JP7173381B2 - PRINTING DEVICE, PRINTING METHOD AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

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

2. Description of the Related Art A manual scanning printing apparatus is known that prints images to be printed, such as characters, symbols, logos, marks, etc., on a printing medium by gripping a housing and manually scanning.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200000 discloses a manual scanning printing apparatus that scans a print medium and prints an image to be printed on the print medium with a print head.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-225512

Not limited to the printing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200010, in a manual scanning type printing apparatus, data indicating an image to be printed is stored in a RAM (random access memory), and the data indicating the image stored in the RAM is transferred to the print head. The image to be printed is printed by outputting to . The RAM used here is a RAM built in a CPU (Central Processing Unit) in order to increase the data output speed. Therefore, the RAM capacity is limited, the length of the image to be printed in the scanning direction is limited, and it is not easy to print the image to be printed that is long in the scanning direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the problems described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus , a printing method, and a program capable of printing an image to be printed that is long in one direction.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a print head having printing elements arranged in a first direction, and from a first side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. a second image to be printed so as to be on the same line as the first image to be printed after printing the first image to be printed on a receiving medium as the print head is moved toward the second side; on the print medium, wherein the user is notified that the print head is once returned from the second side to the first side after printing the first image to be printed. and starting to acquire the second image to be printed from an external device, and after the print head is once returned from the second side to the first side, it is moved again to the second side. when the print head is at a position corresponding to the end of the first image to be printed printed on the medium to be printed, printing of the second image to be printed obtained from the external device is started. A control means is provided .
Further, the printing method according to the present invention is provided with a print head in which printing elements are arranged in a first direction, and from a first side to a second side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. After the first image to be printed is printed on the medium to be printed in accordance with the movement of the print head, the second image to be printed is printed on the medium to be printed so as to be on the same line as the first image to be printed. A printing method executed by a printing device capable of printing, wherein after printing the first image to be printed, the user is notified that the print head is once returned from the second side to the first side. and starting to acquire the second image to be printed from an external device, and after the print head is once returned from the second side to the first side, it is moved again to the second side. when the print head is at a position corresponding to the end of the first image to be printed printed on the medium to be printed, printing of the second image to be printed obtained from the external device is started. It is characterized by including control processing .
Further, a program according to the present invention includes a print head having printing elements arranged in a first direction, and printing from a first side to a second side in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. After printing the first image to be printed on the printing medium along with the movement of the print head toward the printing head, the second image to be printed is printed on the printing medium so as to be on the same line as the first image to be printed. the computer of the printing device capable of printing on the second side, after printing the first image to be printed, the user is informed that the print head is once returned from the second side to the first side; Acquisition of an image to be printed from an external device is started, and the print head is once returned from the second side to the first side and then moved again to the second side, thereby moving the print head. Function as control means for starting printing of the second image to be printed obtained from the external device when the end of the first image to be printed printed on the medium to be printed reaches a position corresponding to the end of the image to be printed. , characterized in that

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus , a printing method, and a program capable of printing an image to be printed that is long in one direction.

1A and 1B are diagrams showing a handy printer and a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a top view showing a handy printer according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. It is a bottom view showing a handy printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a handy printer according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the terminal device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart showing print target transmission processing executed by the terminal device according to the embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a flow chart showing print processing executed by the handy printer according to the embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a flow chart showing first print execution processing executed by the handy printer according to the embodiment of the present invention; 9 is a flow chart showing second print execution processing executed by the handy printer according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating print processing executed by the handy printer according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating print processing executed by the handy printer according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating print processing executed by the handy printer according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating print processing executed by the handy printer according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating print processing executed by the handy printer according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating print processing executed by the handy printer according to the embodiment of the present invention; It is a bottom view showing a handy printer according to a modification. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating print processing executed by a handy printer according to a modification;

Hereinafter, a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a handy printer (printing device) 100 according to the present embodiment includes a housing 101 having a size that is easy for a user to hold by hand. Then, an image to be printed, such as characters, symbols, logos, characters, marks, figures, etc., is printed on the printing medium R. Data indicating an image to be printed by the handy printer 100 is transmitted from the terminal device (another device) 200 . The terminal device 200 is configured by, for example, a smart phone or a tablet PC (Personal Computer) having a display 230 . The handy printer 100 and the terminal device 200 are configured to be able to communicate with each other through a wireless line. The handy printer 100 and the terminal device 200 constitute a printing system 1. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the top surface of the handy printer 100 is provided with a determination button 120 for receiving an instruction to start printing, and a first indicator 130A and a second indicator 130B that indicate the scanning direction to the user. there is

A first indicator 130A is a portion that indicates to the user that scanning is to be performed in the first sub-scanning direction. A second indicator 130B is a portion that indicates to the user that scanning is to be performed in the second sub-scanning direction. The position where the first indicator 130A is arranged is the right end, and the position where the second indicator 130B is arranged is the left end. The first and second indicators 130A, 130B have a light guide plate and LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) that emit red light, LEDs that emit green light, and LEDs that emit blue light, and emit light in arbitrary colors. When the handy printer 100 is viewed from above, the first indicator 130A is arranged at a position overlapping the print head 150 when moved by a reference distance described later in the first sub-scanning direction.

A scanning distance detector 140 and a print head 150 are provided on the bottom surface of the housing 101 of the handy printer 100, as shown in FIG.

The scanning distance detection unit 140 is composed of a light source such as an LED and an optical sensor, and detects the distance by which the handy printer 100 is scanned in the first or second sub-scanning direction.

The print head 150 includes a magenta print head 150M that ejects magenta ink, a cyan print head 150C that ejects cyan ink, a yellow print head 150Y that ejects yellow ink, and inks of each color (not shown). It consists of a tank and The print heads 150M, 150C, and 150Y each have nozzles, which are printing elements, arranged in a line in the main scanning direction. Note that the main scanning direction is orthogonal to the first and second sub-scanning directions. The print head 150 selectively ejects ink from the nozzles by energization corresponding to the image to be printed. The magenta print head 150M is arranged at a position separated by a reference distance d1 from the end of the first indicator 130A. The cyan print head 150C is located at a reference distance d2 from the end of the first indicator 130A and at a reference distance d4 from the magenta print head 150M. The yellow print head 150Y is located at a reference distance d3 from the end of the first indicator 130A and at a reference distance d5 from the magenta print head 150M.

