Cutting control method, cutting control system, and information processing apparatus

Abstract

To solve the problem that convenience of a user is reduced in a cutting process of a printed matter.SOLUTION: A first step of generating, based on job image data, first cutting operation data and second cutting operation data, the first cutting operation data being data processable when a first cutting machine executes a cutting operation on a cutting target based on the job image data, the second cutting operation data being data different from the first cutting operation data and processable when a second cutting machine executes a cutting operation on the cutting target; A third step of transmitting the first cutting operation data to the first cutting machine when the cutting machine identification information indicating the first cutting machine is received, and transmitting the second cutting operation data to the second cutting machine when the cutting machine identification information indicating the second cutting machine is received in the second step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] It is known that a barcode is printed on a medium to be cut by a cutting machine along with an image of the medium to be cut (for example, Patent Document 1). The barcode is printed to acquire cutting operation data for cutting the image of the medium. When cutting the medium, the cutting machine reads the barcode to acquire the cutting operation data indicated by the barcode, and performs the cutting operation based on the acquired cutting operation data. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-55078 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventionally, the cutting machine to be used in the cutting process is determined during the printing process, and cutting operation data for that cutting machine is generated and saved. In the cutting process, the cutting process is performed using that cutting machine using the saved cutting operation data. However, there are cases where time is required between the printing process and the cutting process, and a cutting machine different from the previously determined cutting machine may be used in the cutting process. In such cases, the cutting operation data generated during the printing process may not be able to (or may be difficult to) perform the cutting operation on the changed cutting machine, resulting in a problem of reduced user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A cutting control method for solving the above problem includes a first step of generating, based on job image data, first cutting operation data, which is data that can be processed when a first cutting machine performs a cutting operation on a cutting target based on job image data, and second cutting operation data, which is data different from the first cutting operation data and is data that can be processed when a second cutting machine performs a cutting operation on the cutting target; a second step of receiving job identification information indicating the cutting target and cutting machine identification information indicating the type of cutting machine that will perform the cutting; and a third step of sending the first cutting operation data to the first cutting machine if cutting machine identification information indicating the first cutting machine is received in the second step, and sending the second cutting operation data to the second cutting machine if cutting machine identification information indicating the second cutting machine is received in the second step.

[0006] A cutting control system for solving the above problem comprises an information processing device, a first cutting machine, and a second cutting machine. The information processing device comprises a generation unit that generates, based on job image data, first cutting operation data, which is data that can be processed when the first cutting machine performs a cutting operation, and second cutting operation data, which is data different from the first cutting operation data and can be processed when the second cutting machine performs a cutting operation; a reception unit that receives job identification information indicating the cutting target and cutting machine identification information indicating the type of cutting machine that will perform the cutting; and a transmission unit that transmits the first cutting operation data to the first cutting machine when cutting machine identification information indicating the first cutting machine is received, and transmits the second cutting operation data to the second cutting machine when cutting machine identification information indicating the second cutting machine is received.

[0007] An information processing device for solving the above problem is an information processing device that communicates with a first cutting machine and a second cutting machine, and is equipped with a generation unit that generates, based on job image data, first cutting operation data, which is data that can be processed when the first cutting machine performs a cutting operation, and second cutting operation data, which is data different from the first cutting operation data and can be processed when the second cutting machine performs a cutting operation; a reception unit that receives job identification information indicating the cutting target and cutting machine identification information that indicates the type of cutting machine that will perform the cutting; and a transmission unit that, when cutting machine identification information indicating the first cutting machine is received, transmits the first cutting operation data to the first cutting machine, and, when cutting machine identification information indicating the second cutting machine is received, transmits the second cutting operation data to the second cutting machine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cutting machine. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a printed matter. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing apparatus. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data configuration. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart of a cutting control process. 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: (1-5) Configuration of information processing device: (2) Cut control processing: (3) Other embodiments:

[0010] (1) Overall structure: 1 shows the overall configuration of a cutting control system including a server 300 as an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The server 300 executes a cutting control program (not shown) to link with a printing terminal 100 that controls a printing device 200 that prints images to be cut, and cutting terminals (400, 600) that control cutting machines (500, 700) that perform cutting operations.

[0011] The printing device 200 of this embodiment produces printed matter by printing an image to be cut on a sheet-like medium (roll paper). The cutter (400, 600) cuts the medium (printed matter) on which the image to be cut is printed based on cutting operation data generated according to the shape of the image, etc.

[0012] The cutting operation data includes a group of vector data (a collection of vectors that define the cutting start position and cutting end position) that indicate the cutting line and a group of operation commands related to cutting. In this embodiment, the first cutting operation data that the first cutting device 500 can process is not compatible with the second cutting operation data that the second cutting device 700 can process. Therefore, the first cutting device 500 cannot perform a cutting operation based on the second cutting operation data. Furthermore, the second cutting device 700 cannot perform a cutting operation based on the first cutting operation data.

