Printing system, control method of printing system, and printing apparatus

Abstract

To solve the problem that convenience is low when synthesizing and printing image information.SOLUTION: In a printing system including an terminal and a printing device capable of communicating with the terminal, the terminal transmits first image information, second image information, and arrangement information related to relative positions of the first image information and the second image information to the printing device, and the printing device combines and prints the first image information and the second image information according to the arrangement information based on reception from the terminal, and registers the first image information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system, a control method for a printing system, and a printing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, a label printer is known as a printing device that arranges second image information based on a command received from a host computer as a terminal device and an additional image as the second image information, and combines the second image information with a background image as the first image information stored in a memory unit and prints it. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-105103 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when combining and printing the first image information and the second image information, the above-mentioned printing device and terminal device make it difficult to confirm the relative positions of the first image information and the second image information, and furthermore, it is necessary to position the second image information using a command, making it less convenient. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A printing system comprising a terminal device and a printing device capable of communicating with the terminal device, wherein the terminal device transmits first image information, second image information, and layout information relating to the relative positions of the first image information and the second image information to the printing device, and the printing device, based on reception from the terminal device, synthesizes and prints the first image information and the second image information in accordance with the layout information, and registers the first image information.

[0006] A control method for a printing system including a terminal device and a printing device capable of communicating with the terminal device, wherein the terminal device transmits first image information, second image information, and layout information relating to the relative positions of the first image information and the second image information to the printing device, and the printing device, based on reception from the terminal device, synthesizes and prints the first image information and the second image information in accordance with the layout information, and registers the first image information.

[0007] A printing device capable of communicating with a terminal device and comprising a printing unit, a control unit, and a memory unit, wherein when the control unit receives first image information, second image information, and placement information relating to the relative positions of the first image information and the second image information from the terminal device, the control unit combines the first image information and the second image information in accordance with the placement information, prints them using the printing unit, and registers the first image information in the memory unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing system. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart showing the control of the terminal device when transmitting to the printing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing first image information. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing second image information. [Figure 5] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a first preview screen on the terminal device, in which the first image information and the second image information before adjustment are combined. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an adjustment screen for inputting adjustment information on the terminal device. [Figure 7] 10 is a schematic diagram showing a second preview screen on the terminal device, in which the first image information and the second image information after adjustment are combined. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the control of the printing device when receiving data from the terminal device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 1. Printing system configuration As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 includes a printing device 10 and a terminal device 20. The printing device 10 and the terminal device 20 can communicate with each other via a WAN (Wide Area Network) 30, which is, for example, the Internet. The WAN 30 may also be a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). For example, a unique IP address (Internet Protocol Address) is assigned to each of the printing device 10 and the terminal device 20. These devices can communicate with a communication destination by specifying the IP address assigned to the communication destination. As another example, the printing device 10 and the terminal device 20 may communicate directly using a wired method such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), or may communicate directly wirelessly without going through a network using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like.

[0010] The printing device 10 includes a first control unit 11, a first communication unit 12, and a first storage unit 13. The first control unit 11 comprehensively controls each unit of the printing device 10. The first control unit 11 is configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) that manages input and output, and logic circuits such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and a PLD (Programmable Logic Device). The CPU is also called a processor.

[0011] The first storage unit 13 includes a memory such as a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) or HDD (Hard Disk Drive), which is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and a RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a volatile memory. The CPU of the first control unit 11 reads out a program stored in the nonvolatile memory of the first storage unit 13, and executes the program using the RAM of the first storage unit 13 as a working area. As will be described later, the first storage unit 13 can store the first image information G1 as a registration and store the setting information as a setting.

[0012] The first communication unit 12 includes a circuit that can communicate wirelessly or via a wired connection. The first communication unit 12 includes an antenna in the case of a wireless connection, and a connector in the case of a wired connection. The first communication unit 12 is capable of communicating via the WAN 30. Although the printing device 10 uses the first communication unit 12 to send and receive data to and from a communication destination, the following description will omit the sending and receiving of data via the first communication unit 12 for the sake of brevity. The same applies to the second communication unit 22 of the terminal device 20, which will be described later.

[0013] The printing device 10 further includes a printing unit 14. The printing unit 14 includes a printing mechanism such as a head, a transport roller, and a cutter (all not shown). Examples of media to be printed on include plain paper, synthetic paper, photo paper, and film. The medium is, for example, continuous paper that is long and wound into a roll. The medium may also be in sheet form. The printing unit 14 can pull out the medium from the roll using a transport roller, transport it, print using a head, and then cut it using a cutter to produce a printed product of a predetermined size. The head is, for example, an inkjet type, and prints by ejecting ink of multiple colors such as CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). The printing device 10 may also include an input / output unit having a configuration similar to that of a second input / output unit 24 of the terminal device 20, which will be described later.