As an electrical configuration, the handy printer 100 includes, as shown in FIG. It includes a control unit 110 , a communication unit 160 , a ROM (Read Only Memory) 170 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 180 .

The control unit 110 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The control unit 110 functions as a print target acquisition unit 111 , an indicator display control unit 112 , a scanning distance determination unit 113 , and a print head control unit 114 by executing programs stored in the ROM 170 .

The print target acquisition unit 111 acquires data indicating the first and second print target images transmitted from the terminal device 200 via the communication unit 160 and stores the data in the RAM 180 . The second image to be printed is an image to be printed after the end of the first image to be printed. Specifically, the print target acquisition unit 111 acquires data indicating the first print target image transmitted from the terminal device 200 and stores the data in the RAM 180 . When the printing of the first image to be printed is finished, the print object acquiring unit 111 erases the data indicating the first image to be printed stored in the RAM 180, and the terminal device 200 starts printing the first image to be printed. Send data indicating that it has finished. After that, the print target acquisition unit 111 acquires data indicating the second print target image transmitted from the terminal device 200 and stores the data in the RAM 180 . Note that the data representing the first image to be printed stored in RAM 180 is erased and the data representing the second image to be printed is stored in RAM 180. Also includes a configuration for overwriting the data indicating the second image to be printed on the .

Indicator display control unit 112 lights first indicator 130A or second indicator 130B to indicate the scanning direction to the user. When the print target acquisition unit 111 acquires the data indicating the first print target image and enters the print standby state, the indicator display control unit 112 lights the first indicator 130A in green. When the enter button 120 is pressed, the indicator display control section 112 changes the lighting color of the first indicator 130A to white. When the handy printer 100 is scanned in the first sub-scanning direction and printing of the first image to be printed is completed, the indicator display control unit 112 turns off the first indicator 130A and turns the second indicator 130B green. lights up. After the handy printer 100 finishes printing the first image to be printed, the scanning distance determination unit 113 determines that the distance scanned in the first sub-scanning direction (first scanning distance) L1 or more in the second sub-scanning direction. When it is determined that the image has been scanned, the print target acquisition unit 111 acquires data indicating the second print target image, and enters a print standby state, the indicator display control unit 112 turns off the second indicator 130B, and turns off the first indicator. 130A is lit green. When scanning in the first sub-scanning direction and printing starts, the indicator display control unit 112 changes the lighting color of the first indicator 130A to white. When the handy printer 100 is scanned in the first sub-scanning direction and printing of the second image to be printed is completed, the indicator display control section 112 lights the first indicator 130A in blue. After that, after a predetermined time has passed, the indicator display control unit 112 turns off the first indicator 130A.

The scanning distance determination unit 113 determines whether or not scanning has been performed for a predetermined distance in the first or second sub-scanning direction. The printing of the second image to be printed is started. Specifically, the scanning distance determination unit 113 determines whether or not the handy printer 100 has scanned the reference distance since the enter button 120 was pressed. causes the print head 150 to start printing the first image to be printed. When the scanning distance determination unit 113 determines that the handy printer 100 has scanned the reference distance d1 after the enter button 120 is pressed, it causes the magenta print head 150M to start printing. The scanning distance determination unit 113 causes the cyan print head 150C to start printing when it determines that the reference distance d2 has been scanned, and causes the yellow print head 150Y to start printing when it determines that the reference distance d3 has been scanned.

When the printing of the first image to be printed is completed, the scanning distance determination unit 113 scans in the second sub-scanning direction, and when the scanning is further performed in the first sub-scanning direction, the print head 150 moves to the first printing position. It is determined whether or not the end of the target image has been reached. Specifically, the scanning distance determining unit 113 acquires the distance L1 scanned in the first sub-scanning direction after the printing of the first image to be printed is completed until the scanning is performed in the second sub-scanning direction. . The magenta print head 150M is scanned in the first sub-scanning direction by the reference distance d5 without printing before the yellow print head 150Y finishes printing. When scanned in the direction by a distance L1, the magenta print head 150M is located at a position scanned by a distance L1+a reference distance of 5d. Thereafter, when scanning is performed in the second sub-scanning direction, the scanning distance determination unit 113 determines whether or not the distance L scanned in the second sub-scanning direction is equal to or greater than the distance L1+reference distance 5d. When the scanning distance determination unit 113 determines that the distance L is equal to or greater than the distance L1+reference distance 5d, the scanning distance determination unit 113 controls the indicator display of data indicating that the distance L is equal to or greater than the distance L1+reference distance 5d. Output to unit 112 . After that, the scanning distance determination unit 113 acquires the distance (second scanning distance) L2 from the start of scanning in the second sub-scanning direction to the scanning in the first sub-scanning direction. At this time, the magenta print head 150M is arranged at a position scanned by distance L1+reference distance 5d−distance L2. When scanning is performed from this position in the first sub-scanning direction, the scanning distance determination unit 113 obtains the distance L3 scanned in the first sub-scanning direction, and the distance L3=distance L2−distance L1−reference distance d5. It is determined whether or not. When the distance L3=distance L2−distance L1−reference distance d5 is scanned in the first sub-scanning direction, the magenta print head 150M is positioned at the end of the first image to be printed. When scanning distance determination unit 113 determines that distance L3=distance L2−distance L1−reference distance d5, it outputs data to print head control unit 114 to print the second image to be printed.

The print head control unit 114 controls the print head 150 based on the scanning distance in the sub-scanning direction detected by the scanning distance detection unit 140 after the scanning distance determination unit 113 determines that scanning has been performed for the reference distance. to print the first image to be printed. Scanning distance determination unit 113 scans in the second sub-scanning direction after printing of the first image to be printed is completed, and scans in the first sub-scanning direction. If it is determined that it is positioned at the end of the image to be printed, the print head controller 114 controls the print head 150 to print the second image to be printed. Specifically, each time the print head 150 scans a distance corresponding to one dot pitch in the first sub-scanning direction, the print head control unit 114 updates the first and second images to be printed stored in the RAM 180. The print head 150 is caused to print a 1-dot line, which is a line of 1 pixel arranged in a line in the main scanning direction for each YMC (Yellow Magenta Cyan).

The decision button 120 accepts the position where the first indicator 130A is arranged on the print medium R as the print start position and instructs the print start based on the user's operation.

As described above, the scanning distance detection unit 140 detects the scanned distance, which is the distance over which the print head 150 scans the print medium R, and outputs data indicating the detected scanned distance to the control unit 110. do.

