Printing apparatus

Abstract

The present invention provides a printing apparatus that suppresses the occurrence of smudging caused by undried ink. [Solution] The printing apparatus 1 comprises a printing unit 20 that prints an image based on print data onto a printing medium M, a cutter unit 15 that cuts the printed printing medium M, a touch panel 70 that receives operation of a cut permission button 240 that instructs cutting of the printing medium M, at least one of the touch panel 70, indicator light 80, and speaker 95 that notifies the outside, and a control unit 100 that outputs a cutting instruction for the printing medium M to the cutter unit 15. From the time the control unit 100 receives operation of the cut permission button 240 until it outputs the cutting instruction, it notifies the remaining time until it outputs the cutting instruction to the cutter unit 15 using at least one of the touch panel 70, indicator light 80, and speaker 95, and after the remaining time has elapsed, it outputs the cutting instruction to the cutter unit 15.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a printing apparatus including a cutting mechanism for cutting continuous printing media after printing has been completed is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus including a cutter for cutting a sheet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007] [1. Printing device configuration] The configuration of the printing apparatus 1 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows the configuration of the printing device 1. The X, Y, and Z axes shown in Figure 1 are three mutually orthogonal axes, with the Z axis indicating the vertical direction. The X and Y axes are parallel to the horizontal direction, with the X axis indicating the left-right direction and the Y axis indicating the front-back direction.

[0008] The printing device 1 ejects ink onto a continuous printing medium M and prints images such as characters and photographs onto the printing medium M. The printing device 1 comprises a support stand 40 and a housing 10 supported by the support stand 40.

[0009] The housing 10 includes a media holding section 11, a pair of rollers 12 consisting of a driven roller 12A and a transport roller 12B, a printing section 20, a platen 13, a cutter unit 15, and an ink storage section 30. The housing 10 also includes a transport drive section 50 (not shown in Figure 1), a communication interface 60, a touch panel 70, and a control unit 100, and an indicator light 80 is provided on the top of the housing 10.

[0010] The media holding unit 11 includes a dispensing shaft 11A. A long piece of printing medium M is wound in a roll on this dispensing shaft 11A. The media holding unit 11 holds the printing medium M wound on the dispensing shaft 11A.

[0011] The driven roller 12A and the transport roller 12B transport the printing medium M, which has been fed out from the medium holding unit 11, in the transport direction C shown in Figure 1, and transport the printing medium M to the printing position. The printing position is the position where the print head 23 of the printing unit 20 prints an image on the printing medium M supported by the platen 13.

[0012] The printing unit 20 includes a carriage 21 configured to be movable in the main scanning direction X, and a print head 23 positioned on the carriage 21. The print head 23 has a plurality of nozzles 25 and prints on the printing medium M. As shown in Figure 1, the print head 23 is positioned at the bottom of the carriage 21 and faces the printing medium that has been transported to the printing position. The print head 23 may be, for example, an inkjet print head. In this case, the print head 23 prints on the printing medium M by ejecting ink droplets onto the printing medium M.

[0013] The platen 13 is positioned opposite the printing unit 20 and functions as a support for the printing medium M that has been transported to the printing position.

[0014] The ink storage section 30 includes a plurality of holding trays 31 for holding ink. The printing apparatus 1 includes a pump unit (not shown) and supplies the ink held in the holding trays 31 to the printing section 20 via the pump unit.

[0015] The printing medium M, on which the image has been formed by the printing unit 20, is transported downstream in the transport direction C to the cutting position T. The cutting position T is the position where the continuous printing medium M is cut by the cutter unit 15.

