WO2021166106A1

WO2021166106A1 - Printing device and printing control method

Info

Publication number: WO2021166106A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/006458
Authority: WO
Inventors: 宏一田中
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2020-02-19
Filing date: 2020-02-19
Publication date: 2021-08-26
Also published as: JPWO2021166106A1; JP6783415B1

Abstract

A head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts a head temperature based on the assumption that one or both of an image G1 and an image G2 are printed by a printing device 100 so as to be adjacent to each other on the basis of image data including one or both of the image G1 and the image G2. A determination unit 63 determines whether to cause the printing device 100 to perform adjacent printing processing to print the image G2 so that the image G1 and the image G2 are adjacent to each other on the basis of the predicted head temperature. When it is determined that the printing device 100 is caused to perform the adjacent printing processing, the printing device 100 performs the adjacent printing processing.

Description

Printing device and printing control method

The present disclosure relates to a thermal transfer type printing apparatus and a printing control method.

The thermal transfer type printing device prints using the ink sheet and the paper constituting the roll paper. In the following, yellow, magenta and cyan are also referred to as "Y", "M" and "C", respectively. Further, in the following, each of yellow, magenta and cyan is also referred to as "primary color". Further, in the following, an image represented by primary colors is also referred to as a "primary color image". Further, in the following, the overcoat layer is also referred to as an “OP layer”, an “OP image” or an “OP”. Further, in the following, the material constituting the OP layer is also referred to as “OP material”.

Ink areas are periodically arranged on the ink sheet along the longitudinal direction of the ink sheet. Y, M, and C inks (dye) and OP material are provided in the ink region.

In the thermal transfer type printing device, the thermal head heats the ink sheet to perform a printing process for printing an image on paper. In the following, the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the ink sheet and the paper is also referred to as a “main scanning direction”.

The thermal head is provided with a plurality of heat generating resistors along the main scanning direction. The printing apparatus heats the heat-generating resistors by selectively energizing a plurality of heat-generating resistors in the thermal head. As a result, the thermal head (plurality of heat generating resistors) generates heat with respect to the ink region of the ink sheet. The Y, M, and C inks and the transfer material such as the OP material in the ink region are sublimated by heat, and the transfer material is fixed on the paper.

In the following, the image of the Y component is also referred to as a "Y image". Further, in the following, the image of the M component is also referred to as an “M image”. Further, in the following, the image of the C component is also referred to as a “C image”. Each of the Y image, the M image, and the C image is a primary color image. Further, in the following, each of the Y image, the M image, and the C image, which are the primary color images, is also referred to as a “print primary color image”. The print primary color image is an image for printing. Further, in the following, the area for printing an image on the paper is also referred to as a “print area”.

Specifically, the printing apparatus transfers the Y image, the M image, and the C image to the print area of the paper in the order of the Y image, the M image, and the C image. As a result, a color image is printed in the print area of the paper. After that, the printing apparatus transfers the OP layer to the printing area.

The print size of such a printing device is generally the size of an ink area corresponding to one screen in an ink sheet. Printing devices are often required to reduce printing time. The printing time is the time required to execute a process related to printing.

Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration (hereinafter, also referred to as "related configuration A") for realizing a reduction in printing time. In the related configuration A, a process of printing a plurality of small images side by side using an ink sheet capable of printing a large format image is repeatedly performed. The large format is, for example, 2L size.

In the following, the size of a component whose horizontal size is "u" mm and vertical size is "v" mm in a plan view is also referred to as "u × v size". Each of "u" and "v" is a natural number. The above 2L size is, for example, 178 × 127 size or 127 × 178 size. The size of the small image in the related configuration A is, for example, L size. The L size is, for example, 127 × 89 size or 89 × 127 size.

JP-A-2007-090798

A printing device having a function of continuously printing a plurality of images uses a thermal head to print the plurality of images so that the plurality of images are adjacent to each other. When the above processing is performed in a situation where the density of each image is high, the temperature of the thermal head may become a high temperature such that wrinkles or the like are generated on the ink sheet, for example.

Therefore, it is required to execute the printing process in consideration of the temperature of the thermal head. The related configuration A cannot meet this requirement.

The present disclosure has been made in order to solve such a problem, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a printing apparatus or the like capable of executing a printing process in consideration of the temperature of the thermal head.

In order to achieve the above object, the printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure uses a thermal head to print a plurality of images so that the plurality of images are adjacent to each other. It is a device. A head temperature prediction unit having a function of predicting a head temperature, which is the temperature of the thermal head, is provided, and the plurality of images are a first image which is a j (an integer of 1 or more) th image and a (j + 1) th image. In the head temperature prediction unit, one or both of the first image and the second image are the printing apparatus so that the first image and the second image are adjacent to each other. The head temperature in the situation assumed to be printed by the above is predicted based on the image data which is the data of one or both of the first image and the second image, and the printing apparatus further predicts the predicted said. A determination unit for determining whether or not to cause the printing apparatus to perform an adjacent printing process for printing the second image so that the first image and the second image are adjacent to each other based on the head temperature is provided. When it is determined that the printing device executes the adjacent printing process, the printing device executes the adjacent printing process, and when it is determined that the printing device does not execute the adjacent printing process, the printing device performs the adjacent printing process. The adjacent print process is not executed.

According to the present disclosure, the head temperature prediction unit has a function of predicting the head temperature, which is the temperature of the thermal head. The head temperature predicting unit determines the head temperature in a situation where it is assumed that one or both of the first image and the second image are printed by the printing device so that the first image and the second image are adjacent to each other. The prediction is made based on the image data which is the data of one or both of the first image and the second image. Based on the predicted head temperature, the determination unit causes the printing apparatus to execute an adjacent printing process for printing the second image so that the first image and the second image are adjacent to each other. To judge. When it is determined that the printing device executes the adjacent printing process, the printing device executes the adjacent printing process.

This makes it possible to execute the printing process in consideration of the temperature of the thermal head.

The purpose, features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be made clearer by the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

It is a figure which mainly shows the printing mechanism of the printing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a hardware block diagram which concerns on the control of the printing operation of the printing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an ink sheet. It is a figure which shows the functional structure for demonstrating the operation of the printing apparatus in the print control process which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart of the print control process which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the adjacent print control process which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the functional structure for demonstrating the operation of the printing apparatus which has the structure of the modification 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the table which shows a plurality of kinds of head temperatures as a predicted head temperature. It is a figure which shows the table which shows an example of the mixed printing condition. It is a figure which shows an example of the changed printing order of an image. It is a flowchart of the print control process A which concerns on modification 1. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the mixed printing control processing which concerns on modification 1. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the mixed printing control processing which concerns on modification 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the functional structure for demonstrating the operation of the printing apparatus which has the structure of the modification 2. FIG. It is a flowchart of the print control process B which concerns on modification 2. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the mixed cutting control processing which concerns on modification 2. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the mixed cutting control processing which concerns on modification 2. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the mixed cutting control processing which concerns on modification 2. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the characteristic functional composition of a printing apparatus. It is a hardware block diagram of a printing apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the normal print control processing as a comparative example.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings below, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals. The names and functions of the components with the same reference numerals are the same. Therefore, detailed description of some of the components having the same reference numerals may be omitted.

<Embodiment 1>
(composition)
FIG. 1 is a diagram mainly showing a printing mechanism of the printing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. The printing mechanism is a mechanism related to printing. The printing device 100 is a sublimation type printing device (printer). That is, the printing device 100 is a thermal transfer type printing device. Although the details will be described later, the printing apparatus 100 performs a printing process P for printing an image on paper.

FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram related to control of the printing operation of the printing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Note that FIG. 2 shows an information processing device 200 that is not included in the printing device 100 for the sake of explanation. Further, in FIGS. 1 and 2, in order to make the configuration easy to understand, components having low relevance to the present technology are not shown. The component is, for example, a power supply unit or the like.

The printing device 100 is communicably connected to the information processing device 200 of FIG. 2 by a communication cable or the like. The information processing device 200 is a device that controls the printing device 100. The information processing device 200 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer). The information processing device 200 is operated by the user.

When the user performs a print execution operation on the information processing device 200, the information processing device 200 transmits print information including a print instruction and image data Gd to the printing device 100. The print execution operation is an operation for causing the printing apparatus 100 to execute the print process P. Further, the print instruction is an instruction for causing the printing apparatus 100 to execute the print process P. The image data Gd is image data for printing on paper. In the following, the print information is also referred to as a “print job”. The print job includes print condition information indicating the print condition. The printing conditions are, for example, the printing speed, the number of printed sheets, the printing size, the printing orientation, and the like. The number of prints is the number of images to be printed.

In the following, an image for the printing device 100 to print on paper is also referred to as a "target image". That is, the image data Gd indicates a target image. The target image is composed of k pixels arranged in a matrix. "K" is an integer of 2 or more. The k pixels form a matrix of y rows and x columns. Each of "y" and "x" is an integer of 2 or more. That is, the target image has y rows and x lines (columns).

"X" is the number of pixels arranged in the horizontal (horizontal) direction of the target image. “Y” is the number of pixels arranged in the vertical (vertical) direction of the target image. “K” is a value calculated by the formula (xxy).

Each pixel is represented by a pixel value (gradation value) that expresses the density. In the following, data indicating the pixel value of a pixel is also referred to as “pixel data”. Further, in the following, the highest density that a pixel can express is also referred to as "highest density". The highest density is, for example, the density of black. Further, in the following, the lowest density that a pixel can express is also referred to as "minimum density". The lowest density is, for example, the density of white. Further, in the following, the concentration intermediate between the maximum concentration and the minimum concentration is also referred to as "intermediate concentration". The intermediate concentration is, for example, 0.5 times the maximum concentration.

The pixel value is represented by an 8-bit numerical value as an example. That is, the pixel value is represented by a numerical value in the range of 0 to 255. In the following, the pixel value corresponding to the minimum density is also referred to as “minimum density value”. The minimum concentration value is, for example, 255. Further, in the following, the pixel value corresponding to the maximum density is also referred to as “maximum density value”. The maximum concentration value is, for example, 0.

For example, when the pixel data shows 0, the density of the pixel corresponding to the pixel data is the maximum density. Further, for example, when the pixel data shows 255, the density of the pixel corresponding to the pixel data is the lowest density. The pixel value is not limited to being represented by 8 bits. The pixel value may be represented by, for example, 10 bits.

In the following, each of red, green and blue is also referred to as "primary color". In the following, red, green and blue are also referred to as "R", "G" and "B", respectively. Further, in the following, the image of the R component is also referred to as an “R image”. Further, in the following, the image of the G component is also referred to as a “G image”. Further, in the following, the image of the B component is also referred to as a “B image”. Each of the R image, the G image, and the B image is a primary color image.

In the following, each of the R image, the G image, and the B image, which are the primary color images, is also referred to as a "target primary color image". Further, in the following, the target image or the primary color image is also referred to as "image A". The primary color image is a print primary color image or a target primary color image. Further, in the following, the average of the plurality of densities indicated by the plurality of pixels constituting the image A is also referred to as "average density". In the present embodiment, the target image indicated by the image data Gd is represented by an R image, a G image, and a B image.

In the following, the data indicating the R image is also referred to as "R image data". Further, in the following, the data indicating the G image is also referred to as "G image data". Further, in the following, the data indicating the B image is also referred to as "B image data". Further, in the following, the pixel of the R component is also referred to as an “R pixel”. For example, an R image is represented by a plurality of R pixels. Further, in the following, the pixel of the G component is also referred to as a “G pixel”. Further, in the following, the pixel of the B component is also referred to as a “B pixel”.

In the following, pixel data indicating the pixel value of R pixel is also referred to as "R pixel data". Further, in the following, pixel data indicating the pixel value of the G pixel is also referred to as “G pixel data”. Further, in the following, pixel data indicating the pixel value of B pixel is also referred to as “B pixel data”. Further, in the following, each of the R pixel data, the G pixel data, and the B pixel data is also referred to as “target pixel data”. The R image data includes a plurality of R pixel data. The G image data includes a plurality of G pixel data. The B image data includes a plurality of B pixel data.

In the following, the data indicating the Y image is also referred to as "Y image data". Further, in the following, the data indicating the M image is also referred to as "M image data". Further, in the following, the data indicating the C image is also referred to as "C image data". Further, in the following, the pixel of the Y component is also referred to as a “Y pixel”. For example, a Y image is represented by a plurality of Y pixels. Further, in the following, the pixel of the M component is also referred to as “M pixel”. Further, in the following, the pixel of the C component is also referred to as a “C pixel”.

Further, in the following, pixel data indicating the pixel value of Y pixel is also referred to as "Y pixel data". Further, in the following, pixel data indicating the pixel value of M pixel is also referred to as “M pixel data”. Further, in the following, pixel data indicating the pixel value of C pixel is also referred to as “C pixel data”. Further, in the following, each of the Y pixel data, the M pixel data, and the C pixel data is also referred to as “print pixel data”. The Y image data includes a plurality of Y pixel data. The M image data includes a plurality of M pixel data. The C image data includes a plurality of C pixel data.

With reference to FIG. 1, a roll paper 18 and an ink ribbon 19 are attached to the printing apparatus 100. The roll paper 18 is formed by rolling a long paper 8 into a roll shape. The ink ribbon 19 is composed of a long ink sheet 9.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the ink sheet 9. In FIG. 3, the X and Y directions are orthogonal to each other. In the following, the direction including the X direction and the direction opposite to the X direction (−X direction) is also referred to as “X-axis direction”. Further, in the following, the direction including the Y direction and the direction opposite to the Y direction (−Y direction) is also referred to as “Y-axis direction”. Further, in the following, a plane including the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is also referred to as an “XY plane”.

In FIG. 3, the −X direction is the direction toward the ink roll 9r described later. Further, in FIG. 3, the X direction is a direction toward the ink roll 9 rm, which will be described later. A detailed description of the ink sheet 9 will be described later.

