Printing system, printing method, print job management device, and print job management program

Abstract

To support a variety of print contents.SOLUTION: A printing system 1 has at least one printing device 2. The printing system 1 also has a user terminal 3, a job management device 4, and a print data creation device 5. The user terminal 3 generates an instruction 331 for printing on media M in response to user's input. The job management device 4 determines print contents for the media M based on the instruction 331 and creates a print job PJ consisting of multiple jobs to which the print contents are assigned. The print data creation device 5 controls operations of the printing device 2 to create print data for executing the job and outputs it to the printing device 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing method, a print job management device, and a print job management program. [Background technology]

[0002] Printing devices can increase the added value of printed materials by performing a variety of printing operations. For example, in addition to general color inks, printing devices can print using special color inks such as W (white), CL (clear), Si (silver), and Pr (primer) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-111257 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To achieve a variety of printing needs, it is possible to combine multiple printing devices or print multiple times using a single printing device. For example, in addition to printing an image using standard color inks, it is also possible to print a base coat or a finishing process using special color inks before or after printing the image. However, in order to realize a variety of printing methods, it is a burden for the user to understand the printing functions of the printing device and perform complex settings.

[0005] There is a demand for a printing system that can easily realize a variety of print contents. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is (1) A printing system having at least one printing device, an instruction creation unit that creates instructions for printing on media in response to user input; a job management unit that determines the print content to be printed on the medium based on the instruction book and creates a print job consisting of a plurality of jobs to which the print content is assigned; The printing device includes a print data creation unit that creates print data for executing the job by controlling the operation of the printing device and outputs the print data to the printing device.

[0007] (2) In the printing system of (1), a plurality of printing devices each having at least some different printing functions; When creating the print job, the job management unit selects a printing device that will execute the print content assigned to the job based on the printing function.

[0008] (3) In the printing system of (1) or (2), When the printing device executes the nth job (where n is a natural number) in the print job, it prints the nth job so that it overlaps at least a portion of the area on the media where the n-1th job was printed.

[0009] (4) In the printing system of (3), When executing the n+1th job in the print job, the printing device prints so that at least a portion of the job overlaps with the area on the medium where the n-1th job was printed or the area where the nth job was printed.

[0010] (5) In the printing system of (1) or (2), The instruction sheet includes at least one of information relating to the characteristics of the medium, print quality, and print functions, and the instruction sheet creation unit outputs the instruction sheet to the job management unit together with image data to be printed on the medium.

[0011] (6) In the printing system of (1) or (2), The print data creation unit includes identification information of the print job in the print data, the printing device includes a sensor capable of detecting information printed on the medium; the printing device that is first in the printing order of the print job prints, on the medium when executing the job, an image based on the print content and identification information of the print job; When executing the job, the second or subsequent printing device in the printing order uses the sensor to detect the identification information printed on the media, and performs printing if the detected identification information matches the identification information included in the print data.

[0012] (7) In the printing system of (6), When executing the job, the second or subsequent printing device in the printing order prints print completion information on the medium together with an image based on the print content.

[0013] (8) In the printing system of (7), The print data creation unit includes information about the print order of the printing devices in the print data to be output to each printing device, The second or subsequent printing device in the printing order detects the printing completion information printed on the media using the sensor, and performs printing if the printing order of the printing device determined from the detected printing completion information is consistent with the information regarding the printing order included in the printing data.

[0014] (9) In any one of the printing systems (1) to (8), The printing device that is first in the printing order in the print job prints alignment marks on the media.

[0015] (10) In the printing system of (9), the printing device includes a sensor capable of detecting the alignment mark; The second and subsequent printing devices in the printing order adjust the printing position on the medium based on the position information of the mark detected by the sensor.

[0016] (11) In the printing system of (1) or (2), The print data creation unit includes identification information of the print job in the print data, the printing device includes a sensor capable of detecting information printed on the medium; When executing an n-th job (where n is a natural number) in the print job, the printing device prints, on the medium, an image based on the print content and identification information of the print job; When executing the (n+1)th or subsequent job in the print job, the printing device detects the identification information printed on the media using the sensor, and performs printing if the detected identification information of the print job matches the identification information of the print job included in the print data.

[0017] (12) In the printing system of (11), When executing a job included in the print job, the printing device prints print completion information on the medium together with an image based on the print content.

[0018] (13) In the printing system of (12), The print data creation unit includes information about the execution order of jobs included in the print job in the print data, When executing a job included in the print job, the printing device detects the print completion information printed on the media with the sensor, and performs printing if the execution order determined from the detected print completion information is consistent with the information regarding the execution order included in the print data.

[0019] (14) In any one of the printing systems (1) to (2) and (11) to (13), The printing device prints alignment marks on the medium when executing the nth job (where n is a natural number) in the print job.

[0020] (15) In the printing system according to (14), the printing device includes a sensor capable of detecting the alignment mark; When executing the (n+1)th or subsequent job in the print job, the print position on the medium is adjusted based on the position information of the mark detected by the sensor.

[0021] One aspect of the present invention is (16) A printing method in a printing system having at least one printing device, comprising: creating instructions for printing on media in response to user input, determining the content to be printed on the media based on the instructions, and creating a print job consisting of multiple jobs to which the print content is assigned; The printer controls the operation of the printing device to create print data for executing the job, and outputs the print data to the printing device.

[0022] One aspect of the present invention is (17) A print job management device provided in a printing system having at least one printing device, When instructions for printing on a medium are input, the contents to be printed on the medium are determined based on the instructions; creating a print job consisting of a plurality of jobs to which the print contents are assigned; The print data is output to a print data creation device that controls the operation of the printing device and creates print data for executing the job.

[0023] One aspect of the present invention is (18) A print job management program in a printing system having at least one printing device, For electronic devices, When instructions for printing on a medium are input, the contents to be printed on the medium are determined based on the instructions; creating a print job consisting of a plurality of jobs to which the print contents are assigned; The operation of the printing device is controlled to output the print data to a print data creation device that creates print data for executing the job. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, it is possible to accommodate a variety of print contents. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a printing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a head. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an electronic device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a user terminal, a job management device, and a print data creation device. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of an image data upload screen and an instruction sheet creation screen. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a job management apparatus. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a process performed by an allocation unit. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a process performed by an allocation unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of printing on a medium. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the collation process performed by the second and subsequent printing devices. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a print position adjustment process. [Figure 13] 1A is a diagram illustrating image positional deviation, and FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an example of image data correction. [Figure 14]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of printing on media in a modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of printing on a medium in a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a printing system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the printing system 1 includes at least one printing device 2. Any number of printing devices may be provided. Fig. 1 shows an example in which the printing system 1 includes multiple printing devices 2A, 2B, and 2C. The multiple printing devices 2A, 2B, and 2C may have printing functions that are at least partially different from one another. In the following description, when the multiple printing devices 2A, 2B, and 2C are mentioned without distinction, they will simply be referred to as printing device 2. The printing system 1 further includes a user terminal 3 (instruction book creation unit), a job management device 4 (job management unit), and a print data creation device 5 (print data creation unit). The user terminal 3 creates instructions for printing on media in response to user input. Any number of user terminals 3, one or more, can be provided. In the illustrated example, three user terminals 3A, 3B, and 3C are shown. In the following description, when multiple user terminals 3A, 3B, and 3C are mentioned without distinction, they will simply be referred to as user terminal 3.

[0027] The job management device 4 is communicably connected to the user terminal 3 and the print data creation device 5. Instructions created by the user terminal 3 are input to the job management device 4. The job management device 4 determines the print content to be printed on the media based on the input instructions. The job management device 4 also creates a print job consisting of multiple jobs to which the determined print content is assigned. As shown in FIG. 1, when the printing system 1 includes multiple printing devices 2A, 2B, and 2C, the job management device 4 selects a printing device 2 that will execute the print content assigned to the job based on the printing capabilities of each printing device 2A, 2B, and 2C. The print data creation device 5 controls the operation of each printing device 2A, 2B, 2C, creates print data for executing each job included in the print job created by the job management device 4, and outputs it to each printing device 2A, 2B, 2C.

[0028] Any number of print data creation devices 5 can be provided, for example, the number of which can correspond to the number of printing devices 2. FIG. 1 shows an example in which print data creation devices 5A, 5B, and 5C are provided corresponding to printing devices 2A, 2B, and 2C, respectively. Each of the print data creation devices 5A, 5B, and 5C is connected to the corresponding printing device 2 so that they can communicate with each other. In the following description, when multiple print data creation devices 5A, 5B, and 5C are referred to without distinction, they will simply be referred to as print data creation device 5.

