Information processing apparatus, cut control method, and cut control program

Abstract

In a case where images are printed side by side so as not to generate an extra margin, a post-process may not be able to be executed due to a narrow margin.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes an image reception part for receiving an image to be printed, a cutting machine designation part for receiving cutting machine designation information which is information about a cutting machine for cutting a medium, and an arrangement setting part for limiting an area on the medium where the image can be arranged on the basis of the cutting machine designation information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, nesting printing is known in which images are printed side by side in a main scanning direction that intersects with the paper transport direction (for example, see Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes a method of nesting printing in which images are printed side by side in a main scanning direction that intersects with the paper transport direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-14317 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when images are printed in a line so as not to leave any extra margins, the margins become so narrow that it may become impossible to carry out subsequent processing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An information processing device for solving the above problem includes an image receiving unit that receives an image to be printed, a cutting machine designation unit that receives cutting machine designation information, which is information regarding a cutting machine for cutting the medium, and a placement setting unit that limits the area on the medium in which the image can be placed based on the cutting machine designation information.

[0006] A cutting control method for solving the above problem includes an image receiving unit receiving an image to be printed, a cutting machine designation unit receiving cutting machine designation information which is information relating to a cutting machine for cutting the medium, and a placement setting unit limiting the area on the medium in which the image can be placed based on the cutting machine designation information.

[0007] The cutting control program for solving the above problem causes a computer to function as an image receiving unit that receives the image to be printed, a cutting machine designation unit that receives cutting machine designation information, which is information about the cutting machine used to cut the medium, and a placement setting unit that limits the area on the medium in which the image can be placed based on the cutting machine designation information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the maximum cuttable range of the cutting machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cutting machine. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a printed matter. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an application screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an application screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an application screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an application screen. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart showing a print control and cutting control process. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of image arrangement. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Here, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order. (1) Overall structure: (1-1) Cutting machine configuration: (1-2) Cut terminal configuration: (1-3) Printer configuration: (1-4) Printing terminal configuration: (2) Printing and cutting control processing: (3) Other embodiments:

[0010] (1) Overall structure: 1 shows the overall configuration of a system including a printing terminal 100 as an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printing terminal 100 executes a RIP (Raster Image Processor) application 111 to receive an image to be printed, generate print data for printing the image, which has been set and laid out on a medium according to printing conditions and cutting conditions, on a printing device 200, and cause the printing device 200 to print the image. The printing terminal 100 also executes the RIP application 111 to generate cutting operation data indicating a cutting operation command from the image to be printed, and send the data to the cutting terminal.

[0011] The printing device 200 of this embodiment prints an image on a sheet-like medium (roll paper). The cutter cuts the medium on which the image has been printed based on cutting operation data generated according to the shape of the image. The maximum cuttable area in the medium's transport direction and width direction (the width direction is the direction perpendicular to the transport direction) can vary depending on the type of cutter.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example in which the maximum cuttable range differs for each type of cutter. The maximum cuttable range in the width direction may be narrower than the maximum width of the medium that can be set in the cutter. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the guaranteed accuracy range also differs for each type of cutter. The guaranteed accuracy range is the cutting range within which the cutting operation error is expected to be within a predetermined range, and is below the maximum cuttable range in both the width direction and the length direction (= conveyance direction). In this embodiment, the explanation will continue assuming that the first cutter 500 and the second cutter 700 have different maximum cuttable ranges and guaranteed accuracy ranges. Although FIG. 1 shows two types of cutters, the first cutter 500 and the second cutter 700, the number of cutters is not limited to this.

[0013] As described above, the maximum cuttable area and the guaranteed accuracy range differ depending on the type of cutting machine. Therefore, if an image is printed on a medium without taking these differences into consideration, there is a possibility that a printed product will be produced in which the image is printed in an area that the cutting machine cannot cut. To prevent this from occurring, in this embodiment, the printing terminal 100 realizes a function of positioning the image of the printing target (cutting target) within the cuttable area of ​​the cutting machine used in the cutting process and causing the printing device 200 to print it.

[0014] (1-1) Cutting machine configuration: FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the first cutting machine 500. The second cutting machine 700 and other cutting machines have similar configurations, so a description of each individual cutting machine will be omitted. The configuration and specifications of the cutting unit 550 may differ between the cutting machines. As mentioned above, the first cutting machine 500 and the second cutting machine 700 differ in the maximum cuttable range and the guaranteed accuracy range. The cutting machine is also called a cutting plotter.

[0015] The first cutting machine 500 includes a processor 510, a nonvolatile memory 520, a UI unit 530, a communication unit 540, and a cutting unit 550. The processor 510 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. (not shown), and executes a cutting control program recorded in the nonvolatile memory 520 to control each unit of the first cutting machine 500.