Again, referring to FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 100 includes a housing Ch1, a thermal head 2, a head temperature sensor Sn3, a heat sink 4, a cooling fan 5, a paper carrier 7, and

reels

10a and 10b. , A platen roller 6, a cutter Ct1, and an environmental temperature sensor Sn1.

The housing Ch1 accommodates each component included in the printing apparatus 100. The housing Ch1 houses, for example, a thermal head 2, a heat sink 4, a cooling fan 5, a paper transport unit 7, a platen roller 6, a cutter Ct1 and the like. The shape of the housing Ch1 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped. In the following, the temperature inside the housing Ch1 is also referred to as “environmental temperature”. The environmental temperature is the temperature inside the printing apparatus 100.

The thermal head 2 has a function of generating heat. Specifically, the thermal head 2 includes a heat generating element h1 having a function of generating heat. The heat generating element h1 is, for example, a heat generating resistor. In the following description, in order to make the process easier to understand, "heat generated by the heat generating element h1 of the thermal head 2" is also simply referred to as "heat generated by the thermal head 2." Further, in the following, the heat generated by the thermal head 2 is also referred to as "heat energy".

The thermal head 2 is provided with a head temperature sensor Sn3. In the following, the temperature of the thermal head 2 is also referred to as “head temperature”. Further, in the following, the region where the heat generating element h1 exists on the outer surface of the thermal head 2 is also referred to as a “heat generating region”. The head temperature is, for example, the temperature of a region of the outer surface of the thermal head 2 that is different from the heat generation region. That is, the head temperature is the temperature of the outer surface of the thermal head 2. The head temperature may be the temperature of the heat generating region in which the heat generating element h1 is present.

The head temperature sensor Sn3 is a head temperature measuring unit having a function of measuring the head temperature. The head temperature sensor Sn3 is provided, for example, on the outer surface of the thermal head 2 in a region different from the heat generation region. The head temperature sensor Sn3 is provided, for example, in the vicinity of the heat generating element h1. The head temperature sensor Sn3 is configured by using, for example, a thermistor or the like.

A heat sink 4 is attached to the thermal head 2. The heat sink 4 is a cooling mechanism for cooling the thermal head 2. The cooling fan 5 cools the heat sink 4. Specifically, the cooling fan 5 generates a wind toward the heat sink 4.

The paper transport unit 7 has a function of transporting the paper 8. The paper transport unit 7 is composed of a grip roller 7a and a pinch roller 7b. The grip roller 7a is configured to rotate by a stepping motor (not shown).

The paper transport unit 7 is configured to transport the paper 8 by rotating the grip roller 7a with the paper 8 sandwiched between the grip roller 7a and the pinch roller 7b. When the paper 8 is conveyed, the paper 8 is pulled out from the roll paper 18.

The ink roll 9r is formed by winding one end of the ink sheet 9 in a roll shape. The ink roll 9r is attached to the reel 10b. The ink roll 9rm is formed by winding the other end of the ink sheet 9 in a roll shape. The ink roll 9rm is attached to the reel 10a. The ink roll 9r is a roll for supplying the ink sheet 9. The ink roll 9rm is a roll for winding the ink sheet 9.

The reel 10a rotates so that the ink roll 9rm winds up the ink sheet 9. The ink roll 9r rotates with the rotation of the ink roll 9rm. The reel 10b rotates so that the ink sheet 9 is supplied from the ink roll 9r.

The platen roller 6 is provided so as to face a part of the thermal head 2. The platen roller 6 is configured to be movable so that the ink sheet 9 and the paper 8 can be sandwiched between the platen roller 6 and the thermal head 2. The platen roller 6 comes into contact with the thermal head 2 via the paper 8 and the ink sheet 9.

In the following, the state of the platen roller 6 in the state where the platen roller 6 is in contact with the thermal head 2 via the paper 8 and the ink sheet 9 is also referred to as a “platen contact state”. The platen contact state is a state in which the paper 8 and the ink sheet 9 are sandwiched between the platen roller 6 and the thermal head 2.

When the thermal head 2 heats the ink sheet 9 in the platen contact state, the dye (ink) of the ink sheet 9 is transferred to the paper 8.

Cutter Ct1 has a function of cutting a part of paper 8.

The environmental temperature sensor Sn1 has a function of measuring the environmental temperature, which is the internal temperature of the printing device 100. The environmental temperature sensor Sn1 is provided inside the housing Ch1. The environmental temperature sensor Sn1 may be provided outside the housing Ch1.

Again, referring to FIG. 3, the ink region R10 is periodically arranged in the ink sheet 9 along the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction) of the ink sheet 9. The ink region R10 is provided with

dyes

6y, 6m, 6c and a protective material 6op. Each of the

dyes

6y, 6m, 6c and the protective material 6op is a transfer material that is transferred to the paper 8 by being heated by the thermal head 2. In the following, the thermal energy for the thermal head 2 to apply to the transfer material is also referred to as "printing energy", printing energy Ep "or" Ep ".

Each of the

dyes

6y, 6m, and 6c shows a color to be transferred to the paper 8. The

dyes

6y, 6m and 6c show the colors of yellow, magenta and cyan, respectively. In the following, each of the Y dye, the M dye, and the C dye is also referred to as a "color dye".

The protective material 6op is a material (overcoat) for protecting the color transferred to the paper 8. Specifically, the protective material 6op is a material for protecting the image formed on the paper 8 by the

dyes

6y, 6m, 6c. In the following, the protective material 6op is also referred to as an “OP material”. Further, in the following, the area for printing an image on the paper 8 is also referred to as a “print area”.

Further, the ink sheet 9 is provided with the mark Mk1. The mark Mk1 is provided in association with each transfer material (for example, dye 6y). The mark Mk1 is a mark for specifying the position of each transfer material.

With reference to FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 100 further includes a communication unit 51, a memory 52, a control unit 53, an image data processing unit 54, a printing data processing unit 55, and a

reel driving unit

56, 56 m. , The paper sensor Sn8 and the ink sensor Sn9 are provided.

The communication unit 51 has a function of communicating with the information processing device 200. The communication unit 51 receives a print job from the information processing device 200. The memory 52 is composed of, for example, a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. Volatile memory is a memory that temporarily stores data. The volatile memory stores, for example, a print job including image data Gd. The volatile memory is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory). A control program, initial setting values, and the like are stored in the non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory is, for example, a flash memory.

The control unit 53 controls each component included in the printing device 100. The control unit 53 controls each component according to the control program stored in the memory 52. The control unit 53 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 53 controls, for example, the thermal head 2. The control unit 53 controls the thermal head 2 (heating element h1) so that the thermal head 2 (heating element h1) emits thermal energy (printing energy Ep).

The image data processing unit 54 performs various processes on the image data (print data) as needed. The print data processing unit 55 has a function of converting image data into print data. The print data is data for controlling heat generation of the thermal head 2. The print data is data for printing the target image (Y image, M image, and C image) on the paper 8. The print data includes the data of the target image (Y image, M image and C image).

The reel drive unit 56 has a function of rotating the reel 10b (ink roll 9r). The reel drive unit 56m has a function of rotating the reel 10a (ink roll 9rm).

The paper sensor Sn8 has a function of detecting the paper 8. The paper sensor Sn8 is provided at a position near the path for the paper 8 to be conveyed and at a position where the paper 8 can be detected.

The ink sensor Sn9 has a function of detecting information about the ink sheet 9. Further, the ink sensor Sn9 has a function of detecting the mark Mk1 (position of the transfer material) on the ink sheet 9. By detecting the mark Mk1, the ink sensor Sn9 detects the position of the transfer material (for example, dye 6y) associated with the mark Mk1.

Next, the print process P will be described. In the print process P, a unit print process is performed. In the unit printing process, the ink sheet 9 and the paper 8 are simultaneously conveyed while the thermal head 2 heats the transfer material of the ink sheet 9 in the platen contact state. As a result, the transfer material is transferred to the print area of the paper 8 line by line.

In the printing process P, the above unit printing process is repeatedly performed for each of the

dyes

6y, 6m, 6c and the protective material 6op, which are transfer materials. As a result, the

dyes

6y, 6m, 6c and the protective material 6op are transferred to the printing area of the paper 8 in the order of the

dyes

6y, 6m, 6c and the protective material 6op. That is, the Y image, the M image, the C image, and the OP image are transferred to the print area of the paper 8 in the order of the Y image, the M image, the C image, and the OP image. As a result, the image is printed on the print area of the paper 8, and the image is protected by the protective layer (OP image) made of the protective material 6 op.

In the following, an image printed in the print area of the paper 8 is also referred to as a "printed matter". The printed matter is a part of paper 8. The cutter Ct1 cuts the paper 8 so that the printed matter is separated from the paper 8. As a result, the printed matter is discharged to the outside of the printing apparatus 100.

In the following, the image printed in the print area of the paper 8 is also referred to as "image Gn". Further, in the following, the direction in which the paper 8 is conveyed is also referred to as a “paper conveying direction”. In FIG. 3, the paper transport direction is the X-axis direction including the X direction and the −X direction.

There are a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction in the direction in which the printing device 100 prints an image on the paper 8. The sub-scanning direction is the paper transport direction. Further, the main scanning direction is a direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction.

In the following, the region in which each of the

dyes

6y, 6m, 6c and the protective material 6op is provided in the ink sheet 9 is also referred to as “region Rt1” or “Rt1” (see FIG. 3). The area Rt1 is used to print the maximum size image that can be generated by one printing process P. The size of the area Rt1 which is the area of the ink sheet 9 is the size of one screen corresponding to the image Gn. Equivalent to. In the following, the size of the area Rt1 is also referred to as “one screen size”.

Further, in the following, the length of the region Rt1 in the sub-scanning direction (X-axis direction) is also referred to as "length L" or "L". The length L is predetermined. Therefore, when the ink sheet 9 is used, the upper limit of the length of the image Gn in the sub-scanning direction is the length L.

The printing device 100 has a function of using the thermal head 2 to print the plurality of images on the paper 8 so that the plurality of images as the target images are adjacent to each other. Each of the plurality of images is an image printed in a specified order.

In the present specification, "a plurality of images are adjacent to each other" means "a plurality of images are adjacent to each other". For example, "an image and another image are adjacent to each other" means "an image and another image are adjacent to each other".

In the present embodiment, in order to make the explanation easy to understand, a process using two images as target images will be described. In the following, the two images as the target images are also referred to as an image G1 and an image G2, respectively. Further, in the following, the image data Gd indicating the image G1 is also referred to as “image data Gd1”. That is, the image data Gd1 is the image data of the image G1. Further, in the following, the image data Gd indicating the image G2 is also referred to as “image data Gd2”. That is, the image data Gd2 is the image data of the image G2.

Further, in the following, the j-th target image among all the target images is also referred to as "j-th target image" or "image j". "J" is an integer of 1 or more. The j-th target image is a target image for the printing device 100 to print at the j-th target image. For example, the first target image is the target image to be printed first among all the target images.

Further, in the following, the (j + 1) th image among all the target images is also referred to as "(j + 1) th target image" or "image (j + 1)". Each of the image j and the image (j + 1) is an image printed in a specified order. The image (j + 1) is an image to be printed next to the image j.

In the following, the situation in which the image A is assumed to be printed by the printing device 100 is also referred to as a “hypothetical printing situation”. Further, in the following, the head temperature in the hypothetical printing situation is also referred to as "predicted head temperature", "head temperature The" or "The". The head temperature Th is the head temperature at the timing when the printing device 100 finishes printing the image A.

In the following, the image being printed by the printing apparatus 100 will also be referred to as a "printing image". Further, in the following, the head temperature immediately before the printing of the first target image is started is also referred to as “head temperature T0” or “T0”.

In the following, using the ink sheet 9 that can be used by the printing device 100, the maximum size of the target image that the printing device 100 can print on the paper 8 is also referred to as “maximum printing size Sx” or “Sx”. .. Further, in the following, the target image in a situation where the density of all the pixels constituting the target image is the maximum density is also referred to as a “highest density target image”. The maximum density is, for example, a density indicating black.

Further, in the following, the printing energy Ep required to print the maximum density target image having the maximum printing size Sx on the paper 8 is also referred to as "reference printing energy", "reference printing energy Pmax", or "Pmax". .. Further, in the following, the head temperature immediately after the thermal head 2 emits the reference printing energy Pmax is also referred to as “maximum head temperature”. Further, in the following, the head temperature immediately before the thermal head 2 emits the reference printing energy Pmax is also referred to as “normal head temperature”.

Further, in the following, the difference between the maximum head temperature and the normal head temperature is also referred to as “rising temperature ΔTmax” or “ΔTmax”. The rising temperature ΔTmax is obtained by subtracting the normal head temperature from the maximum head temperature. The rising temperature ΔTmax has been measured in advance by experiments or the like. The experiment is, for example, an execution of a print process P for printing a maximum density target image having a maximum print size Sx, a process for the head temperature sensor Sn3 to acquire a normal head temperature and a maximum head temperature, and the like. The rising temperature ΔTmax is stored in the memory 52.

(motion)
Next, the operation of the printing device 100 will be described. The feature of this technique is to predict the head temperature The as the predicted head temperature in consideration of the image data. Further, a feature of this technology is whether or not it is possible to execute a process of printing the next image following the image being printed when printing a plurality of images using a one-screen size ink sheet. The determination is made, and the process is executed based on the result of the determination.

In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 100 performs the following printing control processing. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a functional configuration for explaining the operation of the printing apparatus 100 in the printing control process according to the first embodiment.

The memory 52 stores the temperature prediction information for predicting the head temperature Th as the predicted head temperature and the adjacent printing conditions. Hereinafter, the method of predicting the head temperature Th as the predicted head temperature is also referred to as a “temperature prediction method”. In the temperature prediction method, for example, the head temperature The is predicted by using an arithmetic expression. The temperature prediction information indicates a temperature prediction method.

