Printer, and printing method

Abstract

To effectively activate a blank of continuous paper to be printed.SOLUTION: A printer includes: a conveyance part for conveying continuous paper in the continuous direction of the continuous paper; a printing part for performing printing on the continuous paper; and a control part for allowing the printing part to perform printing based on printing data. The control part performs at least one of first control of printing a cut-off target indicating a position where cut paper of a set size is cut off on the tip of the continuous paper, second control of printing a mark indicating a center position in the width direction of the continuous paper on the tip of the continuous paper, third control of printing the cut-off target on the rear end of the continuous paper, and fourth control of printing the cut-off target on a blank part where the printing based on the printing data is not performed on the continuous paper in the width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing method for printing on continuous paper.

Background Art

[0002] As a printing apparatus, a large printer that prints on roll paper is known. For example, the roll paper is attached to a roll paper tube as a feeding shaft, and the leading end of the roll paper is fixed to a reel paper tube as a winding shaft. In this case, the leading end portion of the roll paper, which is the portion not fixed to the reel paper tube, is not used for printed matter as a product because the printing accuracy decreases. Also, the trailing end portion of the roll paper, which is the portion that comes off the roll paper tube, is not used for printed matter as a product because the printing accuracy decreases. As a result, waste paper is generated from the leading end portion and the trailing end portion of the roll paper. Further, when the user cuts the leading end portion of the roll paper to align the position of the reel paper tube and the leading end portion of the roll paper, waste paper is also generated because the cut cannot be made at the target position. Patent Document 1 discloses a large printer that prints on roll paper.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] It is desired to reduce waste paper generated from continuous paper such as roll paper.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The printing apparatus of the present invention a conveyance unit that conveys continuous paper in the continuous direction of the continuous paper, a printing unit that prints on the continuous paper, A control unit that causes the printing unit to perform the printing based on the print data, The control unit performs at least one of the following: first control for printing a cut target indicating a position for cutting a single-sheet paper of a set size at the leading end of the continuous paper; second control for printing a mark indicating a center position in the width direction of the continuous paper at the leading end of the continuous paper; third control for printing the cut target at the trailing end of the continuous paper; fourth control for printing the cut target in a blank portion where the printing based on the print data is not performed on the continuous paper in the width direction. It has an aspect of performing at least one of the above.

[0006] Also, the printing method of the present invention includes a first step of conveying a continuous paper in the continuous direction of the continuous paper; a second step of performing the printing based on the print data on the continuous paper; and a third step of performing at least one of the following: first printing for printing a cut target indicating a position for cutting a single-sheet paper of a set size at the leading end of the continuous paper; second printing for printing a mark indicating a center position in the width direction of the continuous paper at the leading end of the continuous paper; third printing for printing the cut target at the trailing end of the continuous paper; fourth printing for printing the cut target in a blank portion where the printing based on the print data is not performed on the continuous paper in the width direction. It has an aspect of including these steps.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Of course, the following embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention, and not all of the features shown in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention.

[0009] (1) Outline of aspects included in the present invention: First, an outline of aspects included in the present invention will be described with reference to the examples shown in FIGS. 1 to 9. Note that the figures in the present application are schematic diagrams showing examples, and the magnification ratios in each direction shown in these figures may be different, and the figures may not be consistent. Of course, each element of this aspect is not limited to the specific examples indicated by the reference numerals. In the "outline of aspects included in the present invention", the content in parentheses means a supplementary explanation of the immediately preceding word.

[0010] [Aspect 1] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a printing apparatus 1 according to one aspect includes a conveyance unit 20 that conveys continuous paper 100 in the continuous direction D1 of the continuous paper 100, a printing unit 40 that performs printing on the continuous paper 100, and a control unit 10 that causes the printing unit 40 to execute the printing based on print data DA1. The control unit 10 performs at least one of the following controls. (a1) First control of printing a cut target 150 indicating a position where a single-sheet paper 170 of a set size is cut from the leading end portion 101 of the continuous paper 100 (see, for example, FIG. 3A). (a2) Second control of printing a mark 160 indicating a center position 161 in the width direction D2 of the continuous paper 100 at the leading end portion 101 of the continuous paper 100 (see, for example, FIG. 3A). (a3) Third control of printing the cut target 150 at the trailing end portion 102 of the continuous paper 100 (see, for example, FIG. 5A). (a4) Fourth control of printing the cut target 150 in a margin portion 103 where the printing based on the print data DA1 is not performed on the continuous paper 100 in the width direction D2 (see, for example, FIG. 6A).

[0011] When a cutting target 150 is printed on the leading end portion 101 of the continuous paper 100, the leading end portion 101 of the continuous paper 100 is cut according to the cutting target 150, thereby forming a single-sheet paper 170 of a set size. Since high-precision sizing is not required for the single-sheet paper 170 to be reworked, a usable single-sheet paper 170 can be obtained from the leading end portion 101 that is not used for printed matter as a product. Therefore, the leading end portion 101 of the continuous paper 100 is effectively utilized as the single-sheet paper 170, and waste paper generated from the continuous paper 100 is reduced. When a mark 160 is printed on the leading end portion 101 of the continuous paper 100, the leading end portion 101 of the continuous paper 100 is cut according to the mark 160, making it easier to align the winding shaft 31 and the leading end portion 101 of the continuous paper 100. Since the printed mark 160 does not need to be highly precise, a convenient mark 160 is formed on the leading end portion 101 that is not used for printed matter as a product. Therefore, waste paper due to the inability to cut the leading end portion 101 of the continuous paper 100 at the targeted position is reduced. Also, the loss of time required to redo the work of fixing the leading end of the continuous paper 100 to the winding shaft 31 is reduced. When a cutting target 150 is printed on the trailing end portion 102 of the continuous paper 100, the trailing end portion 102 of the continuous paper 100 is cut according to the cutting target 150, thereby forming a single-sheet paper 170 of a set size. When a cutting target 150 is printed on the margin portion 103 in the width direction D2 of the continuous paper 100, the margin portion 103 of the continuous paper 100 is cut according to the cutting target 150, thereby forming a single-sheet paper 170 of a set size. In any case, the leading end portion 101 of the continuous paper 100 is effectively utilized as the single-sheet paper 170, and waste paper generated from the continuous paper 100 is reduced. As described above, the above aspect can provide a printing apparatus capable of effectively utilizing the margins of continuous paper.