[0016] The processor 510 may be configured as a single chip, may be configured as multiple chips, or may be configured as an SoC together with various functional blocks. Furthermore, for example, an ASIC may be used instead of a CPU, or a configuration in which a CPU and an ASIC work together may be used. When each device in this embodiment includes a processor, the processor can be realized in various ways, similar to the processor 510.

[0017] The UI unit 530 includes a touch panel display, switches, LEDs, a speaker, and the like. The UI unit 530 presents various information related to the first cutting machine 500 to a user of the first cutting machine 500 and also accepts user operations under the control of the processor 510. The communication unit 540 includes a communication interface for communicating with other devices according to various wired or wireless protocols. In this embodiment, the first cutting machine 500 can communicate with the first cutting terminal 400 via the communication unit 540. When the processor 510 receives first cutting operation data 122 for executing a cutting operation from the first cutting terminal 400, it stores the data in the non-volatile memory 520.

[0018] The cutting unit 550 includes a medium transport unit 551, a carriage 552, a cutter 553, and an optical sensor 554. The medium transport unit 551 includes sensors, actuators, and mechanical parts for transporting the medium, which in this embodiment is in the form of roll paper, and the printed matter produced by the printing device 200, based on the first cutting operation data 122.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a printed material, showing the transport direction, which is the direction in which the medium is transported when set in a cutting machine, and the width direction of the medium. The width direction of the medium is perpendicular to the transport direction of the medium. The carriage 552 is supported by rails, etc. (not shown). The carriage 552 moves in a direction parallel to the print surface of the medium by a motor, actuator, and mechanical components (not shown). Here, the direction parallel to the print surface of the medium is, for example, the width direction of the medium. A cutter 553 and an optical sensor 554 are mounted on the carriage 552. The cutter 553 held by the carriage 552 is driven in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the sheet-like medium by an actuator (not shown), causing the tip of the cutter 553 to contact or separate from the medium. With the tip of the cutter 553 in contact with the medium, the carriage 552 holding the cutter 553 moves in the width direction, and the medium is transported in the transport direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the carriage 552, thereby cutting the image formed on the medium. The cutter may be a flatbed type device that does not include a medium transport unit, in which case the movement direction of the carriage 552 is not limited to the width direction of the medium, but also includes the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the width direction of the medium. The cutter may be any device that performs cutting by scanning a cutter mounted on a carriage, and its configuration is not particularly limited.

[0020] The optical sensor 554 is held by the carriage 552 and moves. The optical sensor 554 has a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, and reads the cut marks m1 and barcode bc printed on the medium by emitting light toward the medium and receiving light reflected from the medium. The cut marks m1 are marks used by the cutting machine to align the medium on which the image to be cut is printed. The image to be cut is printed within a rectangular area whose vertices are the reference points of each cut mark m1. The barcode bc includes reference information for referencing the position of the cut mark m1 and first cutting operation data (a vector data group (a collection of vectors that specify the cutting start position and cutting end position)) for cutting the image present within the rectangular area indicated by the cut mark m1 along the cutting line. The reference information may take any form as long as it allows the processor 510 to acquire the desired cutting operation data. For example, the reference information may be represented by a path indicating the storage location of the first cutting operation data or the file name of the first cutting operation data.

[0021] When processor 510 is instructed to read a barcode via UI unit 530, it causes medium transport unit 551 to transport the medium, moves carriage 552, and causes optical sensor 554 to read the barcode. If the read barcode indicates reference information for first cutting operation data, processor 510 acquires first cutting operation data 122 from first cutting terminal 400 based on the reference information. Furthermore, processor 510 reads cut mark m1 and performs positioning for the cutting operation (for example, the position on the medium indicated by one of four cut marks m1 is used as the reference for driving medium transport unit 551 and carriage 552). Processor 510 acquires the first cutting operation data based on the reference information indicated by the barcode, and controls medium transport unit 551, carriage 552, and cutter 553 based on the vector data group indicated by the first cutting operation data to perform the cutting operation.

[0022] 2 is the maximum range in the width direction that can be cut by the cutting machine. In this embodiment, the maximum range in the width direction that can be cut is equal to the range in the width direction that can be read by the optical sensor 554.

[0023] (1-2) Cut terminal configuration: As shown in Fig. 1, in this embodiment, one cutting terminal is connected to each cutting machine. The cutting terminal is configured as a PC or tablet, and realizes the function of receiving cutting operation data from the printing terminal 100 and outputting it to the cutting machine. In Fig. 1, the cutting terminal corresponding to the first cutting machine 500 is called the first cutting terminal 400, and the cutting machine corresponding to the second cutting machine 700 is called the second cutting terminal 600.

[0024] As a configuration of a cutting terminal, the first cutting terminal 400 will be described here. The second cutting terminal 600 has a similar configuration to the first cutting terminal 400, so a description thereof will be omitted. The first cutting terminal 400 has a processor 410, a nonvolatile memory 420, a communication unit 430, and a UI unit 440.