The printing device 100 includes a receiving unit 61, a head temperature prediction unit 62, a determination unit 63, a print control unit 64, and a print state acquisition unit 65. A part or all of the head temperature prediction unit 62, the determination unit 63, the print control unit 64, and the print state acquisition unit 65 are realized by the control unit 53 executing the control program stored in the memory 52. A part or all of the head temperature prediction unit 62, the determination unit 63, the print control unit 64, and the print state acquisition unit 65 may be composed of hardware such as an electric circuit.

The receiving unit 61 receives information, data, etc. from the information processing device 200. The head temperature prediction unit 62 has a function of predicting the head temperature. Although the details will be described later, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the head temperature Tha in the situation where the image is printed based on the image data received by the reception unit 61 and the head temperature measured by the head temperature sensor Sn3. ..

In the following, the operating state of the printing device 100 regarding printing is also referred to as a "printing state". The print state includes "printing", "standby state", "error occurrence", and the like. “Printing” is a state of the printing device 100 in a situation where the printing device 100 is printing an image. The "standby state" is a state of the printing device 100 in a situation where the printing device 100 is not printing.

The print status acquisition unit 65 checks the print status at any time. The print state acquisition unit 65 transmits the print state information indicating the print state to the determination unit 63. Although the details will be described later, the determination unit 63 determines whether or not to cause the printing device 100 to execute the adjacent printing process described later based on the predicted head temperature The and the printing state acquired by the printing state acquisition unit 65. judge.

The print control unit 64 controls a configuration for printing (for example, a thermal head 2, a reel drive unit 56 m, etc.). The print control unit 64 is, for example, a control unit 53. The print control unit 64 controls the printing device 100 so that the printing device 100 prints based on the determination result by the determination unit 63.

Next, the print control process will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the print control process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 shows only the main steps included in the print control process. In order to make an example of the print control process easy to understand, the print control process performed under the following premise Pm1 will be described.

In the premise Pm1, the image G1 and the image G2 are printed. Further, in the premise Pm1, the image G1 is the j-th target image as the image j. Further, the image G1 is the first target image. Further, in the premise Pm1, the image G2 is the (j + 1) th target image as the image (j + 1).

Further, in the premise Pm1, each of the plurality of pixels constituting each of the images G1 and G2 as the target image is R pixel (R pixel data), G pixel (G pixel data), and B pixel (B pixel data). Be expressed. Each of the R pixel data, the G pixel data, and the B pixel data shows a numerical value in the range of 0 to 255.

Further, in the premise Pm1, the head temperature prediction unit 62 of the printing device 100 has already received the print job including the image data Gd1 indicating the image G1 from the information processing device 200. The image data Gd1 includes the above-mentioned R image data, the above-mentioned G image data, and the above-mentioned B image data. As described above, for example, the R image data includes a plurality of R pixel data.

Further, in the premise Pm1, the print job including the image data Gd1 is stored in the memory 52. Further, in the premise Pm1, the printing device 100 starts printing the image G1 in response to the reception of the print job corresponding to the image G1. Therefore, in the premise Pm1, the image G1 at the timing when the print control process is started is the image being printed.

In the premise Pm1, when the conditions described below are satisfied, the printing device 100 executes the adjacent printing process described later. In the following, the image printed on the paper 8 is also referred to as a “printed image”. Further, in the following, an image that is not printed on the paper 8 is also referred to as a “non-printed image”.

The adjacent printing process is a process of printing the non-printing image on the paper 8 so that the printed image and the non-printing image are adjacent to each other. The adjacent printing process in the premise Pm1 is a process of printing the image G2 so that the image G1 and the image G2 are adjacent to each other.

Further, in the premise Pm1, when the target image which is the image G1 or the image G2 is printed, the Y image, the M image, and the C image corresponding to the R image data, the G image data, and the B image data are used. The target image is printed.

Further, in the premise Pm1, the head temperature sensor Sn3 has already measured the head temperature T0 immediately before the printing of the image G1 which is the first target image is started, and the head temperature T0 is set to the head temperature prediction unit. Notify 62.

Further, the temperature prediction method indicated by the temperature prediction information in the premise Pm1 has the following feature C1. Feature C1 is characterized in that the closer the average density of the image A is to the maximum density, the higher the predicted head temperature The.

Further, in the premise Pm1, the information processing device 200 transmits a print job including the image data Gd2 indicating the image G2 to the printing device 100. The image data Gd2 includes the above-mentioned R image data, G image data, and B image data. Further, in the premise Pm1, the print state acquisition unit 65 transmits the print state information indicating “printing” as the print state to the determination unit 63.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the print control process in the premise Pm1, first, the receiving unit 61 of the printing apparatus 100 receives the print job and stores the print job in the memory 52 (step S110).

Next, the information acquisition process is performed (step S120). In the information acquisition process in the premise Pm1, the head temperature prediction unit 62 acquires the image data Gd1 and Gd2 as print data, the head temperature T0, and the temperature prediction information.

The image data Gd1 and Gd2 are acquired from the print job stored in the memory 52. The head temperature T0 is acquired from the head temperature sensor Sn3. The head temperature T0 is the temperature measured by the head temperature sensor Sn3. The temperature prediction information is acquired from the memory 52.

As described above, the temperature prediction method indicated by the temperature prediction information in the premise Pm1 has a feature C1 that the predicted head temperature Tha is higher as the average density of the image A is closer to the maximum density. In the temperature prediction method in the premise Pm1, as an example, the head temperature Tha as the predicted head temperature is predicted by using the prediction calculation formula. Therefore, the temperature prediction information in the premise Pm1 indicates the prediction calculation formula. The prediction calculation formulas are, for example, the following formulas (1), (2) and (3). Equation (1) is expressed as follows.

Equation (1) is an equation in which the calculated head temperature The increases as the printing energy Ep increases. Only when the head temperature Tha corresponding to the first target image is predicted, the measured head temperature T0 is set in "Th" in the equation (1). When the head temperature Th is predicted a plurality of times, the head temperature Th already predicted by the formula (1) is set in "Th" in the formula (1).

“ΔTmax” in the formula (1) is the above-mentioned rising temperature ΔTmax. Further, "α" is an environmental temperature correction coefficient which will be described later with respect to the environmental temperature. Here, it is assumed that the temperature range of the environment in which the printing apparatus 100 is used is in the range of 5 ° C. to 45 ° C. Further, it is assumed that the environmental temperature corresponding to ΔTmax is 45 ° C. In this case, "α" is represented by, for example, a real number in the range of 0 to 1.

In the premise Pm1, the environmental temperature is not considered in the prediction of the head temperature The. Therefore, “α” in the premise Pm1 is set to, for example, a fixed value (for example, 1).

"Ep" in the formula (1) is the printing energy. The value of the print energy Ep is expressed as a relative value as an example. The print energy Ep is represented by a real number in the range of 0 to 200 as an example. The print energy Ep is expressed by the following equation (2).

Equation (2) is an equation in which the calculated printing energy Ep increases as the average density of the target image or the target primary color image approaches the maximum density. “Argb” in the formula (2) is a speed correction coefficient described later with respect to the printing speed of the print primary color image (Y image, M image and C image). In the premise Pm1, the printing speed is not taken into consideration in the calculation of the head temperature Th. Therefore, “Argb” in the premise Pm1 is set to, for example, a fixed value (for example, 1.0).

Further, for "n" of "Dn" in the formula (2), a numerical value within the range of 1 to N is set. For example, when n = 1, "D1" indicates the first pixel in the target image. “N” is the number of pixels constituting the above-mentioned image having the maximum print size Sx. In the present embodiment, the size of the target image is assumed to be the maximum print size Sx. In this case, "N" is "k" corresponding to the number of pixels constituting the target image.

"Dn" in the formula (2) is the sum (total value) of the R, G, and B pixel data corresponding to a plurality of pixels constituting the target image. The sum of the R, G, and B pixel data corresponding to the target image is the total value of the R pixel sum, the G pixel sum, and the B pixel sum corresponding to the target image.

The R pixel sum corresponding to the target image is the sum of a plurality of R pixel data corresponding to a plurality of pixels constituting the target image. The G pixel sum corresponding to the target image is the sum of a plurality of G pixel data corresponding to the plurality of pixels constituting the target image. The B pixel sum corresponding to the target image is the sum of a plurality of B pixel data corresponding to the plurality of pixels constituting the target image.

Further, "Aop" in the formula (2) is a speed correction coefficient described later regarding the printing speed of the OP image described above. In the premise Pm1, the printing speed is not taken into consideration in the calculation of the head temperature Th. Therefore, “Aop” in the premise Pm1 is set to, for example, a fixed value (for example, 0.5).

Further, for "n" of "Doppn" in the formula (2), a numerical value within the range of 1 to N is set. “Doppn” in the formula (2) is the sum (total value) of the R, G, and B pixel data corresponding to the plurality of pixels constituting the OP image. The sum of the R, G, and B pixel data corresponding to the OP image is the total value of the R pixel sum, the G pixel sum, and the B pixel sum corresponding to the OP image. The R pixel sum corresponding to the OP image is the sum of a plurality of R pixel data corresponding to the plurality of pixels constituting the OP image. The G pixel sum corresponding to the OP image is the sum of a plurality of G pixel data corresponding to the plurality of pixels constituting the OP image. The B pixel sum corresponding to the OP image is the sum of a plurality of B pixel data corresponding to the plurality of pixels constituting the OP image.

Further, "Pmax" in the formula (2) is the above-mentioned reference printing energy. The reference printing energy Pmax is expressed by, for example, the following equation (3).

For "n" of "Dn" in the formula (3), a numerical value within the range of 1 to N is set. “N” is the number of pixels constituting the above-mentioned image having the maximum print size Sx. “Dn” in the formula (3) is the sum (total value) of the R, G, and B pixel data corresponding to a plurality of pixels constituting the image showing black (that is, the above-mentioned maximum density target image). "Dn" in the formula (3) is 0. That is, the reference printing energy Pmax is a value obtained by the formula (255 × 3 × N).

When the above-mentioned information acquisition process is completed, the head temperature prediction process is performed (step S130). The head temperature prediction process is a process for predicting the head temperature The. Specifically, in the head temperature prediction process, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the head temperature The according to the temperature prediction method indicated by the temperature prediction information.

In the head temperature prediction process in the premise Pm1, the head temperature prediction unit 62 assumes that the image G1 and the image G2 are printed by the printing device 100 so that the image G1 and the image G2 are adjacent to each other. The temperature Tha is predicted based on the measured head temperature T0 and the image data Gd1 and Gd2. That is, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the head temperature Tha in the assumed printing situation assuming that the image G1 and the image G2 are printed by the printing device 100, based on the image data Gd1 and Gd2.

Specifically, the head temperature prediction unit 62 first predicts the head temperature Tha corresponding to the image G1 which is the first target image. The head temperature Tha corresponding to the image G1 is a head temperature Tha in a hypothetical printing situation assuming that the image G1 is printed by the printing apparatus 100.

The head temperature Tha corresponding to the image G1 is a prediction calculation formula indicated by the measured head temperature T0, the R image data, the G image data and the B image data included in the image data Gd1, and the temperature prediction information in the premise Pm1. It is calculated by the equations (1), (2) and (3) as. As described above, for example, the R image data includes a plurality of R pixel data.

In the head temperature prediction process in the premise Pm1, the head temperature prediction unit 62 uses the equation (2) and the R image data, the G image data, and the B image data included in the image data Gd1 to print energy corresponding to the image G1. Calculate Ep.

Then, the head temperature prediction unit 62 calculates the head temperature Tha corresponding to the image G1 by the calculated printing energy Ep, the measured head temperature T0, and the equation (1). The head temperature Th is calculated by setting the head temperature T0 in "Th" of the formula (1). As a result, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the calculated head temperature The as the head temperature The corresponding to the image G1.

Next, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the head temperature The corresponding to the image G2. The head temperature Tha corresponding to the image G2 is the head temperature Tha in a hypothetical printing situation assuming that the image G2 is printed by the printing apparatus 100.

The head temperature Tha corresponding to the image G2 is a prediction calculation formula indicated by the head temperature Tha corresponding to the image G1, the R image data, the G image data and the B image data included in the image data Gd2, and the temperature prediction information. It is calculated by the formulas (1), (2) and (3) of.

In the head temperature prediction process in the premise Pm1, the head temperature prediction unit 62 uses the equation (2) and the R image data, the G image data, and the B image data included in the image data Gd2 to print energy corresponding to the image G2. Calculate Ep.

Then, the head temperature prediction unit 62 calculates the head temperature The corresponding to the image G2 by the calculated printing energy Ep, the calculated head temperature The corresponding to the image G1, and the equation (1). The head temperature Tha corresponding to the image G2 is calculated by setting the calculated head temperature Tha corresponding to the image G1 in "Th" of the equation (1).

The head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the calculated head temperature The corresponding to the image G2 as the predicted head temperature. That is, in the head temperature prediction process in the premise Pm1, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the head temperature Tha corresponding to the image G2.

In the following, the head temperature The finally predicted in the head temperature prediction process is also referred to as the "final predicted head temperature The". The final predicted head temperature Tha in the premise Pm1 is the head temperature Tha corresponding to the image G2.

Then, the head temperature prediction unit 62 notifies the determination unit 63 of the final predicted head temperature The, which is the head temperature The corresponding to the image G2.

The prediction calculation formula in the temperature prediction information is not limited to the formula (1), the formula (2) and the formula (3). The prediction calculation formula may be, for example, another formula having a feature that the calculated head temperature Tha is higher as the average density of the image A is closer to the maximum density.

Further, the temperature prediction method may be a method Md1 for predicting the head temperature Tha by using print pixel data (for example, Y pixel data) instead of the target pixel data (for example, R pixel data). In the method Md1, the R pixel data, the G pixel data, and the B pixel data are converted into Y pixel data, M pixel data, and C pixel data, respectively. Further, in the method Md1, the head temperature Tha is predicted according to the following explanations D1 and D2.

