Image forming system and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming system and an image forming apparatus capable of simplifying the configuration of the image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment, an image forming system includes a host computer and an image forming apparatus. The host computer includes a first communication unit and a first processor. The image forming apparatus includes a second communication unit, a memory, a printing unit, and a second processor. The first processor generates raster data of an image to be printed by the image forming apparatus, and transmits print information including the raster data and auxiliary data used for print control of the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus. The memory holds raster data included in the print information from the host computer received by the second communication unit. The second processor controls the driving of the printing unit based on the raster data and the auxiliary data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD Embodiments of the present invention relate to an image forming system and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Label printers that print labels are one type of image forming device found in workplaces. Conventional label printers print label images on print media based on print data written in a print control language supplied from an external device. Print control languages ​​are designed to accommodate older, slower communication interfaces. This allows print data written in a print control language to reduce the amount of communication data.

[0003] However, print data in a print control language must be converted into image data (raster data) for printing on the printer side. For this reason, conventional label printers have the problem that their printing capabilities, such as print speed, are determined by the performance of the configuration that converts print data in a print control language into raster data. Another problem with conventional label printers is that they require data, such as font data, that is compatible with the print control language to be stored in flash memory in advance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-93115 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide an image forming system and an image forming apparatus that can have a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to an embodiment, an image forming system includes a host computer and an image forming apparatus. The host computer includes a first communication unit and a first processor. The image forming apparatus includes a second communication unit, a memory, a printing unit, and a second processor. The first communication unit communicates with the image forming apparatus. The first processor generates raster data for an image to be printed by the image forming apparatus and transmits print information to the image forming apparatus, the print information including the raster data and auxiliary data used for controlling printing by the image forming apparatus. The second communication unit communicates with the host computer. The memory holds the raster data included in the print information received from the host computer via the second communication unit. The printing unit prints the image for each print line. The second processor controls driving of the printing unit based on the raster data and auxiliary data. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a host computer in an image forming system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a label printer as an image forming apparatus in the image forming system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a sequence for explaining the flow of a printing operation in the image forming system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a drive signal for a mechanical mechanism in a label printer as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of control settings for a slow-up period for starting a conveyance motor in a label printer as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of control settings for a slow-down period for starting a conveyance motor in a label printer as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of setting a drive signal for a ribbon motor in a label printer as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of control information for controlling the on / off of a ribbon solenoid in a label printer as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a print pattern for explaining control information for the thermal history of the heat generating elements of a label printer as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a print pattern for explaining control information for the thermal history of the heat generating elements of a label printer as an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a print image printed on a label material as a print medium by a label printer as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of print information for images of each page supplied to a label printer as an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A label printer as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the scale of each part in the drawings used to describe the following embodiment may be changed as appropriate. Also, the drawings used to describe the following embodiment may omit some components to make the description easier to understand.

[0009] First, the configuration of the label printer 3 in the image forming system according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming system 1 and a host computer 2 in the image forming system 1 according to the embodiment. The image forming system 1 has a host computer 2 and a label printer 3. The image forming system 1 is a system in which the label printer 3 executes label printing in response to instructions from the host computer 2. The host computer 2 is connected to the label printer 3 via a communication line. The host computer 2 supplies data for the label printer 3 to print the label.

[0010] In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the host computer 2 includes a processor 21, a read only memory (ROM) 22, a random access memory (RAM) 23, a data memory 24, a communication unit 25, a display unit 26, and an operation unit 27.

[0011] The processor 21 is connected to a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a data memory 24, a communication unit 25, and a display unit 26 via a bus line. The bus line includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like.

[0012] The processor 21 executes various processes according to programs. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 21 executes various processes, which will be described later, by executing programs stored in the ROM 22 or the data memory 24. For example, the processor 21 executes an operating system (OS) and executes application programs that run on the OS to execute the processes.

[0013] The ROM 22 is a non-volatile memory that stores programs executed by the processor 21 and various data. The RAM 23 is a volatile memory that temporarily stores data. For example, the RAM 23 operates as a development memory that temporarily stores programs and data when the processor 21 executes a program.

[0014] The data memory 24 corresponds to an auxiliary storage section. The data memory 24 is a rewritable non-volatile memory. The data memory 24 is configured, for example, by an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The data memory 24 stores data used by the processor 21 when performing various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 21, etc.

[0015] The communication unit 25 includes a communication interface for communicating with the label printer 3. For example, the communication unit 25 is configured with a network interface that communicates with devices via a network.

[0016] The display unit 26 is composed of a display device that displays information. The display unit 26 displays operation guides and the like when instructing the label printer 3 to print a label. The display unit 26 may also display information indicating the status of label printing in the label printer 3.

[0017] The operation unit 27 is configured with an input device for an operator to input operation instructions. The input device serving as the operation unit 27 is configured with, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device, a touch panel, etc. The display unit 26 and the operation unit 27 may be configured with a display device equipped with a touch panel.

[0018] Next, the configuration of the label printer 3 in the image forming system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a label printer 3 as an image forming apparatus in an image forming system according to an embodiment. The label printer 3 is placed in a workplace. In the configuration example shown in Fig. 1, the label printer 3 includes a processor 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, data memory 34, a communication unit 35, a display unit 36, an operation unit 37, and a printing mechanism 38. The printing mechanism 38 also includes a head driving unit 41, a print head 42, a motor driving unit 43, a transport motor 44, a ribbon driving unit 45, a winding motor (ribbon motor) 46, a feed motor (ribbon motor) 47, a solenoid driving unit 48, and a ribbon solenoid 49.