[0025] The communication unit 430 includes a communication interface that communicates with other devices in accordance with various wired or wireless protocols. In this embodiment, the processor 410 can communicate with the printing terminal 100 and the first cutting machine 500 via the communication unit 430. The communication unit 540 may also include an interface for communicating with various removable memories attached to the printing device 200. The UI unit 440 is equipped with a display and switches, and the processor 410 displays various information on the display and accepts operations performed on the switches.

[0026] When the printing terminal 100 selects to use the first cutting device 500 in the cutting process, which is a process subsequent to the printing process, the printing terminal 100 also generates first cutting operation data 122 for cutting the medium with the first cutting device 500 when generating the print data. The first cutting terminal 400 receives the generated first cutting operation data 122 from the printing terminal 100 and stores it in the non-volatile memory 420. The printing terminal 100 causes the printing device 200 to execute printing based on the print data and produce a printed material. When the user places the printed material in the first cutting device 500 and instructs it to read the barcode printed on the printed material, the first cutting device 500 reads the barcode and requests the first cutting operation data 122 from the first cutting terminal 400 based on the reference information indicated by the barcode. The processor 410 of the first cutting terminal 400 transmits the first cutting operation data 122 to the first cutting device 500 in response to the request. The first cutter 500 performs the cutting operation as described above based on the first cutting operation data 122. When the use of the second cutter 700 is selected in the printing terminal 100, the printing terminal 100 generates second cutting operation data 123 for cutting the medium with the second cutter 700 and passes it to the second cutting terminal 600, and the second cutter 700 performs the cutting operation based on the second cutting operation data 123.

[0027] (1-3) Printer configuration: Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printing device 200 shown in Fig. 1. The printing device 200 includes a processor 210, a non-volatile memory 220, a UI unit 230, a communication unit 240, and a printing unit 250. The processor 210 can control each unit of the printing device 200 by executing a control program (not shown) stored in the non-volatile memory 220.

[0028] The nonvolatile memory 220 stores print data 124 sent from the printing terminal 100, and the processor 210 controls the printing unit 250 based on the print data 124 to execute printing.

[0029] The UI unit 230 includes a touch panel display, keys, LEDs, a speaker, etc. The processor 210 provides various information to the user through output units such as the touch panel display, LEDs, and speaker, and inputs user instructions through input units such as the touch panel display and keys.

[0030] The communication unit 240 includes a communication interface for communicating with other devices according to various wired or wireless protocols. In this embodiment, the processor 210 can communicate with the printing terminal 100 via the communication unit 240. The communication unit 540 may also include an interface for communicating with various removable memories attached to the printing device 200.

[0031] In this embodiment, the printing unit 250 prints on a medium in the form of roll paper. The printing unit 250 includes a medium transport unit (not shown) and a carriage on which a print head is mounted. The print head has nozzle rows corresponding to inks of, for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and ink is ejected from each nozzle included in the nozzle row. The carriage moves back and forth in a specific direction (the main scanning direction). The medium transport unit transports the medium to be printed. The medium transport unit transports the medium in a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. Printing on the medium is performed by repeating the ejection of ink from the nozzles during the reciprocating movement of the print head and the transportation of the medium by the medium transport unit.

[0032] The user sets the medium in the printing device 200 and operates the printing terminal 100 to instruct the printing device 200 to print. The user also removes the medium (printed matter) after printing from the printing device 200, moves it, sets it in a cutting machine used in the cutting process, which is a process after the printing process, and causes the cutting machine to perform a cutting operation on the medium.

[0033] (1-4) Printing terminal configuration: The configuration of the printing terminal 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The printing terminal 100 is, for example, a computer such as a PC or tablet. The printing terminal 100 includes a processor 110, a non-volatile memory 120 that functions as a storage unit, a communication unit 130, and a UI unit 140. The non-volatile memory 120 stores a RIP application 111, various other programs, and cutting machine information 121. Here, RIP is an abbreviation for "Raster Image Processor." The RIP application 111 is not limited to generating raster images for printing by the printing device 200; it is executed by the processor 110 to perform various processes, which will be described later. Hereinafter, the processes realized by the functions of the RIP application 111 will be referred to as RIP processing.

[0034] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the cutting machine information 121. The cutting machine information 121 includes, for each type of cutting machine, the maximum cutting range in both the width direction and the transport direction of the medium, and the guaranteed accuracy range in both the width direction and the transport direction of the medium. By storing this cutting machine information 121 in the non-volatile memory 120, it can be referenced for setting the margin area, which will be described later.

[0035] The UI unit 140 (see FIG. 1) includes a display, a touch panel, a speaker, a microphone, etc. In this embodiment, the processor 110 inputs various instructions from the user via the UI unit 140 and outputs various information to the user.