The explanatory text D1 is the explanatory text in which "R", "G" and "B" in the explanatory text of the formula (2) are replaced with "Y", "M" and "C", respectively. In the explanatory text D2, the “R pixel”, “G pixel”, and “B pixel” in the above-mentioned explanatory text of the head temperature prediction processing in the premise Pm1 are referred to as “Y pixel”, “M pixel”, and “C pixel”, respectively. It is the explanation that was replaced with. Further, the explanatory text D2 further includes the “R image”, the “G image”, and the “B image” in the above-mentioned explanatory text of the head temperature prediction process in the premise Pm1, the “Y image”, the “M image”, and the “M image”, respectively. It is the explanation which was replaced with "C image".

In the method Md1, the print energy Ep based on the print pixel data (Y pixel data, M pixel data, and C pixel data) is calculated according to the explanations D1 and D2, and the head temperature Tha is calculated. The head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the calculated head temperature The as the predicted head temperature.

Further, "Th" in the formula (1) for calculating the head temperature Th corresponding to the image G2 is the head temperature Th as the predicted head temperature corresponding to the image G1 being printed, but the present invention is not limited to this. The “Th” in the formula (1) for calculating the head temperature Th corresponding to the image G2 may be configured to be the head temperature T0 measured immediately after the printing of the image G1 is completed. With this configuration, the head temperature Tha corresponding to the image G2 can be predicted more accurately.

Further, the temperature prediction method may be, for example, the method Md2 using the reference tables T1 and T2. The method Md2 is a method of predicting the head temperature Tha corresponding to the image A by using the reference tables T1 and T2. Method Md2 is a method in which the specified print energy Ep increases as the average density of the image A approaches the maximum density. Further, the method Md2 is a method in which the predicted head temperature Tha increases as the average density of the image A approaches the maximum density.

Further, the method Md2 is a method in which the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the head temperature Tha in a hypothetical printing situation assuming that the image A is printed by the printing device 100, based on the data of the image A.

The reference table T1 shows the average density of the image A and the printing energy Ep required for printing the image A in association with each other. In the reference table T1, a plurality of printing energies Ep are associated with each of a plurality of different average densities. The higher the average density in the reference table T1, the higher the print energy Ep associated with the average density. The respective numbers of the average density and the print energy Ep shown in the reference table T1 are, for example, 50 or more. The larger the number of each of the average density and the print energy Ep shown in the reference table T1, the higher the accuracy of the specified print energy Ep.

The plurality of average densities and the plurality of printing energies Ep in the reference table T1 are determined, for example, by repeating experiments and the like. In the experiment, for example, the image A to be printed in the print process P is changed, the average density of the image A is calculated, the print process P is executed, and the print energy Ep generated by the thermal head 2 in the executed print process P. Is specified, etc.

Further, in the reference table T2, a plurality of rising temperatures are associated with a plurality of different printing energies Ep. The rising temperature is a temperature obtained by subtracting the head temperature immediately before the thermal head 2 emits the printing energy Ep from the head temperature immediately after the thermal head 2 emits the printing energy Ep.

The higher the printing energy Ep in the reference table T2, the higher the rising temperature associated with the printing energy Ep. The respective numbers of the print energy Ep and the rising temperature shown in the reference table T2 are, for example, 50 or more. The larger the number of each of the printing energy Ep and the rising temperature shown in the reference table T2, the higher the accuracy of the predicted rising temperature (head temperature Tha).

The plurality of printing energies Ep and the plurality of rising temperatures in the reference table T2 are determined by, for example, repeating an experiment or the like. The experiment includes, for example, changing the magnitude of the printing energy Ep generated by the thermal head 2 in the printing process P, measuring the head temperature, executing the printing process P, calculating the rising temperature, and the like.

In the method Md2, when the image A is a primary color image, three sets of reference tables T1 and T2 are used. For example, when the image A is the target primary color image, the reference tables T1 and T2 corresponding to each of the R image, the G image, and the B image are used. When the image A is a print primary color image, the reference tables T1 and T2 corresponding to each of the Y image, the M image, and the C image are used.

In the method Md2, the head temperature sensor Sn3 measures the head temperature at a predetermined timing. The predetermined timing is timing A or timing B. The timing A is the timing immediately before the printing device 100 starts printing the image A. The timing B is the timing at which the process of predicting the head temperature Tha according to the method Md2 is started.

Further, in the method Md2, the average density of the image A is calculated. Next, the average density closest to the calculated average density is selected from the plurality of average concentrations shown in the reference table T1 corresponding to the image A. Next, the print energy Ep indicated by the reference table T1 associated with the selected average density is specified.

Next, the print energy Ep closest to the specified print energy Ep is selected from the plurality of print energy Eps shown in the reference table T2 corresponding to the image A. Next, the rising temperature indicated by the reference table T2, which is associated with the selected print energy Ep, is specified.

Next, the temperature obtained by adding the specified rising temperature to the head temperature measured by the head temperature sensor Sn3 is predicted as the head temperature The corresponding to the image A. As described above, the head temperature Tha corresponding to the image A is predicted by the method Md2.

When the above-mentioned head temperature prediction process is completed, the determination unit 63 acquires the adjacent print conditions stored in the memory 52 (step S141). The adjacent printing condition is a condition for determining whether or not the printing apparatus 100 can execute the adjacent printing process.

Here, the maximum head temperature at the specified temperature of the thermal head 2 is defined as "maximum temperature Thmax" or "Thmax". The specified temperature of the thermal head 2 is, for example, a temperature at which a problem related to the ink sheet does not occur. The problem is, for example, that wrinkles or the like occur on the ink sheet when the printing process is performed. Therefore, the maximum temperature Thmax is a temperature as a threshold value so that a problem related to the ink sheet does not occur.

Under the adjacent printing conditions, for example, when the relational expression expressed by Th ≤ Thmax is satisfied, the printing apparatus 100 is allowed to execute the adjacent printing process. “Tha” in the above relational expression is the final predicted head temperature The. Further, under the adjacent printing condition, for example, when the relational expression of Th> Thmax is satisfied, the printing apparatus 100 is not allowed to execute the adjacent printing process.

In step S150, the determination unit 63 determines whether or not the printing apparatus 100 can execute the adjacent printing process based on the final predicted head temperature The and the adjacent printing conditions. When the final predicted head temperature Th is equal to or lower than the maximum temperature Thmax, the printing apparatus 100 is allowed to execute the adjacent printing process, and the process proceeds to step S152. On the other hand, when the final predicted head temperature Th is larger than the maximum temperature Thmax, the printing apparatus 100 is not allowed to execute the adjacent printing process, and the process proceeds to step S174.

In the premise Pm1, the final predicted head temperature Th is equal to or less than the maximum temperature Thmax. Therefore, the process shifts to step S152 based on the determination of step S150 in the premise Pm1.

In step S152, the determination unit 63 inquires the print state acquisition unit 65 about the print state, which is the operating state of the printing device 100. As a result, the determination unit 63 receives the print state information indicating the print state, which is the latest operating state of the printing device 100, from the print state acquisition unit 65. In the premise Pm1, the determination unit 63 receives the print state information indicating "printing" as the print state.

In step S154, the determination unit 63 determines whether or not the printing state is "printing". Specifically, the determination unit 63 determines whether or not the print state information received from the print state acquisition unit 65 indicates "printing". In the case of Yes in step S154, the determination unit 63 determines that the printing device 100 executes the adjacent printing process. Then, the process proceeds to step S171. On the other hand, if No in step S154, the determination unit 63 determines that the printing device 100 does not execute the adjacent printing process. Then, the process proceeds to step S174.

That is, based on the determination result in step S154, the determination unit 63 determines whether or not the printing device 100 executes the adjacent printing process. When the determination unit 63 determines that the printing device 100 does not execute the adjacent printing process, the process proceeds to step S174, and the printing device 100 does not execute the adjacent printing process.

In the premise Pm1, it is determined that the printing state is "printing", and the process proceeds to step S171. By performing steps S150 and S154, the determination unit 63 determines whether or not to cause the printing apparatus 100 to execute the adjacent printing process based on the predicted final predicted head temperature The and the printing state.

It should be noted that the configuration may be such that it is determined whether or not the printing device 100 executes the adjacent printing process without considering the printing state. In this configuration, when it is determined in step S150 that the printing apparatus 100 can execute the adjacent printing process, the process of step S171 is performed without performing the processes of steps S152 and S154. That is, in this configuration, in step S150, the determination unit 63 determines whether or not to cause the printing apparatus 100 to execute the adjacent printing process based on the predicted final predicted head temperature The.

In step S171, the printing device 100 executes the adjacent printing process according to the determination result of the determination unit 63. In this case, the print control process causes the printing apparatus 100 to execute the adjacent print process.

In the print control process in the premise Pm1, the adjacent print process is performed after the image G1 is printed on the paper 8 by the above-mentioned print process P. In the adjacent printing process in the premise Pm1, the printing apparatus 100 prints the image G2 so that the image G1 and the image G2 are adjacent to each other under the control of the print control unit 64. The image G2 is printed on the paper 8 by, for example, the printing process P described above. As a result, the print control process ends.

The process of step S174 may be performed depending on the determination result of step S150 or step S154 described above. In this case, the print control process does not cause the printing apparatus 100 to execute the adjacent print process.

In step S174, the normal printing process is executed. The normal printing process is a process of printing one image on paper 8. In the normal printing process in the premise Pm1, the printing apparatus 100 prints, for example, the image G1 on the paper 8 under the control of the print control unit 64. As a result, the print control process is completed.

In the following, processing related to printing, including adjacent printing processing, is also referred to as "adjacent printing control processing". The adjacent print control process is a process according to the present embodiment. The adjacent print control process is a process of continuously printing a plurality of images. The adjacent print control process is, for example, a process that mainly performs a process related to printing among the print control processes in the premise Pm1.

Further, in the following, the process as a comparative example, which is the target of comparison with the adjacent print control process, is also referred to as "normal print control process". The normal print control process is a process of repeating the normal print process when printing a plurality of target images. The plurality of target images are, for example, image G1 and image G2.

Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 100 in the normal print control process or the adjacent print control process will be described. First, a normal print control process for printing the image G1 and the image G2 will be described. Image G1 is the j-th target image. Image G2 is the (j + 1) th target image.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining a normal print control process as a comparative example. For the sake of clarity, FIG. 21 shows positions P0, P1, P2 on paper 8, a thermal head 2, and a cutter Ct1.

Position P0 is the tip of the paper 8. In the following, the position where printing of an image is started on the paper 8 is also referred to as a “printing start position”. Each of the positions P1 and P2 is a printing start position. The area between the position P1 and the position P0 of the paper 8 corresponds to one print area. The area between the position P2 and the position P1 of the paper 8 corresponds to another printing area.

Further, in FIG. 21, the state of the paper 8 corresponding to each step is shown. Further, in FIG. 21, a character string “(X1)” is shown for the processing related to the image G1. Further, in FIG. 21, a character string “(X2)” is shown for the processing related to the image G2.

In the following, the print process P for the image G1 is also referred to as "print Pr (X1)" or "Pr (X1)". Further, in the following, the print process P for the image G2 is also referred to as "print Pr (X2)" or "Pr (X2)".

With reference to FIG. 21, in step S510, the state of the printing apparatus 100 is the standby state. The printing device 100 in the standby state is not printing. At this time, the position P0 of the paper 8 exists at the standby position corresponding to the standby state.

First, preparations are made for performing printing Pr (X1) as a normal printing process. Specifically, the printing apparatus 100 cue the paper 8 so that the position P1 (printing start position) of the paper 8 is detected (step S520).

Next, the printing apparatus 100 performs printing Pr (X1) as a normal printing process (step S530). As a result, a printed matter showing the image G1 is formed on the paper 8. After the printing Pr (X1) is completed, the paper ejection process (X1) is performed (step S571).

In the paper ejection process (X1), the printing device 100 conveys the paper 8 in order to eject the printed matter to the outside. Then, the cutter Ct1 cuts the position P1 of the paper 8 so that the printed matter is separated from the paper 8.

Next, preparations are made for performing printing Pr (X2) as a normal printing process. Specifically, the printing apparatus 100 cue the paper 8 so that the position P2 (printing start position) of the paper 8 is detected (step S551).

Next, the printing apparatus 100 performs printing Pr (X2) as a normal printing process (step S560). As a result, a printed matter showing the image G2 is formed on the paper 8. After the printing Pr (X2) is completed, the paper ejection process (X2) is performed (step S572).

In the paper ejection process (X2), the printing device 100 conveys the paper 8 in order to eject the printed matter showing the image G2 to the outside. Then, the cutter Ct1 cuts the position P2 of the paper 8 so that the printed matter is separated from the paper 8.

Next, a process for changing the state of the printing device 100 to the standby state is performed. Specifically, the printing device 100 conveys the paper 8 so that the position P2 of the paper 8 becomes the standby position corresponding to the standby state (step S580). As a result, the normal print control process is completed.

Next, the adjacent print control process for continuously printing the images G1 and G2 will be described. The adjacent print process included in the adjacent print control process is a print Pr (X2) that prints the image G2 so that the image G1 and the image G2 are adjacent to each other.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the adjacent print control process according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 6, the process of the same step number as the step number of FIG. 21 is the same as the process described with respect to FIG. 21, so that the detailed description will not be repeated. Hereinafter, the points different from the normal print control process will be mainly described.

With reference to FIG. 6, in step S510, the state of the printing apparatus 100 is the standby state. At this time, the position P0 of the paper 8 exists at the standby position corresponding to the standby state.

Next, the printing device 100 cue the paper 8 so that the position P1 (printing start position) of the paper 8 is detected (step S520).

Next, the printing device 100 performs printing Pr (X1) for printing the image G1 on the paper 8 (step S530). As a result, a printed matter showing the image G1 is formed on the paper 8.

