Job processing apparatus, job processing method, program, and printer with cutting head

Abstract

To provide a job processing apparatus and a printer with a cutting head, configured to improve overall processing efficiency of a printing system by effectively utilizing a time required for replacing consumption goods after executing jobs consecutively.SOLUTION: A job processing apparatus 10 which processes a plurality of jobs including at least one job including printing processing for printing on a medium and at least one job including cutting processing for cutting the medium includes: a job acquisition unit 111 which acquires a plurality of jobs; a remaining amount acquisition unit 112 which acquires a remaining amount of consumption goods including a medium of a printer which can execute printing and cutting of the medium; a consumption amount calculation unit 113 which calculates a consumption amount of the consumption goods for each of the plurality of jobs; a job specifying unit 114 which specifies a group of consecutively executable jobs out of the plurality of jobs, based on the remaining amount of the consumption goods and the consumption amount of the consumption goods; and a rearrangement unit 115 which rearranges the order of the jobs so that a job to be executed next to the group of consecutively executable jobs includes the cutting processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a job processing device or the like that processes print data to cause a printing device such as an inkjet printer, electrophotographic printer, or other printer (2D printer) to print on media using color materials such as ink or toner, or a binder jet printer or other printer (3D printer) to print from powder using a binder or other binding agent (3D modeling). [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology for a print data processing device that predicts the amount of ink consumed in multiple print jobs and identifies a group of print jobs that can be printed continuously based on the remaining amount of ink and the predicted amount of ink consumed (see [Abstract]).

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes a technology for an image forming device that identifies jobs that can be completed based on the remaining amount of paper (media) and executes the identified jobs with priority (see paragraph

[0043] ). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-030968 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-137202 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technology described in Patent Document 1 above can reduce the amount of waste caused by replacing ink, binder, etc., and the technology described in Patent Document 2 can prevent a decrease in processing efficiency for the entire job due to the occurrence of a paper shortage. However, in both Patent Documents 1 and 2, if it becomes necessary to replace consumables such as ink or media after finishing outputting print data related to consecutive jobs during the execution of consecutive jobs, time is required to replace the consumables until the next print data is output. The inventor recognized that the processing efficiency of the entire printing system can be improved by effectively utilizing the time spent replacing consumables after consecutive jobs are executed.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a job processing device or the like that improves the processing efficiency of the entire printing system by effectively utilizing the time required to replace consumables after consecutively executing jobs. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art with reference to the following exemplary aspects and best modes, as well as the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to facilitate an understanding of the outline of the present invention, the following examples are given of embodiments according to the present invention.

[0008] In an aspect according to the present invention, a job processing device processes a plurality of jobs including at least one job that includes a printing process for printing on media and at least one job that includes a cutting process for cutting the media, and includes: a job acquisition unit that acquires the plurality of jobs including the printing job and the cutting job; a remaining amount acquisition unit that acquires the remaining amount of consumable materials of a printing device that can print and cut the media; a consumption amount calculation unit that calculates the consumption amount of the consumable materials for each of the plurality of jobs; a job identification unit that identifies a group of jobs that can be executed consecutively from the plurality of jobs based on the remaining amount and the consumption amount of the consumable materials; and a sorting unit that rearranges the order of the plurality of jobs so that the job to be executed next after the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively includes the cutting process.

[0009] In an aspect of the present invention, the job identification unit identifies a group of jobs that can be executed consecutively from among the multiple jobs based on the remaining amount and consumption of the consumables, and the rearrangement unit rearranges the order of the multiple jobs so that the job to be executed next after the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively includes a cutting process. This configuration makes it possible to prompt the user to replace the consumables during the cutting process of the job that includes the cutting process and is executed next after the rearranged group of jobs that can be executed consecutively. In other words, the replacement of the consumables can be executed during the cutting process. For example, by rearranging the job execution order based on the remaining amount and consumption of the consumables so that the consumption amount is less than or as close to the remaining amount as possible, it is possible to prevent a shortage of consumables during printing and to replace the consumables during the cutting process of the job that includes the cutting process and is executed next after the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively. This configuration makes it possible to effectively utilize the time required to replace consumables and improve the processing efficiency of the entire printing system.

[0010] Those skilled in the art will easily understand that the exemplified embodiments according to the present invention can be further modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A shows an example of an application of a printing device, and FIG. 1B shows an example of a schematic configuration of the printing device of FIG. 1A. [Figure 2] FIG. 2(A) shows an example of the configuration of a printing system including a typical application example of a job processing device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2(B) shows an example of the display of a job list processed by the job processing device of FIG. 2(A). [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows an operation sequence diagram of a printing system including a typical application example of a job processing device according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows an example of the structure of job data generated by the job processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows an example of the schematic configuration of a job processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows an example of a job list before and after job processing that is generated and executed by a job processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7(A) shows another example of a job list before and after job processing that is generated and executed by a job processing apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 7(B) shows yet another example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the job processing apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another operational procedure of the "job specification process" in FIG. 8 as a modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows an example of the configuration of a printer with a cutting head according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The best mode described below is used to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and therefore, those skilled in the art should be aware that the present invention is not unduly limited by the embodiments described below.

[0013] (Configuration of the printing device 50) Fig. 1(A) shows an application example of a printing device 50. As shown in Fig. 1(A), the printing device 50 is typically an inkjet printer, and as an example, a large ink-type printer is shown that can apply ink onto a medium 100 to produce a printed matter such as a large signboard or poster.

[0014] Here, medium 100 can be made of various materials, such as paper such as plain paper, resins such as polyvinyl chloride or polyester, or metals such as aluminum or iron. As shown in the figure, medium 100 is typically a sheet material, and more specifically, a roll medium wound into a roll.

[0015] The printing device 50 is not limited to the inkjet printer shown in FIG. 1A, but may be other printing devices 50 such as an electrophotographic printer or a binder jet printer.

[0016] 1A generally includes an ink head 58 that outputs ink for printing and is typically movable horizontally or left and right on rails (guides). The printing device 50 also includes an ink cartridge 54 that stores ink to be supplied to the ink head 58. The printing device 50 may also include a cutting head 53, in which case the printing device 50 can print on and cut the media 100.

[0017] The printing device 50 may further include an operation panel 52 having operation buttons such as a power button and a setting button, and a control device 59 .

[0018] The printing device 50 further includes a mounting table 51 (platen), a head movement mechanism 55, and a media movement mechanism 57. The media 100 is mounted on the mounting table 51. The head movement mechanism 55 moves an ink head 58 and / or a cutting head 53 mounted on the carriage in the main scanning direction Y as a belt (not shown) is driven by a carriage motor (not shown) to move and a carriage (not shown) moves in the main scanning direction Y. The media movement mechanism 57 moves the media 100 mounted on the mounting table 51 in the sub-scanning direction X relative to the ink head 58 and / or the cutting head 53.

[0019] The cutting head 53, head moving mechanism 55, medium moving mechanism 57, and ink head 58 described above are all electrically connected to a control device 59. The control device 59 controls printing on the medium 100 and / or cutting of the medium 100, and is configured, for example, by a microcomputer, includes an interface, a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, and is connected to the job processing device 10 (described later) via wire or wirelessly so as to be able to communicate with it. Note that the control device 59 is not limited to a microcomputer, and may also be configured by an ASIC (Application Specific IC), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like.

[0020] Fig. 1(B) shows a schematic configuration example of the printing device 50 of Fig. 1(A). As shown in Fig. 1(B), the ink cartridges 54 store color inks so that the medium 100 can form, for example, a color image, and include color ink cartridges 54C, 54M, 54Y, and 54K that store, for example, cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink, respectively.

[0021] The ink cartridge 54 may further include an ink cartridge (not shown) for storing a specific ink other than color ink, such as white ink or silver ink (metallic ink).

[0022] Furthermore, the color ink cartridges 54C, 54M, 54Y, and 54K may further include, for example, a light cyan ink cartridge (not shown), and, for example, a light magenta ink cartridge (not shown). In other words, the color inks are not limited to the four common colors of cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink, but may be composed of inks of a number of colors other than four, such as six, seven, or three colors.

[0023] 1(B), ink head 58 has ink heads 58C, 58M, 58Y, and 58K corresponding to ink cartridges 54C, 54M, 54Y, and 54K, respectively. Ink tubes 56 are provided between ink cartridges 54C, 54M, 54Y, and 54K and ink heads 58C, 58M, 58Y, and 58K, allowing ink head 58 to output a desired ink or color.