As described above, the print head 150 selectively ejects ink from the nozzles provided in the print head 150 according to the print data under the control of the print head controller 114 . The ejected ink adheres to the print medium R, and pixels (one dot line) arranged in a line in the main scanning direction of the print head 150 are printed.

The communication unit 160 receives data indicating an image to be printed from the terminal device 200 . The communication unit 160 is composed of a wireless communication module such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

The ROM 170 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and stores programs and reference distances d1 to d5 for the control section 110 to implement various functions as described above. The RAM 180 is composed of a volatile memory, and is used as a working area for executing programs for the control unit 110 to perform various processes. The RAM 180 also stores YMC image data of the first and second print target images, and scanning distance data such as the distances L and L1 to L3. Note that the RAM 180 is built in the CPU and does not have the capacity to store both the YMC image data of the first image to be printed and the YMC image data of the second image to be printed.

The terminal device 200 includes a control unit 210, a communication unit 220, a display 230, an operation unit 240, a ROM 250, and a RAM 260, as shown in FIG.

The control unit 210 is composed of a CPU and the like. The control unit 210 functions as a print object acquisition unit 211 , a print object division unit 212 , and a print object transmission unit 213 by executing programs stored in the ROM 250 .

The print target acquisition unit 211 acquires data indicating a print target image acquired by the operation unit 240 or received by the communication unit 220 and stores the data in the RAM 260 .

The print target dividing unit 212 determines whether or not the length TL in the sub-scanning direction of the print target image acquired by the print target acquisition unit 211 is equal to or greater than the reference length BL. When determining that the length TL of the image to be printed is equal to or greater than the reference length BL, the image to be printed division unit 212 divides the first image to be printed from the beginning of the image to be printed to the reference length BL in the sub-scanning direction. The data representing the image to be printed is divided into data representing the first image to be printed and data representing the second image to be printed so that the second image to be printed extends from the reference length BL to the end of the image to be printed. do. Note that the length TL of the image to be printed does not exceed twice the reference length BL. The reference length BL is determined by the capacity of the RAM 180 of the handy printer 100 and is the length that can be printed in one scan, for example 15 cm.

The print target transmission unit 213 transmits data representing the first and second print target images to the handy printer 100 via the communication unit 220 .

The communication unit 220 transmits data indicating an image to be printed to the handy printer 100 . The communication unit 220, like the communication unit 160 described above, is composed of a wireless communication module such as a wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

The display 230 displays an input image to be printed and an image required for operation, and is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like.

The operation unit 240 receives data representing an image to be printed and instructions for starting and ending print processing based on user input. Operation unit 240 and display 230 constitute a touch panel display device.

The ROM 250 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and stores programs for the control section 210 to implement various functions. The RAM 260 is composed of a volatile memory, and is used as a work area for executing programs for the control unit 210 to perform various processes. Also, the RAM 260 stores data indicating an image to be printed.

Next, regarding an example in which an image to be printed is transmitted from the terminal device 200 having the above configuration to the handy printer 100 and the handy printer 100 prints the image to be printed, the printing process executed by the handy printer 100 and the terminal device 200 The print target transmission process to be executed will be described.

The terminal device 200 starts the print target transmission process shown in FIG. 6 in response to the user's instruction to start the process. Also, the handy printer 100 starts the printing process shown in FIG. 7 in response to the user's instruction to start the process. The print target transmission process executed by the terminal device 200 and the print process executed by the handy printer 100 will be described below using flowcharts. Here, an example in which the image to be printed is not divided and an example in which the image to be printed is divided into a first image to be printed and a second image to be printed will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 6, the print target acquisition unit 211 acquires data indicating a print target image input to the operation unit 240 (step S101). The print target acquisition unit 211 stores data indicating the acquired print target image in the RAM 260 . Next, the print target transmission unit 213 determines whether or not an instruction to transmit data representing the print target image has been received (step S102). If an instruction to transmit data has not been received (step S102; No), step S102 is repeated.

If an instruction to transmit data is received (step S102; Yes), the print target dividing unit 212 determines that the length TL in the sub-scanning direction of the print target image acquired by the print target acquisition unit 211 is equal to or greater than the reference length BL. It is determined whether or not (step S103). If it is determined that the length TL of the image to be printed is greater than or equal to the reference length BL (step S103; Yes), the print target dividing unit 212 divides the length of the image to be printed from the top of the image to be printed to the reference length BL in the sub-scanning direction. is the first image to be printed, and the data indicating the first image to be printed and the data indicating the second image to be printed so that the reference length BL to the end of the image to be printed is the second image to be printed. The image is divided into data representing the image to be printed (step S104). If it is determined that the length TL of the image to be printed is not equal to or greater than the reference length BL (step S103; No), the image to be printed acquired by the print target acquisition unit 211 is set as the first image to be printed, and the process proceeds to step S105. .

Next, the print target transmission unit 213 sets the variable n=1 (step S105). Next, the print target transmission unit 213 transmits data representing the first print target image to the handy printer 100 via the communication unit 220 (step S106). Next, the print target transmission unit 213 determines whether or not printing of the first print target image is completed (step S107). Whether or not printing of the first image to be printed is completed is determined by whether or not data indicating that printing of the first image to be printed has been completed has been transmitted from the handy printer 100 . When the print target transmission unit 213 determines that printing of the first print target image has not been completed (step S107; No), step S107 is repeated. When the print target transmission unit 213 determines that printing of the first print target image is completed (step S107; Yes), the print target transmission unit 213 determines whether the first print target image is the last image. (step S108). If it is determined in step S103 that the length TL of the image to be printed is not equal to or greater than the reference length BL, the first image to be printed is determined to be the last image (step S108; Yes). transmits data indicating completion of printing (step S109).

When the print object transmission unit 213 determines that the first print object image is not the last image (step S108; No), the print object transmission unit 213 increments the variable n (step S110). The image data is transmitted to the handy printer 100 (step S106). Next, the print target transmission unit 213 determines whether or not printing of the second print target image is completed (step S107). When the print target transmission unit 213 determines that the printing of the second print target image has not been completed (step S107; No), step S107 is repeated. When the print target transmission unit 213 determines that the printing of the second print target image is completed (step S107; Yes), the print target transmission unit 213 determines whether the second print target image is the last image. (step S108). Since the second image to be printed is the second divided image, the print target transmission unit 213 determines that the second image to be printed is the last image (step S108; Yes), indicating completion of printing. Data to that effect is transmitted (step S109). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not an end instruction has been input (step S111), and if it is determined that an end instruction has not been input (step S111; No), the process returns to step S101. If it is determined that an end instruction has been input (step S111; Yes), the print target transmission process is ended.

