Control device, method, and program for a printing apparatus.

Abstract

To allow for easy visual confirmation of the printed results. [Solution] A control device for controlling a printing device that winds a printed recording medium into a roll, comprising: a storage control means for storing print data and print position information from the printing device in a storage device 104; a display control means for displaying a print result confirmation on a display unit 106 based on the print data and print position information stored in the storage device 104; and a control means for executing unwinding and winding control of the recording medium wound into a roll based on an instruction for the print result confirmation display.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device, method, and program for a printing apparatus, which are suitably used for controlling a printing apparatus that winds a printed recording medium in a roll shape.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a printing method called Roll to Roll printing in which after unwinding roll paper for printing, it is wound again in a roll shape. As a technique related to Roll to Roll printing, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for preview-displaying drawing on roll paper before printing output.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Roll to Roll printing, when it is desired to visually confirm the printing result (for example, the color tone and appearance printed on the roll paper), it is necessary to identify the printing position to be visually confirmed on the wound roll paper and manually unwind it, which is troublesome.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to enable easy visual confirmation of the printing result.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to a control device for a printing apparatus that winds a printed recording medium into a roll, and is characterized by comprising: a storage control means for storing print data and print position information by the printing apparatus in a storage device; a display control means for displaying a print result confirmation on a display unit based on the print data and print position information stored in the storage device; and a control means for performing unwinding and winding control of the rolled recording medium based on an instruction for the print result confirmation display. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the printing results can be easily visually confirmed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the unwinding and winding mechanism. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the management table of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a screen for confirming the print results of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows the process performed by the printer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating the control table of the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a screen for confirming the print results of the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. [First Embodiment] <Printer Configuration> Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer 100 according to an embodiment. The printer 100 includes a CPU 101, RAM 102, ROM 103, storage device 104, and network communication unit 105. The printer 100 also includes a display unit 106, an operation unit 107, a printer unit 108, an ink tank unit 109, a paper feed unit 110, and a paper take-up unit 111. Furthermore, the printer 100 includes a system bus 112 that connects these units to each other, enabling data transmission and reception.

[0010] The CPU 101 is a central processing unit for controlling each part of the printer 100. By executing a predetermined program, the CPU 101 realizes the functions of the memory control means, display control means, and control means as defined in this invention. The RAM 102 stores various program codes. The ROM 103 temporarily stores print image data and the like when each service is executed, and is also used for buffering. Print image data corresponds to print data as defined in this invention, and will be referred to as print data below. The storage device 104 is a non-volatile storage device such as a magnetic disk or flash memory, and stores various information set in the printer 100, the remaining amount of roll paper installed, print data, and the like. In a configuration where various information is stored in the ROM 103, the storage device 104 is not an essential element and may not be present. The network communication unit 105 connects to a network such as the Internet or a local area network and communicates with other devices. The RAM 102 also stores print data and the like received by the network communication unit 105.

[0011] The display unit 106 is configured, for example, as an LCD, and displays various information. The operation unit 107 is configured with switches, hard keys, etc., for the user to perform various input operations. The display unit 106 can also have a touch panel function and perform the functions of the operation unit 107, such as input operations. The printer unit 108 prints on a recording medium such as paper based on the print data received by the network communication unit 105. The ink tank unit 109 stores the ink used for printing by the printer unit 108.

[0012] The paper feeding unit 110 and the winding unit 111 constitute a feeding and winding mechanism for unwinding (feeding out) and winding the roll paper. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the feeding and winding mechanism, schematically showing a cross-section of the printer 100. Usually, during printing, the roll paper P is unwound from the paper feeding unit 110 in the direction of the winding unit 111, and after printing, it is wound back into a roll again. When it is desired to check the printing result, by switching the rotation direction, the respective roles are switched, and it is possible to convey the roll paper P in both directions.

[0013] <Roll to Roll Printing> When Roll to Roll printing is instructed to the printer 100, the printer 100 performs conversion from the received print data to raster data (hereinafter referred to as RIP processing) and generation of an image for confirmation (hereinafter referred to as confirmation image). When the generation of raster data is completed, the printer 100 unwinds the blank roll paper installed in the paper feeding unit 110, performs printing in the printer unit 108, and winds the printed paper into a roll in the winding unit 111. The printer 100 determines the current position of the roll paper based on the remaining amount of the roll paper before printing and the conveyance amount of the roll paper, and stores it in the storage device 104 which is a non-volatile area.