[0019] The processor 31 is connected to each section within the label printer 3 via a bus line including an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines. The processor 31 is a processing unit that performs overall control of the label printer 3. The processor 31 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 31 may also be configured with multiple pieces of hardware.

[0020] The processor 31 may include an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), an SoC (System on a Chip), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), etc. The processor 31 executes a program stored in the ROM 32 or the data memory 34 to perform the processes described below.

[0021] The ROM 32 is a non-volatile memory that stores programs executed by the processor 31 and various data. The RAM 33 is a volatile memory. The RAM 33 is a memory that temporarily stores data. The RAM 33 includes memory (DRAM) that stores raster data, which is image data (print image) for printing when printing is performed. The RAM 33 has a memory area reserved for storing one page of raster data for printing one label.

[0022] The data memory 34 is a rewritable non-volatile memory. The data memory 34 is configured, for example, by a flash ROM (flash memory). The data memory 34 stores data used in various processes. The label printer 3 according to this embodiment does not need to store font data specified in the print control language by the printing operation described below. Furthermore, the label printer 3 according to this embodiment does not need a program for processing changes to the print data in the print control language by the printing operation described below.

[0023] For this reason, the data memory 34 only needs to have a storage capacity that is sufficient to store the minimum amount of data necessary to operate the label printer 3. As a specific example, a printer that prints based on print data in a print control language requires 16 to 128 MB or more of data memory to store font data. In contrast, the label printer 3 according to this embodiment is capable of equivalent printing operations even with a data memory 34 of 4 MB.

[0024] The communication unit 35 is a communication interface for communicating with an external host computer, a user terminal, etc. For example, the communication unit 35 is connected to a host computer for communication and receives print data for label printing and print commands supplied from the host computer.

[0025] The display unit 36 ​​is made up of a display device that displays information. The display unit 36 ​​is provided in a position where the display screen can be viewed by the operator of the label printer 3. The display unit 36 ​​displays operation guides for the label printer 3 or information indicating the status of the label printer 3. In the label printer 3 according to this embodiment, the processor 31 displays the display data supplied from the host computer 2 as is on the display unit 36.

[0026] The operation unit 37 is configured with an input device that allows an operator to input operation instructions. The input device serving as the operation unit 37 is, for example, various input buttons or a touch panel. The display unit 36 ​​and the operation unit 37 may also be configured with a display device equipped with a touch panel.

[0027] The printing mechanism 38 prints an image on the label material as a printing medium by heating the ink ribbon with the print head 42. The processor 31 executes the printing operation by controlling each part of the printing mechanism 38 in accordance with print control information supplied from the host computer 2.

[0028] The head drive unit 41 is connected to the print head 42. The head drive unit 41 and the print head 42 are examples of a printing unit that is driven by a drive signal. The head drive unit 41 drives the print head 42. The print head 42 is provided at a predetermined printing position. The print head 42 has multiple heating elements arranged in a print line that is perpendicular to the medium transport direction at the printing position. The print head 42 is positioned so that the multiple heating elements come into contact with the ink ribbon that is transported overlapping the label at the printing position. The print head 42 prints on the label paper by having each heating element apply heat to the ink ribbon that is transported overlapping the label paper at the print line.

[0029] The head driver 41 causes each heating element constituting the print head 42 to generate heat in accordance with control instructions from the processor 31. The head driver 41 controls the heat generation of each heating element in the print head 42 in accordance with the raster data and auxiliary data for each print line in the print image of each page to be printed on the print medium. The print head 42 heats the ink ribbon pressed against the print medium (label material) by the heated heating elements at the specified print position. In this way, the print head 42 transfers ink according to the image data onto the print medium for each print line.

[0030] The motor drive unit 43 is connected to the transport motor 44. The motor drive unit 43 and the transport motor 44 are an example of a transport unit that transports label material as a printing medium. The transport unit is one of the mechanical functions (mechanical mechanisms) that operate during printing operations. The motor drive unit 43 drives the transport motor 44 in response to instructions from the processor 31. The transport motor 44 transports the printing medium along a predetermined transport path by rotating a transport roller.

[0031] In this embodiment, the label printer 3 prints images on label material as a print medium. For example, the transport motor 44 transports label paper, which is a long, strip-shaped backing sheet on which multiple label materials are arranged. The label paper is a long, strip-shaped backing sheet on which multiple rectangular label materials are attached at equal intervals with a predetermined gap (for example, about 1 to 3 mm). The label paper is formed into a roll and set in a predetermined position.

[0032] Ribbon drive unit 45 is connected to take-up motor (ribbon motor) 46 and delivery motor (ribbon motor) 47. Ribbon drive unit 45 and ribbon motors 46, 47 are an example of an ink supply unit that supplies an ink ribbon as image forming material (ink). The ink supply unit is one of the mechanical functions (mechanical mechanisms) that operate during printing operations.

[0033] The ribbon drive unit 45 drives ribbon motors 46 and 47 in response to instructions from the processor 31. The ribbon motors 46 and 47 transport the ink ribbon so that it overlaps the label paper at the printing position. The take-up motor 46 is a motor that rotates the take-up roller. The supply motor 47 is a motor that rotates the supply roller. The ribbon drive unit 45 transports the ink ribbon by rotating the supply roller and the take-up roller using the ribbon motors 46 and 47.