[0013] Conventionally, the cutting machine to be used in the cutting process is determined during the printing process, and cutting operation data for that cutting machine is generated and saved. Then, in the cutting process, cutting is performed using that cutting machine using the saved cutting operation data. However, there are cases where time is required between the printing process and the cutting process, or where the company performing the printing process is different from the company performing the cutting process. In such cases, a cutting machine other than the one determined during the printing process may be used in the cutting process. However, if cutting operation data that cannot be processed by the changed cutting machine is generated during the printing process, the changed cutting machine cannot (or will have difficulty) perform the cutting operation using that cutting operation data. Therefore, the server 300 of this embodiment realizes the function of generating cutting operation data for cutting images printed by the printing device 200, which is processable by the cutting machine that performs the cutting process.

[0014] (1-1) Cutting machine configuration: 2 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, but the configuration and specifications of the cutting unit 550 differ for each cutting machine. A cutting machine is also called a cutting plotter. In this embodiment, the first cutting machine 500 and the second cutting machine 700 are not compatible with each other in terms of the cutting operation data they can process (first cutting operation data, second cutting operation data).

[0015] The first cutting machine 500 includes a processor 510, a non-volatile 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 non-volatile memory 520 to control each unit of the first cutting machine 500. Each cutting machine is assigned cutting machine identification information for identifying the type of each cutting machine (manufacturer, model, etc.), and this information is recorded, for example, in the ROM of each cutting machine.

[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 322 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 as a reading device. 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 material produced by the printing device 200, based on the first cutting operation data 322.

[0019] FIG. 3 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, 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 moved parallel to the print surface of the medium set in the first cutter 500 by a motor, actuator, and mechanical parts (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 by an actuator (not shown) in a direction perpendicular to the print surface of the sheet-like medium, 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 unit and a light-receiving unit. The light-emitting unit emits light toward the medium and the light-receiving unit receives light reflected from the medium, thereby reading barcodes (bc0, etc.) and cut marks (m1, etc.) printed on the medium. The cut marks are marks used by the cutting machine to align the medium on which the image to be cut is printed, and the image to be cut is printed within a rectangular area with the reference points of each cut mark as vertices. For example, an image (object A) is printed within the rectangular area surrounded by the four cut marks m1 shown in Figure 3.

[0021] The example shown in Figure 3 shows a printed material that is intended to have multiple images (objects A, B, and C) cut together using a single cutting machine. The barcode bc0 indicates one job ID (job identification information) assigned to the objects A, B, and C that are to be cut together. As will be described in detail later, when the job ID is read by, for example, the first cutting machine 500, first cutting operation data 322 including cutting operation data for cutting each of the objects A, B, and C is sent from the server 300. The barcode bc1 includes reference information for cutting operation data for cutting object A printed within a rectangular area whose vertex is a cut mark m1 located a predetermined distance from the barcode bc1. The reference information is information that a cutting machine that reads the barcode requests individual cutting operation data for cutting the object indicated by the barcode from a cutting terminal to which the cutting machine is connected, and acquires the data from the cutting terminal. The reference information may take any form as long as it can acquire cutting operation data for individual objects included in the cutting operation data (e.g., first cutting operation data 322) transmitted to the cutting machine that read the barcode, and may, for example, be identification information for the file of the individual cutting operation data.

[0022] Barcode bc2 contains reference information for cutting operation data for cutting object B, which is printed in a rectangular area whose vertex is cut mark m2 located a predetermined distance from barcode bc2. Barcode bc3 contains reference information for cutting operation data for cutting object C, which is printed in a rectangular area whose vertex is cut mark m3 located a predetermined distance from barcode bc3.

[0023] Barcode bc1 is placed on both sides of the rectangular area indicated by cut mark m1 in the conveying direction. Barcodes bc2 and bc3 are also placed on both sides of the rectangular area indicated by the corresponding cut mark. Barcode bc0 is placed in two locations outside barcodes bc1 and bc3, which are located at the ends of objects A, B, and C that are to be cut together in the conveying direction.

[0024] When a medium is set in the cutting unit 550 and an instruction to read the barcode is given, the processor 510 causes the medium transport unit 551 to transport the medium, moves the carriage 552, and causes the optical sensor 554 to read the barcode bc0. The processor 510 obtains cutting machine identification information that identifies the first cutting machine 500, which is the processor itself, from the ROM. The processor 510 transmits the job identification information indicated by the read barcode bc0 and the cutting machine identification information that identifies the read cutting machine to the first cutting terminal 400. The first cutting terminal 400, which has received the job identification information and the cutting machine identification information, transmits the job identification information and the cutting machine identification information to the server 300, and causes the server 300 to transmit first cutting operation data 322, which is cutting operation data for the cutting machine indicated by the cutting machine identification information to cut the object corresponding to the job identification information, in a format that can be processed by the cutting machine. In this embodiment, the first cutting action data 322 includes cutting action data for cutting object A, cutting action data for cutting object B, and cutting action data for cutting object C shown in Figure 3. The first cutting terminal 400 stores the first cutting action data 322 received from the server 300 in the non-volatile memory 420.