[0024] The specific configuration of the printing device 50 is well known and will not be described here, but it may be configured as a printer with a cutting head, such as that disclosed in Figures 1 to 3 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-091386.

[0025] (Configuration of printing system 200) Fig. 2(A) shows an example of the configuration of a printing system 200 including a typical application example of a job processing device 10 according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2(A), the printing system 200 is composed of a job processing device 10 and a printing device 50. The job processing device 10 is typically a RIP (Raster Image Processor) and is provided external to the printing device 50. However, the job processing device 10 may also be provided inside the printing device 50; in other words, the printing device 50 may have the functions of the job processing device 10.

[0026] In the example of FIG. 2A, the input of the job processing device 10 is connected to, for example, two folders 42 and 44 (alternatively, it may be one folder, or it may be three or more folders), while the output of the job processing device 10 is connected to, for example, a printing device 50. The folders 42 and 44, the job processing device 10, and the printing device 50 in FIG. 2A are typically connected via a network, but the job processing device 10 and the printing device 50 may also be connected via, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB). Also, print data (e.g., digital data in EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) format) generated by, for example, a personal computer (PC) not shown is input to, for example, one of the two folders 42 or 44, but the digital data in EPS format, for example, may also be generated by the job processing device 10, which is typically configured as a server (alternatively, it may be a personal computer).

[0027] The job processing device 10 converts input digital data, for example, in EPS format, into digital data in raster format (raster image or bitmap image). Next, the job processing device 10 can convert the raster format digital data into digital data in a native format (native data) that can be interpreted by the printing device 50, and output the converted data. The job processing device 10 can handle multiple types of print data (digital data in EPS format, digital data in raster format, and digital data in native format).

[0028] In this specification, digital data in EPS format can be referred to as initial print data or data for printing, and the job processing device 10 can add printing conditions for the printing device 50 (for example, whether or not to cut the media, the type and amount of ink to be used, whether a take-up device is used, the heater temperature setting, etc.) to the data for printing. The job processing device 10 performs RIP processing on the data for printing to which the printing conditions have been added, to generate digital data in raster format (intermediate print data), and then can generate digital data in native format (final print data).

[0029] 2A functions as a RIP device that is typically a RIP server, and is further connected to a display unit 20 that is typically a display, and an operation unit that is typically a keyboard 32 and a mouse 34. A user of the job processing device 10 inputs a plurality of EPS format digital data into, for example, two folders 42 and 44, sets or assigns printing conditions to each of the plurality of EPS format digital data on a folder-by-folder basis via the keyboard 32 and the mouse 34, and generates a job list of a plurality of EPS format digital data (a plurality of print jobs) to which the printing conditions have been assigned.

[0030] Fig. 2(B) shows an example of a display of a job list to be processed by the job processing apparatus 10 of Fig. 2(A). Fig. 2(B) shows a state in which a job list has not been created for a plurality of EPS format digital data input into folder 42 corresponding to input A; in other words, the display or display unit 20 can display the created job list. Similarly, on the condition that a job list has been created for a plurality of EPS format digital data input into folder 44 corresponding to input B, the display or display unit 20 can display the created job list in the tab for input B.

[0031] (Operation of the printing system 200) Next, the general operation of the printing system 200 of Fig. 2A will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows an operation sequence diagram of the printing system 200 of Fig. 2A. In the example of Fig. 3, first, a user submits multiple jobs (see step S10). For example, N jobs (N is any integer equal to or greater than 2) are submitted (input) to folder 42, and in response, job processing apparatus 10 generates a job list by assigning printing conditions to each of the submitted jobs, and also generates job data to which commands are assigned for each type of submitted job (see steps S11 and S12), and returns a response to the user.

[0032] An example of job data is shown in Figure 4. The job data JD shown in Figure 4 is job data related to a print cutting job, which will be described later. By executing multiple commands, the printing device 50 performs various settings based on printing conditions, prints on the medium 100, and / or cuts the medium 100. Here, the commands provided are a job command CM1, a control command CM2, and an execution command CM3.

[0033] In this specification, the operation of the printing device 50 on the media 100, such as printing or cutting, is referred to as a "process." A "job" refers to a single process or a series of processes performed consecutively. A job is the operation of the printing device 50 from the start to the end of a single process or a series of processes in execution command CM3. Here, the type of job is referred to as a "job type."

[0034] Job command CM1 is a command for setting basic setting information and the like. Job command CM1 is a so-called PJL (Printer JOB Language) command. Note that basic setting information is information set in the printing device 50, and is basic information related to printing and / or cutting. The basic setting information includes, for example, the job type, type of media 100, print resolution, movement speed of ink head 58, transport speed of media 100, cutting conditions (pressure with which the cutter attached to cutting head 53 is pressed against media 100, movement speed of cutting head 53, depth to which the cutter cuts media 100, etc.), etc.

[0035] For example, if a printer with a cutting head capable of printing and cutting the medium 100 is used as the printing device 50, there are four possible job types: a print job, a cutting job, a print-and-cut job, and a cut-and-print job. A print job is a job in which the medium 100 is printed but not cut. A cut job is a job in which the medium 100 is not printed but is cut. A print-and-cut job is a job in which the medium 100 is printed and then cut. A cut-and-print job is a job in which the medium 100 is cut and then printed on. However, there may be other job types besides the four mentioned above.

[0036] Control command CM2 is a command that specifies print data PD1 when printing and cut data CD1 when cutting. Here, print data PD1 is specified when printing and refers to the image data to be printed and a path specified by values such as coordinates. Here, control command CM2 for print data PD1 is called a print control command. Cut data CD1 is specified when cutting and refers to the path used when cutting and refers to a path specified by values such as coordinates (hereinafter also referred to as a cut path). Here, control command CM2 for cut data CD1 is called a cut control command. Printing device 50 can print and cut media 100 by executing control commands CM2 in order.

[0037] Execution command CM3 is a command that specifies the start of processing and the end of a job. By executing execution command CM3, the printing device 50 can recognize the start of processing and the end of a job, in this case the start and end of printing and cutting. Note that there are no particular limitations on the type of execution command CM3. Here, execution commands CM3 include a print start command CM31 for starting printing, a cut start command CM32 for starting cutting, and a job end command CM33.

[0038] The job end command CM33 is a command that notifies that a job, which is a series of printing or cutting processes, has ended. In this example, the print start command CM31 is a command that is specified before the control command CM2 (here, the print control command) that includes the print data PD1. The cut start command CM32 is a command that is specified before the control command CM2 (here, the cut control command) that includes the cut data CD1. The job end command CM33 is a command that is specified near the end of the job data JD.

[0039] As part of the job command CM1, a job command CM11 is provided to set the job type. By executing this job type command CM11, the printing device 50 can recognize which job type will be executed at the start of each job. Here, by executing the job type command CM11, the printing device 50 (control device 59 in FIG. 1A) can recognize which job type is being executed: a print job, a cutting job, a print-and-cut job, or a cut-and-print job.

[0040] Returning to the explanation of the operational sequence in FIG. 3, after the job processing device 10 generates job data, when the user instructs the start of job processing (see step S13), the job processing device 10 transmits job data (job control commands) for job 1 to the printing device 50 in accordance with the job list (see step S14). Here, it is assumed that the job type of job data 1 is a print job, and the printing device 50 executes print processing based on that print data (see step S15). Here, print processing refers to expanding the print data generated and transmitted by the job processing device 10 so that it can be handled by the printing device 50 and supplying it to the ink head 58. Next, the job processing device 10 repeats transmitting job data in the execution order of the job list, and finally transmits the job data for job N to the printing device 50 (see step S16).

[0041] Here, job N is assumed to be, for example, the print cutting job shown in Fig. 4. In this case, the printing device 50 prints the print data included in the job data JD in Fig. 4, and then cuts the medium 100 based on the cutting data also included in the job data JD (see step S17). At this time, the job processing device 10 can issue a consumable goods replacement notification to the printing device 50 at any time during the media cutting process after the printing process of job N (see step S18). This consumable goods replacement notification allows the user to replace the ink during the cutting process of the medium 100, making effective use of the time waiting for printing.