[0029] <Printing device> FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the printing device 2. In the following explanation, the direction from the front side (left side in FIG. 2) to the rear side (right side in FIG. 2) of the printing device 2 will be referred to as the "X direction." The direction perpendicular to the X direction, which is the left-right direction of the printing device 2 (the direction from the front side to the back side of the paper in FIG. 2), will be referred to as the "Y direction." The direction perpendicular to the X direction (the vertical direction) when the printing device 2 is placed on a horizontal surface, which is the vertical direction, will be referred to as the "Z direction."

[0030] The printing device 2 according to this embodiment can be, for example, an inkjet printing device 2. The printing device 2 prints an image by ejecting ink droplets onto the medium M. The medium M is not limited to a specific one, but examples include paper, cloth (woven fabric, nonwoven fabric), and resin sheets such as vinyl chloride and polyester. The image printed on the medium M includes, for example, characters, figures, patterns, colors, and combinations thereof. The ink used in the printing device 2 is not limited to a particular type either, and for example, ultraviolet curable ink, heat curable ink, solvent ink, resin ink, etc. can be used.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the printing device 2 includes a printing unit 21 and a platen 26. The printing unit 21 includes a carriage 22 and a guide rail 23. The carriage 22 is equipped with a head 24 that ejects ink and a sensor 25. If the printing device 2 uses ultraviolet curable ink, the carriage 22 may be equipped with an ultraviolet irradiation unit. The guide rail 23 is arranged along the Y direction. The carriage 22 is driven by a drive mechanism (not shown) and is movable in the Y direction along the guide rail 23. As the carriage 22 moves, the head 24 and sensor 25 mounted on the carriage 22 also move in the Y direction.

[0032] The sensor 25 scans the surface of the medium M as the carriage 22 moves, and detects information printed on the medium M. The sensor 25 is not limited to a specific type, but can be, for example, an optical sensor or an image sensor. In the illustrated example, the sensor 25 is mounted on the carriage 22, but the sensor 25 may be installed in a location other than the carriage 22. In this case, the sensor 25 may be provided with a drive mechanism separate from the drive mechanism for the carriage 22.

[0033] The head 24 is provided with a gap between it and the upper surface of the platen 26. Although not shown in Figure 2, a plurality of nozzles, which are ink ejection ports, are arranged on the surface of the head 24 facing the platen 26.

[0034] 2, the medium M is supported on the upper surface of the platen 26. When the printing device 2 uses thermosetting ink, solvent ink, resin ink, or the like, a heater may be disposed inside the platen 26 to heat or dry the ink ejected onto the medium M. An image is printed on the medium M by ejecting ink from the head 24 while the head 24 is moved relative to the medium M supported by the platen 26.

[0035] The printing device 2 can be, for example, a flatbed machine. In this case, the printing device 2 prints on a sheet-like or board-like medium M placed on a table-like platen 26. Although not shown, the printing device 2 is equipped with a movement mechanism that moves a guide rail 23 in the X direction. The printing device 2 ejects ink at a specified position on the printing surface of the medium M while moving a head 24 mounted on a carriage 22 in the Y direction. The printing device 2 moves the carriage 22 by a distance equivalent to one pass each time the head 24 makes one reciprocating movement (one pass) in the Y direction.

[0036] The printing device 2 may be a model (also referred to as a "vertical printer") that can handle long rolls of media M. In this case, a feed mechanism (not shown) that transports the media M in the X direction is provided behind the head 24 on the platen 26. The printing device 2 also includes a feed unit (not shown) on which the rolled media M is placed on the rear side in the X direction, and a take-up unit (not shown) on the front side in the X direction that winds up the printed media M into a roll. By driving the feed mechanism, the media M is fed from the feed unit and supplied between the platen 26 and the printing unit 21. The printing device 2 ejects ink at a specified position on the printing surface of the media M while moving the head 24 mounted on the carriage 22 in the Y direction. In a vertical printer 2, the feed mechanism feeds the media M a predetermined distance downstream in the transport direction along the X direction each time the head 24 makes one reciprocating movement (one pass) in the Y direction. This allows an image to be printed on the media M. After printing, the medium M is taken up by the take-up section.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the head 24. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows the head 24 as viewed from below. 3, the head 24 includes a plurality of nozzle portions 241 to 248 aligned in the Y direction. The nozzle portions 241 to 248 are provided on the lower surface of the head 24 (the surface facing the medium M).

[0038] As shown in the enlarged area of ​​Figure 3, each of the nozzle sections 241 to 248 is made up of a plurality of nozzle rows Nq. Each nozzle row Nq is made up of a plurality of nozzles N arranged at regular intervals in the X direction. These multiple nozzle rows Nq are arranged at intervals in the Y direction to form one nozzle section. Although not shown in the drawings, the head 24 is provided with a piezoelectric element corresponding to each nozzle of the nozzle portions 241 to 248. When the piezoelectric element of each nozzle is driven, ink is ejected from the nozzle.

[0039] The nozzle portions 241 to 248 are each supplied with ink from an ink supply mechanism (not shown). The ink supply mechanism can supply different types of ink to the nozzle portions 241 to 248 depending on the settings of the printing device 2. The inks can be, for example, C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) process color inks (hereinafter referred to as "color inks"). The ink may alternatively be a special color ink such as LC (light cyan), LM (light magenta), Gy (gray), W (white), CL (clear), Pr (primer), O (orange), violet, metallic colors (gold, silver), fluorescent colors, etc. The printing device 2 can reproduce a variety of colors by ejecting and mixing inks of these multiple colors at each dot that makes up an image.

[0040] 3, C ink is supplied to nozzle portion 241 of head 24, M ink to nozzle portion 242, Y ink to nozzle portion 243, and K ink to nozzle portion 244. LC ink is supplied to nozzle portion 245, LM ink to nozzle portion 246, W ink to nozzle portion 247, and Pr ink to nozzle portion 248. Note that Figure 3 is merely an example, and specifications such as the number and arrangement of heads 24, the nozzle portion of each head 24, the nozzle row, the number and arrangement of nozzles, and the allocation of ink colors to each nozzle portion can be changed as appropriate. For example, Fig. 1 shows an example in which the printing system 1 includes three printing devices 2A, 2B, and 2C. By setting different specifications for each of the printing devices 2A, 2B, and 2C, it is possible to provide at least some different printing functions from each other. 1 shows an example in which three printing devices 2 are provided with ink sets, at least some of which are different from each other, as printing functions. The ink sets indicate the types of inks ejected from each of the eight nozzle portions 241 to 248. In the example of FIG. 1, the printing device 2A is equipped with an ink set of C, M, Y, K, LC, LM, W, and Pr. The printing device 2B is equipped with an ink set of C, M, Y, K, LC, LM, W, and W. The printing device 2C is equipped with an ink set of C, M, Y, K, W, W, CL, CL. Note that "printing functions that are at least partially different from one another" is not limited to ink sets. For example, the printing devices 2 may have different printing speeds or print quality settings. Alternatively, some of the printing devices 2 may be equipped with options such as a pen plotter, cutting plotter, or foil stamping mechanism.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the printing device 2 includes a controller 27 that controls the operation of each component. The controller 27 can be configured, for example, from a microcomputer equipped with a processor and memory. The controller 27 is communicatively connected to the print data creation device 5 via a LAN cable, wireless communication, or the like. The controller 27 receives print data for controlling the operation of the printing device 2 from the print data creation device 5. Based on the print data, the controller 27 controls operations such as the movement of the carriage 22 by the drive mechanism and the ejection of ink from the head 24. The printing device 2 may also be equipped with an operation panel 28. The operation panel 28 accepts touch operations by the user and can display information such as the status of the printing device 2 and error messages. Furthermore, although not shown, the printing device 2 may also be equipped with a speaker that emits warning sounds or notifies error messages audibly, a lamp that lights up when an error occurs, etc.

[0042] The user terminal 3, job management device 4, and print data creation device 5 shown in FIG. 1 can each be configured from an electronic device. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the electronic device 9. As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic device 9 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 901, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 902, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 903, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 904, a display 905, an input device 906, a communication I / F 907, and a media I / F 908. Each component is interconnected by a bus.

[0043] The CPU 901 controls the operation of the electronic device 9. The CPU 901 can load the OS and various programs stored in the ROM 902 or the HDD 904 into the RAM 903 and execute them. Alternatively, the CPU 901 can load a program stored in a storage medium RM into the RAM 903 via the media I / F 908 and execute it. The storage medium RM can be an optical storage medium, a magneto-optical storage medium, a magnetic storage medium, a conductive memory tape medium, a semiconductor memory, or the like. The electronic device 9 may include a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and the like as well as the CPU 901 as a processor. The CPU 901 performs processing in response to user operations via the input device 906, and displays the processing results on the display 905. The input device 906 can be, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchpad, or the like.

