Recording system

Abstract

To reduce a margin region of a recording medium when recording images for even-numbered pages in one sheet of the recording medium.SOLUTION: A CPU of a printer generates coupled recording data to be recording data that an image 51 in a printing job [1] satisfying a first condition of four printing jobs is coupled with an image 52 in a printing job [3] satisfying a second condition of the four printing jobs in data generation processing. The coupled recording data is recording data which records the image 51 on a final page of images on odd-numbered pages in the printing job [1] and the image 52 on a first page of images on one or a plurality number of pages designated in the printing job [3] on one sheet 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system that generates print data for printing an image on a printing unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a method in which two pages of images are printed on one cut sheet (recording medium), and the cut sheet is then cut and divided into two cut sheets. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-54896 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when printing two pages of images on one cut sheet (recording medium) as in Patent Document 1, depending on the number of pages, the cut sheet on which the image of the final page is recorded may have a large blank area where no image is recorded.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a recording system that can reduce the blank area of ​​a recording medium when recording images for even pages on one recording medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a recording system comprising: a memory unit that stores a plurality of recording commands and medium size information indicating the size of a recording medium to be transported to the recording unit; and a control unit, each of the plurality of recording commands including image data and image size information indicating the size of an image based on the image data; the control unit is capable of executing a data generation process that generates recording data, which is data for recording an image in the recording unit, based on the plurality of recording commands and the medium size information; in the data generation process, combined recording data is generated that is recording data that combines an image of a first recording command that satisfies a first condition among the plurality of recording commands and an image of a second recording command that satisfies a second condition among the plurality of recording commands; and when the first recording command commands the recording of an image with an odd number of pages, the combined recording data is recording data that records, on a single recording medium, a first image of the last page of the images with the odd number of pages of the first recording command and a second image of the first page of the images with one or more pages specified in the second recording command. Effect of the Invention

[0007] In the case where the first recording command commands the recording of an image of an odd number of pages, when a recording process is performed based on the recording data generated according to the first recording command, a large blank area is generated on the recording medium on which the image of the final page of the first recording command is recorded. In response to this, in the present invention, in the above case, first recording data is generated by combining the image of the first recording command with the image of the second recording command. When the recording process is performed based on the first recording data, the image of the first page of the second recording command is recorded on the recording medium on which the image of the final page of the first recording command is recorded, so that the blank area can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the printer in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printer in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit of the printer in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4(a) is a schematic diagram showing how images of two print jobs are recorded individually on two sheets of paper when the "Print" button is pressed in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4(b) is a schematic diagram showing how images of two print jobs are recorded on one sheet of paper when the "Print" button is pressed in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4(c) is a schematic diagram showing how images of two print jobs are recorded on one sheet of paper when the "Print" button is pressed in FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a flowchart showing control contents executed by a CPU of the printer in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] In the following description, the up / down, left / right, and front / rear directions of the printer 1 are defined based on the state of FIG. 1 in which the printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed and ready for use.

[0010] 1, the printer 1 has a housing 12 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, a paper feed tray 11 provided at the bottom of the housing 12, a paper output tray 13 provided above the paper feed tray 11 in the housing 12, and a display unit 14 provided on the front surface of the housing 12. The paper feed tray 11 is detachable from the housing 12. The display unit 14 is a touch panel display and also functions as an input unit.

[0011] The printer 1 has, inside the housing 12, a conveying unit 15, a recording unit 21, a cutting unit 24, and a control device 40 (see FIG. 2).

[0012] The paper feed tray 11 can accommodate a plurality of sheets of paper 16. The paper 16 corresponds to the "recording medium" of the present invention.

[0013] The conveying unit 15 conveys the paper 16 stored in the paper feed tray 11 along a conveying path 29 that passes below the recording unit 21 and reaches the paper discharge tray 13. The conveying unit 15 has a paper feed roller 17, conveying roller pairs 19, 22, 23, and 25, and a conveying motor (not shown). The paper feed roller 17 and the conveying roller pairs 19, 22, 23, and 25 are rotated by the drive of the conveying motor.