After the print Pr (X1) is completed, preparations are made for performing the print Pr (X2) as the adjacent print process. Specifically, the printing apparatus 100 cue the paper 8 so that the position P2 (printing start position) of the paper 8 is detected (step S552). By the process of step S552, the paper 8 having a length required for printing the image G2 is pulled out from the roll paper 18.

Next, the printing apparatus 100 performs printing Pr (X2) as an adjacent printing process (step S560). As a result, a printed matter showing the image G2 is formed on the paper 8.

After the printing Pr (X2) is completed, the paper ejection process (X1) is performed (step S571). In the paper ejection process (X1), the printing apparatus 100 conveys the paper 8 in order to eject the printed matter showing the image G1 to the outside. Then, the cutter Ct1 cuts the position P1 of the paper 8 so that the printed matter is separated from the paper 8.

Next, the paper ejection process (X2) is performed (step S572). In the paper ejection process (X2), the printing apparatus 100 conveys the paper 8 in order to eject the printed matter showing the image G2 to the outside. Then, the cutter Ct1 cuts the position P2 of the paper 8 so that the printed matter is separated from the paper 8.

Next, a process for changing the state of the printing device 100 to the standby state is performed. Specifically, the printing device 100 conveys the paper 8 so that the position P2 of the paper 8 becomes the standby position corresponding to the standby state (step S580). As a result, the adjacent print control process is completed.

In the adjacent print control process of FIG. 6, the printing of the image G2 is started immediately after the printing of the image G1 is completed without discharging the printed matter. Therefore, in the adjacent print control process, the transport distance of the paper 8 can be shortened. Therefore, the print time required for printing the images G1 and G2 by the adjacent print control process can be made shorter than the print time required for printing the images G1 and G2 by the normal print control process.

In the adjacent print control process of FIG. 6, the process of printing two target images to be printed has been described, but the number of the target images is not limited to two. The number of target images in the adjacent print control process may be 3 or more. However, if there are restrictions on the structural space related to the printing mechanism, an upper limit may be set in advance for the number of target images in the adjacent print control process.

(summary)
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the head temperature prediction unit 62 has a function of predicting the head temperature, which is the temperature of the thermal head 2. The head temperature prediction unit 62 sets the head temperature in a situation where it is assumed that one or both of the image G1 and the image G2 are printed by the printing device 100 so that the image G1 and the image G2 are adjacent to each other. Prediction is made based on image data which is one or both data of the image G2. Based on the predicted head temperature, the determination unit 63 determines whether or not to cause the printing device 100 to execute an adjacent printing process for printing the image G2 so that the image G1 and the image G2 are adjacent to each other. When it is determined that the printing device 100 executes the adjacent printing process, the printing device 100 executes the adjacent printing process.

Further, in the present embodiment, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the head temperature Th in the assumed printing situation based on the image data and the head temperature measured by the head temperature sensor Sn3. The determination unit 63 determines whether or not to cause the printing apparatus 100 to execute the adjacent printing process based on the predicted head temperature The. The determination is made during printing of image G1. In the following, the time required to cool the thermal head is also referred to as “cooling time”.

Specifically, printing is started after receiving the print job of the image G1, and whether or not the determination unit 63 causes the printing device 100 to execute an adjacent printing process for printing the image G2 during printing of the image G1. judge. The determination unit 63 determines that the printing apparatus 100 executes the adjacent printing process only when the predicted head temperature Th corresponding to the image G2 is equal to or less than the maximum temperature Thmax which is the specified temperature.

As a result, the adjacent printing process for printing the image G2 is executed only when the head temperature Th corresponding to the image G2 is equal to or less than the maximum temperature Thmax. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the head temperature of the thermal head 2 from becoming higher than the maximum temperature Thmax, which is a specified temperature. Therefore, even in a situation where a large number of images are continuously printed at high speed, the cooling time of the thermal head 2 when the head temperature becomes high can be shortened. As a result, the printing time of the image can be efficiently shortened.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is determined in advance whether or not the adjacent printing process as printing can be executed, and before the printing is performed, the roll paper 18 is used to print an image. Paper 8 of a required length is pulled out, and an image is printed on the paper 8. This makes it possible to prevent the paper from running out during printing.

Further, in the present embodiment, the temperature prediction method may be the above-mentioned method Md1 in which the target pixel data is converted into print pixel data and the head temperature Tha is predicted using the print pixel data. Further, in the method Md1, the head temperature Tha corresponding to each of the Y image, the M image, and the C image as the print primary color image may be predicted. Thereby, a plurality of types of head temperature The can be predicted.

Alternatively, the printing device 100 may be configured to combine a plurality of images and print a composite image showing the plurality of images. Further, in this configuration, the print energy Ep corresponding to the composite image is calculated. The print energy Ep corresponding to the composite image is expressed by the sum of the plurality of print energies corresponding to the plurality of images, as shown in the following equation (4).

In the formula (4), the print energy Ep corresponding to the composite image is represented by a real number in the range of 0 to 200 as an example. Further, Ep1 to Epn indicate the printing energy corresponding to each image. Ep1 to Epn are represented by real numbers in the range of 0 to 200 as an example. By using the print energy Ep obtained by the formula (4), the head temperature Tha corresponding to the composite image can be predicted.

In the following, a process different from the process for printing is also referred to as "non-printing process". The process for printing is, for example, the print process P.

Further, in the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 100 executes a plurality of non-printing processes, but the present invention is not limited to this. The information processing device 200 may execute the plurality of non-printing processes. In the following, a situation in which the printing apparatus 100 executes a plurality of non-printing processes is also referred to as a “non-printing process execution status”.

The information processing device 200 can prevent the following problems from occurring by executing the plurality of non-printing processes. The problem is that in the non-printing process execution situation, a lot of time is spent for predicting the head temperature, etc., and an unnecessary waiting time is required between the end of printing the previous image and the start of printing the next image. Is a problem that occurs. When this problem does not occur, the printing apparatus 100 can efficiently execute the process for printing.

Further, in the head temperature prediction process of the present embodiment, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the head temperature Th as the predicted head temperature in the assumed printing situation based on the image data, but the present invention is not limited to this. The head temperature The may be predicted by the following deformation configuration A. In the modified configuration A, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the head temperature Tha in the assumed printing situation based on the environmental temperature of the printing apparatus 100 and the image data.

Next, the print control process of FIG. 5 to which the modified configuration A is applied will be described in detail. Hereinafter, the print control process to which the modified configuration A is applied will be mainly described in that it differs from the print control process in the premise Pm1 described above.

In the information acquisition process of step S120, the head temperature prediction unit 62 acquires the environmental temperature in addition to the acquisition of the image data, the head temperature T0, and the temperature prediction information.

The acquisition of the environmental temperature is performed as follows. First, the head temperature prediction unit 62 requests the latest environmental temperature from the environmental temperature sensor Sn1. The environmental temperature sensor Sn1 measures the latest environmental temperature in response to the request, and notifies the head temperature prediction unit 62 of the latest environmental temperature. As a result, the head temperature prediction unit 62 acquires the environmental temperature.

In the head temperature prediction process of step S130 to which the modified configuration A is applied, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the head temperature The according to the temperature prediction method indicated by the temperature prediction information. The temperature prediction method in the modified configuration A has the above-mentioned features C1 and C2. The feature C2 is that the higher the acquired environmental temperature, the higher the predicted head temperature The. That is, the feature C2 is that the lower the acquired environmental temperature, the lower the predicted head temperature The.

Specifically, in the head temperature prediction process to which the deformation configuration A is applied, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the head temperature Tha in the assumed printing situation based on the environmental temperature of the printing device 100 and the image data. ..

In the temperature prediction method in the modified configuration A, as an example, the head temperature Th as the predicted head temperature is predicted by using the above-mentioned formulas (1), (2) and (3) as the prediction calculation formulas. .. The "α" as the environmental temperature correction coefficient in the equation (1) is represented by, for example, a real number in the range of 0 to 1. The higher the acquired environmental temperature, the larger the value of "α" is set. Further, the lower the acquired environmental temperature, the smaller the value is set for the “α”. Therefore, the higher the acquired environmental temperature, the higher the head temperature The obtained by the equation (1).

Since the method of predicting the head temperature Tha corresponding to the image G1 and the method of predicting the head temperature Ta corresponding to the image G2 using the prediction calculation formula are the same as the prediction method described above, detailed description will not be repeated. The above-mentioned prediction method is a method of predicting the head temperature Th using a prediction calculation formula as the head temperature prediction processing in the premise Pm1.

As described above, in the modified configuration A, the head temperature Tha in the assumed printing situation is predicted. In the modified configuration A, since the head temperature Tha is predicted based on the environmental temperature of the printing apparatus 100 and the image data, the head temperature Tha can be accurately predicted.

Further, the head temperature The may be predicted by the following deformation configuration B. In the modified configuration B, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the head temperature Tha in the assumed printing situation based on the printing conditions and the image data. The printing condition is, for example, a printing condition performed in the adjacent printing process. The printing condition is, for example, a printing speed. The printing speed is, for example, the printing speed of the primary color images (Y image, M image, and C image) and the printing speed of the OP image.

Next, the print control process of FIG. 5 to which the modified configuration B is applied will be described in detail. Hereinafter, the print control process to which the modified configuration B is applied will be mainly described in that it differs from the print control process in the premise Pm1 described above.

In the information acquisition process in step S120, the head temperature prediction unit 62 acquires the printing speed in addition to acquiring the image data, the head temperature T0, and the temperature prediction information. The print speed is a print job received by the receiving unit 61, and is shown in the above-mentioned print condition information included in the print job stored in the memory 52. Therefore, the head temperature prediction unit 62 acquires the print speed from the print job.

In the head temperature prediction process of step S130 to which the modified configuration B is applied, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the head temperature The according to the temperature prediction method indicated by the temperature prediction information. The temperature prediction method in the modified configuration B has the above-mentioned features C1 and C3. Feature C3 is a feature of predicting the head temperature Tha in consideration of the acquired printing speed.

Specifically, in the head temperature prediction process to which the deformation configuration B is applied, the head temperature prediction unit 62 has the head temperature Tha in the assumed printing situation based on the acquired printing conditions, the printing speed, and the image data. Predict.

In the temperature prediction method in the modified configuration B, as an example, the head temperature The as the predicted head temperature is predicted by using the above-mentioned formulas (1), (2) and (3) as the prediction calculation formulas. ..

Here, it is assumed that the acquired print speed is the print speed of the print primary color image (for example, Y image) and the print speed of the OP image. A value based on the printing speed of the print primary color image is set in "Argb" as the speed correction coefficient in the formula (2).

Further, in the equation (2), a value based on the printing speed of the OP image is set in "Aop" as the speed correction coefficient. The speed correction coefficient of the print primary color image and the speed correction coefficient of the OP image are determined based on the simple ratio based on the print speed of the print primary color image. Here, it is assumed that the printing speed of the print primary color image is 1.0 ms / line. Further, it is assumed that the printing speed of the OP image is 2.0 ms / line. In this case, for example, "1.0" is set for "Argb" and "0.5" is set for "Aop".

As described above, in the modified configuration B, the head temperature Tha in the assumed printing situation is predicted. In the modified configuration B, since the head temperature Tha is predicted based on the printing speed, which is the printing condition, and the image data, the head temperature Tha can be accurately predicted.

By the way, the head temperature Th for each printing speed may be measured in advance, and the speed correction coefficient of the equation (2) may be set based on the measurement result. Further, the print speed does not have to be obtained from a print job provided from the outside. Further, the printing speed may be determined, for example, by a determination standard set in advance in the printing apparatus 100. Further, the printing speed may be obtained from, for example, an internal component of the printing apparatus 100.

Further, the head temperature The may be predicted by, for example, the following deformation configuration C. In the modified configuration C, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the head temperature Th in the assumed printing situation based on the environmental temperature of the printing apparatus 100, the printing conditions, the image data, and the measured head temperature. be. The modified configuration C is realized by combining the modified configuration A and the modified configuration B. In the modified configuration C, the head temperature The can be predicted more accurately.

By the way, in the conventional printing apparatus, the printing time is shortened by speeding up the thermal transfer process. However, this method increases the thermal energy stored in the thermal head. Therefore, the temperature of the thermal head rises. In particular, when the printing process for printing a high-density image is repeatedly performed, heat damage accumulates on the ink sheet. Therefore, wrinkles are generated in the ink sheet due to heat shrinkage.

Furthermore, when the heat accumulated in the thermal head increases, the ink sheet is heat-sealed to the paper. That is, there is a problem that sticking occurs.

The following processing can be considered to solve this problem. In this process, when the temperature of the thermal head reaches a specified temperature, the printing apparatus cools the thermal head by stopping the execution of the printing process. Then, when the temperature of the thermal head drops to the specified temperature, the printing apparatus restarts the printing process.

This suppresses the occurrence of wrinkles, sticking, etc. Therefore, the quality of the image shown by the printed matter can be maintained at a specified quality. However, this process has a problem that the execution time of the print process is extremely long.

In particular, when the printing process for printing a high-density image is repeated in a situation where the environmental temperature of a printing device that prints a plurality of images using a one-screen size ink sheet is high, the following problems occur. There's a problem. The problem is, for example, that the cooling time of the thermal head, which has become a high head temperature, becomes long, and the printing time becomes very long.

Therefore, the printing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment has a configuration for achieving the above effects. Therefore, the printing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment can solve the above problem.

<Modification example 1>
The configuration of this modification is applied to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the head temperature Th as the predicted head temperature. The determination unit 63 determines whether or not the printing device 100 can execute the adjacent printing process based on the predicted head temperature The. When the printing device 100 can execute the adjacent printing process, the printing device 100 prints the image G1 and the image G2 in succession.

This modification is characterized by a printing method of primary color images such as Y image, M image, and C image. In this modified example, a process for performing mixed printing is performed. In the mixed printing, for example, printing of a print primary color image (for example, Y image) expressing the image G1 and printing of another print primary color image (for example, M image) expressing the image G2 are performed in a mixed manner. It is a process.