[0044] The HDD 904 stores programs executed by the CPU 901, data used by the programs, etc. The communication I / F 907 outputs data received from other devices to the CPU 901 via a network NW such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). The communication I / F also transmits data generated by the CPU 901 to other devices. The other devices may be devices that make up the printing system 1, as well as server devices external to the printing system 1. The CPU 901 may load required programs onto the RAM 903 from other devices via the network NW.

[0045] In this embodiment, the CPU 901 of the electronic device 9 executes an application program loaded onto the RAM 903, thereby functioning as the user terminal 3, the job management device 4, or the print data creation device 5 shown in FIG.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the user terminal 3, the job management device 4, and the print data creation device 5. As shown in FIG. As described above, the printing system 1 can have multiple user terminals 3 and print data creation devices 5 (see FIG. 1), but FIG. 5 shows only one user terminal 3 and one print data creation device 5. The other user terminals 3 and print data creation devices 5 can have the same functional configuration as that shown in FIG. 5.

[0047] <User device> The user terminal 3 has, as its functional configuration, an image data creation unit 31, an image data upload unit 32, and an instruction book creation unit 33. The user terminal 3 also has a storage unit 34 that is made up of a ROM 902, a RAM 903, an HDD 904, etc. (see FIG. 4). The storage unit 34 stores data necessary for the processing of each unit, and also temporarily stores the processing results of each unit.

[0048] The image data creation unit 31 displays an operation screen for creating image data on the display 905 (see FIG. 4). The image data creation unit 31 receives operation input from the user via the input device 906 (see FIG. 4) to create image data and stores it in the storage unit 34. The image data includes information about an image to be printed on the medium M. Here, when multiple images are printed on the medium M in an overlapping manner, the image data is made up of multiple image layers.

[0049] FIG. 6 shows an example of the image data upload screen 310 and the instruction book creation screen 330. As shown in FIG. 6, the image data upload unit 32 displays an image data upload screen 310 on the display 905. The image data upload unit 32 accepts an operation input from the user and transmits the specified image data to the job management device 4. The user may specify image data created by the image data creation unit 31, or may specify image data created by another electronic device.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 6, the instruction creation unit 33 displays an instruction creation screen 330 on the display 905. Although not shown in FIG. 6, the instruction creation screen 330 may include, for example, a pull-down menu that accepts selection of user-specified conditions and a field for inputting numerical values. This allows the user to create an instruction 331 with simple input operations. The instruction creation screen 330 may be displayed, for example, on the same screen as the upload screen 310. The instruction creation unit 33 creates an instruction 331 based on the user's input, and transmits it to the job management device 4 together with the uploaded image data.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, the instructions 331 may include, for example, information regarding at least one of the characteristics of the media M, print quality, and print capabilities. 6, the instruction sheet 331 can describe, as characteristics of the medium M, conditions such as ink adhesion and type (transparent, translucent, opaque) of the medium M used for printing. Other characteristics of the medium M may also include the material, thickness, size, etc. of the medium M. The instruction sheet 331 can describe print quality settings such as normal mode, high quality mode, and high speed print mode, as well as graininess settings. Graininess refers to the visibility of ink dots ejected onto the medium M, and lowering the graininess makes the dots less visible. The instruction sheet 331 can describe printing functions to be used by the printing device 2, such as white printing and clear gloss finish. In white printing, W is printed over the color ink. As shown in FIG. 6, W may be printed before or after the color ink. In the clear gloss finish, CL is printed last on the medium M to give the printed matter a glossy appearance. The contents written in the instruction book 331 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 6, and may include other information.

[0052] <Job management device> As shown in Fig. 5, the job management device 4 has, as its functional configuration, an allocation unit 41, an image registration unit 42, and a job list management unit 43. The job management device 4 also has a storage unit 44 configured with a ROM 902, a RAM 903, an HDD 904, etc. (see Fig. 4). The storage unit 44 stores data necessary for the processing of each unit and temporarily stores the processing results of each unit. The storage unit 44 stores, for example, a job list 441 that manages print jobs executed in the printing system 1. Although not shown, the storage unit 44 can also store identification information for each of the printing devices 2A, 2B, and 2C that make up the printing system 1, information on the printing functions of the printing devices 2A, 2B, and 2C, etc.

[0053] The allocation unit 41 determines the print content to be printed on the medium M based on the instruction sheet 331 and image data input from the user terminal 3. The allocation unit 41 also creates a print job for executing the determined print content and registers it in the job list 441. A print job is a composite job consisting of multiple jobs, each with its own print content. When the processing system 1 is made up of multiple printing devices 2A, 2B, and 2C, the allocation unit 41 selects a printing device to execute each job based on the printing capabilities of each printing device 2A, 2B, and 2C. The image registration unit 42 registers the image data input from the user terminal 3 in the print job created by the allocation unit 41. The job list management unit 43 manages the progress of print jobs registered in the job list 441 in response to user operation input, and updates the job list 441 in accordance with the progress of the print jobs.

[0054] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the job management device 4. As shown in FIG. 7, when image data and instruction sheet 331 are input from the user terminal 3 (step S01: Yes), the allocation unit 41 refers to the image data and instruction sheet 331 and determines the printing content to be executed on the medium M in the print job (step S02). The allocation unit 41 creates jobs to which the print contents determined in step S02 are allocated, and selects a printing device to execute each job by referring to the printing functions of the printing devices 2A, 2B, and 2C (step S03). The allocation unit 41 can make a selection, for example, so as to minimize the number of times the media M is transferred between the multiple printing devices 2A, 2B, and 2C. For example, if there is a printing device 2 that can execute all jobs, all jobs can be executed by that printing device 2. For example, if there is no printing device 2 that can execute all jobs, multiple printing devices 2 can be combined to execute all jobs. The allocation unit 41 sets parameters for each printing device 2 selected in step S03 to execute each job, and registers a print job that combines multiple jobs in the job list 441 (step S04). The image registration unit 42 registers the image data in the print job (step S05). As described above, the image data includes multiple layers. The image registration unit 42 assigns and registers an image of an appropriate layer from the image data for each job included in the print job.

[0055] 8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining examples of processing modes of the allocation unit 41. FIG. Fig. 8 shows a state in which the allocation unit 41 determines the print contents (1) to (4) based on the instruction book 331 shown in Fig. 6, and selects the printing device 2 that will execute the job to which the print contents (1) to (4) have been allocated. FIG. 9 shows a mode in which jobs Nos. 01 to 04 are created to which the print contents (1) to (4) determined in FIG. 8 are assigned.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 8, the instruction sheet 331 indicates that one of the characteristics of the medium M is that the ink on the medium M has poor adhesion. For example, if a resin sheet or the like is used as the medium M, the ink may have poor adhesion. In this case, by printing adhesive Pr first, the adhesion of other inks to the medium M can be improved. Furthermore, the instruction sheet 331 indicates that the medium M is transparent as a characteristic of the medium M, and specifies W (white) printing as a printing function. By printing W as a base on the transparent medium M before printing color inks, the visibility of the color inks can be improved. Furthermore, the instruction sheet 331 specifies high quality mode and low graininess as the print quality. By printing using special color inks such as LC and LM in addition to CMYK color inks, the graininess of the image can be kept low. Furthermore, a clear gloss finish is specified as a printing function in the instruction sheet 331. By printing CL as a printing finish, it is possible to give a glossy appearance to the printed matter.

[0057] The allocation unit 41 can determine the following print contents (1) to (4) from the instruction contents of the instruction book 331. Print content (1): Print image IM1 with Pr. Print content (2): Print image IM2 with W. Print content (3): Print image IM3 in high quality mode using CMYK color inks in combination with special color inks such as LC and LM. Print content (4): Print image IM4 with CL.

[0058] 9, the allocation unit 41 creates jobs (job numbers 01 to 04) to which print contents (1) to (4) are respectively allocated, and sets the execution order of the jobs. Job numbers 01 to 04 in FIG. 9 indicate the execution order of the jobs. The allocation unit 41 selects the printing device 2 that will execute each of the jobs Nos. 01 to 04. For print content (1), among the ink sets of the three printers 2A, 2B, and 2C (see FIG. 1), only printer 2A has Pr. Therefore, the allocation unit 41 selects printer 2A as the printer that will execute job No. 01, which corresponds to print content (1).

[0059] For print content (2), all three printing devices 2A, 2B, and 2C have ink sets W. Here, job No. 01 is executed by printing device 2A. Therefore, the allocation unit 41 selects printing device 2A as the printing device to execute job No. 02, which corresponds to print content (2). This eliminates the need to transfer media M between job No. 01 and job No. 02.