[0016] The cutter unit 15 corresponds to a cutting part that performs a cutting operation. The cutting operation is an operation of cutting the printed medium M after printing has been executed by the printing unit 20. The cutter unit 15 includes a fixed blade 16 and a movable blade 17, and the movable blade 17 is connected to a driving device such as a motor that drives the movable blade 17 via a gear or the like. When the motor of the cutter unit 15 is driven, the movable blade 17 moves toward the fixed blade 16 side and cuts the printed medium M conveyed to the cut position T. The printing apparatus 1 cuts the printed medium M printed by the printing unit 20 to a predetermined length by the cutter unit 15 and discharges it from the paper discharge port 19. Note that the configuration of the cutter unit 15 is not limited to this. As another example of the cutter unit, a configuration may be provided in which a cutter carriage equipped with a blade and movable in the X-axis direction is provided. In this example, the printed medium M can be cut to a predetermined length by moving the cutter carriage in the X-axis direction while bringing the blade into contact with the printed medium M. The cutter unit 15 is also simply referred to as a cutter.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the printing apparatus 1. The control unit 100 of the printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the printing unit 20, the conveyance drive unit 50, the communication interface 60, the touch panel 70, the indicator lamp 80, the cutter unit 15, and the audio processing unit 90. A speaker 95 is connected to the audio processing unit 90. Hereinafter, the interface is abbreviated as I / F.

[0018] The conveyance drive unit 50 includes a drive source such as a motor, and operates the drive source according to the control of the control unit 100 to rotationally drive the conveyance roller 12B. Thereby, the printed medium M is conveyed in the conveyance direction C and sent to the printing position.

[0019] The communication I / F 60 includes, for example, a communication card such as a NIC (Network Interface Card), and performs data communication with a control device such as a personal computer via a network (not shown).

[0020] The touch panel 70 corresponds to the display unit and the reception unit, or the display unit, the reception unit, and the notification unit. The touch panel 70 includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel, that is, a display, and a touch sensor provided over or integrally with the display panel. The display panel displays various images under the control of the control unit 100. The touch sensor detects a touch operation on the display panel and outputs information indicating the position of the display panel where the touch operation is detected to the control unit 100. The control unit 100 executes processing corresponding to the touch operation based on the information input from the touch sensor.

[0021] The indicator lamp 80 corresponds to the notification unit. The indicator lamp 80 includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and emits an alarm by light. The indicator lamp 50 can be configured by, for example, a Patlite. Patlite is a registered trademark.

[0022] The audio processing unit 90 and the speaker 95 correspond to the notification unit. The audio processing unit 90 is configured by, for example, a processor for audio processing. The speaker 95 is connected to the audio processing unit 90. The audio processing unit 90 performs D / A conversion on the audio data input from the control unit 100 to convert it into an analog audio signal. The audio processing unit 90 amplifies the converted audio signal and outputs the amplified audio signal as sound from the speaker 95. Although an example in which the notification unit includes the three components of the touch panel 70, the indicator lamp 80, and the audio processing unit 90 is shown, it is not essential to include these three components, and it is sufficient to include at least one of them.

[0023] The control unit 100 is a computer device including a storage unit 110 and a processor 130.

[0024] The storage unit 110 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The RAM is used for temporarily storing various data, and the ROM stores a control program 115 for controlling the operation of the processor 130 and various setting information.

[0025] The processor 130 is an arithmetic processing unit equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit). The processor 130 may be composed of a single processor or multiple processors. Furthermore, the processor 130 may be composed of part or all of the memory unit 110 or an SoC integrated with other circuits. Alternatively, the processor 130 may be composed of a combination of a CPU that executes programs and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) that performs predetermined arithmetic processing. In addition, the processor 130 may be configured to implement all of its functions in hardware, or it may be configured using a programmable device. Note that the various control functions realized by the processor 130 executing the control program 115 stored in the memory unit 110 may sometimes be simply described as the operation of the control unit 100 or the operation of the processor 130.

[0026] Figure 3 shows an example of the first guidance screen 200. The first guidance screen 200 corresponds to the operation screen. When the control unit 100 receives print data from the control device, the printing process executed based on this received print data determines the degree of ink dryness. In other words, the control unit 100 functions as a determination unit. A low degree of ink dryness means that the ink is relatively not dry, and if the printing medium M on which the image is printed comes into contact with a floor or other object immediately after printing, the ink will adhere to the floor or other object. A high degree of ink dryness means that the ink is relatively dry, and if the printing medium M on which the image is printed comes into contact with a floor or other object immediately after printing, the ink will not adhere to the floor or other object.