[0042] (Configuration of job processing device 10) FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration example of the job processing apparatus 10 of FIG. 2(A). In FIG. 5, the job processing apparatus 10 generally includes a processing unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The processing unit 11, the storage unit 12, and the communication unit 13 are configured, for example, as a server (or, in a broader sense, a computer). The processing unit 11 corresponds to, for example, a processor (or CPU, MPU, or MCU) of the server. The storage unit 12 corresponds to, for example, ROM and RAM and, for example, a HDD of the server. The communication unit 13 corresponds to, for example, a network connection module (e.g., a LAN board) of the server. For example, the ROM stores a program that causes the CPU to execute a predetermined operation, and the RAM can form a work area for the CPU. The HDD (which may alternatively be an SSD) forms, for example, two folders 42 and 44 and can store multiple print data (EPS format digital data, raster format digital data, and native format digital data) and a job list indicating the execution order of multiple jobs.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows an example of a job list before and after job processing generated and executed by the job processing device 10 (or, alternatively, a printing device 50 having the functions of the job processing device 10) according to the present invention. In FIG. 6, the remaining ink levels before the execution of multiple print jobs are indicated by * at the bottom right of the drawing. The processing unit 11 in FIG. 5 can manage multiple jobs. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2(A), for example, six print data and one cutting data are input to the folder 42, and printing conditions for the printing device 50 are added to each of the six print data to generate six print jobs, and cutting conditions for the printing device 50 are added to the one cutting data to generate one cutting job. The job processing device 10 can set cutting conditions for the cutting data, such as cutting pressure, cutting speed, and cutting depth.

[0044] Referring to the job list shown in the upper left of Fig. 6, six print jobs and one cutting job are created in sequence, and print jobs A to F and cutting job G are displayed in the order of creation, for example, on the display unit 20 (alternatively, on the display unit of the operation panel 52 in Fig. 1(B)). The job list shown in the upper left of Fig. 6 displays the ink amounts of cyan ink (C), magenta ink (M), yellow ink (Y), and black ink (K) consumed in each of print jobs A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Note that no ink is consumed in cutting job G.

[0045] If multiple print data to be output to the printing device 50 are created in the order of the job list shown in the upper left of Figure 6, the printing device 50 will execute six print jobs and one cutting job in the order of print jobs A to F, and cutting job G (comparison example).

[0046] In this comparative example, after print jobs A to D are executed, but before print job E starts, the user can recognize that print job E cannot be executed with the current remaining amount of magenta ink. Alternatively, after print jobs A to D are executed, print job E is interrupted midway, and the user can recognize that print job E will not be completed. From another perspective, the user can replace the ink cartridge 54M for magenta ink, which has 30 cc remaining, with a new ink cartridge 54M before print job A starts, so that all of print jobs A to F are executed. However, this replacement results in the waste of the 30 cc of magenta ink remaining.

[0047] Referring to the job list shown in the upper left of FIG. 6, a group of print jobs A to D that can be printed consecutively from among the multiple print jobs A to F is identified. In the processing unit 11 of FIG. 5, the remaining amount acquisition unit 112 acquires the remaining amount of each ink, the consumption amount calculation unit 113 calculates the ink consumption amount for each print job, and the job identification unit 114 can identify the last print job D (a specific print job) from among the group of print jobs A to D. Furthermore, the display unit 20 of FIG. 2(A) can, for example, display information about the last print job D ("(Continuous printing possible up to here)": see shaded text) in the above-mentioned job list to notify the user of the content. Note that if only the first print job A can be printed and the remaining print jobs B to F cannot be printed, only one print job (print job A) may be identified as the group of print jobs.

[0048] Thereafter, the user can execute only the group of print jobs A to D, in other words, not select or delete print jobs E and F. In other words, for example, by leaving the magenta ink cartridge 54M with 30 cc remaining and not replacing it with a new ink cartridge 54M, or by replacing it with a new ink cartridge 54M after the group of print jobs A to D is completed, the amount of magenta ink wasted due to replacement can be reduced.

[0049] When the printing device 50 executes four print jobs A, B, C, and D in the order shown in the upper left of Fig. 6, the remaining amount of magenta ink changes, for example, from 30 cc to 25 (= 30 - 5) cc, 25 (= 25 - 0) cc, 15 (= 25 - 10) cc, and 5 (= 15 - 10) cc. Therefore, when replacing the old ink cartridge 54M with a new ink cartridge 54M after the last print job D of the group of print jobs A to D is completed, only 5 cc of magenta ink is wasted due to the replacement.

[0050] In the job list shown in the upper left of FIG. 6, if print job E is executed after a group of print jobs A to D, the remaining amount of magenta ink will be -5 (=5-10), and print job E cannot be executed without replacing the ink cartridge 54M with a new one after the group of print jobs is completed. Therefore, after the group of jobs A to D is completed, the order of the subsequent jobs E, F, and G must be rearranged. In this case, under user instruction, the processing unit 11 can identify, for example, print job F (a specific print job) or cutting job G, which does not consume ink, as a print job that can be completed with only the remaining amount of magenta ink (5 cc) after the last print job D of the group of print jobs A to D is completed. Specifically, the display unit 20 in FIG. 2A (or, alternatively, an audio output unit such as a speaker, not shown) can display or notify the user that the order of jobs E, F, and G following the group of print jobs A to D can be rearranged. This allows the user to select a selection button or the like displayed on the display unit 20, for example, via the mouse 34, which causes the processing unit 11 to rearrange the order of jobs E, F, and G. Note that the processing unit 11 may also rearrange the order of jobs E, F, and G automatically.

[0051] Here, when the user issues an instruction to rearrange the order of the jobs to be executed next after the group of print jobs A to D, changing (identifying) the job to be executed from print job E to cutting job G, which does not consume ink, the processing unit 11 can rearrange the order of print job E and cutting job G as shown in the job list shown in the upper right of Fig. 6 (see the job list indicated by arrow a). Therefore, after executing the group of print jobs A to D, the printing device 50 can replace the old ink cartridge 54M with a new one while executing cutting job G. The amount of magenta ink wasted during this replacement is extremely small (5 [cc]).

[0052] Meanwhile, the processing unit 11 can also identify, for example, print job F (a specific print job) as a print job that can be completed with only the remaining amount (5 cc) of magenta ink after the completion of print job D, the last of the group of print jobs A to D. When print job E and print job F are swapped, the display unit 20 in FIG. 2A displays the order of print jobs A, B, C, D, and F that can be printed consecutively after the order of subsequent print jobs E and F has been rearranged, and the processing unit 11 can identify the last print job F (a specific print job) as display information related to the rearranged group of print jobs A, B, C, D, and F (see the job list indicated by arrow b in FIG. 6). In this case, when the printing device 50 executes five print jobs in the order of print jobs A, B, C, D, and F shown in FIG. 6 , the remaining amount of magenta ink changes, for example, from 30 cc to 25 (=30-5) cc, 25 (=25-0) cc, 15 (=25-10) cc, 5 (=15-10) cc, and 0 (=5-5) cc. Therefore, when the old ink cartridge 54M is replaced with a new ink cartridge 54M after the final print job F of the group of print jobs A, B, C, D, and F is completed, the amount of magenta ink wasted due to the replacement is 0 cc. Furthermore, by changing the job to be executed next after the group of print jobs A, B, C, D, and F to cutting job G, the magenta ink can be completely used up in print job F before cutting job G is executed, and the ink cartridge 54M can be replaced with a new one while cutting job G is being processed.

[0053] 2A can preferably display or notify the user of the print completion time of the rearranged group of print jobs before executing the rearranged group of print jobs A, B, C, D, and F. This allows the user to execute the printing of the rearranged group of print jobs A, B, C, D, and F unattended by the printing device 50, and replace the old ink cartridge 54M with a new ink cartridge 54M while the cutting job G is being processed.

[0054] Next, rearrangement of the execution order of a job list including a print cutting job and a cut print job will be described with reference to FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B).

[0055] Referring to the job list shown on the left in FIG. 7(A), a group of print jobs A to D that can be printed continuously is identified from the multiple print jobs A to D and F and print cutting job E. In the processing unit 11 in FIG. 5, the remaining amount acquisition unit 112 acquires the remaining amount of each ink, the consumption amount calculation unit 113 calculates the consumption amount of each ink for each print job or print cutting job, and the job identification unit 114 can identify the last print job D (a specific print job) from the group of print jobs A to D. Furthermore, the display unit 20 in FIG. 2(A) can display information about the last print job D ("(Continuous printing possible up to here)"; shaded) in the above-mentioned job list to notify the user of the content.