[0036] The communication unit 130 includes an interface circuit for communicating with other devices. The processor 110 can communicate with the printing device 200, the first cutting terminal 400, and the second cutting terminal 600 via the communication unit 130. Peripheral devices such as a keyboard, mouse, and display may be connected to the printing terminal 100 via the communication unit 130, and the processor 110 may be configured to input various information from these peripheral devices or output various information.

[0037] In this embodiment, the RIP application 111 has an image receiving function (image receiving unit 111a) that receives an image to be printed, a cutting machine designation function (cutting machine designation unit 111b) that receives cutting machine designation information, which is information related to a cutting machine for cutting the medium, and a placement setting function (placement setting unit 111c) that limits the area on the medium in which the image can be placed based on the cutting machine designation information. The RIP application 111 also has a function that generates cutting operation data for cutting the image, and a function that generates print data based on the image to be printed, the printing conditions, and the cutting conditions, and causes the printing device 200 to execute printing.

[0038] Fig. 6 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display of the UI unit 140 when the processor 110 executes the RIP application 111. As shown in Fig. 6, the screen of the RIP application 111 includes an Add button b1, a Delete button b2, a RIP button b3, a Print button b4, and a Nest button b5. The screen also includes an image list section a1, a preview section a2, and a parameter setting section a3.

[0039] The Add button b1 is a button for selecting and adding images to be printed, and the Delete button b2 is a button for selecting one of the images to be printed and excluding it from the print target. The image list section a1 is an area that displays the names of the images currently selected to be printed in list form.

[0040] The parameter setting section a3 is a setting section for accepting the specification of various parameters, including medium settings (see Figure 6), cutting settings (see Figures 7 and 8), and layout settings (see Figure 9). The preview section a2 is an area for displaying a preview image of the printout when the image currently selected for printing is printed by applying the parameters selected in the parameter setting section a3. The Nest button b5 is a button for instructing the execution of a process that automatically arranges multiple images side by side.

[0041] The RIP button b3 is a button for instructing RIP processing of the image displayed in the preview area a2 and generating print data 124. The print data 124 is data that has undergone at least rasterization processing (it may also be data that has undergone color conversion processing or halftone processing). The Print button b4 is a button for instructing the printing device 200 designated by the user to execute printing processing based on the generated print data 124.

[0042] Using the function of the image receiving unit 111a, the processor 110 receives an image to be printed. Specifically, the processor 110 receives an image designated by the user using the Add button b1 as the image to be printed. The processor 110 also receives printing conditions, which are setting values ​​designated by the user in the parameter setting unit a3 related to the printing operation. Specifically, these include, for example, the medium name, medium size, and print quality.

[0043] Furthermore, through the function of the cutting machine designation unit 111b, the processor 110 receives cutting machine designation information, which is information about a cutting machine for cutting the medium. The cutting machine designation information includes information indicating the type of cutting machine. The parameter setting unit a3 shown in FIG. 7 indicates settings related to cutting. The user can display the cutting settings shown in FIG. 7 by selecting cutting settings in the settings menu tab. The cutting machine setting unit a33 is an operation unit that presents a list of available cutting machines and allows the user to select one, as shown in FIG. 8. The list of available cutting machines may be configured to display types of cutting machines that the user has manually registered in advance, or may be configured to automatically detect cutting machines present on the same network as the printing terminal 100 and display the detected types of cutting machines.

[0044] FIG. 8 shows an example in which four options are displayed as a drop-down menu: "Cutter A (first cutter)," "Cutter B (second cutter)," "Cutter A or B (first or second cutter)," and "No cutter used." "Cutter A (first cutter)," "Cutter B (second cutter)," and "Cutter A or B (first or second cutter)" indicate that a cutter will be used, while "No cutter used" indicates that a cutter will not be used. "No cutter used" indicates that a cutting process will not be performed as a post-processing step for printed materials. For example, if a large rectangular object, such as a poster, is printed on a printing device and cut by the printing device's cutter, and the finished product is completed without cutting by a cutter (or moved to a post-processing step other than cutting), "No cutter used" would be selected.

[0045] When the user selects one of the options from the list in the cutter setting section a33, the selection is accepted by processor 110. That is, processor 110 accepts the option selected by the user as cutter designation information.

[0046] Furthermore, processor 110 limits the area on the medium in which an image can be placed based on the cutting machine designation information (placement setting unit 111c). Specifically, processor 110 sets different areas on the medium in which an image can be placed depending on whether the cutting machine designation information indicates that a cutting machine is to be used or not. That is, when a cutting machine is not to be used, the area in which an image can be placed on the medium is not limited, and when a cutting machine is to be used, in this embodiment, the area in which image placement is limited is an area outside the maximum cuttable range of the cutting machine to be used.