[0034] For example, the take-up roller winds up the used ink ribbon that has passed the printing position into a roll. The feed roller winds up a long unused ink ribbon into a roll. The ink ribbon passes through the printing position between the feed roller and the take-up roller, overlapping with the label paper and transported. The ribbon drive unit 45 controls ribbon motors 46 and 47 so that the ink ribbon is transported at the printing position at the same transport speed and in the same direction as the label paper. Note that if the feed roller is configured to rotate following the take-up roller, the feed motor 47 may be omitted.

[0035] The solenoid drive unit 48 drives the ribbon solenoid 49. The solenoid drive unit 48 and the ribbon solenoid 49 are an example of an ink suppression unit that suppresses the use of the link ribbon as an image forming material. The ink suppression unit is one of the mechanical functions (mechanical mechanisms) that operate during printing operations.

[0036] The ribbon solenoid 49 limits the operation of the ribbon motors 46 and 47 to suppress the use of the link ribbon. The solenoid drive unit 48 stops the ribbon motors 46 and 47 by turning on the ribbon solenoid 49, thereby saving the use of the ink ribbon. The solenoid drive unit 48 controls the on / off of the ribbon solenoid 49 in response to instructions from the processor 31.

[0037] Next, a description will be given of the flow of the printing operation in the image forming system 1 according to the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a sequence for explaining the flow of the printing operation in the image forming system 1 according to the embodiment.

[0038] First, in the image forming system 1, the host computer (hereinafter also simply referred to as the host) 2 and the label printer 3 establish a communication state (ACT11). For example, when the power is turned on or when an operator instructs the start of communication, the processor 31 of the label printer 3 requests a communication connection to the host computer 2 via the communication unit 35. The host computer 2 receives the connection request from the label printer 3 via the communication unit 25. The processor 21 of the host computer 2 establishes a communication connection with the label printer 3 in response to the communication connection request.

[0039] The processor 21 of the host computer 2 sends the setting information for the connected label printer 3 to the label printer 3 (ACT12). For example, the host computer 2 stores the setting information for the label printer 3 in advance in the data memory 24. The processor 21 of the host computer 2 identifies the connected label printer 3 and reads the setting information for that label printer 3 from the data memory 24. The processor 21 sends the setting information for that label printer 3 read from the data memory 24 to the label printer 3.

[0040] The processor 31 of the label printer 3 saves the setting information received from the host computer 2 in the RM 33 or data memory 34 (ACT13). As a result, the label printer 3 becomes operable using the setting information obtained from the host computer 2 when communication with the host computer 2 is established.

[0041] While connected for communication with the label printer 3, the host computer 2 accepts a request to print a label using the label printer 3 (ACT14). Label printing by the label printer 3 may be instructed by the host computer 2 or by the label printer 3. For example, when printing is instructed by the host computer 2, the processor 21 of the host computer 2 identifies the print image (label image) and printing conditions instructed by the operation unit 27. Furthermore, when printing is instructed by the label printer 3, the processor 21 of the host computer 2 obtains information indicating the print image and information indicating the printing conditions from the label printer 3.

[0042] When the processor 21 of the host computer 2 acquires the print image and printing conditions, it determines the control (operation) settings of each part in the label printer 3 for printing the print image on the print medium (ACT15). The processor 21 determines the control settings for operating each mechanical mechanism of the label printer 3 based on the print image and printing conditions.

[0043] As a specific example, the processor 21 determines control settings for operating the conveyance motor 44 (conveyance unit) of the label printer 3 based on the print image and printing conditions. The processor 21 also determines control settings for operating the ribbon motors 46, 47 in the label printer 3 based on the print image and printing conditions. The processor 21 also determines control settings for operating the ribbon solenoid in the label printer 3 based on the print image and printing conditions.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of drive signals for each unit when the label printer 3 executes a printing operation on a print medium (label material) transported in the transport direction a. The host computer 2 determines control settings that indicate drive signals for each part of the label printer 3, as shown in Figure 4. The label printer 3 obtains print control information that indicates control settings for drive signals, as shown in Figure 4, from the host computer 2. This allows the label printer 3 to operate each part based on the print control information from the host computer 2 and perform printing operations, without having to determine drive signals for each part by itself.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows a drive signal A for the transport motor 44, a drive signal B for the take-up motor 46, a drive signal C for the delivery motor 47, and a drive signal D for the ribbon solenoid 49 as examples. Drive signal A shown in Fig. 4 shows an example of a pulse signal and drive current waveform for driving carry motor 44. In Fig. 4, the upper signal of drive signal A shows the pulse signal provided to carry motor 44, which is a stepping motor, and the lower waveform of drive signal A shows the drive current waveform.

[0046] The drive current supplied to the carry motor 44 is a constant drive current during the printing operation (medium transport) (the period during which the carry motor 44 is turned on), as shown by the current waveform of drive signal A. The pulse signal is set to have a slow-up period, a constant speed period, and a slow-down period. The slow-up period is a period during which the carry motor 44 is started. The constant speed period is a period during which the carry motor 44 is driven at a predetermined speed. The slow-down period is a period during which the carry motor 44 is started.