[0012] Various examples can be given for the above-described aspect. Although a roll paper wound in a roll shape is preferable as the continuous paper, the continuous paper may be a folded fan-fold paper or the like. The material of the continuous paper is not limited to strict paper and may be resin, metal, etc. The printing unit may perform printing by an inkjet method, or may perform printing by an electrophotographic method such as a laser method. Examples of the cutting target include targets indicating points such as a straight line, a broken line, and a cross. Examples of the mark include a straight line or a broken line along the width direction, a straight line or a broken line along an oblique line for aligning the position of the winding shaft and the leading end of the continuous paper, a mark indicating the center position such as a cross, and the like. In the present application, "first", "second", "third",... are terms for identifying each component included in a plurality of components having similar points, and do not mean an order. Of course, the above-mentioned remarks are also applicable in the following aspects.

[0013] [Aspect 2] As illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8A, etc., the control unit 10 may perform at least one of the first control, the third control, and the fourth control for cutting target printing control. When the control unit 10 performs the cutting target printing control, the control unit 10 may accept the selection of the set size from a plurality of selection items (for example, radio buttons 521 to 525) including the standard size of the single-sheet paper 170, and perform control to print the cutting target 150 indicating the position for cutting the single-sheet paper 170 of the set size that has accepted the selection. In the above case, the margin of the continuous paper can be effectively utilized as a single-sheet paper of a standard size.

[0014] [Aspect 3] As illustrated in FIG. 8B, the plurality of selection items (521 to 525) may include a plurality of the standard sizes (for example, radio buttons 521 to 524) and user designation (for example, radio button 525). When the user designation (525) is selected, the control unit 10 may accept a user-specified size as the set size by numerical input (for example, input fields 526, 527). The control unit 10 may perform the cutting target printing control for printing the cutting target 150 indicating the position for cutting the single-sheet paper 170 of the user-specified size. In the above case, the margins of the continuous paper can be effectively utilized as single sheets specified by the user.

[0015] [Aspect 4] As illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8A, etc., the control unit 10 may be capable of executing a plurality of controls among the first control, the second control, the third control, and the fourth control. The control unit 10 may accept a selection of execution or non - execution (for example, check boxes 501 to 504) for each of the plurality of controls. The control unit 10 may perform the control for which the selection of execution has been accepted among the plurality of controls. In the above case, the margins of the portion of the continuous paper according to the user's wishes can be effectively utilized.

[0016] [Aspect 5] As illustrated in FIG. 8A, the control unit 10 may be capable of executing the first control and the second control. The control unit 10 may accept a selection of execution or non - execution for each of the first control and the second control. As illustrated in FIG. 9, when the control unit 10 has received the selection of execution for the first control and the second control, and there is a margin on the leading end portion 101 of the continuous paper 100 where a single sheet 170 of the set size can be cut out, the control unit 10 may perform the first control and the second control. When the control unit 10 has received the selection of execution for the first control and the second control, and there is no margin on the leading end portion 101 of the continuous paper 100 where a single sheet 170 of the set size can be cut out, the control unit 10 may perform the second control without performing the first control. In the above case, a suitable example of effectively utilizing the margins of the continuous paper can be provided.

[0017] [Aspect 6] By the way, the printing method according to one aspect includes the following steps, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 7, etc. (b1) A first step ST1 of conveying the continuous paper 100 in the continuous direction D1 of the continuous paper 100. (b2) A second step ST2 of performing the printing on the continuous paper 100 based on the print data DA1. (Step ST3) The third step of performing the following printing. (Step c1) First printing to print a cutting target 150 indicating a position for cutting out a single-sheet paper 170 of a set size at the leading end 101 of the continuous paper 100 (see, for example, FIG. 3A). (Step c2) Second printing to print a mark 160 indicating a center position 161 in the width direction D2 of the continuous paper 100 at the leading end 101 of the continuous paper 100 (see, for example, FIG. 3A). (Step c3) Third printing to print the cutting target 150 at the trailing end 102 of the continuous paper 100 (see, for example, FIG. 5A). (Step c4) Fourth printing to print the cutting target 150 in a blank portion 103 where the printing based on the print data DA1 is not performed on the continuous paper 100 in the width direction D2 (see, for example, FIG. 6A).

[0018] The above aspect can provide a printing method capable of effectively utilizing the blank space of the continuous paper.

[0019] Furthermore, the above-described aspect is applicable to a printing system including the above-described printing device, a printing method for the printing system, a control program for the above-described printing device, a control program for the above-described printing system, a computer-readable non-transitory medium recording any of the above-described control programs, etc. The above-described printing device may be composed of a plurality of distributed parts.

[0020] (2) Specific example of a printing device: FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a printing apparatus 1. The printing apparatus 1 in this specific example is assumed to be the printer 2 itself, but the printing apparatus 1 may be a combination of the printer 2 and an external device EX0. The printer 2 may include additional elements not shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the mechanism of the printer 2. A plan view of a continuous paper 100 having a printed image IM0 as viewed from above is shown at the bottom of FIG. 2. For convenience, an XYZ coordinate system is used based on the case where the printer 2 is installed on a horizontal plane. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the direction along the continuous direction D1 of the continuous paper 100 is the X direction, the direction along the width direction D2 of the continuous paper 100 is the Y direction, and the direction along the vertical direction is the Z direction. The X direction is assumed to be orthogonal to both the Y direction and the Z direction, but it does not have to be orthogonal to the Y direction as long as it intersects the Y direction, and it does not have to be orthogonal to the Z direction as long as it intersects the Z direction. The Y direction is assumed to be orthogonal to the Z direction, but it does not have to be orthogonal to the Z direction as long as it intersects the Z direction.