[0025] Next, the processor 510 of the first cutting device 500 reads the barcode bc1 and requests and acquires cutting operation data (cutting operation data related to object A among the first cutting operation data 322) from the first cutting terminal 400 based on the reference information indicated by the barcode bc1. The processor 510 performs the cutting operation based on the cutting operation data acquired from the first cutting terminal 400. Specifically, for example, the processor 510 reads the cut mark m1 and performs positioning for the cutting operation (for example, the position on the medium indicated by one of the four cut marks m1 is used as the reference for driving the medium conveyance unit 551 and the carriage 552). The processor 510 also controls the medium conveyance unit 551, the carriage 552, and the cutter 553 based on the vector data and commands indicated by the acquired cutting operation data, and performs the cutting operation.

[0026] Next, the processor 510 of the first cutting machine 500 reads the barcode bc2, requests the first cutting terminal 400 for cutting operation data corresponding to the reference information indicated by the barcode bc2, acquires the data from the first cutting terminal 400, and performs a cutting operation based on the cutting operation data. Thereafter, the processor 510 similarly performs a cutting operation on the object corresponding to the barcode bc3.

[0027] In this embodiment, the first cutting machine 500 and the second cutting machine 700 each have an optical sensor as a reading device (corresponding to a reading device corresponding to each individual cutting machine). Therefore, each cutting machine can read the job identification information using the optical sensor provided in the machine. Furthermore, the first cutting machine 500 and the second cutting machine 700 each store their own cutting machine identification information. Therefore, each cutting machine can identify the cutting machine identification information stored in the machine as the cutting machine identification information indicating the cutting machine corresponding to the optical sensor that read the job identification information.

[0028] (1-2) Cut terminal configuration: As shown in Fig. 1, in this embodiment, each cutting machine is connected to one cutting terminal. 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. The cutting terminals are, for example, computers such as PCs or tablets.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] When a user selects to use the first cutting device 500 in the cutting process, which is a process subsequent to the printing process, 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 processor 410 of the first cutting terminal 400 acquires, from the first cutting device 500, the job identification information indicated by the barcode bc0 read by the first cutting device 500 and the cutting device identification information indicating the first cutting device 500. The processor 410 then transmits this information to the server 300 and requests the server 300 to transmit first cutting operation data 322, which is cutting operation data corresponding to this information. The server 300 then returns the first cutting operation data 322, which includes cutting operation data for cutting the objects A, B, and C indicated by the barcode bc0, with the first cutting device 500, to the requesting first cutting terminal 400. The first cutting terminal 400 acquires the received first cutting operation data 322 and stores it in the nonvolatile memory 420. The processor 410 transmits each piece of cutting operation data included in the first cutting operation data 322 to the first cutting machine 500 in response to a request to acquire cutting operation data for each object from the first cutting machine 500. As described above, the first cutting machine 500 performs a cutting operation based on the cutting operation data.

[0032] (1-3) Printer configuration: 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printing device 200. 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) that is recorded in the non-volatile memory 220.

[0033] The nonvolatile memory 220 stores the print data 122 sent from the printing terminal 100, and the processor 210 controls the printing unit 250 based on the print data 122 to execute printing.

[0034] 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 via input units such as the touch panel display and keys.

[0035] 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 240 may also include an interface for communicating with various removable memories attached to the printing device 200.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] (1-4) Printing terminal configuration: The configuration of a printing terminal 100 will be described with reference to Figure 1. The printing terminal 100 is a computer such as a PC or tablet. The printing terminal 100 includes a processor 110, a non-volatile memory 120, a communication unit 130, and a UI unit 140. The non-volatile memory 120 stores a RIP application 111, various other programs, job image data 121, and the like.

[0039] The UI unit 140 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.

[0040] The communication unit 130 includes an interface circuit for communicating with other devices. The processor 110 can communicate with the printing device 200 and the server 300 via the communication unit 130. Peripheral devices such as a keyboard, mouse, and display may also be connected to the printing terminal 100 via the communication unit 130, and the processor 110 may be configured to input or output various types of information from these peripheral devices.

[0041] The processor 110 of the printing terminal 100 executes a RIP application 111. 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. A user uses the RIP application 111 to register in advance with the server 300 the cutting machine identification information of cutting machines that may be used in the cutting process. The server 300 records the registered cutting machine identification information as cutting machine registration information 325 in the non-volatile memory 320. In this embodiment, the description will continue assuming that the cutting machine identification information of the first cutting machine 500 (cutting machine ID: CUT001) and the cutting machine identification information of the second cutting machine 700 (cutting machine ID: CUT002) are registered in the cutting machine registration information 325.