[0014] The paper feed roller 17 is disposed so as to come into contact with the surface of the uppermost paper 16 among the multiple sheets of paper 16 stored in the paper feed tray 11. When the conveying motor is driven under the control of the control device 40, the paper feed roller 17 rotates and the paper 16 is sent out to the conveying path 29. The conveying roller pairs 19, 22, 23, and 25 rotate while holding the paper 16 therebetween, so that the paper 16 is conveyed along the conveying path 29 in the conveying direction D (the direction along the conveying path 29).

[0015] The recording unit 21 is of an inkjet type and includes an ink flow path having a plurality of nozzles, and a driver IC. The plurality of nozzles are open on the bottom surface of the recording unit 21. When the driver IC is driven under the control of the control device 40, pressure is applied to the ink flow path, and ink is ejected from the nozzles. As a result, ink dots are formed on the paper 16, and an image is recorded. The recording unit 21 may be of either a line type or a serial type.

[0016] The cutting unit 24 has a cutting blade and a cutting motor. The cutting blade includes a fixed blade and a rotary blade. When the cutting motor is driven under the control of the control device 40, the rotary blade moves in the left-right direction while rotating. As a result, the paper 16 conveyed by the conveying unit 15 is cut so as to be divided into an upstream portion and a downstream portion in the conveying direction D.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 3, the control device 40 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, and a RAM 43. The CPU 41 corresponds to the "control unit" of the present invention, and the RAM 43 corresponds to the "storage unit" of the present invention. The ROM 42 stores programs and data for the CPU 41 to perform various controls. The RAM 43 temporarily stores data used when the CPU 41 executes a program.

[0018] The control device 40 is electrically connected to the display unit 14, the transport unit 15, the recording unit 21, and the cutting unit 24. The control device 40 is also electrically connected to an external device 100 (such as a personal computer).

[0019] The RAM 43 stores a plurality of print jobs received from the external device 100 and medium size information indicating the size of the paper 16 in the paper feed tray 11 (i.e., the paper 16 to be transported to the recording unit 21). The "print job" corresponds to the "recording command" of the present invention.

[0020] Each of the multiple print jobs includes image data, image size information indicating the size of an image based on the image data, and orientation information indicating the orientation of the image based on the image data. The multiple print jobs are classified for each user and stored in the RAM 43.

[0021] The medium size information and image size information are, for example, "A4" or "A5". The orientation information is "portrait", which means that the long side of the image is aligned with the transport direction D, or "landscape", which means that the short side of the image is aligned with the transport direction D. "A4 portrait" means that the long side of an A4-sized image is aligned with the transport direction D. "A5 landscape" means that the short side of an A5-sized image is aligned with the transport direction D.

[0022] The medium size information is stored in the RAM 43 based on information input by the user via the display unit 14, for example, when attaching or detaching the paper feed tray 11. In this embodiment, the medium size information is "A4". Note that since it is assumed that the long side of the paper 16 in the paper feed tray 11 is aligned with the transport direction D ("portrait"), the paper 16 in the paper feed tray 11 in this embodiment is "A4 portrait".

[0023] When the CPU 41 determines that it has received an instruction to record selection, it displays on the display unit 14 information on the multiple print jobs sent by the user to the printer 1, and also displays a message prompting the user to select one of the multiple print jobs (see FIG. 4(a)). Recording selection means recording images of one or multiple print jobs selected from the multiple print jobs. For example, the CPU 41 determines that it has received an instruction to record selection when user authentication using a password or the like is completed.

[0024] 4(a), the display unit 14 displays the file name of the image data (e.g., "AAAAA.docx"), image size information (e.g., "A5", "A4"), and orientation information ("portrait" or "landscape") as information for each of the four print jobs "1" to "4". In addition, the display unit 14 displays the buttons "Merge" and "Print".