[0014] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the printer 100 sets print information in the management table 300 and stores it in the storage device 104. As shown in FIG. 3, the management table 300 manages a data ID 301, raster data 302, a confirmation image 303, a data length 304, and a print position 305. The data ID 301 is identification information for specifying print data, which is uniquely assigned to the print data. The raster data 302 is RIP-processed print data used for printing on the roll paper. The confirmation image 303 is a confirmation image generated from the print data. The data length 304 is the conveyance amount of the roll paper during printing. The print position 305 is information on the print position of the print data and includes, for example, page information. The print information set in the management table 300 is held in the storage device 104 until the corresponding print data is deleted. Note that the current position of the roll paper and the print position 305 are initialized at the timing when the roll paper is removed from the printer 100.

[0015] <Interlocking process between display for print result confirmation and unwinding and winding of roll paper> FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen 400 for print results. Under the control of the CPU 101, after the completion of Roll to Roll printing, the confirmation screen 400 for print results is displayed on the display unit 106. The confirmation screen 400 for print results is a screen for performing display for print result confirmation. On the confirmation screen 400 for print results, "paper feed side" represents the paper feed unit 110, and "take-up side" represents the take-up unit 111. As the image printed on the roll paper, the confirmation image 303 set in the management table 300 is listed and displayed. Also, a frame 401 for specifying the confirmation image 303 is displayed on the confirmation screen 400 for print results. Page forward and page back are possible by panel operations such as swipe, slide, and flick on the confirmation screen 400 for print results, and the confirmation image 303 to be specified (displayed in the frame 401) can be changed. Note that panel operations are taken as an example, but it is not limited to this, and key operations using soft keys or hard keys, or page forward and page back operations may be enabled by inputting the print position numerically.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processes executed by the printer 100, and shows a series of processes when page forward and page backward operations are performed on the print result confirmation screen 400. The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is realized by the CPU 101 executing a predetermined program. In step S501, the CPU 101 acquires the current position of the roll paper stored in the storage device 104. In step S502, the CPU 101 acquires from the management table 300 of the storage device 104 the print position corresponding to the confirmation image 303 specified on the print result confirmation screen 400.

[0017] In step S503, the CPU 101 compares the current position of the roll paper acquired in step S501 with the print position acquired in step S502, and determines whether they match. If they match, the flowchart ends; if they do not match, the process proceeds to step S504. In step S504, the CPU 101 determines whether the print position acquired in step S502 is on the paper feed side with respect to the current position of the roll paper acquired in step S501. If the print position is on the paper feed side with respect to the current position, the process proceeds to step S505. If the print position is not on the paper feed side, that is, on the take-up side, with respect to the current position, the process proceeds to step S506.

[0018] In step S505, the CPU 101 performs a roll-out process on the roll paper. The roll-out here refers to the operation seen from the paper feed unit 110, and from the perspective of the take-up unit 111, it means taking up. That is, the roll-out process, like the paper feed operation of the roll paper, is a process in which the paper feed unit 110 and the take-up unit 111 rotate forward in conjunction, and the roll paper is fed out in the direction of the take-up unit 111 by the difference between the current position of the roll paper and the print position. Thereby, the actually printed image corresponding to the confirmation image 303 specified on the print result confirmation screen 400 can be positioned at a non-rolled part, and the print result can be visually confirmed. After this roll-out process is completed, the current position of the roll paper stored in the storage device 104 is overwritten and updated to the print position.

[0019] In step S506, the CPU 101 performs a rewinding process by winding up the roll paper. Rewinding here refers to the operation as seen from the paper feed unit 110, while from the perspective of the take-up unit 111, it is considered unwinding. In other words, the rewinding process involves the paper feed unit 110 and the take-up unit 111 working in conjunction to reverse direction, and, contrary to step S505, the roll paper is fed towards the paper feed unit 110 by the difference between the current position of the roll paper and the printing position. This allows the printed image corresponding to the confirmation image 303 specified on the print result confirmation screen 400 to be positioned in a location that is not in a roll shape, allowing the print result to be visually confirmed. After this rewinding process is completed, the current position of the roll paper stored in the storage device 104 is overwritten and updated to the printing position.