[0042] The user also uses the RIP application 111 to specify job image data to be printed. The processor 110 accepts the specified job image data. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of each data element in this embodiment. The job image data 121 includes an object to be printed by the printing device 200 and an object indicating a cut line. In this embodiment, the object indicating the cut line is a line object indicated in a spot color with a predetermined name (for example, CutContour). Note that the object indicating the cut line may be any object that has been previously determined to indicate a cut line, and in other embodiments, any representation format may be used.

[0043] The user can instruct RIP processing by specifying various printing conditions (e.g., medium size, medium type, printing device type, resolution) and cutting conditions (such as adding cut marks and barcodes). Regarding cutting conditions, when it is specified that cut marks and barcodes be added for each object, as shown in Fig. 3, for example, the processor 110 places cut marks (e.g., m1) for each object at positions surrounding the object, and generates and places a barcode (e.g., bc1) indicating reference information for the object within the area surrounded by the cut marks at a predetermined distance from the cut marks.

[0044] 3, when multiple objects printed on a printed material are to be cut collectively using the same cutting machine, the processor 110 requests the server 300 to issue job IDs (job identification information) for the multiple objects. Upon receiving a request from the printing terminal 100, the server 300 issues a job ID and notifies the printing terminal 100. The processor 110 generates a barcode bc0 indicating the job ID and places it in a position in the transport direction where it can be read before the barcodes (bc1, etc.) of the objects. Here, the barcodes (bc0, bc1, etc.) are generated in a manner that can be read by the reading devices corresponding to the first cutting machine 500 and the second cutting machine 700. In other words, it is preferable that the barcodes be generated in accordance with a standard that can be read by both the optical sensors of the first cutting machine 500 and the second cutting machine 700.

[0045] When the user specifies these various printing and cutting conditions and commands RIP processing, the processor 110 rasterizes the object to be printed based on the printing conditions and generates print data 122 (see FIG. 5). Note that the print data 122 may be data generated through processes such as color conversion and halftone processing after rasterization. The division of the processes for printing between the printing terminal 100 and the printing device 200 may be realized in various ways.

[0046] Furthermore, in response to an instruction for RIP processing, the processor 110 generates cut image data 321 based on an object indicating a cut line included in the job image data 121 (see FIG. 5). The cut image data 321 is data obtained by extracting data indicating the shape of the cut line from the job image data 121, and is a collection of data indicating the shape of the cut line. If the job image data 121 includes an object with a predetermined name indicating a cut line, cut image data can be generated based on that object. Note that the object indicating the cut line is not to be printed. Furthermore, since the cut image data indicating the cut line in this embodiment does not include information about the image to be printed (it does not include images of cut marks or barcodes), the data size can be reduced compared to when information about the image to be printed is included. When producing a printed product such as that shown in Figure 3, the cut image data 321 will include data indicating the shape of the cut line of object A, data indicating the shape of the cut line of object B, and data indicating the shape of the cut line of object C.

[0047] In this way, the processor 110 generates print data 122 and cut image data 321 based on the job image data 121, as shown in Fig. 5. In this embodiment, the explanation will continue assuming that a common job ID (JOB001, job identification information) is assigned to the job image data 121, print data 122, and cut image data 321, as shown in Fig. 5. Note that as long as the correspondence between the data shown in Fig. 5 can be referenced, it is not necessary to assign a common job ID to these.

[0048] When the processor 110 receives a print instruction from a user, it sends print data 122 to the printing device 200 and causes the printing device 200 to execute a printing operation based on the print data 122. As a result, a printed matter such as that shown in FIG. 3 is printed. That is, in this embodiment, the printing device 200 prints a barcode bc0, which is an image indicating the job ID (JOB001, job identification information), on the medium. Through these steps, a printed matter is produced that has been printed based on the print data 122 generated based on the job image data 121. Therefore, as described above, the cutting machine can cut the cutting target printed on the printed matter.

[0049] The processor 110 associates the cut image data 321 generated based on the job image data 121 with a job ID and transmits it to the server 300. When the server 300 receives the job ID and cut image data 321 transmitted from the printing terminal 100, it generates cutting operation data corresponding to each type of cutting machine registered in the cutting machine registration information 325 based on the cut image data 321 and stores the data in association with the job ID (job identification information). Because an image indicating the job ID (job identification information) is printed on the printed material on which the object to be cut is printed, the cutting machine can identify the job ID corresponding to the object to be cut based on the image. Furthermore, because the image indicating the job ID (job identification information) is printed in the form of a barcode, the job ID can be automatically obtained by the optical sensor and barcode recognition process of the cutting machine. Therefore, this configuration makes it easy to identify the job ID indicating the object to be cut printed on the printed material.

[0050] (1-5) Configuration of information processing device: Next, the configuration of a server 300 as an information processing device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The server 300 includes a processor 310, a non-volatile memory 320, a communication unit 330, and a UI unit 340. The non-volatile memory 320 stores a cutting control program (not shown) and various other programs.