[0021] The printer 2 shown in FIG. 2 is an inkjet printer that ejects ink droplets DR0 and is a large printer in which a large-sized margin that is not used as a product can occur on the continuous paper 100. Note that the printer applicable to the printing apparatus 1 is not limited to an inkjet printer, and may be an electrophotographic printer or the like. The continuous paper 100 is preferably a roll paper as shown in FIG. 2, but may be a fan-fold paper or the like. The continuous paper 100 is a material that holds a printed image, and may be paper, resin, metal, or the like.

[0022] The printer 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a control unit 10, a conveyance unit 20, and a printing unit 40. The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 which is a processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 which is a semiconductor memory, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 which is a semiconductor memory, a storage unit 14, an input unit 15, a display unit 16, a drive control unit 17, and an I / F (interface) 18. These elements (11 to 18) are connected to a bus and are capable of inputting and outputting information to each other. The conveyance unit 20 includes a feeding unit 25, a pair of conveyance rollers 21, a pair of discharge rollers 22, and a take-up unit 30. Note that at least a part of the storage unit 14, the input unit 15, and the display unit 16 may be outside the printer 2 or may be in an external device EX0. These modes are also included in the printing apparatus 1.

[0023] The control unit 10 may be constituted by a SoC (System on a Chip). The CPU 11 is a device that mainly performs information processing and control in the printer 2, and performs various processes by executing a program held in the ROM 12 and a program read from the storage unit 14 into the RAM 13. The storage unit 14 stores a control program PR0 that causes the computer to function as the control unit 10 and the like. The CPU 11 performs first control, second control, third control, and fourth control by executing the control program PR0 read into the RAM 13. The storage unit 14 may be a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, or may be a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk. As the input unit 15, a touch panel attached to the surface of the display unit 16, hard keys, or the like can be used. The display unit 16 displays a screen corresponding to the display information based on the display information. As the display unit 16, a liquid crystal display panel or the like can be used. The drive control unit 17 controls the feeding unit 25, the drive roller of the conveyance roller pair 21, the drive roller of the discharge roller pair 22, the winding unit 30, and the printing unit 40. The I / F 18 is connected to the external device EX0 and inputs / outputs information to / from the external device EX0, such as receiving print data DA1 from the external device EX0. The external device EX0 includes a computer such as a personal computer, a mobile phone such as a smartphone, a removable non-volatile memory such as a removable flash memory, and the like. The control unit 10 causes the printing unit 40 to execute printing based on the print data DA1. In addition, at least a part of the control unit 10 may be constituted by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Of course, a plurality of CPUs may cooperate to perform processing, or a CPU and other electronic components (for example, an ASIC) may cooperate to perform processing.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the feeding unit 25 includes a feeding shaft 26 that rotatably supports a roll-shaped continuous paper 100, and feeds out the long continuous paper 100 according to the control of the control unit 10. The feeding unit 25 is also called a roll, and the feeding shaft 26 is also called a paper tube. There is a pair of conveying rollers 21 on the upstream side of the printing unit 40, and a pair of discharging rollers 22 on the downstream side of the printing unit 40. The winding unit 30 includes a winding shaft 31 that winds up the printed continuous paper 100, and winds up the printed continuous paper 100 according to the control of the control unit 10. The winding unit 30 is also called a reel, and the winding shaft 31 is also called a paper tube. The conveying unit 20 performs a first step ST1 of conveying the continuous paper 100 in the continuous direction D1 along a preset conveying path by rotating the driving rollers of the pair of rollers (21, 22) according to the control of the control unit 10.

[0025] The printing unit 40 includes a printing head 41 having a plurality of nozzles 42 and a platen 43 that supports the back surface of the continuous paper 100. The printing head 41 performs printing on the continuous paper 100 by discharging ink droplets DR0 from each nozzle 42 toward the continuous paper 100 on the platen 43. The plurality of nozzles 42 for color printing include, for example, a plurality of C nozzles that discharge C (cyan) ink droplets, a plurality of M nozzles that discharge M (magenta) ink droplets, a plurality of Y nozzles that discharge Y (yellow) ink droplets, and a plurality of K nozzles that discharge K (black) ink droplets. The printing head 41 also includes a driving element or the like that discharges the ink droplets DR0 from the nozzles 42. As the driving element, a piezoelectric element that applies pressure to the liquid in the pressure chamber communicating with the nozzle 42, a driving element that generates bubbles in the pressure chamber by heat and discharges the ink droplets DR0 from the nozzle 42, etc. can be used. The printing unit 40 forms a printing image IM0 by dots DT0 on the continuous paper 100 by forming a pattern of dots DT0 of the ink droplets DR0 according to the printing data DA1 on the continuous paper 100 according to the control of the control unit 10. Therefore, the printing unit 40 performs a second step ST2 of performing printing based on the printing data DA1 on the continuous paper 100.

[0026] The roll-shaped continuous paper 100 is attached to the feeding shaft 26, and the leading end of the continuous paper 100 is fixed to the take-up shaft 31. Here, let the distance along the conveyance path from the printing unit 40 to the take-up shaft 31 be L1, the distance along the conveyance path from the feeding shaft 26 to the printing unit 40 be L2, the distance along the conveyance path from the printing unit 40 to the discharge roller pair 22 be L3, and the distance along the conveyance path from the conveyance roller pair 21 to the printing unit 40 be L4. Since the portion of the continuous paper 100 at a distance L1 from the leading end is not fixed to the take-up shaft 31 during printing, the printing accuracy decreases. When high-precision printing is required, the leading end portion 101 (see FIG. 3A) of the continuous paper 100 is not used for the printed matter as a product. Since the portion of the continuous paper 100 at a distance L2 from the trailing end is not fixed to the feeding shaft 26 during printing, the printing accuracy decreases. When high-precision printing is required, the trailing end portion 102 (see FIG. 5A) of the continuous paper 100 is also not used for the printed matter as a product. In addition, when the end of the continuous paper 100 is specified by the user, the portion from the specified position to the trailing end in the continuous paper 100 becomes the trailing end portion 102. Also, since the portion of the continuous paper 100 at a distance L3 from the leading end is not held by the discharge roller pair 22 during printing, the printing accuracy decreases. Since the portion of the continuous paper 100 at a distance L4 from the trailing end is not held by the conveyance roller pair 21 during printing, the printing accuracy decreases. When the portion where the printing accuracy of the continuous paper 100 decreases is not used, that portion becomes waste paper. In addition, since the printer 2 can hold the continuous paper 100 by at least one of the conveyance roller pair 21 and the discharge roller pair 22, it is printable when high-precision printing is not required.

