Information processing device, control method of information processing device, and program

Abstract

To reduce the deterioration of a print head.SOLUTION: A program makes a computer function as: acquisition means that acquires area information indicating a recommended print area based on the degree of deterioration of a print head in a printer; and notification means that performs, on the basis of both the area information and arrangement information indicating an arrangement area of an object arranged in a print target area, a notification concerning relocation of the object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, a control method for an information processing device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Inkjet printing devices include a multi-pass type in which the print head moves back and forth to print, and a single-pass type in which the print head is fixed and can print without moving back and forth. A print head that moves back and forth is also called a serial type head, and a fixed print head that does not move back and forth is also called a line type head.

[0003] In the case of a single-pass printer with a fixed print head, uneven printing in a particular area will cause the head in that area to wear out more, which may result in the need to replace the entire print head even though other areas remain unworn.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a single-pass printing device is provided with multiple print head units, the number of dots printed by each nozzle is counted, and if uneven printing of the same area by the print head units is found, the technology prompts the user to change the mounting position of the print heads. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-208966 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The technology of Patent Document 1 cannot be applied to printers that are not equipped with multiple head units. In addition, the technology of Patent Document 1 requires the user to manually change the mounting position of the print head.

[0007] The present disclosure aims to reduce wear on printheads. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that it causes a computer to function as an acquisition means for acquiring area information indicating a recommended printing area based on the degree of wear of a print head in a printing device, and a notification means for providing a notification regarding movement of an object based on the area information and placement information indicating the placement area of ​​an object placed in the area to be printed. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, wear on the print head can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an information processing device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printing apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a label data layout screen of a printing application. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a label data layout. [Diagram 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating areas of the degree of wear of a print head and areas recommended for printing; [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for proposing the movement of label data. [Figure 7] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a state in which the recommended print area in the recommended print area table is applied. [Figure 8]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the layout after label data has been moved. [Figure 9] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a state in which the recommended print area in the recommended print area table is applied. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the layout after label data has been moved. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating areas of the degree of wear of a print head and areas recommended for printing; [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for proposing the movement of label data. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for proposing the movement of label data. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present disclosure, and not all combinations of features described in the following embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present disclosure. Note that the same reference numbers are used for the same components.

[0012] <<First embodiment>> <Information processing device> 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an information processing device according to the present embodiment. The information processing device 101 has an input interface 110, a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, an external storage device 114, an output interface 115, and an input / output interface 116. These are connected to one another via a system bus. Input devices such as a keyboard 118 and a pointing device 117 are connected to the input interface 110. A display device such as a display unit 119 is connected to the output interface 115. A peripheral device 102 is connected to the input / output interface 116.

[0013] The CPU 111 is a system control unit, and controls the entire information processing device 101, such as executing programs and starting hardware. The ROM 112 stores fixed data such as control programs, data tables, an embedded operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS), and programs executed by the CPU 111. In this embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 112 performs software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 112. The RAM 113 is composed of a static random access memory (SRAM) or a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) that requires a backup power source. Note that the RAM 113 may hold data by a primary battery for data backup (not shown). In that case, the RAM 113 can store important data such as program control variables without volatilizing it. The RAM 113 also has a memory area for storing setting information of the information processing device 101 and management data of the information processing device 101. The RAM 113 is also used as the main memory and work memory of the CPU 111. The external storage device 114 stores various applications and content data handled by the applications.

[0014] The display unit 119 is composed of an LED (light emitting diode) or an LCD (liquid crystal display) and displays data and notifies the status of the information processing device 101. Note that a soft keyboard having keys such as numeric input keys, a mode setting key, a decision key, a cancel key, and a power key may be provided on the display unit 119 to accept input from a user via the display unit 119. The input / output interface 116 is configured to connect to the peripheral device 102 and perform various data communications.

[0015] <Printing device> 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a printing device in this embodiment. The printing device 201 has an input interface 210, a CPU 211, a ROM 212, a RAM 213, a print engine 214, an output interface 215, an input / output interface 216, a key input unit 217, a display unit 218, and a print head 219. The key input unit 217 is configured to accept operations from a user, and has numeric input keys, a mode setting key, a decision key, a cancel key, and the like. The key input unit 217 is connected to the input interface 210. The printing device 201 may be a peripheral device 102.

[0016] The display unit 218 displays details of the received print data and the status of the printing device, and is connected to the output interface 215, which is composed of an LCD (liquid crystal display) or the like. The CPU 211 is a system control unit and controls the entire printing device 201. The ROM 212 stores fixed data such as the control program executed by the CPU 211 and data tables. The RAM 213 is used as a work memory for the CPU 211 and is also used as a buffer for temporarily storing print jobs. The print engine 214 performs printing based on data stored in the RAM 213 or a print job received from the information processing device 101. The print engine 214 ejects a recording agent such as ink through a print head 219 onto a recording medium such as paper to form an image, and outputs the print result. The input / output interface 116 of the information processing device 101 and the input / output interface 216 of the printing device 201 are connected to each other, so that the information processing device 101 and the printing device 201 can communicate with each other. That is, the information processing device 101 and the printing device 201 can exchange information through the input / output interface 116 of the information processing device 101 and the input / output interface 216 of the printing device 201. Examples of a connection method between the information processing device 101 and the printing device 201 include, but are not limited to, a network connection.