[0014] The terminal device 20 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a computer, etc. The terminal device 20 includes a second control unit 21, a second communication unit 22, and a second storage unit 23. These components of the terminal device 20 are almost the same as those of the printing device 10, and therefore will not be described here.

[0015] Furthermore, the terminal device 20 includes a second input / output unit 24. The second input / output unit 24 is a user interface for the user. The second input / output unit 24 is, for example, a touch panel display, and includes a display panel serving as an output unit that displays various information, and a detection panel serving as an input unit. The detection panel is configured to be overlaid on the display panel, and can detect operations by a user's finger or the like using a capacitance type, a resistive film type, an optical type, or the like. In the second input / output unit 24, the input unit may be a keyboard, a mouse, or buttons, and the output unit may be a stand-type liquid crystal display.

[0016] 2. Printing system control method 2-1. Terminal device control method First, a control method for the terminal device 20, which is included in the control method for the printing system 1, will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 7. In the following description, the first control unit 11 of the printing device 10 and the second control unit 21 of the terminal device 20 actually execute their respective processes. For the sake of simplicity, the following description will omit the execution of processes by each control unit.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 20 starts the process, generates first image information G1, which is background image information (S101), and generates second image information G2, which is additional image information (S102). The first image information G1 is image information relating to a background image that will be the background of the printed matter, for example, as shown in Fig. 3. The second image information G2 is image information relating to an additional image, such as a person that will be the center of the printed matter, for example, as shown in Fig. 4.

[0018] The user may generate the first image information G1 and the second image information G2 using a drawing or photography application on the terminal device 20 and store them in the second storage unit . Alternatively, the first image information G1 and the second image information G2 may be stored in advance in the second storage unit 23 of the terminal device 20, and the user may select one of them via the second input / output unit 24. In this case, the terminal device 20 reading out the selected first image information G1 and second image information G2 from the second storage unit 23 is referred to as generating the information.

[0019] For example, the first image information G1 and the second image information G2 are each stored at an address in a predetermined area of ​​RAM in the second storage unit 23 of the terminal device 20. The results of each of the following processes are also stored in a predetermined area of ​​RAM at a different address. As will be described later, the addresses in the RAM of the second storage unit 23 also correspond to the coordinates of each preview screen.

[0020] The terminal device 20 superimposes and combines the first image information G1 and the second image information G2, and displays the first preview screen R1 shown in FIG. 5 via the second input / output unit 24 (S103). The first preview screen R1 shows the preview screen before adjustment. In the example of Fig. 5, the second image information G2 is displayed in front of the first image information G1, but the first image information G1 may be displayed in front of the second image information G2. The user can select which image information to display in front using the second input / output unit 24, and the selection result may be included in the adjustment information AD described below. Note that placing the second image information G2 in front of the first image information G1 is also referred to as superimposing the second image information G2 on the first image information G1.

[0021] The first image information G1 and the second image information G2 displayed on the first preview screen R1 shown in FIG. 5 are displayed at positions corresponding to the coordinates in the X-axis and Y-axis directions on the first preview screen R1, respectively. The coordinates in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction correspond to addresses in the RAM of the second storage unit 23 that are used by the terminal device 20 to display the first preview screen R1 on the second input / output unit 24. As shown in FIG. 7 described later, the same applies to the second preview screen R2 after adjustment. For example, when the terminal device 20 reads out the first image information G1 etc. from a predetermined range of addresses in the RAM of the second memory unit 23 and displays it using the second input / output unit 24, it can display it at a position corresponding to the coordinates in the X-axis and Y-axis directions on the first preview screen R1, as shown in Figure 5.

[0022] 6, when the user adjusts the position of the second image information G2 displayed on the first preview screen R1, the terminal device 20 changes the address of the RAM in the second storage unit 23 that stores the second image information G2. That is, the terminal device 20 changes the address of the RAM and rewrites the second image information G2. As a result, the second image information G2 can be displayed as a second preview screen R2 in which the position of the second image information G2 has been changed, as shown in Fig. 7. The terminal device 20 can also perform similar processing for the first image information G1.