[0027] Also, when the user cuts the leading end portion 101 to align the positions of the take-up shaft 31 and the leading end portion 101 of the continuous paper 100, it is conceivable to visually determine the center position of the leading end portion 101 in the width direction D2 and cut the leading end portion 101 diagonally symmetrically from there. In this case, waste paper may occur due to the inability to cut at the targeted position of the leading end portion 101. Furthermore, depending on the print data DA1, waste paper may occur due to a large margin being generated in the continuous paper 100 in the width direction D2.

[0028] In this specific example, by printing the cutting target 150 as illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 5A, and 6A and the mark 160 of the center position 161 as illustrated in FIG. 3A on the margin of the continuous paper 100, the margin of the continuous paper 100 is effectively utilized.

[0029] (3) Example of effective utilization of the margin of the continuous paper: The printing apparatus 1 of this specific example performs the following printing. (c1) First printing for printing the cutting target 150 indicating the position for cutting out the single-sheet paper 170 of the set size at the leading end 101 of the continuous paper 100 (see FIG. 3A for example). (c2) Second printing for printing the mark 160 indicating the center position 161 in the width direction D2 of the continuous paper 100 at the leading end 101 of the continuous paper 100 (see FIG. 3A for example). (c3) Third printing for printing the cutting target 150 at the trailing end 102 of the continuous paper 100 (see FIG. 5A for example). (c4) Fourth printing for printing the cutting target 150 on the margin portion 103 where printing based on the print data DA1 is not performed on the continuous paper 100 in the width direction D2 (see FIG. 6A for example).

[0030] FIGS. 3A to 3C schematically show examples of the first printing (c1) and the second printing (c1). FIG. 3A schematically illustrates the continuous paper 100 with the cutting target 150 and the mark 160 printed at the leading end 101. FIG. 3B schematically illustrates the state of aligning the leading end 101 cut along the diagonal line 162 with the feeding shaft 26. FIG. 3C schematically illustrates the state of cutting out the single-sheet paper 170 of the set size from the leading end 101 of the continuous paper 100. The leading end 101 is a portion at a distance obtained by adding a margin to the distance L1 (see FIG. 2) from the leading end of the continuous paper 100. The margin is usually shorter than the distance L1.

[0031] When the user newly attaches the continuous paper 100 to the feeding shaft 26, the printer 2 can print at least one of the cutting target 150 and the mark 160 at the center position 161 on the leading end portion 101 of the continuous paper 100 with the leading end of the continuous paper 100 being separated from the take-up shaft 31. The cutting target 150 shown in FIG. 3A is indicated by a dashed line and includes one or more intersecting lines 151 along the width direction D2 and one or more parallel lines 152 along the continuous direction D1. The cutting target 150 is not limited to a dashed line and may be a solid line, a cutting point such as a cross mark, etc. The control unit 10 causes the printing unit 40 to print the intersecting line 151 and the parallel line 152 at a position corresponding to the set size of the single-sheet paper 170 at the leading end portion 101. The mark 160 shown in FIG. 3A is indicated by a dashed line and includes a pair of diagonal lines 162 extending obliquely from the center position 161 in the width direction D2 of the continuous paper 100 to the edge and a center line 163 along the continuous direction D1. Therefore, the mark 160 indicates the center position 161 in the width direction D2 of the continuous paper 100. The mark 160 is not limited to a dashed line and may be a solid line, a cutting point such as a cross mark, etc. The control unit 10 causes the printing unit 40 to print the mark 160 at the leading end portion 101. Note that a high-precision size is not required for the single-sheet paper 170 to be remade, and the printed mark 160 does not have to be highly precise. FIG. 3A shows that the convenient cutting target 150 and the mark 160 are printed on the leading end portion 101 that is not used for the printed matter as a product.

[0032] When the user cuts the tip of the continuous paper 100 along the diagonal line 162, the positions of the winding shaft 31 and the tip portion 101 of the continuous paper 100 can be easily aligned as shown in FIG. 3B. As a result, waste paper due to the inability to cut the tip portion 101 of the continuous paper 100 at the target position is reduced. In addition, the loss of time required to redo the work of fixing the tip portion 101 to the winding shaft 31 is reduced. Since the center line 163 is present at the tip portion 101, the fixing position of the tip portion 101 with respect to the winding shaft 31 becomes clear, the time for fixing the tip portion 101 is shortened, and the winding deviation of the tip portion 101 is also reduced. By combining a jig for knowing the center position of the winding shaft 31 with the winding shaft 31, the user can wind the tip portion 101 of the continuous paper 100 around the winding shaft 31 more easily and more neatly.

[0033] When the user fixes the tip of the continuous paper 100 to the winding shaft 31 and the printer 2 performs printing, the printed image IM0 is formed on the continuous paper 100 following the cutting target 150. When the user cuts the tip portion 101 along the intersecting line 151 and the parallel line 152, a single-sheet paper 170 of the set size as shown in FIG. 3C is obtained. The cutting of the single-sheet paper 170 from the tip portion 101 may be performed by a cutting plotter. For example, the user may cut the entire tip portion 101 from the continuous paper 100 along the intersecting line 151 closest to the printed image IM0 and set the tip portion 101 in the cutting plotter. Thereby, the user can cause the cutting plotter to cut the tip portion 101 according to the cutting target 150. The cutting plotter can read the cutting target 150 from the tip portion 101 and cut the single-sheet paper 170 from the tip portion 101 according to the read cutting target 150.