[0017] In this embodiment, the print head 219 is assumed to be equipped with one single-pass type head. The CPU 211 stores in the ROM 212 the degree of wear corresponding to the amount of ink ejected for each part of the print head 219. The CPU 211 also stores in the ROM 212 the areas of the print head 219 that eject less ink and have a low degree of wear. Then, in response to an information acquisition request from the information processing device 101, the CPU 211 transmits to the information processing device 101 the areas of the print head 219 that eject less ink and have a low degree of wear.

[0018] <Printing application> 3 is a diagram showing an example of a label data layout screen of a print application that is displayed on the display unit 119 when the CPU 111 of the information processing device 101 executes a print application stored in, for example, the RAM 113 or the ROM 112. The user can use the print application to lay out the label data and perform printing.

[0019] The print application of this embodiment is mainly used for label printing, which prints labels. The print application is used for the layout of print data, which is called imposition. A user of the print application is, for example, an operator at a label printing company. Print data is created from outside or by a designer at the label printing company, and submitted to the label printing company. At the label printing company, an operator uses the print application to perform imposition so that printing can be performed efficiently.

[0020] In label printing, a process of printing a large number of identical labels is generally performed. A roll of substrate is used as the printing medium called the substrate. After the printing process is completed, the substrate is cut into labels in a process called the post-process. The final product after the post-process is completed is, for example, a roll of paper on which a large number of identical labels are printed. In this way, in label printing, the same labels are printed continuously in the substrate transport direction. The area in which the same labels are printed is called a lane.

[0021] For example, if two lanes are set on a substrate, the same label will be printed on each lane (i.e., in the substrate transport direction). In this case, as described above, the final product will be two separate roll-shaped products created by cutting the substrate on a label-by-label basis. In this way, even if the labels are printed in the same printing process, the final products will be separate and independent. For this reason, an operator performs the task of imposing the submitted data, which includes data from multiple customers, so that efficient printing can be performed.

[0022] The description of the print application will continue with reference to Figure 3. The label data layout screen 301 of the print application has, as an example, a thumbnail area 302 that displays thumbnails of the label data. The label data layout screen 301 also has a layout preview area 303 for laying out the label data, a connected printer setting area 304, and a print button 311. The label data layout screen 301 also has a layout setting area. The layout setting area includes a substrate width setting area 305, a number of printing lanes setting area 306, a horizontal label spacing setting area 307, a vertical label spacing setting area 308, a substrate left margin setting area 309, and a substrate right margin setting area 310.

[0023] In the layout preview area 303, a substrate width 312 is set according to the value set in the substrate width setting area 305. Within the substrate width 312, print lanes are displayed according to the value set in the print lane count setting area 306. In this example, "2" is set in the print lane count setting area 306, so two lanes, a first lane 313 and a second lane 314, are displayed from the left of the screen. The label spacing width 315 between the first lane 313 and the second lane 314 is displayed according to the value set in the label spacing width setting area 307, and is displayed as 30 mm in this example.

[0024] The arrangement of lanes within the substrate width 312 will be described. A substrate left margin 317 from the left end of the substrate width 312 to the left end of the first lane 313 is displayed based on the value set in the substrate left margin setting area 309. A substrate right margin 318 from the right end of the substrate width 312 to the right end of the second lane 314 is displayed based on the value set in the substrate right margin setting area 310.

[0025] In the thumbnail area 302, first label data 319 and second label data 323 are displayed. Label data is also called an object. For each label data, a label size display area 320 and a label data print count setting area 321 are provided, and here, a width of 40 mm, a height of 40 mm, and a print count of 500 are respectively set. In FIG. 3, two types of label data, the first label data 319 and the second label data 323, are shown, but this is not limiting. In the example of FIG. 3, the first label data 319 and the second label data 323 are selected in a selection frame 322 and are to be printed.

[0026] In the first lane 313, first label data 319 is placed. In the second lane 314, second label data 323 is placed. The horizontal width of each lane is the same as the horizontal width of the label data. In this example, both the first lane 313 and the second lane 314 are 40 mm wide. Furthermore, the vertical label spacing 316, which is the vertical spacing between labels in each lane, is the value set in the vertical label spacing setting area 308. Here, it is displayed as 20 mm. The label data is lined up vertically in each lane for the number of copies set in the label data print copy number setting area 321.

[0027] If the label size is changed by placing new label data or replacing placed label data with different label data, the margins are automatically adjusted in the following order: substrate right margin 318, substrate left margin 317, and horizontal label spacing 315.

[0028] When the print button 311 is pressed, the CPU 111 memorizes the label layout displayed in the layout preview area and stores it in the ROM 212. Then, printing is performed in the printing device 201 set in the connected printer setting area 304.