[0056] Here, the user rearranges the jobs so that the next job to be executed in the identified group of jobs that can be executed consecutively includes cutting processing. Specifically, before processing print job D, a "print cutting job E" is identified, which has the same magenta ink consumption amount "10" as print job D, in which printing is performed on medium 100 and the printed medium 100 is cut (the job list on the right indicated by the arrow in FIG. 7(A)). In response to this, processing unit 11 rearranges the jobs so that print cutting job E is executed after print job C, the last of print jobs A to C, is completed. This makes it possible to print consecutively up to the printing processing of print jobs A to C and print cutting job E, and allows ink cartridges to be replaced during the cutting processing of print cutting job E. When the printing device 50 executes three print jobs and one print cutting job in the order of print jobs A, B, C, and print cutting job E shown in FIG. 7A, for example, the remaining amount of magenta ink changes from 30 cc to 25 (=30-5) cc, 25 (=25-0) cc, 15 (=25-10) cc, and 5 (=15-10) cc. The user can replace the old ink cartridge 54M with a new ink cartridge 54M during the cutting process of print cutting job E. Therefore, when replacing the old ink cartridge 54M with a new ink cartridge 54M after the printing process of print cutting job E of the rearranged group of jobs, print jobs A, B, C, and print cutting job E, is completed (during the cutting process of print cutting job E), the amount of magenta ink wasted due to the replacement is extremely small (5 cc). In addition, by rearranging the jobs in the order of print jobs A, B, C, F, and print cutting job E, the remaining amount of magenta ink may be 0 [cc] after the printing process of print cutting job E is completed.

[0057] Meanwhile, referring to the job list shown on the left in Figure 7(B), a group of print jobs A to D that can be printed consecutively is identified from the multiple print jobs A to D and F and cutting print job E. As shown in the job list on the right indicated by the arrow in Figure 7(B), for example, print job F (a specific print job) is identified as a print job that can be completed with only the remaining amount of magenta ink (5 cc) after the final print job D of the group of print jobs A to D is completed, and cutting print job E can be identified, in which cutting processing is performed on the medium 100 after the specified print job F is executed and printing is performed on the cut medium 100. In cutting print job E, the ink cartridge 54M can be replaced during the media cutting processing. Here, when cutting print job E and print job F are swapped, the display unit 20 in FIG. 2A displays the order of the group of print jobs A, B, C, D, and F that can be printed consecutively after the order of cutting print job E and print job F has been rearranged, and the processing unit 11 can identify the last print job F (a specific print job) as display information related to the rearranged group of print jobs A, B, C, D, and F. When the printing device 50 executes five print jobs in the order of print jobs A, B, C, D, and F shown on the right of FIG. 7B, for example, the remaining amount of magenta ink changes from 30 cc to 25 (= 30 - 5) cc, 25 (= 25 - 0) cc, 15 (= 25 - 10) cc, 5 (= 15 - 10) cc, and 0 (= 5 - 5) cc. Therefore, when the old ink cartridge 54M is replaced with a new ink cartridge 54M after the final print job F of the rearranged group of print jobs A, B, C, D, and F is completed, the amount of magenta ink wasted by the replacement is 0 [cc]. The user can replace the old ink cartridge 54M with a new ink cartridge 54M during the cutting process of cut print job E (after print job F is completed).

[0058] Returning to Fig. 5 for the explanation, the processing unit 11 includes a main processing unit 110, a job acquisition unit 111, a remaining amount acquisition unit 112, a consumption amount calculation unit 113, a job identification unit 114, a sorting unit 115, a job execution unit 116, and a notification unit 117.

[0059] The configuration of the processing unit 11 shown here is a block diagram of the processing executed by the processing unit 11, with each block being expanded to show the function executed by the respective processing. Specifically, a processor (or CPU, MPU, or MCU) corresponding to the processing unit 11 sequentially reads out programs recorded in a ROM and executes them using a RAM as a work area, thereby realizing the function of each block.

[0060] The main processing unit 110 performs RIP processing on the printing data to which printing conditions have been added to generate raster format digital data (intermediate printing data), and then generates native format digital data (final printing data).In addition, the main processing unit 110 also controls storage control for adding printing conditions to an input job and saving the data as a job list in the storage unit 12.The main processing unit 110 also controls storage control for generating cutting data to which cutting conditions have been added, and saving the data as a job list in the storage unit 12.The main processing unit 110 also controls display control for controlling the display unit 20.

[0061] In addition, when processing a job, in other words, when the processing device 10 (main processing device 110) transmits (outputs) job data to the printing device 50 (see steps S14 to S16 in Figure 3), the main processing device 110 also controls the processing sequence of the job acquisition unit 111, remaining amount acquisition unit 112, consumption amount calculation unit 113, job identification unit 114, sorting unit 115, job execution unit 116, and notification unit 117 in order to identify jobs that can be executed consecutively.

[0062] The job acquisition unit 111 can acquire multiple jobs, including print jobs and cutting jobs, stored in the storage unit 12 according to the stored job list. The remaining amount acquisition unit 112 communicates with the printing device 50, which is capable of printing and cutting the media 100, and acquires the remaining amounts of consumables, including ink and the media 100. When the processing unit 11 instructs the printing device 50 to acquire the remaining amounts of consumables, such as ink and media, the remaining amount acquisition unit 112 can acquire the remaining amount of each ink from, for example, remaining amount sensors 54S1, 54S2, 54S3, and 54S4 built into the ink cartridge 54. The remaining amount of the media 100 can also be acquired from a sensor provided in the printing device 50 that detects the amount of media 100 used.

[0063] The consumption calculation unit 113 calculates the consumption of consumables for each of the multiple jobs. For example, the consumption calculation unit 113 counts the number of dots printed for each ink from the raster image (bitmap) of the print job, and calculates the ink consumption from the counted number of dots using a pre-stored conversion formula or conversion table. The consumption calculation unit 113 can also calculate the consumption of the medium 100 from information about the print range included in the print job. As with the ink cartridge 54 described above, a group of jobs that can be executed consecutively from multiple jobs can be identified based on the remaining amount and consumed amount of the medium 100. The group of jobs can also be identified so that the last executable job of the identified group of jobs that can be executed consecutively includes a cutting process. In a print-cutting job or a cutting print job, the printing process and cutting process are repeated for the same area, and the medium 100 can be replaced or replenished during this time.

[0064] The job specifying unit 114 can specify a group of jobs that can be executed consecutively from among the multiple jobs (for example, print jobs A to D in the job list indicated by the arrow (a) in FIG. 6 ) based on the remaining amount of the consumable material acquired by the remaining amount acquiring unit 112 and the consumption amount of the consumable material calculated by the consumption amount calculating unit 113. The sorting unit 115 can sort the group of jobs specified by the job specifying unit 114. The sorting unit 115 can sort the order of the multiple jobs so that the job to be executed next after the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively (for example, job G in the job list indicated by the arrow (a) in FIG. 6 ) includes a cutting process. The job executing unit 116 can sequentially execute the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively, which have been specified by the job specifying unit 114 and sorted by the sorting unit 115, in the execution order.

[0065] The notification unit 117 can prompt the user to replace consumable items during the cutting process of a job that includes a cutting process and that is executed next in a group of jobs that can be executed consecutively, such as by replacing the ink cartridge 54 or replenishing the media 100.

[0066] The processing unit 11 may further include an evaluation value assigning unit 118 and an execution order determining unit 119. The evaluation value assigning unit 118 can assign evaluation values of priority for the printing conditions set for each of the group of jobs identified by the job identifying unit 114. Furthermore, the execution order determining unit 119 can determine the execution order of each job in the group of jobs identified by the job identifying unit 114 based on the evaluation values of priority assigned by the evaluation value assigning unit 118.

[0067] When selecting print data to be sent (output) to the printing device 50 from among the print data stored in the storage unit 12, the evaluation value assigning unit 118 assigns a score such that a job combination that reduces print waiting time has a higher evaluation value, for example, assigning an evaluation value of "10" to a job combination in which the consumption amount of a consumable product is equal to or less than the remaining amount acquired by the remaining amount acquiring unit 112 and is as close as possible to the acquired remaining amount. Furthermore, if the combination involves cutting the consumable product just before the timing when replacement is required (the last job), an additional evaluation value of "5" is assigned. Then, the execution order determining unit 119 can determine the execution order (output order) of print data with high scores and output them. The evaluation value index can be set by default as described above, or can be set by the user via the operation panel 52, etc.