[0027] The control unit 100 determines the degree of dryness based on the type of printing medium M used in the printing process. The printing medium M is set, for example, by the printer driver on which the control device is installed, or by touch operation on the touch panel 70. For example, the control unit 100 determines that the degree of dryness is low if the type of printing medium M is non-absorbent and does not easily allow ink to penetrate. An example of such a type of printing medium M is a DTF (Direct to Film) film in which an ink receiving layer is formed.

[0028] Furthermore, the control unit 100 may determine the degree of ink drying based on the print duty cycle. The print duty cycle indicates the ratio of the area of ​​the image or the amount of ink printed per unit area when printing an image on the printing medium M. In other words, the print duty cycle is the ratio of the area occupied by the area to which ink is applied per unit area, or the amount of ink applied per unit area. The control unit 100 calculates the print duty cycle based on the print data.

[0029] Furthermore, the control unit 100 may determine the degree of dryness after the printing process is completed. The control unit 100 counts the amount of ink ejected from the print head 23 and determines the degree of dryness of the image printed on the printing medium M based on this counting result.

[0030] Furthermore, the control unit 100 may determine the degree of ink dryness for the printing process performed by the printing unit 20 based on the type of ink used for the printing process. For example, if the ink is of a type that is intended to be transferred from the printing medium M to another medium, the control unit 100 may determine that the degree of dryness is low.

[0031] If the control unit 100 determines that the image printed on the printing medium M is not dry enough, or if the printing device 1 only performs printing on images that are not dry enough, it displays the first guidance screen 200 shown in Figure 3 on the touch panel 70 after the printing process is completed.

[0032] The first guidance screen 200 includes a first guidance display unit 210, a switching display unit 220, a standby time setting unit 230, and a cut permission button 240.

[0033] The first information display unit 210 displays information in text format. The first information display unit 210 shown in Figure 3 displays the following three pieces of information. The first set of instructions includes a message stating that by operating this first instruction screen 200, the user can set the waiting time before the cutter unit 15 begins cutting. The waiting time is the time from when the user presses the cut permission button 240 until the control unit 100 outputs a cutting instruction to the cutter unit 15. The cutter unit 15 immediately executes the cutting operation upon receiving the cutting instruction. Therefore, the control unit 100 outputting a cutting instruction to the cutter unit 15 and the cutter unit 15 executing the cutting operation are essentially synonymous, except for any lag caused by control reasons. The second set of information includes a display indicating the time required from the start of the cutting operation by the cutter unit 15 until the cutting of the printing medium M is completed. The third set of guidance information includes a display instructing the user to quickly place their hand on and support the printed medium M that is being cut. This third set of guidance information corresponds to information guiding the user to support the printed medium M printed by the printing unit 20.

[0034] The toggle display unit 220 accepts an operation to enable or disable the waiting time before the cutter unit 15 starts cutting. The toggle display unit 220 displays a toggle button 221 for enabling or disabling the waiting time setting. Turning the toggle button 221 on enables the waiting time, and turning the toggle button 221 off disables the waiting time. When the toggle button 221 is off, the cutter unit 15 immediately starts cutting when the cut permission button 240 is pressed. In other words, except for lags caused by control reasons, there is almost no waiting time.

[0035] The standby time setting unit 230 is a display that becomes active when the toggle button 221 of the switching display unit 220 is turned on. The standby time setting unit 230 displays the standby time display 231, the plus button 233, and the minus button 235. The waiting time display 231 shows the current setting for the waiting time from when the cut permission button 240 is pressed until the cutter unit 15 starts the cutting operation. The plus button 233 is a button that accepts an operation to increase the waiting time by adding a predetermined time to the waiting time displayed on the waiting time display 231. The minus button 235 is a button that accepts an operation to shorten the waiting time by subtracting a predetermined time from the waiting time displayed on the waiting time display 231. The operation of the plus button 233 and the minus button 235 corresponds to a second operation that sets the time from when the cut permission button 240 is received until the control unit 100 outputs a cutting instruction, that is, until the cutting operation is performed.