In this modified example, adjacent printing processing corresponding to mixed printing is performed. In the following, the adjacent printing process corresponding to mixed printing is also referred to as “mixed adjacent printing process”. The mixed adjacent printing process in this modification is a process of printing the other printing primary color image so that the printing primary color image representing the image G1 and another printing primary color image representing the image G2 are adjacent to each other.

(composition)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a functional configuration for explaining the operation of the printing apparatus 100 having the configuration of the first modification. In this modification, the mixed printing conditions are further stored in the memory 52. The mixed printing condition is a condition for determining whether or not the printing apparatus 100 can execute the mixed adjacent printing process.

In this modification, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the head temperature Tha corresponding to each of the Y image, the M image, and the C image as print primary color images expressing each of the image G1 and the image G2.

In the following, the concentration contained in the range from the above-mentioned minimum concentration to the above-mentioned intermediate concentration is also referred to as "low concentration". Further, in the following, the image in which the average density of the image is low is also referred to as a “low density image”. Further, in the following, a concentration higher than the above-mentioned intermediate concentration is also referred to as "high concentration". Further, in the following, the image in which the average density of the image is high is also referred to as a “high density image”.

Further, in the following, the head temperature The corresponding to the image G1 is also referred to as "head temperature The1" or "Tha1". Further, in the following, the head temperature The corresponding to the Y image representing the image G1 is also referred to as “head temperature The1y” or “Tha1y”. Further, in the following, the head temperature The corresponding to the M image representing the image G1 is also referred to as "head temperature The1 m" or "Tha 1 m". Further, in the following, the head temperature The corresponding to the C image representing the image G1 is also referred to as "head temperature The1c" or "Tha1c".

Further, in the following, the head temperature The corresponding to the image G2 is also referred to as "head temperature The2" or "Tha2". Further, in the following, the head temperature The corresponding to the Y image representing the image G2 is also referred to as "head temperature The2y" or "Tha2y". Further, in the following, the head temperature The corresponding to the M image representing the image G2 is also referred to as "head temperature The 2m" or "The 2m". Further, in the following, the head temperature The corresponding to the C image representing the image G2 is also referred to as "head temperature The2c" or "Tha2c".

Head temperature Each of the head temperature The1y, The1m, The1c, The2y, The2m, and The2c is a head temperature in a hypothetical printing situation assuming that the print primary color image is printed independently by the printing apparatus 100. Therefore, for example, the head temperature The1y is lower than the head temperature in the assumed printing situation assuming that two print primary color images are printed continuously.

Here, it is assumed that the image G1 is a high density image and the image G2 is a low density image. In this case, the head temperature Tha as the predicted head temperature corresponding to each of the image G1 and the image G2 is shown, for example, as shown in Table Tb1 of FIG. In FIG. 8, "(Y)", "(M)" and "(C)" indicate a Y image, an M image and a C image, respectively.

Further, in this modification, the determination unit 63 determines whether or not the printing device 100 can execute the mixed adjacent printing process based on the mixed printing conditions. The mixed printing conditions are defined, for example, as shown in Table Tb2 of FIG. Table Tb2 shows the mixed printing conditions. In FIG. 9, "(Y)", "(M)" and "(C)" indicate a Y image, an M image and a C image, respectively. Table Tb2 shows the conditions corresponding to each of the Y image, the M image, and the C image.

In FIG. 9, the condition “≧ 20” corresponding to the Y image is, for example, a condition that the difference between the head temperature Th1y corresponding to the Y image and the head temperature Th2y corresponding to the Y image is 20 ° C. or more. be. The mixed printing conditions may be different from the conditions shown in Table Tb2 of FIG.

Further, in this modification, when “Th ≦ Thmax” in the above-mentioned adjacent printing conditions is not satisfied, for example, as shown in Table Tb3 of FIG. 10, the printing order of the print primary color images expressing the image G1 or the image G2 is changed. Be changed.

In this modification, the print primary color image expressing the low-density image G2 is printed between the plurality of prints corresponding to the plurality of print primary color images expressing the image G1. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the head temperature. Further, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the thermal head 2 from becoming extremely high. As a result, the process for cooling the thermal head 2 can be eliminated.

Even if the printing order of each print primary color image is changed, the quality of the image indicated by the printed matter hardly changes. The print control unit 64 controls the printing device 100 so that the printing device 100 prints based on the determination result by the determination unit 63.

(motion)
Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 100 in the first modification will be described. In this modification, the printing apparatus 100 performs the following print control process A. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the print control process A according to the first modification.

FIG. 11 shows only the main steps included in the print control process A. In order to make an example of the print control process A easy to understand, the print control process A performed under the following premise Pm2 will be described. In FIG. 11, the process of the same step number as the step number of FIG. 5 is the same as the process described in the first embodiment, and thus the detailed description is not repeated. Hereinafter, the points different from those of the first embodiment will be mainly described.

The premise Pm2 differs from the above-mentioned premise Pm1 in the following points. Other points in the premise Pm2 are the same as those in the premise Pm1. In the premise Pm2 similar to the premise Pm1, for example, the head temperature prediction unit 62 of the printing device 100 has already received a print job including the image data Gd1 indicating the image G1 from the information processing device 200.

In the premise Pm2, immediately after the print control process A is started, the printing device 100 starts printing the Y image representing the image G1. Further, in the premise Pm2, the head temperature Th corresponding to the image G2 is larger than the maximum temperature Thmax. Further, in the premise Pm2, Table Tb2 of FIG. 9 is stored in the memory 52 as a mixed printing condition. Further, in the premise Pm2, the predicted head temperatures The1y, Th1m, Tha1c, Tha2y, Tha2m, and Tha2c are temperatures that satisfy the mixed printing condition shown in Table Tb2 of FIG. That is, in the premise Pm2, all of "The1y-Tha2y", "Tha1m-Tha2m" and "Tha1c-Tha2c" are 20 ° C. or higher.

Further, in the premise Pm2, in order to suppress an increase in the head temperature, the printing order of each print primary color image is changed as shown in Table Tb3 of FIG. Further, in the premise Pm2, the image G1 is a high-density image and the image G2 is a low-density image. The high-density image and the low-density image are images capable of suppressing an increase in head temperature when the printing order of each print primary color image is changed, as shown in Table Tb3 of FIG.

With reference to FIG. 11, in the print control process A in the premise Pm2, the processes of steps S110 and S120 are performed as in the first embodiment. As a result, the head temperature prediction unit 62 acquires the image data Gd1 and Gd2 as print data, the head temperature T0, and the temperature prediction information.

Next, the head temperature prediction process A is performed (step S130A). In the head temperature prediction process A, first, the temperature prediction process A1 is performed. In the temperature prediction process A1, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the head temperature Tha corresponding to the image G2 in the same manner as in step S130 of FIG. Then, the head temperature prediction unit 62 notifies the determination unit 63 of the final predicted head temperature The, which is the head temperature The corresponding to the image G2. In the premise Pm2, the final predicted head temperature Th notified in the temperature prediction process A1 is larger than the maximum temperature Thmax.

Next, the temperature prediction process A2 is performed. In the temperature prediction process A2, the head temperature prediction unit 62 represents each of the image G1 and the image G2 according to the temperature prediction method indicated by the temperature prediction information, and each of the Y image, the M image, and the C image as the print primary color image. The head temperature The corresponding to is predicted.

The temperature prediction method used for predicting the head temperature Tha corresponding to the print primary color image is, for example, the above-mentioned method Md2. The temperature prediction method may be the same as the above-mentioned method Md1. The method similar to the method Md1 is a method in which the above-mentioned method Md1 is changed to a method of predicting the head temperature Tha corresponding to each of the Y image, the M image, and the C image.

That is, in the temperature prediction process A2, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the head temperature Tha in the assumed printing situation assuming that the print primary color image representing the image G1 is printed by the printing device 100. Further, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the head temperature Tha in the assumed printing situation assuming that the print primary color image representing the image G2 is printed by the printing device 100.

In the temperature prediction process A2 in the premise Pm2, each head temperature The shown in FIG. 8 is predicted. In the premise Pm2, the predicted head temperatures The1y, The1m, The1c, The2y, The2m, and Th2c are the predicted temperatures when the head temperature sensor Sn3 measures the head temperature at the above-mentioned timing B in the method Md2. .. The timing B is, for example, the timing at which the printing of the Y image representing the image G1 is started.

In the following, the head temperature measured by the head temperature sensor Sn3 at the timing B is also referred to as “head temperature Th0” or “Th0”. The head temperature Th0 is the head temperature at the timing B at which printing of the Y image representing the image G1 is started. Each of the head temperatures The1y, The1m, The1c, The2y, The2m, and Th2c is a predicted temperature with respect to the head temperature Th0. Therefore, for example, the temperature obtained by the formula "Tha1y-Th0" is the rising temperature of the thermal head 2.

Further, in the premise Pm2, the predicted head temperatures The1y, The1m, The1c, The2y, The2m, and The2c are "The1y-Tha2y", "The1m-Tha2m", and "Tha1c-Tha2c", respectively, at 20 ° C. or higher. Is. That is, in the premise Pm2, the predicted head temperatures The1y, The1m, The1c, The2y, The2m, and The2c are the temperatures that satisfy the mixed printing condition of Table Tb2 in FIG.

Further, the head temperature prediction unit 62 notifies the determination unit 63 of the predicted head temperature corresponding to the print primary color image. The predicted head temperature is the head temperature The1y, The1m, The1c, The2y, The2m, The2c.

Next, the determination unit 63 acquires the adjacent print conditions stored in the memory 52. Next, the determination process A3 is performed. In the determination process A3, the determination unit 63 determines whether or not the above-mentioned relational expression (Tha ≦ Thmax) as the relational expression A is satisfied under the adjacent printing conditions. When the relational expression A is satisfied, the head temperature prediction process A ends, and the process proceeds to step S142. On the other hand, when the relational expression A is not satisfied, the following order change process A4 is performed.

In the premise Pm2, the head temperature Th corresponding to the image G2 is larger than the maximum temperature Thmax. Therefore, in the determination process A3 in the premise Pm2, since the relational expression A does not hold, the order change process A4 is performed.

In the order change process A4, the determination unit 63 changes the printing order of each print primary color image so as to suppress the rise in the head temperature as much as possible. In the order change process A4 in the premise Pm2, the print primary color image expressing the low density image G2 is printed between the plurality of prints corresponding to the plurality of print primary color images representing the image G1. The printing order of each print primary color image is changed. In the order change process A4 in the premise Pm2, for example, the determination unit 63 changes the printing order of each print primary color image as shown in Table Tb3 of FIG.

Then, the determination unit 63 notifies the head temperature prediction unit 62 of the printing order of each print primary color image. In the premise Pm2, the table Tb3 of FIG. 10 is notified to the head temperature prediction unit 62.

Next, the final temperature prediction process A5 is performed. In the final temperature prediction process A5, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the final prediction head temperature The corresponding to the changed printing order.

In the final temperature prediction process A5 in the premise Pm2, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the final prediction head temperature Tha corresponding to the printing order shown in Table Tb3 of FIG. The head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts, for example, the temperature obtained by the formula "The1y + The1m + The1c + The2y + The2m + The2c-5xTh0" as the final predicted head temperature The. In the premise Pm2, the predicted final predicted head temperature Th is equal to or lower than the maximum temperature Thmax. The head temperature prediction unit 62 notifies the determination unit 63 of the predicted final predicted head temperature The. As a result, the head temperature prediction process A is completed.

When the head temperature prediction process A is completed, the determination unit 63 acquires the mixed printing conditions stored in the memory 52 (step S142). In step S142 in the premise Pm2, Table Tb2 of FIG. 9 is acquired as the mixed printing condition.

In step S150, the determination unit 63 determines whether or not the printing apparatus 100 can execute the adjacent printing process based on the latest final predicted head temperature The and the adjacent printing conditions. When the final predicted head temperature Th is equal to or lower than the maximum temperature Thmax, the printing apparatus 100 is allowed to execute the adjacent printing process, and the process proceeds to step S152. On the other hand, when the final predicted head temperature Th is larger than the maximum temperature Thmax, the printing apparatus 100 is not allowed to execute the adjacent printing process, and the process proceeds to step S174.

In the premise Pm2, the latest final predicted head temperature Th is equal to or less than the maximum temperature Thmax. Therefore, the process shifts to step S152 based on the determination of step S150 in the premise Pm2.

In step S152, as in the first embodiment, the determination unit 63 inquires the print state acquisition unit 65 about the print state, which is the operating state of the printing device 100. In the premise Pm2, the determination unit 63 receives the print state information indicating "printing" as the print state.

In step S154, as in the first embodiment, the determination unit 63 determines whether or not the printing state is "printing". If Yes in step S154, the process proceeds to step S156. On the other hand, if No in step S154, the process proceeds to step S174.

In step S156, the determination unit 63 determines whether or not the printing apparatus 100 executes the mixed adjacent printing process, which is the adjacent printing process, based on each head temperature The.

In step S156 in the premise Pm2, whether the determination unit 63 causes the printing apparatus 100 to execute the mixed adjacent printing process, which is the adjacent printing process, based on the head temperatures The1y, The1m, The1c and the head temperatures The2y, The2m, The2c. Judge whether or not.

Specifically, first, the determination unit 63 determines whether or not the printing apparatus 100 can execute the mixed adjacent printing process based on each head temperature Th as the predicted head temperature and the mixed printing condition. do.

When the mixed printing condition is satisfied, it is determined that the printing device 100 can execute the mixed adjacent printing process. In this case, the determination unit 63 determines that the printing apparatus 100 executes the mixed adjacent printing process. Then, the process proceeds to step S172. On the other hand, if the mixed printing condition is not satisfied, it is determined that the printing apparatus 100 cannot execute the mixed adjacent printing process. In this case, the determination unit 63 determines that the printing apparatus 100 does not execute the mixed adjacent printing process. Then, the process proceeds to step S171.