[0060] For print content (3), of the ink sets of printers 2A, 2B, and 2C, only printer 2B has LC and LM. Therefore, the allocation unit 41 selects printer 2B as the printer to execute job No. 03, which corresponds to print content (3).

[0061] For print content (4), among the ink sets of printers 2A, 2B, and 2C, only printer 2C has CL. Therefore, the allocation unit 41 selects printer 2C as the printer to execute job No. 04, which corresponds to print content (4).

[0062] 9, the allocation unit 41 sets various parameters for executing jobs No. 01 to 04. The allocation unit 41 creates a print job PJ by combining jobs No. 01 to 04, and registers it in the job list 441 (see FIG. 5). Furthermore, the image registration unit 42 assigns and registers the images IM1 to IM4 of each layer that constitutes the image data to job Nos. 01 to 04, respectively.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 9, the allocation unit 41 sets, for example, identification information 100 of the print job PJ as a parameter. The allocation unit 41 also sets the printing order of the printing devices 2A, 2B, and 2C as a parameter. In the example of FIG. 9, the printing order is set as follows: 1st: Printer 2A 2nd: Printer 2B 3rd: Printer 2C

[0064] Although details are omitted, the allocation unit 41 can also set various other parameters such as print settings, spot color overlay settings, and clear settings.

[0065] When printing is performed in the printing system 1, the user specifies the desired print job PJ from the job list 441 (see FIG. 5), inputs the number of copies to be printed, etc., and then performs an operation input to start printing. The user may perform the operation input from an input device provided in the job management device 4, or may perform the operation input remotely via the user terminal 3.

[0066] In the example of Figure 9, when the job list management unit 43 receives a user's operation input to start printing, it outputs the image data and parameters of job Nos. 01 to 04 of print job PJ to print data creation devices 5A, 5B, and 5C (see Figure 1) corresponding to printing devices 2A, 2B, and 2C, respectively. The image data and parameters of jobs No. 01 and 02 are output to print data creation device 5A corresponding to printing device 2A. The image data and parameters of job No. 03 are output to print data creation device 5B corresponding to printing device 2B. The image data and parameters of job No. 04 are output to print data creation device 5C corresponding to printing device 2C.

[0067] <Print data creation device> The print data creation device 5 controls the operation of each printing device 2 based on the image data and parameters input from the job management device 4, and creates print data for executing the print content. 5, the print data creation device 5 has, as its functional configuration, a color conversion unit 51, a dot data creation unit 52, and a correction unit 53. The print data creation device 5 also has a storage unit 54 that is made up of a ROM 902, a RAM 903, an HDD 904, etc. (see FIG. 4). The storage unit 54 stores data necessary for the processing of each unit, and also temporarily stores the processing results of each unit.

[0068] In the image data input from the job management device 4, the color information of the image is expressed in the RGB color system or the CMYK color system, etc., which are independent of the printing device 2. The color conversion unit 51 performs color conversion processing to convert the color information of the image data into device values, which are color information dependent on the printing device 2. The color conversion unit 51 first performs color conversion processing on the color information of the image data expressed in the RGB color system or the CMYK color system, etc., using an input profile corresponding to the L*a*b* color space. The color conversion unit 51 further performs color conversion processing using Lab values ​​that indicate a color space independent of the printing device 2 and a device profile that indicates a color space that depends on the printing device 2. The color space dependent on the printing device 2 can be, for example, the CMYK color space. Note that if the printing device 2 ejects special color inks such as Or, LC, and LM in addition to CMYK, the device profile used may correspond to a color space that includes these colors in addition to CMYK.

[0069] The dot data creation unit 52 creates dot data by performing halftone processing, rasterization processing, etc. on the device values ​​acquired during the color conversion processing of the color conversion unit 51. The dot data is data that controls the positions (printing positions) of dots onto the medium M where ink is ejected, and the amount of ink ejected for each dot. The dot data creation unit 52 further adds various commands to the created dot data for executing the printing content indicated in the parameters, and outputs the resulting data to the printer 2 as final print data.

[0070] The correction unit 53 corrects the image in the image data when the amount of image positional deviation is input from the printing device 2. The processing of the correction unit 53 will be described in detail later. After the correction unit 53 has performed the correction process, the color conversion unit 51 and the dot data creation unit 52 perform their respective processes based on the corrected image data to create corrected print data. The dot data creation unit 52 outputs the corrected print data to the printer 2.

[0071] As described above, the job list management unit 43 outputs parameters for executing a job by each printing device 2. As illustrated in Fig. 9, the parameters include, for example, parameters for the printing device 2 to print an image on the medium M.

[0072] The job list management unit 43 further outputs parameters for performing the following operations for the printing device 2 that is first in the printing order. -Printing the print management ID (print job PJ identification information ID) Printing alignment marks In the example of FIG. 9, the job list management unit 43 outputs these parameters to the first printing device 2A.

[0073] The job list management unit 43 further outputs parameters for performing the following operations for the printing devices 2 that are second or later in the printing order. -Printing of print completion ID (print completion information) - Verification of print job PJ identification information ID and print order - Adjusting the print position In the example of FIG. 9, the job list management unit 43 outputs these parameters to the second printing device 2B and the third printing device 2C.

[0074] When transferring media M between multiple printing devices 2, there is a possibility that the user may mistakenly load media M into a printing device 2 that has been printed with a different print job PJ. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first printing device 2 in the printing order prints the print management ID on the medium M together with the image. Before printing, the second and subsequent printing devices 2 in the printing order detect the print management ID with the sensor 25 and verify the identification information ID of the print job PJ. This reduces printing errors due to mix-ups of print jobs PJ.

[0075] Furthermore, even for the same print job PJ, there is a possibility that the user may set the media M in the wrong printing order. Therefore, in this embodiment, the second and subsequent printing devices 2 print a print completion ID along with the image on the medium M. Then, before printing, the second and subsequent printing devices 2 detect the print completion ID along with the print management ID using the sensor 25 and check the print order. This reduces printing errors due to mixing up the print order.

[0076] Furthermore, when printing is performed by transferring the medium M between multiple printing devices 2, if an image printed by a later printing device 2 is misaligned with an image printed by an earlier printing device 2, this could affect print quality. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first printing device 2 prints alignment marks on the medium M. The second and subsequent printing devices 2 use the marks to adjust the print position before printing. This makes it possible to reduce image misalignment.

[0077] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of printing on the medium M. Fig. 10(a) shows an example of printing by the printing device 2 that is first in the printing order. Fig. 10(b) shows an example of printing by the printing device 2 that is second in the printing order. Fig. 10(c) shows an example of printing by the printing device 2 that is third in the printing order. The printing device 2 prints the jobs so that at least a portion of the print area PA on the medium M overlaps with each other. The print area PA is an area where, in addition to the image IM to be printed for each job, a positioning mark mk, a print management ID 100, and a print completion ID 110 are printed. When executing the nth job (where n is a natural number) in the print job PJ, the printing device prints the nth job so that it at least partially overlaps the print area PA on the medium M where the n-1th job was printed. When executing the n+1th job in the print job PJ, the printing device 2 prints so that at least a portion of the print area PA on the medium M where the n-1th job was printed or the nth job was printed overlaps with the print area PA. Figures 10(b) and 10(c) show examples of printed print completion IDs. Figure 10(b) shows print completion ID 110a printed by the second printing device 2 in the printing order, and Figure 10(c) shows print completion ID 110b printed by the third printing device 2 in the printing order. When referring to print completion IDs 110a and 110b without distinction, they are simply referred to as print completion ID 110.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 10(a), the printing device 2 that is first in the printing order prints on the medium M the image IM specified in the job, as well as a positioning mark mk and a print management ID 100. <Alignment marks> The alignment marks mk can be printed at any position in the printing area PA of the medium M. The marks mk can be printed, for example, near the outer edge of the medium M. The marks mk can be printed, for example, at the four corners of the printing area PA of the medium M so as to surround the image IM to be printed on the medium M. The mark mk can be, for example, L-shaped. The mark mk includes a line segment S1 extending in one direction and a line segment S2 extending in a direction perpendicular to the line segment S1. The example in FIG. 10(a) shows a mark mk in which one end of the line segment S1 is connected to one end of the line segment S2. The shape of the mark mk is not limited to this. For example, the mark mk may be a cross shape in which the line segment S1 and the line segment S2 intersect. The mark mk may be, for example, only the line segment S1 or only the line segment S2.

[0079] The marks mk may be any mark that can be detected by the sensor 25 (see FIG. 2) provided in the printing device 2, and the number, shape, and arrangement of the marks mk are not limited to the illustrated example and may be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the ink used to print the marks mk may be any ink that can be detected by the sensor 25, and is not limited to a specific ink. The mark mk can also be used as a mark mk that indicates the cutting position of the printed medium M. For example, if the medium M is cut at the position of the mark mk, the mark mk will not remain on the cut medium M. This makes it possible to prevent the mark mk from affecting the finished printed product.