[0036] The cut permission button 240 is a button that authorizes the cut operation by the cutter unit 15. The operation of the cut permission button 240 corresponds to the first operation. That is, when the user presses the cut permission button 240, the control unit 100 determines that it has received the first operation to instruct the cutting of the printing medium M.

[0037] The user operates the toggle button 221 displayed on the switching display unit 220 to enable or disable the waiting time before the cutter unit 15 starts cutting. Furthermore, if the user wants to enable the standby time, they operate the plus button 233 or the plus button 233 to change the standby time displayed on the standby time display 231 to the desired standby time. After that, the user presses the cut permission button 240.

[0038] Figure 4 shows an example of the second guidance screen 300 that is displayed when the cut permission button 240 is pressed. When the control unit 100 receives a press of the cut permission button 240, it displays the second guidance screen 300 shown in Figure 4. The second guidance screen 300 is displayed on the touch panel 70 between the time the cut permission button 240 is pressed and the time the control unit 100 outputs a cutting instruction. The second guidance screen 300 is a screen that informs the user of the remaining time until the control unit 100 outputs a cutting instruction to the cutter unit 15, that is, the time until the cutting operation is performed. The second guidance screen 300 includes a second guidance display unit 310, an image display unit 320, and a remaining time display unit 330.

[0039] The second guidance display unit 310 displays guidance information in text. Specifically, similar to the first guidance screen 200, it includes instructions to quickly place one's hand on the printing medium M being cut by the cutter unit 15 to support the printing medium M. The guidance information displayed on the second guidance display unit 310 corresponds to information guiding the user to support the printing medium M printed by the printing unit 20.

[0040] The image display unit 320 displays an image that guides the user to quickly place their hand on the printing medium M being cut by the cutter unit 15 to support the printing medium M. The image displayed on the image display unit 320 corresponds to information guiding the user to support the printing medium M printed by the printing unit 20.

[0041] The remaining time display unit 330 shows the remaining time until the cutter unit 15 starts cutting. In the example in Figure 4, this remaining time is shown to be 5 seconds. This remaining time is updated every second, counting down. Note that the remaining time only needs to be displayed in a way that the user can roughly grasp, so an error of a few seconds is acceptable. Factors causing the error include lag due to control reasons and the time required from when the drive device such as the motor in the cutter unit 15 starts driving until the movable blade 17 comes into contact with the printing medium M. For the same reason, the remaining time does not have to be displayed numerically. For example, it can be displayed by changing the color of a bar-shaped figure, such as a progress bar, according to the remaining time. In the example in Figure 4, in addition to the numerical time (5 seconds), the remaining time is also indicated by the change in the color of the circular figure surrounding it.

[0042] The control unit 100 may display the second guidance screen 300 on the display unit and simultaneously display a cancel button (not shown). This cancel button is provided to cancel the cut operation in the event of an unforeseen event during the execution of the countdown. When the user presses the cancel button, the first guidance screen 200 is displayed again on the touch panel 70.

[0043] Furthermore, the control unit 100 may, while the second guidance screen 300 is being displayed, illuminate or flash the indicator light 80 when the remaining time falls below a preset time to notify the user that there is little time left until the cut-off begins. In this case, the indicator light 80 functions as a notification unit.

[0044] Figure 5 shows an example of the third guidance screen 400. When the remaining time displayed on the remaining time display unit 330 runs out, the control unit 100 authorizes the cutter unit 15 to perform the cutting operation. The control unit 100 also displays the third guidance screen 400 shown in Figure 5 on the touch panel 70 to indicate that the cutting operation is in progress.