[0034] FIG. 4A schematically shows another example of the continuous paper 100 with the cutting target 150 and the mark 160 printed on the tip portion 101. FIG. 4A shows an example in which the set size of the single-sheet paper 170 is larger than that in FIG. 3A. Although details will be described later, the set size of the single-sheet paper 170 can be specified on the size selection screen 520 illustrated in FIG. 8B.

[0035] Figures 4B and 4C schematically show an example of the first printing (c1) performed when the leading end of the continuous paper 100 is not fixed to the take-up shaft 31. FIG. 4B schematically illustrates the continuous paper 100 with a cut-off target 150 printed on a portion that becomes the leading end portion 101 in the middle of the continuous paper 100. FIG. 4C schematically illustrates a state where a single-sheet paper 170 of a set size is cut from the leading end portion 101 of the continuous paper 100. The leading end portion 101 is a portion at a distance obtained by adding a margin to the distance L3 (see FIG. 2) from the leading end of the continuous paper 100. The margin is usually shorter than the distance L3.

[0036] After forming the previous printed image IM0, the printer 2 can print the cut-off target 150 on the portion that becomes the leading end portion 101 and is not used for the printed matter as a product. The cut-off target 150 shown in FIG. 3A also includes one or more crossing lines 151 along the width direction D2 and one or more parallel lines 152 along the continuous direction D1. The control unit 10 causes the printing unit 40 to print the crossing lines 151 and the parallel lines 152 at positions corresponding to the set size of the single-sheet paper 170 in the portion that becomes the leading end portion 101. Note that when the portion that becomes the leading end portion 101 is short and the set size cannot be ensured, the printer 2 may convey the continuous paper 100 in the continuous direction D1 until the set size can be ensured and print the cut-off target 150. When the printer 2 starts the next printing from the position where the continuous paper 100 is cut without using the take-up shaft 31, after the previous printing is completed, the cut-off target 150 is printed on the portion that becomes the leading end portion 101 for the next printing before cutting. When the user cuts the leading end portion 101 along the crossing lines 151 and the parallel lines 152, a single-sheet paper 170 of the set size as shown in FIG. 4C is obtained. The cutting of the single-sheet paper 170 from the leading end portion 101 may be performed by a cutting plotter.

[0037] Figures 5A and 5B schematically show an example of the third printing (c3). Figure 5A schematically illustrates a continuous paper 100 with a cutting target 150 printed on the rear end portion 102. Figure 5B schematically illustrates a state where a single-sheet paper 170 of a set size is cut from the rear end portion 102 of the continuous paper 100. The rear end portion 102 is generally a portion at a distance L2 (see Figure 2) from the rear end of the continuous paper 100. When a detection unit for detecting the tension of the continuous paper 100 detects a tension below the reference, the rear end portion 102 is a portion from the printing unit 40 to the rear end at the time when the detection unit detects a tension below the reference in the continuous paper 100. When the printing apparatus 1 receives a designation of the end of the continuous paper 100 from the user, the rear end portion 102 is a portion from the designated end to the rear end in the continuous paper 100. Incidentally, when printing is performed without the continuous paper 100 being attached to the feeding shaft 26, the rear end portion 102 is generally a portion at a distance L4 (see Figure 2) from the rear end of the continuous paper 100.

[0038] After forming the printed image IM0, the printer 2 can print the cutting target 150 on the rear end portion 102 that is not used for the printed matter as a product. The cutting target 150 shown in Figure 5A also includes one or more intersecting lines 151 along the width direction D2 and one or more parallel lines 152 along the continuous direction D1. The control unit 10 causes the printing unit 40 to print the intersecting lines 151 and the parallel lines 152 at positions corresponding to the set size of the single-sheet paper 170 at the rear end portion 102. When the user cuts the front end portion 101 along the intersecting lines 151 and the parallel lines 152, a single-sheet paper 170 of the set size as shown in Figure 5B is obtained. The cutting of the single-sheet paper 170 from the rear end portion 102 may be performed by a cutting plotter.

[0039] Figures 6A and 6B schematically show an example of the fourth printing (c4). Figure 6A schematically illustrates a continuous paper 100 with a cutting target 150 printed on the margin portion 103 in the width direction D2. Figure 6B schematically illustrates a state where a single-sheet paper 170 of a set size is cut from the margin portion 103 of the continuous paper 100. Depending on the print data DA1, a large margin may occur in the continuous paper 100 in the width direction D2. In this case, while forming the print image IM0 on the continuous paper 100, the printer 2 can print the cutting target 150 on the margin portion 103 where printing based on the print data DA1 is not performed on the continuous paper 100 in the width direction D2. The cutting target 150 shown in FIG. 6A also includes one or more intersecting lines 151 along the width direction D2 and one or more parallel lines 152 along the continuous direction D1. The control unit 10 causes the printing unit 40 to print the intersecting lines 151 and the parallel lines 152 at positions corresponding to the set size of the single-sheet paper 170 in the margin portion 103.

[0040] When the user cuts the leading end portion 101 along the intersecting line 151 and the parallel line 152, a single-sheet paper 170 of the set size is obtained as shown in FIG. 6B. The cutting of the single-sheet paper 170 from the margin portion 103 may be performed by a cutting plotter. As described above, the leading end portion 101, the trailing end portion 102, and the margin portion 103 of the continuous paper 100 are effectively utilized, and the waste paper generated from the continuous paper 100 is reduced.