[0047] When it is selected not to use any cutter, the processor 110 places the image on the medium without any restrictions. In the example of Fig. 6, the width of the rectangle in the preview section a2 (left and right direction of the paper) indicates the width of the medium specified in the medium size setting section a32. The preview section a2 in Fig. 6 shows the image I placed on the medium without any restrictions when it is selected not to use any cutter. A ,I B ,I C In other words, when it is selected not to use the cutter, the image I is arranged on the medium so that the margin area described later is narrower than when it is selected to use the cutter. A ,I B ,I C Image I A ,I B ,I C are previews of the images (JobA, JobB, JobC) displayed in the image list section a1.

[0048] On the other hand, the preview area a2 in Figure 7 shows a state in which the use of cutter A has been selected. Specifically, processor 110 obtains the maximum cutting range of cutter A by referring to cutter information 121 (see Figure 2) and sets a margin area as described below. Note that if the use of two or more cutters is selected, for example, "Cutter A or B," processor 110 sets the margin area by using the smallest value of the maximum cutting range in each of the width direction and conveyance direction of those cutters. Note that the gray-colored areas in preview area a2 in Figures 7, 8, 9, etc. are slightly exaggerated to indicate that they are areas (margin areas) where image placement is restricted.

[0049] The area on the medium where image placement is restricted is called a margin area. The gray area in the preview section a2 in FIG. 7 is a margin area. In this embodiment, if a cutting machine is selected and the width W of the medium (see FIG. 4) is greater than the maximum cuttable range in the width direction, a margin area in which no image is placed is set in the width direction. Although not shown in FIG. 7, a margin area in which image placement is restricted is also set in the transport direction of the medium. In this embodiment, these margin areas are set based on the maximum cuttable range of the cutting machine used. That is, the margin area in the width direction is determined according to the maximum cuttable range in the width direction. Furthermore, the margin area in the transport direction is determined according to the maximum cuttable range in the transport direction. Note that in other embodiments, the margin area may be set based on the guaranteed accuracy range of the cutting machine used.

[0050] If the width W of the medium (see Figure 4) is greater than the maximum cuttable range X in the width direction, the range from the left and right ends of the medium in the width direction to a length of ((WX) / 2) is the margin area M in the width direction. X In addition, the area that is separated in the conveyance direction by a reference position in the conveyance direction (for example, the starting edge of the roll paper in the conveyance direction as shown in FIG. 4) by more than the maximum cuttable range Y in the conveyance direction is the margin area M in the width direction. Y is.

[0051] The margin area set in this manner is treated by processor 110 as an area where no image is to be placed when automatically placing an image, as described below. Therefore, by setting the margin area in this manner, when cutting using a cutting device, a different area can be designated as an area where an image can be placed than when not using a cutting device. More specifically, as described above, when the cutting device designation information indicates that a cutting device is to be used, processor 110 widens the margin area compared to when the cutting device designation information indicates that a cutting device is not to be used. In this way, when cutting using a cutting device, a narrower area can be designated as an area where an image can be placed than when not using a cutting device. As a result, when using a cutting device, it is possible to process the image to be placed within the maximum cutting range of the cutting device, and when not using a cutting device, the image is placed in an area closer to the edge of the medium than when not using a cutting device, thereby reducing consumption of roll paper, which is the medium.

[0052] Furthermore, the processor 110 causes the placement setting unit to differentiate the area on the medium in which an image can be placed depending on whether the cutting machine designation information indicates that a first cutting machine is to be used or a second cutting machine is to be used. That is, when a cutting machine is selected, the processor 110 differentiates the area in which an image can be placed depending on the type of cutting machine. Specifically, the processor 110 obtains the maximum cuttable area corresponding to the type of cutting machine designated in the cutting machine designation information by referencing the cutting machine information 121 (see FIG. 2), and sets the margin area as described above. In this way, images can be placed in areas of different sizes depending on the cutting machine.

[0053] The user can instruct automatic image placement by pressing the Nest button b5. When the user presses the Nest button b5, the processor 110 automatically sets the appropriate image placement on the medium. That is, the processor 110 generates a preview image for each image added to the image list section a1. Here, appropriate image placement means, for example, that images do not overlap, that images are placed at a predetermined interval, and that margins significantly exceeding the predetermined interval are minimized, except in areas where image placement is restricted due to the cutting machine selection. Furthermore, by acquiring parameters selected for the layout, such as those shown in FIG. 9, the automatic image placement can be appropriately set in the manner desired by the user. For example, the layout parameter setting section includes an alignment method setting section a35 and a spacing setting section a36. The alignment method setting section a35 provides options such as standard (top left alignment), top right alignment, bottom left alignment, and bottom right alignment. The spacing setting section a36 allows the user to set the spacing between adjacent images to the right of the image and between adjacent images below the image. These intervals are examples of the aforementioned predetermined intervals. For example, when the user presses the Nest button b5 after setting such layout parameters (or when the user does not set new parameters, default values ​​are used), the processor 110 uses the horizontal and vertical lengths of the images, the placement method selected in the placement method setting section a35, and the interval length set in the interval setting section a36 to place images within an area where image placement is not restricted.