[0068] (Operation of job processing apparatus 10) Below, the basic operation of the job processing apparatus 10 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 8. As the flow of the flowchart in Fig. 8, typically, the communication unit 13 (input unit of the job processing apparatus 10) in Fig. 5 sequentially receives jobs 1 to N (N is an integer equal to or greater than 2, and in the example of Fig. 6, N=7), and the processing unit 11 (main processing unit 110) adds printing conditions or cutting conditions to the jobs and stores the multiple jobs in the storage unit 12 as a job list (job list before processing).

[0069] 2(A), the communication unit 13 in Fig. 5 receives or inputs a plurality of jobs in, for example, two folders 42 and 44. For example, a plurality of print jobs A to F and a cutting job G are input sequentially to folder 42, or a plurality of print jobs A to F and a cutting job G are selected sequentially from within folder 42, and the storage unit 12 stores a job list consisting of, for example, a plurality of print jobs A to F to which printing conditions have been added and, for example, cutting job G to which cutting conditions have been added.

[0070] First, in the processing unit 11 of FIG. 5, the job acquisition unit 111 acquires an input job (see step ST00). Next, the user selects, for example, all of the multiple print jobs A to F in the job list and causes the processing unit 11 (main processing unit 110) to start RIP processing. Also, the user selects, for example, a cutting job G in the job list and causes the processing unit 11 to start generating cutting data. Thereafter, the main processing unit 110 counts the number N of jobs in the job list (see step ST01 of FIG. 8) and obtains, for example, N=7.

[0071] Next, the processing unit 11 (main processing unit 110) of FIG. 5 sets an initial value (e.g., "1") to the variable i (see step ST02 of FIG. 8). Then, the processing unit 11 (remaining amount acquisition unit 112) of FIG. 5 acquires the consumables of the printing device 50 (in the example of FIG. 6A, the remaining amount of cyan ink is 100 [cc], the remaining amount of magenta ink is 30 [cc], the remaining amount of yellow ink is 100 [cc], and the remaining amount of black ink is 100 [cc]) from the printing device 50 before calculating the ink consumption amount of the first job (see step ST03 of FIG. 8). The consumption amount calculation unit 113 calculates the ink consumption amount (in the example of job A in the job list of FIG. 6, the cyan ink consumption amount is 10 [cc], the magenta ink consumption amount is 5 [cc], the yellow ink consumption amount is 10 [cc], and the black ink consumption amount is 10 [cc]) (see step ST04 of FIG. 8).

[0072] 5 (main processing unit 110) stores the ink consumption of the first job in the storage unit 12. The consumption calculation unit 113 counts the number of dots to be printed for each ink from the raster image (bitmap) of print job A, for example, and calculates the ink consumption from the number of dots using a conversion formula or conversion table stored in advance in the storage unit 12.

[0073] Next, if the variable i is not N (see ST05 "NO" in Figure 8), the processing unit 11 (consumption calculation unit 113) in Figure 5 counts up the variable i by "1" (see step ST06 in Figure 8), and calculates the ink consumption of the subsequent second job (specifically, print job B) (in the example of print job B in the job list in Figure 6, the cyan ink consumption is 30 [cc], the magenta ink consumption is 0 [cc], the yellow ink consumption is 0 [cc], and the black ink consumption is 0 [cc]), and the processing unit 11 (main processing unit 110) in Figure 5 stores the ink consumption of the second job in the memory unit 12 (see step ST04 in Figure 8).

[0074] The processing unit 11 (consumption calculation unit 113) in Figure 5 determines whether the variable i has reached N (see step ST05 in Figure 8), and when i = 7 (step ST05 "YES" in Figure 8), the processing unit 11 (consumption calculation unit 113) completes calculation of the ink consumption for all of the first to seventh jobs (specifically, print jobs A to F and cutting job G), and the processing unit 11 (main processing unit 110) stores the ink consumption for the first to seventh jobs in the memory unit 12 (see step ST04 in Figure 8).

[0075] 1A includes, for example, remaining ink level sensors 54S1, 54S2, 54S3, and 54S4 for cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink in ink cartridge 54, and processing unit 11 (remaining amount acquisition unit 112) in FIG. 5 communicates with printing device 50 (control device 59) via communication unit 13 to acquire the remaining amounts of consumable products detected by remaining ink level sensors 54S1, 54S2, 54S3, and 54S4 of printing device 50. In other words, processing unit 11 (remaining amount acquisition unit 112) instructs printing device 50 (control device 59) to acquire the remaining amounts of consumable products, and in response, control device 59 or remaining ink level sensors 54S1, 54S2, 54S3, and 54S4 pass the remaining ink amounts to processing unit 11 (remaining amount acquisition unit 112).

[0076] The remaining amount sensors 54S1, 54S2, 54S3 and 54S4 may be film surface sensors provided in a damper (not shown in FIG. 1(B)) that temporarily stores ink guided from ink tanks (ink cartridges 54C, 54M, 54Y and 54K) to heads (ink heads 58C, 58M, 58Y and 58K), as disclosed in, for example, JP 2010-194915 A.

[0077] In the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, the remaining ink amount is acquired before calculating the ink consumption amount of the first print job, but the remaining ink amount acquisition process in step ST03 may be executed after the variable i reaches N, i.e., after the ink consumption amounts of the first to seventh print jobs have been calculated.

[0078] The processing unit 11 (job identification unit 114) in Figure 5 can identify a group of print jobs that can be printed consecutively from the first print job, for example, based on the remaining amount of cyan ink of 100 [cc], the remaining amount of magenta ink of 30 [cc], the remaining amount of yellow ink of 100 [cc], and the remaining amount of black ink of 100 [cc] in Figure 6, and the consumption amounts of cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink of the first to seventh print jobs (specifically, print jobs A to F) calculated in step ST04 (see step ST07 in Figure 8).

[0079] The "job specification process" in step ST07 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 6 and the job list shown in FIGS. 7(A) and (B).

[0080] Referring to the job list shown in the upper left of Fig. 6, six print jobs and one cutting job are created in sequence, and print jobs A to F and cutting job G are displayed in the order of creation, for example, on the display unit 20 (alternatively, the display unit of the operation panel 52 in Fig. 1(B)). This job list displays the ink amounts of cyan ink (C), magenta ink (M), yellow ink (Y), and black ink (K) consumed in each of print jobs A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Note that no ink is consumed in cutting job G.

[0081] According to the job list described above, a group of print jobs A to D that can be printed continuously from among the multiple print jobs A to F is identified. In the processing unit 11 of FIG. 5, the remaining amount acquisition unit 112 acquires the remaining amount of each ink, the consumption amount calculation unit 113 calculates the consumption amount of each ink for each print job, and the job identification unit 114 identifies the last print job D (a specific print job) from among the group of print jobs A to D. Furthermore, the display unit 20 of FIG. 2(A) can, for example, display information about the last print job D ("(Continuous printing possible up to here)": see shaded notation) in the job list described above, and notify the user of the contents thereof.

[0082] Next, the user issues an instruction to rearrange the order of the jobs to be executed next after the group of print jobs A to D, changing (identifying) the job to be executed from print job E to cutting job G, which does not consume ink. This causes the processing unit 11 (rearrangement unit 115) to rearrange print job E and cutting job G as shown in the job list shown in the upper right of FIG. 6 (see the job list indicated by arrow a). Therefore, after executing the group of print jobs A to D, the printing device 50 can replace the old ink cartridge 54M with a new one while executing cutting job G. The amount of magenta ink wasted during this replacement is extremely small (5 cc).

[0083] Meanwhile, the processing unit 11 (job identification unit 114) can also identify, for example, print job F (a specific print job) as a print job that can be completed with only the remaining amount (5 cc) of magenta ink after the completion of print job D, the last of the group of print jobs A to D. When print job E and print job F are swapped, the display unit 20 in FIG. 2A displays the order of print jobs A, B, C, D, and F that can be printed consecutively after the order of subsequent print jobs E and F has been rearranged, and the processing unit 11 (job identification unit 114) can identify the last print job F (a specific print job) as display information related to the rearranged group of print jobs A, B, C, D, and F (see the job list indicated by arrow b in FIG. 6). In this case, when the old ink cartridge 54M is replaced with a new ink cartridge 54M after the completion of the last print job F of the group of print jobs A, B, C, D, and F after sorting by the processing unit 11 (sorting unit 115), the amount of magenta ink wasted due to the replacement is 0 [cc]. Furthermore, by changing the job to be executed next after the group of print jobs A, B, C, D, and F to cutting job G (see the job list indicated by arrow b in FIG. 6), the cutting job G can be executed after the magenta ink has been completely used up in print job F, and the ink cartridge 54M can be replaced with a new one while cutting job G is being processed.