[0025] When the user selects print jobs "1" and "3" and presses the "Print" button, the CPU 41 controls the transport unit 15 and the recording unit 21 to execute a recording process so that images 51, 52 of the two print jobs "1" and "3" are recorded individually on two sheets of paper 16, as shown in Fig. 5. After image 51 of print job "1" is recorded on one sheet of paper 16, image 52 of print job "3" is recorded on another sheet of paper 16. The other sheet of paper 16 may be cut so as to be divided into an upstream portion (portion on which image 52 is recorded) and a downstream portion (blank portion) in the transport direction D.

[0026] When the user selects print jobs "1" and "3" and presses the "Merge" button, the CPU 41 displays on the display unit 14 options for changing the orientation of images 51 and 52 of each print job ("Rotate" and "No Rotate") and options for magnification ("Actual Size", "Enlarge", "Reduce") (see Figures 4(b) and (c)).

[0027] In Figures 4(b) and (c), "with rotation" means that the image orientation is rotated 90 degrees (see image 51 in Figure 6). "without rotation" means that the image orientation is not changed (see image 52 in Figure 6 and images 51 and 52 in Figure 7). "actual size" means that the image size is not changed (see images 51 and 52 in Figure 6 and image 52 in Figure 7). "reduced" means that the image size is reduced (see image 51 in Figure 7).

[0028] The CPU 41 displays options for changing the orientation ("with rotation" and "without rotation") and options for the magnification ("actual size", "enlarged", and "reduced"), which allow the images 51 and 52 of the print jobs "1" and "3" to be combined and recorded on one sheet of paper 16 and which do not leave a large blank area on the paper 16. For example, as shown in FIG. 4(b), when "with rotation" is selected as an option for changing the orientation for the image of the print job "1", only "actual size" is displayed as an option for the magnification. When "without rotation" is selected as an option for changing the orientation for the image of the print job "3", only "actual size" is displayed as an option for the magnification. When "without rotation" is selected as an option for changing the orientation for the image of the print job "1", only "reduced size" is displayed as an option for the magnification. As shown in FIG. 4(c), when "without rotation" is selected as an option for changing the orientation for the image of the print job "1", only "reduced" is displayed as an option for the magnification.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 4(b), when the user selects "with rotation" and "actual size" for the image of print job "1", selects "without rotation" and "actual size" for the image of print job "3", and then presses the "Print" button, the CPU 41 controls the conveying unit 15 and the recording unit 21 to execute recording processing so that images 51 and 52 of the two print jobs "1" and "3" are recorded on one sheet of paper 16, as shown in Fig. 6. In Fig. 6, the orientation of image 51 of print job "1" has been rotated by 90 degrees.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 4(c), when the user selects "no rotation" and "reduced" for the image of print job "1", selects "no rotation" and "actual size" for the image of print job "3", and then presses the "Print" button, the CPU 41 controls the conveying unit 15 and the recording unit 21 to execute recording processing so that images 51 and 52 of the two print jobs "1" and "3" are recorded on one sheet of paper 16, as shown in Fig. 7. In Fig. 7, image 51 of print job "1" is in a reduced state.

[0031] The CPU 41 executes a data generating process before executing a recording process.

[0032] In the data generation process, the CPU 41 generates recording data, which is data for recording an image in the recording unit 21, based on multiple print jobs and medium size information. In this embodiment, the recording unit 21 is of an inkjet type, and the recording data is data indicating the amount of ink (zero, small, medium, or large) ejected from each of the multiple nozzles of the recording unit 21.

[0033] In a data generation process before executing the recording process as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the CPU 41 generates combined recording data, which is recording data that combines an image 51 of print job "1" (first recording command) that satisfies a first condition among the four print jobs "1" to "4" and an image 52 of print job "3" (second recording command) that satisfies a second condition among the four print jobs "1" to "4".

[0034] The first condition and the second condition may be the same or different from each other. The first condition may be, for example, a condition that the image size information is selected by the user, a condition that the size indicated by the image size information is smaller than the size indicated by the medium size information, etc. The second condition may be, for example, a condition that the image size information is selected by the user, a condition that the size indicated by the image size information is smaller than the size indicated by the medium size information, a condition that a combination of A4 and A5 is allowed, etc.