[0051] The nonvolatile memory 320 also stores cutting machine identification information registered by the user via the printing terminal 100 as cutting machine registration information 325. A generation program (not shown) for generating cutting operation data for each type of cutting machine is also stored in the nonvolatile memory 320. During the operation of the printing process and cutting process, the nonvolatile memory 320 stores first cutting operation data 322 and second cutting operation data 323 generated for each type of registered cutting machine based on cut image data 321 transmitted from the printing terminal 100.

[0052] The UI unit 340 includes a display, touch panel, switches, keyboard, etc. The communication unit 330 includes an interface circuit for communicating with other devices. The processor 310 can communicate with the printing terminal 100, the first cutting terminal 400, and the second cutting terminal 600 via the communication unit 330. Peripheral devices such as a keyboard, mouse, and display may also be connected to the server 300 via the communication unit 330, and the processor 310 may be configured to input various information from these peripheral devices or output various information.

[0053] The processor 310 executes a cutting control program (not shown) to obtain information indicating the type of cutting machine that the user registered prior to the printing process or cutting process, and stores this information in the non-volatile memory 320 as cutting machine registration information 325.

[0054] Furthermore, processor 310 executes a cutting control program (not shown) to function as a generating unit 310a, a receiving unit 310b, and a transmitting unit 310c. Processor 310 uses the function of generating unit 310a to generate, based on the job image data, first cutting operation data 322, which is data that can be processed when first cutting machine 500 performs a cutting operation on a cutting target based on the job image data, and second cutting operation data 323, which is data that can be processed when second cutting machine 700 performs a cutting operation on the cutting target (this processing is an example of a first step). That is, when processor 310 receives cut image data 321 from printing terminal 100, it generates, from cut image data 321, cutting operation data that corresponds to each type of cutting machine registered in cutter registration information 325. Specifically, when the first cutting machine 500 and the second cutting machine 700 are registered as cutting machine registration information 325, the processor 310 generates first cutting operation data 322, which is data that can be processed by the first cutting machine 500, and second cutting operation data 323, which is data that can be processed by the second cutting machine 700, from the cutting image data 321, as shown in Fig. 5. In this embodiment, the first cutting machine 500 and the second cutting machine 700 have different cutting operation specifications, so different first cutting operation data 322 and second cutting operation data 323 are generated from the same cutting image data 321. 3, first cutting operation data 322 is generated, which includes cutting operation data for each of objects A, B, and C that can be processed by the first cutting machine 500, and second cutting operation data 323 is generated, which includes cutting operation data for each of objects A, B, and C that can be processed by the second cutting machine 700. The first cutting operation data 322 is saved in association with a job ID (JOB001) that is common to the cut image data 321 from which it was generated, and cutting machine identification information (cutting machine ID: CUT001) for the first cutting machine 500. The second cutting operation data 323 is saved in association with the job ID (JOB001) and cutting machine identification information (cutting machine ID: CUT002) for the second cutting machine 700.

[0055] The cutting operation data generated in the first step differs depending on the cutting machine registration information 325. That is, the cutting operation data generated in the first step differs depending on the type of cutting machine registered in the cutting machine registration information 325. For example, if a third cutting machine, a fourth cutting machine, and a fifth cutting machine are registered as the cutting machine registration information 325, the processor 310 generates third cutting operation data that can be processed by the third cutting machine, fourth cutting operation data that can be processed by the fourth cutting machine, and fifth cutting operation data that can be processed by the fifth cutting machine, based on the cut image data 321. Therefore, the processor 310 of the server 300 can generate cutting operation data according to the type of cutting machine registered in the cutting machine registration information 325.

[0056] 5, when the first cutting operation data 322 and the second cutting operation data 323 are generated in the first step, a common job ID (JOB001, job identification information) is assigned to both the first cutting operation data 322 and the second cutting operation data 323, and the job ID is stored in the non-volatile memory 320 in association with the first cutting operation data 322 and the second cutting operation data 323. Therefore, regardless of whether the cutting target is cut by the first cutting machine 500 or the second cutting machine 700 in the cutting process, the cutting operation data corresponding to the cutting target and also corresponding to the cutting machine can be identified by the job identification information, as will be described later.

[0057] Furthermore, the processor 310 receives, through the function of the reception unit 310b, job identification information indicating the cutting target and cutting machine identification information indicating the type of cutting machine that will perform the cutting (this process is an example of the second step). That is, when the user issues an instruction to read the barcode bc0 on the printed material with the cutting machine used in the cutting process, the server 300 receives the job identification information indicated by the barcode bc0 and cutting machine identification information indicating the type of cutting machine from the cutting machine that read the barcode (described as the first cutting machine 500) via the cutting terminal. As described above, the job ID (job identification information) is printed on the medium. The job identification information is read from the medium by a reading device (in this embodiment, an optical sensor provided in the cutting machine) corresponding to each individual cutting machine. The cutting machine identification information is information indicating the cutting machine (in this embodiment, the cutting machine equipped with the optical sensor that read the job identification information) corresponding to the reading device that read the job identification information on the medium. By configuring the cutting machine to read job identification information using a reading device corresponding to the cutting machine, the server 300 can identify the cutting machine corresponding to the reading device that read the job identification information of the medium to be cut, and can identify the cutting machine to be used in the cutting process.