[0054] For example, in the example in Figure 9, the maximum cuttable area X in the width direction is A The horizontal length of the image I B The left-right length of the A to the right of and I B The value obtained by subtracting the sum of the two (the two to the right of C Since the horizontal length of image I is shorter than the horizontal length of image I, processor 110 C Image IA and Image I B In this example, image I A The vertical length and bottom spacing of image I C Since the sum of the lengths in the vertical direction of the image I is less than the maximum cuttable range in the conveyance direction of the medium, the processor 110 determines that two-tier arrangement is possible and C In this way, the function of automatically arranging multiple images appropriately reduces the burden on the user compared to manual arrangement.

[0055] Processor 110 displays a preview screen showing the results of setting the image placement in this manner. In this embodiment, preview section a2 is this preview screen. As described above, when cutting machine designation information indicating the use of a cutting machine is received, the preview screen shows an uncuttable area, which is an area where the cutting machine cannot perform a cutting operation. In this embodiment, the uncuttable area is an area where image placement is restricted, and is the above-mentioned margin area. Preview section a2 is configured to distinguish between the area where images are placed and the area where placement is restricted (uncuttable area, margin area), thereby reducing the possibility that a user will mistakenly perceive the uncuttable area as unnecessary margin when the image is automatically placed.

[0056] If the user presses the Nest button b5 again, the processor 110 returns the image layout to the state before the automatic layout process. Therefore, the image is displayed in the preview area a2 in the position before the automatic layout process.

[0057] The user can also manually place an image. That is, when the user moves an image object in preview section a2 within the rectangular frame of preview section a2 by dragging and dropping it using a mouse (not shown), processor 110 changes the position of the image to the new position. When the user manually places an image object, the area restricting image placement is displayed in gray, as shown in FIG. 9, allowing the user to distinguish between areas where images may be placed and areas where they are restricted. The user can then manually place the image using the size of the area where images may be placed as a guide. In areas where image placement is restricted, the user's dropping operation using the mouse may be prohibited.

[0058] The cut mark setting unit a34 shown in FIG. 7 is a unit for setting the type of cut mark used to align the image to be cut printed on the medium. The setting menus related to cutting are not limited to these, and various other menus may be included. The cut mark is a mark that indicates a reference position when the cutting machine performs a cutting operation. In this embodiment, the cut mark is in the form of two line segments (a so-called L-shape) that intersect at right angles at the ends. When the user instructs the processor 110 to place the selected type of cut mark, the processor 110 places the cut mark within a cuttable area on the medium, which is an area indicated by the cutter designation information where the cutting machine can perform the cutting operation. The cuttable area is an area on the medium that corresponds to the maximum cuttable range of the cutting machine indicated by the cutter designation information.

[0059] That is, the processor 110 places the cut mark m1 within the cuttable area, but outside the area occupied by all the placed image objects. In this way, the cut mark can be printed within a range that can be read by the optical sensor of the cutting machine.

[0060] The processor 110 also places a barcode related to the cutting operation to be performed by the cutting machine within a cuttable area on the medium, which is an area indicated by the cutting machine specification information where the cutting operation can be performed by the cutting machine. That is, the processor 110 generates a barcode indicating reference information for the cutting operation data and places the barcode bc within the cuttable area, at a predetermined distance from the cut mark m1, outside a rectangular area whose vertex is the reference point of the cut mark m1. This configuration allows the barcode bc to be printed within an area where the optical sensor of the cutting machine can read the barcode bc.

[0061] As described above, this embodiment is configured to limit the area on the medium where an image can be placed based on the cutting machine specification information. Therefore, if the cutting machine specification information is not taken into consideration and the area on the medium where an image can be placed is not limited, it is possible to prevent the production of printed matter in which an image is placed in an area that the cutting machine cannot cut (waste paper).

[0062] (2) Printing and cutting control processing: FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the print control and cut control processes. The processes in FIG. 10 are started when the RIP application is launched in the printing terminal 100. When the print control and cut control processes are started, the processor 110 accepts the designation of the image to be printed (step S100). Specifically, when the user operates the Add button b1 on the screen shown in FIG. 6 to add an image to be printed, the processor 110 acquires the added image as the image to be printed. Note that there may be one or more images to be printed.