[0023] The description will continue by returning to Figure 5. The first preview screen R1 shown in Figure 5 displays the first image information G1 and the second image information G2, each synthesized based on the original image information before any adjustments made by the user. The terminal device 20 displays the adjustment screen A shown in Fig. 6 together with the first preview screen R1 of Fig. 5 via the second input / output unit 24. The adjustment screen A is a screen for inputting adjustment information AD, which is information for adjusting the first image information G1 and the second image information G2. 6 shows an example in which the first image information G1 is left fixed without adjustment, and the second image information G2 is adjusted. Note that the second image information G2 may be left fixed, and the first image information G1 may be adjusted. Alternatively, both the first image information G1 and the second image information G2 may be adjusted.

[0024] The terminal device 20 acquires adjustment information AD, which is input information entered by the user, via the second input / output unit 24. The terminal device 20 can adjust the second image information G2 based on the acquired adjustment information AD and display it on the first preview screen R1. As described above, the terminal device 20 changes the address of the RAM in the second storage unit 23 to rewrite the second image information G2. In this way, the user can adjust the second image information G2 by inputting the adjustment information AD into the adjustment screen A in FIG. 6 while viewing the first preview screen R1 in FIG. 5 which reflects the adjustment results.

[0025] The adjustment information AD includes adjustment information regarding the size for enlarging or reducing the image information that the user is adjusting, and adjustment information regarding the position for adjusting the position in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. In the example of FIG. 6, for the second image information G2, adjustment information relating to size, ie, width W mm and length L mm, and adjustment information relating to position, ie, width X mm and height Y mm, are input as adjustment information AD. Among the adjustment information AD, the adjustment information relating to the position, such as X mm in width and Y mm in height, is referred to as placement information relating to the relative positions of the first image information G1 and the second image information G2. The user can input the placement information on the adjustment screen A while checking the relative positions of the first image information G1 and the second image information G2 on the first preview screen R1. Note that the input of the layout information by the user is not limited to this example. For example, the user can select or move the second image information G2 displayed on the first preview screen R1 by touching or swiping. In this case, input of the layout information via the adjustment screen A can be omitted.

[0026] Based on the acquired adjustment information AD, the terminal device 20 adjusts the size of the second image information G2 so that it is W mm in width and L mm in length, and further shifts and adjusts the position so that it is X mm in width along the X-axis and Y mm in height along the Y-axis. If the adjustment information AD includes enlargement or reduction information, the terminal device 20 adjusts the second image information G2 by enlarging or reducing it using, for example, an image scaling algorithm. If the adjustment information AD includes placement information that adjusts the position, the terminal device 20 adjusts by shifting the position, for example, by changing and rewriting the RAM address. As described above, the terminal device 20 can perform these processes using the RAM of the second storage unit 23 and display the adjusted results on the second input / output unit 24.

[0027] In this way, the terminal device 20 can adjust the second image information G2, overlay it on the first image information G1, and display it as the second preview screen R2 intended by the user, as shown in Fig. 7. The terminal device 20 can also acquire adjustment information AD for creating the second preview screen R2 intended by the user. This information is stored in the RAM of the second storage unit 23. Here, the terminal device 20 acquiring the adjustment information AD input to the second preview screen R2 via the second input / output unit 24 is referred to as generating the adjustment information AD (S104).

[0028] Furthermore, the terminal device 20 displays a setting preview screen (not shown) for the user to input setting information on the second input / output unit 24. The terminal device 20 determines whether any setting information has been input by the user on the setting preview screen (S105). When the terminal device 20 determines that input setting information exists (S105: YES), the terminal device 20 acquires the setting information. Note that, here, acquiring the setting information input to the setting preview screen via the second input / output unit 24 by the terminal device 20 is referred to as generating setting information (S106). If the terminal device 20 determines that no setting information has been input (S105: NO), it does not generate any setting information and proceeds to the next process.

[0029] The setting information indicates settings for printing an image in the printing device 10 that is a combination of the first image information G1 and the second image information G2. For example, the setting information includes setting information related to color correction such as brightness, contrast, and saturation when ink is ejected onto a medium by the head of the printing unit 14 of the printing device 10. Specifically, the setting information related to color correction includes image processing coefficients when converting into the amount of ink of each color ejected by the head of the printing unit 14 of the printing device 10. Furthermore, the setting information can include information for cutting the medium with the cutter of the printing device 10 and information for controlling the amount of medium transport.