That is, in step S156, the determination unit 63 determines whether or not to cause the printing apparatus 100 to execute the mixed adjacent printing process, which is the adjacent printing process, based on the predicted head temperature Th and the mixed printing conditions. ..

In the premise Pm2, the predicted head temperatures The1y, The1m, The1c, The2y, The2m, and The2c satisfy the mixed printing condition of Table Tb2 in FIG. Therefore, in step S156 in the premise Pm2, the determination unit 63 determines that the mixed adjacent printing process can be executed, and determines that the printing device 100 executes the mixed adjacent printing process. Then, the process proceeds to step S172.

In step S172, the printing device 100 executes the mixed adjacent printing process according to the determination result of the determination unit 63. In the mixed adjacent printing process in the premise Pm2, the process according to Table Tb3 in FIG. 10 is performed. That is, in the mixed adjacent printing process in the premise Pm2, the printing apparatus 100 controls a print control unit 64 to represent a print primary color image (Y image) representing the image G1 and another print primary color image (M) representing the image G2. The other print primary color image (M image) is printed so as to be adjacent to the image).

After that, each print primary color image is printed according to Table Tb3 in FIG. As a result, the print control process A ends. Since steps S171 and S174 are performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the following, processing related to printing, including mixed adjacent printing processing, is also referred to as “mixed printing control processing”.

Next, the mixed print control process in the premise Pm2 will be described. 12 and 13 are diagrams for explaining an example of the mixed print control process according to the first modification. In the mixed print control process in FIGS. 12 and 13, the process of printing the OP image is omitted in order to simplify the explanation. In FIGS. 12 and 13, the process of the same step number as the step number of FIG. 6 is the same as the process described with respect to FIG. 6, so that the detailed description will not be repeated. Hereinafter, the points different from the processing of FIG. 6 will be mainly described.

With reference to FIG. 12, the printing apparatus 100 cue the paper 8 in steps S510 and S520. Next, the printing apparatus 100 performs printing Pr (X1) (Y) for printing a Y image representing the image G1 on the paper 8 (step S530Y). In this case, the image G1 is represented by a Y image as a print primary color image.

After the printing Pr (X1) (Y) is completed, preparations are made for printing Pr (X2) (M) for printing the M image representing the image G2 on the paper 8 as the mixed adjacent printing process. Specifically, the printing apparatus 100 cue the paper 8 so that the position P2 (printing start position) of the paper 8 is detected (step S552M).

Next, the printing apparatus 100 performs printing Pr (X2) (M) as a mixed adjacent printing process for printing the M image representing the image G2 on the paper 8 (step S560M). In this case, the image G2 is represented by an M image as a print primary color image. Further, the Y image representing the image G1 and the M image representing the image G2 are adjacent to each other.

After the printing Pr (X2) (M) is completed, the printing apparatus 100 performs the printing Pr (X1) (C) for printing the C image representing the image G1 on the paper 8 (step S530C).

After the printing Pr (X1) (C) is completed, preparations are made for printing Pr (X2) (Y) for printing the Y image representing the image G2 on the paper 8. Specifically, the printing apparatus 100 cue the paper 8 so that the position P2 (printing start position) of the paper 8 is detected (step S552Y).

Next, the printing device 100 performs printing Pr (X2) (Y) for printing a Y image representing the image G2 on the paper 8 (step S560Y). With reference to FIG. 13, after the printing Pr (X2) (Y) is completed, the printing apparatus 100 performs the printing Pr (X1) (M) for printing the M image representing the image G1 on the paper 8 (step). S530M). As a result, a printed matter showing the image G1 is formed on the paper 8.

After the printing Pr (X1) (M) is completed, preparations are made for printing Pr (X2) (C) for printing the C image representing the image G2 on the paper 8. Specifically, the printing apparatus 100 cue the paper 8 so that the position P2 (printing start position) of the paper 8 is detected (step S552C).

Next, the printing device 100 performs printing Pr (X2) (C) for printing the C image representing the image G2 on the paper 8 (step S560C). As a result, a printed matter showing the image G2 is formed on the paper 8.

After the printing Pr (X2) (C) is completed, the paper ejection process (X1) is performed (step S571). In the paper ejection process (X1), the printing apparatus 100 conveys the paper 8 in order to eject the printed matter showing the image G1 to the outside. Then, the cutter Ct1 cuts the position P1 of the paper 8 so that the printed matter is separated from the paper 8.

Next, a process for changing the state of the printing device 100 to the standby state is performed. Specifically, the printing device 100 conveys the paper 8 so that the position P2 of the paper 8 becomes the standby position corresponding to the standby state (step S580). With the above, the mixed print control process is completed.

(summary)
As described above, according to the present modification, the printing primary color image expressing the low density image G2 is printed between the plurality of printings corresponding to the plurality of printing primary color images expressing the image G1. As a result, the printing order of each print primary color image is changed. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the head temperature. That is, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the thermal head 2 from becoming extremely high. Further, efficient printing can be realized by executing the mixed print control process of this modification.

<Modification 2>
The configuration of this modification is applied to modification 1. In the first embodiment, the head temperature prediction unit 62 predicts the head temperature The. The determination unit 63 determines whether or not the printing device 100 can execute the adjacent printing process based on the predicted head temperature The. Further, in the modification 1, the mixed print control process in which the printing of the print primary color image expressing the image G1 and the printing of another print primary color image expressing the image G2 are performed in a mixed manner is performed.

The printing device 100 of this modification has a function of executing mixed printing control processing. The mixed print control process is, for example, the mixed print control process described in the first modification. The mixed print control process is a process including a process of printing a print primary color image representing the image G1 and a process of printing another print primary color image representing the image G2.

In this modification, the mixed cutting process of cutting the paper 8 is performed in the middle of the period during which the mixed printing control process is being executed. As described above, the mixed print control process includes the mixed adjacent print process described above. The mixed cutting process is, for example, a process for separating the printed matter showing the image G1 from the paper 8 during the printing of the image G2.

(composition)
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a functional configuration for explaining the operation of the printing apparatus 100 having the configuration of the second modification. In this modification, the mixed disconnection condition is further stored in the memory 52. The mixed cutting condition indicates the minimum number of adjacent prints based on the cutting position on the paper 8 and the printing start position of the paper 8 in the mixed printing control process. The cutting position is a position on the paper 8 for the cutter Ct1 to perform cutting.

The minimum number of adjacent prints is the minimum number of images that can be printed adjacently when mixed cutting processing is performed. The mixed cutting condition is, for example, a relational expression of "number of prints> minimum number of adjacent prints".

In this modified example, the minimum number of adjacent prints is 2 as an example. Therefore, the mixed cutting process is performed during the period in which the mixed print control process using three or more target images is being executed.

Normally, when a process of switching an image to be printed such as a print primary color image (Y image, M image, C image), OP image, etc. is performed, it is necessary to temporarily stop the transportation of the paper 8. be. In this modification, the printing start position (for example, position P1) of the paper 8 is set to be used as the cutting position in the situation where the transport of the paper 8 is temporarily stopped. Therefore, it is possible to perform the process of switching the image to be printed and the process of cutting the paper 8 on which the printed matter is formed in parallel.

In this modified example, processing using three images as target images will be described. The three images as the target images are the above-mentioned image G1, the above-mentioned image G2, and the image G3. In the following, the image data Gd indicating the image G3 is also referred to as “image data Gd3”. That is, the image data Gd3 is the image data of the image G3. In the following, the mixed print control process including the mixed cutting process is also referred to as a “mixed cutting control process”.

(motion)
Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 100 in the second modification will be described. In this modification, the printing apparatus 100 performs the following print control process B. FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the print control process B according to the second modification. FIG. 15 shows only the main steps included in the print control process B. FIG. 15 shows, as an example, a print control process B in which the determination of “printing” is not performed so that the description of the print control process B is not complicated.

In order to make it easier to understand an example of the print control process B, the print control process B performed under the following premise Pm3 will be described. In FIG. 15, the process of the same step number as the step number of FIG. 11 is the same as the process described in the first modification, so that the detailed description will not be repeated. Hereinafter, the points different from the modification 1 will be mainly described.

16 and 17 and 18 are diagrams for explaining an example of the mixed cutting control process according to the second modification. In the mixed cutting control process in FIGS. 16, 17, and 18, the process of printing the OP image is omitted for the sake of simplification of the description. Further, in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, the process of the same step number as that of the step numbers of FIGS. 12 and 13 is the same as the process described with respect to FIGS. 12 and 13, so that a detailed description thereof will be given. Does not repeat. Further, in FIGS. 16, 17, and 18, the character string “(X3)” is shown for the processing related to the image G3. In the following, the print process P for the image G3 is also referred to as “print Pr (X3)” or “Pr (X3)”.

16A, 17th and 18th are diagrams for explaining an example of mixed cutting control processing in a situation where the printing order of the print primary color images is changed in order to print the images G1, G2 and G3. The printing order of each print primary color image is changed based on the head temperature Tha corresponding to each print primary color image of the images G1, G2, and G3. Further, the printing order of each printing primary color image is changed so that the mixed printing condition is satisfied.

In the premise Pm3, the print job indicates the number of prints. The number of prints is 3. Further, in the premise Pm3, the printing order of the printing primary color images is changed so as to be the printing order of the printing primary color images shown in FIGS. 16, 17, and 18. The mixed printing condition in the premise Pm3 is a condition in which the mixed cutting control process corresponding to the printing order of each print primary color image shown in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 can be executed. Further, in the premise Pm3, the mixed cutting condition (number of prints> minimum number of adjacent prints) is satisfied. Further, in the premise Pm3, the predicted head temperature Tha corresponding to each print primary color image representing each of the images G1, G2, and G3 is a temperature satisfying the mixed printing condition.

With reference to FIG. 15, in the print control process B in the premise Pm3, the process of step S110 is performed in the same manner as in the first modification. As a result, the print job is stored in the memory 52.

Next, the information acquisition process B is performed (step S120B). In the information acquisition process B in the premise Pm3, the head temperature prediction unit 62 acquires image data Gd1, Gd2, Gd3, head temperature T0, temperature prediction information, and the number of prints as print data.

Next, the head temperature prediction process A is performed (step S130A). In the head temperature prediction process A, the same process as the head temperature prediction process A of FIG. 11 in the first modification is performed on the images G1, G2, and G3. Therefore, a detailed description of the head temperature prediction process A in FIG. 15 will be omitted. In the premise Pm3, for example, the predicted head temperature Tha corresponding to each print primary color image representing each of the images G1, G2, and G3 is a temperature that satisfies the mixed printing condition. Further, for example, the determination unit 63 changes the printing order of each print primary color image as shown in FIGS. 16, 17, and 18.

Next, the determination unit 63 acquires the mixed printing conditions stored in the memory 52 (step S142). Next, the determination unit 63 acquires the mixed disconnection condition stored in the memory 52 (step S143).

In step S150, the determination unit 63 determines whether or not the printing apparatus 100 can execute the adjacent printing process based on the final predicted head temperature The and the adjacent printing conditions. The process of step S150 is the same as the process of step S150 of the first modification. In the premise Pm3, it is determined that the printing apparatus 100 can execute the adjacent printing process, and the process proceeds to step S156.

In step S156, the determination unit 63 determines whether or not the printing apparatus 100 executes the mixed adjacent printing process. When the mixed printing condition is satisfied, it is determined that the printing apparatus 100 can execute the mixed adjacent printing process. Then, the process proceeds to step S158. On the other hand, if the mixed printing condition is not satisfied, it is determined that the printing apparatus 100 cannot execute the mixed adjacent printing process. Then, the process proceeds to step S171. In the premise Pm3, assuming that the mixed printing condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S158.

In step S158, whether or not the printing device 100 can execute the mixed cutting process during the period in which the mixed cutting control process, which is the mixed printing control process, is being executed by the determination unit 63 based on the mixed cutting condition. Is determined.

Specifically, the determination unit 63 determines whether or not the mixed cutting condition is satisfied. When the mixed cutting condition is satisfied, the printing apparatus 100 determines that the mixed cutting process can be executed. Then, the process proceeds to step S173. On the other hand, if the mixed cutting condition is not satisfied, the printing apparatus 100 determines that the mixed cutting process cannot be executed. Then, the process proceeds to step S172. In the premise Pm3, the mixed printing condition is satisfied. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S173.

In step S173, the printing apparatus 100 executes the mixed cutting process under the control of the print control unit 64. Specifically, the printing apparatus 100 executes the mixed cutting process during the period during which the mixed cutting control process, which is the mixed printing control process, is being executed. The mixed cutting process is executed when the cutting condition A is satisfied. The cutting condition A is a condition for cutting the paper 8. The cutting condition A is, for example, a condition that the printing of the image G1 is completed.

Next, the mixed cutting control process in the premise Pm3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16, 17, and 18. 16, FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 further show the position P3 as the print start position. The area between the position P3 and the position P2 of the paper 8 corresponds to another printing area.

With reference to FIG. 16, in steps S510 and S552, the printing apparatus 100 cue the paper 8 so that the position P2 (printing start position) of the paper 8 is detected.

Next, the printing device 100 performs printing Pr (X2) (Y) for printing a Y image representing the image G2 on the paper 8 (step S560Y). Next, the printing apparatus 100 performs printing Pr (X1) (M) for printing the M image representing the image G1 on the paper 8 (step S530M).

Next, the printing device 100 cue the paper 8 so that the position P2 (printing start position) of the paper 8 is detected (step S552C). Next, the printing apparatus 100 performs printing Pr (X2) (C) for printing the C image representing the image G2 on the paper 8 (step S560C). Next, the printing apparatus 100 performs printing Pr (X1) (Y) for printing a Y image representing the image G1 on the paper 8 (step S530Y).

Next, the printing device 100 cue the paper 8 so that the position P3 (printing start position) of the paper 8 is detected (step S553). With reference to FIG. 17, the printing apparatus 100 then performs printing Pr (X3) (M) for printing the M image representing the image G3 on the paper 8 (step S563M).