When data indicating the first image to be printed is transmitted from the terminal device 200, as shown in FIG. Data representing the first image to be printed is acquired and stored in the RAM 180 (step S201). Next, the indicator display control unit 112 lights the first indicator 130A in green (step S202). As a result, the handy printer 100 is ready for printing.

Next, the indicator display control unit 112 determines whether or not the enter button 120 has been pressed (step S203). If it is determined that the decision button 120 has not been pressed (step S203; No), step S203 is repeated. When it is determined that the enter button 120 has been pressed (step S203; Yes), the first indicator 130A is lit in white under the control of the indicator display control section 112 (step S204). Next, the scanning distance determination unit 113 starts the first print start process (step S205).

When the first print start process shown in FIG. 8 starts, the scanning distance determination unit 113 determines whether or not the handy printer 100 has scanned the reference distance d1 after the decision button 120 was pressed (step S301). If it is determined that the reference distance d1 has not been scanned (step S301; No), step S301 is repeated. When it is determined that the reference distance d1 has been scanned (step S301; Yes), the scanning distance determination unit 113 causes the magenta print head 150M to start printing via the print head control unit 114 (step S302), and the print head control unit 114 causes the magenta print head 150M to print an image based on the scanning distance detected by the scanning distance detection unit 140 and scanned in the sub-scanning direction.

Next, the scanning distance determination unit 113 determines whether or not the handy printer 100 has scanned the reference distance d2 after the decision button 120 was pressed (step S303). If it is determined that the reference distance d2 has not been scanned (step S303; No), step S303 is repeated. If it is determined that the reference distance d2 has been scanned (step S303; Yes), the scanning distance determination unit 113 causes the cyan print head 150C to start printing via the print head control unit 114 (step S304), and the print head control unit 114 causes the cyan print head 150C to print an image based on the scanning distance in the sub-scanning direction detected by the scanning distance detection unit 140 .

Next, the scanning distance determination unit 113 determines whether or not the handy printer 100 has scanned the reference distance d3 after the decision button 120 was pressed (step S305). If it is determined that the reference distance d3 has not been scanned (step S305; No), step S305 is repeated. When it is determined that the reference distance d3 has been scanned (step S305; Yes), the scanning distance determination unit 113 causes the yellow print head 150Y to start printing via the print head control unit 114 (step S306), and the print head control unit 114 , based on the scanning distance scanned in the sub-scanning direction detected by the scanning distance detection unit 140, causes the yellow print head 150Y to print an image.

Next, the scanning distance detection unit 140 determines whether or not printing has ended (step S307). If it is determined that printing has not ended (step S307; No), step S307 is repeated. When it is determined that the printing is completed (step S307; Yes), the print target acquisition unit 111 erases the data representing the first print target image stored in the RAM 180 (step S308). At this time, the magenta print head 150M is scanned by the reference distance d5 in the first sub-scanning direction without printing until the yellow print head 150Y finishes printing. Next, the scanning distance determination unit 113 acquires the distance L1 scanned in the first sub-scanning direction until the scanning in the second sub-scanning direction after the printing of the first image to be printed is finished ( step S309). After that, the first print execution process ends, and the process returns to the print process shown in FIG.

Next, data indicating that printing of the first image to be printed is completed is transmitted to the terminal device 200 (step S206). Next, the print target acquisition unit 111 determines whether or not data indicating completion of printing has been received from the terminal device 200 (step S207). Here, if the image to be printed has a reference length BL or less, data indicating completion of printing is received. If it is determined that the data indicating the completion of printing has not been received (step S207; No), the indicator display control unit 112 turns off the first indicator 130A and turns on the second indicator 130B in green (step S208). ). Next, the print target acquisition unit 111 acquires data representing the second print target image transmitted from the terminal device 200 (step S209), and stores the data representing the second print target image in the RAM 180 (step S209). S210). Next, when scanning is performed in the second sub-scanning direction, the scanning distance determination unit 113 determines whether or not the distance L scanned in the second sub-scanning direction is greater than or equal to the distance L1+reference distance 5d ( step S211). If it is determined that the distance L is not equal to or greater than the distance L1 (step S211; No), step S211 is repeated. When it is determined that the distance L is equal to or greater than the distance L1 (step S211; Yes), the indicator display control unit 112 turns off the second indicator 130B and turns on the first indicator 130A in green (step S212). Next, the scanning distance determination unit 113 acquires the distance L2 from the start of scanning in the second sub-scanning direction to the scanning in the first sub-scanning direction (step S213). At this time, the magenta print head 150M is arranged at a position scanned by distance L1+reference distance 5d−distance L2. Next, the scanning distance determination unit 113 starts the second print execution process (step S214).

When the second print execution process shown in FIG. 9 starts, the scanning distance determination unit 113 acquires the distance L3 scanned in the first sub-scanning direction (step S401). Next, the scanning distance determination unit 113 determines whether or not distance L3=distance L2−distance L1−reference distance d5 (step S402). If it is determined that distance L3 is not equal to distance L2-distance L1-reference distance d5 (step S402; No), the process returns to step S401. When it is determined that distance L3=distance L2−distance L1−reference distance d5 (step S402; Yes), indicator display control unit 112 changes the lighting color of first indicator 130A to white (step S403). . Next, the scanning distance determination unit 113 causes the magenta print head 150M to start printing the second image to be printed via the print head control unit 114 (step S404), and the print head control unit 114 detects the scanning distance. Based on the scanning distance scanned in the sub-scanning direction detected by the unit 140, the magenta print head 150M is caused to print an image.

Next, the scanning distance determination unit 113 determines whether or not the handy printer 100 has scanned the reference distance d4 after the magenta print head 150M started printing (step S405). If it is determined that the reference distance d4 has not been scanned (step S405; No), step S405 is repeated. If it is determined that the reference distance d4 has been scanned (step S405; Yes), the scanning distance determination unit 113 causes the cyan print head 150C to start printing the second image to be printed via the print head control unit 114 (step S406). ), the print head controller 114 causes the cyan print head 150C to print an image based on the scanning distance detected by the scanning distance detector 140 and scanned in the sub-scanning direction.