[0045] The printed medium M, on which the image has been formed and cut by the cutter unit 15, is then coated with binder powder, which is a hot-melt resin powder, onto the ink layer that forms the image, and then pressed with a heat press machine to transfer the image onto a fabric made of natural or synthetic fibers. Here, if the ink is not yet dry, it is easier to apply the binder powder, so it becomes necessary to perform the cutting operation when the ink is still wet.

[0046] In the above description, we explained a case where the remaining time until the control unit 100 outputs a cutting instruction to the cutter unit 15 is notified via the touch panel 70, but the speaker 95 may also function as the notification unit. That is, the control unit 100 may output a voice message from the speaker 95 instructing the user to quickly place their hand on the printing medium M to be cut by the cutter unit 15 to support the printing medium M. When the width of the printing medium M in the X-axis direction is relatively large, the touch panel 70 is positioned away from the center of the printing device 1 in the X-axis direction, which may make it difficult for the user to recognize the display on the touch panel 70. In such cases, the effect of voice guidance becomes particularly significant.

[0047] [2. Printer Operation] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing device 1. The operation of the printing device 1, which is performed based on the control of the control unit 100, will be explained with reference to Figure 6. First, the control unit 100 determines whether or not it has received print data from a control device such as a personal computer (step S1). If the control unit 100 has not received print data (step S1 / NO), it waits until it receives print data.

[0048] When the control unit 100 receives print data (step S1 / YES), it determines whether the subsequent printing process requires time for the ink to dry, i.e., whether the printing process requires time for the ink to dry (step S2). For example, the control unit 100 determines the degree of ink drying based on at least one of the information specifying the type of printing medium M included in the print data, the print settings information included in the print data, and the print details. Here, the print settings information includes, for example, whether the printing mode specified by the printing device 1 is a mode intended for binder powder adhesion, i.e., a mode in which the printing medium M is discharged before the ink is sufficiently dry, or a normal mode not intended for binder powder adhesion, i.e., a mode in which the printing medium M is discharged after the ink has dried.

[0049] If the ink is not sufficiently dry during the printing process (step S2 / NO), the control unit 100 causes the printing unit 20 to execute the printing process (step S3) and displays the first guidance screen 200 on the touch panel 70 (step S4).

[0050] Next, the control unit 100 determines whether or not it has received an operation on the cut permission button 240 (step S5). If the control unit 100 has not received an operation on the cut permission button 240 (step S5 / NO), it waits until it receives an operation on the cut permission button 240.

[0051] When the control unit 100 receives an operation of the cut permission button 240 (step S5 / YES), it determines whether the waiting time setting is valid or not (step S6). The control unit 100 determines whether the toggle button 221 is ON or not, and then determines whether the waiting time setting is valid or not.

[0052] If the control unit 100 determines that the toggle button 221 is off and the waiting time setting is invalid (step S6 / NO), it outputs a cutting instruction to the cutter unit 15 (step S9).

[0053] Furthermore, if the control unit 100 determines that the toggle button 221 is ON and that the standby time setting is valid (step S6 / YES), it displays a second guidance screen 300 on the touch panel 70 that shows the remaining time until the start of the disconnection operation (step S7).

[0054] Next, the control unit 100 determines whether the remaining time until the start of the cutting operation is zero (step S8). If the remaining time is not zero (step S8 / NO), the control unit 100 waits until the remaining time becomes zero. If the remaining time is zero (step S8 / YES), the control unit 100 outputs a cutting instruction to the cutter unit 15, that is, it executes the cutting operation (step S9).

[0055] When the control unit 100 outputs a cutting instruction to the cutter unit 15 (step S9), it displays the third guidance screen 400 on the touch panel 70 (step S10). Next, the control unit 100 determines whether the cutting operation of the cutter unit 15 has finished (step S11). The control unit 100 determines whether the cutting operation of the cutter unit 15 has finished based, for example, on a signal output by the cutter unit 15 after the cutting operation has finished.