[0047] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of control settings for the slow-up period. According to the setting example shown in Fig. 5, the slow-up period is set to 1 to 8 steps. During the slow-up period, the speed of the carry motor 44 is set to change from 0 to a constant speed in 8 steps.

[0048] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of control settings for the slow-down period. In the setting example shown in Fig. 6, the slow-down period is set to the final 8 steps before stopping. During the slow-down period, the speed of the carry motor 44 is set to go from a constant speed to 0 in 8 steps.

[0049] The host computer 2 stores setting information for determining the drive signal for the carry motor 44 for each label printer 3 in the data memory 24. The host computer 2 determines the control settings for the drive signal that operates the carry motor 44, as shown in Figure 4, using the information stored in the data memory 24, and supplies this to the label printer 3. This means that the label printer 3 does not need to have firmware (programs and setting data) for determining the drive signal for the carry motor 44.

[0050] 4 shows an example of the waveforms of an on / off signal and a drive current for driving take-up motor 46. In FIG. 4, the upper waveform of drive signal B shows the on / off signal of take-up motor 46, and the lower waveform of drive signal B shows the drive current of take-up motor 46. 4 shows an example of the waveforms of an on / off signal and a drive current for driving the send-out motor 47. In FIG. 4, the upper waveform of the drive signal C shows the waveform of the on / off signal of the send-out motor 47, and the lower waveform of the drive signal B shows the drive current of the send-out motor 47.

[0051] The on / off signals of drive signals B and C are on during printing, as is the drive current of carry motor 44. The drive current of drive signals B and C has a waveform that rises when printing starts, drops in non-printing area N, and rises again when printing resumes. As a result, take-up motor 46 and delivery motor 47 are controlled to drive at a predetermined speed during printing and to stop or slow down during the period when the printing position passes the non-printing area (ink ribbon save period).

[0052] The drive speeds of the take-up motor 46 and the feed-out motor 47 vary depending on the printing speed and the ribbon diameter of the link ribbon. Therefore, the drive currents that drive the take-up motor 46 and the feed-out motor 47 have different motor settings depending on the printing speed and the ribbon diameter. The host computer 2 supplies print control information to the label printer 3, including drive signals for the take-up motor 46 and the feed-out motor 47 that correspond to multiple ribbon diameters.

[0053] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of setting information of drive signals for the take-up motor 46 and the delivery motor 47 for each ribbon diameter. The setting example shown in Fig. 7 shows digital values ​​(D / A values) supplied to the D / A converter of ribbon drive unit 45 as setting values ​​for the drive signals for take-up motor 46 and pay-out motor 47. In the setting information shown in Fig. 7, the D / A values ​​supplied to take-up motor 46 and pay-out motor 47 from before start to the constant speed after start are specified for each ribbon diameter.

[0054] 7 specifies, for each ribbon diameter, the D / A values ​​to be supplied to the take-up motor 46 and the delivery motor 47 during the period from the start to the end of ribbon save. Ribbon save is an operation that reduces the consumption of the link ribbon while the non-printing area in the print image passes the printing position. Therefore, the take-up motor 46 and the delivery motor 47 are supplied with the D / A values ​​set for the period from the start to the end of ribbon save, during which the non-printing area passes the printing position.

[0055] The host computer 2 stores setting information for determining the drive signals of the ribbon motors 46, 47 for each label printer 3 in the data memory 24. The host computer 2 determines the setting information for the drive signals of the motors 46, 47 for each ribbon diameter as shown in FIG. 7 using the information stored in the data memory 24. The host computer 2 supplies print control information including the setting information for the drive signals of the motors 46, 47 to the label printer 3.

[0056] The label printer 3 drives the motors 46, 47 at set values ​​according to the ribbon diameter based on setting information from the host computer 2. This eliminates the need for the label printer 3 to have firmware (programs and setting data) for determining the drive signals of the take-up motor (ribbon motor) 46 and the delivery motor (ribbon motor) 47 from the ribbon drive unit.

[0057] 4 shows an example of the waveform of an on / off signal for driving the ribbon solenoid 49. The ribbon solenoid 49 is a mechanical mechanism that operates to conserve the wear of the link ribbon in the non-printing areas of the print image. The on-off signal of the drive signal D has a waveform that is off in the non-printing area N of the print image and on for a predetermined period before and after the non-printing area N. The solenoid drive unit 48 drives the ribbon solenoid 49 by the drive signal D. As a result, the ribbon solenoid is turned on in the non-printing area N, and the ribbon motors 46 and 47 can be stopped.

[0058] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of control information (on / off information) for controlling the ribbon solenoid 49 to turn on and off. 8 shows an example of setting the ribbon solenoid 49 to be on or off depending on whether or not there is print data on each print line that passes the print position. In the example shown in Fig. 8, print lines with no print data (non-print lines) 519 to 805 correspond to non-print areas in the print image.

[0059] In the setting example shown in Figure 8, ribbon solenoid 49 is turned on at print line 521, two lines after print line 519, where print data changes from present to absent. When ribbon solenoid 49 is turned on, ribbon motors 46 and 47 perform a stopping process. By turning on the solenoid several lines after the start of the non-printing area (non-printing line group), ribbon motors 46 and 47 can be stopped with a margin of several lines.