[0020] As described above, the unwinding and rewinding of the roll paper is controlled based on the instructions given on the print result confirmation screen 400, and the unwinding and rewinding of the roll paper are synchronized, making it easy to visually check the print results. This allows for visual confirmation of the color and finish of the print on the roll paper. In addition, some printers have an automatic print job swapping function to ensure appropriate drying time according to the amount of ink, etc., and to optimize the heating and cooling time of the heater between print jobs. In this case as well, the results of the swapped jobs can be visually confirmed.

[0021] While it has been stated that a print result confirmation screen 400 is displayed on the display unit 106 after the completion of roll-to-roll printing, this is not the only option. For example, during roll-to-roll printing, the display unit 106 may be configured to display a preview similar to that shown in Figure 4, and after the completion of roll-to-roll printing, this preview display may be used as the print result confirmation screen 400.

[0022] Furthermore, the unwinding and rewinding of the roll paper may be controlled based on the drying time of the ink used for printing. For example, the unwinding and rewinding processes in steps S505 and S506 may be performed after the corresponding time has elapsed since the completion of printing, taking into account the drying time of the ink stored in the program code of RAM102, for example.

[0023] Furthermore, if there is a discrepancy between the position of the confirmation image 303 on the print result confirmation screen 400 of the display unit 106 and the position of the roll paper after the unwinding and rewinding processes in steps S505 and S506, the error may be input via the operation unit 107, allowing the information of the print position 305 to be rewritten.

[0024] Alternatively, a sensor for detecting rotation may be placed in the paper feeding unit 110 or the paper winding unit 111, so that when the roll paper is rotated manually, the print result confirmation screen 400 follows suit, and the confirmation image 303 is adjusted to advance or rewind pages.

[0025] Furthermore, the print result confirmation screen 400 may allow the user to instruct the system to reprint. If the quality level of the print result, as visually confirmed, is unacceptable, the user can instruct the system to reprint using the operation unit 107. In this case, the system may read the raster data 302 corresponding to the confirmation image 303 displayed on the print result confirmation screen 400 from the management table 300 and perform a reprint.

[0026] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. The printer configuration and basic processing operations of the second embodiment are the same as those described in the first embodiment, so the explanation of the commonalities with the first embodiment will be omitted below, and the differences with the first embodiment will be the focus of the explanation.

[0027] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the printer 100 sets print information in the management table 600 and stores it in the storage device 104. The management table 600 manages data ID 601, raster data 602, confirmation image 603, data length 604, print position 605, and detection flag 606. Data ID 601 to print position 605 are the same as data ID 301 to print position 305 in the first embodiment. The detection flag 606 is information that serves as a marker to indicate, for example, dirt attached to the roll paper or the joint portion of the roll paper. In roll-to-roll printing, it is necessary to fix the leading edge of the paper to the winding unit 111, so in some cases, another sheet of paper is spliced ​​to the leading edge of the roll paper and fixed to the winding unit 111 to eliminate paper waste and operate economically. In this case, the thickness increases at the joint portion where the sheets of paper are connected, and it has been suggested that the print quality may deteriorate because the distance between the recording head and the recording medium becomes too close, or they come into contact. In this embodiment, as in Patent Document 2, when a transmissive sensor detects an overlapping portion with another sheet of paper, or when an optical sensor detects dirt, the detection location is set to the print position 605, and the detected information (such as seams or dirt) is set to the detection flag 606. The print information set in the management table 600 is retained in the storage device 104 until the corresponding print data is deleted. The current position of the roll paper, the print position 605, and the detection flag 606 are initialized when the roll paper is removed from the printer 100.