[0080] <Print management ID> As shown in FIG. 10(a), the print management ID 100 can be, for example, a barcode that can be detected by the sensor 25 (see FIG. 2) provided in the printing device 2. The print management ID 100 records at least the identification information ID of the print job PJ. The print management ID 100 may also record the identification information of the printing device 2 that printed the print management ID 100. The print management ID 100 may also record information related to the printing order in the print job PJ, the print content assigned to each job, and the job execution order. The print management ID 100 may also function as a print completion ID for the first printing device. For example, in the example of the print job PJ shown in FIG. 8, the print management ID 100 records the execution order (job Nos. 1 to 2) of the jobs completed by the printing device 2A. The print management ID 100 is not limited to a barcode and may be a QR code (registered trademark). The print management ID 100 may be composed of characters, symbols, figures, etc., or may be composed of a combination of these with a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark).

[0081] The print management ID 100 can be printed at any position in the print area PA of the medium M. For example, the print management ID 100 can be printed near the outer edge of the medium M, similar to the alignment marks mk. When marks mk are printed at the four corners of the print area PA on the medium M, the print management ID 100 can be printed between two of those marks mk. For example, in (a) of Figure 10, a virtual line VL is shown connecting the line segments S1 of two marks mk, and the print management ID 100 can be printed on this virtual line VL. In addition to the print management ID 100, a print completion ID (described below) is printed sequentially between the two marks mk. To ensure printing space for the print completion ID, the print management ID 100 can be printed near one of the marks mk on the virtual line VL.

[0082] <Print completion ID> 10(b) and 10(c), the second or subsequent printing device 2 in the printing order prints a print completion ID 110 on the medium M together with the image IM specified in the job. Like the print management ID 100, the print completion ID 110 can be a barcode that can be detected by the sensor 25 provided in the printing device 2. The print completion ID 110 can record, for example, the identification information of the printing device 2 that printed the print completion ID 110, the printing order in the print job PJ of that printing device 2, the execution order of the completed jobs (e.g., job number), etc. For example, in the example of print job PJ shown in Fig. 8, print completion ID 110a shown in Fig. 10(b) records the identification information of printer 2B, the printing order of printer 2B (second), and the execution order of the completed job (job No. 3). Print completion ID 110b shown in Fig. 10(c) records the identification information of printer 2C and the fact that it is third in the printing order. The print completion ID 110 is not limited to a barcode and may be a QR code (registered trademark). The print completion ID 110 may be composed of characters, symbols, figures, etc., or may be composed of a combination of these with a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark).

[0083] The print completion ID 110 can be printed at any position on the medium M. For example, like the print management ID 100, the print completion ID 110 can be printed near the outer edge of the printable area on the medium M. If marks mk are printed at the four corners of the printable area on the medium M, the print completion ID 110 can be printed between two of those marks mk. As shown in (b) of FIG. 10 and (c) of FIG. 10, the print completion ID 110 can be printed on the same virtual line VL as the print management ID 100, for example. As described above, the print management ID 100 is printed, for example, near one of the marks mk on the virtual line VL. As shown by the arrows in the drawing, the side of the imaginary line VL on which the mark mk adjacent to the print management ID 100 is located is the upstream side, and the opposite mark mk side is the downstream side. As shown in FIG. 10(b), the second printing apparatus 2B prints, for example, a print completion ID 110a downstream of the print management ID 100 on the virtual line VL. As shown in FIG. 10(c), the third printing apparatus 2C prints, for example, a printing completion ID 110b downstream of the printing completion ID 110a on the virtual line VL. In this way, the second and subsequent printing devices 2 sequentially print the print completion ID 110 downstream of the print management ID 100 or print completion ID 110 printed by the printing device 2 in the immediately preceding printing order.

[0084] In the second and subsequent printing devices 2, when the medium M is set on the platen 26 (see FIG. 2), the carriage 22 is moved in the X and Y directions, and the sensor 25 mounted on the carriage 22 scans the surface of the medium M. The sensor 25 detects the alignment marks mk printed at the four corners of the print area PA of the medium M, and the print management ID 100 and print completion ID printed on the virtual line VL. After printing is completed by the first printing device 2, the print completion ID 110 is not printed on the medium M. Therefore, the sensor 25 of the second printing device 2 detects only the alignment mark mk and the print management ID 100. The printing device 2 acquires the position information of the mark mk in the X direction and the Y direction from the detection result of the sensor 25, and the information recorded by the print management ID 100 and the print completion ID 110.

[0085] The printing device 2 first compares the identification information ID of the print job PJ with the printing order using the print management ID 100 and the print completion ID. If the comparison results match, the printing device 2 can adjust the print position. An example of the collation process and the print position adjustment process will be described below.

[0086] <Checking print job identification information and printing order> FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the collation process performed by the second and subsequent printers 2. The printing device 2 receives print data from the print data creation device 5 and is in a standby state.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 11, when the media M is set on the platen 26 (step S11: Yes), the printing device 2 scans the surface of the media M with the sensor 25 to detect the alignment mark mk, the print management ID 100, and the print completion ID 110 (step S12).

[0088] The controller 27 of the printing device 2 first collates the identification information ID of the print job PJ using the print management ID 100 detected by the sensor 25 (step S13). Specifically, the printing device 2 determines whether the identification information ID of the print job PJ recorded in the print management ID 100 matches the identification information ID of the print job PJ included in the print data input to the printing device 2. If the two match (step S14: Yes), the printing device 2 proceeds to step S15, and if they do not match (step S14: No), the printing device 2 proceeds to step S17. Note that the printing device 2 also proceeds to step S17 if the sensor 25 does not detect the printing management ID 100 from the media M in step S12 and matching cannot be performed in step S14.

[0089] In step S15, the printing device 2 checks the printing order. Specifically, the printing device 2 determines, from the print completion ID 110 detected by the sensor 25, up to which part of the printing order the print job PJ has been completed. For example, if the print management ID 100 is printed on the medium M but the print completion ID 110 is not printed, the printing device 2 determines that printing has been completed up to the first print order. When one or more print completion IDs 110 are printed on the medium M, the printing device 2 can determine the completed printing order from, for example, the print completion ID 110 located furthest downstream on the virtual line VL. As shown in (b) of Figure 10, when one print completion ID 110a is printed on the medium M, the printing device 2 can determine from the print completion ID 110a that printing has been completed up to the second printing order as the progress status. As shown in (c) of Figure 10, when print completion IDs 110a and 110b are printed on the media M, the printing device 2 can determine, from the print completion ID 110b located furthest downstream on the virtual line VL, that printing has been completed up to the third printing order as the progress status. The method for determining the progress status is not limited to this example and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the printing device 2 may determine the progress status based on the total number of print completion IDs 110 printed on the medium M.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 11, the printing device 2 determines whether the printing order determined from the print completion ID 119 matches the printing order indicated in the print data input to the printing device 2 (step S16). For example, in the print job of Fig. 9, the printing order for printing device 2C is third. If it is determined in step S15 that the progress status indicates that printing has been completed up to the second item in the printing order, the next item in the printing order will be third. In this case, printing device 2C can determine that the progress status and printing order are consistent. If a matching determination result is obtained (step S16: Yes), the printing device 2 can determine that the appropriate media M has been set, and can therefore terminate the verification process and proceed to the print position adjustment process.If a matching determination result is not obtained (step S16: No), the printing device 2 proceeds to step S17. In step S17, the printing device 2 can report an error that the appropriate medium M has not been set. The manner in which the error is reported is not limited, but for example, an error message can be displayed on the operation panel 28 (see FIG. 2) of the printing device 2. Alternatively, the error message can be output as voice from a speaker (not shown), or a warning sound can be emitted. Alternatively, a lamp (not shown) can be turned on. When the user resets the medium M on the platen 26 (step S11: Yes), the printing device 2 performs the verification process again.

[0091] Although the example in which the matching process is performed by the controller 27 of the printing device 2 has been described, the matching process may also be performed by the job management device 4 or the print data creation device 5. In this case, the printing device 2 can transmit the detection result of the sensor 25 to the job management device 4 or the print data creation device 5 and receive the matching result from the job management device 4 or the print data creation device 5.