[0060] 8, ribbon solenoid 49 is turned off at print line (802), four lines before print line (806) where print data changes from absent to present. When the solenoid is turned off, the ribbon motor restarts. By turning off ribbon solenoid 49 a predetermined number of lines before the end of the non-printing area (non-printing line group), ribbon motors 46 and 47 can be restarted at a constant speed for the predetermined number of lines.

[0061] 8, the on / off signal for the solenoid used to perform ribbon saving is information set for each print line. For this reason, the on / off signal for the ribbon solenoid 49 is included in the auxiliary data added to each print line of the raster data and is supplied from the host computer 2 to the label printer 3. This allows the label printer 3 to control the on / off of the ribbon solenoid 49 based on the auxiliary data added to each print line of the raster data.

[0062] The processor 21 of the host computer 2 identifies non-print areas in the print image and determines setting information for turning the ribbon solenoid 49 on and off according to the non-print areas. The processor 21 of the host computer 2 adds information indicating the on / off status of the ribbon solenoid 49 to the auxiliary data that is added to the raster data. The processor 21 supplies the label printer 3 with printing information consisting of the raster data to which the auxiliary data including the on / off information for the ribbon solenoid 49 has been added.

[0063] The label printer 3 drives the ribbon solenoid 49 based on on / off information for the ribbon solenoid 49 included in the auxiliary data of the printing information received from the host computer 2. This eliminates the need for the label printer 3 to have firmware (programs and setting data) for determining whether the ribbon solenoid 49 is turned on or off by the solenoid drive unit 48.

[0064] Once the processor 21 of the host computer 2 has determined the control settings for each part of the label printer 3, it sends print control information indicating the determined control settings to the label printer 3 (ACT15). Here, the processor 21 of the host computer 2 may compress or encrypt the print setting information before sending it to the label printer 3. In this case, the label printer 3 may be provided with a function to decompress data and a function to decrypt encrypted data.

[0065] When the processor 31 of the label printer 3 receives the print control information from the host computer 2, it stores the print control information in a memory such as the RAM 33 (ACT 16). The processor 31 of the label printer 3 can execute a print operation according to the print content by operating each unit according to the print control information stored in the memory. This allows the label printer 3 to operate each unit according to the print control information obtained from the host computer 2, without operating each unit according to drive signals calculated by the label printer 3 itself.

[0066] Furthermore, once the processor 21 of the host computer 2 has determined the control settings for the label printer 3, it creates display data to be displayed on the display unit 36 ​​of the label printer 3 (ACT 17). The processor 21 creates display data to be displayed on the display unit 36 ​​while the label printer 3 is performing a printing operation, according to the print content.

[0067] Once the processor 21 has created the display data to be displayed on the display unit 36, it sends the created display data to the label printer 3 (ACT18). Here, the processor 21 of the host computer 2 may compress or encrypt the display data before sending it to the label printer 3. In this case, the label printer 3 may be provided with a function to decompress compressed data or a function to decrypt encrypted data.

[0068] When the processor 31 of the label printer 3 receives display data from the host computer 2, it stores the display data in a memory such as the RAM 33 (ACT 19). Once the processor 31 of the label printer 3 has stored the display data in memory, it displays a display screen based on the display data stored in the memory on the display unit 36 ​​during printing (ACT 20).

[0069] The host computer 2 may specify to the label printer 3 the display data to be displayed on the display unit 36 ​​according to the operating state of the label printer 3. In this case, the label printer 3 may control the display data to be displayed on the display unit 36 ​​according to instructions from the host computer 2.

[0070] The host computer 2 may also acquire information indicating the operating status of the label printer 3 and transmit display data corresponding to the operating status to the label printer 3 as appropriate. In this case, the label printer 3 may display the received display data on the display unit 36 ​​every time it receives display data from the host computer 2.

[0071] The processor 21 of the host computer 2 also generates a print image specified by the print specification. For example, when a label to be printed is specified, the processor 21 identifies the format of the specified label (label format) and obtains the data of each page to be set in each image area of ​​the format. The processor 21 generates a print image for each page by setting an image based on the data of each page in each image area of ​​the label format.

[0072] When the processor 21 of the host computer 2 generates the print image, it converts the print image of one page into image data (raster data, print image data) for printing the first page (ACT31). The raster data for one page is a data group in which data for each line (print line) printed by the group of heating elements of the print head 42 of the label printer 3 is arranged for one page.

[0073] After generating the raster data for the first page, the processor 21 of the host computer 2 sets auxiliary data in the data for each print line in the raster data (ACT32). The auxiliary data includes setting information such as control information (head control information) for the print head 42 in the label printer 3 and control information (ribbon save setting information) for the ribbon solenoid. The processor 21 of the host computer 2 creates auxiliary data for each print line of the page based on the print image and printing conditions.

[0074] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the ribbon solenoid control information is setting information for turning ribbon solenoid 49 on and off depending on the non-printing area in the print image. Furthermore, head control information includes information on the number of heated dots for print head 42 and control information on thermal history. The information on the number of heated dots is information for setting the number of dots depending on print density correction. The control information on thermal history (thermal control parameters) is information for controlling the amount of heat applied to the heating elements depending on the thermal history pattern (past print pattern).

[0075] Here, the control information for the thermal history will be described. The temperature of each heating element in the print head 42 is not constant, but fluctuates depending on past print patterns. The print head 42 can perform stable printing by controlling heat generation according to the temperature of the heating elements. For this reason, the heat history control information sets the amount of heat (e.g., controlled by time) to be applied to the heating elements that perform printing according to the temperature of the heating elements predicted from the print pattern.