[0028] Figure 7 shows an example of the print result confirmation screen 700. Under the control of the CPU 101, after the completion of roll-to-roll printing, the print result confirmation screen 700 is displayed on the display unit 106. The print result confirmation screen 700 is the same as the print result confirmation screen 400 of the first embodiment, and in addition, the information set in the detection flag 606 is displayed. As a result, as in the first embodiment, the print result can be easily visually confirmed, and it becomes possible to perform a visual check focused on parts that are likely to directly lead to a decrease in print quality.

[0029] Although the present invention has been described above along with its embodiments, these embodiments are merely examples of how the present invention can be implemented, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by them. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its technical concept or its main features. In this embodiment, the printer 100 functions as a printing device and its control device as defined in the present invention, but the invention is not limited to this. The printing device and its control device are not limited to an integrated configuration, and the printing device and the control device may be configured as separate devices. (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0030] This embodiment includes the following configuration. [Configuration 1] A control device for a printing apparatus that winds a printed recording medium into a roll, A storage control means for storing print data and print position information from the printing device in a storage device, A display control means that displays a print result confirmation on the display unit based on the print data and print position information stored in the storage device, A control device for a printing apparatus, characterized by comprising control means for performing unwinding and winding control of the recording medium wound in a roll shape based on instructions for the display for confirming the print result. [Configuration 2] The control device for the printing apparatus according to configuration 1, characterized in that the control means performs the unwinding and winding control after the completion of printing by the printing apparatus. [Configuration 3] The control means is characterized in that it performs the unwinding and winding control based on the drying time of the ink used for printing by the printing apparatus, as described in configuration 1 or 2. [Structure 4] A control device for a printing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that when there is a discrepancy between the display for confirming the print result and the position of the recording medium due to the unwinding and winding control, the information of the print position stored in the storage device can be rewritten. [Composition 5] A control device for a printing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, characterized in that when the recording medium is unwound or rewound manually, the display control means causes the display for confirming the print result to follow suit. [Composition 6] A control device for a printing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that it can instruct the reprinting of the print data stored in the storage device. [Composition 7] The control device for a printing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, characterized in that the display control means displays at least one of the seams of the recording medium and dirt detected by the sensor on the display for confirming the print result. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0031] 100: Printer, 101: CPU, 102: RAM, 103: ROM, 104: Storage device, 105: Network communication unit, 106: Display unit, 107: Operation unit, 108: Printer unit, 109: Ink tank unit, 110: Paper feed unit, 111: Paper take-up unit, 112: System bus

Claims

1. A control device for a printing apparatus that winds a printed recording medium into a roll, A storage control means for storing print data and print position information from the printing device in a storage device, A display control means that displays a print result confirmation on the display unit based on the print data and print position information stored in the storage device, A control device for a printing apparatus, characterized by comprising control means for performing unwinding and winding control of the recording medium wound in a roll shape based on instructions for the display for confirming the print result.

2. The control device for a printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means performs the unwinding and winding control after the completion of printing by the printing apparatus.

3. The control means is characterized in that it performs the unwinding and winding control based on the drying time of the ink used for printing by the printing apparatus, as described in claim 1 or 2.

4. The control device for a printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when there is a discrepancy between the display for confirming the print result and the position of the recording medium due to the unwinding and winding control, the information of the print position stored in the storage device can be rewritten.

5. The control device for a printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when the recording medium is unwound or rewound manually, the display control means causes the display for confirming the print result to follow suit.

6. The control device for a printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it can instruct the reprinting of the print data stored in the storage device.

7. The control device for a printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the display control means displays at least one of the seams of the recording medium and dirt detected by the sensor on the display for confirming the print result.

8. A control method for a printing device that winds a printed recording medium into a roll, The steps include storing print data and print position information from the printing device in a storage device, The steps include: displaying a print result confirmation on the display unit based on the print data and print position information stored in the storage device; A method for controlling a printing apparatus, characterized by comprising the step of performing unwinding and winding control of the recording medium wound into a roll based on an instruction for the display for confirming the print result.

9. A program for controlling a printing device that winds a printed recording medium into a roll, A storage control means for storing print data and print position information from the printing device in a storage device, A display control means that displays a print result confirmation on the display unit based on the print data and print position information stored in the storage device, A program for causing a computer to function as a control means for performing unwinding and winding control of the recording medium wound in a roll, based on instructions for the display for confirming the print result.

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