[0058] Furthermore, when processor 310 receives cutting machine identification information indicating the first cutting machine in the second step, it transmits first cutting operation data to the first cutting machine by the function of transmission unit 310c, and when processor 310 receives cutting machine identification information indicating the second cutting machine in the second step, it transmits second cutting operation data to the second cutting machine (this processing is an example of a third step). That is, when processor 310 receives a job ID (job identification information) and cutting machine identification information from first cutting machine 500 via first cutting terminal 400, it transmits first cutting operation data 322 generated in the first step to first cutting machine 500 via first cutting terminal 400. Then, first cutting machine 500 performs the cutting operation as described above based on first cutting operation data 322. Furthermore, when the job ID (job identification information) and cutting machine identification information are received from the second cutting machine 700 via the second cutting terminal 600, the processor 310 transmits the second cutting operation data 323 generated in the second step to the second cutting machine 700 via the second cutting terminal 600.

[0059] As described above, according to this embodiment, the type of cutting machine that may be used in the cutting process is identified based on pre-registered cutting machine registration information, and cutting operation data is generated and saved for each type from the cut image data. Once the cutting machine to be used is determined, the system is configured to select cutting operation data corresponding to the type of cutting machine to be used from the pre-generated cutting operation data and send it to the cutting machine. This allows the cutting machine to perform the cutting process based on cutting operation data that the cutting machine can process. As a result, user convenience can be improved.

[0060] (2) Cut control processing: 6 is a flowchart showing the cutting control process executed by the printing terminal 100, printing device 200, server 300, cutting terminal, and cutting machine. The user registers cutting machine registration information in advance with the server 300 via the printing terminal 100 (step S100). That is, the user registers cutting machine identification information in the server 300, which indicates the type of cutting machine that may be used in the cutting process. In this embodiment, the cutting machine identification information of the first cutting machine 500 and the cutting machine identification information of the second cutting machine 700 are registered. The processor 310 of the server 300 stores the cutting machine identification information of the cutting machine transmitted from the printing terminal 100 in the non-volatile memory 320 as cutting machine registration information 325.

[0061] When the user operates the UI unit 140 of the printing terminal 100 to specify an image to be printed, the processor 110 of the printing terminal 100 accepts the image as job image data (step S105). Here, the explanation will continue assuming that three objects A, B, and C are accepted, for example, as shown in FIG. 3. Next, the processor 110 requests the server 300 to issue a job ID (step S105). That is, a request is made to issue job IDs corresponding to the three objects A, B, and C shown in FIG. 3.

[0062] In the server 300, the processor 310 determines whether a request to issue a job ID has been received (step S115), and if a request to issue a job ID has been received, generates a job ID and returns the generated job ID to the requestor (step S120). In step S110, the processor 110 of the printing terminal 100 receives the job ID returned from the server 300.

[0063] Next, upon receiving a RIP instruction and a specification of printing and cutting conditions (including the placement of cut marks and barcodes) from the user, the processor 110 of the printing terminal 100 generates print data and cut image data (step S125). That is, the processor 110 arranges and sets the cut marks (m1, m2, and m3 shown in FIG. 3) surrounding each object in the job image data 121 received in step S105 as print targets on the medium. The processor 110 also arranges and sets, for each object, barcodes (bc1, bc2, and bc3) indicating reference information for that object at a predetermined distance from the cut mark as print targets on the medium. The processor 110 also arranges and sets, as print targets, the barcode bc0 indicating the job ID acquired in step S110, between all objects indicated by the job ID and their barcodes and cut marks. The processor 110 then rasterizes the image including the objects, barcodes, and cut marks arranged and set as print targets, to generate print data 122. Furthermore, based on the objects indicating cut lines included in the job image data 121, the processor 110 generates cut image data 321 including cut image data for each object.

[0064] Subsequently, when a print instruction is received from the user, the processor 110 of the printing terminal 100 executes printing (step S130). That is, the processor 110 transmits the print data 122 generated in step S120 to the printing device 200, and causes the printing device 200 to execute printing. As a result, a printed matter such as that shown in FIG. 3 is printed.