[0030] The terminal device 20 also displays a permission preview screen (not shown) on the second input / output unit 24 for the user to input permission information. More specifically, for example, the permission preview screen displays a message such as "Do you want to register the background image in the printer?" and buttons such as "Yes" and "No." Based on this display, the terminal device 20 determines whether the user has input permission information on the permission preview screen (S107). When the terminal device 20 determines that there is input permission information (S107: YES), it acquires the permission information. Note that, here, the terminal device 20 acquiring the permission information input to the permission preview screen via the second input / output unit 24 is referred to as generating permission information (S108). Here, as will be described later, the permission information may be restriction information.

[0031] If the terminal device 20 determines that no permission information has been input (S107: NO), it does not generate permission information and proceeds to the next process. The permission information relates to information that permits the first image information G1 to be registered in the first storage unit 13 of the printing device 10.

[0032] The terminal device 20 transmits the generated first image information G1, second image information G2, and adjustment information AD to the printing device 10 (S109). At this time, if there is generated setting information and permission information, they are also transmitted. Then, the terminal device 20 ends the process.

[0033] As described above, the user can adjust the second image information G2 by inputting adjustment information AD including placement information into the adjustment screen A shown in FIG. 6 while viewing the first preview screen R1, which combines the first image information G1 and the second image information G2 shown in FIG. 5, on the terminal device 20. Furthermore, the second preview screen R2 adjusted using the adjustment information AD corresponds to the print image P to be printed by the printing device 10 (described later), and can be easily confirmed by the user. Then, the terminal device 20 may transmit the generated adjustment information AD to the printing device 10 together with the first image information G1 and the second image information G2.

[0034] In this way, when combining the first image information and the second image information, the relative positions of the first image information and the second image information can be confirmed. The printing system 1 can improve convenience in variable data printing, also known as variable printing, in which the second image information can be easily changed relative to the first image information. The printing system 1 can also adjust the second image information, making it possible to easily change the second image information along with the first image information.

[0035] 2-2. Printing device control method Next, a control method for the printing device 10, which is included in the control method for the printing system 1, will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. As in the case of the terminal device 20 described above, the following process is executed using the RAM of the first storage unit 13 of the printing device 10. As will be described later, the addresses in the RAM of the first storage unit 13 correspond to the coordinates of the print image P, which is the print data shown in Figure 7.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 8, the printing device 10 starts processing, determines whether the information transmitted from the terminal device 20 has been received as described above (S201), and waits until it is received (S201: NO). When the printing device 10 determines that it has received information from the terminal device 20 (S201: YES), it performs the following process. The information received by the printing device 10 includes the first image information G1, the second image information G2, and the adjustment information AD. In addition, if there is setting information or permission information, this information is also included.

[0037] The printing device 10 determines whether the received information contains setting information (S202), and if it determines that there is no setting information (S202: NO), it proceeds to the next process. If the printing device 10 determines that the setting information is present (S202: YES), it performs the following setting-related processing (S203).

[0038] That is, if the setting information includes information related to color correction, the printing device 10 registers in the first memory unit 13 image processing coefficients that convert the amount of ink ejected for each color into corresponding values ​​such as brightness, contrast, and saturation, depending on the information related to color correction. Furthermore, for example, if the setting information includes information for cutting the medium, the printing device 10 registers in the first storage unit 13 that the medium will be cut with a cutter after printing the received image information.

[0039] Next, the printing device 10 combines the first image information G1 and the second image information G2 based on the received adjustment information AD (S204). The printing device 10 can adjust the second image information G2 on the RAM of the first memory unit 13 based on the adjustment information AD, and overlay and combine it with the first image information G1, as in the case of the second preview screen R2 of the terminal device 20 described above.

[0040] 7, the printing device 10 generates a print image P similar to the second preview screen R2 intended by the user. The print image P is stored in the RAM of the first storage unit 13 in a form that can be printed on a medium by the printing unit 14. Here, as in the case of the terminal device 20 described above, an example is shown in which the first image information G1 is fixed and the second image information G2 is adjusted based on the adjustment information AD, but it is also possible to fix the second image information G2 and adjust the first image information G1, or to adjust the first image information G1 and the second image information G2.

[0041] If the adjustment information AD includes enlargement or reduction information, the printing device 10 adjusts the received second image information G2 by enlarging or reducing it using, for example, an image scaling algorithm. Also, if the adjustment information AD includes placement information that adjusts the position, the printing device 10 adjusts it by shifting the position. Specifically, according to the received adjustment information AD shown in the example of Figure 6, the printing device 10 enlarges or reduces the second image information G2 to a size of width W mm and length L mm, and shifts its position horizontally X mm in the X-axis direction and vertically Y mm in the Y-axis direction.