Next, the scanning distance determination unit 113 determines whether or not the handy printer 100 has scanned the reference distance d5 after the magenta print head 150M started printing (step S407). If it is determined that the reference distance d5 has not been scanned (step S407; No), step S407 is repeated. If it is determined that the reference distance d5 has been scanned (step S407; Yes), the scanning distance determination unit 113 causes the yellow print head 150Y to start printing the second image to be printed via the print head control unit 114 (step S408). , the print head control unit 114 causes the yellow print head 150Y to print an image based on the scanning distance detected by the scanning distance detection unit 140 and scanned in the sub-scanning direction.

Next, the scanning distance detection unit 140 determines whether or not printing has ended (step S409). If it is determined that printing has not ended (step S409; No), step S409 is repeated. If it is determined that the printing has been completed (step S409; Yes), data indicating that the printing of the second image to be printed has been completed is transmitted to the terminal device 200 (step S410), the second print execution process is terminated, Returning to the printing process shown in FIG.

Next, the indicator display control unit 112 lights the first indicator 130A in blue (step S215). After that, after a predetermined time has passed, the indicator display control unit 112 turns off the first indicator 130A (step S216). After that, the print processing ends. If it is determined in step S207 that the data indicating the completion of printing has been received (step S207; Yes), the indicator display control unit 112 lights the first indicator 130A in blue (step S215) and After the time elapses, the indicator display control unit 112 turns off the first indicator 130A (step S216). After that, the print processing ends.

Next, the processing executed by the handy printer 100 and the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment will be described based on specific examples with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15. FIG. The image to be printed in this example is "ABCDEFGH". This print target image has a length TL in the sub-scanning direction equal to or greater than a reference length BL, which is a length that can be printed in one scan.

In response to the user's instruction to start processing, the handy printer 100 starts print processing, and the terminal device 200 starts print target transmission processing. When the terminal device 200 starts the print target transmission process, the print target acquisition unit 211 acquires data indicating the print target image input to the operation unit 240 (step S101; FIG. 6). The image to be printed that is input here is "ABCDEFGH". The print target acquisition unit 211 stores data indicating the acquired print target image in the RAM 260 .

Next, when the print target transmission unit 213 receives an instruction to transmit data (step S102; Yes; FIG. 6), the print target division unit 212 divides the print target image acquired by the print target acquisition unit 211 in the sub-scanning direction. is equal to or greater than the reference length BL (step S103: FIG. 6). In this example, since the length TL of the image to be printed in the sub-scanning direction is equal to or greater than the reference length BL, it is determined that the length TL of the image to be printed is equal to or greater than the reference length BL (step S103; Yes; FIG. 6).

Next, in the sub-scanning direction, the print target dividing unit 212 performs the first print target image from the beginning of the print target image to the reference length BL, and the second print target image from the reference length BL to the end of the print target image. The data representing the image to be printed is divided into the data representing the first image to be printed and the data representing the second image to be printed so as to form the target image (step S104; FIG. 6). In this example, the first image to be printed is "ABCD" and the second image to be printed is "EFGH". Next, the print target transmission unit 213 sets the variable n=1 (step S105; FIG. 6). Next, the print target transmission unit 213 transmits data indicating the first print target image to the handy printer 100 via the communication unit 220 (step S106; FIG. 6).

When data representing the first image to be printed is transmitted from the terminal device 200, the print target acquiring unit 111 of the handy printer 100 acquires the data representing the first image to be printed transmitted from the terminal device 200, Store in RAM 180 (step S201; FIG. 7). Next, the indicator display control unit 112 lights the first indicator 130A in green (step S202; FIG. 7). This allows the user to confirm that the handy printer 100 is ready for printing.

Next, when the user aligns the green-lighted first indicator 130A with the left end of the planned print position P and presses the decision button 120 (step S203; Yes; FIG. 7), the indicator display control unit 112 controls the , the first indicator 130A lights up in white (step S204; FIG. 7). Next, when the user sees the first indicator 130A illuminated in white and scans in the first sub-scanning direction, the scanning distance determination unit 113 starts the first print start process (step S205; FIG. 7). ).

When the first print start process starts and the handy printer 100 scans the reference distance d1 after the decision button 120 is pressed (step S301; Yes; FIG. 8), the scanning distance determination unit 113 determines whether the magenta print head 150M starts printing (step S302; FIG. 8). When the handy printer 100 scans the reference distance d2 (step S303; Yes; FIG. 8), the scanning distance determination unit 113 causes the cyan print head 150C to start printing (step S304; FIG. 8). When the handy printer 100 scans the reference distance d3 (step S305; Yes; FIG. 8), the scanning distance determination unit 113 causes the yellow print head 150Y to start printing (step S306; FIG. 8). When the user scans the handy printer 100 in the first sub-scanning direction, the first image to be printed "ABCD" is printed.

After that, the scanning distance detection unit 140 determines that printing has ended (step S307; Yes; FIG. 8), and the print target acquisition unit 111 deletes the data indicating the first print target image stored in the RAM 180 ( Step S308; FIG. 8). At this time, the magenta print head 150M is scanned by the reference distance d5 in the first sub-scanning direction without printing until the yellow print head 150Y finishes printing. Next, the scanning distance determination unit 113 acquires the distance L1 scanned in the first sub-scanning direction until the scanning in the second sub-scanning direction after the printing of the first image to be printed is finished ( Step S309; FIG. 8). At this time, the handy printer 100 is scanned to the position shown in FIG. 11, and if the distance L1 is scanned in the first sub-scanning direction, the magenta color print head 150M is arranged at a position scanned by the distance L1+the reference distance 5d. It is After that, the first print execution process ends. Next, data indicating that printing of the first image to be printed is completed is transmitted to the terminal device 200 (step S206; FIG. 7).

Next, the print target transmission unit 213 of the terminal device 200 determines whether or not printing of the first print target image is completed (step S107; FIG. 6). Since the handy printer 100 has transmitted the data indicating that the printing of the first image to be printed has been completed, the printing object transmission unit 213 determines that the printing of the first image to be printed has been completed (step S107; Yes). ; FIG. 6). Next, the print target transmission unit 213 determines whether or not the first print target image is the last image (step S108; FIG. 6). Since the print target image acquired by the print target acquisition unit 211 is divided in step S104, it is determined that the first print target image is not the last image (step S108; No; FIG. 6), and the variable n is incremented. (Step S110; FIG. 6). Next, the print target transmission unit 213 transmits data indicating the second print target image "EFGH" to the handy printer 100 (step S106; FIG. 6).