[0076] For example, a heating element that continues to be in a non-printing (non-heating) state in a print pattern will have a low temperature. Therefore, when a heating element that has continued to be in a non-printing state starts printing, the amount of heat given to that heating element is controlled to increase. In contrast, a heating element that has been continuously printing in a print pattern has a high temperature due to the heat storage effect. Therefore, when a heating element that has been printing starts printing, the amount of heat given to that heating element is controlled to decrease. Furthermore, heating elements are also heated by the heat generated by adjacent heating elements. Therefore, the heat control pattern is determined taking into account past printing patterns and the printing patterns (power history) of adjacent heating elements.

[0077] 9 and 10 are diagrams showing examples of print patterns for explaining the thermal history of the heating elements. Figures 9 and 10 show print patterns for print lines n-3, n-2, n-1, n, and n+1, with point P printed on the nth line as the center. In the print pattern shown in Figure 9, the heating element that prints point P continues to be non-printing on print lines prior to print line n. In addition, the heating elements adjacent to the heating element that prints point P also continue to be non-printing. As a result, the temperature of the heating element that prints point P on print line n is low. Accordingly, the heating element can be controlled to increase the amount of heat applied when printing point P on print line n.

[0078] In the print pattern shown in Figure 10, the heating element that prints point P continues to print on print lines prior to print line n. The heating elements adjacent to the heating element that prints point P also continue to print. As a result, the temperature of the heating element that prints point P on print line n is high. Accordingly, the heating element can be controlled to reduce the amount of heat it receives when printing point P on print line n.

[0079] The processor 21 of the host computer 2 creates auxiliary data for each printing line, including the head control information and ribbon solenoid control information described above. After creating the auxiliary data for each printing line, the processor 21 of the host computer 2 creates print information by setting the auxiliary data in the raster data for each printing line. The processor 21 of the host computer 2 sends the print information, in which the auxiliary data has been added to the data for each printing line of the raster data, to the label printer 3 (ACT33). For example, the processor 21 of the host computer 2 sends the print information for the first page to the label printer 3 for each predetermined number of lines.

[0080] The processor 21 of the host computer 2 may compress or encrypt the data to be sent to the label printer 3. For example, the processor 21 of the host computer 2 may compress the print information to be sent to the label printer 3. In this case, the label printer 3 is provided with a function to decompress compressed data. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of communication data (print information) transferred from the host computer 2 to the label printer 3.

[0081] The processor 21 of the host computer 2 may also encrypt and send data so that it can be decrypted by the destination label printer 3. In this case, the label printer 3 must have the function to decrypt encrypted data. This allows the host computer 2 to send print information that can only be decrypted by the specific destination label printer 3.

[0082] When the processor 31 of the label printer 3 receives print information from the host computer 2, it expands the raster data included in the received print information into memory such as RAM 33 (ACT 34). If the processor 31 of the label printer 3 receives compressed data from the host computer 2, it decompresses the data to obtain the print information. If the processor 31 of the label printer 3 receives encrypted data from the host computer 2, it decrypts the data to obtain the print information.

[0083] Once the processor 31 of the label printer 3 has expanded the raster data for the first page, it starts the printing operation for the first page (ACT 35). The processor 31 of the label printer 3 operates each unit in accordance with the print control information stored in memory to print one page of a label based on the raster data for the first page. Note that if the print information is transferred in units of a predetermined number of lines, the processor 31 of the label printer 3 may start the printing operation when the raster data for the predetermined number of lines (the number of lines at which printing can begin) has been stored in memory.

[0084] The processor 21 of the host computer 2 repeats sending the print information for each predetermined number of lines of ACT33 to the label printer 3 until sending of the print information for one page is completed. In this way, the label printer 3 obtains one page of raster data from the host computer 2.

[0085] Furthermore, following the creation of raster data for the print image of page 1, the processor 21 of the host computer 2 executes a process of converting the print image of the next page into image data (raster data) for printing the next page (ACT41). For example, the processor 21 generates a print image of page 2 by setting the data for page 2 in each image area of ​​the label format. After generating the print image of page 2, the processor 21 converts the print image of page 2 into image data for printing (raster data, print image data).

[0086] When the processor 21 of the host computer 2 generates the raster data of the next page, it calculates the difference between the raster data of the next page and the last data of the previous page (ACT42). For example, the processor 21 detects the difference by multiplying the raster data of the previous page and the raster data of the next page by XOR (XNOR).

[0087] Processor 21 may also detect different byte blocks as differences by extracting differences in HEX data of the raster data. When detecting differences in HEX data, the granularity (e.g., 1 bit, 16 bits, etc.) for detecting differences between the print image of the previous page and the print image of the next page can be set appropriately. If there is a difference in the raster data of a print line, processor 21 identifies information indicating the start position of the difference. As a result, processor 21 generates difference data that includes the start position of the difference and information indicating the difference.

[0088] The label printer 3 that prints the labels often prints label images in which only the image in a certain image area is changed in a specific label format. In this type of printing process, the last data of the previous page and the raster data of the next page often have many common areas, and only the image in a certain image area is changed. For this reason, when transferring raster data to the label printer 3, transferring the print information for the next page as differential data from the previous page is highly effective in reducing the amount of data.