[0063] Next, the processor 110 accepts the printing conditions and cutting conditions for the accepted image to be printed (step S105). Specifically, when the user selects each setting tab in the parameter setting section a3 and inputs the desired settings (see FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9), the processor 110 accepts the input setting values. The setting values ​​set at this time include the setting values ​​in the cutter setting section a33, as shown in FIG. 7. In other words, the processor 110 accepts cutter designation information indicating whether or not to use a cutter after the printing process, and, if a cutter is to be used, the cutter to be used.

[0064] Next, the processor 110 receives an instruction for the imposition process (step S110). That is, when the user operates the Nest button b5 to instruct automatic imposition process, the processor 110 receives the instruction for the imposition process.

[0065] Next, processor 110 acquires cutting machine information of the designated cutting machine (step S115). That is, when cutting machine designation information indicating that any cutting machine will be used is received in step S105, processor 110 refers to cutting machine information 121 and acquires the maximum cutting range of the cutting machine designated in step S105.

[0066] Next, processor 110 automatically arranges the images within the range based on the cutting machine information (step S120). That is, processor 110 arranges the images to be printed in a line in the width direction of the medium in the order of the list, at a predetermined interval, within the maximum cuttable range in the width direction. When arranging them in this way, images that exceed the maximum cuttable range in the width direction are arranged in the same manner from the next row in the transport direction. This arrangement may reflect parameters accepted in the layout setting shown in FIG. 9. Furthermore, if processor 110 accepts an instruction from the user to arrange barcode bc or cut mark m1, it arranges these within the maximum cuttable range.

[0067] Next, the processor 110 executes printing (step S125). That is, when the user operates the RIP button b3 and then the Print button b4, the processor 125 performs RIP processing on the image shown in the preview area a2 to generate print data 124 and cutting operation data (122). The processor 110 then outputs the print data 124 to the printing device 200, causing the printing device 200 to execute printing based on the print data.

[0068] (3) Other embodiments: The above embodiment is one example for implementing the present invention, and various other embodiments are also possible. For example, the information processing device of the present invention may be configured as an integrated unit with a printing device. Furthermore, the information processing device may be configured as a device (server) separate from the terminal operated by the user and the printing device. Furthermore, the information processing device and the cutting terminal may be configured as an integrated device.

[0069] The layout setting unit may be configured to set different layoutable areas depending on whether or not a cutting machine is used. Whether or not to use a cutting machine may be determined based on the user's selection, as in the above embodiment, or may be determined as follows. For example, the layout setting unit may be configured to determine that a cutting machine is to be used if the image data to be printed includes spot color data indicating a cut line, and to determine that a cutting machine is not to be used if the image data does not include spot color data indicating a cut line. For example, if the image data to be printed does not include spot color data indicating a cut line, the cutting machine options in the cutting machine setting unit a33 in FIG. 8 may be grayed out and made unselectable, and an option indicating that a cutting machine is not to be used may be selected by default. Also, for example, the information processing device may be configured to determine that a cutting machine will not be used based on the fact that no connection of a cutting machine is detected on the network to which the information processing device is connected.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the cuttable area and margin area are set by using the maximum cuttable area of ​​the cutting machine. However, the cuttable area and margin area may be set based on the guaranteed accuracy range of the cutting machine. Also, the maximum cuttable area of ​​the cutting machine may be used in the width direction, and the guaranteed accuracy range of the cutting machine may be used in the conveyance direction, or the user may be able to select between these.

[0071] FIG. 11 shows an example of an arrangement P1 (left) of multiple images when a cutter is not used, and an example of an arrangement P2 (right) of multiple images when a cutter is used. The example of an arrangement P1 when a cutter is not used shows that no margin area is provided in the direction of conveyance of the medium. The example of an arrangement P2 when a cutter is used shows that when the maximum cuttable range Y (or the guaranteed accuracy range) in the direction of conveyance of the medium is exceeded, a margin area M is provided. Y A margin area M Y When using a cutting machine, providing a margin area like this allows the image to be placed within the range of the conveying direction that the cutting machine can handle (or within the guaranteed accuracy range in the conveying direction).

[0072] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which a barcode or cut mark is read using an optical sensor mounted on a carriage, but the manner in which the barcode or cut mark is read is not limited to this. For example, a cutting machine equipped with an optical sensor whose imaging range includes the entire set medium may be used. When using such a cutting machine, the barcode or cut mark does not necessarily have to be printed within the cuttable area, and may be positioned outside the cuttable area. Furthermore, the barcode may be replaced with a two-dimensional code, numbers, letters, symbols, etc.

[0073] Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied as a program or method executed by a computer. For example, the above content can also be applied as an invention of a cutting control method including: an image receiving unit receiving an image to be printed; a cutting machine designation unit receiving cutting machine designation information, which is information about a cutting machine for cutting the medium; and a placement setting unit limiting an area on the medium where the image can be placed based on the cutting machine designation information. This method can be realized by causing a processor of a computer serving as an information processing device to function as the image receiving unit, the placement setting unit, the cutting machine designation unit, etc. The above content can also be applied as an invention of a cutting control program that causes a computer to function as an image receiving unit that receives an image to be printed, a cutting machine designation unit that receives cutting machine designation information, which is information about a cutting machine for cutting the medium, and a placement setting unit that limits an area on the medium where the image can be placed based on the cutting machine designation information.