[0041] (4) Specific example of print control processing: FIG. 7 schematically illustrates the print control processing performed by the control unit 10 shown in FIG. 1. The control unit 10 performs a third step ST3 of performing at least one of a first print (c1), a second print (c2), a third print (c3), and a fourth print (c4). It can be said that the control unit 10 performs at least one of a first control (a1) corresponding to the first print (c1), a second control (a2) corresponding to the second print (c2), a third control (a3) corresponding to the third print (c3), and a fourth control (a4) corresponding to the fourth print (c4). FIG. 8A schematically illustrates the mode setting screen 500 displayed on the display unit 16 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 8B schematically illustrates the size selection screen 520 displayed on the display unit 16. When the printing control process starts, the control unit 10 performs a mode setting process of displaying the mode setting screen 500 shown in FIG. 8A on the display unit 16 and setting the printing mode in step S102. Hereinafter, the description of "step" may be omitted, and the step number may be indicated in parentheses.

[0042] The mode setting screen 500 shown in FIG. 8A has check boxes 501 to 504, detailed setting buttons 505 to 507, an OK button 508, and the like. The first check box 501 is a display area for receiving a selection of whether to execute or not execute the leading sheet utilization printing as the first printing (c1). The second check box 502 is a display area for receiving a selection of whether to execute or not execute the center position identification printing as the second printing (c2). The third check box 503 is a display area for receiving a selection of whether to execute or not execute the trailing sheet utilization printing as the third printing (c3). The fourth check box 504 is a display area for receiving a selection of whether to execute or not execute the outer edge sheet utilization printing as the fourth printing (c4). The input unit 15 shown in FIG. 1 receives an operation of checking or not checking each of the check boxes 501 to 504. Among the check boxes 501 to 504, a checked check box indicates that "execution" is selected, and an unchecked check box among the check boxes 501 to 504 indicates that "non-execution" is selected. Therefore, the control unit 10 receives a selection of whether to execute or not execute each of a plurality of controls including the first control (a1), the second control (a2), the third control (a3), and the fourth control (a4) in the check boxes 501 to 504.

[0043] The leading-edge paper utilization printing, trailing-edge paper utilization printing, and outer-edge paper utilization printing mean "cutting target printing" for printing the cutting target 150 of the single-sheet paper 170. The control unit 10 performs "cutting target printing control" including the first control (a1), the third control (a3), and the fourth control (a4). For the cutting target printing, detailed setting buttons 505 to 507 are provided. In FIG. 8A, it is shown that the detailed setting button 505 is associated with the leading-edge paper utilization printing, the detailed setting button 506 is associated with the trailing-edge paper utilization printing, and the detailed setting button 507 is associated with the outer-edge paper utilization printing. When the input unit 15 receives an operation of any of the detailed setting buttons 505 to 507, the control unit 10 displays the size selection screen 520 shown in FIG. 8B on the display unit 16.

[0044] The size selection screen 520 shown in FIG. 8B has radio buttons 521 to 525, input fields 526 and 527 for user-specified sizes, an OK button 528, and the like. The radio buttons 521 to 525 are display areas for receiving the selection of a set size from among a plurality of selection items including the standard sizes of the single-sheet paper 170. The standard radio buttons 521 to 524 are display areas for receiving the selection of a set size from among a plurality of standard sizes. In FIG. 8B, it is shown that the radio button 521 corresponds to the standard B4 size, the radio button 522 corresponds to the standard A4 size, the radio button 523 corresponds to the standard B5 size, and the radio button 524 corresponds to the standard A5 size. The radio button 525 for user specification is a display area for receiving the selection of a user-specified size. Therefore, the plurality of selection items corresponding to each of the radio buttons 521 to 525 include a plurality of standard sizes and user specification. A radio button with a filled circle among the radio buttons 521 to 525 indicates that it is selected, and the remaining radio buttons indicate that they are not selected. Therefore, when performing the cutting target printing control, the control unit 10 receives the selection of a set size from among a plurality of selection items including the standard sizes of the single-sheet paper 170 at the radio buttons 521 to 525.

[0045] When the radio button 525 for user specification is selected, the input unit 15 accepts, in the input fields 526 and 527, a user-specified size as the set size by numerical input. Accordingly, when user specification is selected, the control unit 10 accepts the user-specified size by numerical input. For example, the vertical input field 526 is a display area for inputting the length along the continuous direction D1 numerically, and the horizontal input field 527 is a display area for inputting the length along the width direction D2 numerically. Note that the input field 526 may be an input area for the length along the width direction D2, and the input field 527 may be an input area for the length along the continuous direction D1. When the input unit 15 accepts the operation of the OK button 528, the control unit 10 stores, in the storage unit 14, the size corresponding to the selected radio button as the set size. When the radio button 525 for user specification is selected, the control unit 10 stores, in the storage unit 14, the sizes input in the input fields 526 and 527 as the set size. Thereafter, the control unit 10 returns the display on the display unit 16 to the mode setting screen 500 shown in FIG. 8A.

[0046] When the input unit 15 accepts the operation of the OK button 508 on the mode setting screen 500, the control unit 10 stores, in the storage unit 14, information indicating the print mode corresponding to the check box for which "Execute" is selected. In the example shown in FIG. 8A, information indicating the print mode for executing all of the first print (c1), the second print (c2), the third print (c3), and the fourth print (c4) is stored in the storage unit 14. As described above, the mode setting process of S102 shown in FIG. 7 ends. Note that the mode setting process may be performed independently of the processes of S104 to S114.

[0047] Thereafter, the control unit 10 acquires print data DA1 from the external device EX0 (S104). The print data DA1 may be dot data representing the formation state of the dots DT0 of each pixel, or original data convertible to the dot data. The dot data may be binary data representing the presence or absence of the formation of the dots DT0 of each pixel, or multi-valued data of three or more values including the size information of the dots DT0 whose size can be changed. As an example of the multi-valued data, 4-valued data representing any one of a large dot, a medium dot, a small dot, and no dot for each pixel can be cited. The original data may be RGB data having, for example, 2 8 gray-scale integer values of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), or ink amount data having, for example, 2 8 gray-scale integer values of C, M, Y, and K for each pixel. When the resolution of the original data is different from the print resolution, the control unit 10 can perform a predetermined resolution conversion to convert the resolution of the original data to the print resolution. When the control unit 10 acquires RGB data, it can convert the RGB data to ink amount data according to a predetermined correspondence relationship between the RGB color space and the CMYK color space, and convert the ink amount data to dot data by a predetermined halftone process such as a dither method or an error diffusion method.