[0089] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a printed image (label image) printed on a plurality of label materials 511 and 512 as printing media placed on label paper 50 conveyed by label printer 3. As shown in FIG. 11, label paper 50 has multiple label materials 511 and 512 arranged at a predetermined interval on a long backing sheet, and is transported in transport direction a. The label image of the first page is printed on label material 511, and the label image of the second page is printed on label material 512. The label images of the first and second pages have the same format, but the image in image area 611 and the image in image area 621 are different.

[0090] In the example shown in FIG. 11, the label image for page 2 has been changed from "1234Z56789" in image area 611 of the label image for page 1 to "1234Z56782." In this case, the difference between the image in image area 611 and the image in image area 612 is detected as the difference between the raster data for page 2 and page 1. The difference in the print line of image area 612 is calculated as the difference data. Furthermore, the only difference between the image in image area 611 and the image in image area 612 is that "1" has been changed to "2." Therefore, the start position indicating the print area of ​​"2" in image area 612 is set as the difference data.

[0091] Furthermore, if the barcode in image area 621 is coded information from "1234Z56789" in image area 611, the image will be different from that in image area 622. Such a barcode image in image area 622 may differ only partially from the barcode image in image area 621. In this case, the difference between the image in image area 621 and the image in image area 622 is detected as the difference from the first page of the raster data for the second page. The difference data is set to the difference in the printing lines of image area 622 and the start position indicating the printing area of ​​the difference image.

[0092] As described above, the processor 21 of the host computer 2 calculates the difference for each print line and generates differential data. When the processor 21 of the host computer 2 generates differential data, it sets auxiliary data to the differential data (ACT43). The processor 21 creates auxiliary data for the print line where there is a difference, and generates differential print information by setting the auxiliary data to the differential data. However, if it is necessary to change the auxiliary data for the print lines before and after the differential data, the processor 21 may add print information in which only the auxiliary data is set.

[0093] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of print information for each page. As shown in Figure 12, the print information for the first page is made up of raster data and auxiliary data for each print line. In contrast, the print information for the second page (next page) is made up of differential data and auxiliary data for each print line that differs from the first page (previous page). As shown in Figure 12, in the print information for the second page, print lines that do not differ from the previous page have no data. In other words, print lines that have no data in the print information for the second page have the same data as the corresponding print line on the previous page.

[0094] After creating differential printing information by adding auxiliary data to the differential data, the processor 21 of the host computer 2 sends the differential printing information to the label printer 3 (ACT44). For example, the processor 21 of the host computer 2 sends the differential printing information to the label printer 3 as printing information for the next page for each predetermined number of lines.

[0095] The processor 21 of the host computer 2 may also compress or encrypt the differential printing information before sending it to the label printer 3. In this case, the label printer 3 shall have the function of decompressing compressed data and the function of decrypting encrypted data.

[0096] When the processor 31 of the label printer 3 receives the differential printing information as the printing information for the next page, it creates raster data for the next page using the raster data of the previous page and the differential printing information (ACT45). The label printer 3 can create raster data for the next page using the raster data of the previous page and the differential data. In other words, the label printer 3 can create raster data for the next page by updating the raster data of the previous page with the differential data between the previous and next pages.

[0097] For example, processor 31 copies the raster data of the previous page to a memory area for the raster data of the next page reserved in a memory such as RAM 33. Processor 31 creates the raster data of the next page by updating the raster data of the previous page copied to the memory area for the raster data of the next page with the print information of the difference.

[0098] When the processor 31 of the label printer 3 loads the raster data for the next page into memory, it prints the next page following the printing operation of the previous page (ACT 46). The processor 31 of the label printer 3 operates each unit in accordance with the print control information stored in memory and prints the next page of label based on the next raster data.

[0099] The processor 21 of the host computer 2 repeatedly executes the processes of ACTs 41-44 until transmission of the print information for the final page is completed, allowing the label printer 3 to obtain the raster data and auxiliary data for all pages from the host computer 2 and print all pages.

[0100] In the above-described example of the operation of the label printer 3, the operation is explained as being performed by one processor 31, but part or all of the above-described processing may be performed by an FPGA or ASIC. By having an FPGA or ASIC perform part or all of the processing, the printing speed increases, and the above-described operations can be realized even if processing becomes difficult with a single processor (for example, a CPU).

[0101] For example, the FPGA or ASIC may be configured to perform raster data processing (e.g., generation of thermal head transfer data for thermal history control), display control of the display unit 36, control within each unit, and overall control of the printing operation. As a specific example, the processor 21 may focus on data transfer and data processing based on information from various sensors (e.g., adjusting the amount of heat in the thermal head based on temperature), while the FPGA or ASIC may perform processing based on simple data changes (e.g., generation of thermal history patterns, or generation of communication waveforms for transferring D / A values ​​to an actual D / A converter IC).

[0102] Furthermore, the FPGA can appropriately set configuration data as internal logic. That is, the FPGA can flexibly set and change processing by setting configuration data supplied from a host computer. For example, the FPGA can update print control or change the control timing of each part using configuration data from the host computer. As a specific example, the FPGA can appropriately set print control or change the control timing of each part using configuration data from the host computer.