[0029] <Layout adjustment process> An example of a layout adjustment process using the information processing device 101, printing device 201, and printing application having the above-described configuration will be described below. In particular, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which the information processing device 101 acquires an area of ​​the print head 219 with a low degree of wear from the printing device 201, thereby suppressing wear on the print head caused by repeating printing with a biased layout.

[0030] Fig. 4 shows an example of a label data layout displayed in the layout preview area 303. Fig. 4(a) shows an example in which two types of label data are arranged. Fig. 4(b) shows an example in which one type of label data is arranged. As shown in Fig. 4, the print application manages arrangement information that indicates the arrangement area of ​​the label data arranged in the layout preview area 303, which is the area to be printed.

[0031] 4(a) is a layout in which two lanes, a third lane 402 and a fourth lane 403, are arranged. Specifically, the first label data 319 is arranged in the third lane 402, and the second label data 323 is arranged in the fourth lane 403. In the layout 401 shown in FIG. 4(a), the substrate width is set to 180 mm, the label interval width 315 is set to 10 mm, the substrate left margin 317 is set to 20 mm, and the substrate right margin 318 is set to 70 mm.

[0032] The layout 420 shown in FIG. 4(b) is a layout in which one lane, the fifth lane 405, is arranged. Specifically, the firstA label data 319a, which has the same design as the first label data 319 but is a different size, is arranged. In the layout 420 shown in FIG. 4(b), the firstA label data 319a is 100 mm wide and 80 mm high. Accordingly, the width of the fifth lane 405 is also 100 mm. The substrate width is 200 mm, the substrate left margin 317 is 50 mm, and the substrate right margin 318 is 50 mm.

[0033] <Recommended printing area> 5 is a diagram illustrating the wear level region and the recommended printing region of the print head 219 of the printing device 201. In this example, it is assumed that separate printers A and B are provided as the printing device 201. It is also assumed that the information processing device 101 is connected to both printer A and printer B.

[0034] Fig. 5(a) is a diagram showing the wear level area of ​​a print head 501 in printer A. Fig. 5(b) is a diagram showing the wear level area of ​​a print head 505 in printer B. Fig. 5(c) is a diagram showing a recommended print area table 508 that shows the recommended print area of ​​each printer.

[0035] FIG. 5(a) is a schematic diagram of the print head 501 of the printer A seen from above. The print head width of the print head 501 is 180 mm. Here, the dotted areas indicate the areas in the ejection sections that eject ink of each color, where the amount of ink ejected in past use is greater than a predetermined threshold and the degree of wear is high. In addition, the areas excluding the areas where the amount of ink ejected is greater than a predetermined threshold are defined as areas of low wear of the print head 501. In this embodiment, the areas of low wear of the ejection sections of all ink colors of the print head are defined as recommended printing areas. As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(c), the following areas are stored in the ROM area of ​​the printer A as areas of low wear in the printer A. That is, an area 502 from 0 mm to 20 mm from the left end of the print head 501, an area 503 from 60 mm to 70 mm from the left end of the print head, and an area 504 from 110 mm to 180 mm from the left end of the print head are stored as areas of low wear.

[0036] FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram of the print head 505 of the printer B seen from above. The width of the print head of the printer B is 200 mm. The printer B also shows, as dot regions, areas in the ejection sections that eject ink of each color where the amount of ink ejected in past use is greater than a predetermined threshold and the degree of wear is high. The area excluding the area where the amount of ejected ink is greater than a predetermined threshold is defined as the area of ​​the print head 505 where the degree of wear is low. The printer B also defines the area of ​​the ejection sections of all ink colors of the print head where the degree of wear is low as the recommended printing area. As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the following areas of the printer B are stored in the ROM area of ​​the printer B as areas of low wear. That is, the area 506 from 0 mm to 50 mm from the left end of the print head 505 and the area 507 from 150 mm to 200 mm from the left end of the print head are stored as areas of low wear.

[0037] 5(c) shows the recommended print area table 508, which shows the results of the information processing apparatus 101 saving in table format as the recommended print area the areas with the least degree of wear obtained from printer A and printer B. The information in the recommended print area table 508 is updated as needed based on the usage status of the print head of each printer.

[0038] <Flowchart> FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a process in which the print application of the information processing device 101 acquires a recommended print area from the printing device 201 and proposes the movement of label data. The process shown in FIG. 6 is realized by the CPU 111 of the information processing device 101 reading a program stored in the ROM 112 or the external storage device 114 into the RAM 113 and executing the program. Note that some or all of the functions of the steps in FIG. 6 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or an electronic circuit. The symbol "S" in the explanation of each process means that it is a step in the flowchart (the same applies to the flowcharts in the following specification). The process shown in FIG. 6 is executed on the condition that the print application displays the label data layout screen 301. Note that the process shown in FIG. 6 is a process of proposing the movement of label data in the print application, and the layout process, setting process, print instruction process, and other processes in the actual print application are not shown in this flowchart.