[0092] <Adjusting the print position> FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the print position adjustment process. FIG. 13(a) is a diagram for explaining image positional deviation, and FIG. 13(b) is a diagram for explaining an example of image data correction. The print position adjustment process is performed after the collation process described with reference to FIG. The adjustment process described here is merely an example, and the adjustment process is not limited to a specific form.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 12, the controller 27 of the printing device 2 calculates the amount of positional deviation of the image IM printed on the medium M based on the position information of the mark mk detected in step S12 of FIG. 11 (step S18). 13(a) shows the positional deviation of the image IMa printed on the medium M. Note that the positional deviation is exaggerated in the drawing. When a user sets a medium M that has been printed on by another printing device 2 on the platen 26 of a subsequent printing device 2, the medium M may be slightly misaligned from the appropriate set position. When the medium M is misaligned, the image IM printed on the medium M and the alignment mark mk also become misaligned. Here, misalignment includes not only linear misalignment in the X or Y direction, but also a tilted state as shown in FIG. 13(a).

[0094] When the medium M is not tilted, the line segment S1 of the mark mk printed on the medium M is aligned along the X direction, and the line segment S2 is aligned along the Y direction. On the other hand, when the medium M is tilted, the line segments S1 and S2 of the mark mk are tilted relative to the X and Y directions, respectively. The controller 27 of the printing device 2 can calculate the tilt angle θ of the mark mk as the amount of positional deviation of the image IMa from the position information of the mark mk detected by the sensor 25. Here, if the amount of positional deviation of the image IMa is not so great as to affect the print quality, it is not necessary to perform the print position adjustment process.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 12, if the calculated amount of misregistration of image IMa exceeds the threshold (step S19: Yes), the controller 27 of the printing device 2 outputs the amount of misregistration to the print data creating device 5 (step S20). If the calculated positional deviation amount of the image IMa is equal to or less than the threshold value (step S19: No), the controller 27 of the printing device 2 ends the adjustment process and can start printing the image IMa according to the print data.

[0096] The correction unit 53 of the print data creation device 5 corrects the next image IMb to be printed on the medium M by the printing device 2 based on the amount of positional deviation of the image IMa input from the controller 27 of the printing device 2. 13(b), the correction unit 53 tilts the image IMb in accordance with the calculated tilt angle θ of the mark mk. The correction unit 53 rotates the entire print area PA of the image IMb by the angle θ around the center of the image IMb. As a result, the image IMb becomes tilted by the angle θ. The correction unit 53 uses a known method such as affine transformation to set a new rectangular print area PA (dashed line in the figure) along the X and Y directions, which includes the print area PA (dashed line in the figure) tilted by rotation, thereby creating corrected image data.

[0097] The color conversion unit 51 of the print data creation device 5 performs color conversion processing on the corrected image data to obtain device values, and the dot data creation unit 52 creates dot data using the device values ​​and adds necessary commands to the dot data to create corrected print data. The dot data creation unit 52 sends the corrected print data to the printing device 2.

[0098] 12, when the corrected print data is input from the print data creation device 5 (step S21: Yes), the controller 27 of the printing device 2 replaces the already input print data with the corrected print data (step S22), and ends the adjustment process. The printing device 2 starts printing the image IMb according to the corrected print data.

[0099] 13, the correction method using the tilt angle θ of the mark mk is explained, but this is merely an example. The correction unit 53 can correct the image data using various methods based on the position information of the mark mk. For example, when using heat-curable or ultraviolet-curable ink in the printing device 2, it is conceivable that the medium M or the image IM printed on the medium M may be slightly reduced in size by the heating process or ultraviolet irradiation process. In such a case, the correction unit 53 may calculate the reduction ratio of the mark mk from the position information of the mark mk, and reduce the image IM of the image data according to that reduction ratio. Alternatively, as described above, the mark mk may not be inclined and may be linearly displaced in the X or Y direction. In this case, the correction unit 53 may move the position of the image IM in accordance with the amount of displacement of the mark mk in the X or Y direction.

[0100] As described above, the printing system 1 described in the embodiment has, for example, the following configuration. (1) The printing system 1 includes at least one printing device 2 . The printing system 1 includes a user terminal 3 (instruction book creation unit), a job management device 4 (job management unit), and a print data creation device 5 (print data creation unit). The user terminal 3 creates an instruction sheet 331 for printing onto the medium M in response to the user's input. The job management device 4 determines the print contents to be printed on the medium M based on the instruction book 331, and creates a print job PJ consisting of a plurality of jobs to which the print contents are assigned. The print data creation device 5 creates print data for controlling the operation of the printer 2 to execute a job, and outputs the print data to the printer 2.

[0101] With this configuration, the printing system 1 can easily realize a variety of printing contents. In the printing system 1, a variety of print contents can be realized, for example, by combining multiple printing devices 2 to print, or by printing multiple times with one printing device. However, in order to realize a variety of print contents, it is a burden for the user to understand the printing functions of the printing device and perform complex setting work. In this embodiment, the job management device 4 determines the print contents based on the instruction sheet 331 created by the user, and assigns each of the print contents to multiple jobs executed by the printing device 2. This eliminates the need for the user to perform complex setting work, and makes it possible to easily realize a variety of print contents.

[0102] In the above embodiment, the instruction creation unit, job management unit, and print data creation unit are implemented by separate electronic devices (user terminal 3, job management device 4, print data creation device 5), but this is not limiting. Any two or all of the instruction creation unit, job management unit, and print data creation unit may be configured by a common electronic device. In the above embodiment, a print data creation device 5 is provided for each printing device 2, but this is not limiting. For example, one print data creation device 5 may be associated with multiple printing devices 2 and create print data for each printing device 2. Alternatively, the controller 27 of the printing device 2 may have the function of the print data creation unit. In this case, the job management device 4 can directly communicate with the controller 27 of each printing device 2 and output image data and parameters for executing a print job.

[0103] (2) The printing system 1 has a plurality of printing devices 2 (2A, 2B, 2C) each having at least some different printing functions. When creating a print job PJ, the job management device 4 determines the printing device 2 that will execute the print content assigned to the job based on the printing functions of each printing device 2.

[0104] In the printing system 1, the print contents tend to become more diverse depending on the type of media M and ink used by the user for printing, the print quality and print functions required, etc. In such cases, it may be difficult to execute all of the print contents with a single printing device 2. The printing system 1 of this embodiment is provided with multiple printing devices 2 each with different printing functions, and by combining the multiple printing devices 2, it is possible to realize a variety of print contents. In addition, the job management device 4 determines the printing device 2 that will execute the job based on the printing functions of each printing device 2. This eliminates the need for the user to understand the printing functions of each printing device 2 and perform complex setting work, and makes it possible to easily realize a variety of print contents.

[0105] (3) When the printing device 2 executes the nth job (where n is a natural number) in the print job PJ, it prints so that at least a portion of the printing area PA on the medium M overlaps with the printing area PA in which the n-1th job was printed. (4) When the printing device 2 executes the n+1th job in the print job PJ, it prints so that it overlaps at least partially with the area on the medium M where the n-1th job was printed or the printing area PA where the nth job was printed.

[0106] In this way, when the printing device 2 executes each of the multiple jobs that make up the print job PJ, it performs printing so that at least a portion of the print area PA on the medium M overlaps with the print area PA of another job. This allows the printing system 1 to perform a variety of printing operations that cannot be achieved with a single printing method. For example, by printing a base on a transparent medium M using white ink and then printing an image IM using color inks, the visibility of the image IM can be improved. For example, by printing an image IM on a medium M and then performing a finishing process with clear ink, it is possible to impart a glossy appearance to the image IM and increase the added value of the printed matter.

[0107] (5) The instructions 331 may include, for example, at least one of information regarding the characteristics of the media M, print quality, and print functions. The user terminal 3 outputs the instruction sheet 331 to the job management device 4 together with image data to be printed on the medium M.

[0108] The characteristics of the media M can include, for example, the ink adhesion of the media M used for printing, the type (transparent, translucent, opaque), material, thickness, size, and the like. The print quality can include print settings related to print quality, such as normal mode, high quality mode, and high speed print mode, as well as settings for graininess. The printing functions may include functions used by the printing device 2, such as white printing, clear gloss finish, etc. By describing these contents in the instruction book 331, the job management device 4 can refer to the instruction book 331 and determine appropriate print contents.

[0109] (6) The print data creation device 5 includes the print management ID 100, which records the identification information ID of the print job PJ, in the print data to be output to the printing device 2. The printing device 2 includes a sensor 25 that can detect information printed on the medium M. When executing the job, the printing device 2 that is first in the printing order for the print job PJ prints the identification information ID of the print job PJ together with the image IM based on the print content on the medium M. When a printing device 2 that is second or later in the printing order executes a job, the sensor 25 detects the identification information ID of the print job PJ printed on the medium M. The printing device 2 performs printing if the detected identification information ID of the print job PJ matches the identification information ID of the print job PJ included in the print data.