[0042] Based on the adjustment information AD, the printing device 10 overwrites the area in the RAM of the first storage unit 13 where the first image information G1 is stored with the adjusted second image information G2. The printing device 10 can overlay the second image information G2 on the first image information G1 to create a composite image, as shown in Figure 7. If the adjustment information AD includes selection information about which side should be in front, the printing device 10 can overwrite the image in accordance with the selection information in the adjustment information AD. The coordinates in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 7 correspond to addresses in a predetermined range in the RAM of the first storage unit 13, where the printing device 10 prints the print image P on a medium.

[0043] The printing device 10 reads the print image P from the RAM of the first storage unit 13 in address order, where the print image P is stored, and prints it on a medium using the printing unit 14 (S205). When printing the print image P obtained by combining the first image information G1 and the second image information G2, the printing device 10 executes the following process based on the setting information.

[0044] The printing device 10 refers to the first storage unit 13, and if there is setting information related to color correction, converts the information into ejection amounts of ink of each color according to the coefficients of image processing related to color correction, and performs printing. Furthermore, the printing device 10 refers to the first storage unit 13, and if there is setting information related to cutting, it automatically cuts the medium with a cutter after printing the print image P. If there is no setting information related to cutting, it does not automatically cut the medium with a cutter after printing the print image P, but in this case the user can instruct the printing device 10 to execute cutting via a cut execution button (not shown) provided on the printing device 10 or the terminal device 20. As a result, the printing device 10 can print on the medium a printout such as the print image P shown in FIG. 7, which is the user's intended printout. The printer 10 may register the setting information in a flash ROM of the first storage unit 13, and read and use the setting information even after the power is turned on again.

[0045] Next, the printing device 10 determines whether the received information includes permission information (S206), and if it determines that the information does not include permission information (S206: NO), the printing device 10 proceeds to the next process. Note that if the information does not include permission information, the printing device 10 may delete the first image information G1 from the first storage unit 13. If the printing device 10 determines that permission information is present (S206: YES), it registers the first image information G1 in the first storage unit 13 (S207). At this time, if setting information is present, the printing device 10 may associate the setting information with the first image information G1 and register it in the first storage unit 13. Note that registering information in the first storage unit 13 is also said to store information in the first storage unit 13. The printing device 10 deletes the second image information G2 from the first storage unit 13 (S208) and ends the process. Here, the timing for deleting the second image information G2 from the first storage unit 13 is after the print image P is generated or after the print image P is printed on the medium. As another example, the timing for deletion may be when the printing device 10 receives new second image information G2 for a subsequent print job. In other words, the second image information G2 may be in a state where it can be overwritten and deleted. The printing device 10 may register the permission information in a flash ROM of the first storage unit 13, and read and use the information even after the power is turned on again.

[0046] In this way, the printing device 10 can easily print the print image P intended by the user by combining the first image information G1 and the second image information G2 based on the adjustment information AD received from the terminal device 20. Furthermore, even if setting information is available, the printing device 10 can easily print according to the setting information. In variable printing, the printing system 1 can easily change the second image information relative to the first image information and print it, improving convenience. Note that the printing system 1 can also adjust the second image information and easily change and print the second image information together with the first image information.

[0047] For security reasons, it is preferable that the first image information G1 and the second image information G2 not be used for other purposes. For this reason, the printing device 10 registers the first image information G1 related to background images, etc., only if permission information is available. Furthermore, the printing device 10 deletes the second image information G2 related to portrait images, etc., which are of higher security importance. The printing device 10 may register the first image information G1 in a flash ROM of the first storage unit 13, and read and use it even after the power is turned on again.

[0048] The permission information may be restriction information indicating whether reprinting of the first image information G1 is permitted or prohibited. If there is restriction information, the printing device 10 stores that information in the first storage unit 13. The printing device 10 combines and prints the first image information G1 and the second image information G2 in accordance with the adjustment information AD based on the information received from the terminal device 20. After printing, the printing device 10 refers to the first storage unit 13, and if the restriction information indicates that reprinting is permitted, the printing device 10 registers the first image information G1 in the first storage unit 13, and if the restriction information indicates that reprinting is prohibited, the printing device 10 does not register the first image information G1.