[0039] In S602, the CPU 111 acquires area information indicating the recommended print area from the printer set in the connected printer setting area 304 displayed on the label data layout screen 301. Then, as shown in Fig. 5(c), the CPU 111 saves the area information in the RAM 113 of the information processing apparatus 101 in the format of a recommended print area table 508. Here, it is assumed that printer A shown in Fig. 5 is connected.

[0040] Next, in S603, CPU 111 determines whether an instruction to move or add label data displayed in layout preview area 303 has been received in response to the movement of keyboard 118 or pointing device 117. If CPU 111 determines that an instruction to move or add label data has been received, CPU 111 proceeds to S604. If CPU 111 determines that an instruction to move or add label data has not been received, processing returns to S603. Label data editing operations include deletion operations in addition to movement and addition. In the case of deletion, the amount of label data to be printed is reduced, so this does not affect the process of reducing head wear (processing to extend the life of the head). For this reason, in S603, the determination is made using the movement or addition instruction.

[0041] In S604, the CPU 111 acquires the layout displayed in the layout preview area 303. That is, the CPU 111 acquires arrangement information indicating the arrangement area of ​​the objects arranged in the layout preview area 303, which is the area to be printed. In the following explanation, it is assumed that the layout 401 in FIG. 4(a) has been acquired.

[0042] Next, in S605, CPU 111 applies the value of recommended print area table 508 acquired in S602 to the layout, and determines whether the matching rate between the area of ​​the laid out lane and the recommended print area exceeds a predetermined threshold. If CPU 111 determines that the matching rate exceeds the threshold, CPU 111 proceeds to S603. If CPU 111 determines that the matching rate does not exceed the threshold, CPU 111 proceeds to S606.

[0043] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the recommended print areas in the recommended print area table 508 have been applied to the layout 401 in Fig. 4(a) as a layout 701. In the layout 701 in Fig. 7(a), the recommended print areas 502, 503, and 504 are indicated by diagonal lines. The recommended print areas 502, 503, and 504 are in the ranges of 0 mm to 20 mm, 60 mm to 70 mm, and 110 mm to 180 mm, respectively, with the left edge of the substrate as the origin.

[0044] In this embodiment, the threshold value of the matching rate used in S605 is 0%. That is, only when the matching rate is 0%, the result of the determination in S605 is NO, and the process proceeds to S606. In the layout 701, the third lane 402 is in the range of 40 mm to 80 mm from the left end of the substrate as the origin. The fourth lane 403 is in the range of 70 mm to 110 mm from the left end of the substrate as the origin. Thus, in the layout 701, the matching rate between the areas of the third lane 402 and the fourth lane 403 and the recommended printing area is 0%. Therefore, in this example, the result of the determination in S605 is NO, and the process proceeds to S606. That is, if the layout arranged in the layout preview area is a layout that includes a predetermined range of the recommended printing area, no proposal is made to move the label data. On the other hand, if the layout arranged in the layout preview area does not include a predetermined range of the recommended printing area, for example, if there is no overlap at all, a proposal is made to move the label data so as to include the recommended printing area, as described below.

[0045] In S606, the CPU 111 determines whether a lane can be added to a position including the recommended print area in the layout acquired in S604. If the CPU 111 determines that a lane can be added, the process proceeds to S607. If the CPU 111 determines that a lane cannot be added, the process proceeds to S608.

[0046] The width of the lane to be added used in the determination in S606 is the same as the width of the lane placed in the layout acquired in S604. In S606, a process is performed to determine whether the label data placed in the layout preview area can be added as a lane. Note that, if the layout acquired in S604 includes multiple lanes, it is sufficient to determine whether any of the lanes can be added.

[0047] In the example of the layout 701, the substrate left margin 317 and the substrate right margin 318 are areas in which some label data can be placed. The CPU 111 determines whether the lane to be newly added completely overlaps with any of the ranges of the recommended printing areas, the areas 502, 503, and 504. That is, it determines whether the lane to be newly added is included in the recommended printing area. Here, the substrate right margin 318 of the layout 701 is in the range of 110 mm to 180 mm with the left end of the substrate as the origin, and has a width of 70 mm. Therefore, either the first label data 319 or the second label data 323, which are 40 mm wide, can be placed therein. Therefore, the substrate right margin 318 corresponds to the area in which the first label data 319 or the second label data 323 can be placed, i.e., the area in which the newly added lane can be placed. For example, if the substrate right margin 318 is reduced so that label data 40 mm wide can be arranged, and a lane is added from 110 mm to 150 mm from the left edge of the substrate as the origin, it will completely overlap with the recommended print area 504 from 110 mm to 180 mm from the left edge of the substrate as the origin. Thus, in the example of layout 701, the CPU 111 determines that a lane can be added, and proceeds to S607.

[0048] In S607, the CPU 111 displays an information dialog 702 on the display unit 119 as shown in FIG. 7B. FIG. 7B shows an example of screen transition on the display unit 119. Here, it is assumed that the information dialog 702 including the layout 701 is displayed in the layout preview area 303. Note that, although FIG. 7B shows an example in which the recommended printing area 504 is displayed in a visualized state, the recommended printing area 504 does not have to be visualized. The information dialog 702 includes a message to inquire the user whether to add a printing lane and move the label. The information dialog 702 also includes an area in which an instruction from the user as to whether to move the label or not can be received. After S607, the CPU 111 proceeds to S610.