[0056] If the cutting operation of the cutter unit 15 is not yet complete (step S11 / NO), the control unit 100 waits until the cutting operation is completed. Also, once the cutting operation of the cutter unit 15 is completed (step S11 / YES), the control unit 100 determines whether all printing processes based on the print data received in step S1 have been completed (step S12).

[0057] If the control unit 100 has not yet completed all printing processes based on the print data (step S12 / NO), it instructs the printing unit 20 to perform the printing process again (step S3). Furthermore, if all printing based on the print data is completed (step S12 / YES), the control unit 100 terminates this processing flow.

[0058] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S2 that the ink is too dry (step S2 / NO), the control unit 100 causes the printing unit 20 to perform the printing process (step S13), and after the printing process is completed, it outputs a cutting instruction to the cutter unit 15. That is, it performs the cutting operation (step S14).

[0059] Next, the control unit 100 determines whether the cutting operation of the cutter unit 15 has finished (step S15). If the cutting operation of the cutter unit 15 has not finished (step S15 / NO), the control unit 100 waits until the cutting operation is finished.

[0060] Furthermore, when the cutting operation of the cutter unit 15 is completed (step S15 / YES), the control unit 100 determines whether or not all printing processes based on the print data received in step S1 have been completed (step S16).

[0061] If the control unit 100 has not yet completed all printing processes based on the print data (step S16 / NO), it instructs the printing unit 20 to perform the printing process again (step S13). Furthermore, if the control unit 100 has completed all printing based on the print data (step S16 / YES), it terminates this processing flow.

[0062] [3. Summary of this disclosure] A summary of this disclosure is provided below. (Note 1) A printing apparatus comprising: a printing unit for printing an image based on print data onto a continuous medium; a cutting unit for performing a cutting operation, which is the operation of cutting the continuous medium on which the image has been printed by the printing unit; a receiving unit for receiving a first operation to instruct the cutting of the continuous medium; and a notification unit, wherein, between the time the receiving unit receives the first operation and the time the cutting operation is performed, the notification unit notifies the remaining time, which is the time from the time the first operation is received until the cutting operation is performed, and after the remaining time has elapsed, the cutting unit performs the cutting operation.

[0063] With this configuration, upon receiving the first operation, the notification unit notifies the user of the remaining time until the cutting instruction is output to the cutting unit. This allows the user to be aware of the remaining time until the continuous medium is cut. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the continuous medium, once printed and cut by the cutting unit, from falling onto the floor or other surfaces. For example, if the image printed on the continuous medium is not yet dry, the user can support the cut continuous medium with their hand to prevent ink from staining the floor.

[0064] (Note 2) The printing apparatus as described in Appendix 1, wherein the notification unit notifies information guiding the support of the continuous medium printed by the printing unit between the time the first operation is received and the cutting operation is performed.

[0065] In this configuration, information guiding the user to support the continuous media is broadcast by the notification unit. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the user to support the continuous media.

[0066] (Note 3) The notification unit is a printing apparatus as described in Appendix 1 or 2, including an audio output unit.

[0067] With this configuration, the remaining time until a cutting command is output to the cutting unit, as well as information guiding the user to support the continuous media, are announced via voice. This allows the user to be prompted to support the continuous media.

[0068] (Note 4) The notification unit is a printing apparatus as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 3, including a display unit.

[0069] In this configuration, the remaining time until a cutting command is output to the cutting unit, as well as information guiding the user to support the continuous media, are displayed on the display unit. This allows the user to be prompted to support the continuous media.

[0070] (Note 5) The printing apparatus according to any one of the appendices 1 to 4, wherein the notification unit includes an indicator light that emits an alarm with light, and the indicator light turns on or flashes when the remaining time falls below a predetermined time.

[0071] With this configuration, when the remaining time falls below a predetermined time, an indicator light illuminates or flashes. This allows the user to be prompted to support continuous media.