[0065] Next, processor 110 of printing terminal 100 transmits the cut image data to server 300 (step S135). That is, processor 110 associates cut image data 321 generated based on job image data 121 with a job ID and transmits it to server 300. When server 300 receives the cut image data and job ID transmitted in step S135 (step S140), processor 310 of server 300 generates and saves cutting operation data based on cut image data 321 (step S145, first step). That is, processor 310 references cutting machine registration information 325 registered in step S100 and identifies the registered types of cutting machines. Processor 310 generates cutting operation data based on cut image data 321 for each identified type of cutting machine. In this embodiment, processor 310 generates first cutting operation data 322 and second cutting operation data 323, associates them with the job ID, and saves them in non-volatile memory 320.

[0066] When printing on the printing device 200 is complete, the user removes the printed material from the printing device 200. The user also sets the printed material in a cutting machine (which will be described as the first cutting machine 500) that will perform the cutting process. After setting the printed material in the first cutting machine 500, the user instructs the first cutting machine 500 to read the barcode bc0 on the printed material. The processor 510 of the first cutting machine 500 has the optical sensor 554 read the barcode bc0 (step S150), and then transmits the job ID indicated by the read barcode bc0 and cutting machine identification information indicating the type of cutting machine to the server 300 (step S155).

[0067] The processor 310 of the server 300 determines whether or not the job ID and cutting machine identification information have been received (step S160, second step), and if so, the processor 310 selects cutting operation data associated with the cutting machine of the sender and the job ID and sends it to the sender (step S165, third step). That is, in this embodiment, the first cutting operation data 322 corresponding to the read job ID and the read first cutting machine 500 is sent to the first cutting terminal 400. In step S155, the sender first cutting terminal 400 receives the first cutting operation data 322.

[0068] The processor 510 of the first cutting device 500 executes cutting (step S170). That is, the processor 510 of the first cutting device 500 reads the barcode bc1 following the barcode bc0, acquires cutting operation data from the first cutting terminal 400 based on the reference information indicated by the barcode bc1, and operates the cutting unit 550 based on the cutting operation data to execute cutting. The first cutting device 500 performs similar processing on barcodes bc2 and onwards to execute cutting.

[0069] (3) Other embodiments: The above embodiment is an example for implementing the present invention, and various other embodiments can be adopted. For example, the printing terminal may be configured integrally with the printing device. Also, the device that accepts job image data and the device that generates print data and cut image data based on the job image data may be configured separately. Also, the cutting terminal may be configured integrally with the cutting machine. Also, the information processing device, printing terminal, and cutting terminal may be configured integrally.

[0070] The image representing the job identification information that the printing device prints on the medium is not limited to a barcode. For example, the job identification information may be printed in the form of a character string including numbers, letters, symbols, etc., or in the form of a two-dimensional code.

[0071] The job identification information printed in the form of a character string may be read by a reading device and identified by OCR processing or the like, or the system may be configured so that the user visually recognizes the numbers or the like printed on the medium and manually inputs them into a cutting machine or cutting terminal, etc. The cutting machine identification information may also be configured so that it is manually input by the user. The job identification information may be a file name or the like indicating the job image data.

[0072] The reading device that reads the job identification information may be an optical sensor provided in the cutting machine body, or may be a barcode reader, handheld scanner, or camera connected to the cutting machine or cutting terminal. The reading device may be configured to acquire the job identification information and the cutting machine identification information by reading the job identification information printed on the medium with a handheld scanner or the like and also by reading an image indicating the cutting machine identification information affixed to the housing of the cutting machine, for example.

[0073] The barcodes (e.g., barcodes bc1, bc2, and bc3 shown in FIG. 3) attached to the individual objects to be cut printed on the medium may be configured to function as job identification information. In this case, the barcode (e.g., bc0 shown in FIG. 3) indicating the job ID of the entire cutting job that includes the individual objects may be omitted.

[0074] Registration of the cutting machine registration information 325 is not limited to being performed from the printing terminal 100 using the RIP application 111. Any mode may be used as long as the cutting machine registration information 325 can be registered in the server 300.

[0075] In the above embodiment, an object in the job image data that has been given a predetermined name is identified as data indicating a cut line, and cut image data is generated based on that object. However, the job image data itself may be treated as cut image data. In this case, cutting operation data may be generated from the job image data itself. For example, the outline of the periphery of the object to be printed indicated by the job image data may be extracted, and cutting operation data may be generated using that outline as a cut line. In this case, even if data directly indicating the cut line is not included in the job image data, cut image data indicating the cut line can be generated from the job image data itself.

[0076] 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 realized as an invention of a cutting control system including an information processing device, a first cutting device, and a second cutting device. In this cutting device control system, the information processing device includes a generation unit that generates, based on job image data, first cutting operation data that can be processed by the first cutting device when performing a cutting operation, and second cutting operation data that is different from the first cutting operation data and can be processed by the second cutting device when performing a cutting operation; a reception unit that receives job identification information that indicates the cutting target and cutting device identification information that indicates the type of cutting device that will perform the cutting; and a transmission unit that transmits the first cutting operation data to the first cutting device when the information processing device receives the cutting device identification information that indicates the first cutting device, and transmits the second cutting operation data to the second cutting device when the information processing device receives the cutting device identification information that indicates the second cutting device.