[0049] In S610, the CPU 111 determines whether the "Yes" selection button 703 has been pressed in the information dialog 702 displayed in S607. If it is determined that the "Yes" selection button 703 in the information dialog 702 has been pressed, the CPU 111 proceeds to S611. If it is not determined that the "Yes" selection button 603 in the information dialog 702 has been pressed, that is, if it is determined that the "No" selection button 704 in the information dialog 702 has been pressed, the CPU 111 proceeds to S613 without moving the label data.

[0050] In S611, the CPU 111 moves the label data. That is, the CPU 111 moves the label data laid out in the layout preview area 303. When S611 ends, the CPU 111 proceeds to S612.

[0051] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a layout 801 after the label data has been moved in the layout 701. In the example of FIG. 8, the CPU 111 reduces the right margin 318 of the substrate of the layout 701 to 30 mm, and adds an additional lane 802 in a range from 110 mm to 150 mm with the left end of the substrate as the origin. Then, the second label data 323 arranged in the fourth lane 403 adjacent to the additional lane 802 is moved to the additional lane 802. As a result, the second label data 323 is deleted from the fourth lane 403. Note that, in the present embodiment, an example in which the label data adjacent to the additional lane is moved has been described, but this is not limiting. The label data to be moved may be selected by the user himself, or the label furthest away may be the one to be moved. In addition, in the present embodiment, an example in which one label data is to be moved has been described, but if multiple lanes can be added, multiple label data may be selected as the one to be moved.

[0052] In S612, the CPU 111 determines whether there is any unprocessed label data whose matching rate does not exceed the threshold. That is, if there is a plurality of label data that has been laid out in the layout preview area 303 and whose matching rate does not exceed the threshold, the CPU 111 determines whether processing has been completed for all of the label data. If it is determined that there is unprocessed label data, the CPU 111 proceeds to S606. If it is determined that there is no unprocessed label data, the CPU 111 proceeds to S613.

[0053] In S613, the CPU 111 determines whether the application is to be terminated. If it is determined that the application is not to be terminated, the CPU 111 proceeds to S603. If it is determined that the application is to be terminated, the CPU 111 ends the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0054] Next, the explanation of the flowchart in Fig. 6 will be continued using another specific example. An example will be explained in which in S602, the recommended print area is acquired from the printer B shown in Fig. 5, and in S604, the layout 420 in Fig. 4(b) is acquired.

[0055] In S605, the CPU 111 applies the value of the recommended print area table 508 acquired in S602 to the layout, and determines whether the matching rate between the area of ​​the laid out lane and the recommended print area exceeds a predetermined threshold. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a layout 901 in which the recommended print area of ​​the recommended print area table 508 is applied to the layout 420 in FIG. 4B. In the layout 901 shown in FIG. 9A, the recommended print areas 506 and 507 are indicated by diagonal lines. The recommended print areas 506 and 507 are in the ranges of 0 mm to 50 mm and 150 mm to 200 mm, respectively, with the left end of the substrate as the origin. In this example, the threshold of the matching rate is also set to 0%. That is, only when the matching rate is 0%, the CPU 111 determines NO in S605. In the layout 901, the fifth lane 405 is in the range of 50 mm to 150 mm with the left end of the substrate as the origin. Therefore, the matching rate between the fifth lane 405 and the recommended print areas 506 and 507 is 0%, so the CPU 111 determines NO in S605 and proceeds to S606.

[0056] In S606, the CPU 111 judges whether or not a lane can be added to the layout acquired in S604 at a position including the recommended printing area. In the example of the layout 901, the substrate left margin 317 and the substrate right margin 318 have areas in which some label data can be arranged. The CPU 111 judges whether the newly added lane completely overlaps with either the area 506 or the area 507, which is the recommended printing area. In this example, the substrate left margin 317 of the layout 901 is in the range of 0 mm to 50 mm with the left end of the substrate as the origin, and has a width of 50 mm. Also, the substrate right margin 318 is in the range of 150 mm to 200 mm with the left end of the substrate as the origin, and has a width of 50 mm. Therefore, it is not possible to add a lane for arranging the 1A label data 319a with a width of 100 mm. Therefore, the CPU 111 judges NO in S606 and proceeds to S608.

[0057] In S608, the CPU 111 determines whether the lane can be moved to a position including the recommended print area in the layout acquired in S604. If the CPU 111 determines that the lane can be moved to a position including the recommended print area, the process proceeds to S609. If the CPU 111 determines that the lane cannot be moved to a position including the recommended print area, the process proceeds to S613.