[0072] (Note 6) A printing apparatus according to any one of the appendices 1 to 5, comprising a display unit, wherein the display unit displays an operation screen that accepts a second operation for setting the remaining time and the first operation, and after the first operation is accepted on the operation screen and the remaining time has elapsed, the cutting unit performs the cutting operation.

[0073] With this configuration, an operation screen is displayed showing the first and second operations. By operating this operation screen, it is possible to instruct the cutting of the continuous medium or set the time until the cutting instruction is output.

[0074] (Note 7) A printing apparatus according to any one of the appendices 1 to 6, comprising a determination unit, wherein the determination unit determines the degree of dryness of an image to be printed on the continuous medium based on the print data, and if the determination unit determines that the degree of dryness is low, the notification unit notifies the remaining time, and the cutting unit performs the cutting operation after the remaining time has elapsed, and if the determination unit determines that the degree of dryness is high and accepts the first operation, the cutting unit performs the cutting operation after a time shorter than the remaining time when the degree of dryness is determined to be low has elapsed.

[0075] With this configuration, if the image to be printed on the continuous medium is not dry, the printer waits for the continuous medium to be cut before cutting it. If the image to be printed on the continuous medium is dry, the printer cuts the continuous medium after printing is complete without waiting for it to be cut. This allows the printer to appropriately adjust its operation. It also reduces unnecessary screen displays and waiting times when the image is dry. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 1…Printing device, 10…Housing, 11…Media holder, 11A…Feeding shaft, 12…Roller pair, 12A…Driven roller, 12B…Conveyor roller, 13…Platen, 15…Cutter unit, 16…Fixed blade, 17…Movable blade, 19…Paper output slot, 20…Printing section, 21…Carriage, 23…Print head, 25…Nozzle, 30…Ink storage section, 31…Holding tray, 40…Support stand, 50…Conveyor drive unit, 60…Communication interface, 70…Touch panel, 90…Audio processing unit, 95…Speaker, 100...Control unit, 110...Storage unit, 115...Control program, 130...Processor, 200...First guidance screen, 210...First guidance display unit, 220...Switching display unit, 221...Toggle button, 230...Standby time setting unit, 231...Standby time display, 233...Plus button, 235...Minus button, 240...Cut permission button, 300...Second guidance screen, 310...Second guidance display unit, 320...Image display unit, 330...Remaining time display unit, 400...Third guidance screen, C...Transportation direction, M...Printing medium.

Claims

1. A printing unit that prints images based on print data onto a continuous medium, A cutting unit that performs a cutting operation, which is the operation of cutting the continuous medium on which the image has been printed by the printing unit, A receiving unit that receives a first operation instructing the cutting of the continuous medium, The news department and, Equipped with, Between the time the receiving unit receives the first operation and the time the cutting operation is performed, the notification unit notifies the remaining time, which is the time from the time the first operation is received until the cutting operation is performed. After the remaining time has elapsed, the cutting unit will perform the cutting operation. Printing device.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies information guiding the support of the continuous medium printed by the printing unit between the time the first operation is received and the time the cutting operation is performed.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification unit includes an audio output unit.

4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the notification unit includes a display unit.

5. The notification unit includes an indicator light that emits an alarm with light, The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the indicator light turns on or flashes when the remaining time falls below a predetermined time.

6. Equipped with a display unit, The display unit displays an operation screen that accepts the second operation for setting the remaining time and the first operation. After the first operation is received on the operation screen and the remaining time has elapsed, the cutting unit will execute the cutting operation. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. Equipped with a determination unit, The determination unit determines the degree of dryness of the image to be printed on the continuous medium based on the print data, When the determination unit determines that the degree of dryness is low, The notification unit notifies the remaining time, The cutting unit will perform the cutting operation after the remaining time has elapsed. When the determination unit determines that the degree of dryness is high, The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, upon receiving the first operation, the cutting unit performs the cutting operation after a time shorter than the remaining time when it is determined that the degree of dryness is low.

Images