[0048] When the execution of the center position specifying print as the second print (c2) is selected, the control unit 10 adds mark data for printing a mark 160 at the leading end 101 of the continuous paper 100 to the print data DA1 (S106). The mark data is assumed to be dot data representing the formation state of the dots DT0 of each pixel, but may be original data convertible to dot data as long as it is included as dot data in the final print control data.

[0049] When the execution of the leading-edge paper utilization printing as the first printing (c1) is selected, the control unit 10 adds cut-off target data for causing the cut-off target 150 to be printed at the leading end portion 101 of the continuous paper 100 to the print data DA1 (S108). When mark data is added to the print data DA1, the control unit 10 adds the cut-off target data to the print data DA1 so that the cut-off target 150 is printed on the portion of the leading end portion 101 excluding the print area of the mark 160. When the formation of the print image IM0 ends in the middle of the continuous paper 100, the control unit 10 adds the cut-off target data to the print data DA1 so that the cut-off target 150 is printed on the portion that becomes the leading end portion 101 in the next printing as illustrated in FIG. 4B. The cut-off target data is dot data representing the formation state of the dots DT0 of each pixel, but may be original data convertible into dot data as long as it is included as dot data in the final print control data.

[0050] When the execution of the trailing-edge paper utilization printing as the third printing (c3) is selected, the control unit 10 adds cut-off target data for causing the cut-off target 150 to be printed at the trailing end portion 102 of the continuous paper 100 to the print data DA1 (S110).

[0051] When the execution of the edge-side paper utilization printing as the fourth printing (c4) is selected, the control unit 10 adds cut-off target data for causing the cut-off target 150 to be printed on the margin portion 103 in the width direction D2 of the continuous paper 100 to the print data DA1 (S112). Note that when the margin portion 103 is smaller than the set size, the control unit 10 may not add the cut-off target data to the print data DA1. In the first control (a1), the third control (a3), and the fourth control (a4), the control unit 10 performs cut-off target print control for printing the cut-off target 150 indicating the position where the regular-size single-sheet paper 170 selected is to be cut. When the radio button 525 for user designation is selected on the size selection screen 520 shown in FIG. 8B, the control unit 10 performs cut-off target print control for printing the cut-off target 150 indicating the position where the user-designated size single-sheet paper 170 is to be cut.

[0052] Finally, the control unit 10 generates print control data including the print data DA1 to which at least one of the target data and the cut target data is added, and transmits the print control data to the printing unit 40 (S114). When receiving the print control data, the printing unit 40 forms a print image IM0 to which at least one of the mark 160 and the cut target 150 of the set size is added on the continuous paper 100. When the execution of the center position identification printing is selected, the printing unit 40 prints the mark 160 on the leading end portion 101 of the continuous paper 100 according to the mark data as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 4A. When the execution of the leading sheet utilization printing is selected, the printing unit 40 prints the cut target 150 of the set size on the leading end portion 101 of the continuous paper 100 according to the cut target data as illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 4A, and 4B. When the mark data is added to the print data DA1, the printing unit 40 prints the cut target 150 on the portion of the leading end portion 101 excluding the printing area of the mark 160. When the execution of the trailing sheet utilization printing is selected, the printing unit 40 prints the cut target 150 of the set size on the trailing end portion 102 of the continuous paper 100 according to the cut target data as illustrated in FIG. 5A. When the execution of the outer edge sheet utilization printing is selected, the printing unit 40 prints the cut target 150 of the set size on the margin portion 103 in the width direction D2 of the continuous paper 100 according to the cut target data as illustrated in FIG. 6A.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A, when the mark 160 is printed, when the user cuts the leading end of the continuous paper 100 along the diagonal line 162, the positions of the winding shaft 31 and the leading end portion 101 of the continuous paper 100 can be easily aligned as shown in FIG. 3B. Thereby, waste paper due to the inability to cut the leading end portion 101 at the target position is reduced. As shown in FIGS. 3A, 4A, 4B, 5A, and 6A, when the cut target 150 is printed, when the user cuts the continuous paper 100 according to the cut target 150, the margin of the continuous paper 100 can be re-made into single-sheet paper 170 of the set size. Thereby, the margin of the continuous paper 100 is effectively utilized as the single-sheet paper 170, and waste paper generated from the continuous paper 100 is reduced.

[0054] As described above, in this specific example, the margins of the continuous paper 100 can be effectively utilized in various printing modes, and the waste paper generated from the continuous paper 100 can be reduced.

[0055] (5) Variation: The present invention can have various variations. For example, the printing control process shown in FIG. 7 can be appropriately changed, such as by changing the order. For example, the process of S112 can be performed immediately before any of the processes of S106, S108, and S110. The control unit 10 may perform a printing control process that does not perform some of the first control (a1), second control (a2), third control (a3), and fourth control (a4). For example, when the third control (a3) and the fourth control (a4) are not performed, the mode setting screen 500 shown in FIG. 8A may not have information regarding the rear-end paper utilization printing and the edge external paper utilization printing, and the processes of S110 and S112 may be omitted from the printing control process shown in FIG. 7. In this case, the control unit 10 can execute the first control (a1) and the second control (a2), accept a selection of execution or non-execution for the first control (a1) and the second control (a2), and perform the control for which the execution selection is accepted. Also, the control unit 10 may perform only the first control (a1), only the second control (a2), only the third control (a3), or only the fourth control (a4). The printing apparatus 1 will perform printing that does not perform some of the first printing (c1), second printing (c2), third printing (c3), and fourth printing (c4).

[0056] Incidentally, when execution is selected for the leading-edge paper utilization printing as the first printing (c1) and the center position identification printing as the second printing (c2), the portion of the continuous paper 100 excluding the printing area of the mark 160 from the leading end portion 101 may be smaller than the set size. Therefore, the printing control process illustrated in FIG. 9 may be performed.