Next, when it is determined that the handy printer 100 has not received the data indicating the completion of printing (step S207; No; FIG. 7), the indicator display control section 112 turns off the first indicator 130A and turns off the second indicator 130A. The indicator 130B is lit green (step S208; FIG. 7). Next, the print target acquisition unit 111 acquires data indicating the second print target image transmitted from the terminal device 200 (step S209; FIG. 7). Next, data representing the second image to be printed is stored in the RAM 180 (step S210; FIG. 7). Next, the user who sees the second indicator 130B lit in green scans the handy printer 100 in the second sub-scanning direction as shown in FIG. The scanning distance determination unit 113 determines whether or not the distance L scanned in the second sub-scanning direction is equal to or greater than the distance L1+reference distance 5d (step S211; FIG. 7). When it is determined that the distance L is equal to or greater than the distance L1, the indicator display control unit 112 turns off the second indicator 130B and turns on the first indicator 130A in green (step S212; FIG. 7). The user who sees the green first indicator 130A scans the handy printer 100 in the first sub-scanning direction. Next, the scanning distance determination unit 113 acquires the distance L2 from the start of scanning in the second sub-scanning direction to the scanning in the first sub-scanning direction (step S213; FIG. 7). At this time, the magenta print head 150M is arranged at a position scanned by distance L1+reference distance 5d−distance L2. Next, the scanning distance determination unit 113 starts the second print execution process (step S214; FIG. 7).

When the second print execution process starts, the scanning distance determination unit 113 acquires the distance L3 scanned in the first sub-scanning direction (step S401; FIG. 9). Next, as shown in FIG. 13, when the handy printer 100 is scanned in the first sub-scanning direction by distance L3=distance L2-distance L1-reference distance d5 (step S402; Yes; FIG. 9), an indicator is displayed. Control unit 112 changes the lighting color of first indicator 130A to white (step S403; FIG. 9). Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the scanning distance determination unit 113 causes the magenta print head 150M to start printing the second image to be printed via the print head control unit 114 (step S404; FIG. 9). Next, when the scanning distance determination unit 113 determines that the handy printer 100 has scanned the reference distance d4 after the magenta print head 150M started printing (step S405; Yes; FIG. 9), the scanning distance determination unit 113 , causes the cyan print head 150C to start printing the second image to be printed via the print head controller 114 (step S406; FIG. 9). Next, when the scanning distance determination unit 113 determines that the handy printer 100 has scanned the reference distance d5 after the magenta print head 150M started printing (step S407; Yes; FIG. 9), the scanning distance determination unit 113 , causes the yellow print head 150Y to start printing the second image to be printed via the print head controller 114 (step S408; FIG. 9). After that, as shown in FIG. 15, when the printing of the second image to be printed is completed, the scanning distance detection unit 140 determines that the printing has been completed (step S409; Yes; FIG. 9). Data indicating that the image has been printed is transmitted to the terminal device 200 (step S410; FIG. 9), and the second print execution process ends.

Next, the indicator display control unit 112 lights the first indicator 130A in blue (step S215; FIG. 7). A user who sees the first indicator 130A lit in blue can know that printing of all the first and second images to be printed has been completed. After that, after a predetermined time has passed, the indicator display control unit 112 turns off the first indicator 130A (step S216; FIG. 7; FIG. 7).

As described above, according to the handy printer 100 of the present embodiment, the second image to be printed can be printed following the first image to be printed. As a result, even when the length TL of the image to be printed in the sub-scanning direction is equal to or greater than the reference length BL, the image can be printed. In particular, it is effective when the capacity of the RAM 180 is small and the reference length BL cannot be increased. Further, since the RAM 180 is built in the CPU, the data output speed is high, and the maximum scanning speed during printing can be increased. Moreover, by using the RAM 180 built in the CPU, the size of the housing 101 can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced compared to the case where a RAM other than the RAM 180 built in the CPU is provided. Further, the scanning distance detection unit 140 detects the distance scanned in the first sub-scanning direction and the second sub-scanning direction until the second image to be printed is printed after the first image to be printed is printed. Therefore, the first image to be printed and the second image to be printed can be printed continuously without gaps.

(Modification)
In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which data indicating the first image to be printed and data indicating the second image to be printed are transmitted from the terminal device 200 to the handy printer 100 in two batches. The handy printer 100 only needs to be able to continuously print the first image to be printed and the second image to be printed. For example, the handy printer 100 may include an external RAM in addition to the RAM 180 built into the CPU, and may store data representing the first image to be printed and data representing the second image to be printed in the external RAM. The RAM 180 functions as a first storage unit that stores data representing a first image to be printed or data representing a second image to be printed. The external RAM is arranged, for example, on the substrate on which the CPU is arranged, and functions as a second storage unit that stores data representing the second image to be printed and data representing the second image to be printed. In this case, data representing the first image to be printed is output from the external RAM to RAM 180, data representing the first image to be printed is stored in RAM 180, and the first image to be printed is printed. When the printing of the first image to be printed is completed, the data representing the first image to be printed stored in the RAM 180 is erased. Next, the data representing the second image to be printed is output from the external RAM to the RAM 180, the data representing the second image to be printed is stored in the RAM 180, and the second image to be printed is printed. In the configuration in which the data representing the first image to be printed stored in the RAM 180 is erased and the data representing the second image to be printed is stored in the RAM 180, the data representing the first image to be printed stored in the RAM 180 is stored in the RAM 180. It also includes a configuration for overwriting the data indicating the image to be printed in No. 2. Other configurations are the same as those of the handy printer 100 of the above-described embodiment. By doing so, even if the length TL in the sub-scanning direction of the image to be printed is equal to or greater than the reference length BL, the image can be printed by the handy printer 100 alone without the terminal device 200 .

In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the scanning distance detection unit 140 detects the distance scanned from the printing of the first image to be printed until the printing of the second image to be printed. The handy printer 100 only needs to be able to print the first image to be printed and the second image to be printed continuously without gaps. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the handy printer 100 may have a scanner 190 arranged parallel to the print head 150 . The scanner 190 is provided with light receiving elements arranged in a line in a direction parallel to the print head 150 and the main scanning direction. The distance between the magenta print head 150M and the center of the scanner 190 is defined as a reference distance d6. The first indicator 130A and the second indicator 130B have the same length as the length of the print head 150 in the main scanning direction. It is positioned so that it overlaps when folded, and serves as a mark indicating the position of the print head 150 . After printing the first image to be printed, the user moves the handy printer 100 again in the first sub-scanning direction so that the print head 150 passes over the first image to be printed, as shown in FIG. Scan. The scanner 190 detects the end of the first image to be printed, and the distance between the end and the magenta print head 150M when the end is detected and then the end is detected (here, the magenta print head 150M and When scanned, the magenta print head 150M begins printing the second image to be printed. After that, the cyan print head 150C and the yellow print head 150Y are caused to start printing. Using the first indicator 130A and the second indicator 130B as marks, the user scans the first image to be printed so that the handy printer 100 is positioned over the first image to be printed. It is possible to scan in the first sub-scanning direction so as to pass through. In this case, even if the handy printer 100 is separated from the printing medium R after printing the first image to be printed, the second image to be printed can be printed continuously on the first image to be printed without gaps.