[0035] The print job "1" commands the recording of an image of an odd page (page 1). In this case, the combined recording data is recording data for recording on one sheet of paper 16 an image 51 (first image) of the last page of the images of the odd pages of the print job "1" and an image 52 (second image) of the first page of the images of one or more pages designated by the print job "3".

[0036] In this embodiment, the print jobs "1" and "3" (the first and second recording commands) each command the recording of one page of image. In this case, the CPU 41 generates combined recording data in the data generation process, which is recording data for recording the images 51 and 52 of the print jobs "1" and "3" on one sheet of paper 16.

[0037] When the first recording command commands recording of images of a plurality of odd pages, the CPU 41 generates recording data in the data generation process for recording, on one or more sheets of paper 16, an image of the first page of the first recording command through an image of the page one page before the last page, so that two pages of images are included on each sheet 16. Furthermore, the CPU 41 generates combined recording data for combining the image of the last page (first image) of the first recording command and the image of the first page (second image) of the second recording command and recording them on one sheet of paper 16.

[0038] In the case where the first recording command commands the recording of an image of an odd number of pages, if the image of the last page of the first recording command and the image of the first page of the second recording command are not combined and only one image of the last page is recorded on one sheet of paper 16, a large blank area will be generated on the sheet of paper 16. For example, the downstream portion of the sheet of paper 16 in the conveying direction will be blank. In contrast, in the above case, in this embodiment, combined recording data is generated in which the image of the last page of the first recording command and the image of the first page of the second recording command are combined. When a recording process is performed based on the combined recording data, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, on the sheet of paper 16 on which the image 51 (first image) of the last page of the first recording command (print job "1") is recorded, not only the image 51 but also the image 52 (second image) of the first page of the second recording command (print job "3") is recorded, so that the blank area can be reduced.

[0039] The "A5" indicated by the image size information of image 51 (first image) of the first recording command (print job "1") and the "A5" indicated by the image size information of image 52 (second image) of the second recording command (print job "3") are half the size of the "A4" indicated by the medium size information. In this case, by combining images 51 and 52 of the same size (A5) and recording them on paper 16 that is twice the size (A4), the margin area can be more reliably reduced.

[0040] In the data generation process, the CPU 41 generates combined record data by changing the orientation of at least one of the image 51 (first image) and the image 52 (second image) as shown in Fig. 4(b) and Fig. 6. In this case, the margin area can be efficiently reduced.

[0041] In the data generation process, the CPU 41 generates combined record data by enlarging or reducing at least one of the image 51 (first image) and the image 52 (second image) as shown in Fig. 4(c) and Fig. 7. In this case, the margin area can be efficiently reduced.

[0042] In the data generation process, the CPU 41 changes the orientation and / or enlarges or reduces at least one of the images 51 (first image) and 52 (second image) as shown in Fig. 4(c) and 7, thereby making the size of the image 51 (first image) and the size of the image 52 (second image) the same, and generates combined record data. In this case, by adjusting the images 51 and 52 to the same size and then combining them, the blank area can be reduced more efficiently.

[0043] In the data generation process, the CPU 41 receives selection data indicating print job "1" (first recording command) and print job "3" (second recording command) based on the user's instruction via the screen shown in Fig. 4(a), and combines image 51 (first image) of print job "1" indicated by the selection data and image 52 (second image) of print job "3" indicated by the selection data, among the four print jobs "1" to "4". In this case, an image desired by the user can be obtained.

[0044] After receiving the selection data indicating the print job "1" (first recording command) and the print job "3" (second recording command), the CPU 41 notifies at least one of changing the orientation and enlarging or reducing the size of at least one of the image 51 (first image) of the print job "1" indicated by the selection data and the image 52 (second image) of the print job "3" indicated by the selection data among the four print jobs "1" to "4" (see Figs. 4(b) and (c)). Then, the CPU 41 generates combined recording data by changing the orientation and enlarging or reducing the size of at least one of the images 51 and 52 based on the user's instruction in response to the notification. In this case, the margin area can be reduced in the image desired by the user.