[0058] In S608, the CPU 111 determines whether a part of the fifth lane 405 overlaps with any of the ranges of the area 506 or area 507, which are the recommended printing area, by changing the width of the substrate left margin 317 or the substrate right margin 318 of the layout 901. In the layout 901, the substrate left margin 317 is in the range of 0 mm to 50 mm with the left end of the substrate as the origin. Then, when the substrate left margin is reduced and the fifth lane 405 is moved to the range of 0 mm to 50 mm with the left end of the substrate as the origin, a part of the moved lane overlaps with the recommended printing area 506, which is in the range of 0 mm to 50 mm with the left end of the substrate as the origin. For this reason, the CPU 111 determines YES in S608 and proceeds to S609.

[0059] In S609, the CPU 111 displays an information dialog on the display unit 119, proposing adjustment of the left and right margins of the substrate. Specifically, the CPU 111 displays the information dialog 902, as shown in FIG. 9(b). Next, in S610, the CPU 111 determines whether the "Yes" selection button 703 in the displayed information dialog 902 has been pressed. If the "Yes" selection button 703 in the information dialog 902 has been pressed, the CPU 111 proceeds to S611. If the "No" selection button 704 in the information dialog 902 has been pressed, the CPU 111 proceeds to S613. In S611, the CPU 111 moves the label data.

[0060] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a layout 1001 which is a layout after the label data has been moved in the layout 901. In the example of FIG. 10, the CPU 111 reduces the left margin 317 of the substrate of the layout 901 to 0 mm, and moves the fifth lane 405 to a position of 0 mm with the left end of the substrate as the origin. In this example, the width of the left margin 317 of the substrate is adjusted, but the present invention is not limited to this form, and the right margin 318 of the substrate may be adjusted. In addition, although an example of moving to a position of 0 mm with the left end of the substrate as the origin has been described, the present invention is not limited to this form. In addition, the position to be moved may be selected by the user. In addition, in this example, an example in which only one label data is to be moved is described, but multiple labels may be selected as the target of movement.

[0061] In the above-mentioned specific example, an example of proposing either lane addition or lane movement has been described, but this is not limited thereto. Both lane addition and lane movement may be proposed. For example, a plurality of label data are laid out in the layout preview area 303, and one of them may allow lane addition, while the other may not allow lane addition but allows lane movement. In such a case, it is also possible to propose both lane addition and lane movement by repeating the process in S612.

[0062] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the threshold value used in determining the matching rate in S605 is set to 0%, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and the threshold value can be set to any other value such as 50% or 70%. In addition, the threshold value may be configured to be freely changeable by the user.

[0063] As described above, this embodiment can reduce the wear of the print head. That is, in this embodiment, the information processing device 101 acquires the area of ​​the print head 219 with a low degree of wear from the printing device 201 and determines the recommended printing area. Then, by suggesting the printing location in the printing application so that printing is performed using the recommended printing area, wear of specific areas of the print head can be suppressed and the life of the print head can be extended.

[0064] In addition, in a typical printer, the task of changing the layout, such as adding or moving a lane, changes the overall layout of the printed product, which changes the impression of the printed product. In this embodiment, which performs label printing, the substrate is cut in a post-processing step after printing, and each cut printed product is generated. Therefore, even if a proposal to add or move a lane, which involves a change in layout, is made, it does not affect the printed product, and therefore it is possible to further reduce wear on the print head.

[0065] <<Second embodiment>> In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the information processing device 101 acquires an area of ​​the print head 219 with a low degree of wear from the printing device 201, thereby suppressing wear on the print head caused by repeated printing with a biased layout. In this embodiment, an example is described in which history information of past print areas is stored inside the print application, thereby suppressing wear on the print head caused by repeated printing with a biased layout. Since the basic configuration is the same as the example described in the first embodiment, the following description will focus on the differences.

[0066] Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating the wear level area and recommended printing area of ​​the print head 219 of the printing device 201. Fig. 11 shows an example in which the print area and number of copies of label data are saved in the form of a table 1101 in the ROM 112 of the information processing device 101 each time the print button 311 of the print application is pressed. In this embodiment as well, the printing device 201 is assumed to include printer A and printer B, each of which is connected to the information processing device 101. Also, as in the first embodiment, the print head width of the print head 1102 of printer A is assumed to be 180 mm, and the print head width of the print head 1108 of printer B is assumed to be 200 mm.

[0067] Table 1101 stores history information about past print areas and the number of copies printed. It can be seen that printer A has repeatedly printed in the ranges of 20 mm to 60 mm and 70 mm to 110 mm from the left end of print head 1102. It can also be seen that printer B has repeatedly printed in the ranges of 50 mm to 150 mm from the left end of print head 1108.

[0068] In this embodiment, the CPU 111 determines that the degree of wear of a print head is high when the same area has been printed on 10,000 times or more. Therefore, the CPU 111 determines that the following areas of the print head 1102 of the printer A are areas with a high degree of wear. That is, the area 1104 from 20 mm to 60 mm from the left end of the print head 1102 shown in the dot area and the area 1106 from 70 mm to 110 mm from the left end of the print head 1102 are determined to be areas with a high degree of wear. The CPU 111 also determines the following areas other than those areas as areas with a low degree of wear. That is, the area 1103 from 0 mm to 20 mm from the left end of the print head 1102, the area 1105 from 60 mm to 70 mm from the left end of the print head 1102, and the area 1107 from 110 mm to 180 mm from the left end of the print head 1102. These areas are determined to be areas of low wear.