In the above-described embodiment, when the second image to be printed is acquired, the print head control unit 114 causes the print head 150 to print the second image to be printed. A print preparation determination unit that determines whether the print preparation for the image to be printed is completed may be further provided. In this case, the indicator display control unit 112 causes the scanning distance determination unit 113 to determine the second scanning distance L2 scanned in the second sub-scanning direction from the first scanning distance L1 scanned in the first sub-scanning direction. is large, the second indicator 130B is turned off, and then the first indicator 130A is turned on when the print preparation determination unit determines that the print preparation for the second image to be printed is completed. Since the handy printer 100 further includes a print preparation determination unit, it is possible to prevent the user from scanning the handy printer 100 before the print preparation is completed.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which an image to be printed is divided into a first image to be printed and a second image to be printed has been described. , a plurality of images to be printed should be continuously printed without gaps. For example, the image to be printed may be divided into the first image to be printed to the Mth image to be printed in the sub-scanning direction. M is a natural number of 2 or more. In this case, after printing the (m-1)th image to be printed, the mth image to be printed is printed. m=2, . . . M−1,M. By doing so, it is possible to remove the limitation on the length of the image to be printed in the sub-scanning direction.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the print head 150 ejects magenta, cyan, and yellow inks from the nozzles has been described. of ink may be used. Further, although the print head 150 is of an ink jet type in which nozzles are arranged in a line has been described, the print head 150 may be of a thermal type or of another type. .

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the first and second indicators 130A and 130B are provided has been described. good too.

In addition, the main part of the print target transmission processing and print processing executed by the handy printer 100 and the terminal device 200, which are composed of a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc., is not based on a dedicated system, but a normal information portable terminal ( Smart phones, tablet PCs), personal computers, etc. can be used. For example, a computer program for executing the above-described operations can be stored on a computer-readable recording medium (flexible disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), etc.). By storing, distributing, and installing this computer program in a portable information terminal or the like, an information terminal that executes the above processing may be configured. Alternatively, the computer program may be stored in a storage device of a server device on a communication network such as the Internet, and may be downloaded by an ordinary information processing terminal to constitute an information processing device.

In addition, when the functions of the handy printer 100 and the terminal device 200 are shared between an OS (Operating System) and an application program, or by cooperation between the OS and an application program, only the application program portion can be stored as a recording medium or a recording medium. It may be stored in a storage device.

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

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and the present invention includes the invention described in the claims and their equivalents. included. The invention described in the original claims of the present application is added below.

(Appendix 1)
a print head in which printing elements are arranged in a line in the main scanning direction;
a housing having the print head on its bottom surface;
scanning distance detection means for detecting the distance by which the housing is scanned in the sub-scanning direction;
print target acquisition means for acquiring data indicating the first print target image and the second print target image;
After printing the first image to be printed in accordance with the scanning of the housing in the sub-scanning direction, the housing is scanned in the sub-scanning direction so that the print head moves to the first print target. scanning distance determination means for determining whether or not the end of the image has been reached;
print head control means for causing the print head to start printing the second image to be printed when the scanning distance determination means determines that the print start position has reached the end portion of the first image to be printed;
A printing device comprising:

(Appendix 2)
The print head control means prints the first image to be printed in response to scanning of the housing in a first sub-scanning direction,
The scanning distance determining means scans the housing in a second sub-scanning direction opposite to the first sub-scanning direction after printing the first image to be printed, and scans the housing again in the first sub-scanning direction. determining whether or not the print head has reached the end of the first image to be printed when scanning in the sub-scanning direction of
When the scanning distance determining means determines that the print head has reached the end portion of the first image to be printed, the print head control means controls the scanning in the first sub-scanning direction. initiating printing of the second image to be printed by a print head;
The printing apparatus according to appendix 1, characterized by:

(Appendix 3)
The scanning distance determining means determines the first distance scanned in the first sub-scanning direction until the housing is scanned in the second sub-scanning direction after printing of the first image to be printed is completed. A scanning distance is acquired, and when the housing is scanned in the second sub-scanning direction, the second scanning distance scanned in the second sub-scanning direction is obtained until the housing is scanned in the first sub-scanning direction. When the housing is scanned in the first sub-scanning direction again, is the distance obtained by subtracting the first scanning distance from the second scanning distance scanned in the first sub-scanning direction? determine whether or not
When the scanning distance determination unit determines that the scanning distance determination unit scans a distance obtained by subtracting the first scanning distance from the second scanning distance in the first sub-scanning direction, the printing head control unit start printing the second image to be printed according to scanning in the first sub-scanning direction by
The printing apparatus according to appendix 2, characterized by:

(Appendix 4)
a first indicator indicating scanning in a first sub-scanning direction;
a second indicator indicating scanning in a second sub-scanning direction opposite to the first sub-scanning direction;
and indicator display control means for controlling lighting of the first indicator and the second indicator,
The indicator display control means lights the first indicator when printing the first image to be printed, and lights the second indicator when printing of the first image to be printed is completed.
The printing apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, characterized by:

(Appendix 5)
When the scanning distance determining means determines that the second scanning distance scanned in the second sub-scanning direction is larger than the first scanning distance scanned in the first sub-scanning direction, the indicator display control means , extinguishing the second indicator;
The printing apparatus according to appendix 4, characterized by:

(Appendix 6)
further comprising print preparation determination means for determining whether or not preparation for printing of the second image to be printed is completed;
The indicator display control means determines that the second scanning distance scanned in the second sub-scanning direction is greater than the first scanning distance scanned in the first sub-scanning direction by the scanning distance determination means, After turning off the second indicator, turning on the first indicator when the print preparation determining means determines that the printing preparation for the second image to be printed is completed;
The printing apparatus according to appendix 5, characterized by:

