If the job transfer interval is equal to or greater than the determination value Tjob, the process proceeds to step S333. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S334.

  In step S333, the wait time TwaitNextJob is set so that the wait time TwaitNextJob becomes relatively long. In step S334, the wait time TwaitNextJob is set so that the wait time TwaitNextJob becomes relatively short.

  As a result, when the transfer interval of the job is short and the transfer speed is high, the wait time TwaitNextJob is set so that the wait time TwaitNextJob is relatively short, and priority is given to increasing the printing speed.

  On the other hand, when the transfer interval of the job is long and the transfer speed is slow, the waiting time TwaitNextJob is set so that the waiting time TwaitNextJob is relatively long, and priority is given to reducing the printing cost. As a result, the number of cases in which a plurality of images are printed in a linked manner increases, so that a decrease in print quality is suppressed, and a waste of a part of the ink sheet 3082 is suppressed.

  Also in the third embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, deterioration of printing quality is suppressed, a part of the ink sheet 3082 is prevented from being wasted, the time required for printing is reduced, and printing is shortened. Costs are reduced. In addition, in the third embodiment, the setting of the waiting time Twait and TwaitNextJob according to the job state is automatically performed without having the user set the waiting time Twait and TwaitNextJob, and the setting is adapted to the job state. Printing is performed, and the usability of the printing system is improved.

4 Embodiment 4
FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a printing system including the printer according to the fourth embodiment.

  The printing system 4000 illustrated in FIG. 14 includes a host PC 4022 and a printer 4024. The printer 4024 includes a printing unit 4042 and a control unit 4044. The control unit 4044 includes an image data generation unit 4062, a thermal head control unit 4064, an ink sheet drive control unit 4066, a paper drive control unit 4068, a standby time control unit 4070, a job state analysis unit 4072, and a job pattern registration unit 4074.

  A printing unit 4042, an image data generation unit 4062, a thermal head control unit 4064, an ink sheet drive control unit 4066, a paper drive control unit 4068, and a standby time control unit 4070 provided in the print system 4000 are each provided in the print system 3000. These are the same as the printing unit 3042, the image data generation unit 3062, the thermal head control unit 3064, the ink sheet drive control unit 3066, the paper drive control unit 3068, and the standby time control unit 3070.

  The difference between the printing system 3000 and the printing system 4000 is that in the printing system 3000, the waiting times Twait and TwaitNextJob are set based on the analysis result of the status of the received job, whereas in the printing system 4000, The point is that the waiting time Twait and TwaitNextJob are set based on the analysis result of the job pattern selected from the plurality of job patterns and the status of the received job. Hereinafter, the configuration of the printing system 4000 that causes the difference will be exclusively described.

  Job patterns A, B, C, and D are registered in the job pattern registration unit 4074. The job patterns A, B, C, and D are obtained by categorizing the printing performed by the user in the past. The job pattern A is a job pattern in which printing is continuously performed for a plurality of jobs each including a large number of image data. The job pattern B is a job pattern in which printing is continuously performed for a plurality of jobs each including a small number of image data. The job pattern C is a job pattern in which printing is performed intermittently for a plurality of jobs each including a large number of image data. The job pattern D is a job pattern in which printing is performed intermittently for a plurality of jobs each including a small number of image data. Therefore, the job patterns A, B, C, and D are different from each other with respect to the number of image data included in the job and the two items of the continuity of the printing execution. The two items may be replaced with at least one other item. Four job patterns A, B, C and D may be replaced with three or less or five or more job patterns.

  The job pattern registration unit 4074 receives the job pattern setting data from the host PC 4022. The job pattern setting data indicates a job pattern selected from job patterns A, B, C, and D. Accordingly, the job pattern registration unit 4074 specifies the selected job pattern by receiving the job pattern setting data from the host PC 4022. The job pattern selected other than by receiving the job pattern setting data may be specified. For example, the printer 4024 may receive the setting of the job pattern, and the job pattern selected based on the setting may be specified.

  The job state analysis unit 4072 sets the waiting time Twait and TwaitNextJob based on the analysis result obtained by analyzing the selected job pattern and the state of the received job. The analysis of the status of the received job is the same as in the third embodiment.