[0045] After the data generation process, the CPU 41 executes a recording process in which the recording unit 21 records an image on the paper 16 based on the recording data generated in the data generation process, and a cutting process in which the cutting unit 24 cuts the paper 16 so as to separate the image 51 (first image) and the image 52 (second image). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, when the CPU 41 determines that the user has pressed the "Print" button (S1: YES), it executes the data generation process S2 as described above, then executes the recording process S3, and further executes the cutting process S4, and then ends the routine. In this case, the paper 16 is cut in the printer 1, so that the user does not need to cut the paper 16, and the effort of cutting can be saved. The cutting process may be executed either before or after the recording process.

[0046] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various design modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0047] For example, while the cutting unit 24 is located downstream of the recording unit 21 in the transport direction D in the above-described embodiment, it may be located upstream of the recording unit 21 in the transport direction D.

[0048] In the above embodiment, two pages of images are recorded on one recording medium, but four, six, or other pages of images may be recorded on one recording medium.

[0049] The first and second recording commands are not limited to those based on user instructions, and may be those selected by the control unit from among a plurality of recording commands based on a predetermined condition.

[0050] The recording medium is not limited to paper, but may be cloth, a resin material, or the like.

[0051] The recording unit is not limited to an inkjet type, but may be a laser type, a thermal transfer type, or the like.

[0052] The present invention is not limited to printers, but may also be applied to facsimiles, copiers, multifunction machines, and the like.

[0053] The present invention is not limited to a recording device such as a printer, but may be an external device (such as a personal computer) connected to a recording device, or may be a combination of a recording device and an external device. The recording system according to the present invention does not need to include a recording unit and a cutting unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 Printer (recording system) 16 Paper (recording media) 21 Recording Section 24 Cut section 41 CPU (control unit) 43 RAM (memory section)

Claims

1. a storage unit that stores a plurality of recording commands and medium size information that indicates the size of the recording medium to be conveyed to the recording unit; A control unit, each of the plurality of recording commands includes image data and image size information indicating a size of an image based on the image data; The control unit is a data generation process for generating recording data for recording an image on the recording unit based on the plurality of recording commands and the medium size information; generating combined recording data that is recording data obtained by combining an image of a first recording command that satisfies a first condition among the plurality of recording commands and an image of a second recording command that satisfies a second condition among the plurality of recording commands; A recording system characterized in that, when the first recording command commands the recording of an odd-numbered page image, the combined recording data is recording data for recording, on a single recording medium, a first image of the last page of the odd-numbered page images of the first recording command and a second image of the first page of the one or more page images specified by the second recording command.

2. 2. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the image size information of the first image and the image size information of the second image each indicate a size that is half the size indicated by the medium size information.

3. The recording system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit changes a direction of at least one of the first image and the second image in the data generation process to generate the combined recording data.

4. The recording system according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit, in the data generation process, enlarges or reduces at least one of the first image and the second image to generate the combined recording data.

5. The recording system according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the data generation process, the control unit changes the orientation and / or enlarges or reduces at least one of the first image and the second image, thereby making the size of the first image and the size of the second image the same, and generates the combined recording data.

6. The control unit, in the data generation process, receiving selection data indicating the first recording command and the second recording command based on a user instruction; 2. The recording system according to claim 1, wherein, among the plurality of recording commands, the first image of the first recording command indicated by the selection data and the second image of the second recording command indicated by the selection data are combined.

7. The control unit, in the data generation process, after receiving the selection data, a notification is given of at least one of a change in orientation and enlargement or reduction for at least one of the first image of the first recording command indicated by the selection data and the second image of the second recording command indicated by the selection data, among the plurality of recording commands; The recording system according to claim 6, characterized in that the combined recording data is generated by changing the orientation and / or enlarging or reducing at least one of the first image and the second image based on a user's instruction in response to the notification.

8. The recording unit; A cutting unit that cuts the recording medium, After the data generation process, the control unit a recording process for causing the recording unit to record an image on a recording medium based on the recording data; a cutting process for causing the cutting unit to cut the recording medium so as to divide the recording medium into the first image and the second image; The recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising:

Images