[0084] Next, rearrangement of the execution order of a job list including a print cutting job and a cut print job will be described using FIGS. 7A and 7B. Referring to the job list shown on the left of FIG. 7A, a group of print jobs A to D that can be printed continuously among multiple print jobs A to D and F and print cutting job E is identified. In the processing unit 11 of FIG. 5, the remaining amount acquisition unit 112 acquires the remaining amount of each ink, the consumption amount calculation unit 113 calculates the ink consumption amount for each print job or print cutting job, and the job identification unit 114 can identify the last print job D (a specific print job) among the group of print jobs A to D. Furthermore, the display unit 20 of FIG. 2A can display information about the last print job D ("(Continuous printing possible up to here)"; shaded) in the above-mentioned job list to notify the user of its contents.

[0085] Here, the user rearranges the jobs so that the next executable job of the identified group of consecutively executable jobs includes cutting processing. Specifically, before processing print job D, a "print cutting job E" is identified, which has the same magenta ink consumption amount "10" as print job D, in which printing is performed on medium 100 and the printed medium 100 is cut (the job list on the right indicated by the arrow in FIG. 7(A)). In response to this, the processing unit 11 (rearrangement unit 115) rearranges the jobs so that print cutting job E is executed after print job C, the last of print jobs A to C, is completed. This allows consecutive printing up to the printing processing of print jobs A to C and print cutting job E, and allows ink cartridges to be replaced during the cutting processing of print cutting job E.

[0086] On the other hand, referring to the job list shown on the left in Figure 7(B), a group of print jobs A to D that can be printed consecutively is identified from the multiple print jobs A to D and F and cutting print job E. As shown in the job list on the right indicated by the arrow in Figure 7(B), for example, print job F (a specific print job) is identified as a print job that can be completed with only the remaining amount of magenta ink (5 cc) after the final print job D of the group of print jobs A to D is completed, and cutting print job E can be identified in which cutting processing is performed on the medium 100 after the specified print job F is executed, and printing is performed on the cut medium 100. In cutting print jobs, the ink cartridge 54M can be replaced during the media cutting processing. 2A displays the order of the group of print jobs A, B, C, D, and F that can be printed consecutively after the order of cut print job E and print job F has been rearranged, and the processing unit 11 (job identification unit 114) can identify the last print job F (specific print job) as display information related to the rearranged group of print jobs A, B, C, D, and F. This allows the user to replace the old ink cartridge 54M with a new ink cartridge 54M during the cutting process of cut print job E (after print job F is completed).

[0087] (Variation) In the "job identification process" in step ST07 of FIG. 8 described above, the processing unit 11 (job identification unit 114) is configured to identify a group of jobs that can be executed consecutively so that the next job to be executed is a cutting job. However, as a modified example, a priority evaluation value for the conditions set for each job in the group of jobs identified by the job identification unit 114 may be assigned, and the execution order of each job in the group of jobs identified by the job identification unit 114 may be determined based on this priority evaluation value. In this case, not only can the time during the cutting process of the medium 100 be effectively utilized, but also jobs can be executed consecutively under conditions desired by the user. Specifically, depending on the conditions set, it is possible to meet the needs of each user, such as minimizing the amount of ink waste or shortening the time when no printing is performed.

[0088] The operation procedure of the modified example is shown in a flowchart in Fig. 9. In order to execute the modified example described above, for example, as shown in Fig. 5, the processing unit 11 further includes an evaluation value assigning unit 118 and an execution order determining unit 119. The evaluation value assigning unit 118 can assign evaluation values of priority for the printing conditions set for each of the group of jobs identified by the job identifying unit 114. Furthermore, the execution order determining unit 119 can determine the execution order of each job in the group of jobs identified by the job identifying unit 114 based on the evaluation values of priority assigned by the evaluation value assigning unit 118.

[0089] As shown in the flowchart of Figure 9 (B), when selecting print data to be sent (output) to the printing device 50 from the print data stored in the memory unit 12, the processing unit 11 (evaluation value assignment unit 118) assigns a score so that the evaluation value of a job combination that reduces the print waiting time is higher, for example, assigning an evaluation value of "10" to a job combination in which the ink consumption is less than or equal to the remaining amount acquired by the remaining amount acquisition unit 112 and close to the acquired remaining ink amount, and assigning an additional evaluation value of "5" to a combination in which the processing immediately before the timing for ink replacement (the last job) is a cutting process.

[0090] The job specifying unit 114 then acquires the evaluation value for the conditions set for each job and passes it to the order determining unit 118 (see step ST071 in FIG. 9 ). The execution order determining unit 119 then determines the execution order (output order) of the jobs with the highest scores and sends (outputs) it to the printing device 50 (control device 59) (see step ST072 in FIG. 9 ). Note that the conditions set here may include, in addition to the remaining ink amount and job type, parameters of the printing device 50, such as whether or not a take-up device provided in the printing device 50 is being used, the heater setting temperature, and the like, as well as parameters included in the print data. Furthermore, the index of the evaluation value may be set by default as described above, or may be set by the user via the operation panel 52 or the like. This makes it possible to execute jobs consecutively according to the user's request.

[0091] Returning to the flowchart in Fig. 8 for the explanation, after the processing unit 11 (job specifying unit 114) executes the above-described job specifying process (see step ST07 in Fig. 8), the processing unit 11 (rearranging unit 1115) rearranges the jobs so that the job to be executed next in the group of consecutively executable jobs includes a disconnection process (see step ST08 in Fig. 8). Then, the processing unit 11 (notifying unit 117: also referred to as the output unit of the job processing device 10) transmits the group of jobs rearranged by the processing unit 11 (rearranging unit 115) to the printing device 50 via the communication unit 3 (see step ST09 in Fig. 8).

[0092] For example, according to the job list shown in FIG. 6, a group of print jobs A to D (see the job list indicated by arrow a) or A to F (see the job list indicated by arrow b) that can be printed consecutively can be extracted, and the print data of the extracted print jobs A to D and the subsequent rearranged cutting job G and print jobs E and F, or the print data of the extracted print jobs A to F and the subsequent rearranged cutting job G and print job E can be sent consecutively to the printing device 50 via the communication unit 13.

[0093] The processing unit 11 (job execution unit 116) can sequentially execute the group of jobs identified by the job identification unit 114 and rearranged by the rearrangement unit 115 in the execution order (see step ST10 in FIG. 8). At this time, the printing device 50 executes the printing process of the last print job D of the received group of print jobs and then executes the cutting process of the medium 100 based on the cutting data corresponding to cutting job G (the rearranged job list indicated by arrow a in the job list in FIG. 6), or executes the printing process of the last print job F of the group of print jobs and then executes the cutting process of the medium 100 based on the cutting data corresponding to cutting job G (the rearranged job list indicated by arrow b in the job list in FIG. 6).

[0094] At this time, the processing unit 11 (notification unit 117) can issue a consumable goods replacement notification to the printing device 50 (control device 59) (see step ST12 in FIG. 8) during the cutting process of the job including the cutting process that is executed next in the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively (see "YES" in step ST11 in FIG. 8). Upon receiving this consumable goods replacement notification, the user can replace the ink during the cutting process of the medium 100.

[0095] 7A, a group of print jobs A to C that can be printed consecutively can be extracted, and the print data of the extracted print jobs A to C, as well as the subsequent rearranged print cutting job E and print jobs D and F, can be sent consecutively to the printing device 50 via the communication unit 13. At this time, the processing unit 11 (notification unit 117) issues a consumable goods replacement notification to the printing device 50 (control device 59) at any timing during the media cutting process after the print cutting process of print cutting job E (see step ST12 in FIG. 8). Upon receiving this consumable goods replacement notification, consecutive printing is possible up to the print processing of print jobs A to C and print cutting job E, and the user can replace the ink cartridge during the cutting process of print cutting job E.

[0096] 7(B), a group of print jobs A to D that can be printed consecutively can be extracted, and the print data of the extracted print jobs A to D, the rearranged print job F, and the cutting print job E, which prints on the cut medium 100, can be successively sent to the printing device 50 via the communication unit 13. At this time, the processing unit 11 (notification unit 117) issues a consumable goods replacement notification to the printing device 50 (control device 59) at any time during the media cutting print processing of the cutting print job E (see step ST12 in FIG. 8). Upon receiving this consumable goods replacement notification, consecutive printing is possible up until the printing processing of print jobs A to F, and for the cutting print job E, the user can replace the ink cartridge during the media cutting processing.