[0103] As described above, in the image forming system according to the embodiment, the host computer and label printer are communicatively connected. The host computer creates raster data, which is image data for printing, from a print image that the label printer is to print on a print medium. The host computer supplies the label printer with print information, in which auxiliary data, including control information that the label printer is to set according to the print pattern, is added to the raster data. The label printer loads the raster data included in the print information received from the host computer into memory. The label printer prints the print image on the print medium by operating each unit in accordance with the raster data included in the print information and the control information indicated by the auxiliary data.

[0104] This allows the label printer to print using raster data received from the host computer without processing print data written in a print control language. The label printer can also perform print head correction control using auxiliary data added to the raster data, allowing for easy correction control settings without complex calculations.

[0105] As a result, the configuration of the label printer can be simplified. Specifically, the capacity of the label printer's data memory (flash memory) can be reduced because it does not need to store data such as various font data. Also, the label printer's data memory does not need to store setting data used to control each part, so the memory capacity can be reduced. Furthermore, the label printer does not need processing to determine the drive signals for each part, so the operating program can be simplified.

[0106] It also makes it possible to improve the precision of printed images and the expressiveness of printed images by using a variety of fonts, etc., regardless of the label printer configuration. Specifically, in addition to the standard fonts of the operating system installed in the host computer, a variety of fonts that can be installed on the host, such as POP characters, can be easily used. Furthermore, even if the print image has been edited on the host computer, the print image displayed on the display unit of the host computer can be supplied to the label printer as raster data with high fidelity.

[0107] In addition, the image forming system according to the embodiment also supplies control information for mechanical functions such as motor drive during printing operations from the host computer to the label printer as print control information. The label printer controls the drive of each part during printing operations based on the print control information from the host computer.

[0108] This allows the label printer to drive each part using print control information from the host computer, without the need to determine the drive signals for each part by itself.As a result, the label printer does not need to be equipped with or run advanced programs for controlling the drive of each part, allowing for a simple configuration.

[0109] Furthermore, when printing images of multiple pages, the host computer according to the embodiment transmits differential data between the raster data of the previous page and the raster data of the next page as image data for the next page. The label printer generates raster data for the next page from the differential data and the raster data of the previous page from the host computer and prints the next page. This enables the image forming system to reduce the amount of data in the print information, including raster data for the next page and beyond.

[0110] In the image forming system according to the embodiment, the host computer transmits display data to the label printer to be displayed on the display unit of the label printer. The label printer displays the display data received from the host computer on the display unit.

[0111] This allows the label printer to control the display of the display unit using display data from the host computer without having to create display data for its own display unit.As a result, the label printer does not need to be equipped with programs or data for creating display data to be displayed on the display unit, allowing for a simple configuration.

[0112] In the above embodiment, the ROM or data memory of the label printer stores a program for the processor to execute the above-mentioned processing or control. An individually assigned program may be written to the data memory, which is a writable storage device provided in the label printer, in response to an operation by an administrator or the like. The program may be stored and assigned on a removable, non-transitory, tangible computer-readable storage medium, or may be assigned via communication via a network. The non-transitory, tangible computer-readable storage medium may be an optical disk, memory card, or other device-readable medium capable of storing program data.

[0113] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1...image forming system, 2...host computer, 3...label printer (image forming apparatus), 21...processor, 22...ROM, 23...RAM, 24...data memory, 25...communication unit (first communication unit), 26...display unit, 27...operation unit, 31...processor, 32...ROM, 33...RAM, 34...data memory, 35...communication unit (second communication unit), 36...display unit, 37...operation unit, 38...printing mechanism, 41...head drive unit, 42...print head (print unit), 43...motor drive unit, 44...conveyance motor (conveyance unit), 45...ribbon drive unit, 46...winding motor (ribbon motor), 47...feed motor (ribbon motor), 48...solenoid drive unit, 49...ribbon solenoid.

Claims

1. In an image forming system having a host computer and an image forming apparatus, The host computer a first communication unit that communicates with the image forming apparatus; a first processor that generates raster data of an image to be printed by the image forming device, and transmits print information including the raster data and auxiliary data used for print control of the image forming device to the image forming device; the image forming apparatus, a second communication unit that communicates with the host computer; a memory for storing raster data included in the print information received from the host computer via the second communication unit; a printing unit that prints an image for each printing line; a second processor that controls driving of the printing unit based on the raster data and the auxiliary data; Imaging system.

2. The image forming apparatus further includes a conveying unit that conveys a print medium on which an image is printed by the printing unit, the first processor of the host computer transmits print control information for the transport unit to transport the print medium to the image forming apparatus; the second processor of the image forming apparatus controls driving of the transport unit based on print control information from the host computer; The image forming system according to claim 1 .

3. When transmitting raster data of a plurality of pages, the first processor of the host computer transmits differential data between the raster data of a previous page and the raster data of a next page; when the second processor of the image forming apparatus receives the difference data from the host computer, it creates raster data of the next page by updating the raster data of the previous page with the difference data. The image forming system according to claim 1 .

4. the image forming apparatus further includes a display unit that displays an image under the control of the second processor; the first processor of the host computer creates display data, which is image data to be displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus, and transmits the display data to the image forming apparatus; the second processor of the image forming apparatus causes the display unit to display the display data received from the host computer; The image forming system according to claim 1 .

5. a communication unit for communicating with a host computer; a memory for storing raster data included in the print information received from the host computer by the communication unit; a printing unit that prints an image for each printing line; a processor that controls driving of the printing unit based on the raster data and auxiliary data added to the raster data included in the print information; An image forming apparatus having the same.

Images