[0069] Regarding the print head 1108 of printer B, the CPU 111 determines that an area 1110 shown as a dot area extending 50 mm to 150 mm from the left end of the print head 1108 has a high degree of wear. The CPU 111 also determines that an area other than that area, an area 1109 extending 0 mm to 50 mm from the left end of the print head 1108, and an area 1111 extending 150 mm to 200 mm from the left end of the print head 1108, have a low degree of wear.

[0070] The CPU 111 determines the area with a low degree of wear determined as described above as the recommended printing area, and stores this in the RAM 113 of the information processing apparatus 101 in the form of a table 1112. The information in this table is updated whenever printing is performed.

[0071] Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a process in which a print application of the information processing device 101 acquires a recommended print area from the printing device 201 and suggests moving label data. The process shown in Fig. 12 is realized by the CPU 111 of the information processing device 101 reading a program stored in the ROM 112 or the external storage device 114 into the RAM 113 and executing it. Note that some or all of the functions of the steps in Fig. 12 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or electronic circuit. The process shown in Fig. 12 is executed on the condition that the print application displays the label data layout screen 301, similar to the example described in Fig. 6.

[0072] In S1202, the CPU 111 obtains from the table 1101 the past print area of ​​the printer set in the connected printer setting area 304 displayed on the label data layout screen 301. The recommended print area is then saved in the RAM 113 of the information processing apparatus 101 in the format of a table 1112. The processing from S603 to S613 in Fig. 12 is similar to the processing from S603 to S613 in Fig. 6 described in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0073] As described above, according to this embodiment, by storing past print area information for each printer within the print application, it is possible to reduce the wear on the print head caused by repeated biased printing. This embodiment is also useful when connected to a printing device that does not store print area information, or a printing device that cannot transmit print area information.

[0074] <<Third embodiment>> The first and second embodiments have been described under the assumption that a single-pass printing device 201 is connected to the information processing device 101. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the movement of label data, as described in the first or second embodiment, is proposed in an environment in which a multi-pass printer and a single-pass printer are connected.

[0075] Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process in which a print application of the information processing device 101 acquires a recommended print area from the printing device 201 and suggests moving label data. The process shown in Fig. 13 is realized by the CPU 111 of the information processing device 101 reading a program stored in the ROM 112 or the external storage device 114 into the RAM 113 and executing the program. Note that some or all of the functions of the steps in Fig. 13 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or electronic circuit. The process shown in Fig. 13 is executed on the condition that the print application displays the label data layout screen 301, similar to the example described in Fig. 6. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the behavior when a single-pass printer and a multi-pass printer are connected to the information processing device 101.

[0076] In S1302, the CPU 111 determines whether the printer set in the connected printer setting area 304 is a single-pass printer. The CPU 111 may communicate with the printing apparatus 201 and make this determination based on information obtained from the printing apparatus 201. The printing method for each printer is stored in the ROM 112 of the information processing apparatus 101, and the CPU 111 may make this determination based on the stored information. If it is determined that a single-pass printer is connected, the CPU 111 proceeds to S602. If it is determined that a single-pass printer is not connected, the CPU 111 proceeds to S613.

[0077] The processes from S602 to S613 are similar to those from S602 to S613 described in Fig. 6 of the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here. Note that the process of S602 may be the process of S1202 in Fig. 12, as described in the second embodiment.

[0078] As described above, according to this embodiment, when a single-pass printer is set, which requires consideration of print head wear due to uneven printing data, a suggestion to move label data is made. Therefore, when a multi-pass printer is connected, unnecessary suggestions can be suppressed, and user operability is not impaired.

[0079] <Other embodiments> In the above-described embodiments, an example has been described in which one print head is attached to the printing device 201, but two or more print heads may be attached. That is, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of head units are provided in the width direction of the substrate, so that the print heads are provided along the width direction of the substrate as a whole. When two or more print heads are provided, each print head may have, for example, a recommended printing area.

[0080] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, label printing has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this example. Any form may be used as long as a printing process using a print head is performed.

[0081] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, the recommended print area has been described as an area where no ink color is ejected, but this is not limited to the above. The recommended print area may be determined according to the contents of the label data to be printed. For example, assume that the label data is label data that uses only a specific ink color. In this case, the area where the specific ink color is not ejected may be defined as the recommended print area. In this way, the recommended print area may be dynamically determined according to the contents of the data to be printed.

[0082] In the above embodiment, label data is used as an example of an object to be laid out, but the object to be laid out is not limited to label data. The object to be laid out may be any type of data, such as a photo, a figure, or a text.

[0083] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0084] The disclosure of the present embodiment includes configurations typified by the following information processing device example, information processing device control method example, and program example.