[0097] (Printer with cutting head) Figure 10 shows an example of the configuration of a cutting head printer according to the present invention. As shown in Figure 10, cutting head printer 50A is made up of a mounting table (platen) 51, an ink head 58, a cutting head 53, a head movement mechanism 55, a media movement mechanism 57, and a control device 59.

[0098] The mounting table 51 mounts the media 100 (see Figure 1(A)), the ink head 58 ejects ink onto the media 100, and the cutting head 53 cuts the media 100. The head moving mechanism 55 moves the ink head 58 and the cutting head 53 relative to the media 100 in the main scanning direction (Y direction in Figure 1(A)), the media moving mechanism 58 moves the media 100 in the sub-scanning direction (X direction in Figure 1(A)) relative to the ink head 58 and the cutting head 53, and the control device 59 is electrically connected to the ink head 58, the cutting head 53, the head moving mechanism 55, and the media moving mechanism 57 and controls each of them.

[0099] The control device 59 includes a job acquisition unit 591 that acquires multiple jobs including a print job that performs a printing process on the medium 100 and a cutting job that performs a cutting process on the medium 100; a consumption calculation unit 592 that calculates the consumption of consumable materials including ink and the medium 100 for each of the multiple jobs; a job identification unit 593 that identifies a group of jobs that can be printed consecutively from the multiple jobs based on the remaining amount and consumption of the consumable materials; a sorting unit 594 that rearranges the order of the multiple jobs so that the job to be executed next after the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively includes a cutting process; and a job execution unit 595 that sequentially executes the group of jobs identified by the job identification unit 593 and rearranged by the sorting unit 594.

[0100] The control device 59 may further include a notification unit 596 that prompts the user to replace the consumable product during the cutting process in the next job to be executed in the group of jobs.

[0101] The cutting head printer 50A of FIG. 10 is capable of printing and cutting media 100. The control device 59 includes a job identification unit 593 that identifies a group of jobs that can be executed consecutively from among multiple jobs based on the remaining amounts and consumption amounts of consumables, including ink and media 100. The rearrangement unit 594 rearranges the order of the multiple jobs so that the next job to be executed after the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively includes a cutting process. This configuration allows the user to prompt the user to replace the consumables during the cutting process of the job that includes the cutting process and is executed next after the rearranged group of jobs that can be executed consecutively. In other words, the replacement of the consumables can be executed during the cutting process. For example, rearranging the job execution order based on the remaining amounts and consumption amounts of the consumables prevents a shortage of consumables during printing and allows the user to replace the consumables during the cutting process of the job that includes the cutting process and is executed next after the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively. This allows the time required for replacing consumables to be used effectively, improving the processing efficiency of the entire printing system. The cutting head printer 50A of the present invention allows jobs to be identified without placing a burden on the host device (job processing device 10). In other words, the cutting head printer 50A of FIG. 10 can be said to be a printing device that also has the functions of the job processing device 10 of FIG. 2(A).

[0102] Furthermore, the printer 50A with cutting head in FIG. 10 further has a notification unit 596, which prompts the user to replace consumables during the cutting process in a job that includes cutting processing to be executed next in a group of jobs (issues a consumables replacement notification), thereby prompting the user to replace consumables during the media cutting process, and the user can then replace the consumables while waiting for printing, thereby making effective use of the waiting time for printing.

[0103] (Addendum) As described above, the job processing device of the present invention is, for example, a job processing device 10 that processes a plurality of jobs, each of which includes at least one job including a printing process for printing on medium 100 and at least one job including a cutting process for cutting medium 100, as shown in Fig. 2(A). The job processing device 10 includes, for example, a job acquisition unit 111 that acquires a plurality of jobs, each of which includes a printing job and a cutting job, a remaining amount acquisition unit 112 that acquires a remaining amount of a consumable material (e.g., ink) in a printing device 50 that can print and cut medium 100, a consumption amount calculation unit 113 that calculates the consumption amount of the consumable material for each of the plurality of jobs, a job identification unit 114 that identifies a group of jobs that can be executed consecutively from the plurality of jobs based on the remaining amount and consumption of the consumable material, and a sorting unit 115 that sorts the order of the plurality of jobs so that the job to be executed next in the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively includes a cutting process, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0104] According to the job processing device 10 of the present invention, the processing unit 11 (job identification unit 114) identifies a group of jobs that can be executed consecutively from among multiple jobs based on the remaining amount and consumption of consumable materials, and the processing unit 11 (rearrangement unit 115) rearranges the order of the multiple jobs so that the job to be executed next after the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively includes a cutting process. This configuration allows for the replacement of consumable materials to be prompted during the cutting process of the job that includes the cutting process and is executed next after the rearranged group of jobs that can be executed consecutively. In other words, the replacement of consumable materials can be executed during the cutting process. For example, by rearranging the job execution order based on the remaining amount and consumption of consumable materials so that the consumption amount is less than or as close to the remaining amount as possible, it is possible to prevent a shortage of consumable materials during printing processing and to replace consumable materials during the cutting process of the job that includes the cutting process and is executed next after the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively. This configuration allows for the time required for replacing consumable materials to be effectively utilized, thereby improving the processing efficiency of the entire printing system.

[0105] Furthermore, the job processing apparatus 10 of the present invention may further include a notification unit 117 that prompts the user to replace consumable items during cutting processing in a job that includes cutting processing and is executed next in a group of jobs that can be executed consecutively, as shown in Fig. 5. This makes it possible to prompt the user to replace consumable items during cutting processing, and by responding to this prompt, the user can replace the consumable items while waiting for printing, thereby making effective use of the waiting time for printing and improving the processing efficiency of the printing system as a whole.

[0106] 5, the job processing apparatus of the present invention may further include an evaluation value assigning unit 118 that assigns a priority evaluation value for the conditions set for each of the group of jobs specified by the job specifying unit 114, and an execution order determining unit 119 that determines the execution order of each job in the group of jobs specified by the job specifying unit 114 based on the priority evaluation value. This also has the effect of allowing jobs to be executed consecutively under conditions desired by the user. Specifically, depending on the set conditions, it is possible to meet the needs of each user, such as minimizing the amount of ink waste or shortening the time when no printing is performed.

[0107] The job processing method of the present invention is a job processing method for processing a plurality of jobs, including at least one job that includes a printing process on medium 100 and at least one job that includes a cutting process for cutting the medium. As shown in Fig. 8, the method includes, for example, a job acquisition step (see ST00 in Fig. 8) for acquiring a plurality of jobs, a remaining amount acquisition step (see ST03 in Fig. 8) for acquiring a remaining amount of consumable material in a printing device 50 that can print and cut the medium 100, a consumption amount calculation step (see ST04 in Fig. 8) for calculating the amount of consumable material consumed for each of the plurality of jobs, a job identification step (see ST07 in Fig. 8) for identifying a group of jobs that can be executed consecutively from the plurality of jobs based on the remaining amount and consumed amount of the consumable material, and a rearrangement step (see ST08 in Fig. 8) for rearranging the order of the plurality of jobs so that the job to be executed next in the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively includes a cutting process.

[0108] According to the job processing method of the present invention, the method includes a step of identifying a group of jobs that can be executed consecutively from among the plurality of jobs based on the remaining amount and consumption of consumables, and a step of rearranging the order of the plurality of jobs so that the job to be executed next after the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively includes a cutting process. This allows the user to prompt the user to replace the consumables during the cutting process of the job that includes the cutting process and is executed next after the rearranged group of jobs that can be executed consecutively. In other words, the replacement of the consumables can be executed during the cutting process. For example, by rearranging the job execution order based on the remaining amount and consumption of the consumables so that the consumption amount is less than or as close to the remaining amount as possible, it is possible to prevent a shortage of consumables during printing and to replace the consumables during the cutting process of the job that includes the cutting process and is executed next after the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively. This provides a job processing method that effectively utilizes the time required for replacing consumables and improves the processing efficiency of the entire printing system.