[0049] Next, when a request for reprinting of the first image information G1 is received from the terminal device 20, the printing device 10 refers to the first memory unit 13, and if the restriction information indicates that reprinting is permitted, reads the first image information G1 from the first memory unit 13 and reprints it. In this case, the second image information G2 is sent together with a request to reprint the first image information G1 from the terminal device 20. If the restriction information indicates that reprinting is permitted, the printing device 10 can combine the first image information G1 with the second image information G2 and print them. On the other hand, if the restriction information indicates that reprinting is prohibited, the printing device 10 will not reprint the first image information G1. In this case, the first image information G1 is not even registered in the first storage unit 13. The printing device 10 can prohibit the use of the first image information G1 based on the restriction information.

[0050] The printing system 1 may also include a terminal device other than the terminal device 20. The permission information may also be restriction information indicating permission or prohibition of reuse of the first image information G1. The printing device 10 may be configured to transmit the first image information G1 registered in the first storage unit 13 to the terminal device 20 or another terminal device when the restriction information indicates that reuse is permitted. The first image information G1 can be reused in the terminal device 20 or another terminal device. On the other hand, when the restriction information indicates that reuse is prohibited, the printing device 10 does not transmit the first image information G1. In this way, the printing system 1 can easily reprint and reuse the first image information G1.

[0051] As described above, the printing system 1 includes a terminal device 20 and a printing device 10 that can communicate with the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 transmits to the printing device 10 first image information G1, second image information G2, and adjustment information AD that includes layout information related to the relative positions of the first image information G1 and the second image information G2. Based on the information received from the terminal device 20, the printing device 10 combines and prints the first image information G1 and the second image information G2 in accordance with the layout information. The printing device 10 can also register the first image information G1.

[0052] As a result, when combining and printing the first image information G1 and the second image information G2, the user can check the relative positions of the first image information G1 and the second image information G2 using the terminal device 20. The printing device 10 can combine the first image information G1 and the second image information G2 based on the adjustment information AD received from the terminal device 20, and easily print the print image P intended by the user. Furthermore, the printing system 1 can easily reprint and reuse the first image information G1. In this way, the printing system 1 can improve convenience.

[0053] The above describes the embodiments in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments, and may be changed, replaced, deleted, etc. as long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. In the above description, the head of the printing unit 14 of the printing device 10 is an inkjet type head, but it may be an electrophotographic type head or other type head. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1...printing system, 10...printing device, 11...first control unit, 13...first memory unit, 14...printing unit, 20...terminal device, 21...second control unit, 23...second memory unit, 24...second input / output unit, AD...adjustment information, G1...first image information, G2...second image information, R1...first preview screen, R2...second preview screen.

Claims

1. A printing system including a terminal device and a printing device capable of communicating with the terminal device, the terminal device transmits first image information, second image information, and layout information relating to relative positions of the first image information and the second image information to the printing device; The printing system is configured such that the printing device combines and prints the first image information and the second image information in accordance with the layout information received from the terminal device, and registers the first image information.

2. The printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the terminal device displays a preview screen in which the first image information and the second image information are superimposed, and generates the layout information based on input information.

3. The printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the printing device combines and prints the first image information and the second image information, and then deletes the second image information.

4. the terminal device transmits restriction information indicating whether reprinting of the first image information is permitted or prohibited to the printing device; 2. The printing system of claim 1, wherein the printing device combines and prints the first image information and the second image information according to the layout information received from the terminal device, and registers the first image information if the restriction information indicates that reprinting is permitted, and does not register the first image information if the restriction information indicates that reprinting is prohibited.

5. the terminal device transmits setting information indicating settings related to printing of an image obtained by combining the first image information and the second image information to the printing device; The printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the printing device performs the printing based on the setting information when combining and printing the first image information and the second image information, and registers the setting information in association with the first image information.

6. a terminal device different from the terminal device; The printing system according to claim 1 , wherein the printing device is capable of transmitting the registered first image information to the terminal device or the other terminal device.

7. A control method for a printing system including a terminal device and a printing device capable of communicating with the terminal device, comprising: the terminal device transmits first image information, second image information, and layout information relating to relative positions of the first image information and the second image information to the printing device; The printing device combines and prints the first image information and the second image information in accordance with the layout information received from the terminal device, and registers the first image information.

8. A printing device capable of communicating with a terminal device, the printing device comprising a printing unit, a control unit, and a storage unit, The control unit When first image information, second image information, and placement information relating to the relative positions of the first image information and the second image information are received from the terminal device, a printing device that combines the first image information and the second image information in accordance with the layout information, prints the combined image by the printing unit, and registers the first image information in the storage unit;

Images