[0110] When transferring media M between multiple printing devices 2, for example, there is a possibility that the user may accidentally load media M into a printing device 2 that has been printed with a different print job. In this embodiment, the first printing device 2 prints the print management ID 100 on the medium M together with the image. Before printing, the second and subsequent printing devices 2 detect the print management ID 100 with the sensor 25 and verify the identification information ID of the print job PJ. This reduces printing errors due to mix-ups of print jobs. Note that the manner in which the print management ID 100 is used is not limited to this. For example, when a user transfers media M between multiple printing devices 2 or when a printed media M is moved to a storage location, the print management ID 100 can be read with a barcode reader or the like to check the print job.

[0111] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a user transfers media M between multiple printing devices 2, but this is not a limitation. Transfer of media M may also be performed by, for example, a robot that has been taught in advance.

[0112] (7) When executing a job, the second or subsequent printing device 2 in the printing order can print a print completion ID 110 (print completion information) on the medium M together with an image IM based on the print content.

[0113] When a user transfers media M between multiple printing devices 2, there is a possibility that the user may set media M in a printing device 2 that is not in the printing order. In this embodiment, the second and subsequent printing devices 2 print a print completion ID 110 along with the image IM on the medium M. Because the printing progress status of the print job PJ is indicated on the medium M, printing errors due to mixing up the printing order can be reduced. For example, when a user transfers media M between multiple printing devices 2, the user can check the printing order by checking the number of print completion IDs 110. Alternatively, the user may check the printing order by reading the print completion IDs 110 with a barcode reader or the like.

[0114] (8) The print data creation device 5 includes information about the printing order of the printing devices 2 in the print data to be output to each printing device 2. The second or subsequent printing device 2 in the printing order detects the print completion ID 110 printed on the medium M with the sensor 25. The printing device 2 performs printing if the printing order of the printing device 2 determined from the detected print completion ID 110 matches the information on the printing order included in the print data.

[0115] In this way, the second and subsequent printing devices 2 use the print management ID 100 to check the print order before printing images, which further reduces printing errors due to mixing up the print order. If the progress of the print job determined from the print completion ID 110 does not match the printing order, the printing device 2 can notify the user of the error, for example, on the operation panel 28. This allows the user to quickly reset the media M in the correct printing device 2.

[0116] (9) The printing device 2 that is first in the printing order of the print job can print alignment marks mk on the medium M.

[0117] When transferring media M between multiple printing devices 2 and printing, if an image printed by a later printing device 2 is misaligned with an image printed by a previous printing device 2, this may affect print quality. In this embodiment, the first printing device 2 prints alignment marks mk on the medium M. When printing is performed by the second or subsequent printing device 2, alignment is performed using the marks mk, thereby reducing misalignment of the image. For example, guidelines may be provided on the platen 26 of the printing device 2, and when the user sets the medium M in the printing device 2, the mark mk may be set in accordance with the guidelines.

[0118] (10) The printing device 2 includes a sensor 25 capable of detecting the alignment marks mk. The second and subsequent printing devices 2 in the printing order adjust the printing position on the medium M based on the position information of the mark mk detected by the sensor 25.

[0119] With this configuration, it is possible to reduce misalignment of images printed by the multiple printing devices 2 and improve the quality of printed matter. Furthermore, since the printing device 2 performs the print position adjustment process, the user does not need to perform detailed position adjustment, which improves user convenience.

[0120] The above-described effects can also be applied to the printing method, print job management device, and print job management program of the printing system 1.

[0121] <Modification> In the embodiment, the alignment mark mk, the print management ID 100, and the print completion ID 110 are printed based on the print order of the multiple printing devices 2A, 2B, and 2C (see FIG. 10). In the modified example, a mode will be described in which a positioning mark mk, a print management ID 100, and a print completion ID 110 are printed based on the execution order of each job that constitutes the print job PJ.

[0122] As described above, when the allocation unit 41 of the job management device 4 allocates print contents to jobs, it sets the job execution order (see FIG. 9). In a modified example, the allocation unit 41 includes the job execution order in the parameters to be output to the print data creation device 5. In a modified example, the print data creation device 5 can create print data so that the printing device 2 operates as follows. When executing each job included in the print job, the printing device 2 prints the print completion information (print completion ID 110 or print management ID 100) on the medium M together with the image. When executing the nth job (where n is a natural number) of the print job PJ, i.e., for any job, the printing device 2 prints a print management ID 100 that records the identification information ID of the print job PJ, and a mark mk for alignment. When executing the (n+1)th or subsequent job in the print job PJ, that is, for any job, the printing device 2 detects the print management ID 100 and the print completion ID 110 using the sensor 25. As in the embodiment (see FIG. 11), the printing device 2 collates the identification information of the print job with the execution order of the job based on the detection result of the sensor 25. When executing the (n+1)th or subsequent job in the print job PJ, that is, for any job, the printing device 2 detects the alignment mark mk with the sensor 25. As in the embodiment (see FIG. 12), the printing device 2 performs processing to adjust the printing position of the image based on the detection result of the sensor 25.

[0123] That is, in this modification, printing of the print management ID 100 and the alignment mark mk, collation processing using the print management ID 100 and the print completion ID 110, and adjustment processing of the print position of the image using the mark mk can be performed in any job. For example, these processes can be performed in jobs where there is a high possibility of mixing up the media M or misalignment of the image. The job management device 4 can determine the job for which these processes will be performed when determining the print content based on the user's instructions.

[0124] 14 is a diagram showing an example of printing on a medium M in a modified example. Note that in FIG. 14, an image to be printed on the medium M is omitted. FIG. 14 shows an example in which one printing device 2 executes jobs No. 01 to 03 that make up a print job PJ. However, between job No. 02 and job No. 03, media M is processed manually. Therefore, after job No. 02 is executed, media M must be removed from the printing device 2, and after the manual processing, media M must be set back into the printing device 2.

[0125] As shown in FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b), when the medium M is set on the platen 26 of the printing device 2, the printing device 2 executes jobs No. 01 and 02 in succession. As shown in FIG. 14(a), when executing job No. 1, the printing device 2 prints a print management ID 100 and a mark mk for alignment together with the image on the medium M. As shown in FIG. 14(b), when executing job No. 2, the printing device 2 prints a print completion ID 110 together with the image on the medium M.

[0126] Between job numbers 01 and 02, the medium M remains set on the platen 26 of the printing device 2. If the printing device 2 is a flatbed printer, the head 24 moves in the X and Y directions relative to the platen 26 to perform printing, so the position of the medium M on the platen 26 does not change. In other words, between job numbers 01 and 02, it is unlikely that the media M will be mixed up or that the image will be misaligned. In this case, when executing job number 2, the printing device 2 can omit the process of checking the print management ID 100 and the process of adjusting the print position of the image.

[0127] After job No. 02 is executed, media M is removed from the platen 26 of the printing device 2 and manually processed. When job No. 03 is executed, media M is set back on the platen 26. At this time, there is a possibility that media M may be mixed up or may be set slightly out of position on the platen 26. 14(c), when executing job No. 03, the printing device 2 uses the sensor 25 to detect the print management ID 100 and print completion ID 110 printed on the medium M. As in the embodiment, the printing device 2 can perform a process of comparing the identification information of the print job PJ with the execution order of the job based on the detection result of the sensor 25. The printing device 2 also detects alignment marks mk using the sensor 25. As in the embodiment, the printing device 2 can adjust the printing position of the image based on the detection results of the sensor 25. This can reduce the chance of mistaking the media M or misalignment of the image. When executing job No. 03, the printing device 2 prints a print completion ID 110 on the medium M together with the image.

[0128] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another example of printing on a medium M in a modified example. In the example of Fig. 15, one printing device 2 executes jobs No. 01 to 02 that make up print job PJ. Fig. 15 also shows a case where the printing device 2 is a vertical type machine. 15(a), the printing device 2 prints job No. 1 while feeding the medium M set on the platen 26 forward in the X direction using a feeding mechanism (not shown). At this time, the printing device 2 prints a print management ID 100 and an alignment mark mk on the medium M along with the image.

[0129] As shown in (b) of FIG. 15, after completing job No. 1, the printing device 2 uses the delivery mechanism to pull media M back in the X direction. After returning media M to the same position as when job No. 1 started, the printing device 2 prints job No. 2, as shown in (c) of FIG. 15. This allows the printing device 2 to print job No. 2 so that it overlaps at least partially with the printing area PA of job No. 1. However, pulling media M back may cause media M to tilt slightly. In this case, there is a possibility that the image may be misaligned. 15(c), when executing job No. 2, the printing device 2 can detect the alignment mark mk with the sensor 25 and perform processing to adjust the printing position of the image to be printed in job No. 2. In the example of FIG. 15, since the possibility of mistaking the media M is low, the matching processing using the printing management ID 100 can be omitted. When executing job No. 2, the printing device 2 prints a print completion ID 110 on the medium M together with the image.