[0109] In addition, the program of the present invention causes a processor of a job processing device 10 that processes multiple jobs including at least one job that includes a printing process for printing on a medium 100 and at least one job that includes a cutting process for cutting the medium to execute, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a job acquisition process (see ST00 in FIG. 8) for acquiring the multiple jobs, a remaining amount acquisition process (see ST03 in FIG. 8) for acquiring the remaining amount of consumable materials including the medium 100 in a printing device 50 that can print and cut the medium 100, a consumption amount calculation process (see ST04 in FIG. 8) for calculating the consumption amount of the consumable materials for each of the multiple jobs, an identification process (see ST07 in FIG. 8) for identifying a group of jobs that can be executed consecutively from the remaining amount and consumption amount of the consumable materials, and a rearrangement step (see ST08 in FIG. 8) for rearranging the order of the multiple jobs so that the job to be executed next after the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively includes a cutting process.

[0110] According to the program of the present invention, the processor of the job processing device 10 executes, for example, a program stored in ROM, a job identification process for identifying a group of jobs that can be executed consecutively from among the plurality of jobs based on the remaining amount and consumption of consumable materials, and a reordering process for reordering the plurality of jobs so that the next job to be executed after the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively includes a cutting process. This allows the replacement of consumable materials to be prompted during the cutting process of the job that includes the cutting process and is executed after the reordered group of jobs that can be executed consecutively. In other words, the replacement of consumable materials can be executed during the cutting process. For example, by reordering the job execution order based on the remaining amount and consumption of consumable materials so that the consumption amount is less than or as close to the remaining amount as possible, the program prevents a shortage of consumable materials during printing and allows the replacement of consumable materials to be executed during the cutting process of the job that includes the cutting process and is executed after the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively. This allows the time required for replacing consumable materials to be effectively utilized, improving the processing efficiency of the entire printing system.

[0111] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, the printer 50A with cutting head of the present invention includes a mounting table 51 on which the medium 100 is placed, an ink head 58 that ejects ink onto the medium 100, a cutting head 53 that cuts the medium 100, a head moving mechanism 55 that moves the ink head 58 and the cutting head 53 in the main scanning direction relative to the medium 100, a media moving mechanism 57 that moves the medium 100 in the sub-scanning direction relative to the ink head 58 and the cutting head 53, and a control device 59 that is electrically connected to the ink head 58, the cutting head 53, the head moving mechanism 55, and the media moving mechanism 57 and controls each of them. The control device 59 includes a job acquisition unit 591 that acquires multiple jobs including a job including a printing process for printing on the medium 100 and a cutting process for cutting the medium 100, a consumption calculation unit 592 that calculates the consumption amount of consumable materials for each of the multiple jobs, a job identification unit 593 that identifies a group of jobs that can be printed consecutively from the multiple jobs based on the remaining amount and consumption amount of the consumable materials, and a sorting unit 594 that sorts the order of the multiple jobs so that the job to be executed next after the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively includes the cutting process.

[0112] The cutting head printer 50A of the present invention is capable of printing and cutting media 100. The control device 59 includes a job identification unit 593 that identifies a group of jobs that can be executed consecutively from among the multiple jobs based on the remaining amount and consumption of consumable materials. The rearrangement unit 594 rearranges the order of the multiple jobs so that the next job to be executed after the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively includes a cutting process. This allows the replacement of consumable materials to be prompted during the cutting process of the job that includes the cutting process and is executed after the rearranged group of jobs that can be executed consecutively. In other words, the replacement of consumable materials can be executed during the cutting process. For example, by rearranging the job execution order based on the remaining amount and consumption of consumable materials so that the consumption amount is less than or as close to the remaining amount as possible, it is possible to prevent a shortage of consumable materials during the printing process and to replace consumable materials during the cutting process of the job that includes the cutting process and is executed after the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively. This allows the time required for replacing consumable materials to be effectively utilized, improving the processing efficiency of the entire printing system. According to the cutting head printer 50A of the present invention, it is possible to specify a job without placing a load on the host device (job processing device 10).

[0113] In the cutting head printer of the present invention, the control device 59 may further include a notification unit 595 that prompts the user to replace consumables during cutting processing in a job that includes cutting processing to be executed next in a group of jobs. This makes it possible to prompt the user to replace consumables during cutting processing, and the user can then replace the consumables while waiting for printing, thereby making effective use of the waiting time for printing.

[0114] The present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, and those skilled in the art will be able to easily modify the above-described exemplary embodiments to the extent that they fall within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 10 job processing device, 11 processing unit, 12 storage unit, 13 communication unit, 20 display unit, 42, 44 folder, 50 printing device, 50A printer with cutting head, 51 placement table, 53 cutting head, 54 ink cartridge, 55 head moving mechanism, 57 media moving mechanism, 58 ink head, 59 control device, 110 main processing unit, 111 ···Job acquisition unit, 112···Remaining amount acquisition unit, 113···Consumption amount calculation unit, 114···Job identification unit, 115···Sorting unit, 116···Job execution unit, 117···Notification unit, 118···Evaluation value assignment unit, 119···Execution order determination unit, 200···Printing system, 591···Job acquisition unit, 592···Consumption amount calculation unit, 593···Job identification unit, 594···Sorting unit, 595···Job execution unit, 596···Notification unit.

Claims

1. A job processing apparatus that processes a plurality of jobs including at least one job including a printing process for printing on a medium and at least one job including a cutting process for cutting the medium, a job acquisition unit that acquires the plurality of jobs; a remaining amount acquisition unit that acquires a remaining amount of a consumable item of a printing device that can print and cut the media; a consumption calculation unit that calculates the consumption amount of the consumable material for each of the plurality of jobs; a job specifying unit that specifies a group of jobs that can be executed consecutively from among the plurality of jobs based on the remaining amount of the consumable material and the consumed amount; a sorting unit that sorts the order of the plurality of jobs so that the next job to be executed in the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively includes the cutting process.

2. The job processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a notification unit that prompts the user to replace the consumable product during cutting processing in a job that includes the cutting processing and is executed next in the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively.

3. an evaluation value assigning unit that assigns an evaluation value of priority with respect to conditions set for each of the group of jobs identified by the job identifying unit; 2. The job processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an execution order determination unit that determines the execution order of each job in the group of jobs identified by the job identification unit based on the priority evaluation value assigned by the evaluation value assignment unit.

4. A job processing method for processing a plurality of jobs including at least one job including a printing process for printing on a medium and at least one job including a cutting process for cutting the medium, a job acquisition step of acquiring the plurality of jobs; a remaining amount acquisition step of acquiring a remaining amount of a consumable material of a printing device capable of printing and cutting the medium; a consumption amount calculation step of calculating a consumption amount of the consumable material for each of the plurality of jobs; a job specifying step of specifying a group of jobs that can be executed consecutively from among the plurality of jobs based on the remaining amount of the consumable material and the consumed amount; a sorting step of sorting the order of the plurality of jobs so that the next job to be executed in the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively includes the cutting process.

5. A processor included in a job processing apparatus that processes a plurality of jobs including at least one job including a printing process for printing on a medium and at least one job including a cutting process for cutting the medium, a job acquisition process for acquiring the plurality of jobs; a remaining amount acquisition process for acquiring a remaining amount of a consumable item of a printing device capable of printing and cutting the media; a consumption calculation process for calculating a consumption amount of the consumable material for each of the plurality of jobs; a job identification process for identifying a group of jobs that can be executed consecutively from among the plurality of jobs based on the remaining amount of the consumable material and the consumed amount of the consumable material; a reordering process for reordering the order of the plurality of jobs so that the next job to be executed in the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively includes the cutting process.

6. a mounting table on which the media is placed; an ink head that ejects ink onto the medium; a cutting head that cuts the medium; a head moving mechanism that moves the ink head and the cutting head relative to the medium in a main scanning direction; a medium moving mechanism that moves the medium in a sub-scanning direction relative to the ink head and the cutting head; a control device electrically connected to the ink head, the cutting head, the head moving mechanism, and the media moving mechanism to control each of them; The control device a job acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of jobs including at least one job including a printing process for printing on the medium and at least one job including a cutting process for cutting the medium; a consumption calculation unit that calculates the consumption amount of consumable materials for each of the plurality of jobs; a job specifying unit that specifies a group of jobs that can be executed consecutively from among the plurality of jobs based on the remaining amount of the consumable material and the consumed amount; a job execution unit that sequentially executes the group of jobs identified by the job identification unit and a job including a cutting process after the group of jobs; a sorting unit that sorts the order of the plurality of jobs so that the next job to be executed in the group of jobs that can be executed consecutively includes the cutting process.

7. The control device 7. The cutting head printer according to claim 6, further comprising a notification unit that prompts the user to replace the consumable product during cutting processing in a job that includes the cutting processing and is executed next in the group of jobs.

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