Next, the printing device 100 cue the paper 8 so that the position P1 (printing start position) of the paper 8 is detected (step S520C). Next, the printing apparatus 100 performs printing Pr (X1) (C) for printing the C image representing the image G1 on the paper 8 (step S530C). As a result, the cutting condition A that the printing of the image G1 is completed is satisfied. Further, a printed matter showing the image G1 is formed on the paper 8.

Next, the paper ejection process (X1) is performed (step S571). In the paper ejection process (X1), the printing apparatus 100 conveys the paper 8 in order to eject the printed matter to the outside. Further, in the paper ejection process (X1), the printing apparatus 100 performs a mixed cutting process for cutting the paper 8.

The mixed cutting process is, for example, a process for separating the printed matter showing the image G1 from the paper 8 during the printing of the image G2. In the mixed cutting process, the cutter Ct1 of the printing apparatus 100 cuts the position P1 of the paper 8 so that the printed matter showing the image G1 is separated from the paper 8.

Next, the printing device 100 cue the paper 8 so that the position P3 (printing start position) of the paper 8 is detected (step S553Y). Next, the printing apparatus 100 performs printing Pr (X3) (Y) for printing a Y image representing the image G3 on the paper 8 (step S563Y). With reference to FIG. 18, the printing apparatus 100 then performs printing Pr (X2) (M) for printing the M image representing the image G2 on the paper 8 (step S560M). As a result, the printing of the image G2 is completed, and the printed matter showing the image G2 is formed on the paper 8.

Next, the printing device 100 cue the paper 8 so that the position P3 (printing start position) of the paper 8 is detected (step S553C). Next, the printing apparatus 100 performs printing Pr (X3) (C) for printing the C image representing the image G3 on the paper 8 (step S563C). As a result, the printing of the image G3 is completed, and the printed matter showing the image G3 is formed on the paper 8.

Next, the paper ejection process (X3) is performed (step S573). In the paper ejection process (X3), the printing apparatus 100 conveys the paper 8 in order to eject the printed matter showing the image G3 to the outside. Then, the cutter Ct1 cuts the position P3 of the paper 8 so that the printed matter is separated from the paper 8.

Next, the printing device 100 conveys the paper 8 so that the position P3 of the paper 8 becomes the standby position corresponding to the standby state (step S580). As described above, the mixed cutting control process in the premise Pm3 is completed. According to the above description, the above-mentioned mixed cutting process is performed during the period in which the mixed cutting control process, which is the mixed printing control process, is being executed.

(summary)
As described above, according to the present modification, the mixed cutting process for separating the printed matter showing the image G1 from the paper 8 is performed during the period in which the mixed cutting control process, which is the mixed printing control process, is being executed. Further, in the mixed cutting control process, the print start position (for example, position P1) of the paper 8 is set to be used as the cutting position in the situation where the transport of the paper 8 is temporarily stopped. As a result, the process of switching the image to be printed and the process of cutting the paper 8 on which the printed matter is formed are performed in parallel. Therefore, the paper ejection process can be performed in the middle of the period during which the mixed cut control process, which is the mixed print control process, is being executed, and the time required to execute the mixed cut control process can be shortened. Therefore, efficient printing can be realized.

(Functional block diagram)
FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a characteristic functional configuration of the printing apparatus BL10. The printing device BL10 corresponds to the printing device 100. That is, FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the main functions related to the present technology among the functions of the printing apparatus BL10.

The printing device BL10 is a thermal transfer type printing device having a function of printing a plurality of images so that the plurality of images are adjacent to each other by using a thermal head. The printing device BL10 functionally includes a head temperature prediction unit BL1. The head temperature prediction unit BL1 has a function of predicting the head temperature, which is the temperature of the thermal head. The head temperature prediction unit BL1 corresponds to the head temperature prediction unit 62. The plurality of images include a first image which is the j (integer of 1 or more) th image and a second image which is the (j + 1) th image.

The head temperature prediction unit BL1 assumes that one or both of the first image and the second image are printed by the printing device BL10 so that the first image and the second image are adjacent to each other. The temperature is predicted based on the image data which is the data of one or both of the first image and the second image.

Functionally, the printing device BL10 further includes a determination unit BL2. Whether or not the determination unit BL2 causes the printing device BL10 to perform an adjacent printing process for printing the second image so that the first image and the second image are adjacent to each other based on the predicted head temperature. Is determined. The determination unit BL2 corresponds to the determination unit 63.

When it is determined that the printing device BL10 executes the adjacent printing process, the printing device BL10 executes the adjacent printing process. If it is determined that the printing device BL10 does not execute the adjacent printing process, the printing device BL10 does not execute the adjacent printing process.

(Other variants)
Although the printing apparatus according to the present technology has been described above based on the embodiment, the present technology is not limited to the embodiment. The present technology also includes modifications that can be conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present technology. That is, in the present technology, within the scope of the technology, the embodiments and the modified examples can be freely combined, and the embodiments and the modified examples can be appropriately modified or omitted.

For example, the printing apparatus 100 does not have to include all the components shown in the figure. That is, the printing apparatus 100 needs to include only the minimum components that can realize the effect of the present technology.

Further, each function of the head temperature prediction unit 62 and the determination unit 63 included in the printing apparatus 100 may be realized by a processing circuit.

The processing circuit measures the head temperature in a situation where it is assumed that one or both of the first image and the second image are printed by the printing device so that the first image and the second image are adjacent to each other. , A circuit for making a prediction based on image data which is data of one or both of the first image and the second image.

Further, the processing circuit causes the printing apparatus to execute an adjacent printing process for printing the second image so that the first image and the second image are adjacent to each other based on the predicted head temperature. It is also a circuit for determining whether or not.

The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware. Further, the processing circuit may be a processor that executes a program stored in the memory. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a central processing unit, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or the like.

In the following, the configuration in which the processing circuit is dedicated hardware is also referred to as "configuration Cs1". Further, in the following, the configuration in which the processing circuit is a processor is also referred to as “configuration Cs2”. Further, in the following, a configuration in which each function of the head temperature prediction unit 62 and the determination unit 63 is realized by a combination of hardware and software is also referred to as “configuration Cs3”.

In configuration Cs1, the processing circuit is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. Applicable. The functions of the head temperature prediction unit 62 and the determination unit 63 may be realized by two processing circuits, respectively. Further, all the functions of the head temperature prediction unit 62 and the determination unit 63 may be realized by one processing circuit.

The configuration in which all or a part of each component included in the printing apparatus 100 is shown in hardware is as follows, for example. In the following, a printing device in which all or a part of each component included in the printing device 100 is shown by hardware is also referred to as “printing device hd10”.

FIG. 20 is a hardware configuration diagram of the printing device hd10. With reference to FIG. 20, the printing apparatus hd10 includes a processor hd1 and a memory hd2. The memory hd2 is, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM (RandomAccessMemory), a ROM (ReadOnlyMemory), a flash memory, an EPROM, or an EEPROM. The memory hd2 is, for example, a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, a DVD, or the like. Further, the memory hd2 may be any storage medium used in the future.

In the configuration Cs2, the processing circuit is the processor hd1. In the configuration Cs2, each function of the head temperature prediction unit 62 and the determination unit 63 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software or firmware is described as a program and stored in the memory hd2.

Further, in the configuration Cs2, the processing circuit (processor hd1) reads the program stored in the memory hd2 and executes the program, so that each function of the head temperature prediction unit 62 and the determination unit 63 is realized. .. That is, the memory hd2 stores the following programs.

The program sets the head temperature in a situation where it is assumed that one or both of the first image and the second image are printed by the printing device so that the first image and the second image are adjacent to each other. It is a program for causing a processing circuit (processor hd1) to execute a step of prediction based on image data which is data of one or both of the first image and the second image.

Further, the program causes the printing apparatus to execute an adjacent printing process for printing the second image so that the first image and the second image are adjacent to each other based on the predicted head temperature. It is also a program for causing the processing circuit (processor hd1) to execute the step of determining whether or not it is present.

Further, the program also causes a computer to execute a procedure of processing performed by each of the head temperature prediction unit 62 and the determination unit 63, a method of executing the processing, and the like.

In the configuration Cs3, some functions of the head temperature prediction unit 62 and the determination unit 63 are realized by dedicated hardware. Further, in the configuration Cs3, another part of the functions of the head temperature prediction unit 62 and the determination unit 63 is realized by software or firmware.

For example, the function of the head temperature prediction unit 62 is realized by the processing circuit reading and executing the program stored in the memory. Further, for example, the function of the determination unit 63 is realized by a processing circuit as dedicated hardware.

Like the above configurations Cs1, configuration Cs2, and configuration Cs3, the processing circuit can realize each of the above-mentioned functions by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

Further, the present technology may be realized as a print control method in which the operation of a characteristic component included in the printing apparatus 100 is a step. Further, the present technology may be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute each step included in such a print control method. Further, the present technology may be realized as a computer-readable recording medium for storing such a program. Further, the program may be distributed via a transmission medium such as the Internet. The print control method according to the present technology corresponds to, for example, the processing of FIG. 5, FIG. 11 or FIG.

All the numerical values used in the above-described embodiment and modified examples are numerical values of an example for concretely explaining the present technology. That is, the present technology is not limited to each numerical value used in the above-described embodiment and modification.

It is possible to freely combine the embodiments and the modified examples, and to appropriately modify or omit the embodiments and the modified examples.

For example, the mixed printing conditions are not limited to the conditions shown in Table Tb2 of FIG. In the mixed printing condition, for example, the difference between the two head temperatures Tha corresponding to the two images A in the hypothetical printing situation assuming that the two images A are printed so that the two images A are adjacent to each other is, for example, It may be a condition that the temperature is 20 ° C. or higher.

Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, the above description is exemplary in all embodiments and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. It is understood that a myriad of variations not illustrated can be envisioned without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

2 thermal head, 8 paper, 9 ink sheet, 62, BL1 head temperature prediction unit, 63, BL2 judgment unit, 100, BL10, hd10 printing device, Sn1 environmental temperature sensor, Sn3 head temperature sensor.

Claims

A thermal transfer type printing apparatus having a function of printing a plurality of images so that the plurality of images are adjacent to each other by using a thermal head.
A head temperature prediction unit having a function of predicting a head temperature, which is the temperature of the thermal head, is provided.
The plurality of images include a first image which is the j (integer of 1 or more) th image and a second image which is the (j + 1) th image.
The head temperature prediction unit is a head in a situation where it is assumed that one or both of the first image and the second image are printed by the printing device so that the first image and the second image are adjacent to each other. The temperature is predicted based on the image data, which is the data of one or both of the first image and the second image.
The printing apparatus further
Based on the predicted head temperature, a determination is made as to whether or not to cause the printing apparatus to execute an adjacent printing process for printing the second image so that the first image and the second image are adjacent to each other. With a part
When it is determined that the printing device executes the adjacent printing process, the printing device executes the adjacent printing process.
If it is determined that the printing device does not execute the adjacent printing process, the printing device does not execute the adjacent printing process.
Printing device.
The head temperature prediction unit predicts the head temperature in the assumed situation based on the environmental temperature, which is the temperature inside the printing apparatus, and the image data.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1.
The head temperature predicting unit predicts the head temperature in the assumed situation based on the printing conditions performed in the adjacent printing process and the image data.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1.
The printing apparatus further
A head temperature measuring unit for measuring the head temperature is provided.
The head temperature predicting unit predicts the head temperature in the assumed situation based on the measured head temperature and the image data.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1.
The determination unit determines whether or not to cause the printing apparatus to execute the adjacent printing process based on the predicted head temperature and the operating state of the printing apparatus regarding printing.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The first image is an image represented by a first primary color image represented by primary colors.
The second image is an image represented by a second primary color image represented by another primary color.
The adjacent printing process prints the second primary color image so that the first primary color image representing the first image and the second primary color image representing the second image are adjacent to each other. It ’s a process,
The head temperature predicting unit predicts the first temperature, which is the head temperature, in a situation where it is assumed that the first primary color image representing the first image is printed by the printing apparatus.
The head temperature predicting unit predicts the second temperature, which is the head temperature, in a situation where it is assumed that the second primary color image representing the second image is printed by the printing apparatus.
The determination unit determines whether or not to cause the printing apparatus to execute the mixed adjacent printing process, which is the adjacent printing process, based on the predicted first temperature and the second temperature, which are the predicted head temperatures. ,
When it is determined that the printing device executes the mixed adjacent printing process, which is the adjacent printing process, the printing device executes the mixed adjacent printing process.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1.
In the mixed adjacent printing process, the second primary color image representing the second image is printed on paper.
The printing apparatus has a function of executing mixed printing control processing including the mixed adjacent printing processing.
The mixed print control process is a process including a process of printing the first primary color image expressing the first image and a process of printing the second primary color image expressing the second image.
When the cutting conditions for cutting the paper are satisfied, the printing apparatus cuts the paper in the middle of the period in which the mixed printing control process is being executed.
The printing apparatus according to claim 6.
A printing control method for controlling a thermal transfer type printing apparatus having a function of printing a plurality of images so that a plurality of images are adjacent to each other by using a thermal head.
The print control method is
A prediction step for predicting the head temperature, which is the temperature of the thermal head, is provided.
The plurality of images include a first image which is the j (integer of 1 or more) th image and a second image which is the (j + 1) th image.
The prediction step measures the head temperature in a situation where it is assumed that one or both of the first image and the second image are printed by the printing device so that the first image and the second image are adjacent to each other. , Predict based on image data, which is the data of one or both of the first image and the second image.
The print control method further comprises
Based on the predicted head temperature, a determination is made as to whether or not to cause the printing apparatus to execute an adjacent printing process for printing the second image so that the first image and the second image are adjacent to each other. With steps
When it is determined that the printing device executes the adjacent printing process, the printing control method causes the printing device to execute the adjacent printing process.
When it is determined that the printing device does not execute the adjacent printing process, the printing control method does not cause the printing device to execute the adjacent printing process.
Print control method.