[0130] As described above, the printing system 1 according to the modified example has the following configuration. (11) The print data creation device 5 (print data creation unit) includes identification information ID of the print job PJ in the print data. The printing device 2 includes a sensor 25 that can detect information printed on the medium M. When executing the nth job (where n is a natural number) of the print job PJ, the printing device 2 prints on the medium M an image based on the print content as well as a print management ID 100 that records the identification information ID of the print job PJ. When executing the (n+1)th or subsequent job in the print job PJ, the printing device 2 detects the print management ID 100 printed on the medium M using the sensor 25. If the detected print management ID 100 matches the identification information ID of the print job PJ included in the print data, the printing device 2 performs printing.

[0131] Even when all jobs of a print job PJ are executed using one printing device 2, there is a possibility that the media M may be mixed up if, for example, the media M is removed from the platen 26 during the job. When transferring media M between multiple printing devices 2, for example, there is a possibility that the user may accidentally load media M into a printing device 2 that has been printed with a different print job PJ. In a modified example, when printing any (nth) job, the print management ID 100 is printed, and when executing subsequent (n+1th) jobs, the print management ID 100 is detected by the sensor 25 and compared with the identification information ID of the print job PJ, thereby reducing printing errors due to mixing up the media M.

[0132] (12) When executing a job included in the print job PJ, the printing device 2 prints the print management ID 100 or the print completion ID 110 on the medium M as print completion information together with an image based on the print content.

[0133] This allows the progress of printing in the print job PJ to be displayed on the medium M, thereby reducing printing errors caused by mixing up the order in which jobs are executed. For example, when a user resets media M that was removed from the printing device 2, the execution order of the jobs can be confirmed by checking the number of print completion IDs 110. Alternatively, the user may check the execution order of the jobs by reading the print completion IDs 110 with a barcode reader or the like.

[0134] (13) The print data creation device 5 (print data creation unit) includes information about the execution order of jobs included in the print job PJ in the print data. When executing a job included in a print job PJ, the printing device 2 detects the print management ID 100 and print completion ID 110 printed on the medium M with the sensor 25. The printing device 2 can perform printing if the execution order determined from the detection result is consistent with the information regarding the execution order included in the print data.

[0135] In this way, when the printing device 2 executes a job, it checks the job execution order using the print management ID 100 and the print completion ID 110, which further reduces printing errors caused by getting the execution order wrong.

[0136] (14) The printing device 2 prints alignment marks mk on the medium M when executing the nth job (where n is a natural number) in the print job PJ.

[0137] Even when all jobs of a print job PJ are executed using one printing device 2, there is a possibility that image misalignment may occur, for example, if the media M is removed from the platen 26 during the job or if the media is pulled back in a vertical machine. In a modified example, when printing any (nth) job, a mark mk for alignment is printed, and when executing a subsequent (n+1th) job, for example, the user can align the job using the mark mk, thereby reducing image misalignment.

[0138] (15) The printing device 2 includes a sensor 25 capable of detecting the alignment marks mk. When executing the (n+1)th or subsequent job in the print job PJ, the printing device 2 adjusts the print position on the medium M based on the position information of the mark mk detected by the sensor 25.

[0139] By having the printing device 2 adjust the print position of the image using the alignment marks mk, the user does not need to perform detailed alignment, thereby improving user convenience.

[0140] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modified examples, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Furthermore, the modified examples are not limited to the embodiment, and can be combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0141] 1: Printing system 2(2A, 2B, 2C): Printing device 3 (3A, 3B, 3C): User terminal (instruction document creation department) 4: Job management device (job management unit) 5 (5A, 5B, 5C): Print data creation device (print data creation unit) 25: Sensor 33: Instructions Creation Department 41: Allocation section 53: Correction unit 100:Print management ID 110: Print completion ID (print completion information) 331: Instructions mk: alignment mark

Claims

1. 1. A printing system having at least one printing device, an instruction creation unit that creates instructions for printing on media in response to user input; a job management unit that determines the print content to be printed on the medium based on the instruction book and creates a print job consisting of a plurality of jobs to which the print content is assigned; a print data creation unit that creates print data for executing the job by controlling the operation of the printing device and outputs the print data to the printing device.

2. In claim 1, a plurality of printing devices each having at least some different printing functions; The printing system is characterized in that, when creating the print job, the job management section selects a printing device that will execute the print content assigned to the job based on the printing function.

3. In claim 1 or 2, A printing system characterized in that, when executing the nth job (where n is a natural number) in the print job, the printing device prints so that at least a portion of the area on the media where the n-1th job was printed overlaps.

4. In claim 3, A printing system characterized in that, when executing the n+1th job in the print job, the printing device prints so that at least a portion of the area on the media where the n-1th job was printed or the area where the nth job was printed overlaps.

5. In claim 1 or 2, A printing system characterized in that the instruction sheet includes at least one of information regarding the characteristics of the media, print quality, and print functions, and the instruction sheet creation unit outputs the instruction sheet to the job management unit together with image data to be printed on the media.

6. In claim 1 or 2, The print data creation unit includes identification information of the print job in the print data, the printing device includes a sensor capable of detecting information printed on the medium; the printing device that is first in the printing order of the print job prints, on the medium when executing the job, an image based on the print content and identification information of the print job; A printing system characterized in that, when executing the job, the second or subsequent printing device in the printing order detects the identification information printed on the media using the sensor, and performs printing if the detected identification information matches the identification information included in the print data.

7. In claim 6, A printing system characterized in that the second or subsequent printing device in the printing order prints print completion information on the medium together with an image based on the print content when executing the job.

8. In claim 7, The print data creation unit includes information about the print order of the printing devices in the print data to be output to each printing device, A printing system characterized in that the second or subsequent printing device in the printing order detects the printing completion information printed on the media using the sensor, and performs printing if the printing order of the printing device determined from the detected printing completion information is consistent with the information regarding the printing order included in the print data.

9. In claim 1 or 2, A printing system characterized in that the printing device that is first in the printing order in the print job prints alignment marks on the medium.

10. In claim 9, the printing device includes a sensor capable of detecting the alignment mark; A printing system characterized in that the second and subsequent printing devices in the printing order adjust the printing position on the medium based on the position information of the mark detected by the sensor.

11. In claim 1 or 2, The print data creation unit includes identification information of the print job in the print data, the printing device includes a sensor capable of detecting information printed on the medium; When executing an n-th job (where n is a natural number) in the print job, the printing device prints, on the medium, an image based on the print content and identification information of the print job; A printing system characterized in that, when executing the n+1th or subsequent job in the print job, the printing device detects the identification information printed on the media using the sensor, and performs printing if the detected identification information of the print job matches the identification information of the print job included in the print data.

12. In claim 11, The printing system is characterized in that, when executing a job included in the print job, the printing device prints print completion information on the medium together with an image based on the print content.

13. In claim 12, The print data creation unit includes information about the execution order of jobs included in the print job in the print data, A printing system characterized in that, when executing a job included in the print job, the printing device detects the print completion information printed on the media with the sensor, and performs printing if the execution order determined from the detected print completion information is consistent with information regarding the execution order included in the print data.

14. In claim 1 or 2, The printing system is characterized in that the printing device prints alignment marks on the medium when executing an nth job (n is a natural number) in the print job.

15. In claim 14, the printing device includes a sensor capable of detecting the alignment mark; a print system that adjusts a print position on the medium based on position information of the mark detected by the sensor when executing the (n+1)th or subsequent job of the print job;

16. 1. A printing method in a printing system having at least one printing device, comprising: creating instructions for printing on media in response to user input, determining the content to be printed on the media based on the instructions, and creating a print job consisting of multiple jobs to which the print content is assigned; a printing method for controlling the operation of the printing device to create print data for executing the job, and outputting the print data to the printing device;

17. A print job management device provided in a printing system having at least one printing device, When instructions for printing on a medium are input, the contents to be printed on the medium are determined based on the instructions; creating a print job consisting of a plurality of jobs to which the print contents are assigned; a print job management device that controls the operation of the printing device and outputs the print data to a print data creation device that creates print data for executing the job;

18. A print job management program in a printing system having at least one printing device, comprising: For electronic devices, When instructions for printing on a medium are input, the contents to be printed on the medium are determined based on the instructions; creating a print job consisting of a plurality of jobs to which the print contents are assigned; a print job management program that controls the operation of the printing device and outputs the print data to a print data creation device that creates print data for executing the job;

Images