[0077] The above content can also be established as an invention of an information processing device that communicates with a first cutting machine and a second cutting machine. This information processing device includes a generation unit that generates, based on job image data, first cutting operation data that can be processed by the first cutting machine when performing a cutting operation, and second cutting operation data that is different from the first cutting operation data and can be processed by the second cutting machine when performing a cutting operation, a reception unit that receives job identification information that indicates the cutting target and cutting machine identification information that indicates the type of cutting machine that will perform the cutting, and a transmission unit that transmits the first cutting operation data to the first cutting machine when the cutting machine identification information that indicates the first cutting machine is received, and that transmits the second cutting operation data to the second cutting machine when the cutting machine identification information that indicates the second cutting machine is received.

[0078] 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]

[0079] 100...printing terminal, 110...processor, 111...RIP application, 120...non-volatile memory, 121...job image data, 122...print data, 130...communication unit, 140...UI unit, 200...printing device, 210...processor, 220...non-volatile memory, 230...UI unit, 240...communication unit, 250...printing unit, 300...server, 310...processor, 310a...generation unit, 310b...reception unit, 310c...transmission unit, 320...non-volatile memory, 321...cut image data, 322...first cutting operation data, 323...Second cutting operation data, 325...Cutting machine registration information, 330...Communication unit, 340...UI unit, 410...Processor, 420...Non-volatile memory, 430...Communication unit, 440...UI unit, 500...First cutting machine, 510...Processor, 520...Non-volatile memory, 530...UI unit, 540...Communication unit, 550...Cutting unit, 551...Media transport unit, 552...Carriage, 553...Cutter, 554...Optical sensor, A, B, C...Object, bc0, bc1, bc2, bc3...Barcode, m1, m2, m3...Cut mark

Claims

1. a first step of generating, based on the job image data, first cutting operation data, which is data that can be processed when a first cutting machine executes a cutting operation on a cutting target based on job image data, and second cutting operation data, which is data different from the first cutting operation data and is data that can be processed when a second cutting machine executes a cutting operation on the cutting target; a second step of receiving job identification information indicating the cutting target and cutting machine identification information indicating the type of cutting machine that will perform the cutting; a third step of transmitting the first cutting operation data to the first cutting machine when the cutting machine identification information indicating the first cutting machine is received in the second step, and transmitting the second cutting operation data to the second cutting machine when the cutting machine identification information indicating the second cutting machine is received in the second step; A cutting control method including:

2. the job identification information is printed on a medium; The job identification information is read from the medium by a reading device corresponding to each of the cutting machines, the cutter identification information is information indicating the cutter corresponding to the reading device that reads the job identification information of the medium; The cutting control method according to claim 1 .

3. In the first step, the first cutting operation data and the second cutting operation data are generated based on cutting image data generated based on an object to which a predetermined name is assigned that is included in the job image data. The cutting control method according to claim 1 .

4. In the first step, the job identification information common to both the first cutting operation data and the second cutting operation data is assigned. The cutting control method according to claim 1 .

5. the job identification information is printed on a medium as a barcode; The cutting control method according to claim 1 .

6. the first cutter and the second cutter each include an optical sensor as the reading device; The cutting control method according to claim 2 .

7. Before the first step, cutting machine registration information is acquired, which is information indicating the types of registered cutting machines, including the first cutting machine and the second cutting machine; The cutting operation data generated in the first step varies depending on the cutting machine registration information. The cutting control method according to claim 1 .

8. an information processing device; A first cutting machine; A second cutting machine; A cutting control system comprising: The information processing device includes: a generation unit that generates, based on job image data, first cutting operation data that can be processed when the first cutting machine executes a cutting operation, and second cutting operation data that is different from the first cutting operation data and can be processed when the second cutting machine executes a cutting operation; a receiving unit that receives job identification information indicating a cutting target and cutting machine identification information indicating the type of cutting machine that will perform the cutting; a transmitting unit that transmits the first cutting operation data to the first cutting machine when the cutting machine identification information indicating the first cutting machine is received, and transmits the second cutting operation data to the second cutting machine when the cutting machine identification information indicating the second cutting machine is received, Cutting control system.

9. An information processing device that communicates with a first cutting machine and a second cutting machine, a generation unit that generates, based on job image data, first cutting operation data that can be processed when the first cutting machine executes a cutting operation, and second cutting operation data that is different from the first cutting operation data and can be processed when the second cutting machine executes a cutting operation; a receiving unit that receives job identification information indicating a cutting target and cutting machine identification information indicating the type of cutting machine that will perform the cutting; a transmitting unit that transmits the first cutting operation data to the first cutting machine when the cutting machine identification information indicating the first cutting machine is received, and transmits the second cutting operation data to the second cutting machine when the cutting machine identification information indicating the second cutting machine is received; An information processing device comprising:

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