[0057] FIG. 9 schematically shows another example of the printing control process. When the print control process shown in FIG. 9 starts, the control unit 10 performs a mode setting process of displaying the mode setting screen 500 shown in FIG. 8A on the display unit 16 and setting the print mode (S202). In this example, it is assumed that at least the execution of the tip paper utilization printing and the execution of the center position identification printing are selected on the mode setting screen 500. Next, the control unit 10 acquires the print data DA1 from the external device EX0 (S204). Since the execution of the center position identification printing is selected, the control unit 10 adds mark data for printing the mark 160 of the center position 161 to the tip portion 101 to the print data DA1 (S206). Here, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the size of the portion excluding the printing area of the mark 160 from the tip portion 101 is equal to or greater than the set size (S208).

[0058] When the condition is satisfied in S208, it means that there is a margin where a single-sheet paper 170 of the set size can be cut out at the tip portion 101. In this case, the control unit 10 adds cut target data for printing the cut target 150 to the tip portion 101 to the print data DA1 (S210), and advances the process to S212. Therefore, the control unit 10 causes the print unit 40 to execute the tip paper utilization printing and the center position identification printing. When the condition is not satisfied in S208, it means that there is no margin where a single-sheet paper 170 of the set size can be cut out at the tip portion 101. In this case, the control unit 10 skips S210 and advances the process to S212. Therefore, the control unit 10 causes the print unit 40 to execute the center position identification printing without executing the tip paper utilization printing.

[0059] In S212, when the execution of the rear-end paper utilization printing is selected, the control unit 10 adds cut target data for printing the cut target 150 to the rear-end portion 102 to the print data DA1. Next, when the execution of the outer-edge paper utilization printing is selected, the control unit 10 adds cut target data for printing the cut target 150 to the margin portion 103 to the print data DA1 (S214). Finally, the control unit 10 generates print control data and transmits the print control data to the print unit 40 (S216). As described above, when execution is selected for the leading-edge paper utilization printing and the center position identification printing, the printing of the mark 160 at the center position 161 is prioritized. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the printing of the cut-off target 150 from affecting the printing of the mark 160 at the center position 161.

[0060] (6) Conclusion: As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a configuration or the like that can effectively utilize the margins of continuous paper to be printed in various ways. Of course, the above-described basic operations and effects can also be obtained in an aspect consisting only of the constituent elements according to the independent claims. In addition, a configuration in which each configuration disclosed in the above-described examples is mutually replaced or the combination is changed, a known technique, and a configuration in which each configuration disclosed in the above-described examples is mutually replaced or the combination is changed, etc. are also feasible. The present invention includes these configurations and the like.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0061] 1... Printing device, 2... Printer, 10... Control unit, 15... Input unit, 16... Display unit, 20... Conveying unit, 21... Pair of conveying rollers, 22... Pair of discharge rollers, 25... Feeding unit, 26... Feeding shaft, 30... Take-up unit, 31... Take-up shaft, 40... Printing unit, 41... Print head, 100... Continuous paper, 101... Leading end portion, 102... Rear end portion, 103... Margin portion, 150... Cut-off target, 151... Intersecting line, 152... Parallel line, 160... Mark, 161... Center position, 162... Diagonal line, 163... Center line, 170... Single-sheet paper, 500... Mode setting screen, 520... Size selection screen, D1... Continuous direction, D2... Width direction, DA1... Print data, EX0... External device, IM0... Print image, PR0... Control program, ST1... First step, ST2... Second step, ST3... Third step.

Claims

1. A conveying unit that conveys continuous paper in the continuous direction of the continuous paper, A printing unit that performs printing on the continuous paper, A control unit that causes the printing unit to execute the printing based on print data, comprising: The control unit: A first control for printing a cutting target indicating a position for cutting a single-sheet paper of a set size at the leading end of the continuous paper; A second control for printing a mark indicating a center position in the width direction of the continuous paper at the leading end of the continuous paper; A third control for printing the cutting target at the trailing end of the continuous paper; A fourth control for printing the cutting target in a blank portion where the printing based on the print data is not performed on the continuous paper in the width direction; A printing apparatus that performs at least one of the above.

2. The control unit: Performs at least one cutting target printing control of the first control, the third control, and the fourth control, When performing the cutting target printing control, accepts a selection of the set size from among a plurality of selection items including the fixed size of the single-sheet paper, and performs control to print the cutting target indicating a position for cutting a single-sheet paper of the set size that has accepted the selection. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The plurality of selection items include a plurality of the fixed sizes and user designation, When the user designation is selected, the control unit accepts a user-designated size as the set size by numerical input, and performs the cutting target printing control to print the cutting target indicating a position for cutting a single-sheet paper of the user-designated size. The printing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The control unit: Is capable of executing a plurality of controls among the first control, the second control, the third control, and the fourth control, Accepts a selection of execution or non-execution for each of the plurality of controls, Performs the control for which the selection of execution has been accepted among the plurality of controls. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. The control unit: Is capable of executing the first control and the second control, Accepts a selection of execution or non-execution for each of the first control and the second control, When the selection of execution has been accepted for both the first control and the second control, and there is a blank portion at the leading end of the continuous paper where a single-sheet paper of the set size can be cut, the first control and the second control are performed. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein when the selection of the execution is received for the first control and the second control, and there is no margin at the leading end of the continuous paper where a single-sheet paper of the set size can be cut out, the second control is performed without performing the first control.

6. A first step of conveying a continuous paper in the continuous direction of the continuous paper; A second step of performing the printing on the continuous paper based on print data; A third step including at least one of: a first printing for printing a cutting target indicating a position where a single-sheet paper of a set size is to be cut out at the leading end of the continuous paper; a second printing for printing a mark indicating a center position in the width direction of the continuous paper at the leading end of the continuous paper; a third printing for printing the cutting target at the trailing end of the continuous paper; and a fourth printing for printing the cutting target in a margin portion where the printing based on the print data is not performed on the continuous paper in the width direction.

Images