[0085] <Configuration 1> Computer, an acquisition means for acquiring area information indicating a recommended printing area based on a degree of wear of a print head in a printing device; a notification means for notifying the user of a movement of the object based on the area information and placement information indicating a placement area of ​​the object placed in the area to be printed; A program characterized by causing the program to function as a

[0086] <Configuration 2> The program described in configuration 1, characterized in that the notification means determines whether the object should be moved based on the area information and the placement information, and issues the notification when it is determined that the object should be moved.

[0087] <Configuration 3> The program described in configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the notification means performs the notification when the matching rate between the recommended printing area indicated by the area information and the placement area indicated by the placement information does not exceed a threshold value.

[0088] <Configuration 4> 4. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the notification means issues a notification to move the object to a position included in the recommended printing area indicated by the area information.

[0089] <Component 5> The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the notification means issues a notification to move the object to a position that includes, as a part of, the recommended printing area indicated by the area information.

[0090] <Component 6> the notification is configured to be capable of receiving an instruction to move the object and an instruction not to move the object; The program further causes the computer to function as a control means for moving the object, The program described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the control means moves the object when an instruction to move the object is received, and does not move the object when an instruction not to move the object is received.

[0091] <Component 7> 7. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the acquisition means acquires the area information by acquiring information on a degree of wear of the print head from the printing device.

[0092] <Component 8> 7. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the acquisition means acquires the area information based on a history of printing instructions output to the printing device.

[0093] <Component 9> The print head is capable of ejecting ink of multiple colors, The program described in any one of configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that the recommended printing area indicated by the area information is an area in which the degree of consumption of at least some of the multiple colors of ink is less than a predetermined threshold value.

[0094] <Component 10> The acquisition means includes: When the print head in the printing device is a single-pass print head, the area information is acquired; 10. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, wherein the area information is not acquired if the print head in the printing device is not a single-pass print head.

[0095] <Component 11> 11. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the object is label data.

[0096] <Component 12> 12. The program according to any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the object is printed repeatedly in a transport direction of a base material on which the object is printed.

[0097] <Component 13> an acquisition means for acquiring area information indicating a recommended printing area based on a degree of wear of a print head in a printing device; a notification means for notifying the user of a movement of the object based on the area information and placement information indicating a placement area of ​​the object placed in the area to be printed; 13. An information processing device comprising:

[0098] <Component 14> acquiring area information indicating a recommended printing area based on a degree of wear of a print head in a printing device; a step of notifying the user of a movement of the object based on the area information and placement information indicating a placement area of ​​the object placed in the area to be printed; 13. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus comprising the steps of: [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 101 Information processing device 111 CPU 112 ROM 113 RAM 119 Display section 201 Printing device 219 Print Head

Claims

1. Computer, an acquisition means for acquiring area information indicating a recommended printing area based on a degree of wear of a print head in a printing device; a notification means for notifying the user of a movement of the object based on the area information and placement information indicating a placement area of ​​the object placed in the area to be printed; A program characterized by causing the program to function as a

2. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the notification means determines whether the object should be moved based on the area information and the placement information, and issues the notification when it is determined that the object should be moved.

3. The program according to claim 1 , wherein the notification means issues the notification when a matching rate between the recommended printing area indicated by the area information and the placement area indicated by the placement information does not exceed a threshold value.

4. 4. The program according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit issues a notification to move the object to a position included in the recommended printing area indicated by the area information.

5. 4. The program according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit issues a notification to move the object to a position that includes, as a part of the recommended printing area indicated by the area information.

6. the notification is configured to be capable of receiving an instruction to move the object and an instruction not to move the object; The program further causes the computer to function as a control means for moving the object, 4. The program according to claim 1, wherein the control means moves the object when an instruction to move the object is received, and does not move the object when an instruction not to move the object is received.

7. 4. The program according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the area information by acquiring information on a degree of wear of the print head from the printing device.

8. 4. The program according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the area information based on a history of output of a print instruction to the printing device.

9. The print head is capable of ejecting ink of multiple colors, 4. The program according to claim 1, wherein the recommended printing area indicated by the area information is an area in which a degree of consumption of at least some of the inks of the plurality of colors is less than a predetermined threshold value.

10. The acquisition means includes: When the print head in the printing device is a single-pass print head, the area information is acquired; 4. The program according to claim 1, wherein the area information is not acquired if the print head in the printing device is not a single-pass print head.

11. 4. The program according to claim 1, wherein the object is label data.

12. 4. The program according to claim 1, wherein the object is printed repeatedly in a transport direction of a base material on which the object is printed.

13. an acquisition means for acquiring area information indicating a recommended printing area based on a degree of wear of a print head in a printing device; a notification means for notifying the user of a movement of the object based on the area information and placement information indicating a placement area of ​​the object placed in the area to be printed; 13. An information processing device comprising:

14. acquiring area information indicating a recommended printing area based on a degree of wear of a print head in a printing device; a step of notifying the user of a movement of the object based on the area information and placement information indicating a placement area of ​​the object placed in the area to be printed; 13. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus comprising the steps of:

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