(Appendix 7)
A scanner provided with light receiving elements arranged in a line in a direction parallel to the main scanning direction of the print head,
When detecting the end portion of the first image to be printed printed by the scanner, the scanning distance determination means determines the distance between the end portion and the print head when the end portion is detected. determining whether scanning is performed in the sub-scanning direction;
7. The printing apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 6, characterized by:

(Appendix 8)
a first storage unit that stores data representing the first image to be printed or data representing the second image to be printed;
a second storage unit that stores data representing the first image to be printed and data representing the second image to be printed;
with
The print target acquisition means acquires data representing the first print target image and the second print target image, and stores the acquired data representing the first and second print target images in a second storage unit. When printing the first image to be printed, the data representing the first image to be printed is stored in the first storage unit, and the print head control means stores the data representing the first image to be printed in the first storage unit. When the first image to be printed based on the stored data representing the first image to be printed is printed, the data representing the first image to be printed stored in the first storage unit is erased. , storing data indicating the second image to be printed in a first storage unit;
8. The printing apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 7, characterized by:

(Appendix 9)
The print target acquisition means includes:
obtaining data indicating the second image to be printed when printing of the first image to be printed is completed;
8. The printing apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 7, characterized by:

(Appendix 10)
The print target acquisition means includes:
receiving means for receiving data indicating the first image to be printed and the second image to be printed from another device;
The receiving means
When printing of the first image to be printed is completed, reception of data indicating the second image to be printed is started;
The printing apparatus according to appendix 9, characterized by:

(Appendix 11)
The printing device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 10;
another device that transmits data indicating the first image to be printed and the second image to be printed to the printing device;
A printing system comprising:
When the first image to be printed is transmitted from the other device to the printing device, and printing of the first image to be printed by the printing device is completed, the other device prints the second image to be printed. sending data indicating to the printing device;
A printing system characterized by:

(Appendix 12)
The other apparatus includes print target dividing means for dividing the print target image into the first print target image and the second print target image when it is determined that the length of the print target image is equal to or greater than the reference length. prepare
The printing system according to appendix 11, characterized by:

(Appendix 13)
In the sub-scanning direction, the print target image dividing unit divides the print target image from the beginning to the reference length into the first print target image, and the print target image from the reference length to the end into the second print target image. dividing the data representing the image to be printed into data representing the first image to be printed and data representing the second image to be printed so as to form target images;
13. The printing system according to appendix 12, characterized by:

(Appendix 14)
a print head in which printing elements are arranged in a line in the main scanning direction;
a housing having the print head on its bottom surface;
A printing method for printing using a printing device including scanning distance detection means for detecting a distance by which the casing is scanned in the sub-scanning direction,
a print target acquisition step of acquiring data indicating a first print target image and a second print target image;
a printing step of causing the print head to print the first image to be printed according to scanning of the housing in the sub-scanning direction;
a scanning distance determination step of determining whether or not the print head has reached the end portion of the first image to be printed printed by the printing step by scanning in the sub-scanning direction;
a print head control step of causing the print head to print the second image to be printed when the scanning distance determining step determines that the print head has reached the end portion of the first image to be printed;
A printing method comprising:

(Appendix 15)
a print head in which printing elements are arranged in a line in the main scanning direction;
a housing having the print head on its bottom surface;
a computer for controlling a printing apparatus comprising scanning distance detection means for detecting the distance by which the housing is scanned in the sub-scanning direction;
print target acquisition means for acquiring data indicating the first print target image and the second print target image;
scanning distance determination means for determining whether or not the print head has reached the end portion of the first image to be printed printed by the printing device by scanning in the sub-scanning direction;
print head control means for causing the print head to print the second image to be printed when the scanning distance determination means determines that the print head has reached the end portion of the first image to be printed;
A program that acts as a

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Printing system 100... Handy printer 101... Case 110, 210... Control part 111, 211... Print object acquisition part 112... Indicator display control part 113... Scanning distance determination part 114... Print head control Part 120... Enter button 130A... First indicator 130B... Second indicator 140... Scanning distance detector 150... Print head 150M... Magenta print head 150C... Cyan print head 150Y... Yellow Print head 160, 220 Communication unit 170, 250 ROM 180, 260 RAM 190 Scanner 200 Terminal device 212 Print target division unit 213 Print target transmission unit 230 Display 240 ... operation part, R ... printing medium, L, L1 to L3 ... length, d1 to d6 ... reference distance

Claims (4)

a print head having printing elements arranged in a first direction;
After printing the first image to be printed on the print medium in accordance with the movement of the print head from the first side toward the second side in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction, A printing device capable of printing a second image to be printed on the print medium so as to be on the same line as the first image to be printed,
After printing the first image to be printed, the user is notified that the print head is temporarily returned from the second side to the first side, and acquisition of the second image to be printed from an external device is requested. the print head is once returned from the second side to the first side and then moved again to the second side, whereby the print head prints on the print medium; a control means for starting printing of the second image to be printed obtained from the external device when the position corresponding to the end of the first image to be printed is reached;
A printing device characterized by: The control means instructs the user to move the print head to the second side again when the return distance when the print head is temporarily returned from the second side to the first side reaches a predetermined distance. to inform
2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a print head having printing elements arranged in a first direction;
After printing the first image to be printed on the print medium in accordance with the movement of the print head from the first side toward the second side in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction, A printing method executed by a printing device capable of printing a second image to be printed on the printing medium so as to be on the same line as the first image to be printed,
After printing the first image to be printed, the user is notified that the print head is temporarily returned from the second side to the first side, and acquisition of the second image to be printed from an external device is requested. the print head is once returned from the second side to the first side and then moved again to the second side, whereby the print head prints on the print medium; including control processing for starting printing of the second image to be printed obtained from the external device when the position corresponding to the end of one image to be printed is reached;
A printing method characterized by: a print head having printing elements arranged in a first direction;
After printing the first image to be printed on the print medium in accordance with the movement of the print head from the first side toward the second side in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction, A computer of a printing device capable of printing a second image to be printed on the print medium so as to be on the same line as the first image to be printed,
After printing the first image to be printed, the user is notified that the print head is temporarily returned from the second side to the first side, and acquisition of the second image to be printed from an external device is requested. the print head is once returned from the second side to the first side and then moved again to the second side, whereby the print head prints on the print medium; functioning as control means for starting printing of the second image to be printed obtained from the external device when the position corresponding to the end of the first image to be printed is reached;
A program characterized by

Images