[0074] Furthermore, the above-described systems, programs, and methods may be realized as a single device or may be realized using components of multiple devices, and include various embodiments. Furthermore, they may be modified as appropriate, such as being partly software and partly hardware. Furthermore, the invention also applies to a recording medium for a program that controls the system. Of course, the recording medium for the program may be a magnetic recording medium or a semiconductor memory, and any recording medium developed in the future may be considered in the same way. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 100...printing terminal, 110...processor, 111...RIP application, 111a...image receiving unit, 111b...cutting machine designation unit, 111c...layout setting unit, 120...non-volatile memory, 121...cutting machine information, 124...printing data, 125...processor, 130...communication unit, 140...UI unit, 200...printing device, 210...processor, 220...non-volatile memory, 230...UI unit, 240...communication unit, 250...printing unit, 400...first cutting terminal, 410...processor, 420...non-volatile memory, 430...communication unit, 440...UI unit, 500...first cutting machine, 510...processor, 520...non-volatile memory , 530...UI section, 540...Communication section, 550...Cutting section, 551...Media transport section, 552...Carriage, 553...Cutter, 554...Optical sensor, W...Media width, X...Maximum cutting range (width direction), Y...Maximum cutting range (transport direction), a1...Image list section, a2...Preview section, a3...Parameter setting section, a32...Media size setting section, a33...Cutting machine setting section, a34...Cut mark setting section, a35...Layout method setting section, a36...Spacing setting section, b1...Add button, b2...Delete button, b3...RIP button, b4...Print button, b5...Nest button, bc...Barcode, m1...Cut mark

Claims

1. an image receiving unit that receives an image to be printed; a cutter designation unit that receives cutter designation information, which is information about a cutter for cutting the medium; a placement setting unit that limits an area on the medium in which the image can be placed based on the cutting machine specification information; An information processing device comprising:

2. the placement setting unit sets different areas on the medium in which the image can be placed depending on whether the cutter designation information indicates that the cutter is to be used or not; and The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. If the area on the medium where the placement of the image is restricted is defined as a margin area, The placement setting unit When the cutting machine designation information indicates that the cutting machine is to be used, the margin area is made wider than when the cutting machine designation information indicates that the cutting machine is not to be used. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. The layout setting unit sets different areas on the medium in which the image can be laid out depending on whether the cutter designation information indicates that a first cutter is to be used as the cutter or whether the cutter designation information indicates that a second cutter is to be used as the cutter. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. the layout setting unit automatically sets the layout of the image on the medium; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. an area on the medium where the placement of the image is restricted is defined as a margin area; a conveyance direction being a direction in which the medium is conveyed when the image is printed on the medium; If the direction intersecting the conveying direction is defined as the width direction, The margin area is an area in which the image is not placed in the width direction. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

7. an area on the medium where the placement of the image is restricted is defined as a margin area; When the image is printed on the medium, the direction in which the medium is transported is defined as the transport direction. The margin area is an area in which the image is not placed in the transport direction. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

8. a preview screen showing a result of setting the layout of the images by the layout setting unit; When the cutting machine designation unit receives the cutting machine designation information indicating that the cutting machine is to be used, The preview screen displays an uncuttable area, which is an area where the cutting machine cannot perform a cutting operation. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

9. The placement setting unit places a cut mark, which indicates a reference position when the cutter performs a cutting operation, within a cuttable area on the medium, which is an area indicated by the cutter designation information and in which the cutter can perform a cutting operation. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

10. the placement setting unit places a barcode related to the cutting operation to be performed by the cutting machine within a cuttable area on the medium, which is an area indicated by the cutting machine designation information and in which the cutting operation can be performed by the cutting machine. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

11. Further comprising a storage unit, a conveyance direction being a direction in which the medium is conveyed when the image is printed on the medium; If the direction intersecting the conveying direction is defined as the width direction, the storage unit stores a maximum cuttable range in the conveyance direction and a maximum cuttable range in the width direction for each type of the cutting machine; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

12. The image receiving unit receives an image to be printed, The cutter designation unit receives cutter designation information, which is information about a cutter for cutting the medium, a placement setting unit that limits an area on the medium in which the image can be placed based on the cutting machine designation information; A cutting control method comprising:

13. Computer, an image receiving unit that receives an image to be printed; a cutter designation unit that receives cutter designation information, which is information regarding a cutter for cutting the medium; a placement setting unit that limits an area on the medium in which the image can be placed based on the cutting machine specification information; A cutting control program that functions as a

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