  The host PC 4022 executes the printer control software and operates according to the printer control software, thereby accepting the setting of the job pattern, and indicating the job pattern selected from the job patterns A, B, C and D. The setting data is generated, and a job including the image data and the job pattern setting data is transmitted to the printer 4024.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a process for specifying a selected job pattern in a printing system including the printer according to the fourth embodiment.

  In step S401 shown in FIG. 15, the operation is started.

  In the following step S402, the host PC 4022 receives the setting of the job pattern. If the job pattern A is selected in the setting, in step S403, the job pattern setting data indicating that the job pattern A is selected is transmitted from the host PC 4022 to the printer 4024. If the job pattern B is selected in the setting, in step S404, job pattern setting data indicating that the job pattern B has been selected is transmitted from the host PC 4022 to the printer 4024. If the job pattern C is selected in the setting, in step S405, the job pattern setting data indicating that the job pattern C is selected is transmitted from the host PC 4022 to the printer 4024. If the job pattern D is selected in the setting, in step S406, the job pattern setting data indicating that the job pattern D is selected is transmitted from the host PC 4022 to the printer 4024.

  Also in the fourth embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, a decrease in print quality is suppressed, a part of the ink sheet 4082 is prevented from being wasted, a time required for printing is reduced, and printing is shortened. Costs are reduced. In addition, in the fourth embodiment, the waiting time Twait and TwaitNextJob according to the job status are automatically set without having the user set the waiting time Twait and TwaitNextJob, and the job status is adapted. Printing is performed, and the usability of the printing system is improved. The fact that the selected job pattern serves as the basis for setting the waiting time Twait and TwaitNextJob contributes to performing printing that is more suited to the job status with a simple operation.

  In the present invention, each embodiment can be freely combined, or each embodiment can be appropriately modified or omitted within the scope of the invention.

  1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 Printing system, 1024, 2024, 3024, 4024 Printer, 1042, 2042, 3042, 4042 Printing unit, 1044, 2044, 3044, 4044 Control unit, 1182 Ink sheet surface.

Claims (8)

A printing mechanism for receiving at least one job and printing on the at least one job using an ink sheet having an ink sheet surface used to print a screen having a first size;
(1) the printing mechanism receives a job, the job includes first image data and second image data, and the printing mechanism receives the second image data following the first image data If the first time from the end of the reception of the first image data to the start of the reception of the second image data is shorter than the first standby time, the first image data Using the first image having a second size smaller than the first size and the second image having the second size expressed by the second image data and using the ink sheet surface once And controlling the printing mechanism so that a first connection for performing printing by connecting the first connection is performed. (2) If the first time is longer than the first waiting time, the first connection is performed. Controlling the printing mechanism so that it is not (3) the printing mechanism receives a second job following the first job , wherein the first job includes third image data from the first connection , and the second job is A fourth image data, wherein the printing mechanism receives the third image data last in the first job and the fourth image data first in the second job; When the second time from the end of the reception of the image data to the start of the reception of the fourth reception data is shorter than the second standby time longer than the first standby time, A third image represented by the third image data and having the second size and a fourth image represented by the fourth image data and having the second size are drawn once on the ink sheet surface. 2nd printing using concatenation Controlling the printing mechanism so that the connection is performed; and (4) controlling the printing mechanism so that the second connection is not performed if the second time is longer than the second standby time. A standby time control unit,
A printer comprising: The printer according to claim 1, wherein the standby time control unit is capable of changing the first standby time and the second standby time. A printing mechanism for receiving at least one job and printing on the at least one job using an ink sheet having an ink sheet surface used to print a screen having a first size;
(1) the printing mechanism receives a job, the job includes first image data and second image data, and the printing mechanism receives the second image data following the first image data If the first time from the end of the reception of the first image data to the start of the reception of the second image data is shorter than the first standby time, the first image data A first image having a second size smaller than the first size and a second image having the second size expressed by the second image data and using the ink sheet surface once And controlling the printing mechanism so that a first connection for performing printing by connecting the first connection is performed. (2) If the first time is longer than the first waiting time, the first connection is performed. Controlling the printing mechanism so that it is not 3) the printing mechanism receives a second job following the first job, wherein the first job includes third image data, the second job includes fourth image data, A printing mechanism receives the third image data last in the first job, receives the fourth image data first in the second job, and ends the reception of the third image data. If the second time from when the reception of the fourth reception data is started is shorter than the second waiting time, the third image represented by the third image data and having the second size And printing the fourth mechanism represented by the fourth image data and connecting and printing a fourth image having the second size by using the ink sheet surface once. Controlling, (4) said second time Wherein when the second longer than the waiting time, the waiting time control unit for controlling the printing mechanism so as not performed the second connection,
A job state analysis unit that obtains an analysis result by analyzing the at least one job, and sets the first standby time and the second standby time based on the analysis result ;
With
The standby time control unit can change the first standby time and the second standby time, and change the first standby time and the second standby time based on the setting.
Printer. A plurality of job patterns are registered, further comprising a job pattern registration unit that specifies a job pattern selected from the plurality of job patterns,
4. The printer according to claim 3, wherein the job state analysis unit sets the first standby time and the second standby time based on the job pattern and the analysis result. 5. a) providing an ink sheet having an ink sheet surface used to print a screen having a first size;
b) receiving at least one job;
c) receiving a job, wherein the job includes first image data and second image data, wherein the second image data is received subsequent to the first image data, When the first time from the end of the reception to the start of the reception of the second image data is shorter than the first standby time, the first time is expressed by the first image data and is smaller than the first size. A first image in which a first image having a small second size and a second image represented by the second image data and having the second size are connected and printed using the ink sheet surface once; Printing the at least one job using the ink sheet such that the concatenation of
d) printing the at least one job using the ink sheet so that the first connection is not performed when the first time is longer than the first waiting time;
e) receiving a second job following the first job , wherein the first job includes third image data from the first concatenation , and wherein the second job includes fourth image data; And the third image data is received last in the first job, the fourth image data is received first in the second job, and the reception of the third image data is terminated. When the second time from when the reception of the fourth reception data is started is shorter than the second waiting time longer than the first waiting time, the second time is expressed by the third image data. And printing a third image having the second size and a fourth image represented by the fourth image data, the fourth image having the second size being connected using the ink sheet surface once. 2 so that the connection is made And performing printing for the at least one job using Nkushito,
f) printing the at least one job using the ink sheet so that the second connection is not performed when the second time is longer than the second waiting time;
A printing method comprising: The printing method according to claim 5, further comprising: g) changing the first standby time and the second standby time. a) providing an ink sheet having an ink sheet surface used to print a screen having a first size;
b) receiving at least one job;
c) receiving a job, wherein the job includes first image data and second image data, wherein the second image data is received subsequent to the first image data, When the first time from the end of the reception to the start of the reception of the second image data is shorter than the first standby time, the first time is expressed by the first image data and is smaller than the first size. A first image in which a first image having a small second size and a second image represented by the second image data and having the second size are connected and printed using the ink sheet surface once; Printing the at least one job using the ink sheet such that a concatenation of
d) printing the at least one job using the ink sheet so that the first connection is not performed when the first time is longer than the first waiting time;
e) receiving a second job subsequent to the first job, wherein the first job includes third image data, the second job includes fourth image data, and the first job The third image data is received last, the fourth image data is received first in the second job, and the reception of the third image data is terminated, When the second time until the reception starts is shorter than the second standby time, the third image represented by the third image data and having the second size and the fourth image data Using the ink sheet to perform a second concatenation that prints a fourth image represented and having the second size using the ink sheet surface once to perform the second concatenation. Print job And a step,
f) printing the at least one job using the ink sheet such that the second connection is not performed when the second time is longer than the second waiting time;
g) changing the first waiting time and the second waiting time;
h) obtaining an analysis result by analyzing the at least one job, and setting the first standby time and the second standby time based on the analysis result ;
With
Step g) changes the first waiting time and the second waiting time based on the setting.
Printing method. i) registering a plurality of job patterns;
j) further comprising identifying a job pattern selected from the plurality of job patterns,
8. The printing method according to claim 7, wherein in the step h), the first standby time and the second standby time are set based on the job pattern and the analysis result.

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